The Olympia Standard

27/07/2025

This week we welcome back former Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby to talk about the new AHA Olympia Museum downtown and the future of Olympia’s history.

https://theolympiastandard.com/2025/07/26/123-olympias-story-told-in-museum-form/

19/07/2025

Three episodes for you to sink your ears into (well two plus an addendum). First, a return to our traditional ballot rundown episode, but with our friends from OSD4All taking the mic. https://theolympiastandard.com/2025/07/16/122-olympia-school-district-primary-rundown/

But unfortunately, in the above episode we incorrectly described Renee Fullerton’s position on school vouchers. So, we’re running her entire answer the voucher question at the OSD4All Forum now so you have a chance to hear from her.
https://theolympiastandard.com/2025/07/18/122-1-mea-culpa-renee-fullerton/

Lastly, we ran the audio of that entire forum in our feed: https://theolympiastandard.com/2025/07/13/bonus-osd4all-candidate-forum-july-12-2025/

21/06/2025

In this episode of The Olympia Standard, we reflect on how Arts Walk has quietly become the festival Lakefair was always meant to be, a celebration of place, people, and downtown Olympia. We explore the origins of Lakefair in 1957, its car-centric context, and how downtown’s evolution has made space for something more human-scaled. As Capitol Lake faces restoration, we ask what it means for Lakefair’s future and why Arts Walk might be the model for where Olympia is headed.

https://theolympiastandard.com/2025/06/20/118-olympia-57-and-the-arts-walk-we-always-needed/

04/05/2025

On this episode, I read my blog post “Don’t think of an Olympia” from Olympia Time, revisiting one of my longest-running gripes: the use of “Olympia” as a lazy shorthand for state government. I explore why this rhetorical habit is more than just annoying, it shapes how people think about power, accountability, and democracy. Drawing on philosophy, civics, and the evolving nature of legislative work, I argue that language matters and urges journalists and political commentators to be more precise. Plus, there are some practical tips for anyone covering state government to avoid flattening complex realities, or alienating a whole town.

Want to change how people think about democracy? Start with how we talk about it.

https://olympiatime.com/2025/04/12/dont-think-of-an-olympia/

26/04/2025

Now at the Olympia Standard, we look back on the life of Gil Carbone, a driving force behind Olympia’s shift to a council form of government. His daughter Carol joins us to share personal stories and how Gil’s legacy shaped the city we know today.

https://theolympiastandard.com/2025/04/26/110-gil-carbone-and-the-city-of-tomorrow/

19/04/2025

This week, we explore Olympia’s stalled effort to revise its deal with neighborhood groups, asking how representative they really are, and why public participation stays low. Plus, what it takes to make local democracy more inclusive, transparent, and effective.

https://theolympiastandard.com/2025/04/19/the-olympia-standard-109-public-comment-101/

13/04/2025

I take a look back at a couple of blog posts I’ve written in the last couple of years about corporate home ownership in Thurston County and include some updates for this year.

https://theolympiastandard.com/2025/04/12/108-out-of-town-corporate-single-family-home-ownership/

06/04/2025

New Episode! First one in just over a year!

If you’re reading these show notes, I want to thank you a ton! We both got through 2024! And you in particular didn’t cull this podcast from your feed. This is a restart episode, so I take some time to explain what happened over the last year and what the plan is going forward.

I also read an interesting recent blog post I wrote at Olympia Time about our particular brand of racism in the Pacific Northwest and why it matters.

Hey! If you’re reading these show notes, I want to thank you a ton! We both got through 2024! And you in particular didn’t cull this podcast from your feed. This is a restart episode, so I take some time to explain what happened over the last year and what the plan is going forward.

05/04/2025

Watch this space!

I’ve been back in the studio at TC Media on the westside (https://www.tcmedia.org) the past couple of weeks, and I’m excited to share what’s next.

Sorry for the year-long pause in recording, but I’m back, and here’s the plan: I’ll be recording most Fridays, which means new episodes will be coming out regularly again.

The format will be a little different this time around. Sometimes (like the first two episodes), it’ll just be me (Emmett) reading something to you. Other times, I’ll have a guest on the mic (keep an ear out for episode three of the new Olympia Standard!). And down the line? It could even be someone like you! I’m hoping to bring on new co-hosts and guest hosts to introduce fresh voices and new perspectives.

So stay tuned, the next episode drops this Sunday!

04/04/2024

We are joined by Senator Sam Hunt to review the legislative session just past and talk about what Olympia got from Olympia. We also delve into his political history and the history of our community as we look back on his year’s of service.

https://theolympiastandard.com/2024/04/03/106-sine-die-with-sam-hunt/

24/03/2024

Are you looking for *another* fascinating podcast from the great nearby?

I don't know what's in the water in Lewis Co. Washington, but they definitely punch way above their weight with the number of great podcasts. Put "the Long Letter" on the tire fire along with the one two punch of The Chronicle's two podcasts.

The Long Letter

A blog about things

08/03/2024

We have been slow rolling through a very large discussion on school closures since last summer. We sit down with three different community members on how we got here, where we’ve been before and what we need to do now.

https://theolympiastandard.com/2024/03/07/105-do-we-want-to-close-madison-and-mckenny-schools/

Guests: Maria Flores, Olympia School Board

Kelcy Schaffer, OSD4ALL

Russ Lehman, former Olympia School Board