Podcast
Think Out Loud
Hosted by Oregon Public Broadcasting · EN
OPB's daily conversation covering news, politics, culture and the arts. Hosted By Dave Miller.
130episodes
Episodes
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Oregon documentary highlights Columbia River bar’s jetty system and its importance to the Pacific Northwest
2d ago00:22:32Tap to summarizeThe Columbia River bar is a fierce, yet beautiful body of water, spanning across Oregon and Washington. With over 2000 shipwrecks reported since 1792, it is also known as “The Graveyard of the Pacific.” In 1855, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began the construction of a jetty system, as a means to tame the dangerous ocean currents from the Pacific. Oregon filmmakers Brett Eichenberger and Jill Remensynder’s new documentary “Taming the Mouth,” chronicles this history and how it reverberates today on this vital waterway in our region.
Transcribe →West Coast is especially vulnerable to landslides according to new University of Washington database
2d ago00:16:28Tap to summarizeRoughly 6.5 million people in the U.S. live in areas that are highly susceptible to landslides. West Coast residents - including on the Oregon Coast and Washington’s Puget Sound - face the second greatest exposure to landslides, after Appalachian communities in and around W. Virginia. University of Washington researchers made these findings using the Landslide Exposure Database, an online tool they spent three years creating and recently made publicly available. The scientists say the database provides the first-ever building level assessment of landslide susceptibility across the U.S. for nearly 130 million homes and buildings. The database also accounts for socioeconomic data, revealing an urban-rural divide to how natural disasters can impact communities. For example, residents in rural areas who are vulnerable to landslides may have fewer financial resources to move or recover from landslides compared to urban residents living in homes perched on hillsides in affluent neighborhoods. Joe Wartman is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at University of Washington and the director of the Natural Hazard and Disaster Reconnaissance Facility. He joins us for more details.
Transcribe →Oregon lawmakers urge state corrections department to curtail use of solitary confinement
2d ago00:13:45Tap to summarizeIt’s not uncommon for adults in custody in the U.S. to find themselves in solitary confinement for a range of behaviors, both violent and non-violent infractions. The practice is well-documented as being psychologically and socially damaging and to worsen the mental health outcomes for those subjected to it. The Oregon Department of Corrections is facing a class action lawsuit over the practice. And separately, a group of lawmakers has sent the agency a formal request to adopt U.N. standards known as Mandela rules, which would sharply curtail the use of isolation as a common form of discipline. Rep. Farrah Chaichi, D- Beaverton/Aloha, led this effort and she joins us to share more about the lawmakers’ letter, the DOC’s response and what she sees as the next legislative steps.
Transcribe →Oregon Esperanto speakers share a universal language
3d ago00:22:37Tap to summarizeLanguages have evolved over time, but it is rare when one is just created. Nearly 140 years ago, a Polish linguist did just that. Esperanto was made with the intent to be a universal second language for international communication. It is difficult to measure just how many people speak the language, but it does have speakers across the globe. In the Pacific Northwest, speakers will gather next month for the 45th anniversary of the Northwest Regional Esperanto Conference in Seattle. We're joined by three members of the Esperanto Society of Portland: Izaak Zawyrucha-Moore, Alaine Warfield and Bruce Sherwood. They share why they've chosen to learn this language and what it has meant for them.
Transcribe →Rage rooms: where customers pay money to smash bottles, electronics and more
3d ago00:20:22Tap to summarizePortland entrepreneur Mark Maher says it was around March 2025 when he and his family got to experience firsthand the thrill of smashing ceramic plates, glass vases, TVs and other electronic devices. That experience took place at a friend’s rage room in Boise, Idaho, where customers book sessions to don goggles, gloves and other safety equipment to obliterate objects in a controlled, safe environment. Soon after, Maher opened Rage Room Portland, which celebrated its one-year anniversary this month by opening its second location inside Stickmen Brewing Company in Tualatin. Business is also booming at OutRaged Rage Room, which opened in Vancouver in 2019. Owner Tera Gale says her three themed rage rooms are usually booked back to back on the weekends, with individuals or groups of up to 15 people paying to smash not only electronics and glassware but also personal objects they might find cathartic to destroy, such as a wedding dress from a failed marriage. Gale and Maher join us to share what they think is behind the appeal of rage rooms, where the adage, “you break it, you buy it,” is taking on new meaning.
Transcribe →How Oregonians can stay safe from wildfire smoke
3d ago00:09:25Tap to summarizeOregon’s wildfire season has been severe, resulting in smoky air in communities all over the state. Central Oregon now ranks among the worst air quality in the nation, with wildfire smoke significantly affecting the region. We’ll hear from Crook County Public Health Director Katie Plumb about how people can help keep themselves safe from the smoke.
Transcribe →What the Seattle Supersonics relocation can teach us about the Trailblazers
4d ago00:16:39Tap to summarizeNearly 20 years ago, Seattle lost its NBA team, the Supersonics. A combination of new ownership without local ties, an outdated arena and political decision-making saw the Sonics leave after 41 years in Seattle. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Amidst the disagreements between Portland city officials and Blazers management, Seattle Times reporter Tim Booth joins us to discuss what led the Supersonics to relocate from Seattle, and how that relates to the issues Portland currently faces with the Blazers.
Transcribe →Proposed data center in Salem stalled
4d ago00:16:24Tap to summarizeThe Salem City Council has voted unanimously to begin the process of adopting a data center moratorium. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has formed a task force to develop statewide regulations for these facilities, and she recently canceled the sale of a piece of state-owned land that the Verrus company was slated to purchase as part of the process of building a data center on the property. Kotek released a statement about the cancellation. “This decision is about my responsibility to make sure state actions reflect Oregon’s values and serve the public interest,” she said. “I believe in growing Oregon’s economy and welcoming new investment, including in the technology sector. But growth has to make sense for the community, for our infrastructure, and for our natural resources.” Verrus CEO Nelson Abramson argues his company's data centers are different than most — he makes the case that projects should benefit the community, support current infrastructure, and protect natural resources. He says the company’s facility would fulfill all those goals, unlike other similar facilities around the country. Abramson joins us to tell us more about the project.
Transcribe →Outdoor summer camps in Oregon rescheduling and canceling due to wildfire smoke
4d ago00:19:34Tap to summarizeOutdoor camps across Oregon have been severely impacted by poor air quality from wildfire smoke. Camps are being forced to move indoors and cancel camps altogether, resulting in significant financial losses. We’ll hear from Mt. Hood Camp Kiwanis Director Dave McDonald and the camp manager at Central Oregon Community College, Sarah Wolcott, about how their camps are responding to the smoky air.
Transcribe →The Hybrid Gallery creating safe space for queer and trans arts and the greater Eugene community
5d ago00:15:45Tap to summarizeFor the last 5 years, The Hybrid Gallery in Eugene has welcomed and showcased creatives of all kinds into its space. The art collective has diversified its offerings over the years, adding more classes, groups and space for local bands to play. General manager Geneva Vincent says The Hybrid is providing a safe space, not just for artists but for everyone in the community. Events include weekly open mic nights where anyone can share comedy, music, poetry and storytelling. And last year they added a monthly queer and trans figure drawing class. Mars Cantrell teaches that class in addition to one that focuses on body positivity. He and Vincent join us to share more about the art collective and how these figure drawing classes support both those who take them and those who model for them.
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