The Um, Sir Podcast

On this episode, we dig into childcare, because here’s the thing: it’s not just a parent problem, it’s an everyone problem. Debbie Carlsen, founder of Washington Families Thrive and general community superhero, joined us to break down why childcare crisis is tanking our workforce, and what the hell we can do about it.

The shit news? 40% of families are cutting hours, 30% are turning down jobs, and 20% are quitting because childcare is either impossible to find or impossible to afford. Meanwhile, we’re underpaying the educators who could literally change our kids’ lives. High-quality early learning i...

In this episode of the Um Sir Podcast, Emily's sits down with Keith MacCaulay to unpack FIFA’s wild ride. From its "humble" 1904, Old Boys Club beginnings as a small European club to the multi-billion-dollar powerhouse it is today. They dive into the corruption, the backroom deals, and the larger-than-life characters like João Havelange and Sepp Blatter who turned development funds into political currency and World Cup bids into bidding wars. The conversation covers the 2015 DOJ probe, the Garcia Report cover-up, and the human cost of hosting controversies like Qatar 2022.

But hey, for all the drama, it’...

In this episode of the Um Sir Podcast, Emily's sits down with Keith Macaulay to unpack FIFA’s wild ride. From its "humble" 1904, Old Boys Club beginnings as a small European club to the multi-billion-dollar powerhouse it is today. They dive into the corruption, the backroom deals, and the larger-than-life characters like João Havelange and Sepp Blatter who turned development funds into political currency and World Cup bids into bidding wars. The conversation covers the 2015 DOJ probe, the Garcia Report cover-up, and the human cost of hosting controversies like Qatar 2022.

But hey, for all the drama, it’...

While Samie and Emily break for their mental health, they're dropping a very special episode from The Future of Our Former Democracy—yes, the Signal Award-winning podcast that’s basically Snohomish’s coolest export besides, like, Colin Cole (hi, Colin!). It’s made by this Seattle-based racial justice org, More Equitable Democracy, which, same, icon behavior.

This season they are drawing parallels between Nazi Germany’s rise and, uh… *gestures vaguely at everything*… our current political moment.
And how Germany rebuilt its democracy to keep extremism from pulling a sequel.

Episode one is all about how Germ...

Guest: Randy Bolerjack, Everett Charter Review Committee Member

The Gist:
Emily in Everett sits down with Randy Bolerjack, another self-proclaimed "civic nerd" and Everett’s Charter Review Committee member, to unpack the wildly underrated world of city charters. Spoiler: It’s the rulebook for how your city (or county) runs, and most of us have no idea what’s in it, let alone, what it is!

Why It Matters:

This week on Um, Sir, we take a deep dive into Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. The vibes, the votes, the “I’m not like other Democrats” energy, and ask the question: who exactly is this for? From SAVE Act support to ICE funding to car analogies that never quite land, we unpack the rural vs. Seattle narrative, Blue Dog politics, and what it actually means to represent working people without throwing your own base under the bus. It’s nuanced. It’s spicy. It’s a little exasperated. And yes… shit’s terrible. 

Note: She did, in fact, end up voti...

Congress is investigating the Super Bowl halftime show (because priorities), the Epstein files are still a mess, and somehow Dr. Oz wants us to trust him again. Cool, cool.

This week, Emily, Samie, and special guest Cindy Goble (elections queen, law degree holder, civic enthusiast) break down the Grammys fashion chaos, Bad Bunny’s culture-shifting halftime show, Jake Paul’s colonizer nonsense, and why Republicans are mad about Puerto Rico existing. We spiral (responsibly) through Epstein updates, local ballot drama, and the radical concept of… voting.

Grab a beverage. Democr...

Um, Sir: Part Two picks up an unfiltered, wide-ranging conversation with Ryan Johnson that dives headfirst into immigration, ICE, labor exploitation, and who actually benefits from the system as it exists. From a blue-collar truck driver’s perspective, the hosts unpack why employer accountability (not worker punishment) is the missing piece in the immigration debate, drawing clear lines between labor trafficking, modern-day exploitation, and political cowardice. Along the way, the episode weaves in history, media, pop culture, and a brutally honest conversation about messaging, power, and why talking at people instead of with them keeps us stuck. It’s raw...

