Meet Seattle Tech Journalist, Todd Bishop

There has been much talk lately about print media being obviated by the speed and accessibility of citizen journalism via blogs and the Internet. If any newpaper reporter can keep up with and embrace the new media, it ought to be a technology writer. This certainly seems to be the case with Todd Bishop, business and technology journalist for the Seattle PI (Post Intelligencer). 

In this 35 minute video you will get a tour of the PI news room as well as an enchanting conversation with Todd. Todd is not only savvy about the tech world but hes also the sort of guy you just cant help but like. While this entire interview is highly fascinating and immensely enjoyable, here is an overview of the conversation in case you want to fast forward to a favorite topic:

We start with an intro and tour of the newsroom. At 2:00 minutes you catch us in the middle of a talk about Andru Edwards, CEO of Gearlive Media. (I wished I had started recording sooner!) At 4:47 Todd talks about the New Media Department at the PI. At 7:00 Todd is unperturbed about the speculation that the government might try to regulate citizen journalism on blogs. Around 9:00 we have the obligatory conversation about A-list blogger, former Microsofty, and Internet celebrity, Robert Scoble. Around 11:00 minutes, Todd gives examples of bad reporting hes seen on blogs, specifically (at 12:45) the Zune rumor scandal. (Never heard of Zune? Its Microsofts mediocre attempt to compete with the iPod.) Around 14:00 Todd talks about his own blog and the freedom it gives him to cover interesting topics that might not be appropriate for a newspaper article, including the "Just Google Pizza" story (15:20) as well as the Microsoft tag cloud timeline (18:00). The interview completes with the following topics: 19:00 – on Todd's job of business reporting, 20:00 – how he got started, 24:10 – Microsoft viruses, 25:20 – the roll of communication with readers, 27:00 – Microsoft and video blogging for transparency, 29:00 – Todd's ultimate objective, to be an effective watchdog of Microsoft for the community, 30:05 – the big unanswered questions, 32:41 – Todd's biggest lesson in life.

Thank you, Todd, for being such a charming and warm individual, sharing your insider perspectives, and your earnest commitment to excellent journalism.

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv)

Meet Adventuress, Magic Mistress of Puget Sound

Come join us as we get to know the one hundred-year-old schooner, Adventuress. She has had many adventures to be sure, but her most recent journey is with Sound Experience as an experiential classroom teaching us about the Puget Sound, living sustainably, and just maybe a little about ourselves.

Special note: On Valentine’s Day, comedian, Davis Crowe, is putting on a benefit event, the Laugh Lover’s Ball, in Seattle, Washington. All of the procedes from tickets purchased through Sound Experience go to its programs and Adventuress’s maintenance.  

Is There Life After Microsoft?

We went to the Microsoft Alumni Network’s “After the holidays party” at Boing’s Museum of Flight and spoke with Microsoft veterans about how they “broke up” with Microsoft and what they are doing now. It is helpful to keep in mind that these are ex-Microsofties who would actually be caught dead at an alumni event, not a respresentative sample of people who have left jobs at Microsoft to be certain. But they sure were a fun bunch of people. We had a blast in more ways that one. (Hint: there was a flight simulator.)

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv)

Reincarnating Gandhi

Meet Bernie Meyer of Olympia, Washington. Since February, 2002, Bernie has portrayed Mahatma Gandhi in many community settings. He has led Salt Marches, including one in Olympia, Washington and he has even portrayed Gandhi in India.

We found Gandhi, er… Bernie speaking at the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Port Townsend, Washington. He was kind enough to give us a few moments for a personal interview.

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv)

Puget Townies Toot Their Own Horns

Just walking down the streets of Port Townsend it is not difficult to see what makes this place special. It’s the people! Meet some of these folks and find out what they think makes Puget Sound special and what they think makes themselves special.

Show notes: Please visit Kerry Sutorius at Wildernest to order yourself a pair of Crocs and you will feel special, too! Learn more about Gray Wolf Ranch, an amazing and beautiful alcohol recovery program. Also, Morpheus is not just a guy from Matrix as it so turns out!

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv), Flash Video (.flv)

CFO of the Year Awards in Seattle

Thanks to Emory Thomas, Patti Payne, and everyone at the Puget Sound Business Journal who made the first annual CFO of the Year Awards possible. We had a great evening. The food was outstanding and the Awards Ceremony was top drawer.

This podcast includes some excerpts from the ceremony including some of Tom O’Keefe’s keynote speech. Mr. O’Keefe is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Tully’s Coffee. We also had the opportunity to interview some of the CFO of the Year Award winners and finalists including Susana Schuarzberg of New Futures, Bob George of Esterline Corp., Lauren Thomas of Family Services of King County, Katherine Anderson of the Seattle Opera as well as Glenn Gregory, President of Obsidian Investment Advisors, who served as one of the judges for the event.

These conversations are playful, to be sure. I hope that you also get a sense for how earnest these individuals are and how integrity drives each and every one of them – even if they couldn’t always verbalize it right on the spot. (Poor Bob. I hope he ever forgives me. Maybe if I give him my camera.)

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv)

Gandhi at the Movies

Come join Wallingford Neighbors for Peace and Justice as they enjoy Friday Night at the Meaningful Movies. They have been hosting movies such as these for four years. This group meets to watch movies about human rights, the environment, politics, etc. every Friday at Keystone Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle, Washington.

Tonight’s movie is “Gandhi” from the series, “A Force More Powerful”. This evening is special as it includes a guest appearance of  the American Gandhi, Bernie Meyer.

Pop some popcorn, sit back, relax, and watch Gandhi open up a can of whoop-ass on the British.

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv), Flash Video (.flv)

How to Create a Better World

We had the divine pleasure of attending Art of Living Seattle's Heroes of Humanity Awards at Town Hall Seattle. In this podcast you will experience highlights of the award ceremony as well as an introduction to Art of Living and its founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

The Art of Living Foundation is devoted to creating a violence-free and stress-free Amercia and world. They do this by teaching youths and adults how to have more peaceful and succesful lives aligned with human values. Also, they encourage humanitarian volunteerism by drawing out and honoring those who do good works in their communities.

 

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv), Windows Media (.wmv)

Santa Loves Port Townsend Best!

Come see the real Santa Claus arrive in Port Townsend, Washington, his favorite place in the world, and recite his Christmas poem. This is a rare and wonderful opportunity to see the real Santa up close, but we did have to challenge homeland security to do it!

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv)