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 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!

Insufferable host. Some of the guests are tolerable.

Discovered Hacks & Wonks in August and have listened since. Excellent information and background on King County and state issues. ThanksMay 2023: I just finished listening to the podcast with Mike McGinn and Robert Cruikshank discuss with Crystal the Seattle waterfront and their stories about the issues and the consequences of decisions that were taken over a period of years. Fantastic to hear honest talk.

I always love and gain a ton of important perspective from this podcast. The work Crystal does with her guests on this podcast is how we can begin to actually solve our Washington State challenges and problems. And, how we can to take advantage of our successes and opportunities. It’s not only a great listen, listening is imparative for anyone in the political sphere.

Crystal Fincher is amazing. She is regularly interviewing guests that everyone NEEDS TO HEAR FROM that are often not featured on other news shows. She has amazing commentary, does in-depth interviews of candidates, and plus on great forums come election season. If you care about News and Politics in Washington State, subscribe!

Hacks and Wonks is such a great podcast! I love learning about so many issues that Crystal covers. The guest speakers are thoughtful experts and I feel so well informed after listening to each episode.

I recently found this podcast after hearing Crystal on KUOW’s Seattle Now. The episodes I have listened to so far have blown me away in the depth of the discussion and analysis. Crystal is an excellent interviewer in addition to providing expertise on a range of policy issues. I was on a long run this morning listening to Crystal’s interview with Robert Cruikshank. Near the Ballard Fred Meyer I stopped to talk with a KOMO journalist who was interviewing trail users about a site where an encampment had been displaced by boulders. The journalist asked me a number of questions about the encampment and broader homelessness issues. I see myself as pretty informed about this topic, but the episode had prepared to speak to the issues and discuss bold solutions needed to address the humanitarian crisis on the streets. Housing is a human right! Thank you to Crystal for this podcast, it is informing the community dialogue around these issues in a beautiful way.

Appreciate Crystal and the guests’ insight into Seattle, South King County, and Washington state politics. I have known Crystal for almost a decade and somehow just discovered the podcast this summer of 2022.

I learn so much and love staying informed by people in our community

I learn so much every week about what’s going on in Seattle life & politics.

I love the variety of co-hosts on the almost live Friday shows. So informative!

Thank you for this podcast! I look forward to each episode because I know I’ll be informed on current political issues across our state.

Crystal Fincher provides insight into the world of politics in Washington that is filled with intelligence, emotion, compassion, and brilliance. If you work in political space this is some free consulting! If you don’t work in politics you’ll start to glimpse what day to day forces and attitudes are shaping the policy decisions that impact your life. The focus tends to be on Seattle, King County & Pierce County but also touches on national issues and statewide legislation & elections.

I usually like this podcast but please respect pronouns - Nikkita used they/them pronouns. Also, it would be helpful if guests could disclose if they have worked on a campaign, as that’s helpful for understanding their perspective, understanding when they’ve been on someone’s payroll.

Delighted to have stumbled across this excellent podcast.