The Um, Sir Podcast

Um, Sir… why is everything terrible, radioactive, and somehow still about bathrooms?

Emily and Samie are joined by Ryan Johnson, a veteran truck driver and Teamster, to unpack how trucking, labor rights, and basic human dignity collide. Ryan breaks down how trucking is structured to reward long hours, unpaid waiting time, and “pay by the mile” systems that leave workers absorbing all the risk — including the fight to secure something as basic as bathroom access.

The conversation escalates (quickly) into fracking, radioactive wastewater, and how hazardous materials are moved and dumped with little enforcement, putting workers and communities at risk. It’s bleak, sharp, and painfully funny — a reminder that everything is connected, and none of it works without labor.

CHECK OUT
Snohomish Podcast Network
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
General Teamsters Local Union No. 38
HB 1706, Concerning truck drivers ability to access restroom facilities (2022) WA State Legislature
Trucker Resource, Port of Everett

LISTEN
From Pitch To Puget Sound - upcoming new show!
Good Time Girls in Bellingham - Bellingham History

WATCH

Ice Road Truckers, The History Channel
Poisoned Waters (full documentary), PBS Frontline
Geochemistry of produced waters sourced from the Marcellus Shale, Justin Makey, PhD, YouTube

READ

America’s Radioactive Secret, By Justin Nobel (2020), Rolling Stone

I’m A Twenty Year Truck Driver, I Will Tell You Why America’s “Shipping Crisis” Will Not End, By Ryan Johnson, Medium
I Am A Twenty Year Truck Driver, Part 2: How Truckers Are Paid, By Ryan Johnson, Medium

Radioactive Shadow Workers: The treatment of oil and gas field waste is a dirty industry’s dirtiest secret, By Justin Nobel, Sierra Club Magazine

Truckers Petition Feds to Enforce HAZMAT Rules on Oil and Gas Waste, By Dustin Renaud, Earth Justice

Orphan Well Explosion in Wayne National Forest Injures 6, Including 5 Critically, The Intelligencer

SUPPORT
Worker-led labor organizations and strike funds supporting drivers, warehouse workers, and port labor.

Environmental justice groups fighting toxic dumping and injection wells, especially in Appalachia.

Local and national efforts pushing for enforcement of existing hazmat and labor laws (not just new bills).

BUY. IF YOU MUST

Union-made goods
Waste: One Woman's Fight Against America's Dirty Secret by Catherine Coleman Flowers (2020)

Run to Failure: BP and the Making of the Deepwater Horizon Disaster by Abrahm Lustgarten (2012)

Poisoned Water: How the Citizens of Flint, Michigan, Fought for Their Lives and Warned the Nation by Candy J. Cooper and Marcina Wheeler (2020)

Not radioactive road salt. Ever. Just… don’t.

LEARN MORE
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Basics of hazardous materials law, bills of lading, National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA)
How to read rail and truck placards

This week on Um, Sir, Emily and Samie are joined by veteran educator Steve Cross for a wide-ranging conversation that connects everyday chaos to the very real stakes of public education. From teaching middle school and surviving ninth graders to Caribbean travel detours and student protests, they manage to discuss it all. 

Listen as they attempt to break down school levies and bonds, share how property taxes actually fund schools, and discuss why low-turnout elections have lasting consequences for students, teachers, and communities. It’s a reminder that school funding isn’t abstract—it’s counselors, class sizes, safe buildings, and support kids rely on every day. 

Civics, but make it human.

CHECK OUT

Vote.Wa.Gov
Snohomish Podcast Network
Everett Public Schools Bond and Levy Information
Snohomish School District Levy Information
Property Tax Basics - Municipal Research & Service Center (MRSC)
Everett High School students walked out of classes today in protest ICE activity in Snohomish County and around the country - Instagram, Iganniphoto
Happening now at the Snohomish County Campus Plaza. Everett High School students have gathered to protest ICE, today, Tuesday, Jan. 13. - Facebook, Everett Post

LISTEN

Um, Sir Podcast: RFK Impersonations, Property Tax Bills, and Smut
Um, Sir Podcast: The System Is Designed to Kill Your Bil

Morbid Podcast - Spotify

Every Outfit Podcast

WATCH

Bonds & Levies: What’s the Difference - NWESD YouTube 

Hilary Knight on Chasing Olympic Gold, Team USA Pressure, and the Future of Women’s Hockey - FanSided NHL, YouTube

