Talk of Our Towns

Join your host Donna Quinn for monthly interviews with movers and shakers from throughout the north Oregon and south Washington coastal region. Produced by the studios of KMUN.

Talk of Our Towns – March 5th, 2026

My guest this Thursday is Lynnee Jacks, Industry Communications and Engagement Manager for the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (known as OCVA).  We will find out about ways we can be part of the “Coast Like A Local” campaign, learn more the “Kind Traveler program, Blue Food Forum, sustainable tourism, commercial fishing on the Coast ……

Talk of Our Towns February 5th, 2026

Ron McDaniels is a Storyteller, a Poet, and a Cowboy from Arkansas who has been an integral part of Astoria’s Fisher Poets Gathering for almost two decades. Naturally, he’s a big fan of Wild Salmon!  On the show today we’ll learn how this Cowboy Poet became a beloved performer and friend to our own Fisher…

Talk of Our Towns December 4th, 2025

TOOTS topic this Thursday “The Gifts of Creativity During Challenging Times”. My guest is Marianne Monson who is the Founder & President/Executive Director of The Writer’s Guild here in Astoria. Marianne is the author of twelve books for children and adults with an emphasis on women’s history. Marianne holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from…

Talk of Our Towns November 6th, 2025

TOOTS topic for Thursday, November 6 is “The Grace of Grief” and my guests are Noah Rubinstein and Katelyn Staecker. Noah and Katelyn will be facilitating a 3-day Workshop and Ritual for Those Living with Grief and Loss at the Netel Grange in Astoria over the weekend of Friday, November 14. Therapists Noah Rubinstein, LMHC and Katelyn…

Talk of Our Towns October 2nd, 2025

Talk of Our Towns is hosted by Donna Quinn. This episode’s guest is Adam Sawyer, an outdoor travel writer, photographer, author, guide and public speaker based in Tillamook. They discuss his work with Oregon Humanities, and after a life changing event,  his shift to Substack to share writings and videos on topics such as grief,…

Talk of Our Towns June 5th, 2025

Today we will be discussing how new concepts of retirement are changing individual lives, and indeed our entire culture.  It is my pleasure to have two thoughtful highly educated experienced professional therapists to explore this topic. My guests are Astoria based IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapist and trainer, Katelyn Staecker and her dear friend of…

Talk of Our Towns April 3rd, 2025

This Thursday Talk of Our Towns features the Wildlife Center of the North Coast.  Host Donna Quinn will speak with Executive Director Kari Henningsgaard. Donna and Kari will be talking about the Wildlife Center’s mission of rescue, rehab, release, the recent NPR story about the Wildlife Center receiving three injured Bald Eagles in one week,…

Talk of Our Towns – February 6th 2025

Host DQ talks with Jesse Jones, the new Executive Director of the North Coast Food Web, an Astoria based non-profit organization cultivating a resilient and equitable food system through supporting producers and improving access to local food. Working with local farmers, fishermen and foragers the North Coast Food Web increases the health and well-being of…

Talk of Our Towns – November 7th

Join host Donna Quinn for “Talk of Our Towns” on Thursday, November 7th for a lively discussion about negotiating stress as we face inner and outer challenges in our lives, and in our world. How do we maintain our ground and agency while being overwhelmed with too much (and suspect) information in our rapidly changing…

Talk of Our Towns – October 3rd

Donna Quinn is joined by guests Jessica Newhall, Associate Director of the SBDC, Josh Allison, SBDC Advisor & Instructor for the F&B Entrepreneur’s program, Andy Catalano, Kitchen and Storage Manager, North Coast Food Web and Clarissa Barrick, Human Resources Manager, Astoria Co+Op to discuss very exciting collaborations and progress on the “Food & Beverage Entrepreneur’s…

Talk of Our Towns – September 5th

Join Host Donna Quinn on “Talk of Our Towns” as she interviews Licensed Clinical Social Worker Katelyn Staecker, an Astoria based Psychotherapist in private practice, Internal Family Systems Trainer and Creator/Facilitator of Vital Elders and Young Old Souls.  Donna and Katelyn will discuss new ways to think about aging … from birth to death, Astoria being chosen as the nation’s…

Categories
Arts & Culture

Talk of Our Towns – March 07 2024

Donna Quinn interviews guest Elizabeth Hayes, the President of the ENCORE, about the classes their organization offers. These classes cover across a range of subjects in the interest of our elder community members. They discuss the importance and benefits of providing a place for seniors to learn and grow together.

Talk of Our Towns – January 04 2024

Donna Quinn interviews two psychotherapists about the concept of conscious aging and how it can help respond to the challenges of getting older. Longtime friends Katelyn Staecker and Jerry Rousseau exchange their ideas about the results of clinical studies, the experience of aging and how community affects the lives of our elders. This special version…

Talk of Our Towns – December 7th, 2023

Donna Quinn and Suzanne Harold, the Astoria Public Library Director, discuss upcoming renovations for the library building, visions for youth involvement and more. They call upon the community for ideas on a temporary space for library operations and Donna guides us through spending some time in the moment. 

Talk of Our Towns – October 5th, 2023

Join Host Donna Quinn on “Talk of Our Towns” to find out more about a Community Gathering on Friday, October 13th at 6 pm at the Netel Grange. This first event will explore ways to support Healthy Living and Aging for Vital Elders and Young Old Souls … in other words… everyone!  Licensed Clinical Social Worker…

Talk of Our Towns, September 07 2023

Join host Donna Quinn on “Talk of Our Towns” for a lively and thoughtful discussion about enhancing sensitive communication in our daily interactions with others during these challenging times.  Her guests for Thursday, September 7th are: Katelyn Staecker, a licensed clinical social worker/psychotherapist in private practice in Astoria and trainer of the healing method, IFS, Internal Family Systems …

Talk of Our Towns, August 04 2023

“Talk of Our Towns” Host Donna Quinn focuses on the Astoria Regatta Festival happening August 9-12.  Since 1894 Astoria Regatta has celebrated all things Maritime with boat races, parades, Coast Guard demonstrations and more. This year’s theme is “A New Wave”.  Donna’s guests are Michelle Murray, Vice President Astoria Regatta Association and Leah Boles, 2022…