Spokast!

In this episode of In The Den, I sat down with Renée Cebula, the historian‑turned‑entrepreneur behind Badass Bitters, Badass Barware, and Raising the Bar — three Spokane-born businesses built around cocktail history, education, and hands‑on creativity.

Renée doesn’t just make bitters. She teaches people the story behind them — how bitters moved from ancient medicine to the backbone of American cocktail culture. Her DIY kits bring that history to life, giving both bartenders and home mixologists everything they need to craft their own custom batches, all while learning the origins of the flavors they’re working with.

We talk about how her background as a historian shaped her work, how Badass Bitters grew from research into a full product line, and why she’s passionate about helping people understand the past through what’s in their glass. We also get into why she joined SIMBA, what she’s hoping to build in Spokane’s small business community, and how local support plays a role in keeping these craft traditions alive.

Whether you love cocktails, love history, or just want to try something new in your home bar — Renée’s story is a perfect reminder that learning can be interactive, flavorful, and pretty fun, too.

⁠Discover more at badass-bitters.com⁠

In this episode of In The Den, we sit down with Amber Jasmin, CPA and CFO of Jasmin Group — a powerhouse business and accounting consultancy in Spokane helping small businesses, nonprofits, and startups thrive.

Amber walks us through the Jasmin Group story, from its Boston roots to its Spokane relaunch. We talk about their commitment to financial transparency, community impact, and how they’ve built a team focused on real solutions — especially for childcare providers, diverse nonprofits, and early-stage entrepreneurs.

We’re also joined by Rosie Tientong, a rising accountant with a heart for community and a passion for learning. Together, they give us a look at what it means to build a business around trust, education, and collective growth.

🎧 Tune in to hear how Jasmin Group is reshaping Spokane’s business landscape through strategy, mentorship, and purpose-driven work.

🔗 Learn more at jasmingroupllc.com

🔗 Become a SIMBA member at spokaneindependent.org

In this episode of Spokast!, we dive into Sarah’s journey from student activism at Whitworth University to her powerful work with Planned Parenthood and Pro-Choice Washington—and now, to running for office in the city she’s called home for nearly a decade.

Sarah talks about what it means to build authentic relationships in politics, why she’s centering her campaign on Accountability, Belonging, and Community, and how Spokane can lead with compassion on issues like housing, public transit, and immigrant justice.

As a young, queer woman of color running in a district that includes Northeast and East Central Spokane, Sarah is challenging the status quo and showing what inclusive leadership can look like. She brings lived experience, organizing power, and a vision for Spokane that reflects the city’s future—not its past.

To learn more about Sarah and her campaign, visit www.sarahforspokane.com

In this episode of In The Den, we sit down with the team at Vexing Media — a full-service creative studio based in the heart of Spokane. Known for their work on projects like TEDxSpokane, NASA livestreams, and public health campaigns, Vexing is a powerhouse of video, web, and design, with deep roots in community-centered storytelling.

We talk about how they’ve grown from a small web shop to a go-to creative partner for nonprofits, small businesses, and local government. The crew shares their entrepreneurial journey, how they tackle “vexing” client challenges, and why working with SIMBA helped deepen their connection to Spokane’s business community.

🎧 Tune in to hear how Vexing Media is shaping Spokane’s creative economy — and how they’re using media to make a real impact.

🔗 Learn more at vexingmedia.com

🔗 Become a SIMBA member at spokaneindependent.org

LIL ROSE is back on Spokast! In this episode, we catch up on everything she’s been up to since her last appearance & dive into her show: LIL ROSE & Friends, happening Friday, October 3rd at Red Room Lounge. It’s a stacked lineup of 12 artists, surprise guests, and nonstop vibes all night long.

Doors open at 8 PM | 21+ | Tickets $10 ($8 w/ artist promo code)

🎟️ Get yours at lilroseandfriendsspokane.eventbrite.com

Dr. Melissa Mace is the owner and clinician at Discovery Counseling Group, and the first-ever Executive Director of the Spokane NAACP.

