KXRW Vancouver Presents

Making Connections

Connecting with a variety of people with interesting perspectives and experiences, to learn about the things they do, how they interact with the world and how they deal with the uncertainty of these unsettling times.

4th Wednesday at Noon or Streaming Online

About Our Show

We can understand the world better and learn more about ourselves when we pay attention to the stories of other people. By listening to the voices of others, we strengthen our own… Our attitudes and actions have great potential to affect those around us. With the awareness that we are all connected, we challenge the listener to look for a connection with the perspective of our guests, consider how their stories resonate with our experience.

Original reporting

Gift of Lift- KXRW News story- 6/6/21

Redistricting in Washington State, League of Women Voters

Not In My Name poem by Beth Wood (Barb Seaman)

If you’ve been paying attention to the news, upset by the racism that’s brought on the Black Lives Matter movement, the pandemic, the administrations blatant disrespect for most of its citizens, you ‘ll probably find strength and inspiration in this poem. It’s written and read by beth wood, a singer songwriter who’s spent a good deal of time in Portland area, now lives in Bend.

Save the Post Office Saturday – 8/22/20 (Barb Seaman)

It was “Save the Post Office Saturday” this past weekend. Thousands of people across the country gathered to demand that Congress shore up the US Postal Service. According to Move On, the USPS revenue comes entirely from postage and services. Not tax dollars. Revenue is expected to be down by 50% this year, so the agency may well run out of money within the next few months. Move On says that while Washington argues about how to support the post office, FedEx and UPS have already gotten stimulus money .

People demonstrated in front of post offices around the Portland area and at two locations in Vancouver. KXRW’s Barb Seaman stopped by one of them.

Covid & Domestic Violence, KXRW Original Reporting

Detective Tanya Wollstein, Vancouver PD Domestic Violence Unit, gives an update on how the COVID Pandemic is affecting the reporting of DV incidents, as of July, 2020.

WEA Riverside & systemic racism | KXRW News Original

Adam Aguilera, Vancouver teacher and member of the WEA Riverside Equity Committee, explains how systemic racism exists in education. The teachers union sent a letter to Clark County Council last week, extending an invitation to Chairwoman Eileen Quiring to educate her as to how racism manifests in schools.

What can you do to help? Taking action in the wake of George Floyd.

Jasmine Tolbert, VP, NAACP Vancouver shares thoughts on ways to get involved and work for change.

Systemic racism and the thin blue line

Episode Library

Making Connections – Dispatch from the Peace and Justice Fair 2022 – 9/28/22

Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair, 2022Here’s a dispatch from the 2022 Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair, September 10 at Ester Short Park. Mike Selig and I recorded the thoughts and ideas of several fair participants who stopped by the KXRW booth ...
Read More

Making Connections – Traveling with Rainey (and 30 middle school students)

Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrowmindedness.” It’s this idea that inspires middle school teacher Scott Rainey to take a trip to the East Coast every year, just after the eighth grade graduation. Rainey has been touring with students since 2004 and recently created a nonprofit, East County Student Travel, to support those who may not be able to afford the cost ...
Read More

Making Connections – Juneteenth Freedom Celebration – 7/27/22

We visit the Juneteenth 2022 Freedom Celebration, held on a rainy afternoon in Vancouver’s Esther Short Park. The event commemorates the liberation of the last African American slaves in Texas by American Soldiers in 1865 ...
Read More

Making Connections – Transitions for Students with disabilities (revisited) – 6/22/22

Young people with disabilities face many challenges finding a place in their community after they graduate, especially in a small town like Washougal, Wa. This is a topic that hits close to home for me. Jessica Nickels, who worked with me at Washougal High School, until June 2021. She spent four years advocating, building a program that helps these young adults prepare for an independent life and find meaningful employment.~BarbMaking Connections- By listening to the voices of others, we strengthen our own… ...
Read More

Making Connections- Car Rally for Abortion Justice (Oct ’21) – 5/25/22

Revisiting the Women's March Car Rally for Abortion Justice from last October ...
Read More

Making Connections- Camas Friends welcome Afghan family- 3/23/22

In this conversation Janet Grove, from Camas Friends Church, describes the ups and downs of welcoming an Afghan refugee family to the area. It's pretty inspiring to hear about people coming together to befriend and support the family, who had to flee from their home and try to build a new life ...
Read More

Making Connections – Panel Discussion on Abortion Justice

This is a REBROADCAST of the panel discussion about Abortion Justice and Women's rights with Terri Niles, Elsie Elling, Jasmine Tolbert, Rosa Colquitt, Leeza Edwards, Julie Mercado, Karyn Kameroff.This program compliments the Vancouver Car Rally for Abortion Justice, held October 2, 2021 ...
Read More

Making Connections- Bucky Fuller – 1/26/22

A discussion about architect, inventor, author Buckminster Fuller. I chat with Francher Donaldson, a retired architect who attended several of Fuller’s World Game conferences in the late 70’s/early 80’s ...
Read More

Making Connections – 12/22/21 – One Term on the school board, with DR. DONNA SINCLAIR

