We’re excited to announce some of the big names who will take the stage at this year’s festival!

• AL FRANKEN - Former US Senator, Comedian and Author

• JAKE TAPPER - CNN Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent

• JEFF FLAKE – Former Arizona Senator and Director of The Institute of Politics at ASU

• AMANDA KNOX - Author, Speaker, Producer and Criminal Justice Advocate

• CORY DOCTOROW - Author, Activist and Journalist

• NADINE STROSSEN – Former president of the ACLU

• CYNTHIA BROTHERS – Founder of Vanishing Seattle

• PHOEBE JUDGE – Host of Criminal podcast

• JERUSALEM DEMSAS – The Atlantic Staff Writer and host of the Good on Paper podcast

• MIKE PESCA - Host of the Gist, Not Even Mad and Funny You Should Mention podcasts

• JANE COASTON – Host of Crooked Media podcast What a Day

• ALEX THOMPSON – Axios National Political Correspondent

• LEX VAUGHN – Founder and Editor, The Needling – Seattle's Only Fake Real News

See the complete list of announced speakers >

Join us for live podcasts, TV tapings and unforgettable interviews at the 2025 Cascade PBS Ideas Festival.

Tickets on sale now >

Podcasts include:

GOOD ON PAPER presented by The Atlantic

CRIMINAL presented by Vox

ONE THING presented by CNN

WHAT A DAY presented by Crooked Media

+ beloved NPR shows presented by WNYC:

RADIOLAB and ON THE MEDIA

+ YOUR LAST MEAL and NORTHWEST REPORTS presented by Cascade PBS

PLUS: THE GIST and OPEN TO DEBATE

Plus: Community meetups, speaker meet-and-greets, micro-sessions, food trucks DJs & local artists.

Don’t just listen — be part of it.

Live at Seattle University: A Conversation with Attorney General Nick Brown

Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown will appear at Seattle University to discuss state and local law and his response to federal actions. Free and open to the public.

Learn more >