Spokast!

In this episode of In The Den, Alexis and Brennon sit down with Anna Marie Martin, the grant writer and nonprofit consultant behind SpokeAnna, for a candid look at how grant funding really works and what it takes to build something that lasts.

Anna shares her winding path from the "years of terrible temping" to AmeriCorps, content marketing, and eventually grant writing, including helping dozens of Spokane organizations land relief funding during the pandemic. She breaks down the biggest myths she hears (no, grants are not free money, and you don't have to be a nonprofit to get one), why you need real revenue streams behind you, how to build relationships with funders instead of throwing spaghetti at the wall, and the hard realities nonprofits are facing as federal funding gets clawed back.

Whether you run a nonprofit, a small business, or you just want to understand how good work gets funded in Spokane, this conversation is full of honest, practical wisdom.

Learn more about Anna at spokeanna.com, and about SIMBA at spokaneindependent.org.

On this special episode of Spokast, Brennon sits down with his good friend Jinx Universe, a hip-hop artist and cultural navigator at the Carl Maxey Center, to talk about one of his favorite nights of the year: Poetry for the Vibes.

Jinx shares how Poetry for the Vibes came to be, a space for youth and adults to share poetry, songwriting, and creative writing exactly as they are, no shrinking, no censoring. He and Brennon get into why rap, poetry, and songwriting are all part of the same family, why getting up to share your words is terrifying for just about everyone, and why you should do it anyway. Brennon also reflects on the last event and how a room full of strangers became one of the most special spaces he has ever been in.

Poetry for the Vibes returns Tuesday, October 6, from 5 to 7 PM at the Carl Maxey Center. 

Sign up and RSVP here: carlmaxeycenter.org/youth-outreach/poetry-for-the-vibes

Whether you are a seasoned poet or have never read a word out loud, you are welcome.

And stick around to the end, where Mr. Amos of the Carl Maxey Center reads the Langston Hughes poem "Let America Be America Again."

Chapters

00:00  Welcome Back to Spokast, with Jinx Universe

05:30  The Origin of Poetry for the Vibes

09:00  Rap, Poetry, and Songwriting Are All the Same Family

13:30  Come to Perform or Just to Listen

16:00  Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

17:30  Mr. Amos Reads "Let America Be America Again"

Jeremy Urann and Sherri Bylenga are a brother-and-sister filmmaking duo from Spokane, and together they run Fat Gratitude Productions. Jeremy is a SAG-AFTRA actor, dancer, and model whose recent work includes Netflix's "Forever" and national campaigns for Nike and Columbia. Sherri is an award-winning director and cinematographer with more than 15 years of documentary film experience.

Their short film HOTSHOTS is a rebellious queer comedy set in the world of Spokane bikini baristas, following June, a barista with until sunset to buy the coffee stand out from under her jerk boss before her dreams go up in flames. It's hyper local, hyper femme, hyper queer, and shooting right here in Spokane with a cast and crew of local LGBTQIA+ talent.

This is a special vault edition of Spokast. We open with a brand new catch-up on where HOTSHOTS is today, then roll the full conversation from December 2024, where we dig into how a bikini stand outside their grandpa's funeral sparked the idea, Jeremy's road from BTS janitor to network TV, Sherri's path from backcountry documentaries to narrative film, and why they're determined to make this movie in Spokane, with Spokane people.

Here's the important part: the HOTSHOTS Seed & Spark campaign ends August 20th, and every dollar pledged is being matched and doubled by a mystery donor until then. They have to hit 80% of their goal or they don't receive a dime. If you can't give, following the campaign is free and earns them festival fee waivers, and sharing costs you nothing.

Pledge before the match ends August 20th: seedandspark.com/fund/hotshots
Learn more about HOTSHOTS: hotshotsthemovie.com
Follow on Instagram: @hotshotsthemovie

Show Flow
00:00:00 — What Is HOTSHOTS?
00:00:32 — Intro: Out of the Vault, Why Now?
00:03:45 — 2026 Catch-Up with Jeremy & Sherri Begins
00:06:01 — Jeremy on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro
00:07:37 — Sherri's Update: Terrain Documentary & Counseling
00:08:59 — What Is HOTSHOTS? The Pitch
00:11:57 — The Pivot: $500K Feature to 17-Minute Short
00:19:50 — How to Help: Seed & Spark, the Fires & the Final Push
00:22:29 — The Mystery Donor Match & Mark Duplass Backs the Film
00:28:41 — One More Time: Where to Go Before August 20th
00:31:19 — The Full December 2024 Interview Begins
00:33:21 — Jeremy's BTS "Permission to Dance" Janitor Story
00:35:44 — Fat Gratitude Origins: Bay Window Plays & Backcountry Docs
00:43:20 — The Spokane Arts Grant & Pitching HOTSHOTS
00:44:05 — A Bikini Stand at Grandpa's Funeral: The Origin Story
00:46:13 — Why Film It in Spokane & the Washington Filmworks Path
00:54:04 — Five Applications, One Grant: Queer Joy Wins
00:59:23 — Working as Siblings & the Future of Fat Gratitude
01:06:00 — Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers & Why Spokane

After about eight months away from the mic, the Spokane fires brought me back. This week I built spokast.com/spokane-wildfire-relief, one page that gathers every Spokane wildfire resource into a single place, both for people who need help and people looking for ways to help.

In this episode I talk about why I made it, what's on it, and the one thing that matters most: this only works if people share it.