Um, Sir… why is everything terrible, radioactive, and somehow still about bathrooms?

Emily and Samie are joined by Ryan Johnson, a veteran truck driver and Teamster, to unpack how trucking, labor rights, and basic human dignity collide. Ryan breaks down how trucking is structured to reward long hours, unpaid waiting time, and “pay by the mile” systems that leave workers absorbing all the risk — including the fight to secure something as basic as bathroom access.

The conversation escalates (quickly) into fracking, radioactive wastewater, and how hazardous materials are moved and dumped with little enforcem...

This week on Um, Sir, Emily and Samie are joined by veteran educator Steve Cross for a wide-ranging conversation that connects everyday chaos to the very real stakes of public education. From teaching middle school and surviving ninth graders to Caribbean travel detours and student protests, they manage to discuss it all. 

Listen as they attempt to break down school levies and bonds, share how property taxes actually fund schools, and discuss why low-turnout elections have lasting consequences for students, teachers, and communities. It’s a reminder that school funding isn’t abstract—it’s counsel...

Emily walks Ashley (and all of us) through how a bill actually becomes law in Washington. Spoiler: it’s messy, slow, and absolutely designed to kill your idea. Using the fictional Rhythm Reduction Act (RIP dancing), they break down committees, sponsors, lobbyists, hearings, caucuses, companion bills, and why a 60-day session turns everyone feral. Along the way: dinosaurs, pickleball, Bic pens, why the minority party controls the clock, and a reminder that democracy is less Schoolhouse Rock and more group project with deadlines and vibes.

CHECK OUT

Washington State Legislature Bill Tracker

The Sn...

In this messy New Year’s edition of Um, Sir Podcast, Emily holds down the mic solo and rings in the new year with Everett real estate powerhouse Ashley Bolden for a raw, wide-ranging conversation that spirals exactly where it needs to. From Costco sticker shock and the true cost of living, to housing affordability, civil liberties, nihilism vs. hope, and whether West Virginia is a secret real-estate opportunity or an absolute no. Nothing is off the table. Along the way, Emily confidently misquotes several philosophers, attributes at least one quote to the wrong person, then powers through anyway, pr...

Keith Macaulay joins Emily in Everett for a wide-ranging, slightly unhinged (in a good way) conversation about sports, money, vibes, and why fan culture actually matters. From soccer chants and Mariners loyalty to NIL chaos, stadium politics, FIFA corruption, and the economics behind who wins (and who tanks), this episode connects the dots between sports, power, and civic life with strong opinions, petty moments, and plenty of sir sass.

READ

Ex-Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels: Sonics were gone ‘the day they were sold’ - The Seattle Times

Everett Forges Ahead with Downtown Stadium for Mino...

Emily is joined by Washington State Rep. Julio Cortes for an Um, Civics crash course on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, what it means for Everett and Washington State, and how government actually prepares for global events. They also dig into banning masked law enforcement interactions, protecting immigrant families, fixing Washington’s upside-down tax code, and what to expect from a tough legislative session ahead. Civics, but make it accessible.

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Snohomish County Podcast Network

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Participation trophies have gone too far! - ...

This week on Um, Sir, we’re joined by Matt Hansen, EOS implementer, mountain enthusiast, inventor with nine patents, and a genuinely thoughtful guide to how systems actually work. We talk Cascades hikes, Patagonia’s values vs. capitalism tension, Washington’s upcoming tax fights, and what it really takes to build something with intention. Matt helps us connect business frameworks to civic life, while we ask the eternal question: how do you stay values-driven and get the bag? Civics, leadership, business, money, and meaning, in one episode. Welcome to be here.
 
Guest Convo Links
Matt Hansen, EOS Wor...

This week on Um, Sir, the world is still on fire, and Trump, tariffs, tire factories, and meat mail all made the same episode. Samie and Emily kick things off with Trump spending Thanksgiving tossing around the R-word like a stale dinner roll, while simultaneously dismantling the Department of Education like it’s a Black Friday doorbuster.  

Meanwhile, Boy Scouts and immigrant truckers are suddenly on the GOP’s hit list; Everett Public Schools is bracing for a LifeWise lawsuit; AI is getting creepier; Charlie’s tail survives; and tire shopping becomes a political crisis...