.Donna is an adjunct professor at Washington State University Vancouver and Western Oregon University Monmouth. With a PhD in Urban Studies and a focus on policy, she teaches US history, environmental history, gender issues in history. Her specialty area is public history. Sinclair is an oral historian, making a living through interviewing, writing, teaching and piecing life together.When the world changed dramatically in 2016, Dr. Sinclair began to look around, realized what was happening in her community and decided to get more involved. As an educator, running for the Washougal School Board was the appropriate course of action. She was elected in 2017 and served one 4-year term.Shortly after her ...
Read More

Making Connections – Yoga and Gratitude during hard times

Jacquie Hill, owner of Livewell Yoga in Camas, Washington discusses holding onto gratitude during hard times, the challenges of running a small business during the pandemic, and how LIVEWELL exists within the Camas community ...
Read More

Making Connections – Abortion Justice Car Rally – 10/27/21

Conversations from the VANCOUVER RALLY FOR ABORTION JUSTICE CAR CARAVAN on October 2, 2021. The rally was organized by Women’s March, Planned Parenthood, NAACP Vancouver, YWCA Clark County. Jasmine Tolbert, Elsie Elling and Terri Niles and Rosa Colquitt, among others, explain the importance of Abortion Justice. (Hint: it goes way beyond just the right to get an abortion.) ...
Read More

Making Connections – Peace and Justice Fair 2021

Sept. 11, 2021- a beautiful day for the Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair. I spoke to a few of the 60+ organizations in attendance. There’s alot of good work happening in our area, and it was wonderful to connect with these people.PEACE AND JUSTICE FAIRwww.vancouverpeaceandjusticefair.orgSUPPORT EDUCATION WORLDWIDEwww.supporteducationworldwide.orgLUTHERAN COMMUNITY SERVICES NORTHWESThttps://lcsnw.org/CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBYhttps://citizensclimatelobby.org/TRAVELING DAY SOCIETYhttps://www.allsaints-vancouver.org/native-american-ministries/what-is-traveling-day-society/ ...
Read More

Making Connections – Information Overload: Media Literacy in High School – 8/25/21

Hillary Marshall, Library Media Specialist for Washougal High School, discusses the ways students consume information. Lessons based on media literacy skills are increasingly important, meant to guide students in thinking critically about the information that shapes their attitudes ...
Read More

Making Connections – Stonemason Part 2 – 7/28/21

Here's more of my talk with Micheal Byrne, a stonemason who‘s especially proud of his public projects- Timberline Lodge, Vista House, Multnomah Falls, stone walls along the old Columbia River highway, scenic overlooks in the gorge. I met Micheal a few years ago as a volunteer on the Cape Horn trail, and helped him build one of the overlooks there. Working with this experienced tradesman, learning a little about this traditional craft, was quite an experience!Making Connections: speaking with a variety of people who have interesting perspectives and experiences, to learn about the things they do, how they interact with the world, and how they deal with the uncertainty of ...
Read More

Making Connections- Becoming a Stonemason- 6/23/21

Making Connections 6/23/21 Becoming a Stonemason We can understand the world better and learn more about ourselves when we pay attention to the stories of other people. By listening to the voices of others, we strengthen our own… Our attitudes and actions have great potential to affect those around us. With the awareness that we are all connected, we challenge the listener to look for a connection with the perspective of our guests, consider how their stories resonate with our experience. Micheal Byrne is a stonemason who‘s especially proud of his public projects- Timberline Lodge, Vista House, Multnomah Falls, stone walls along the old Columbia River highway, scenic overlooks in ...
Read More

Making Connections – League of Women Voters – 6/16/21

Making Connections 5/26/21 Transitions for students with disabilities We can understand the world better and learn more about ourselves when we pay attention to the stories of other people. By listening to the voices of others, we strengthen our own… Our attitudes and actions have great potential to affect those around us. With the awareness that we are all connected, we challenge the listener to look for a connection with the perspective of our guests, consider how their stories resonate with our experience. Young people with disabilities face many challenges finding a place in their community after they graduate, especially in a small town like Washougal, Wa. This is a ...
Read More

Making Connections – Equity and Inclusion at Planned Parenthood – 4/28/21

Making Connections 4/28/21 Equity and Inclusion at Planned Parenthood We can understand the world better and learn more about ourselves when we pay attention to the stories of other people. By listening to the voices of others, we strengthen our own… Our attitudes and actions have great potential to affect those around us. With the awareness that we are all connected, we challenge the listener to look for a connection with the perspective of our guests, consider how their stories resonate with our experience. Finally, many companies and organizations are acknowledging the importance of diversity and inclusion. As we undergo training in cultural awareness and implicit bias, many privileged white ...
Read More

Making Connections – Disparities and Health Care- 3/24/21

An interesting, personal conversation with Sirius Bonner, VP, Equity and Inclusion, Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette. about Health Care disparities for Black and Brown women.Making Connections:We can understand the world better and learn more about ourselves when we pay attention to the stories of other people. By listening to the voices of others, we strengthen our own… ...
Read More

