Today on Out and About - Kelly Adams from The Spokane Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)...

Political parties have been at the center of The United States’ civic life since our nation’s inception. Parties have dwindled and died with new organizations evolving to take their place. Today is no exception. The Republican Party has been transformed from a mainline political party into a Fascist cult, while the Democratic Party seems to be gaining a new life from embracing more traditional American values like democracy, equality and freedom.

These transformations came from forces outside the two main political parties. In the case of the Republican Party - strong influences from Russia and other kleptocratic entities seem to be driving the train, while the Democratic Party seems to be yielding to the strong influences coming from the wisdom of its citizens. 

We’ve seen this transformation in the Democrats who are winning elections over Republicans. For example, nationally, Bernie Sanders is a true populist and, as a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist, his popularity is undeniable. Same with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But what about here, at home? Is the concept of Democratic Socialism having an influence on non-Fascist candidates? Well, luckily, to answer these questions, Spokane has its own local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) - an organization which supports the ideals that AOC and Bernie embrace.

Today on Out and About, I will be talking with Kelly Adams from the Spokane DSA. I have wanted to learn more about the Spokane DSA. Maybe you have too. If so, you will want to tune in!

I will also be telling you (as usual) when and where all the pro-democracy demonstrations will be taking place this week

Thank you to my underwriters - Boots Bakery and Eastern Washington University.

Out and About airs every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Haiku Friday - April 24, 2026

And time slips away

On another pretty day

‘Til nothing gets done.

Max Q 

For this waterfall,

Time stands still, everything stopped

Until the spring's warmth

Bill

Why care who is king

When the air smells of flowers 

Buzzing with new life 

Rikosan

Potato angel 

Doth guard the holy tot bin

“Flee Bandit Randy!”

Maeve

Yesterday's Out and About - Tracy Simmons from FāVS...

 

Yesterday, I talked with Tracy Simmons. Tracy is the Executive Director of FāVS - a website that reports on religion and ethics in Washington. She is also an award-winning journalist specializing in religion reporting, digital entrepreneurship and social journalism. And in between all of that, she is an Associate Professor at Washington State University, as well as a reporter and columnist for The Spokesman-Review.

Listeners of the show know that I am keenly interested in religion and ethics. Daily, we are confronted with the dark machinations of flimflammers who, ironically, call themselves “Christians.” Religion, beliefs, ethics and ideologies have never been more important or more dangerous. But, there is a hopeful and inspiring side to these same subjects which often goes unreported by the news media. That’s where Tracy and her FāVS team really shines.

The hour went by too quickly, and I feel like we just barely scratched the surface of a subject I hope to revisit very soon with Tracy. 

If you missed yesterday’s Out and About, you can take a listen here - https://archive.kyrs.org/mp3/kyrs_260421_160000b.mp3

As always, thank you to my underwriters - Boots Bakery and Eastern Washington University. 

Tune into Out and About every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Today's Out and About - Tracy Simmons - Executive Director - Spokane FāVS

 

Our beliefs shape who we are and what we do. A person may not think that they have purposefully adopted any philosophy, religion or modis-operandi, yet their beliefs steer the ship of their life. In fact, sometimes what a person professes as their beliefs may actually run counter to what they unconsciously believe, as manifested by their words and actions. At least, I think this is true.

Today on Out and About, I will be talking with Tracy Simmons. Tracy is the Executive Director of FāVS News. You may have read her excellent columns in The Spokesman-Review. FāVS News is a website that features news from the world of religion and ethics from our corner of the world. Spanning the gap between the secular and nonsecular, FāVS News brings stories that makes all people (believers, atheists, agnostics and everyone in-between) think about what they truly believe and how those beliefs are manifested. We will talk about her work bringing this dialogue to all, and how her journey, as a queer person, has guided her steps of discovery along the way. 

And manifesting as part of my belief system, I will also be telling you (as usual) when and where all the pro-democracy demonstrations will be taking place this week. 

Thank you to my underwriters - Boots Bakery and Eastern Washington University.

Tune into Out and About every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Nick the Beet's new anti-fascist poem and zine!

 

Nick the Beet has a new poem - Be-etitude and it really is an anti-fascist beauty. Nick is going to donate all proceeds from the sale of the zine, which features rousing illustrations along with the poem. What's next, setting it to music? Yeah. Probably. The zine is only $3, but if you order four, the price comes down to $2.50 each. Best of all, the sales are going to go to Spokane Pride for this year's Pride Festival and Parade. You can check out all the details here - https://maevegriffith.com/nick-the-beet.html

Haiku Friday, April 17, 2026

 

Haiku Friday April 17, 2026

Watching old men walk:

Legs fragile and steps halting, 

One fall from rehab. 

Max Q

this mountain top view

separating these two worlds

and yet where they meet

Bill

A chimp's in office

flinging sh*t around the world.

We can only duck.

April

I hate Pete Hegseth

Disgusting god-botherer

knows nothing of god

April

Cowards at the top

An Empire of the Senseless 

A trap for new fools 

Rikosan

Nick the Beet beats feet

Running from snow seeking heat

Slow words in the sleet

Maeve  

Yesterday's Out and About - Ty Bruner from The People We Meet Podcast...

Yesterday, I had a fun conversation with my friend and fellow Spokane Fire Department retiree Ty Bruner. Retirement is a great time to refocus and retool for new things that you will help bring into the world. Ty’s story is no exception. He took all those interviewing skills that he had employed in the fire department and repurposed them into a new podcast that he hosts. It’s called The People We Meet and you can hear it on every podcasting platform. He interviewed me and I really like the job he did. You can check out his website at https://thepeoplewemeetpodcast.com and take a listen.  

If you missed yesterday’s Out and About, here's a link - https://archive.kyrs.org/mp3/kyrs_260414_160000b.mp3

As always, thank you to my underwriters - Boots Bakery and Eastern Washington University. 

Tune into Out and About every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve