Best Sandeep Kaushik Podcasts (2025)

1
Prude or Lewd at Denny Blaine, Harrell Flexes His Muscles, and State Budget Axes Successful Homeless Program 33:22

9h ago33:22

33:22

First up, why are state lawmakers planning to decimate a successful Seattle homeless program? Then, things get a little cheeky as we discuss the lawsuit over alleged “lewd behavior” at Denny Blaine Park. Plus, Mayor Bruce Harrell throws down the gauntlet with an impromptu push-up contest at a middle school. Is he the "world's best mayor," or just r…

1
D2 Council Race Unpacked, Crosswalks Hacked, and will the Virginia Inn get Axed? 32:53

3d ago32:53

32:53

Four city council candidates are vying to represent one of Seattle’s most progressive districts, District 2 in SE Seattle, and Erica’s been talking to them. We debate and discuss the issues and the candidates. But the real drama? The potential closure of the Virginia Inn, which has been operating near Pike Place market for 120 years. David pokes fu…

1
Does Trump's economy spell doom for Seattle? 28:04

14d ago28:04

28:04

It’s day 81 of the Trump administration as we record this episode (on Friday morning) and things are getting … alarming. Seattleites are increasingly freaking out about the chaos and insanity in the Other Washington, and who can blame them? Middle school students in West Seattle were rushed inside because someone thought they saw an ICE vehicle (sp…

1
Developers, Guns and Money: Another Week of Council Controversies 48:18

22d ago48:18

48:18

It's the first week of April, and things at the City Council are heating up faster than a sunny afternoon at Denny Blaine Park. First up: CM Cathy Moore initiates a debate over developer profits and offers a controversial proposal to expand the Mandatory Affordable Housing program (MHA) to Seattle’s current single-family zones. We ask: why can’t we…

1
Blue City Blues preview: Why Drug Reform Failed In West Coast Blue Cities 24:10

26d ago24:10

24:10

This is a special preview of an episode of a new podcast, Blue City Blues. Click this link to hear the entire episode wherever you get your podcasts. Keith Humphreys: Why Drug Reform Failed In West Coast Blue Cities The wave of bold new decriminalization-centered approaches to drug policy reform that swept West Coast cities from San Francisco to Va…

1
Sara Nelson Talks Stadium District Housing, Progressive Revenue, and Involuntary Commitment 46:47

1M ago46:47

46:47

Breaking: Council President Sara Nelson tells Seattle Nice she’s open to considering new progressive taxes to fund drug treatment and that she supports involuntary commitment for people who are “severely impaired through years of addiction.” We also dive deep into the epic battle over Sara’s plan for affordable “workforce” housing near the stadiums…

1
Are You Mad At Me? Episode 2: We Talk to Adam Penenberg, Who Uncovered the Deception at the Heart of "Shattered Glass" 16:15

1M ago16:15

16:15

Check out a preview of the latest episode of Are You Mad at Me?, the podcast about the movie Shattered Glass hosted by PubliCola co-founders Erica Barnett and Josh Feit. Shattered Glass, starting Hayden Christensen, Peter Sarsgaard, Chloe Sevigny, and Steve Zahn (among many other names you'll recognize), is about a journalism scandal in the late 19…

1
Sound Transit Picks Dow? And Challengers Take on Harrell and Davison 41:58

1M ago41:58

41:58

Sandeep says Dow Constantine will be the next CEO of Sound Transit. Is Dow the best pick? Was the process a flawed example of cronyism? And why is the transit agency's CEO pay so high? We also discuss progressive activist Katie Wilson entering the Seattle mayor's race against Bruce Harrell. Does she have a shot against Harrell's record and "One Sea…

1
Seattle Elections Heat Up and Trump Gets Punitive 33:23

2M ago33:23

33:23

The latest explosive headline about Bruce Harrell's 1996 arrest isn't great news for a mayor who is up for re-election later this year. We discuss the fallout and the fact that a mystery challenger is expected to join that race next week. Speaking of politics, we also discuss Erica's interview with Dionne Foster, who is challenging City Council Pre…