Aneta Tejralova —> Sarah Fillier #HFHits - HockeyFights, Instagram

Professor Shocks High School by Speaking Gen Z Slang - Facebook

READ

Everett High students walk out to protest ICE activity - Everett Herald
Local high school students rally in support against ICE activities - The Clipper
Schools eye fixes to leaky roofs, aging boilers, old tech - Everett Herald (April 17, 2022)
The Pathfinder: The Ballot Information Problem - Cascade PBS 

In Our View: Local media’s decline factors into election - The Columbian

Equal is Not Good Enough: An Analysis of School Funding Across the U.S. and Within Each State - The Education Trust

Breaking down WA's school funding formula - Cascade PBS

Explainers on property taxes and special taxing districts (fire, school, library, ports)

2023 is the new worst: Washington again sets a record for low turnout in a general election - The Cascadia Advocate
Seattle Torrent player suspended for 'forceful, predatory' check to opponent's head - KOMO News

SUPPORT

(PBS) Public Broadcasting Systems

Support KUOW & NPR

BUY. IF YOU MUST

Rum from Antigua (coconut, vanilla, cardamom optional) - Total Wine and More

Torrent Hockey Tickets

LEARN MORE

Levy Data, Rolls, and Election Results Data - Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Granite Falls School District Levy Information
Snohomish County Sample Ballots and Voters Guide
Northwest Educational Service District (ESD 189)

Emily walks Ashley (and all of us) through how a bill actually becomes law in Washington. Spoiler: it’s messy, slow, and absolutely designed to kill your idea. Using the fictional Rhythm Reduction Act (RIP dancing), they break down committees, sponsors, lobbyists, hearings, caucuses, companion bills, and why a 60-day session turns everyone feral. Along the way: dinosaurs, pickleball, Bic pens, why the minority party controls the clock, and a reminder that democracy is less Schoolhouse Rock and more group project with deadlines and vibes.

CHECK OUT

Washington State Legislature Bill Tracker

The Snohomish Podcast Network

Committee schedules & public hearing calendars 

Washington State legislative session calendar & cutoff deadlines

*Research your favorite advocacy organization and find their Advocacy Day! 

LISTEN

Um, Sir Podcast

Um, Civics: FIFA 2026 and the Politics Behind the Pitch

Capitol Ideas Podcast

WATCH

I'm Just a Bill, Schoolhouse Rock - YouTube 

TVW - Committee hearings livestreams from Olympia

READ

The Washington Standard 

Axios Politics

Fiscal notes (and why they kill dreams)
Governor’s Veto Power in Washington: How It Works and Why It Matters - Tri City Regional Chamber of Commerce
Initiative and Referendum Processes - National Conference of State Legislatures

BUY. IF YOU MUST

Pocket Constitution
Washington State Legislative Gift Center!

LEARN MORE

Washington State Civic Education Programs

In this messy New Year’s edition of Um, Sir Podcast, Emily holds down the mic solo and rings in the new year with Everett real estate powerhouse Ashley Bolden for a raw, wide-ranging conversation that spirals exactly where it needs to. From Costco sticker shock and the true cost of living, to housing affordability, civil liberties, nihilism vs. hope, and whether West Virginia is a secret real-estate opportunity or an absolute no. Nothing is off the table. Along the way, Emily confidently misquotes several philosophers, attributes at least one quote to the wrong person, then powers through anyway, proving once again that vibes > citations. This is a New Year check-in for anyone exhausted by late-stage capitalism but still stubbornly committed to finding meaning, community, and a way forward.

CHECK OUT

The Income Needed to Buy a Home in 2025 - Post Referenced, Facebook

The Snohomish Podcast Network

Everett Recovery Café (community recovery & mutual aid model)

Everett Rotary Club 

LISTEN

Um, Sir Podcast

Neighbor-ish: Building Community Through Homeownership (and Renting, Too) -  the At-Homish Podcast

Brene Brown on Comparative Suffering

WATCH

Alone (Reality Survival) Show

Broad City, The Florida Sun - Comedy Central 

READ

Broad City, S04E07 "Florida" Discussion Thread - Reddit

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl - by Max Gravenstein, Medium

'Tragic optimism': The antidote to toxic positivity - Allie Volpe, BBC

Affordability and Homebuilding: State-by-State Report Cards - Realtor.com

Freedom in the 50 States: An Index of Personal and Economic Freedom - CATO Institute

Margaret Mead’s work and quotes on collective action - Goodreads

West Virginia health care ranked worst in the nation - Ellen Allen, West Virginia Watch

Pieces on burnout, nihilism, and resilience in political organizing

BUY. IF YOU MUST

Planned Parenthood Marketplace

Toilet paper (apparently still emotionally charged)

