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PODCAST

Seattle Nice

David Hyde, Erica Barnett, and Sandeep Kaushik

It’s getting harder and harder to talk about politics, especially if you disagree. Well, screw that. Seattle Nice aims to be the most opinionated and smartest analysis of what’s really happening in Seattle politics available in any medium. Each episode dives into contentious and sometimes ridiculous topics, exploring perspectives from across Seattle"s political spectrum, from city council brawls to the ways the national political conversation filters through our unique political process. Even if

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All Episodes

35:45

Alarming Audit, Missing Millions: Is the End Nigh for...

Seattle Nice ·

2026/04/23

Some lawmakers are calling for the dissolution of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) following a damning forensic audit. The audit, or “forensic evaluation,” revealed years of abysmal accounting practices and that the agency could not account for millions in public funds. This raises critical questions, including: Should the KCRHA be dissolved, and was the agency structurally flawed from its inception? Our editor is Quinn Waller. Send us a text! Note that we can o...

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51:47

Will Dialing Back Mandatory Housing Affordability...

Seattle Nice ·

2026/04/20

This week, we’re diving deep into Seattle’s Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program. Joining the conversation are consultant Natalie Quick and former Seattle COO Marco Lowe, who break down how this “pay a fee or include affordable units" policy is affecting housing. We’ll explore why MHA has inadvertently sent housing costs soaring and put the brakes on some new construction. Plus, we’ll look at the smarter, more effective solutions they’re advocating to keep the city accessible. Our ed...

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42:33

Mayor Wilson’s Shelter Push and What's a Spodie?

Seattle Nice ·

2026/04/10

We discuss the latest in Seattle politics, including Mayor Katie Wilson's ambitious plan to create 1000 new shelter units by the end of the year and 500 by the FIFA World Cup. The plan includes opening a new Tiny House village in Interbay with 75 new palette shelters, expanding existing shelters in West and South Seattle, and adding RV spots. But Sandeep argues the bigger news is that the initiative has secured significant private funding from companies like Starbucks, Microsoft, and T-Mobile...

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46:40

"Taller, Denser, Faster"

Seattle Nice ·

2026/04/04

This week we chew over Mayor Katie Wilson's accelerated approach to the Comprehensive Plan, and council scrutiny of city human services contracts following fraud allegations at King County. Plus, the proposed $410 million library levy, with council amendments adding tens of millions. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to adver...

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46:16

Bigger and Bolder on Density: New CM Eddie Lin Says...

Seattle Nice ·

2026/03/27

Tune in to hear new District 2 Council Member Eddie Lin break down the latest council dynamics, the future of the city's housing strategy, comprehensive planning efforts, public safety issues in District 2, along with his thoughts about the Mayor Katie Wilson administration ... and more. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to a...

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37:02

Mayor’s Partial Pause on Seattle Surveillance Cameras

Seattle Nice ·

2026/03/21

Mayor Katie Wilson unveiled her police CCTV camera plan on Thursday, which she immediately acknowledged "will please no one," according to Publicola. The plan introduces a partial and temporary halt to the expansion of CCTV cameras across the city, allowing for a months-long audit of camera protocols with assistance from New York University's Policing Project. Despite the pause in expansion, the mayor is allowing new cameras to be installed in the stadium district before the World Cup, which ...

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52:39

Downtown Seattle Association CEO says downtown is...

Seattle Nice ·

2026/03/15

This week Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA), joined us to discuss the state of downtown. He pointed to positive momentum towards economic recovery and the dream of a “24/7 city,” with so many people moving downtown, but also warned of challenges including the high office vacancy rate. Other topics included: Jumpstart payroll tax: Debate over whether the outcome has been more positive or negative for Seattle.Residential Conversion: Why converting o...

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46:03

Questions about Mayor Wilson's Shelter Plan For Seattle

Seattle Nice ·

2026/03/09

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s ambitious 1000-bed temporary shelter plan, which, among other elements, proposes accelerating the construction of up to 250-unit “tiny house” villages across all council districts, is still in the early planning stages but is already generating lots of questions from providers and others. Including from us. How will the City handle the management of these super-sized sites? How will they facilitate the transition of residents to permanent housing? And ho...

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49:53

Are these three Seattle controversies all about union...

Seattle Nice ·

2026/02/27

CARE team head Amy Barden told council this week that the latest police union contract is preventing effective alternative 911 response from her team. We also get into what’s really happening with the allegations facing Derrick Wheeler-Smith, the Director of the Office of Civil Rights; and the controversy around Mayor Katie Wilson’s removal of City Light CEO Dawn Lindell, revealing behind-the-scenes lobbying by organized labor and the possible recalibration of power at City Hall. Our e...

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30:58

Mayor Katie Wilson Gets Seattle Nice about the State...

Seattle Nice ·

2026/02/20

Following her first State of the City address, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson joins us to discuss the city’s most pressing issues. We explore why she hasn’t yet changed the city’s policies on encampment clearances, how she’s going to deliver on her big promise to add 1000 units of shelter by year’s end, and her answer to impatience from the left for bold progressive actions. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Correction: During this interview, Erica said the Chamber has supported moving oversight ...

