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PODCAST

Invisible Histories

Cari Simson Elke Hautala

Cari Simson and Elke Hautala formed Invisible Histories to visually and viscerally connect the public to experiences from the past. Their Invisible Histories podcast unearths diverse local stories and forgotten places. www.invisible-histories.com Read our latest newsletter!Our Instagram account shares images from each episode, @invisiblehistoriesPNWWe are always looking for “invisible histories” of the Pacific NW so if you have a good story idea please reach out at

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

52:53

Exploring Seattle's Sephardic Roots & Stories

Invisible Histories ·

2026/09/26

In this special episode of Invisible Histories, we explore the rich history, culture, and enduring legacy of Seattle's Sephardic Jewish community—the third-largest Sephardic population in the United States. Guests Cynthia Flash Hemphill (President of the Seattle Sephardic Network), Hannah Peters (Director at the Washington State Jewish Historical Society), and community members share personal narratives and historical insights.Guests:Stuart Eskenazi, Sephardic Seattle Tour guide with family ties

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1:06:09

Monorail! Monorail! Monorail!

Invisible Histories ·

2026/09/23

In part two of their monorail retrospective, hosts Cari Simson and Elke Hautala dive into the grassroots effort that nearly brought an expanded monorail system to Seattle.If you missed it, go back and listen to Part 1 to get the deep dive into Seattle Monorail politics and advocacy!In this episode, we are joined by former campaign staffer Michael Taylor-Judd, transit advocate Rodney Rutherford, and Seattle Department of Transportation staff Brian Dougherty. The episode explores the ground-level

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1:11:03

The Ghostly Green Line

Invisible Histories ·

2026/08/19

Part 1 of The Ghostly Green Line: The Seattle Monorail Chronicles dives into the "ghostly green line"—the proposed Seattle Monorail that promised a transformative transit future between 1997 and 2005. Guest Cindi Laws, a veteran political operative, provides an insider’s look at the campaigns that defined that era. Laws reveals the "death by a thousand cuts" strategy employed by well-funded opponents, the deep-seated political rivalries between City of Seattle and King County leadership, and the

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1:06:14

Lynnwood & Alderwood Manor

Invisible Histories ·

2026/07/07

Most people know Lynnwood as a shopping destination or a place to pass through on the way to somewhere else. But beneath today's busy streets lies one of the Pacific Northwest's most fascinating stories of innovation, agriculture, transportation, and community.In our Season 7 premiere episode of Invisible Histories, we visit Heritage Park in Lynnwood with special guest Devon from the Ouija Broads podcast and discover how a chance stop turned into an unforgettable history lesson. Guided by local

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41:10

Layers of History Unpaved: Seattle's SODO neighborhood

Invisible Histories ·

2026/06/09

In this vibrant episode of Invisible Histories, hosts Cari Simson and Elke Hautala take listeners on an engaging journey through the layers of one of the most overlooked historical areas of Seattle. With the backdrop of the upcoming June 12th Unpaving SODO Tour, and the 2026 World Cup, they explore the bustling transformation of Seattle's SODO from early settler days through the Klondike Gold Rush, from the original tideflats to early industrial development in the 1900s, to raves and other

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1:05:43

The Forest of Life and Death

Invisible Histories ·

2026/05/06

In this thought-provoking episode of Invisible Histories, hosts Cari Simson and Elke Hautala engage in a captivating conversation with Michelle Hogle Acciavatti, MS, the founder of Vermont Forest Cemetery. Dive into the world of natural burial and explore how this innovative, yet simple approach to death and dying is reshaping our relationship with mortality and the environment.Michelle shares her unique journey from a background in neuroscience to becoming a death doula and advocate for natural

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37:45

Harbor Island Unveiled: A Journey Through Seattle's...

Invisible Histories ·

2026/04/08

Join hosts Cari Simson and Elke Hautala in this exciting mini-episode of Invisible Histories as they unveil their dream project: a captivating event centered around the often-overlooked Harbor Island. Discover the rich and hidden history of this industrial area in South Seattle, a place many pass by without a second thought. Cari and Elke share their journey of bringing this event to life, highlighting the significance of local narratives that challenge the dominant historical discourse.Listeners

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47:10

The Lazy Husbands Act: Unpacking Washington's Family...

Invisible Histories ·

2026/03/10

Explore the hidden histories of family desertion and social justice in our latest episode! Discover how the Lazy Husbands Act of 1913 aimed to support abandoned families in Washington State, and what actually happened. Tune in for an insightful discussion that connects the past with our present. Don't miss it!In this enlightening episode of Invisible Histories, hosts Cari Simson and Elke Hautala delve into the complexities of early 20th-century social welfare in Washington State, focusing on the

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1:08:08

Uncovering the Untold Legacy of Moses Seattle

Invisible Histories ·

2026/02/10

In this powerful episode of Invisible Histories, hosts Cari Simson and Elke Hautala engage in a gripping conversation with David Norman Lewis, the author of the newly released book, The Burning of Moses Seattle. This episode dives deep into the tragic and violent history surrounding Moses Seattle, a descendant of Chief Seattle, whose life was marked by both cultural significance and horrific events.David shares the chilling details of Moses' untimely death, which was the result of a brutal act of

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1:12:59

Connecting Generations: Our Dads and Their Hidden...