1
Does Mayor Bruce Harrell Heart Elon Musk? Plus, Seattle Fights Over Totem Poles and Trees 37:11

2M ago37:11

37:11

What do you call it when Mayor Bruce Harrell raises eyebrows with alleged praise for Trump advisors, a totem pole stands in the way of a park opening, and a tree divides a neighborhood? Just another week in Seattle! In this episode, we dive into Mayor Harrell's comments at a downtown business event, where he appeared to praise tech advisors to Dona…

1
Joy Hollingsworth on Seattle’s Racial Politics and Whether She’s the Council’s Swing Vote 42:10

2M ago42:10

42:10

Joy Hollingsworth was elected to the Seattle City Council in 2023 to replace Kshama Sawant in District 3. Her victory was part of a centrist wave. But Hollingsworth sometimes finds herself on the more progressive side of council legislation. Does she see herself as a swing vote? She also gets candid with us about Seattle’s racial politics, and how …

1
Preview: Grading Bruce Harrell's State of the City 17:17

2M ago17:17

17:17

In this members-only episode we take a closer look at the style, the substance and the politics of Tuesday's State of the City Address by Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. This episode is a free preview. To hear the full episode just sign up at any level that's right for you at patreon.com/seattlenice. If you are already a member, here's how to access y…

1
Election result: Did Voters Make Seattle Progressive Again? 28:48

2M ago28:48

28:48

Nearly 6 in 10 Seattle voters said yes to Proposition 1A to fund social housing after the first ballot count. It's shaping up like a big win for the more progressive side in Seattle politics. Why did voters move left this time? Is Seattle's pendulum swinging in a more progressive direction as we head into a big local election year? Is there really …

1
New Podcast Preview: Are You Mad At Me? A Shattered Glass Podcast 53:08

3M ago53:08

53:08

Two longtime political journalists, Erica C. Barnett and Josh Feit, explore all the reasons that the 2003 film Shattered Glass, about the rise and downfall of former New Republic journalist Stephen Glass, is the greatest journalism movie—nay, greatest movie—of all time. In the inaugural episode, we dissect some of our favorite scenes from Shattered…

1
SODA, SOAP, and SODO 47:28

3M ago47:28

47:28

SODA Seattle's new drug "stay out zones" are barely being unforced. Erica said this was the predictable result of bad, "performative" policy by council. Sandeep defended the policy but said more enforcement is needed, echoing this comment by City Council President Sara Nelson. She called on Mayor Harrell and other leaders to do more. Will "One Seat…

1
City Council Appointee Mark Solomon Talks Density, Public Safety, Blast Balls, and More 43:28

3M ago43:28

43:28

Our special guest this week is new Seattle City Council appointee Mark Solomon, who has vowed to serve as a "caretaker" for the District 2 position previously held by Tammy Morales, who resigned last year because of what she called bullying and gaslighting by her newly elected council colleagues. Solomon lost to Morales in 2019 and sought the cityw…

1
Did the Left Get It Wrong on Homelessness? 41:05

3M ago41:05

41:05

Our special guest this week is Katie Wilson, the general secretary of the Transit Riders Union and an advocate for affordable housing, who argues that the left has failed to acknowledge some critical realities about homelessness, ceding the issue to "Seattle Is Dying" demagogues. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Your support on Patreon helps pay for edi…

1
Seattle's Nicest 2025 Predictions 40:00

3M ago40:00

40:00

Seattle Nice makes some predictions for 2025 that you won't hear anywhere else. We are joined by guest star predictor Josh Feit, one of the co-founders of PubliCola. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Special thanks to our Patreon donors who make this podcast possible. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.…

1
Debate: Is Seattle Ready to Go Big on Social Housing? 49:59

3M ago49:59

49:59

Seattle Nice brings you a deep dive debate on the two competing "social housing" measures that are on the ballot for the February special election in Seattle. Tiffani McCoy, the co-Executive director of The House Our Neighbors Coalition, made the case for Proposition 1A. And Jessie Clawson, a Seattle land use attorney and partner at McCullough Hill…