Emily returns from Arizona with a suitcase full of political chaos and sunscreen residue, and Samie settles in to hear all about it. From right-to-work headaches to a legislature held together by vibes, Emily breaks down Arizona’s wild policy landscape, including their billion-dollar school voucher fiasco (yes, someone bought lingerie with public education money).

They also reintroduce themselves to new listeners, one recovering legislator, one recovering drug addict, both firmly at D-list celebrity status, and remind everyone why Um, Sir and Um, Civics exist: to make government make sense without making anyone feel st...

RELEASE THE FILES! Wait… WHAT?!

Emily and Samie break down a wild week in politics and life. From MTG’s surprise resignation to the newly released Epstein emails implicating major political players. They roast Trump’s fantasy “$2,000 tariff checks,” dive into hidden million-dollar payouts for GOP senators, and react to a federal move letting foster parents misgender kids. Between political chaos, cadaver dogs in Snohomish, quitting nicotine, and free Crocs, the hosts bring their signature mix of snark, outrage, and “we’re just trying to survive this timeline.” 

Join Us

Podcast Network M...

Democrats crushed Election Night, and Emily and the Sams break down the biggest wins, from Mamdani’s historic New York victory to major flips in Virginia, New Jersey, and beyond. They delve into why margins were so large, how national politics influenced local races, and what the data nerds were tracking in real-time.

The crew also tackles the controversial “Deciding to Win” memo, debating whether Democrats should ever “moderate” on issues like immigration, trans rights, or identity. Spoiler: authenticity energizes voters more than consultant-speak.

Then it’s Prop 50, SCOTUS drama to come, and what these races...

This week on The Um, Sir Podcast, Emily and Samie welcome their first-ever guest, Sam from Curmudgeon’s Corner, for a dive into the week’s chaos: GOP youth leaders caught sharing racist “jokes,” millions losing food benefits thanks to Trump’s shutdown, and DoorDash stepping in as America’s new hunger relief program (yikes).

They rant about medical debt, healthcare scams, and a Supreme Court juggling guns, weed, and voting rights, all while Emily dishes on Kamala Harris’s Seattle event, Gaza protests, and what 2028 could look like for Democrats.

Listen 

...

Emily and Samie celebrate Election Day with their trademark mix of humor and real-talk civics. From ballot tracking and signature checks to how votes are counted and why write-ins cost money, they break down Washington’s election process in plain language.

The episode also touches on local races, the “No Kings” rally, and how to turn protest energy into real action. Join the sass, laughs, and side-eye for bad candidates. It’s civics made fun and unapologetically real.

Read
The Last House on the Street, by Diane Chamberlain – Goodreads
Commentary from Adam Tradi – LinkedIn
...

Emily and Samie tackle the week’s chaos. From Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show and Turning Point USA’s (TPUSA!) cringey “All-American Halftime” response to Epstein file drama, RFK Jr.’s latest circum-science, and the Pentagon’s new press restrictions.

They roast Kid Rock’s creepy lyrics, mock performative patriotism, and expose Trump’s failing D.C. hotel grift — all while calling out America’s addiction to lies and power.

Join us in the place where civic outrage meets pop culture meltdowns.

Listen 

Curmudgeon’s Corner – Welcome to Be Here!

Watch
MTG: “...

In this Um, Civics episode, Emily and Samie take a haunting journey through the history (and modern echoes) of witch hunts, from 1600s Sweden to 1990s Wenatchee, Washington.

They unpack Mona Chollet’s “In Defense of Witches”, dive into the Torsåker Witch Trials, and draw uncomfortable parallels between centuries-old misogyny and how society still punishes women for independence, ambition, aging, or simply existing outside the lines.

From the absurd torture “logic” of the Malleus Maleficarum to the tragic 1994 Wenatchee “witch hunt,” the hosts connect dots between history, pop culture, and politics, tying it all back to the ong...

Samie (with Emily’s help) roasts RFK Jr.’s promise to “cure autism” by banning Tylenol (🙄), breaks down what’s actually true about acetaminophen and pregnancy, and reminds everyone that correlation ≠ causation.

