Check into the creative economy with Jennifer English, the Program Director and driving force behind Spaceworks Tacoma. Discover how Spaceworks has transformed Tacoma’s creative landscape and helped launched hundreds of local artists, entrepreneurs, and small businesses in the process.

Jennifer shares the program’s unique origin story, its dual focus on public art and business incubation, and the “secret sauce” that makes its alumni community so special. Learn about the impact of Spaceworks on the region’s creative economy, the challenges of funding and sustainability, and exciting new initiatives like the upcoming Mecca building affordable artist studios.

Whether you’re a maker, dreamer, or doer, this episode offers valuable insights into nurturing creativity, fostering collaboration, and building lasting community impact in Tacoma and beyond. Tune in for:

• The story behind Space Works and its mission
• How the creative economy shapes Tacoma
• Alumni success stories and community impact
• Upcoming opportunities for artists and entrepreneurs
• How you can support or get involved with Space Works

How do today’s students learn to lead, collaborate, and solve real-world problems before they graduate?

In this episode of Sound Track, we explore how the University of Puget Sound is preparing the next generation of South Sound leaders through experiential learning so that classroom concepts are able to come alive in the community.

We sit down with:

• Professor Lynette Claire, Director of University of Puget Sound's School of Business and Leadership
• Thaedra Brondum, UPS alumna and owner of Serenitea
• Students Holly Zipay and Zoe Libner, student business consultants and changemakers
• Nicole Kendrick is a leader in the university’s Experiential Learning Program and joined by and Dora Williams, a student who recently completed an experiential internship with the United Way of Pierce County.

Together, they share how the university’s School of Business and Leadership and Experiential Learning Program are empowering students to think critically, act boldly, and learn by doing. From consulting with local entrepreneurs to interning with nonprofits, Puget Sound students are turning classroom learning into community impact.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How entrepreneurial thinking and real-world projects prepare students for success
• The story behind SereniTea and its partnership with Business & Leadership seniors
• What makes experiential learning a cornerstone of the Puget Sound education
• Why Tacoma’s business community plays a key role in student development
• How employers and organizations can partner with the university

🎧 Tune in to learn how education and enterprise are working hand-in-hand to strengthen the South Sound economy.

How can healthcare become simpler, faster, and fairer for everyone?

In this episode of Sound Track, Dr. Romilla Batra, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Premera Blue Cross, joins us to discuss how technology and collaboration are transforming the way patients, providers, and health plans work together.

Dr. Batra, a board-certified internist and former chief medical officer at SCAN Health Plan, leads clinical strategy, quality, and equity initiatives that serve over 2.5 million Premera members across the Pacific Northwest.

In this episode, we'll explore:

• Why prior authorization became such a critical topic in healthcare and how it’s being reimagined
• The voluntary AHIP pledge to simplify care approval and reduce delays
• How automation and AI are helping Premera say “yes” faster—20% of authorizations now happen in real time
• What streamlined systems mean for small businesses and employees
• How these innovations support health equity, reduce costs, and improve outcomes

Dr. Batra also shares lessons from her 20-year journey in medicine and leadership—from the exam room to the executive suite—and why she believes compassion and evidence must always guide innovation.

🎙️ This episode is proudly sponsored by Premera Blue Cross — always in your corner.