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11:24

Preview: Joe Nguyen was a Progressive Legislator. Now...

Seattle Nice ·

2026/02/18

Meet Joe Nguyen, a seemingly unusual pick to head the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. A former Bernie Sanders delegate and former progressive state lawmaker who championed policies like the capital gains tax and famously eschewed corporate PAC money, Nguyen is now leading the fiscally conservative Chamber through a period of change as it tries to navigate Seattle's progressive electorate while fostering a thriving business environment. This is a preview of a members only episode. Sign up to supp...

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33:16

New Councilmember Dionne Foster's Goals for Seattle

Seattle Nice ·

2026/02/12

Following a decisive win last fall for citywide Position 9, City Councilmember Dionne Foster joins us to talk about how she intends to fulfill her campaign promises amid Seattle’s mounting fiscal challenges. Councilmember Foster, who chairs the Housing, Arts and Civil Rights Committee, outlines some of her priorities including housing affordability. We also get into her more progressive approach to the homelessness crisis, in which she emphasizs the need for more shelter capacity—such a...

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43:19

Two Years In, CARE Chief Amy Barden Says Her Crisis...

Seattle Nice ·

2026/01/26

Amy Barden, director of the city's Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) department. Barden has been on the job for just over two years, running the city's 911 operations while also setting up an unarmed team of social workers who respond to emergency calls that don't require police—the CARE Team. The CARE Team is expanding to 48 members this year, and their size will no longer be capped under the city's contract with the Seattle Police Officers' Guild (SPOG), which has historical...

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44:47

Scott Lindsay, Deputy for Ousted City Attorney Ann...

Seattle Nice ·

2026/01/16

This week, we spoke to former deputy city attorney Scott Lindsay. Voters soundly rejected Lindsay's former boss, Republican Ann Davison, last November, but Lindsay argues that many of her prescriptions for addressing crime and disorder were sound—including "stay out" zones for people accused of using or possessing drugs in public, extra penalties for people who commit misdemeanors like shoplifting over and over, and the elimination of community court, which Lindsay called "a complete disaster...

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42:29

City Attorney Evans Charts a New Course on Drug...

Seattle Nice ·

2026/01/12

We sat down with new Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion founder Lisa Daugaard this week to talk about changes Evans is making to the way the city handles low-level drug cases. Under Evans' Republican predecessor, Ann Davison, people arrested for simple drug possession or using in public were either jailed and prosecuted or sent to a "drug prosecution alternative" where they have to get an assessment to confirm they have an addiction and stay out of troubl...

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47:54

2026 Forecast: Will Katie Wilson Save Seattle with...

Seattle Nice ·

2025/12/20

We have no clue what 2026 holds, but that hasn't stopped us! The annual "Seattle Nice" prognostication episode returns with Publicola Co-Founder Josh Feit to offer hopes and predictions for the city's 2026. The main event: Mayor-elect Katie Wilson’s looming tenure. Will she defy her critics and steer a progressive agenda with pragmatic, results-oriented grit? We're all optimistic. The discussion also gets into Seattle's biggest flashpoints including the need for greater police accounta...

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31:59

Is SPD contract a "complete failure" of police reform...

Seattle Nice ·

2025/12/12

On this four-year anniversary episode of Seattle Nice, we dissect two major policy and political battles, starting with the contentious Seattle Police Officer Guild (SPOG) contract. Passed by a narrow and unusual 6-3 City Council vote, the contract gives officers significant raises— a 42% increase overall— without requiring key accountability measures. We also discuss Mayor-elect Katie Wilson’s decision to retain Police Chief Sean Barnes, and the Trump administration’s erratic moves on h...

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42:51

Executives Gone Wild? Seattle, King County Shakeups

Seattle Nice ·

2025/12/05

A new era is dawning in Seattle and King County, with big changes happening at the top. We break down the personnel shifts, including Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson's choice of Brian Surratt as her sole Deputy Mayor. Is the pick in part a strategic move by Seatte’s new progressive mayor to win over the business community? Plus, we explore the uncertain future of Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes: Will Mayor Wilson keep him on? Finally, we dive into the controversy surrounding King County Execu...

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44:09

Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson says Seattle Nice is “Special”

Seattle Nice ·

2025/11/20

Mayor-elect Katie Wilson turned down numerous invitations for national television appearances over the past week, telling Seattle Nice, “That is not my job.” But she took time out of her busy transition planning to speak with us (and you!). With assistance from our amazing Patreon supporters, and other listeners, we took advantage of the opportunity to pose the incoming mayor of Seattle questions on a wide range of topics, including the following: WHat concrete actions is she going to take to...

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40:37

A Political Earthquake: Katie Wilson’s Huge Mayoral...

Seattle Nice ·

2025/11/14

The votes are in and a new era begins in Seattle politics. In this episode: The Concession and the Controversy: Was Bruce Harrell’s concession speech gracious enough?The Affordability Referendum: Wilson’s focus on pocketbook issues—housing, rent, and the rising cost of living—was the centerpiece of her campaign. Why didn’t Harrell’s response work? How will she deliver? Campaign Attacks: Were the Harrell camp’s attacks on Wilson (e.g.,"millennial socialist who still lives off parents’ mon...

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189 results

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