Co-Op Supply Snohomish County

*Books instead of things

*Secondhand or cooperative goods

LEARN MORE

Introduction to the Property Tax–School Funding Connection - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Rural and Urban Health - Georgetown University, Health Policy Institute

How abortion laws vary by state - Guttmacher

Ethical Considerations in Real Estate Investing 

Red States Are Losing Their Housing Edge - City Journal

Community Organizing 101: How to Start a Social Movement - Marta Brzosko

Keith Macaulay joins Emily in Everett for a wide-ranging, slightly unhinged (in a good way) conversation about sports, money, vibes, and why fan culture actually matters. From soccer chants and Mariners loyalty to NIL chaos, stadium politics, FIFA corruption, and the economics behind who wins (and who tanks), this episode connects the dots between sports, power, and civic life with strong opinions, petty moments, and plenty of sir sass.

READ

Ex-Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels: Sonics were gone ‘the day they were sold’ - The Seattle Times

Everett Forges Ahead with Downtown Stadium for Minor League Sports - The Urbanist

FIFA president Gianni Infantino accused of rules breach over Trump - ESPN

Analysis of MLS revenue sharing and league structure
Pieces on sportswashing and global soccer politics - Journal on Democracy

LISTEN

Um, Sir Podcast
Copa90 (soccer fan culture + documentaries)
Stephen A. Smith is Ruining Sports Television - YouTube

WATCH

Seattle City Council sells out the SuperSonics - Sonicsgate, YouTube
Who Killed the Expos? (documentary on the Montreal Expos relocation)

Ted Lasso (Apple TV — debated heavily, not endorsed 😅)

Club de Cuervos (Netflix, Spanish-language soccer drama, strongly recommended)

MLS matches (if you already have Apple TV… sorry)

CHECK OUT

The Snohomish Podcast Network

Snohomish United FC (men’s & upcoming women’s teams)

Everett AquaSox

Everett Silver Tips (WHL)

Portland Timbers

Ballard FC / Salmon Bay FC

BUY. IF YOU MUST

Cowbells (for vibes, not apologies)

LEARN MORE

NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) - NCAA

Outdoor Event Center - City of Everett 

Emily is joined by Washington State Rep. Julio Cortes for an Um, Civics crash course on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, what it means for Everett and Washington State, and how government actually prepares for global events. They also dig into banning masked law enforcement interactions, protecting immigrant families, fixing Washington’s upside-down tax code, and what to expect from a tough legislative session ahead. Civics, but make it accessible.

CHECK OUT

Snohomish County Podcast Network

WATCH

Participation trophies have gone too far! -  The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw | Full Show | FOX Soccer

Seattle prepares to share World Cup 2026 spotlight with 9 Washington fan zone cities - KOMO 4 News

READ

Pride Match - Egypt Vs. Iran - Instagram 

FIFA — 2026 World Cup structure, host cities, teams

Washington State Welcomes the World: A Breakdown to FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zones - Seattle Ballooning

Washington State Legislature -Legislative session info & bill tracking

Seattle Pride Statement on the FIFA World Cup 

SB 5855 (Washington State) - Bill banning face-concealing coverings for law enforcement

California Masked Law Enforcement Law - Court case & precedent referenced

Family Separation Rapid Response Team -WA Department of Children, Yout,h and Families

Ferguson backs income tax on WA residents earning over $1M - Washington State Standard 

Funding Public Good through Progressive Tax Reform - Economic Opportunity Institute

FIFA World Cup 2026 Economic Impact $929+ Million Projected - Seattle Sports Commission 

BUY. IF YOU MUST

US Soccer Pride Kit

Airbnb and FIFA announce major multi-tournament

LEARN MORE

Snohomish United Soccer 

Regressive vs. Proportional vs. Progressive Taxes: An Overview - Investopedia

Legislative Session Hearings - TVW 

How the Washington State Budget Works — Washington State Fiscal Information

Washington State Legislature Guide to Lawmaking

Law Enforcement Transparency Laws — Mask bans, identification requirements

Immigration Casework Support — How legislators & congressional offices help constituents

How to Contact Your Washington State Legislators 

38th Legislative District, Marysville, Tulalip, and Everett, Senator June Robinson, Representative Julio Cortes & Representative Mary Fosse

Fan Zones Explained — Reddit

This week on Um, Sir, we’re joined by Matt Hansen, EOS implementer, mountain enthusiast, inventor with nine patents, and a genuinely thoughtful guide to how systems actually work. We talk Cascades hikes, Patagonia’s values vs. capitalism tension, Washington’s upcoming tax fights, and what it really takes to build something with intention. Matt helps us connect business frameworks to civic life, while we ask the eternal question: how do you stay values-driven and get the bag? Civics, leadership, business, money, and meaning, in one episode. Welcome to be here.
 
