Rephonic
Artwork for Sound Politics
Washington State
Seattle
Washington State Politics
Bob Ferguson
Democratic Party
Donald Trump
Trump Administration
Katie Wilson
Republican Party
Washington State Legislature
Homelessness
Capital Gains Tax
Affordable Housing
KUOW
Governor Bob Ferguson
Public Safety
Climate Commitment Act
Bruce Harrell
Political Violence
Climate Change

A podcast about the candidates, policies, and perspectives shaping the Pacific Northwest. There’s a lot to wade through when it comes to Washington State politics. The drama, the facts, the money, and the movers and shakers. In Sound Politics KUOW host Libby Denkmann and politics reporter Scott Greenstone go beyond the ballot to guide you through what’s happening in local politics, why it matters,... more

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Artwork for Sound Politics

Latest Episodes

Since Governor Ferguson took office in 2025, he’s done few media availabilities or sitdowns with podcasts like the one you’re listening to. He’s also overhauled how the state government communicates with the public. What does that mean for people try... more

YouTube

Very few people pay attention to Supreme Court elections in the Evergreen state. In 2024, two of three judges ran unopposed.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to www.kuow.org/d... more

YouTube

As Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson marks her 100th day in office, we look at where she stands on key campaign promises about shelter and CCTV cameras.

Here's that link we promised to a piece about Joel Connelly in MyNorthwest. mynorthwest.com/lo... more

YouTube

The legislative session in Olympia is over, and do you know where your legislator is now? Because it turns out they are probably herding bison (if you live in Moses Lake), or practicing forestry (If you're living in Centralia), or law or medicine.

W... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Melissa Santos
Journalist at Axios Seattle
Axios Seattle
Episode: Where is Governor Bob Ferguson?
Sarah Mises-Tann
KUOW state house reporter
KUOW
Episode: Historic Supreme Court races: Could they sink the 'millionaires tax'?
Ed Orcutt
Republican legislator; forester and representative for the district
Washington State Legislature
Episode: Where are your lawmakers now? We go to the woods
Jordan Ritter Conn
Senior Staff Writer at The Ringer; host of Sonic Boom
The Ringer
Episode: Sonic Politics
Sarah Mizes-Tan
KUOW Olympia correspondent
KUOW
Episode: How weird is Washington's millionaire's tax?
Hossein Khorram
Donald Trump-supporting MAGA donor and major GOP fundraiser in Washington
Republican donor; MAGA supporter
Episode: Listener mailbag: Iran redux
Hossein Karam
Washington State Republican Party finance co-chair; Seattle-area apartment developer
Washington State Republican Party
Episode: Seattle's Iranian diaspora processes war
Keith Swank
Pierce County Sheriff, Trump supporter, controversial figure in the debate over decertification
Pierce County Sheriff's Office
Episode: Could conservative sheriffs get removed from office?
Amy Radil
KUOW reporter covering Olympia politics and state bills
KUOW
Episode: Could conservative sheriffs get removed from office?

Hosts

Libby Denkmann
Host of Sound Politics with KUOW; long-standing reporter and co-host focusing on Washington state politics and Olympia coverage.
Scott Greenstone
Co-host and politics reporter covering Washington state politics; provides analysis and framing of policy debates.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 89 ratings
  • Great local news!

    It’s fantastic to get detailed information about Washington state politics and budgets. This podcast is educational and entertaining

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HappyWithGame
    United Statesa year ago
  • In depth and balanced

    Sounds great and has excellent coverage of WA ballot initiatives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    P.erry
    United States2 years ago
  • Good summary on local politicians and issues..

    I appreciate the take on the Governor’s race and other local issues. I’d like to know more about mysterious Eastern Washington. Why have the Dems abandoned it? What is going on with Cathy McMorris Rogers? What about Dan Newhouse and his strategy for staying in office? Also why aren’t more Washingtonians angry about the electoral college? Keep it up Sound Politics!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Cme2see
    United States2 years ago
  • Sounding great

    Making WA politics fun and interesting

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sockeye12
    United States2 years ago
  • Engaging hosts who’ve done their homework

    Washington State could use a nonpartisan podcast that regularly digs into the Olympia scene and state politics. The debut episodes for this show hosted by the likable Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkman are promising.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OlyMan12
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast is described as engaging and informative for voters seeking context beyond voting guides.
Audience values balanced analysis and credible sourcing over partisan sensationalism.
Many appreciate nuanced discussions that connect policy to real-world impacts.
Listeners praise the show for detailed, local WA politics coverage.
Guests and hosts are praised for homework and engagement with complex topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#129
Mexico/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Where are your lawmakers now? We go to the woods
Q: What did Ed Orcutt say about lawmakers having side jobs, and what was notable about his perspective?
Orcutt argued that a part-time legislature with outside employment reflects the state's historical and economic realities and can bring practical, non-elite perspectives into lawmaking, a view that sparked discussion about representation and practicality.
Where are your lawmakers now? We go to the woods
Q: What are the main arguments for and against the millionaire's tax being challenged in court?
Proponents argue the tax is a modern, progressive instrument appropriate for funding services, while opponents contend the tax structure may violate constitutional provisions about uniform taxation and income as property, making it unconstitutional.
Brian Heywood on taking the millionaire's tax to court
Q: What are the next steps if the referendum is blocked—will there be an initiative, and when could that appear on the ballot?
They plan to pursue both paths: file a lawsuit to challenge the restriction on the referendum and simultaneously consider an initiative for the 2026 ballot, depending on court outcomes and strategic timing.
Brian Heywood on taking the millionaire's tax to court
Q: What does the constitution say about the necessity clause and how does it affect the ability to file a referendum?
The clause is meant to require immediate preservation of public peace and safety, but Heywood argues the language is misapplied and that there is no valid basis to stop voters from reviewing the law through a referendum.
Brian Heywood on taking the millionaire's tax to court
Q: First of all, thank you for being back on the show. Why a referendum, Brian?
Because a referendum is cheaper, quicker to qualify, and allows voters to weigh in before the law takes effect, whereas an initiative requires more signatures and time; it's about using the ballot to test public opinion while safeguarding the law's timeline.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Sound Politics

What is Sound Politics about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp focus on Washington state politics, policy trajectories, and the practical impacts of government actions on households and businesses. Episodes routinely unpack legislative maneuvers, budget debates, and state-level reforms with a newsroom-like rigor, often featuring policymakers, journalists, and subject-matter experts. The show stands out for deep-dives into complex issues (tax policy, policing, and governance) delivered through accessible, conversational discussions. Listeners can expect timely context, meaningful nuance, and a readiness to challenge claims while surveying local political dynamics for votes and policy outcomes.

Where can I find podcast stats for Sound Politics?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Sound Politics. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Sound Politics and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Sound Politics get?

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What are the audience demographics for Sound Politics?

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How many subscribers and views does Sound Politics have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Sound Politics has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Sound Politics?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sound Politics:

1. Week In Review
2. Seattle Now
3. Seattle Eats
4. Booming
5. Soundside

How many episodes of Sound Politics are there?

Sound Politics launched 2 years ago and published 95 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Sound Politics?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Sound Politics?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Sound Politics from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Sound Politics?

Recent guests on Sound Politics include:

1. Melissa Santos
2. Sarah Mises-Tann
3. Ed Orcutt
4. Jordan Ritter Conn
5. Sarah Mizes-Tan
6. Hossein Khorram
7. Hossein Karam
8. Keith Swank

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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