We dive into her powerful journey through social work and therapy, her deep personal ties to Spokane, and how her life experiences now shape the way she leads and uplifts the community. Dr. Mace is already making a major impact in Spokane, and this conversation highlights why.

As Executive Director of the Spokane NAACP, Dr. Mace is leading with intention—centering youth engagement, restorative justice, and stronger collaboration across community organizations. Under her leadership, the chapter is expanding its reach through programming, partnerships, and advocacy work that reflects Spokane’s evolving needs. Her approach to leadership is grounded in transparency, accessibility, and a deep belief in collective progress.

We also talk about how you can get involved—starting with the Freedom Fund Gala, happening Friday, November 15th. This is the NAACP Spokane’s biggest annual fundraiser and a celebration of the progress being made across the city. Tickets are on sale now at a discounted rate, but prices increase October 1st, so don’t wait.

Buy tickets before prices go up on October 1st: naacpspokane.com/freedom-fund-gala-2025

Learn more about Discovery Counseling Group: discovery-counseling.org

On this episode of Spokast, I’m sitting down with two West Coast MCs—Cordell Drake and Tko Toowavy—to talk all about their new single, “WestCoast Antidote.”

This episode is short and focused. No deep backstory. No filler. Just two artists locked in and ready to talk about the sound, the vision, and the vibe behind a track that’s already heating up.

Stream “WestCoast Antidote” now:

• Spotify

• Apple Music

• YouTube (Coming Soon)

prodsynesthete (prod-synes-theet) — a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and powerful voice in Spokane’s creative community.

In this episode, we dive into his evolution from early live instrument performances to mastering digital production during the pandemic. We talk about how his mother’s influence as a professional vocalist sparked his love for music, and how his experiences with online harassment and trauma led him to reclaim his identity through the mask.

We unpack the vision behind Distorted Dystopia—a massive 3-volume project five years in the making. These tracks blend genre, emotion, and perspective in a way that demands attention.

We also talk about his new ANTI-PREDATOR merch line, which will donate a portion of proceeds to a Spokane-based organization supporting survivors of sexual assault and domestic abuse. This isn’t about aesthetics—it’s about protest, protection, and building safer communities through art and action.

Catch prodsynesthete’s first solo headlining show this Saturday at The Big Dipper. This one is for Spokane.

Grab your tickets, stream the music, and learn more at linktr.ee/prodsynesthete

BLXCKPUNKS—the explosive genre-defying duo made up of IAMTOPP and Jang The Goon.Together, they’re using music, community, and lived experience to spark movement and meaning. In this episode, we dive into how this collaboration came to life after both artists built powerful solo careers—and how that fusion inspired their 2025 sound.We unpack the vision behind their latest 2-pack ROCK & WAR, featuring the singles “Rock Right Now” and “War Outside,” which dropped September 4th. These songs bring raw emotion, big energy, and anthemic purpose—and you’ll want them on repeat immediately.We also talk about what’s next: Blood, Sweat, and Mosh Pits, the final backyard rager going down Saturday, September 13th. This show is shaping up to be their biggest ever—and tickets are the most affordable they’ve been in years, because this one’s all about community.Grab your tickets + stream the music at blxckpunks.com

In this episode of In The Den with SIMBA – we sit down with Carey Donaldson, the founder of NewBeginnings Spokane — the only student loan advocacy company in the nation. Carey shares how her path from aspiring educator to entrepreneur led her to create a business that helps people take control of their money and rewrite their financial futures.We talk about how New Beginning Spokane simplifies student loans, builds personalized repayment strategies, advocates for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and pushes for stronger financial education in schools. Carey also shares her entrepreneurial story, how SIMBA supported her journey, and the importance of staying rooted in your mission.🎧 Tune in to hear how Carey is helping others find clarity and confidence when it comes to their finances — and why Spokane is the perfect place to spark a new beginning.🔗 Learn more at nmbspo.com🔗 Become a SIMBA member at spokaneindependent.org