The Conversation Podcast

US Representative Norm Dicks is set to retire at the end of this year after 35 years representing the 6th Congressional District. The seat is being hotly contested by Democrat Derek Kilmer and Republican Bill Driscoll. Ross sits down for a conversation with both candidates about where they stand on the issues facing that district.

When you think about the things you most like to do in your life, what's at the top? Why? Do you have a plan to do it? We hear your stories.

Potential Leak At Hanford: Scientists and engineers at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation are investigating a possible leak between two walls of a double–shelled nuclear radioactive waste tank. In September, a robotic rover will explore the tank to determine the stability of the vessel and pinpoint where this radioactive material might be coming from. KUOW's Anna King reports. Andrea Seabrook Launches DecodeDC: Former NPR correspondent Andrea Seabrook says the most important stories about Congress are not being told. She's just launched a website with podcasts and blog posts in an effort to share those stories. We'll find out what she thinks is broken and how she thinks it can be fixed. Delegates For Ron Paul Prepare For The Republican National Convention: Delegates, candidates and congressmen are making their way to Tampa, Florida for the Republican National Convention that starts on Monday. Washington state is sending 43 delegates, some of whom are representing Ron Paul. KUOW's Deb Wang talked to four members of Paul's contingent about their hopes for next week's convention. The Potency Of Pot: Voters in Oregon and Washington will decide this November whether to legalize recreational marijuana. Ballot measures in both states would allow the drug to be sold in state–licensed stores. In Oregon, the initiative would allow people to grow their own. Opponents of both legalization measures claim that the marijuana of today is much more potent than the pot smoked decades ago. Salem correspondent Chris Lehman checks the facts in this second part of his two–part series.

Over 60 percent of Gen Y workers have college degrees but many more are finding work in the service sector compared to other US workers. What's it like in the trenches? Is the customer always right? If you've ever worked a service industry job, we want to hear your best (and worst) customer stories.

Unconscious instincts play a big role in your decision making, whether it's figuring out who to vote for or what to make for dinner. Physicist and bestselling author Leonard Mlodinow explores the role of the unconscious mind in his new book, "Subliminal."

Boeing Engineering Union Files Workplace Complaint: Boeing's engineering and technical union has filed a complaint against the aerospace giant after a Boeing Ethics representative reportedly told new employees they couldn't say "bad things" about the company during an orientation. David Hyde talks to the director of the union. Is Marijuana Safer Than Alcohol? This fall, voters in Oregon and Washington will decide whether to legalize marijuana. Washington's Initiative 502 would allow pot to be sold in state–licensed stores. But how safe would legal pot be to the public? KUOW's Chris Lehman has more. US Coal Companies Want To Export Out Of The Northwest: American coal companies see the Northwest as the middle passage to get their coal to overseas buyers. But why is the Washington–Oregon corridor the center of so much coal talk? KUOW's Ashley Ahearn talks to David Hyde about the future of coal–export facilities in the Pacific Northwest.

Fish is a significant source of protein in the human diet; around 90 million tons are caught every year. Are some fisheries in danger of collapse? What species are being managed the right way? UW professor and fisheries expert Ray Hilborn talks to David Hyde about his new book "Overfishing: What Everyone Needs To Know."

Washington Man Accused of Threatening Obama: A man accused of threatening to kill President Barack Obama appeared in federal court in Seattle Wednesday. KUOW's Liz Jones has more. Just How Secret Is The Secret Service? The United States Secret Service was established on the day of Lincoln's assassination in 1865 — but not for the reasons you might think. You can still see them standing behind the president and foreign dignitaries, but behind the scenes they're also in charge of combating counterfeit currency and fighting cybercrime. David Hyde talks to the head of Seattle's Secret Service field office.

The Impending Influx Of Third–Party Spending: Independent PACS are playing a big role in the presidential election. Washington campaign regulators are predicting an upcoming splurge of spending by third-party interest groups. KUOW's Austin Jenkins tells us more. Quote Approval On The Campaign Trail: A few weeks ago Jeremy Peters of the New York Times started a small media fire over the issue of quote approval. This is a growing trend in which reporters must have quotes approved by a source's press office before they can attribute them in print or online. In many cases, the quotes are approved after they've been edited to make the source sound better. Peters pointed out that this practice has become standard operating procedure for both the Obama and Romney campaigns, and how it's seeping into other government institutions like Capitol Hill and the Treasury. The View From Coal Country: What would an influx of Wyoming coal mean for the Pacific Northwest? Proposed coal export facilities in Washington and Oregon would be the quickest and cheapest way to get the fuel exported. KUOW's Ashley Ahearn reports.

