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Producer Picks: Dry January, SAFE horses, and local wrestling

caption: Nicole Matthews takes on challenger Masha Slamovich at Defy Wrestling's "Violent Minds" event.
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Nicole Matthews takes on challenger Masha Slamovich at Defy Wrestling's "Violent Minds" event.
Jason M Burrows / KUOW

The Soundside team is taking some time off this Thanksgiving week.

In the spirit of thankfulness, we're revisiting some of our favorite segments from the last year, and the hardworking producers who make Soundside are making the picks.

Today, producer Jason Burrows chose some of his favorite episodes that he worked on during this past year.

Taking time off of drinking can be a great way to start the new year, and with 2024 right around the corner, we're taking a look back at "Dry January."

caption: The "Lightning Bug" at Herb & Bitter, a non-alcoholic beverage, made with spiritless tequila and Sanbitter soda, rather than Mezcal and Campari.
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The "Lightning Bug" at Herb & Bitter, a non-alcoholic beverage, made with spiritless tequila and Sanbitter soda, rather than Mezcal and Campari.
Jason M Burrows for KUOW

Soundside 20230111 Dry January

Soundside producer Jason Burrows joins the show to talk about his experience with Dry January, as well as the research around how and why it works.

You can read & listen to the original story here.


In November 2022, a group of neglected horses were found out in a pasture in Graham. Let's look back at the horse rescue that took many of them in.

caption: Henry, an Arabian, being cared for at the SAFE facility in Redmond, evaluates human visitors to his ring.
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Henry, an Arabian, being cared for at the SAFE facility in Redmond, evaluates human visitors to his ring.
Libby Denkmann

Soundside 20230207 Safe Horse Rescue

Save A Forgotten Equine Horse Rescue Executive Director Bonnie Hammond introduces the Soundside team to Henry, as we visit the SAFE location out in Redmond.

You can read & listen to the original story here.


Back in September, Libby & Jason took a trip to Washington Hall to learn more about the local wrestling scene.

caption: Nicole Matthews pulls Masha Slamovich out of the ring during DEFY Wrestling's "Violent Minds"
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Nicole Matthews pulls Masha Slamovich out of the ring during DEFY Wrestling's "Violent Minds"
Jason M Burrows for KUOW

Soundside 20230907 Defy Wrestling

Soundside host Libby Denkmann attends her FIRST wrestling event EVER, and gets a lesson in kayfabe from Defy Wrestling's Nicole Matthews, and founder Jim Perry.

You can read & listen to the original story here.

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