
Hacks & Wonks is a show hosted by political consultant Crystal Fincher, who talks with Policy Wonks and Political Hacks to gather insight into local politics and policy in Washington state through the lens of those doing the work, with behind-the-scenes perspectives on what's happening, why it's happening and what you can do about it.
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 466 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsPoliticsNews Commentary | |||

Kelabe Tewolde is running for State Representative in the 37th District, challenging the incumbent in a race centered on housing affordability, education investment, environmental justice, and public safety in South Seattle.
As always, a full text ... more
Silas James is running for Seattle City Council District 5 as a working-class Democratic Socialist focused on fixing failing systems.
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
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Nilu Jenks is running for the District 5 Seattle City Council seat, prioritizing affordable housing, reliable public transportation, and climate resilience.
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
... more
Ron Davis, challenging 15-year incumbent Rep. Gerry Pollet, shares his vision and priorities for the 46th district.
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks. F... more
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Really wonderful and informative coverage of local issues for Seattle, King County and Washington state.
I consider myself pretty tuned in and aware of what is happening politically and policy-wise in Seattle and across the state, but every week I learn about something I hadn’t otherwise heard about and get a lot of great insight into what’s going on.
This podcast is a welcome review of what’s going on in Washington politics and policy with a calm and considered approach that is so comforting these days. It means so much to have something to listen to that has clarity and rational consideration. Crystal does an excellent job and has great questions for her great guests. Please keep them coming.
I listen to this podcast more than any other because Crystal and her guests always explain issues in a way that makes sense to me. I learn a ton about politics and the movers and shakers in WA from them. She also covers issues outside of only Seattle with the same level of integrity. She does her homework for sure, which is welcome!
I said what I said
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Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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A policy- and politics-forward show focused on Washington state, blending deep-dive interviews with in-depth analysis of local governance, budgets, housing, transit, and reform efforts. Episodes frequently explore the relationship between city leadership, business interests, and state policy, often through conversations with state senators, district representatives, port and county officials, and journalist guests who illuminate behind-the-scenes dynamics, funding debates, and accountability. Notable strengths include rigorous policy discussion, clear explanations of complex issues, and a willingness to challenge incumbents and explore progressive reform tools while explaining practical implications for residents and stakeholders. The forma... more
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5. Seattle Now
Hacks & Wonks launched 6 years ago and published 466 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Hacks & Wonks include:
1. Hannah Sabio-Howell
2. Jamie Pedersen
3. Toshiko Hasegawa
4. Rebecca Saldaña
5. Nick Brown
6. Shaun Scott
7. Chipalo Street
8. Randy Engstrom
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