the weekly seattle

This week we talk about why marketers often make better CEOs than CFOs, what companies get wrong when marketing to younger generations, and why focus groups can actually kill creative. We also talk about the future of membership organizations in both Seattle and nationally.Top Stories:1. AAA Washington - what actually is it?2. Brooks Running to sponsor the Mariners salmon race+Let Keta Run instagram3. Rec Room shuts down and Columbia Tower Club closes after 41 yearsAbout Heather Snavely — President & CEO, AAA Washington: Heather has been President & CEO of AAA Washington for nearly five years. Before that she held marketing and leadership roles at PCC Community Markets, Brooks Running, and Microsoft where she worked on the Xbox brand. She serves on the board of KEXP and has been in Seattle since 1999.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

This week we pull back the curtain on the business side of healthcare: how hospitals actually make money, why our bills are high yet hospitals are doing layoffs, and what it was like to step into the CEO role as an interim first. Dr. Elizabeth Wako, President & CEO of Swedish Health Services, also shares how a simple idea in the delivery room dropped C-section rates for women of color from 44% to 27%.Top stories this week:1. The business of hospitals2. Starbucks signs a lease in Nashville3. Kraken takes majority ownership of Climate Pledge ArenaAbout Dr. Elizabeth Wako - President & CEO, Swedish Health Care Services:She began her career in nursing before becoming a physician and anesthesiologist, then stepped into executive leadership as Chief Medical Officer before ultimately taking the top role of President & CEO. She made history as the first woman and first Black person to lead Swedish in its 116-year history. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and an MBA, and is overseeing the development of the new Hughes Tower, a major investment in Seattle's healthcare infrastructure.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

This week we're talking all about the banking industry with former CEO and current Vice Chair of Wells Fargo Commercial Banking. Mary Knell shares a jaw-dropping fraud story that cost a local company millions mid-deal, gives her honest take on what small businesses are up against right now, and her opinion on the what the Sonics returning could do for our economy. All of this and your top news stories!Top Stories:1. Inside commercial banking: fraud, cybersecurity, and what banks wish you understood2. Downtown Seattle office values decline3. Blazing Bagels closes all five locations after nearly 25 years in business4. NBA owners expected to vote on Seattle Sonics expansionAbout Mary Knell - Vice Chair, Wells Fargo Commercial Banking: Mary Knell has over 40 years of financial services experience and is a lifelong Seattle native. She serves on the Washington CEO Roundtable Board, the Greater Seattle Partners Executive Board, and is co-president of the International Women's Forum. She also sits on the board of the Museum of Flight and is a University of Washington alumna.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

We're talking about how the workforce is changing and what that means for Seattle. In this episode we talk about why 40% of the American workforce is now freelance and will be 50% by 2027. We talk about how to find your first clients, what companies get wrong about blended teams, and why the "stability" of a W-2 job might be a myth. We also dig into the data on women leaving the workforce and what organizations can actually do about it. All of this and your top news stories!Top Stories:1. Microsoft now requires 3 days a week in office2. Amazon invests $50 billion into OpenAI (& the government drama)3. The future (now) of workNew federal contractor ruleWhy some employees aren't taking PTO despite experiencing burnoutHybrid Workplace Playbook by Lions & TigersAbout Brea Starmer — CEO & Founder, Lions & Tigers: Brea started Lions & Tigers seven years ago after being laid off while seven months pregnant. She has built the company into a flexible fractional workforce firm serving everyone from startups to enterprise clients, headquartered in Bellevue, WA. She is also a former PSBJ 40 Under 40. Learn more at lionsandtigers.comAbout host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

This week we're talking about everything happening in downtown Seattle with the President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association. Jon shares the latest data on downtown recovery, plus what's coming next, including a $50 million investment in parks and changes to 3rd Ave. We also dive into how Seattle is preparing for FIFA 2026 with 700,000 expected visitors, watch parties across downtown, and new flexible alcohol laws. And we dig into the controversial public safety camera debate and why Jon believes they're working.Top Stories:1a. Downtown Seattle recovery update: office workers, residents, and visitor numbers1b. FIFA 2026 preparations and economic impact on Seattle businesses2. Public safety camera expansion debate and why DSA supports it3. Benaroya Hall $20 million renovation closing July-SeptemberAbout Jon Scholes - President & CEO, Downtown Seattle Association:Jon Scholes is responsible for the operations and programs of the DSA, an 1,100 member association formed in 1958 to create a healthy, vibrant downtown for all. He was appointed President & CEO of DSA in November 2014 following six years as DSA's Vice President of Advocacy and Economic Development. Jon serves on the boards of Visit Seattle, the International Downtown Association, and Downtown Emergency Services Center. He is the host of Seattle City Makers, a podcast launched in 2022. He is a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow and attended University of Texas in Austin before graduating form the University of Washington.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

