Bellingham Podcast

Ep. 242 | "Get Your Game On!"

Eating out in Bellingham and Whatcom County is getting pricey — so AJ and Chris are bringing the fun home. This month, your pacific northwest podcasting aficionados make the case for analog: gather some people you know (or some friendly strangers), throw some chicken nuggets in the oven, and play a game. No screens. No $120 dinner tabs. Just meeples, dice, and a little friendly competition or co-op’ing. AJ and Chris share their favorite game stores across the region, swap game recommendations for every type of player — cooperative, competitive, family-friendly, and card-shark — and close with Quality Assurance picks including a shout-out to a pair of local Bellingham authors and a generative music app that just might help you survive eight hours of studying if you are studying for finals. ♟️Where to Find Your Games * Meeple’s Manor [https://www.facebook.com/meeplemanorgames/] https://www.facebook.com/meeplemanorgames/(Lynden) — Your local game shop up north * Cosmic Games [https://www.cosmicbham.com/] https://www.cosmicbham.com/(Bellingham) — Great local Pokémon league and loads of games of all kinds (and the materials around them) * AEGIS Games [https://www.aegislgs.com/] (Downtown Bellingham, Railroad Ave) — A substantial wall of board games, card games, tabletop, and expansions; near the fabulous Café Adagio * Bakerview Games [https://www.facebook.com/p/Bakerview-Games-61574811037121/] (Anacortes) — The Ollivander’s Wands of board game shops. If you have a game in mind, stump the band — they just might have it upstairs. 🃏 Chris’s Game Picks * Guess Who? — The classic whodunit-by-process-of-elimination. Disney edition available for the little ones. * Versus [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/373990/verses] (the musical Apples to Apples) — Song lyrics meet topic cards in this family-friendly Cards Against Humanity alternative. Comes with six guitar picks. More the merrier — you can’t vote for your own lyric. * Cribbage — Chris’s 40-year classic. Challenge accepted. * Trivial Pursuit — Need we say more. 🎲 AJ’s Game Picks * Vantage [https://store.stonemaiergames.com/products/vantage?srsltid=AfmBOoo95HYC1nahVsIe3TTk1BHmkq9ofGdrxM33n0_reduTQe1zUVXw] (cooperative) — You and your pod of space fellows have crash-landed on a planet. Gather resources, learn languages, evolve — or die. No two playthroughs are the same. Block off at least five hours. The analog version of No Man’s Sky [https://www.nomanssky.com/]. * Forbidden Desert [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/136063/forbidden-desert] / Forbidden Island [https://gamewright.com/product/Forbidden-Island] https://gamewright.com/product/Forbidden-Island— Shorter cooperative play for those who don’t have 5 hrs to kill. * My Lil Everdale [https://tycoongames.com/products/my-lil-everdell] — A beautifully illustrated town-builder for the 9-and-under crowd (and the grown-ups who won’t need a beverage to cope). Think Tolkien, but the adventurers are badgers and squirrels. * Dragon Isle [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/450499/dragonisles] (Dragonwood series, Vol. 3) — Eastern dragon vibes, Oni imps, cards and dice. A competitive card-shark slay-fest found courtesy of Bakerview Games. * Dragonwood → Dragon Realm → Dragon Isle * Pokémon TCG [https://tcg.pokemon.com/en-us/] — Feb 27 is Pokémon Day [https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/the-pokemon-tcg-is-celebrating-30-years-with-special-worldwide-releases]and the franchise’s 30th anniversary. Three decades of catching them all! If you’re nostalgic for those childhood cards, now is the best time to grab a pre-built deck and learn to play. A single casual game runs about 30 minutes. * Wandering Towers [https://capstone-games.com/products/wandering-towers?srsltid=AfmBOoqTF0G5xuQFSz-GhKEHpwEwK1kqFnjtp9hoiq_lV9Gfkwcdaokd] (Les Tours Ambulantes [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameversion/637336/french-edition]) — Discovered at a jeux café (game café) in Paris. Found in the US courtesy of Bakerview Games in Anacortes. * Rich Dad Poor Dad: The Boardgame — Robert Kiyosaki’s 90s classic. Learn passive income, FIRE (Financially Independent, Retire Early), and how to make your rent roll before you quit your day job. Statute of limitations on grumpy emails applies. Thanks for reading The Bellingham Podcast ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. 