There is a podcast for everything. And right here in Portland, there are people hitting record and making something worth your time. This week, I sat down with two of them.
Marisa Lysinger is the host of Vendor Besties — a show for event industry professionals that is equal parts business school and chaos therapy. Four event vendors, zero filters, and enough horror stories to keep you from ever ghosting your caterer again.
Michael Jonas is the host of All American Why — a show about why things in America don’t work, tackled one episode at a time. Think civic deep dive meets Seinfeld dinner table. Michael is also a business and nonprofit attorney over at Narwhal Law.
We talked about how each of us got into podcasting, what it actually takes to make a show, and why the progressive side of the media landscape keeps leaving points on the board. Plus — legal tip (not actual legal advice) of the episode — stop using the word “deposit” in your vendor contracts. Marisa said it, Michael confirmed it. Use “non-refundable retainer.” You’re welcome.
Local Podcast Shoutouts:
🎙️ The Apprenticeship Way with Mark Schelsky — Gen X energy, great for people who haven’t written off God but aren’t thrilled with how he’s being represented lately
🎙️ News With My Fiancée — DJ Ambush and Morgan Jones doing news, pop culture, and hot takes. Somewhere in their archives are the lost Schmidt-Krasner tapes. Release them.
🎙️ Progress Portland — Kip Silverman and Kat Mahoney doing the long-form local politics work that voter guides can’t
🎙️ Portland for All — Not a podcast - but honorable mention for organizing people who thought Portland’s progressive values were self-sustaining. They’re not. Go find them.
Dream guests: Marisa wants Danielle Rothweiler (East Coast wedding planner, threads legend). Michael wants Zoran Mandami. I want Ron Funches. If any of you are listening — you know where to find us.
Bonus content: I took my kids to Darlingtonia State Natural Site on the Oregon coast over spring break. It is one of the largest carnivorous bogs in the country. It eats insects. The boardwalk is fine. Do not fall in.
Find our guests:
Vendor Besties: wherever you listen to podcasts
All American Why: wherever you listen to podcasts
Marisa Lysinger / Century Decor Studios
Michael Jonas / Narwhal Law