It's guys night at Rachel's house for the 100th episode AND 2 year anniversary! The very first episode was recorded at her house with Alex Halverson, so we felt it was only right to return to the living room with him. We recap the top business news stories and then at the end we bring in Nick Patri, audio engineer for the podcast and Rob Smith, the 3rd guest on the pod, to reflect on the past two years of the show.Top Stories:1. Seattle Seahawks are for sale2. An old trolley might be coming back to Ballard3. Highspot merges with competitor Seismic4. Pacific Science Center to sell IMAX theater to Space NeedleGuests:Alex Halverson - Tech Reporter, Seattle Times (1st guest)Nick Patri - Audio Engineer and Podcast ConsultantRob Smith - Executive Editor, Formidable (4th guest)About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

We're talking about what it takes to build a media company from scratch, sell it, and figure out what comes next. We also dig into AI bias and why the data these tools are trained on matters, especially for underrepresented communities. Our guest Sherrell Dorsey founded The Plug, a tech news platform covering the Black innovation economy that became the first Black-owned publication syndicated on the Bloomberg terminal before being acquired by Impact Alpha. She shares what she would do differently, what she learned interviewing major CEOs on the TED Tech Podcast, and why storytelling is the most underrated skill in business. All of this and your top news stories!Top Stories:1. Seattle woman's bracelet tracking company Little Bird ships to 120,000-person waitlist2. Seattle shipyard on Harbor Island to be acquired by French private equity firm3. XAI and OpenAI expand office space in Bellevue4. T-Mobile lays off nearly 400 Washington workersAbout guest Sherrell Dorsey — Author, Host of TED Tech Podcast, Principal of Build for Good: Sherrell is a data journalist and entrepreneur who founded The Plug, a tech news platform focused on the Black innovation economy. The Plug became the first Black-owned publication syndicated on the Bloomberg terminal and was later acquired by Impact Alpha. She is the author of Upper Hand and host of the TED Tech Podcast. Through Build for Good she advises early stage tech and climate founders on storytelling and messaging.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The gaming industry is estimated to be over $200 billion, bigger than music and movies combined. Our guest is game designer Jordan Weisman who has had four exits including one to Microsoft and one to Disney. In this episode we talk about why we're seeing so many studios closing, how designers approach structuring games with monetization models in mind, and why VR is always almost the next best thing. All of this and your top news stories!Top Stories:1. Seattle gaming software company buys market research group2. Layoffs: Meta, Amazon, Eddie Bauer, Expedia3. Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores to closeAbout host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

This week host Rachel gives a quick update on the state of the show and what's to come for 2026. She also recaps on the top 5 business stories of the week including a new light rail, unique attraction in Denny Triangle project, tap-to-pay coming to busses and more!Enjoy this short episode before we return with our regular programming next week.Top Stories:1. Rainier Brewing building might be apartments2. Denny Triangle project makes progress3. James Beard semifinalists4. Light rail opens March 285. Tap to pay coming to Orca transitAbout host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

This week we're talking about the intersection of AI and creativity. Are copywriters still needed in corporations? We talk to Creative Director Sam Farquharson on her copywriting pet peeves, what some companies get wrong when designing a commercial, and her current tiktok spiral. All of this and your weekly news recap!Top Stories:1. Quick Update on Expedia voyeurism case2. Uwajimaya expands to Tacoma3. Blue Star Cafe closes4. Cider updates: Locust Cider shuts down taprooms & Seattle Cider is acquired by Two Towns5. Microsoft's response to AI data center oppositionAbout Sam Farquharson - Creative Director/Lead Writer, Ampersand:Sam is the Creative Director and Lead Writer for Ampersand as well as the Commercial Director for the production arm of Ampersand. She has a long history of working as a copywriter and creative director for a variety of well known companies including REI.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The founder of one of the fastest-growing private companies in Washington shares her story of how she created this audio visual production company in her garage, her worst event horror story, and how she thought about succession planning as she sold her company last year. Niki McKay has over 20 years experience running large scale events around the world including clients like Macklemore, Alaska Airlines, and more. In this episode Rachel and Niki also discuss the price gouging happening in the industry due to a monopoly, and what needs to be done about it.All of this and your top local business news stories!Top Stories:1. Inside the audio visual production industry2. Publisher of Seattle Times passes the torch to his son3. Seattle Ferries: wi-fi coming, new ferries, and ferries for sale!4. Ross is closing its downtown locationAbout guest Niki McKay - Founder & former CEO of Blue Danube Productions:Niki started her company in 2007 in her garage. She has successfully ran Blue Danube Productions until she sold it late last year. Blue Danube was recognized as the #1 fastest-growing woman-owned companies in the state in 2023 and again this year. It was also ranked ranked the second fastest-growing private company in the state by the Puget Sound Business Journal in 2023.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