What's on the page:

If you need help: shelters, food and free meals, housing, help for families and pets, small business recovery, mental health support, and a live fire map

If you want to help: vetted relief funds, supply drop-offs, volunteering and pet fostering, and local businesses giving back

No ads. No money collected. Every link goes to a real organization or an official source, with credit given.

If this could help you or someone you love, please share it. And if you know a resource I'm missing, there's a form right on the page, send it my way and I'll add it.

🔗 spokast.com/spokane-wildfire-relief

Take care of each other out there, Spokane.

Timestamps

0:00 — Intro & why I'm back on the mic

1:36 — The problem: help is everywhere, but scattered

3:01 — What's on the portal: help you need, and ways to help

4:31 — Built for the long haul, and what Lahaina taught me

6:05 — The one thing that matters most: share it

In this episode of In The Den, we sit down with Andrew Bryan from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Small Business Office to break down one of the most misunderstood resources available to entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Whether you’re just starting your business or have been operating for years, chances are you’ve had questions about workers’ compensation, hiring employees, independent contractors, workplace safety, interns, or labor laws. Andrew helps clear up some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding L&I and explains how their Small Business Office is there to educate and support business owners before problems arise.  

We also talk about common compliance mistakes, scams that target new business owners, the difference between employees and independent contractors, and why asking questions early can save you time, money, and frustration down the road. Plus, we discuss SIMBA’s partnership with L&I and how organizations like SIMBA help make these resources more accessible to Eastern Washington’s small business community.  

If you own a business, plan to hire employees, or simply want to better understand your responsibilities as an employer, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about Washington State Labor & Industries at lni.wa.gov

Become a SIMBA member at spokaneindependent.org/membership

In this episode of In The Den, we sit down with Deb, Julie, and Alex from Global Neighborhood Thrift to talk about the mission behind one of Spokane’s most unique organizations.

A lot of people know Global Neighborhood for the thrift store and the incredible vintage finds, but behind the scenes, they’re doing something much bigger. Through workforce development, English language classes, job training, and community support, Global Neighborhood helps refugees and immigrants build new lives right here in Spokane.

We talk about how the organization got started, why Spokane has become such an important place for refugee resettlement, and how the thrift store helps support the larger mission. Alex also shares his personal story of coming to Spokane from Ukraine and what it’s been like building a new life and community here.

The conversation also dives into the SIMBA connection, Spokane culture, favorite local spots, and why creating welcoming spaces matters now more than ever.

Learn more about Global Neighborhood at global-neighborhood.org

Become a SIMBA member at spokaneindependent.org/membership

In this episode of In the Den, we sit down with Brittany Stodgell and Millie Schnebly, the co-founders of Maker + Made, to talk about what it really takes to build a brand that lasts in today’s fast-moving business world.

Founded in 2019 by two best friends, Maker + Made has grown into a full-service creative agency based in downtown Spokane, helping businesses connect with their audience through branding, websites, packaging, content creation, and thoughtful strategy.

We talk about what makes Maker + Made different, how they’ve built a strong creative team, and what they’re seeing from business owners trying to do branding on their own with AI tools, Canva, or quick fixes. Brittany and Millie share why a real brand foundation still matters and how businesses can think long-term instead of chasing trends.

The conversation also dives into Spokane’s entrepreneurial scene, what local business owners are navigating right now, and why community and collaboration matter so much when building something meaningful. We also talk about their connection with SIMBA and the power of surrounding yourself with the right people.

Whether you’re launching your first business, refreshing your brand, or trying to figure out how to stand out in a crowded market, this episode offers honest insight from two founders helping businesses grow the right way.

Learn more about Maker + Made at maker–made.com

Become a SIMBA member at spokaneindependent.org/membership

In this episode of In the Den, we sit down with Kasey Davis and Lars Gilberts from Numerica Credit Union to talk about the role community banking plays in supporting small businesses across Spokane and Eastern Washington.

Kasey works directly with entrepreneurs and nonprofits as a Business Banking Relationship Officer, helping them access the tools and financing they need to grow. Lars focuses on market development and expanding opportunities for local communities. Together, they bring a perspective that goes far beyond transactions and into true relationship banking.

We talk about what makes credit unions different from traditional banks, how Numerica approaches working with startups and growing businesses, and why supporting local entrepreneurs is such an important part of Numerica’s mission. The conversation also explores Numerica’s partnership with SIMBA and how organizations working together can create stronger pathways for small businesses to succeed.

Whether you’re launching your first business, growing a nonprofit, or just curious about how local financial institutions support community growth, this episode offers a great look into the relationships and resources helping Spokane’s small business ecosystem thrive.

Learn more about Numerica Credit Union at ⁠www.numericacu.com⁠

Become a SIMBA member at ⁠www.spokaneindependent.org/membership

On this Friday Thoughts episode, I’m checking in on what’s been sitting with me this week. I talk about preparing to read my grandmother’s eulogy, thinking through grief, family, and the time we get with the people we love. I reflect on carrying regret without letting it harden you, how memories can feel both heavy and grounding, and why this season has pushed me to slow down and be more present. I also look back on a full week of daily episodes, what podcasting has become for me, and where On the Streets is headed next. Thanks for being here.

This episode is the first in-car interview for On the Streets with Spokast!. I’m cruising around Spokane with my friend Jáiz Boyd, talking about creativity, authenticity, and what it looks like to stay intentional with your time and work.

We get into Jáiz’s focus over the past year, his approach to community-driven design, Spokane spots that matter, and the role collaboration plays in building something meaningful.