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Let's Talk Portland

Audacy Portland’s locally produced public affairs radio show. Our show is community focused and features timely topics of interest to the Portland Metro area. Let’s Talk Portlandis hosted by Gary Bloxom. He interviews newsmakers and experts on topics ranging from business, health, education, and the environment, to science and technology and non-profit work happening in our community. Also featured are authors and artists with interesting discussions on the arts and popular culture. We thank you for listening to Let’s Talk Portland.
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Episodes

Piano Push Play 7/13/25

An interview with Megan Diana, founder of Piano Push Play, an artist installation of pianos placed all over Portland for the summer months for anyone to play and enjoy. We also discuss where Megan donates the pianos at the end of summer, including schools and community centers.

Jul 10, 202525 min

Fireworks Safety / Mean Gene Fireworks 6/29/25

An interview with Gene Marlow, retired firefighter and owner of Mean Gene Fireworks about safety for the 4th of July, the difference between Washington and Oregon laws, tips for protecting pets, and about the traditions of fireworks for the holiday.

Jun 26, 202525 min

Multnomah County Health 6/22/25

An interview with Charlene McGee, Director, Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotions Unit with the Multnomah County Health Department about the dangers of tobacco use, its impact on BIPOC communities, and their programs offered, including smoking cessation programs.

Jun 18, 202525 min

Our Giving Table 6/15/25

An interview with Lydia Massaad, founder and president of Our Giving Table and Jerry Kenney, owner of 7 Papa Murphy’s locations about how Our Giving Table aims to end hunger in Oregon and SW Washington and how Papa Murphy’s is having a fundraiser for the month of June to benefit Our Giving Table.

Jun 12, 202525 min

Clackamas Community College 6/1/25

An interview with Dr. Tim Cook, President of Clackamas Community College about his running for Oregon community college students (ROCCS) this summer. Dr. Cook is running to all 17 community colleges in Oregon to raise money and student awareness and celebrating communities throughout the state.

May 30, 202525 min

American Heart Association 5/11/25

An interview with Shannon Droning, Consumer and Specialty Market President of Providence Health Plan, Dr. Abby Khan, OHSU cardiologist, Dr. Amit Kansara, Providence neurologist, and Matthew Kampfe, Brain Rehab Network President. All are volunteers with the American Heart Association. We discuss heart disease and stroke causes and prevention and talk about the AHA Heart and Stroke Walks in Vancouver and Portland.

May 09, 202525 min

The Freshwater Trust 4/27/25

An interview with Joe Whitworth, President and CEO of The Freshwater Trust, a local non-profit conservation organization with a mission to preserve and restore freshwater ecosystems.

Apr 24, 202525 min

Oregon Business Academy 4/20/25

An interview with Anne Adler, CEO of Oregon Business Academy and Shivan Bosco, a senior at Newberg High School about the work OBA does preparing students for college, career, and life success and about Business Week this summer at Oregon State University.

Apr 18, 202525 min

Habitat for Humanity 4/13/25

An interview with Steve Messinetti, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Portland and Julie Carter, Vice President of Retail for the Restores about the work Habitat does to build and repair affordable homes and about the Restores where donations can be made to help fund Habitat’s mission.

Apr 10, 202525 min

Impact NW 12.8.24

An interview with Ada Dortch, Director of Development and Advocacy for Impact NW and Cristen Lincoln, Principle Broker with Living Room Realty about the work Impact NW does with our homeless community and about the annual coat drive that Living Room Realty sponsors. impactnw.org livingroomre.com/agents/cristen-lincoln/

Dec 03, 202425 min

Bird Alliance 12.1.24

An interview with Stuart Wells, Executive Director and Sarah Swanson, Event Manager, both with the Bird Alliance of Oregon about the conservation work they do, their wildlife care center, and the Wild Arts Festival fundraiser.

Nov 29, 202425 min

Key Bank & MESO 10.20.24

An interview with Celina Sanchez, Development and Marketing Director at Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), Josh Lyons, Market President of Keybank for Oregon and Southwest Washington, Tiffany Canifax, Business Banking team lead and Key4Women Chair for Oregon, and Pallavi Pande, winner of the business pitch contest for women owned businesses. MESO is a non-profit that teams up with Keybank for the contest to promote women in business.

Oct 17, 202425 min

Susan G Komen 10.6.24

An interview with Tyler Pagel, Development Director with Susan G Komen and Colleen Luck, a breast cancer survivor about the work Komen does in funding research, their fundraising efforts, and the importance of screening. October is breast cancer awareness month. komen.org

Oct 04, 202425 min

Regional Water Providers 9.22.

An interview with Bonny Cushman, Program Manager for the Regional Water Providers Consortium about emergency preparedness and the importance of water in emergencies

Sep 18, 202425 min

Hazel's House Animal Rescue 9.15.24

An interview with Brittany Hazel, Founder of Hazel’s House Animal Rescue, about the work they do in rehabilitating and adopting out stray, feral, and abandoned animals. Also about their soup cookoff fundraiser. https://hazelshousepdx.com

Sep 12, 202425 min

Oregon STEM 9.8.24

An interview with Deb Mumm-Hill, Executive Director of Oregon STEM and Kristen Harrison, Executive Director of Portland Metro STEM on the uses of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and STEAM (which adds Art) in education, about career connected learning, and how STEM is preparing the next generation of leaders and innovators. oregonstem.org

Sep 05, 202425 min

Feral Cat Coalition 9.1.24

An interview with Karen Kraus, Executive Director of the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon about their free spay/neuter program for feral and stray cats, other services they provide, and about their upcoming fundraising Catio tour around Portland and Vancouver. feralcats.com

Aug 30, 202425 min

Pacific Audiology 8.25.24

An interview with Dr. Allison Bradley, Audiologist and owner of Pacific Audiology Clinic and Dr. Lindsey Hill, Clinical Audiologist about hearing loss and its causes and cochlear implants as an option.

Aug 22, 202425 min

Vancouver Chamber 8.11.24

An interview with Janet Kenefsky, Vice President of Membership and Operations at the Greater Vancouver Chamber, about the work they do helping large and small businesses in Vancouver with all aspects of business development, and their various programs, including those aimed at teaching young people interested in business.

Aug 09, 202425 min

Regional Water Providers 8.4.2

An interview with Bonny Cushman, Program Manager for the Regional Water Providers Consortium about indoor and outdoor water conservation and tips on saving water. https://www.regionalh2o.org/

Jul 31, 202425 min
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