1
Who will fill the vacant Seattle City Council seat? 8:10

3M ago8:10

8:10

20 people have put their hats in the ring to be appointed to replace Tammy Morales on the Seattle City Council following her surprise resignation late last year. Today's member's-only special podcast takes a closer look at the 20 aspirants and the council politics driving the decision. The council plans to pick a replacement on January 27th. Our ed…

1
Blast Balls and Colonoscopies: Bob Kettle on Public Safety and the Council’s 2025 Priorities 1:02:56

4M ago1:02:56

1:02:56

City Councilmember Bob Kettle joins Seattle Nice to answer some questions and talk about his priorities for 2025. Our editor is Quinn Waller Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails [email protected] HEARTH Protection: Do not let fear make your world smaller. Get more information at hearthprotection.org Thanks to Unc…

1
Why all the controversy over Seattle’s annual minimum wage hike? And is Amazon’s return to work mandate a positive or negative? 44:12

4M ago44:12

44:12

Seattle's minimum wage just hit $20.76 per hour for all businesses. The pod takes a closer look at the hike and the politics of the minimum wage in Seattle. Plus, should Seattle sympathize with Amazon workers because they're being forced back to the office 5 days a week? Or should the city celebrate the move, which could help revitalize downtown? W…

1
All of your questions answered 37:27

4M ago37:27

37:27

You asked and we answered your questions on topics including the 2025 Seattle mayoral election, the race for city council position 9, and what we'd like to see happen in city politics next year. Quinn Waller is our editor. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails [email protected] HEARTH Protection: Do not let fear m…

1
Ex-SPD Chief Diaz Fired, Bus Stabbing Sparks Safety Debate, Graffiti Crackdown 37:47

4M ago37:47

37:47

This week Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell fired former SPD chief Adrian Diaz following an investigation by the city’s Office of Inspector General. The report found Diaz violated a number of city policies in the course of a workplace relationship that he tried to cover up. We take a closer look at the report, which includes some salacious details and St…

1
Anti-"strip club" petitioners and Seattle's debate about crowd control 39:03

5M ago39:03

39:03

Seattle's City Council is considering legislation to remove restrictions on the use of “less lethal” weapons for crowd control. Should SPD be allowed to use "blast balls" on protestors? Erica's been covering it. We take a closer look. In Part Deux we discuss the brewing controversy over a Ballard bar applying for an "adult cabaret" license. A nearb…

1
The good, the bad, and the ugly takes on Tammy Morales quitting Seattle's City Council 31:47

5M ago31:47

31:47

Tammy Morales has announced she's quitting the city council in January. She accused some colleagues of treating her very poorly and also told Erica she sees no point in continuing because she can't make any progress whatsoever passing progressive legislation with the current, more centrist council. Is the current council toxic? Is Morales right to …

1
Is Seattle's council less centrist than we thought? 20:47

5M ago20:47

20:47

We take a closer look at the council's tie vote on Cathy Moore's proposal to tax the rich. Does the vote foreshadow more progressive things to come? We debate that and other juicy budget tidbits. Note: this episode taped on Wednesday Nov 20, before the full council vote on Moore's proposed capital gains tax. Quinn Waller is our editor. Thanks to Un…

1
Dow Constantine's moving on and Seattle's surprise proposal to tax the rich 34:03

5M ago34:03

34:03

King County Executive Dow Constantine has announced his plan to step down at the end of next year. We take a closer look at the move and the emerging tension between the centrist Seattle City Council and King County government, which has moved further left. Erica highlights the struggle in this recent story about a city council proposal to turn a s…

1
Is Rinck's win scaring Seattle city council centrists? 29:15

6M ago29:15

29:15

It was a dreary election night for the left, but Seattle progressives celebrated city council candidate Alexis Mercedes Rinck's decisive victory over incumbent Tanya Woo. By Thursday afternoon Rinck's lead had grown to around 16 percentage points. Are voters sending a message to the centrist city council majority, led by Sara Nelson? Erica and Sand…