Making Connections – Redistricting: Wonky but Important- 2/24/21

Redistricting is a wonky subject- complicated and sometimes confusing. BUT IT’S SO IMPORTANT! It really will affect the outcome of our elections for the next 10 years. So dig in and learn about it - NOW.I found someone who can help us learn. Alan Unell of the League of Women Voters explains how the process works in Washington state, and how some people lose their voice when districts get locked in to give political advantage.Making Connections:We can understand the world better and learn more about ourselves when we pay attention to the stories of other people. By listening to the voices of others, we strengthen our own… ...
Read More

Making Connections- Hell’s flames or Heaven’s gate- 1/20/21

Hell’s flames or Heaven’s gates- an honest reflection on growing up as an Evangelical Christian. Poet and photographer Joann Boswell speaks about her new book, “Cosmic Pockets” which shares intimate thoughts on faith, spirituality, feminism, and motherhood, mixed with a dose of science fiction, just for fun. Our conversation focused mostly on the religion part- the impression all of the “hell teaching” makes on a young, developing mind.Find out more about Joann Boswell by going to her website,https://joannrenee.com/cosmic-pocketsListening back on this interview, I realized that Joann made a comment that encompasses my whole motivation for doing this show:“When you get to know people, it changes from something on paper to ...
Read More

Making Connections- Becoming a Doula- 12/16/20

I invited my 10 year old niece to be present when my son was born. It made an impression on her.Mary Nowak www.mnbirthandbaby.com is now a Doula in Chicago.We connected to talk about the experience, how doulas can help bring babies into the world, and the tragic disparities in maternal health care for Black and Brown women in the US.Note: The music you’ll hear in this program is by Ara Lee James https://www.araleemusic.com/ and Beth Wood https://www.bethwoodmusic.com/ ...
Read More

Making Connections- Showing Up For Racial Justice- 11/18

How can white people learn to become allies in a way that's sensitive and respectful?Rhonda Walker of SURJ Lower Columbia discusses recent Police shootings of Black men, ICE juveniles detained in Cowlitz County, and how white people can show up to support our BIPOC neighbors ...
Read More

Making Connections- Biking through Pandemic, Racial Strife and Smoke- 10/21/20

Biking through the pandemic, racial strife, and wildfire smoke. Throughout the summer of 2020, Treva Inzerillo pedaled her bike across the country. She stopped in Camas, Wa, just as the wildfire smoke covered the region. Having dreamed of making this trip since she was 19, Treva dedicated her ride to Rose Haven Center for Healing in Washington, North Carolina. Rose Haven helps women Veterans overcome the effects of trauma and ease the struggle of transitioning from military to civilian life. https://www.pamlicorose.org/Making Connections: We can understand the world better and learn more about ourselves when we pay attention to the stories of other people. By listening to the voices of others, ...
Read More

Making Connections- Domestic Violence & the right to bail- 9/2/20

Violent offenders have a right to get out of jail, on bail. The judge has very limited options. Sometimes, the victim pays with her life. This is what happened to Tiffany Hill. This episode examines how the legal system enabled the murder of Tiffany Hill. It was obvious to her- as well as the police, the detective, the prosecutor, her personal lawyer- that her life would be in danger if and when her abuser was released. But the law said he had a right to be released on bail. Tanya Wollstein, Domestic Violence Investigator, Vancouver Police Department, speaks about the issues related to this case, and describes an effective ...
Read More

Making Connections: Pep Talk songs with Beth Wood 7/15/20

Singer-songwriter Beth Wood is Super talented, with a beautiful voice. She writes songs that jump across the WiFi, reach through your earbuds and grab you. We had such a pleasant time chatting; it felt like a pep talk ...
Read More

Making Connections – What Comes Next? Car Rally for Black Lives 6/17/20

With Jasmine Tolbert, Vice President of NAAPC Vancouver, we listen to the voices from the Car Rally for Black Lives held in Vancouver on June 6th. ...
Read More

Making Connections – Connecting and Coping with Scot Rainey 05/28/20

Barb Seaman connects with middle school history teacher Scott Rainey for a chat about how he’s teaching and coping during the COVID 19 stay-at-home order ...
Read More

Barb’s work as a producer/director for a small, local Cable TV channel north of Chicago- back in the 80’s and 90’s- helped shape her curiosity about what makes people tick. After taking a Radio U workshop, offered by the Media Institute for Social Change in 2016, she rediscovered how fun it is to listen to people tell their stories, and to use audio as a means to relate these various ideas and perspectives. She began volunteering for KXRW in January 2020, producing occasional short segments for the morning news.

Radio Is Yours

Help us make more.

Member support provides a large portion of what KXRW Vancouver 99.9FM needs to run and grow. Together KXRW members make up a community of people from Vancouver and Portland who love music and want a platform for important issues to be treated with integrity and humor.

Monthly Support

Become a Donor

KXRW is a non-commercial station, which means that we exist for and because of our listeners. If you value our diverse talk, our music programming, and appreciate our commitment to work toward a more just community through open and honest media, then we need your help to thrive and grow!