The ESP: Student Caught Stories

This episode is in collaboration with WWU students: Joris Everts, Ella Perry, and Adam Kendrick

Common Threads Farm is a non-profit in Whatcom County that connects kids to healthy food. Through multiple programs, they educate local kids on gardening and cooking skills while also providing free, healthy meals for kids experiencing food insecurity. Common Threads Farm primarily addresses the sustainability goals of Zero Hunger and Qua...

This episode is in collaboration with WWU students: Kai Drotz, Jaden Walter, Brody Robinson, and Leyton IreyFor our SEIC Story Project, our team partnered with the Bellingham Food Co-op to learn more about how sustainability can be woven into a community-centered business model. Through our site visit and interview with Melissa, the Sustainability Director at the Co-op, we were able to explore how the organization  approaches envir...

This episode is in collaboration with WWU students: Genna Tobin, Emma Cline, Alex Hines, and Sky McCasland

Sustainable Connections, a nonprofit that has been active in the Bellingham area for nearly a quarter of a century and strives to do exactly what their name suggests; connect the community through sustainability. 

The nonprofit as a whole touches on nearly every aspect of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, but our team chos...

This episode is in collaboration with WWU students: Kosta Biros, Tyler Johnson, Jarad Barth, and Melissa Ramirez

The Bellingham Makerspace is a place that offers materials and machines for creating, designing and building almost anything you can imagine. We discovered this business while researching non-profit organizations within Bellingham who focus on some of the sustainability goals. We then set up an interview with Jason, the F...

This episode is in collaboration with WWU students: Berkley Mcclellan-Tedrow, Cody Smith, Emily Swan, and Grace Barrett

In the heart of downtown Bellingham is a little community bike shop, the Bike Hub serves as a space for people to get their bikes tuned up and working whether they need to replace broken parts, want to fix it themselves, or have the Bike hub fix it for them. Initially started in 1997 as the pedal project by Kyle Mo...

This episode is in collaboration with WWU students: Alyssa Fabie, Daniela Hernandez and Ixchel Kissman

More than a temporary stop, at the heart of Bellingham, Lydia Place creates hope and belonging for many families in our community. On what seemed like a gloomy day, we experienced the warmth and joy that Lydia Place brings to the families who walk through its doors. Lydia Place was founded in 1989 by a group of women leaders, now r...

This episode is in collaboration with WWU student Storm Hedman.

In this episode of Salish Sea Stories, we sit down with Seattle-based videographer Gio Jennings of Middle Fork Films to explore his journey turning a passion for filmmaking into a thriving freelance business. Gio shares insights on the creative process, building community connections, and navigating the challenges of independent video production in the Pacific Northwest...

This episode is in collaboration with WWU student Shannon Register.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing renowned photographer and educator Henry Tieu as part of my field research for Western Washington University’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation program. We explored his journey from creative to entrepreneur, and the ways he’s built a business rooted in authenticity, connection, and sustainable passion. Our conversation c...

This episode is made in collaboration with WWU student Izzy Knutson.

Meet Melissa Gómez, founder of Hustle Team Nation, a powerhouse brokerage firm empowering life insurance agents to reach their full potential. As a proud Mexican woman and changemaker, Melissa is redefining what leadership looks like in the insurance industry. Through virtual workshops, mentorship, and training tools, she’s building a community of agents who hustle...

This episode is made in collaboration with WWU students Mitchell Wrest, Lucas Hakamada and Gabe Laigo.

In this episode of The Rising Tide Collective, Mitchell, Lucas, and Gabe sit down with Alli from Blue Skies for Children, a nonprofit organization based in Bellingham, Washington.

We explore how Alli got involved with the organization, the evolution of Blue Skies over the years, and the meaningful impact they’ve had on children and...

This episode is in collaboration with WWU student Ella Perry.

In this episode of the ESP Podcast, host Ella Perry sits down with Morgan Curry from Skagit Gleaners to discuss their vital work in reducing food waste and addressing hunger in local communities. From gleaning fresh produce to redistributing food to those in need, Skagit Gleaners is leading the charge for sustainability and community impact. Tune in to hear how Morgan and...

This episode is in collaboration with WWU students Colby Love, Charlie Dietiker, Austin Ellison  and Brooke Organ 

This podcast interview with Coast to Coast Sustainable's features an inspiring conversation with co-founders Stephanie Manning and Stephanie Torres as they share the story behind their environmentally conscious venture. From their pandemic-era beginnings to their ongoing mission to reduce waste and promote sustainab...

This episode is in collaboration with WWU students: Blake Mortens, Storm Hedmon, and Matthew Cromwell

Welcome back to the ESP podcast from Western Washington University! In this episode, we chat with Susan Hutton, Executive Director of the Whatcom Million Trees Project, learning about her journey and the organization's mission to plant or protect a million trees in Whatcom County and connect people over it. We explore the realit...

This episode is in collaboration with WWU students: Jane Burleigh, Emily Ann Dombek and Piper Isolde Kassouni.

Nestled in a quiet corner of Whatcom County, Growing Veterans is a nonprofit farm that serves as a healing space, classroom, and community hub. Founded in 2012 by Marine Corps veteran Christopher Brown and former mental health counselor Christina Wolf, the venture helps veterans reconnect with civilian life through farming....

This episode is in collaboration with WWU student McKenzie McLeod

Fairhaven Runners and Walkers is more than just a specialty store in Bellingham, Washington - it's a cornerstone of the community. Known for their high-quality products and exceptional customer service, they've also played a key role in fostering connection through local events and outreach. Join me as I sit down with the store's newest owners to hear their stories an...