Guest Convo Links
Matt Hansen, EOS Worldwide Implementer
North Cascade Institute - Washington Hikes
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business - ThriftBooks
Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail - Washington Trails Association
Mount Pilchuck - Washington Trails Association
Kendall Katwalk - Washington Trails Association
Mountain Loop General Store - Verlot, Washington
Patagonia Work in Progress Report
Patagonia - Store

Civics Update: State Legislature
Representative Shaun Scott - Washington State Legislature
Tech for Taxes - Instagram
Tech companies are abusing tax policy to scam us out of money our state needs to fund critical social services - Tech 4 Taxes Instgram
Rep. Shaun Scott Unveils “Well Washington Fund,” a Progressive Payroll Excise Tax to Protect Washington Families from Trump’s Austerity Budget - Washington State Democrats
Senator Rebecca Saldaña Maps Out Legislative Priorities for 2026 Session - Hacks & Wonks Podcast
WA Democrats’ latest run at taxing the state’s largest companies - Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard
Invest WA Now
State Budget & Revenue - Washington Budget & Policy Center

Other Links
Burkett's Boutique - Everett, Washington
Snohomish Podcast Network - Join
Red Trux - Audio & Video Services

This week on Um, Sir, the world is still on fire, and Trump, tariffs, tire factories, and meat mail all made the same episode. Samie and Emily kick things off with Trump spending Thanksgiving tossing around the R-word like a stale dinner roll, while simultaneously dismantling the Department of Education like it’s a Black Friday doorbuster.  

Meanwhile, Boy Scouts and immigrant truckers are suddenly on the GOP’s hit list; Everett Public Schools is bracing for a LifeWise lawsuit; AI is getting creepier; Charlie’s tail survives; and tire shopping becomes a political crisis. 

Oh, and Emily soft-launches her 2040 presidential campaign and wants to know when her Costco tariff check is coming.

TONIGHT! Podcast Network Mixer | Wed. Dec. 10 | Rustic Cork Mill Creek

FOLLOW US

@UmSirPod Instagram

@umsirpod TikTok

TEST YOURSELF
Can you spot AI videos from real ones? - NPR

LISTEN

New moves to dismantle the Education Department raise legal questions - NPR

Trump administration shares plan to dismantle more of the Department of Education - NPR

Documents show Pentagon preparing to sever ties with Scouting - NPR

Pete Hegseth is a F******* Douch - TikTok

The DOT says it wants to make trucking safer, but some see an 'immigration raid' - NPR

WATCH

Wrap the Epstein Files Around Your Tree - The Daily Show, Facebook

Rep. Massie Voices Concerns Over Trump and Epstein Files - TikTok

Religious group threatens to sue Everett School District over access restrictions - KIRO 7 News Seattle

READ

Comments from the National Down Syndrome Society - Instagram
Nursing Excluded as 'Professional' Degree By Department of Education - Nurse.Org

Nursing programs excluded from 'professional degree' status under new federal loan rules. Here's what would change - KING 5

WA becomes third state to allow punishment for 'stealthing' - KOMO News

New law criminalizes disclosure of AI-generated sexual images, videos - Cascadia

Quit Clicking Kids Legislation - Latest Washington Updates

Hope Walz: Trump slur against father unleashed ‘s‑‑‑storm’ toward family - The Hill

Australia's first ‘sexting’ laws have been introduced with those found guilty of distributing naked pictures without consent facing TWO YEARS in jail - The Daily Mail

IF YOU HAVE TO BUY

Les Schwab Tires

Shop Red Bag

The Little Blue Cart

Emily returns from Arizona with a suitcase full of political chaos and sunscreen residue, and Samie settles in to hear all about it. From right-to-work headaches to a legislature held together by vibes, Emily breaks down Arizona’s wild policy landscape, including their billion-dollar school voucher fiasco (yes, someone bought lingerie with public education money).

They also reintroduce themselves to new listeners, one recovering legislator, one recovering drug addict, both firmly at D-list celebrity status, and remind everyone why Um, Sir and Um, Civics exist: to make government make sense without making anyone feel stupid.

It’s Arizona politics, the five C’s, and more sass than their incumbent Mine Inspector deserved.