They dive into the wild history of autism diagnoses, drag the government for threatening WIC funding and the shutdown, and give side-eye to voter ID laws designed to harm women and trans voters.

California’s “secret police” and abortion laws get their props, though, sorry Gav, Washington did it first. And of course, they end with Taylor Swift, Gavin Newsom’s petty era, and a reminder: RELEASE...

In this, Um, Civics lesson, Emily and Samie deliver a crash course in democracy, local gossip, and feminist rage, starting with a troll who accidentally inspired a civics lesson on misogyny and city budgets. From Bob Ferguson’s cat influencer to suffragist ghosts and Pete Buttigieg, the episode reminds us that politics is everywhere, whether we like it or not.

The takeaway? Register to vote, and do something useful, say “stop” to your racist uncle, and keep being joyfully, unapologetically woke, because nothing terrifies fascists more than a happy feminist with a ballot and a sense of humor...

The Rapture didn’t come, but the jokes did. Samie and Emily cover haunted Snohomish fries at the Oxford Saloon, Epstein bathrobe emails, Trump’s creepy birthday card, Alex Jones’ cursed star chart, MAGA’s purge of comedians, and ACA premiums scarier than any ghost tour. ✨ Release the files.

For your further reading and viewing pleasure...

Watch

Emily & Samie in Snohomish - Um, Sir Instagram

Alex Jones: Aquarius Sun, Libra Moon and Rising - Um, Sir Instagram

The U.K. has fired its ambassador to the U.S., Peter Mandelson...

In this week’s Um Civics, Um, Sir Episode, Emily and Samie take a wild ride and turn a bro-y “crypto or gold?” question into a sassy civics crash course. From Hamilton’s first national bank to Nixon ending the gold standard, they trace America’s messy money history—then dive into Bitcoin, scams, Trump’s flop coin, and why money is basically just trust (and BS).

💡 Takeaway: Gold, crypto, or cash—it’s all made up, but civic knowledge is real.

For your further reading and viewing pleasure...

Watch

Brush up with the Bro-ligar...

This week, Emily and Samie take on the chaos:

Epstein Files: Survivors demand transparency, Trump calls it a “hoax,” and MTG surprisingly shows up on the right side (for once).

Washington Wildfires: Border Patrol arrests firefighters mid-response—because apparently saving lives isn’t enough.

Minneapolis Shooting: A tragic school attack turns into transphobic scapegoating instead of tackling gun access.

Chicago Violence: 58 shot over Labor Day; Trump’s solution? Send in more armed men.

Local Spotlight: LifeWise Academy uses a constitutional loophole to pull Everett kids out of cla...

Samie and Emily are back to drag it all out. 

From Costco’s controversial decision on abortion pills and why boycotts aren’t so simple, to Pete Hegseth’s latest Christian nationalist nonsense and Oklahoma’s scary new PragerU-backed teacher test. 

They also dive into good news from Florida tribes stopping detention center expansion, updates on Kilmar Obrego Garcia’s immigration fight, and the ever-messy Epstein files. 

In between, there’s book talk (Starvation Heights), thrift store finds, boycott updates on Target and Costco, and plenty of rants, laughs, and “thank you for being so obvious”...

In this episode, Emily and Samie tear into the week’s wild headlines before diving deep into an Um Civics lesson on campaign mailers, PAC money, and dirty local politics.

They unpack the shady Everett School Board mailers funded by Mill Creek parents, who poured half a million dollars into negative ads across multiple races, including attacks on a candidate that came out before they even had a chance to serve. Emily explains how PAC money works, how to check filings through the Washington Public Disclosure Commission, and why voters should always read the fine pr...

This week, Samie and Emily drag Trump’s sex-offender youth fitness pick, Gates’ Epstein baggage, and Idaho’s OBGYN exodus. Emily breaks down Texas Republicans’ mid-decade gerrymander while Newsom hints at a redistricting war. Veterans lose abortion rights, trans service members lose retirement pay, and salmon lose their last allies.

Plus: South Park melts Kristi Noem’s face, the Constitution vanishes (oops?), and Emily and Samie manage to laugh through the authoritarian dumpster fire.

For your further reading and viewing pleasure...

Resources

Draw Your WA: Washington State Redistricting Commission - Website

City...

