Step into the heart of Tacoma with this episode of Sound Track, where host Andrea Reay sits down with filmmaker and community leader Gregory Marks from Right Now Today Films.

Gregory shares the powerful story behind Westbrook: A Wrestler’s Story, his debut feature film that celebrates grit, family, and the unbreakable spirit of the South Sound. From overcoming addiction to becoming a voice for hope and creativity, Gregory’s personal journey is as compelling as the film itself.

Listen and hear about:

• How real wrestlers and authentic voices brought the story to life
• The challenges and triumphs of independent filmmaking in Tacoma
• Why investing in local creative economies matters
• The transformative power of resilience, belief, and community support

Whether you’re passionate about underdog stories, the arts, or Tacoma’s future, this episode offers inspiration and a reminder of what makes our region strong.

Join host Andrea Reay, President & CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, for a conversation with Independent economist Aaron Terrazas on the future of the South Sound economy.

Aaron’s experience spans the U.S. Treasury and leadership roles in economic research at major organizations including Zillow, Convoy, and Glassdoor. He's also a guest faculty member at the University of Washington. He currently serves on the National Association for Business Economics' Data Analytics and Statistics Roundtable, and is a LinkedIn TopVoice in Economics. His labor market and macroeconomic analysis is regularly cited in national media .

In this episode, he explores:

• How global trade uncertainty is shaping local opportunity
• The role of generative AI in transforming business and work
• The importance of connecting education with industry
• Why Pierce County is uniquely positioned for growth

Whether you're a business leader, policymaker, or community member, this episode reveals practical insights on navigating volatility, adapting to rapid change, and building resilience in a dynamic economy.

In this episode of Sound Track, we step into part 2 of our conversation with Kitti Cramer, Executive VP and Chief Legal Officer at Premera Blue Cross and Dr. Kara LaValley, Associate Dean of Nursing at Green River College, to explore how they are reshaping nursing education in Washington State!

In this episode, you’ll hear about how a unique LPN-to-BSN program is opening doors for working adults, first-generation college students, and aspiring nurses from diverse backgrounds. You'll discover how the program’s holistic admissions process looks beyond grades to value each student’s lived experience, and how flexible, hybrid learning options and dedicated faculty advisors help students balance work, family, and school.

Learn about the real-world challenges of clinical placements and faculty shortages, and how creative solutions—like stipends for preceptors and sharing curriculum models nationwide—are making a difference. If you’re interested in how public and private partnerships can drive health equity, support local communities, and create sustainable change, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiring stories.

In this episode of Sound Track, we explore an innovative public-private solution to one of healthcare’s most urgent challenges: the nursing shortage. With the U.S. projected to need 1 million new Registered Nurses by 2030, the current system is hampered by limited faculty, clinical placements, and funding.

To tackle this, Premera Blue Cross and four Washington colleges, including Green River College, launched a first-of-its-kind LPN-to-BSN pathway that allows working nurses to earn their bachelor's degrees without stepping away from their jobs or families.

We are joined by:

• Kitti Cramer, Executive VP and Chief Legal Officer at Premera Blue Cross
• Dr. Kara LaValley, Associate Dean of Nursing at Green River College

Together, they share how this partnership came to life, why it matters, and what it’s already achieving—from higher enrollment and increased diversity in the nursing workforce to stronger clinical training networks and improved health equity. They also discuss lessons learned, the role of flexible curriculum design, and how other businesses and institutions can replicate this transformative model.

In this episode of Sound Track, we sit down with Ryan Spence, Program Director of the Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC) at the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber.

Spence unpacks how the MIC is reshaping the region’s manufacturing landscape, from covering the preparations for of the Tideflats Subarea Plan, supporting the Maritime | 253 Skills Center partnership, and piloting a new manufacturing incubator. He highlights key strategies for coalition-building, environmental restoration projects, and workforce development initiatives that are creating resilient, high-wage pathways.

Tune in to discover how public–private collaboration and targeted advocacy are driving innovation and economic growth across the South Sound.