The crew that makes it happen. The production team for Inside White Center podcast are from left Frank Johnson, Lisa Nguyen, Kimnang Seng, Christian Tautua, and Pat Thompson.
Photo by Patrick Robinson
Telling the story of a community sometimes means listening to many voices. As media has evolved the voices of communities like White Center can get lost in the flood of information found online. To counter that and let the people of White Center have a place to listen to and be heard, a group of local residents chose to start a podcast. That was 2016 and since then the field of podcasting, sort of a radio show but able to be streamed and listened to when it's convenient for you, has grown exponentially.
The team that produces the show are hosts Frank Johnson and Lisa Nguyen, with production by Kimnang Seng, and Christian Tautua and executive production by Pat Thompson.
The show has given voice to Janice Young, of Young's Restaurant (which was recently sold in fact) and how her family made it a neighborhood landmark, how they fared through the pandemic and more.
They spoke with hip hop artist Gendal Tautua, whose experience growing up in White Center as a person of Samoan descent shaped his music. Also local story teller Cham Ba who is a music video maker had a chance to talk about his upbringing and how it influenced his work.
You can hear the show on all podcast platforms under Inside White Center or go to https://insidewc.podbean.com
To guide their monthly program (which is recorded now at Community Roots Church but will move to the White Center HUB community center once it is complete in three years) they have a mission statement.
"Using the power of technology and the reach of media, Inside White Center podcast aims to tell the authentic stories of White Center from the perspective of folks living and working there. It is our goal to celebrate the successes of the community and it’s people, inspire hope in folks as they learn about the great work happening in and around White Center, and empower people with information so they can be part of moving our community continually forward."
The most recent edition of the podcast features Patrick Robinson, editor of WestsideSeattle.com who talks about White Center, journalism, his photography and more.