Joe Conniff was addicted to drugs, lived on the streets, and committed crimes. Conniff sought 12 step programs, counseling and detox. Today he's a certified peer counselor in Seattle and the author of a memoir called "Causes and Conditions: A Life experience in Addiction and Recovery." Bill Radke spoke with Joe Conniff about a moment that helped lead him to recovery: a drug bust in Seattle's open air drug market known as The Blade.

Preparing for a summer outdoors calls for preparation. Washington Trails Association gives us some creative ways to plan our next hike--including astrological signs! How should Seattle and King County help people who are addicted to drugs? A new memoir explores several attempts to find help. And The Nez Perce tribe Vice Chairman shares why they support a contentious Idaho proposal to remove dams from the Lower Snake River.

In Washington state, a person can be arrested and found not competent to stand trial because of mental health issues. Thereafter, they languish in jail, waiting for a state psychiatric bed. A 2018 court settlement was supposed to end this cycle KUOW's Austin Jenkins tells the story of one young man in southwest Washington and how this problem has persisted and worsened through the pandemic

We can try are best not to be delusional and orient a 'true' reality for ourselves, but what if it's a good thing? Host of Hidden Brain Shankar Vedantam says that self-deception can boost your success and well-being.Ross Reynolds spoke with Shankar Vedantam about his new book "Useful Delusions."

The show must go on-line! Throughout the pandemic, theater teens have gotten creative about putting on the show. Staging it on Facebook Live or YouTube. This year for a second time, the journalists of KUOW's RadioActive Youth Media program and The 5th Avenue Theatre found a way to create musicals based on the journalists' photo essays, articles, and podcasts. Bill Radke spoke with Jadenne Radoc Cabahug about her photo essay turned musical and we hear the full show.

A Teacher at Sacajawea Middle school in Spokane taught a lesson on the industrial revolution and cotton gin, by having students pick cotton. Two Black twin students in class were hurt and humiliated by the lesson. Bill Radke spoke with KUOW web producer Noel Gasca about this story.

Last summer, RadioActive journalist Jadenne Radoc Cabahug captured scenes of her neighbors stuck inside. Pictures of supportive signs, waves, and routines became a musical by students at The 5th Avenue Theatre. We talk about the inspiration for the musical and hear the entire showcase. Then, perhaps delusion can be a good thing. Shankar Vedantam shares how self-deception may boost your success and well-being. Also, we hear about what happened when a teacher in Spokane created a lesson plan around picking cotton. And, finding a psychiatric bed in Washington is a years old problem that has worsened in the pandemic. KUOW's Austin Jenkins tells a story about one man in southwest Washington.

A drought crisis in the west is worsening conditions for tribes, farmers, and municipalities. So far, the loss is stretching across California and Oregon. According to the U.S. drought monitor about 71% of the West is now in at least "severe drought," compared to about 15% at this time last year. Bill Radke spoke with Mike Baker the Seattle bureau chief for the New York Times about his report on this issue.

During the pandemic prices fell, but in Western Washington home prices are booming, gas has gotten more expensive, and so have some groceries. Are we experiencing inflation? Bill Radke spoke with William Mcguire an economics professor with the University of Washington about how to understand the rise and fall of price tags since the pandemic's beginning.

An orca whale carrying her dead calf through Puget Sound for 17 days. A mother's grief on display, three years ago affected people around the world and led to global awareness of the struggling orcas and the disappearing salmon they rely on. As few as 75 orcas whales remain. Bill Radke spoke with Lynda Mapes, the Seattle Time environment reporter about her new book is called Orca: Shared Waters, Shared Home.

Beyond the melted cheese, or IG-ready desserts are the small comforts made in comfort of the dorm, or quick purchases during late night studying, or the satisfying cravings right after a party. Bill Radke spoke with Taylor Zachary, a UW Daily columnist, about her series 'Foodscapes near me' the origins and evolution of dishes particular to college cuisine.

Ok, most opinions boba tea or bubble tea order opinions are subjective, but one thing we can all agree on is that the drink is one of many popular foods defining college life on the west coast. We hear from a UW Daily columnist about her foodscapes making sense of campus food trends. Then, an explanation of the drought crisis so far impacting Oregon and California. Also, is pandemic inflation a good thing? And, Lynda Mapes tell us all about her documentation of Puget Sound orca pod, she tells us why things seem a lot better