📚 Quality Assurance AJ’s Local Author Shout-Outs: * Gigi Berardi [https://gigiberardi.com/] https://gigiberardi.com/(WWU Faculty) — Debut novel: Bianca’s Cure [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Biancas-Cure/Gigi-Berardi/9798896360704] https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Biancas-Cure/Gigi-Berardi/9798896360704A work of historical fiction set during the Medici era in Florence — weaving alchemy, early science, and the story of a woman who bridged both worlds in the search for a cure for malaria. Recently held a book signing at Village Books [https://cfpa.wwu.edu/news/voice-instructor-joyce-parry-moore-celebrates-book-release-village-books]. * Rev. Dr. Joyce Parry Moore [https://www.joyceparrymoore.com/] (WWU Faculty) — Upcoming book: Fill the Room [https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/fill-the-room-an-invitation-to-take-up-space/416a6367-37d8-37f6-b2d9-11513334be07.html?searchType=products&searchTerm=undefined] Event coming up at the fabulous Village Books — stay tuned for the date. Chris’s QA Pick: * Bloom: 10 Worlds [https://www.generativemusic.com/bloom10worlds.html] https://www.generativemusic.com/bloom10worlds.html— The 10th anniversary follow-up to Brian Eno and Peter Chilvers’ iconic generative music app Bloom. Available on iPhone, iPad, and Android. Ten ambient soundscapes, resident on your device (no streaming required). One tap, up to eight hours of original, never-repeating meditative music. Less than the cost of a lunch entrée in Bellingham. 📍 Around the County * Ramen & Bowl (Downtown Bellingham) — Formerly Muto Ramen, across from Woods Coffee near Bank of America. Open until 2 a.m. Hat tip to Celia for the discovery. * Anacortes Day Trip — AJ’s wife’s birthday gift: a local tourist adventure on Commercial Ave. Highlights include Bakerview Games [https://www.facebook.com/p/Bakerview-Games-61574811037121/] and a Turkish coffee shop at the Safeway corner with quite the tingle. * Rook & Rogue — A fond remembrance of Bellingham’s former game café. Gone but not forgotten. 📻 Listener Reminders * Tune in on KMRE 88.3 FM or stream at kmre.org [https://kmre.org] — community-powered radio, right here in Bellingham. * Thanks for reading The Bellingham Podcast ! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com [https://bellinghampodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep. 241 | "Use It or Loose It" in 2026

Happy New Year, dear listeners! AJ and Chris are back for the first episode of 2026, kicking off the year not with resolutions, but with something far more honest: use it or lose it. From digital overwhelm and doomscrolling, to the resurgence of analog life, retro tech, journaling, and intentional living, this episode is a wide-ranging, reflective conversation about what’s worth carrying forward…and what might be better left behind. 🌐 Use It or Lose It (instead of a Resolution) Instead of New Year’s resolutions, AJ frames 2026 around sustainability: what habits, tools, and practices help us maintain in an era of information overload—and which ones quietly drain us. 📱 Losing Doomscrolling A candid discussion about social media algorithms, attention capture, and how easy it is to feel trapped by always-on digital life. The antidote? More intentional, analog-adjacent experiences that slow things down. 📼 The Return of Analog (and 90s Tech) From cassette players and iPods to dedicated single-task devices, the guys explore why 90s-era tech feels like a “vaccination” against hyper-connectivity. Less friction, fewer notifications, more presence. 🎮 Retro Gaming & Intentional Play AJ dives into handheld emulators, retro consoles, and the rise of the “90s Nook,” including why replaying those classic retro games can be comforting, affordable, and surprisingly fresh thanks to modern communities like RetroAchievements. * Retro Achievements - https://retroachievements.org/ * Retroid handhelds - https://www.goretroid.com ✍️ Journaling, Simplified Chris shares a major shift: stepping away from premium pens and notebooks in favor of simpler tools that remove pressure and invite use. Cost doesn’t equal meaning, and sometimes less really is more. * Muji - https://www.muji.us/collections/paper-goods?srsltid=AfmBOoqisSkxF5sZ96uEtQQNMhG9pTUx7j8KUaF73Z0pA1qvMevqHyIg 📓 Gamifying Life with the Hero’s Journal AJ talks about transitioning to a Hero’s Journal, a guided, quest-based journaling system that blends reflection, goal-setting, and storytelling, plus how journaling has become a shared, normalized practice with his son. * The Hero’s Journal - https://theherosjournal.co 📻🎧 KMRE Love A heartfelt thank-you to KMRE 88.3 FM, proudly broadcasting The Bellingham Podcast on the terrestrial dial and online. 🌲 Quality Assurance 🔥 Fire & Story (Waypoint Park) Fire & Story, a January event featuring music, storytelling, and community warmth down at Waypoint Park. Sauna groves, live performances, and family-friendly vibes—one to keep an eye on next winter. * Fire and Story - https://www.fireandstory.com/ * Energy Pyramid band - https://energypyramid.earth/ 📚 Silent Book Club Chris’s talks about Silent Book Club — a relaxed, introvert-friendly gathering for anyone who loves to read in good company (but without the pressure of discussion). Bring your own book, grab a drink if you like, and enjoy focused reading time alongside others. It’s all about presence, calm, and intentional community — a perfect fit for our use it or lose it theme. * Learn more at https://silentbook.club * In Bellingham at Ponderosa Books https://www.ponderosabeerandbooks.com Thanks for starting 2026 with us. Whether you’re using it, losing it, or figuring it out one analog step at a time: we’re glad you’re here. Take care of yourself! AJ & Chris This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com [https://bellinghampodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep. 240 "GPT takes on Bellingham, and we correct it?"

In this episode, AJ and Chris dig into a playful but insightful exploration: What would happen if an outsider spent a weekend in Bellingham guided solely by web searches or AI? Fresh off a Portland conference with heavy AI themes, AJ tests what “SmackGPT” thinks a weekend in Bellingham should look like across five traveler personas: the Local Explorer, Family Adventurer, Mindful Explorer, Camper, and Lux High Roller (exact output posted below). The gents review, refine, and sometimes hilariously correct the AI-generated recommendations, offering their hyper-local expertise on food, lodging, hikes, coffee shops, costs, and hidden gems. Along the way, Amtrak stories, camping advice, critiques of $10 gas estimates, and an update on the infamous “mics on sticks” recording setup. It’s a mix of travel guide, tech commentary, and classic Bellingham banter all better than any bot. 🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from AJ and Chris 🤖 “SmackGPT vs Locals” As mentioned- the output from AI (ChatGPT after a bit of conversation with the bot) Five Ways to Spend a Weekend in Bellingham (with Estimated Costs) With Estimated Costs for 2025 Below are five distinct ways to experience Bellingham — from hidden-gem explorers to luxe travelers — each with activity ideas and estimated weekend totals (Fri–Sun). 1. Local Explorer Hidden gems, coffee shops, local seafood, & Baker trails Estimated weekend cost: $400–$550 per person Friday Evening * Check into Hotel Leo or Fairhaven Inn (~$180/night) * Coffee at Makeworth or Camber * Sunset stroll at Boulevard Park * Dinner: Rock & Rye Oyster House ($45–60) Saturday * Coffee + breakfast at Camber ($15–25) * Drive SR 542 toward Mount Baker → stop at Nooksack Falls * Hike options: Horseshoe Bend, Yellow Aster Butte, Chain Lakes Loop * Lunch from Old World Deli (packed $12–15) * Espresso + pastry at Wake ’N Bakery * Dinner at Carnal or Keenan’s on the Pier ($40–60) Sunday * Tony’s Coffee + brunch at Evolve ($25) * Chuckanut Drive detour & oysters at Taylor Shellfish ($30–40) * Final coffee at Lettered Streets 2. Family Adventurers (Kids 4–11) Kid-friendly hikes, parks, treats, simple pacing Estimated weekend cost: $600–$850 for a family of four Friday Evening * Stay in Fairhaven Inn or Larrabee cabins (~$200/night) * Boulevard Park playground time * Dinner: Boomer’s or Colophon ($40–50 family) * Mallard Ice Cream run ($20) Saturday * Breakfast at Evolve or Magdalena’s ($40 family) * Easy Mount Baker stops: Nooksack Falls, Horseshoe Bend (short sections) * Picnic at Silver Lake Park (snacks ~$10) * Pizza at North Fork Brewery or local family option (~$50 family) * Early evening in Fairhaven Village Green Sunday * Crêpes at Magdalena’s ($40 family) * Short hike at Stimpson Reserve or Whatcom Falls * Boulevard Park lunch and playtime ($30 family) * Edaleen Ice Cream stop on the way home 3. Mindful Explorer (No Alcohol) Tea houses, wellness walks, yoga, calm nature spots Estimated weekend cost: $350–$500 per person Friday Evening * Hotel Leo (~$160/night) * Kombucha flight at Culture Café ($10) * South Bay Trail walk * Dinner at Keenan’s or Wild Oat ($40–50) Saturday * Gentle morning yoga at 3 Oms ($25) * Coffee at Refind or Avellino ($10) * Mindful walk at Stimpson Nature Reserve (free) * Healthy lunch at Leaf & Ladle ($12–20) * Late afternoon tea at Evolve Sunday * Coffee + light lunch ($15–25) * Sehome Hill Arboretum lookout or Clayton Beach tidal walk * Reflection/journaling break before departure 4. The Camper No hotels, minimal cost, full-time outdoors Estimated weekend cost: $200–$300 per couple/person Friday * Camp at Larrabee State Park or Silver Lake ($30–40/night) * Campfire dinner or simple takeout ($10–15) * Sunset on Larrabee cliffs Saturday * Camp coffee + oatmeal ($5) * Mount Baker hiking day: Yellow Aster Butte or lakeside loops * Lunch from camp supplies or Wake ’N Bakery ($10) * Dinner over the fire (salmon/veggies ~$10–15) Sunday * Pack up camp * Quick hike at Fragrance Lake or Clayton Beach * Taylor Shellfish oyster stop or casual lunch ($25–35) 5. Luxe Explorer High-end stays, spa, private hikes, elevated local dining Estimated weekend cost: $900–$1,400 per person Friday * Stay at Chrysalis Inn & Spa (~$320+/night) * Welcome drink & balcony sunset * Dinner with local seafood tasting menu ($70–90) Saturday * Brunch at Keenan’s or in-room dining ($45+) * Private driver or curated transport to Artist Point (~$150) * Optional private mountain guide (~$75 per person) * Catered picnic at a scenic viewpoint ($60+) * Dinner at a fine-dining restaurant ($90+) Sunday * In-suite brunch ($45–60) * Spa treatment (90 min $150–200) * Scenic drive or chauffeured Chuckanut outing (~$100) ☕ Local’s Additions and Corrections * Woods Coffee (local staple) * Camber (micro-roastery) * Fenex (Bellwether ) * Avellino (downtown) * Café Adagio (Chris’ all-time favorite) * Banter & Avenue Bread for breakfast/brunch lovers (with shoutout to Ben Mann art) * Boomers math checks out ish (≈$35–40 for a family) * Better lux dining: Silver Reef Steakhouse, Anthony’s, Chuckanut Bay Oyster House * Mindful dining: Leaf & Ladle, Soy House, Whole Foods Market seating area * 3 Oms Yoga (accurate) * Flow Motion, Joy Pilates also solid * AI mistakenly mentions Wild Oat (closed) * Anthony’s Grill * Chuckanut Oyster House * Silver Reef Steakhouse This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com [https://bellinghampodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep. 239 | Unabridged Season

After more than a year off-air, AJ Barse and Chris Powell dust off the mics, on sticks (more on that next episode) and return to the Bellingham Podcast from their favorite city by the Salish Sea for a catch-up that’s part reflection, part revival. AJ and Chris share what pulled them away from the mic; from AJ’s medical detours and higher-ed budget storms to Chris’s growing fatigue with all things digital, as always they open up and ultimately brought them back. They trade updates on analog tech experiments, air-gapped AIs (snarkly brought to by the fictitious SmackGPT), and the joys of going offline. The conversation also highlights what’s new around Bellingham: * El Sueñito Brewing (tamales & trivia) * Event page: Noches de Trivia [https://www.elsuenitobrewing.com/event-details/noches-de-trivia-bellingham-2025-07-15-19-00-1] * Frelard Tamales [https://www.frelardtamales.com/] * Training Grounds (gym) —Training Grounds [https://bellinghamtraininggrounds.com/] * Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro (closure) — Announcement: Boundary Bay closing at end of 2025 [https://washingtonbeerblog.com/boundary-bay-brewery-closing-current-location-at-end-of-2025/] * Hey Dumplin’ (dumplings) — Hey Dumplin [https://heydumplin.com] * Cosmic Games (game store) — Cosmic Games [https://www.cosmicbham.com/] * Waypoint Park (waterfront park) — Info page: Waypoint Park – City of Bellingham [https://cob.org/services/recreation/parks-trails/parks-guide/waypoint-park] * Pen y Fan [https://www.visitwales.com/things-do/adventure-and-activities/walking/crowning-glory-4-ways-walk-pen-y-fan] - Mountain * Boundary Bay closes after 30 years [https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/sep/11/after-30-years-institution-boundary-bay-closing-doors-with-celebration-nostalgia/#:~:text=Boundary%20Bay%20closes%20for%20good,is%20closed%20on%20Sunday%2C%20Sept.]- Cascadia Daily News * KMRE 88.3 [https://kmre.org/] It’s a relaxed, real, and refreshingly and quasi-analog homecoming for the long-running Bellingham Podcast - complete with shout-outs to listeners old and new, the regular plug to KMRE 88.3 FM, and the reminder that even in a tech-tired world, community still connects. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com [https://bellinghampodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep. 238 | Doctober'ingham 2024

In this episode of the Bellingham Podcast, AJ Barse and Chris Powell dive into October with a discussion on the increasing role of AI, the revival of analog, and reflections on masculinity. AJ shares his experiments with Google’s Notebook LM and expresses concerns over AI’s growing influence, especially in voice replication. The duo then shifts to their love for analog, highlighted by AJ’s visit to Roldorf & Co., a Vancouver-based watchmaker, and a documentary on the Polaroid revival. Chris also reflects on societal views of masculinity, inspired by a Vice TV documentary, and they explore the appeal of authenticity in an AI-driven world. AI and Digital Identity AJ shares his recent tests with Google’s Notebook LM, emphasizing AI’s potential to influence media through synthetic voice replication. https://wp.wwu.edu/ajbarse/2024/10/02/what-if-your-notes-could-think-for-you/ [https://wp.wwu.edu/ajbarse/2024/10/02/what-if-your-notes-could-think-for-you/] AI Amplifies False Memories  https://www.perplexity.ai/page/ai-amplifies-false-memories-Oi2YlbzuSyqDnm4m.RoxHw [https://www.perplexity.ai/page/ai-amplifies-false-memories-Oi2YlbzuSyqDnm4m.RoxHw] Chris and AJ discuss their concerns about AI-generated content, pondering the implications for personal data and podcasting. Vancouver BC AJ talks about his visit to Roldorf & Co. and recounts Jason Gallop’s journey to rebuild his watch business after a devastating fire. Roldorf Cafe Exploring Analog A discussion on The Revenge of Analog documentary, with a focus on the revival of Polaroid film and the allure of analog experiences in a digital age. Reflections on Masculinity Chris shares insights from the Vice TV documentary series, Searching for Masculinity, sparking a conversation about evolving societal views on masculinity. They examine the importance of authenticity and personal identity, especially in an age where AI and digital media can shape perceptions. Documentary Recommendations for Doctober Chris highlights the annual documentary showcase at Bellingham’s Pickford Cinema and suggests thought-provoking documentaries on themes like masculinity and analog nostalgia. Quality Assurance Picks Chris’s Pick: RI Music app, a free, ad-free option for Android users to stream music from YouTube without tracking. Mr. McMahon on Netflix Diggnation A revival of the early tech show by Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht, celebrating internet oddities https://www.diggnation.show/ [https://www.diggnation.show/] YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@diggnation [https://www.youtube.com/@diggnation] Listener Reminders: Tune in to KMRE 88.3 FM or stream online at kmre.org to catch the Bellingham Podcast. Look out for the November episode with AJ and Chris’s holiday gift guide and travel stories. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com [https://bellinghampodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]