New year, new us! This is a special episode with Executive & Leadership Coach Suzanne who helps us identify our own poison riptides that might be creating a toxic workplace on accident! She gives advice for those looking to branch out into consulting as well as what leaders need to do when approaching a big change in 2026. If you're thinking of quitting your job, she also helps us figure out how and when to do that. All of this along with Rachel and Suzanne's highs and lows of 2025.About Suzanne Weller - Founder, Coach, Consultant, Weller Collaboration:Suzanne launched her consulting company in 2018 and worked as the Change Management & Organizational Effectiveness Consultant for Slalom. She runs private leadership coaching, group workshops, keynotes, and more! Prior to this, she held sales leadership roles at Getty Images before becoming their Senior Director of Organizational Change Management. Learn more at https://wellercollaboration.com/About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The holidays are a big time for travel, so we sat down with the President of the Americas of Intrepid Travel to talk all about this industry. We cover their latest partnership with REI, how travel has changed over the years, and the most popular countries to travel to. All of this and your weekly news update!Top Stories:1. REI brings back travel experiences with Intrepid Travel2. New Alaska Airlines routes3. Expedia to acquire online booking platforms4. Wild Waves Theme Park to shut downAbout guest Leigh' Barnes - President of the Americas, Intrepid Travel:Leigh has worked for Intrepid for the past 15 years and was named the President of the Americas about a year ago. He is also the Publisher of Adventure.com which is a adventure news platform. About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The CEO of SAM joins us for a conversation on the unexpected realities of running a major museum, the unique costs, and the bold changes coming to SAM including a full restaurant and bar, expanded hours, and a fresh approach to attracting repeat visitors.We also talk FIFA coming to Seattle and how Scott plans to capitalize on the global spotlight. As the only art director of a major museum with a studio art background, Scott brings a radically different perspective. About a year and a half into the role, Scott is ready to shake things up!Top Stories:1. The business of museumsSeattle Times article and PSBJ article 2. FIFA games in Seattle announcedVisit Seattle press release3. Chateau Ste. Michelle has a new ownerSeattle Times articleAbout guest Scott Stulen - CEO, Seattle Art Museum:Prior to coming to Seattle about a year and a half ago, Scott was the CEO of the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa and was a curator at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Not only does he have a long history of working in leadership positions within the arts, he is also an artist and DJ himself!About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

Rough & Tumble JUST opened a new location in Columbia City so we brought back the Founder & Owner to fill us in on the behind-the-scenes of what it's like opening a second location of her iconic sports bar in Seattle. Jen Barnes shares what challenges she had to overcome to be able to stream women's sports in her restaurants and the legal battle she got into with HBO. We talk about how the minimum wage increase has impacted her business, why many restaurants are combining themes/entertainment with their brick and mortar, and how Seattle is preparing for FIFA! You'll also hear the exclusive story of how she put a basketball court floor in her bar...All of this along with your top news stories.Top Stories1. Rough & Tumble opens second location in Columbia CityFormidable article about Jen2. Picklewood opens in SODOPSBJ article3. The Ink Drinker opens in Ballard (no article)4. Pike Brewing closes locations in Pike Place & affordability issues for small businessesEater article & Seattle Times articleAbout guest Jen Barnes - Founder & Owner, Rough & Tumble:Three years ago, Jen Barnes launched one of the world’s first sports bars dedicated to elevating both women’s and men’s sports. Since then, she has partnered with more than a dozen teams and leagues, become a part-owner of Seattle’s Salmon Bay FC women’s soccer team, and is now preparing to open Rough & Tumble’s second location. Before founding the bar, Jen built her career in the corporate startup and legal industry.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

We sit down with the General Manager for Olympic Athletic Club to learn all about how the gym industry has changed over the years and what makes this one so unique. We talk about the demand for amenities, their recent renovation, the importance of good talent, and much more. All of this along with your weekly business news roundup!Top Stories:1. The business of gymsPSBJ article2. Rad Power Bikes might shut downGeekWire article3. BECU merger & Perkins Coie mergerPSBJ article (BECU) & PSBJ article (Perkins Coie)4. Starbucks strike updateSeattle Times articleAbout guest Jean-Luc Pedanou - General Manager, Olympic Athletic Club:Jean-Luc has been the General Manager for about a year and a half. Prior to this he was the General Manager at an Equinox in Northern California and held leadership roles at The Bay Club in San Francisco. He has also worked in leadership at many fitness clubs in New York.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

We talk to the General Manager & the Director of Business Operations for the Seattle Torrent, the newest team added to the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). In this episode, we discuss why the PWHL ownership is unique, why they are playing the first season without the new jerseys, why the head coach was chosen, and how they plan to collaborate with the other major sports teams here. All of this and your top business news stories!Top Stories:1. PWHL team: New name, new logo, and season starting!2. Barnes & Noble returns to downtown3. FRS Clipper partners with SeahawksAbout guest Meghan Turner - General Manager, Seattle Torrent:Meghan was a professionally player herself and built a career as a consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers. She then became the Assistant General Manager of the Boston Fleet prior to landing this role at Seattle Torrent.About guest Madi McNamara - Director of Business Operations, Seattle TorrentMadi has a long history working in sports, specifically at Seattle Sports Commission for close to five years, as well as working at Visit Seattle our CVB before stepping into this role.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: [email protected]: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com Learn more about Top of the Tower Recording Studio: www.topofthetowerstudios.com