Willamette Wake Up

We leave the mid-Willamette Valley on a journey to explore the implications of recent federal actions in Venezuela with Willamette University professor of history, Bill Smaldone.

In this episode we "unpack homelessness" with Jimmy Jones & Sara Webb (Mid Willamette Valley Community Action Agency). They discuss the various demographics of people who are un-sheltered, approaches that work to get people into housing, as well as success stories and barriers.

Policy for the People talks with Melissa Unger, SEIU 503 and David Madland, Center for American Progress about low-pay and tough working conditions of long-term care workers and those who care for elderly & disabled people.

In this brief report from a special meeting of the Salem City Council on January 7th, we recap the issues and actions taken by Council. The meeting concerned the re-appointment of Kyle Hedquist to the Community Police Review Board, as well as his initial appointment to the Civil Service Commission. The report summarizes changes council made to the overall process of appointing members of the public who serve on boards and commissions.  To hear the whole meeting, visit capitalcommunitymedia.org and search for Salem City Council for January 7, 2026.

Barry is a driver with both Uber & Lyft.  He shares his experience of community from where he sits: behind the wheel.  From a mystical & nomadic customer, to building a long term friendship, to some unpleasant moments...Barry shares his personal stories.

Keeping Oregon Oregon talks with  Mallory Phelan of Oregon Aglink regarding their mission to bring agriculture and community together, bridging the gap between urban and rural Oregonians.

Elephant in the Room talks with Matthew Shepherd, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, about his work to build pollinator conservation and the importance of our insect population for human survival.

Happy New Year! Join Willamette Block Party as they bring a holiday spirit to this episode and get tips from Rod Stanley, lifestyle interventionist and personal trainer, about staying healthy during the holiday. 

In this special episode of Elephant in the Room, AnnaRose Adams, formerly with the National Center for Atmospheric Research - a federally funded agency known for advancements in the study of weather - discusses how dismantling NCAR (announced by the Trump administration Dec 2025), would impact the health and safety of our country. 

Health, Thought & Transformation looks at the changing world of health care through the practice of Dr. Matt Hennings of Leading Edge Physical Therapy. Hennings explains how a concierge model of medicine offers better care for his patients; then he describes a workshop for golfers coming up in January.