1
Is the Seattle City Council race over? 47:23

6M ago47:23

47:23

On this deeply troubling election eve, Seattle Nice invites you inside the podcast for a comforting conversation about local politics. First, we take a closer look at the juicy allegations swirling around SPD Chief Sue Rahr's decision to place former Chief Adrian Diaz and his chief of staff on leave. Second, a recent poll finds progressive city cou…

1
Dan Savage and the Blue City Blues podcast preview 51:26

6M ago51:26

51:26

Erica’s out this week, so we bring you a preview of a new podcast called "Blue City Blues." Twenty years ago, in the wake of a searing presidential defeat, Dan Savage encouraged progressives to move to blue cities and to fortify them into an “Urban Archipelago” of culturally separatist bastions that rejected the reactionary politics of the larger r…

1
WTF is wrong with Seattle Public Schools? 50:43

6M ago50:43

50:43

With Erica gone this week David and Sandeep take a one-week vacation from city politics to take a closer look at the root causes of the problems facing Seattle Schools, including a controversial push by some district leaders to close up to 21 schools in the face of a nearly $100 million deficit. Said special guest Robert Cruickshank, “This is one o…

1
How to really help homeless people with DESC’s Daniel Malone 54:44

6M ago54:44

54:44

This week special guest Daniel Malone, the Executive Director of the Downtown Emergency Service Center, answered some difficult questions about the politics of homelessness, troubles at the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, and other issues. Malone also turned the tables with a question of his own. "When are you guys going to start argui…

1
Interim Chief Sue Rahr's candid thoughts about SPD. Plus, Kshama Sawant campaigns against Kamala Harris 43:22

7M ago43:22

43:22

We discuss and debate Erica's in-depth interview with SPD's interim chief Sue Rahr. Plus, Kshama Sawant's campaign against Kamala Harris, and Erica's latest on the city budget. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails [email protected] HEARTH Protection: Do not let fear make your world sma…

1
One question: Who won the Seattle city council debate? 14:50

7M ago14:50

14:50

Did Tanya Woo or Alexis Mercedes Rinck win the Seattle Nice debate for a citywide city council seat? Does it matter? Our editor is Quinn Waller. Thanks to Uncle Ike's pot shop for sponsoring this week's episode! If you want to advertise please contact us at [email protected] Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails r…

1
Big debate night! 1:06:29

7M ago1:06:29

1:06:29

This week's episode is our Seattle Nice City Council Position 8 debate from Tuesday October 1. Special thanks to candidates Tanya Woo and Alexis Mercedes Rinck, the amazing pros at Town Hall and to the hundreds of civic-minded superstars who turned out to watch both the city council and vice presidential debates. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Send us…

1
Progressives pan Mayor Harrell's budget. Plus, debate watch party! 35:10

7M ago35:10

35:10

This week Seattle Nice debates Erica's take on Mayor Bruce Harrell's new budget. TL;DR Harrell avoided big budget cuts but progressives are pissed that he tapped the lucrative payroll tax on big business known as JumpStart to pull that off. Don't miss the city council debate and VP debate watch party at Town Hall this coming Tuesday October 1. We k…

1
Two Social Housing Measures Enter. One Measure Leaves. 30:09

7M ago30:09

30:09

This week Seattle's city council voted to send two competing measures to the ballot to fund affordable housing. Initiative 137, the measure social housing activists support, proposes a new, "excess compensation tax" on big business. Council member Maritza Rivera is backing a new, "alternative" measure that would rely instead on existing JumpStart t…

1
Does Seattle Need More Drug Laws? 47:35

8M ago47:35

47:35

Caleb Banta-Green of UW medicine joins the pod to debate the pros and cons of Seattle's current approach to drugs. The conversation kicks off with Barnett and Banta-Green blasting the city council's latest plan to create six new “stay out” zones for drug crimes. The conversation then broadens to a deeper debate about whether some coercion helps or …