State legislators have told Washington State Parks to become completely self–sufficient by 2013. But one of the avenues to achieving that goal, the Discover Pass, is struggling. So, what's next for state parks? David Hyde sits down with Don Hoch, the head of Washington State Parks for a discussion on the future of Washington's state parks.

There are many stories of great floods out there, first and foremost the fable of Noah's ark. But some geologists have found that many of these legends have some basis in historical fact. We talk with Dave Montgomery, the author of "The Rocks Don't Lie: A Geologist Investigates Noah's Flood."

Boeing's Bank Reaches Out To Small Businesses: The federal agency that some call "Boeing's Bank" is trying to broaden its appeal. The Export–Import Bank of the US is opening an office in Seattle, one of four new offices nationwide. The bank provides financing and insurance to companies that want to sell their products overseas. Boeing is still its largest customer by volume, but the bank is on a mission to help more small– and medium–sized businesses to justify itself to Congress. KUOW's Deborah Wang reports. Vatican Freed From Lawsuit: Attorneys for an Oregon victim of clergy sex abuse say they will appeal a new decision that frees the Vatican from a lawsuit. That ruling came down Monday in federal district court in Portland. The 10–year–old lawsuit aims to link the Holy See in Rome to abuse by American priests. Colin Fogarty reports. University Place Seeks New Name: As the city of University Place prepares to host the 2015 US Open golf championship, the mayor is proposing a new name. He says the city needs to overcome an "identity shortage." Mayor Ken Grassi joins The Conversation to discuss the unique rebranding situation his city faces, and how he wants to capitalize on this opportunity. Yelp Reviewers Hold The Key: Northwest cities, including Seattle and Portland, are awash in great restaurants. And these venues must compete for attention from a highly discerning crowd. Online rating sites such as Yelp, Google and FourSquare are making those customers even more discriminating. You can even pick up those reviews as you walk down the street. That's great for some small business, but as journalist Julia Flucht reports, there are some downsides.

Latest On The Taylor Bridge Fire: Many of the residents who had to run for their lives from the central Washington Taylor Bridge wildfire are being allowed back into the evacuation area today to see whether their homes are still standing. Residents are returning to the south and east side of the 35–square–mile burn zone. KUOW's Ann Dornfeld brings us the latest on the central Washington fire. Assessing The Cost Of Taylor Bridge Fire: Emergency managers in central Washington have started to collect damage reports from businesses and homeowners affected by this week's destructive wildfire. That's a prerequisite to apply for federal disaster assistance. State fire investigators have established that the Taylor Bridge fire was human–caused and as the fire grows, so does the cost of fighting it. Tom Banse reports. Animals Also Suffer In Central Washington Fire: More than a hundred volunteers are caring for animals burned or displaced by the destructive Taylor Bridge fire in central Washington. Horses, pigs and cows are filling the Ellensburg Rodeo Fairgrounds. Correspondent Anna King spoke to volunteers there about the animal victims and what is being done. More Money In King County To Fight Homelessness: King County has $1.5 million to spend over the next few years in an effort to keep young people from leaving home. Recent estimates show nearly 700 people under 25 lack permanent housing in the county. KUOW's Megan Walker reports. Microsoft Programs Its Way Into Reality TV: Four veteran programmers have been competing for that opportunity to work at Microsoft on a new online reality show sponsored by the tech giant. It's an all–out effort complete with guest judges, intense competitions and a mansion for the competitors to stay in. Ross Reynolds talks with long–time techy and lead judge of the competition, Buck Woody, about the show.

Jill Stein is a Harvard Medical School graduate, physician and environmental advocate, and she just beat out comedienne Roseanne Barr, of all people, for the Green Party's presidential nomination. She is on the ballot in 24 states, including our state of Washington. Ross Reynolds sits down with Jill Stein to discuss the state of the Green Party and her campaign.

Cornish College of the Arts is the oldest music conservatory on the West Coast. Today it is nationally recognized as a premier college for the visual and performing arts, and one of only three fully accredited private colleges in the entire nation dedicated to educating both performing and visual artists. Ross Reynolds discusses the history and the future of Cornish with the college's president Nancy Uscher.