Last time, Samie and Emily peeled back the velvet curtain on the Epstein saga — the predator residue, the political cover-ups, and the billionaires who’d rather you ‘forget’ about it. But they're not done. In Part Two, they dig deeper into the case, the co-conspirators, and the conveniently timed recess that keeps those files locked away. They name names, follow the money, and maybe ruffle a few royal feathers along the way. This is your haunted house tour through power, privilege, and perversion — so buckle up, keep your hands inside the ride, and remember… release the files. 

💣 Highligh...

Early Election Release Episode! In part one of this week's Um, Sir Podcast, Emily and Samie dive into the boiling cauldron of American politics, true crime horror, and good old-fashioned rage-scrolling. From the unholy mess that is the Epstein case to the GOP’s ongoing war against democracy, prenatal care, LGBTQ+ youth, and your toilet, nothing is off-limits.

💣 Highlights include:

Emily and Samie break down the flaming garbage heap 🔥🗑️ that is the “Big Beautiful Bill,” where Medicaid’s getting axed ✂️, rural hospitals are on life support 🏥💀, and your grandma better start logging work hours 🧓⏳.

ICE protestors are getting arrested in Spokane 🚓✊. Migrant camps are turning into dystopian nightmares 😱—complete with bugs 🐜 and Clorox poisoning ☠️. Meanwhile, Ted Cruz went sightseeing in Greece while Texas drowned 🌊🏠.

Planned Parenthood funding? Slashed. SNAP benefits? Bye 👋. Education? Good luck affording grad school without selling a kidney 💸 But hey, Harvard’s free now… if you make under $100K and still believe in miracles ✨.

Also: why congressional soccer matches ar...

This week, Emily and Samie wade through a full-blown legislative disaster and emotional meltdown, because 2025 really said, “Let’s reboot the Bush era, but make it messier.”

👀 Trump launched airstrikes without Congress, declared a “12-Day War” on Truth Social, and apparently solved global conflict from his iPhone. Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson are… making sense? Should we be worried?

💊 Also in this episode:

This week on Um, Sir, Emily and Samie unpack a modest lineup of American absurdity: a Satanic abortion clinic in Maine, ICE raids straight out of a dystopian fever dream, and a $45 million military parade starring robot dogs and empty bleachers.

Meanwhile, Trump tried to cosplay dictator by sending the National Guard to LA without permission and then called for the arrest of Governor Newsom like it was a Real Housewives reunion. Somewhere in the mess, Walmart got boycotted for funding the wrong protest (it didn’t), and two queer-friendly hats and one full-page NYT ad managed to...

This week on The Um, Sir Podcast, Samie and Emily ask: “Is the government actively trying to make our lives worse or just stunningly incompetent?” Spoiler: Yes.

NOTE: Emily's Medicare/Medicaid overview is a shitshow. All you need to come away with is that to qualify, a family of four must earn less than $45k a year. 

Anyway...Emily and Samie unpack how:

This week, Emily and Samie are coming for your austerity politics and your dumb billionaire worship. They unpack the newest House Republican budget bill—a hot mess of Medicaid cuts, tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy, and a big ol’ screw-you to judicial accountability.

✨ Key Topics:

In this week’s episode of the Um, Sir Podcast, Emily and Samie are bitter and not in the mood for institutional bullshit.

They are talking about a lot this week, like the brain-dead pregnant woman in Georgia being kept alive against her family’s wishes. They get into the medical ethics, the political theater, and the horrifying reality of what that looks like in practice (spoiler: it’s not just Sleeping Beauty in a hospital bed).

Samie and Emily also talk about Washington State’s new clergy mandatory reporting law (yes, even if it’s said in...

They're back—exhausted, angry, and wrapping up Mother’s Day weekend with a fresh round of attacks on reproductive rights, kids’ safety, and reality itself.

Trump cut the Safe to Sleep campaign (because who needs SIDS prevention?) while pushing pro-natalist policies like a $5,000 baby bonus. Emily’s just waiting on her presidential push present.

In Iowa, a Catholic hospital claimed life begins at conception—until it meant paying for a stillbirth. RFK Jr. keeps spreading ableist, anti-vax garbage, so they handed the mic to a fourth grader with autism who knows more science than he ever will...