1
Is Design Review dying in Seattle? 41:33

8M ago41:33

41:33

The city council is making plans to speed up the process for building in downtown Seattle by exempting certain buildings from design review. Erica and Sandeep agree about the merits of the proposal, while David as devil's advocate tries to insert some skepticism into their urbanist love fest. We also talk about the King County Council's about-face …

1
Is Seattle's downtown really recovering? 37:28

8M ago37:28

37:28

Surrogates are calling Mayor Bruce Harrell's downtown recovery plan a "roaring success" for the city. Are they right? We debate that, and whether "return to work" is overrated. What is the good life, Seattle? To advertise or just get in touch you can reach Seattle Nice at [email protected] Our editor is Quinn Waller. Send us a text! Note th…

1
Are SOAP zones the right way to clean up Seattle? 46:27

8M ago46:27

46:27

Seattle Nice takes a lively look at a proposed ban on prostitution "loitering," and proposed Stay Out of Stay Out of Area of Prostitution (SOAP) zones. This follows the proposed banishment of some drug users from select areas downtown, called SODAs or “Stay Out of Drug Areas." Check out Erica's extensive coverage on Publicola, and while you're at i…

1
The Extra-Nice Post-Primary Election Episode 41:16

9M ago41:16

41:16

Seattle Nice was on our best behavior this week because had company—Scott Greenstone, a politics reporter at KUOW radio and host of the new KUOW podcast Sound Politics! We discussed the statewide election results (Scott reported that the vibe at Republican gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird's party was weirdly "optimistic") and the race to replace F…

1
Is Seattle Still In Its Backlash Era? 25:28

9M ago25:28

25:28

There's an election coming up for a citywide seat on the Seattle City Council, and the question everyone's asking is: Can a progressive challenger beat a member of the Class of 2023? Tanya Woo, the citywide Position 8 incumbent, actually lost her race for a single-district seat last year but was elevated to a citywide position anyway—not by voters,…

1
PREVIEW: Will jailing more people fix downtown Seattle? Lisa Daugaard weighs in. 25:03

9M ago25:03

25:03

Seattle's City Council says it needs more options to jail people who commit misdemeanors. Criminal justice reformer and MacArthur "Genius" Grant winner Lisa Daugaard joins us to debate and discuss. Daugaard is best-known for helping launch Seattle's Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program. Plus, Lisa weights in on a recent Seattle auditor…

1
SPD's interim head Sue Rahr puts her foot down 19:00

9M ago19:00

19:00

This week interim Seattle police chief Sue Rahr fired an officer for joking about the death of a 23-year-old graduate student. We discuss and debate the case and police accountability in Seattle. Plus, will Joe Biden be the Democrat's nominee? Quinn Waller is our editor. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattleni…

1
Is Civility Dying in Seattle? 37:26

10M ago37:26

37:26

Seattle Councilmember Tanya Woo recently reported graffiti to the FBI "as as hate crime," according to Publicola. We take a closer look at Woo's claims and concerns, and debate the civility question. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails [email protected] Support the show Your support o…

1
Supreme Court episode: Are sweeps the answer? 24:17

10M ago24:17

24:17

Seattle Nice digs into and debates the other controversial Supreme Court decision about homeless people sleeping outdoors. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails [email protected] Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard…

1
"Do Nothing" Seattle City Council? 30:23

10M ago30:23

30:23

President Truman first coined the phrase "Do Nothing Congress" to blast his Republican opponents. Now, some progressive critics are implying Seattle has a "do nothing" city council. Has the new, less progressive council accomplished enough in its first 174 days? We debate and discuss, offering multiple perspectives. Seattle Nice is edited by Quinn …

1
Why are NPR and WaPo struggling compared to peer news organizations? 44:12

11M ago44:12

44:12

We discuss and debate Erica's recent article about troubles at the Washington Post, and David's recent piece about the troubles at NPR and his experience at Seattle affiliate KUOW. Quinn Waller is our editor. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails [email protected] Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Sandeep Kaushik Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen