About Us

Co-Host and Founder

Emmett O’Connell was born in Olympia in 1976. He lives on the side of town that feels like it is unfair to pick favorites, since it really is the best side. In addition to this podcast, Emmett writes about local history and politics at olympiatime.com. He has also served on the Timberland Library board of trustees. Outside any interests in local going-ons, Emmett is a father of four, plays and watches soccer as much as he can, and likes to run.

Co-host

Daniel Garcia lives and works in beautiful downtown Olympia. He completed his MPA at The Evergreen State College in 2024, following a capstone project focused on the strengths, weaknesses, and weirdness of downtown. He continues these conversations at the Heal Olympia Project, which is also how he got interviewed by Emmett and involved with The Oly Standard. While not podcasting, he serves as a legislative analyst for the state, Vice Chair on the Oly Planning Commission, boardmember at Capitol Land Trust, and on the Council of Neighborhood Associations (CNA). 

Co-host

Erika Lari was raised by Peruvian immigrants in New Jersey. She moved to Olympia straight out of high school to go to Evergreen, and studied photography, while interning at KAOS-FM and Kill Rock Stars records. In 2000, she moved to London and earned an MA in Communication Design from the University of the Arts at Central St. Martins. Erika insisted on returning to the place that felt most like home, and working in various capacities as a graphic designer, web developer, and downtown business owner. In 2023, after finally being medicated for ADHD, she began to question the motives of the Olympia School District in looking to close schools. That led to the formation of OSD4All and her being on this very podcast. She holds two truths dear. A quality, well-delivered public education system is the foundation of a civil society, and, yes, she does want another cat.

Producer

Jemmy Joe is half of Olympia Pop Rocks and the producer for The Olympia Standard. He plays music a lot, asks open-ended questions to induce conversation, and has a lot of hats.

Host Emerita and Founder

Dani Madrone landed in Washington in 2004 after a summer road trip from Virginia that took her all over the country. She has since called Olympia home. She lives on the best side (west side) of town with her tweenage daughter. Her career has included many roles working on issues of social and environmental justice, and currently Puget Sound recovery. When she’s not working on local issues, she’s off exploring mountains or paddling around the sound.

Dani co-founded the podcast in the summer of 2017 with Emmett. She has been pulled in so many different and important directions that she stepped back from the podcast in 2021.