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Hacks & Wonks

Crystal Fincher
Washington State Education
Opportunity Gaps
Education Funding
Public School System
School Closures
King County
Teacher Retention
Student Mental Health
Seattle City Council
Childhood Education
AI In Education
Seattle Police Department
Seattle Public Schools
Digital Divide
Homelessness
Washington State
Housing Crisis
Juvenile Crime
Gun Violence
Evictions

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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes466Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryPoliticsNews

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Artwork for Hacks & Wonks

Latest Episodes

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and David Kroman discuss:

✂️ Ferguson budget relies on cuts

🧑‍⚖️ Trump sues WA

🏢 Affordable housing bailout

🔮 Significance of Wilson hires

✋ Eddie Lin sworn into Council

🚈 Light rail arrives in ... more

Senator Rebecca Saldaña is preparing for her 10th year representing South Seattle's 37th Legislative District with plans to address healthcare access, immigration protections, and Washington's budget shortfall.

In a recent interview on the Hacks & ... more

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss:

▶️ Mayor-elect Katie Wilson's transition

▶️ KC Exec Zahilay's staff review

▶️ Council hands a budget of Harrell's priorities to Wilson

▶️ Pipeline spill raises safety concerns... more

Washington state's 2025 elections saw progressives win across multiple cities and legislative districts, with people-powered campaigns and bold ideas beating out establishment moderates. Listen in to the Hacks & Wonks 2025 Post-Election Roundtable fr... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Erika Evans
Candidate for Seattle City Attorney
Episode: Former Federal Prosecutor Erika Evans Launches Bid for Seattle City Attorney
Rian Watt
Fellow Urbanist Board member and local housing advocate
Episode: Competing Social Housing Measures Face Off in Seattle Election with Rian Watt and Tiffani McCoy
Tiffani McCoy
Co-Executive Director of House Our Neighbors, campaigning for Proposition 1A
House Our Neighbors
Episode: Competing Social Housing Measures Face Off in Seattle Election with Rian Watt and Tiffani McCoy
Everett Maroon
Executive Director of Blue Mountain Heart to Heart
Blue Mountain Heart to Heart
Episode: Harm Reduction Approach Vital for Addressing Opioid Crisis, Says Expert (Re-Air)
Stephanie Van Jacobs
Licensed clinical social worker and licensed addiction counselor currently serving as a program manager at WellPower.
WellPower
Episode: Denver's STAR Program Offers Promising Alternative Response to Mental Health and Substance Use Crises (Re-Air)
Evan Thompkins
STAR program specialist with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment overseeing the STAR program.
Denver Department of Public Health and Environment
Episode: Denver's STAR Program Offers Promising Alternative Response to Mental Health and Substance Use Crises (Re-Air)
Eleuthera Lisch
Director of the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention
King County
Episode: King County's Community-Led Approach Showing Promise in Combating Gun Violence (Re-Air)
Dr. Stephan Blanford
Executive Director of Children's Alliance, advocate for affordable, high-quality childcare
Children's Alliance
Episode: Children's Alliance Director Highlights Critical Importance of Affordable, High-Quality Childcare (Re-Air)
Victoria Woodards
Mayor of Tacoma and founding mayor of the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income Coalition
City of Tacoma
Episode: Tacoma's Guaranteed Income Pilot Yields Positive Results

Host

Crystal Fincher
Political consultant and host, with expertise in local politics and policy analysis, often engaging with a variety of guests to explore topical issues and nuanced discussions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 95 ratings
  • Best, most in-depth local political podcast

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    camilleeonn
    United States3 months ago
  • Awesome comforting rational review of what’s going on in Washington politics and policy.

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    brentnospg
    United States10 months ago
  • Excellent. Informative.

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    boatchick
    United Statesa year ago
  • Crystal Fincher is a cynical liar

    I said what I said

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    woodlandfemme
    United Statesa year ago
  • Super informative

    I have learned so much about Seattle and King County politics, governance, and budgeting. Crystal is so knowledgeable and helps keep listeners informed about important local matters. I wish everyone in the region listened to this!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CarrieHawthorne
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The calm and rational approach of the host is noted as a comforting factor in understanding complex topics.
Some listeners express critical views about the host's biases and the need for more balanced discussions.
Listeners appreciate the depth of political analysis and diverse guest perspectives.
Many find the discussions informative and often gain new insights into local issues that aren't covered by mainstream media.
Overall, the podcast is frequently recommended for anyone interested in Washington state politics and community advocacy.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Former Federal Prosecutor Erika Evans Launches Bid for Seattle City Attorney
Q: What would you implement or advise to promote transparency, accountability and community oversight when these technologies are deployed?
Evans believes in clear articulation of the purpose for surveillance tools and opposes broad use that disproportionately affects communities of color.
Former Federal Prosecutor Erika Evans Launches Bid for Seattle City Attorney
Q: Why are you running to be Seattle City Attorney and what are your priorities?
Evans runs to serve her community, prioritizing public safety through restorative justice, addressing root causes of crime, and fighting against unconstitutional federal overreach.
Melissa Demyan Challenges Larry Springer in 45th District Race (Re-Air)
Q: What will it take to pass the Keep Our Care Act, this legislative session, if you are elected?
Melissa highlights the need for organized community support to pass this critical healthcare legislation due to its significance for many Washingtonians.
Melissa Demyan Challenges Larry Springer in 45th District Race (Re-Air)
Q: What does a safe community look like to you, and what can you do in your role as a legislator to make that more possible?
Melissa focuses on victim support and adequate funding for victim services within the criminal justice framework.
Melissa Demyan Challenges Larry Springer in 45th District Race (Re-Air)
Q: What can you do as a legislator to make childcare more affordable for more people?
Melissa stresses the importance of hiring more childcare providers and making childcare an attractive profession to address its high cost.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hacks & Wonks

What is Hacks & Wonks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on local politics and policy in Washington state, this show offers insightful discussions with various political and policy experts, providing listeners with a behind-the-scenes look at the current landscape of governance and civic engagement. The host brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective, often emphasizing grassroots movements, community needs, and systemic reform. Each episode features discussions around pressing local issues such as public safety, housing, education, and social services, making it an invaluable resource for those looking to understand the complexities of political dynamics in their region.

Listeners are likely to appreciate the depth of analysis and the extensive expertise shared by various gues... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Hacks & Wonks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Hacks & Wonks:

1. Seattle Nice
2. Week In Review
3. Seattle Now
4. Seattle News, Views, and Brews
5. The Burner Seattle

How many episodes of Hacks & Wonks are there?

Hacks & Wonks launched 5 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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What guests have appeared on Hacks & Wonks?

Recent guests on Hacks & Wonks include:

1. Erika Evans
2. Rian Watt
3. Tiffani McCoy
4. Everett Maroon
5. Stephanie Van Jacobs
6. Evan Thompkins
7. Eleuthera Lisch
8. Dr. Stephan Blanford

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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