Follow Us
@UmSirPod Instagram
@umsirpod TikTok

RSVP
Podcast Mixer | Snohomish Podcasts Network
Wed. Dec. 10 | Rustic Cork Mill Creek - Wear your Sweaters (Cute or Ugly!)

Listen 

Curmudgeon’s Corner Podcast

At-homish Podcast

Storytelling in a Small Town Podcast

Snohomish County Storytellers Podcast

Check Out

Washington Institute for a Democratic Future

Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro

Arizona Governor’s Office of Budget & Strategic Planning

Arizona Education Association

Aliento AZ

Resilient Strategies 

Freedom to Learn Foundation

Intersection Government Relations 

Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

Snohomish County Podcast Network

Shasti Conrad, Meet the Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party

Arizona Democratic Party Elects Charlene Fernandez as Chair - AZ Dems

Arizona State Legislature

AZ Visit Overview - Instagram

AZ Visit Day 1 - Instagram

AZ Visit, Day 2- Instagram

Watch

WAIDF Election Recap Post - Instagram

WAIDF Election Recap Post - Instagram

Read

Katie Wilson’s Path to Election Victory, Precinct by Precinct - The Urbanist

'I'll be cheering for him': Takeaways from Trump and Mamdani's surprisingly cordial meeting - BBC

The Arizona Cardinals are 0-5 since they hosted the Charlie Kirk Memorial Event at State Farm Stadium - Reddit

Bill Pierce for AZ Mine Inspector - Facebook 

Joe Hart prevails in Arizona mine inspector race - AZ Central

Arizona Faces Sweeping Budget Cuts, Driven by Flat Tax and Private School Vouchers - Arizona Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
AZ school voucher expansion draws fire over fraud allegations, cost concerns - FOX 10

How students are faring in Arizona’s voucher program that could be adopted nationwide - PBS

Arizona school voucher program ignored state audit law for nearly a year, officials say - AZ Mirror

ESA parents bought diamond rings, lingerie, and Kenmore appliances with education tax dollars - NBC 12 News

Phoenix sees sharp rise in police shootings since Trump DOJ ended oversight in May - Cronkite News

Phoenix police routinely used excessive force and violated civil rights, DOJ says - PBS News

RELEASE THE FILES! Wait… WHAT?!

Emily and Samie break down a wild week in politics and life. From MTG’s surprise resignation to the newly released Epstein emails implicating major political players. They roast Trump’s fantasy “$2,000 tariff checks,” dive into hidden million-dollar payouts for GOP senators, and react to a federal move letting foster parents misgender kids. Between political chaos, cadaver dogs in Snohomish, quitting nicotine, and free Crocs, the hosts bring their signature mix of snark, outrage, and “we’re just trying to survive this timeline.” 

Join Us

Podcast Network Mixer | Wed. Dec. 10 | Rustic Cork Mill Creek

Snohomish County Podcast Network 

Check Out

Snohomish Walks

Dog's Devotion: True Adventures of a K9 Search and Rescue Team, By James Guy Mansfield and Suzanne Elshult - Thrift Books

Rick Steves Europe - A Symphonic Journey

Gregg Olsen Books

Please Don’t Buy

Crocs Echo Clogs Sandals Sport Mode Aloe Green - eBay

Watch

Marjorie Taylor Greene Resigns, Sky News - TikTok

But Her Emails!! NINE Years AGO!, Face the Nation - YouTube

President Donald Trump reacted strongly after ABC News reporter Mary Bruce asked him about files - NBC News

Republican Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (N.C.) got furious, Independent - TikTok

Rep. McGovern slammed his GOP colleagues, saying he hopes they enjoyed their "8-week vacation" - Courier News Room, TikTok
A hidden clause in the government shutdown bill could give 8 senators at least $1M each | king5.com

Men are Natural Leaders, Eli Rallo  - TikTok
Conde Nast Restructuring, Lexi McMenamin - TikTok 

Read

The Emails - The New York Times
The only 'no' vote on releasing Epstein files - BBC

Nobody's Girl - A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, By Virginia Roberts Giuffre - Penguin Random House 

Supreme Court declines to revisit gay marriage decision - NPR

U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols - Washington Post

Federal memo: foster parents free to misgender at will - The Seattle Times

New DNA Analysis Reveals Hitler May Have Had a Micropenis - The Daily Beast

Trump floats tariff 'dividends' even while plan shows major flaws - NPR

Who has President Trump pardoned and why? - NPR

Random

Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli

Listen 

Curmudgeon’s Corner