Invisible Histories ·

2026/01/06

In this heartwarming New Year's episode of Invisible Histories, hosts Cari Simson and Elke Hautala celebrate fresh beginnings by turning the spotlight on their own families. They engage in meaningful conversations with their fathers, John Simson and Burton Kummerow, who share their unique experiences and contributions to public history.As both dads delve into their respective roles, listeners are treated to a rich tapestry of stories that highlight the importance of community engagement and the

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54:53

Celebrating the Stories of 2025

Invisible Histories ·

2025/12/09

In this reflective episode of Invisible Histories, hosts Cari Simson and Elke Hautala take a moment to pause and look back on the year that has flown by, filled with challenges and triumphs in their unique engagement with public history. As the end of the year approaches, they share their Year in Review, highlighting memorable episodes, fascinating guests, and the stories that have shaped their journey.This episode is not just a recap; it's an invitation to listeners to revisit past episodes, engage

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49:20

Elise Olmstead: The Hidden Rebel of Prohibition in...

Invisible Histories ·

2025/11/07

In this captivating November episode of Invisible Histories, we dive into the life of Elise Olmstead, a remarkable figure in the history of Seattle, as we chat with local author Rebecca Demarest.Rebecca unravels the threads of Elise's life, from her beginnings in England to her complex relationship with the notorious Roy Olmstead, exploring her influence in the Prohibition era and her role as a radio station operator. Was she an informant to Prohibition agents, or the brains behind the bootlegging

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55:49

The Abandoned History of Northern State Hospital

Invisible Histories ·

2025/10/21

This week on Invisible Histories, we are sharing Part 2 of our two-part journey to the Skagit Valley to visit the Northern State Hospital & Cemetery, a large psychiatric hospital and self-sustaining therapeutic farm and community from 1912-1973 in Sedro-Woolley, WA.Check out Part 1 that focuses on the Northern State Hospital cemetery (episode released on 10/7/25).We are joined by John Horne, our guide, who shares personal anecdotes and insights about the hospital's history, revealing how it

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1:02:14

Uncovering Northern State Hospital's hidden cemetery

Invisible Histories ·

2025/10/07

In this episode of Invisible Histories, hosts Cari and Elke visit the Northern State Hospital Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley, WA — a serene field off Highway 20, holding many unidentified graves of more than 1,600 people once confined to Washington’s largest mental institution. Some of the patients’ graves have visible numbers and initials, while many more have sunken under the thick grass or have been damaged by weather.We’re joined by John Horne, a local historian who has spent years painstakingly

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1:30:52

Salem Secrets: Unraveling the Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Invisible Histories ·

2025/09/09

In this enthralling episode of Invisible Histories, we delve into the dark and complex narrative of the Salem Witch Trials, exploring the societal and historical contexts that led to one of America's most infamous episodes of mass hysteria. Join us as we navigate through the summer of 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. We examine the lives of the women accused, including Cari’s ancestor Margaret Skillings Prince.We discuss the intersection of religion, gender, and class, revealing how these factors

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51:45

The Lost Potter's Field: Modern Connections

Invisible Histories ·

2025/09/06

Our Potter's Field research and memorialization project points to the past ways that people who died on the margins in Seattle and King County were treated leading up to 1912, and how their burial area was obliterated in the wake of the Duwamish river dredging and straightening in 1913. Invisible Histories seeks to make modern connections with all our stories, and our intern, Jacob Neville, assisted Elke with research and interviews with modern programs that seek to create memorialization and

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1:08:13

Inside the King County Medical Examiner's Office

Invisible Histories ·

2025/07/09

In this gripping episode of Invisible Histories, we take you behind the scenes of the King County Medical Examiner's Office (KCMEO) where death and the stories surrounding it come to life through the eyes of lead forensic medicolegal death investigator, James Sosik Jr.Join us as we explore the often unseen world of "unnatural" death investigation in King County, WA, and discuss everything from the realities of autopsies to the humane treatment of unclaimed bodies.Disclaimer: KCMEO takes family

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1:03:36

Woven Tales: Reviving Scottish Folk Heritage

Invisible Histories ·

2025/06/02

Have you ever wanted to move to Scotland, study folk magic, and help preserve ancient sites? Well we definitely do, and after today so will you!Welcome to our June episode of Invisible Histories: Woven Tales: Reviving Scottish Folk Heritage with Scott Richardson-ReadIn this captivating episode, we sit down with Scott Richardson-Read, a passionate folklorist and cultural historian deeply rooted in Scotland's rich folk heritage.Join us as Scott shares his journey from working-class roots to becoming

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49:25

Cairn Cainine Detection, part 2

Invisible Histories ·

2025/05/05

Welcome to our May episode: Part 2 of our interview with Cairn Canine Detection and the Case of the "Lost" Potter's Field!We had so much to talk about with the Cairn Canine Detection group that our May episode will continue the conversation with Suzanne Elshult, President and K9 Trainer/Handler. Suzanne shares more about the work they are doing with local Tribes and historical organizations to identify the locations of unmarked burials in Washington State, and beyond. She's also about to get a new

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44:00

Cairn Canine Detection

Invisible Histories ·

2025/04/08

Welcome to our April episode: Cairn Canine Detection and the Case of the Snohomish Pioneer Cemetery!Have you ever wondered how dogs could help locate unmarked graves? Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of canine detection and its role in uncovering the hidden histories of historic cemeteries. In this episode, we share our experience with Suzanne Elshult and June Mansfield and their team from Cairn Canine Detection, who use specially trained dogs to locate human remains in historic burial

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