By Rama Gaind.
| Barking Owl Communications in Sydney has spearheaded an ambitious project on Portland, U.S.A. that has garnered widespread confidence and optimism.International travel is on indefinite ‘hold’ as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, but there’s a lot of activity going on behind the scenes for when the lockdown ends.
This is the second part of a feature that unearths some of the captivating stories of the city contained in Portland, Unpacked – a new travel podcast. Gain some insight … and “see life in the city through the eyes of some of its most fascinating residents”. |
Australian podcast host Faustina Agolley discovers that Portland, Oregon, is a city of many stories, many shades and many perspectives.
“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction. Every accomplishment starts with a decision to try. If not us, who? If not now, when?”
These visionary words from U.S. President John F. Kennedy encapsulate the essence of creative concepts, courage and implementation.
Proposals put into motion, words and ideas that can change the world. Such has been the intention of some great news stories coming out of Travel Portland, U.S.A., which will surely be of interest as people look for a little light in the sometimes melancholy days of the current international travel lockdown during the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
You, too, will be captivated by the audio images in the Portland, Unpacked podcast that inspire and transport you to the streets of Portland, Oregon. Portland, Unpacked was created for Travel Portland by Sydney-based agency, Barking Owl Communications. According to managing director Jill Collins, the podcast is less-travelogue and more “life in the city” as seen through the eyes of some fascinating and offbeat Portland locals.
As a matter of fact, Portlanders have found innovative ways to connect and keep each other entertained. Sophisticated technology allows us to virtually visit Portland and find things to do, watch, hear and experience.
In Portland, Unpacked, Australian podcast host Faustina Agolley takes you straight to the streets of Portland and uncovers that this is a city of many stories, many shades and many perspectives.
Powell’s City of Books is the largest used and new book store in the world, occupying an entire city block and housing approximately one million books.
Inspiring stories
Over six episodes, she guides you through this unique part of America, unpacking all things Portland, from its complex history to its micro farms, distilleries, music scene, and everything in-between. There’s so much more to this city than pop culture would have you know.
As Agolley puts it: there’s a place in America that’s “always fascinated me, an iconic utopia where people do things differently. It’s a town the rest of the U.S. watches”.
Her mission was to find out why anything was possible in Portland. What makes this city tick. You will hear how Portland is a place of reinvention and the ideal place to change the status quo. It’s also a city where people follow their passions.
You will meet Jill Kuehler, who is challenging the male-dominated beverage industry with Freeland Spirits, an all women-run gin and rye whiskey distillery.
There’s also Broccoli Magazine, an independent magazine created by and for women who use cannabis, and Wildfang, the apparel company describing itself as ‘F*cking with Gender Norms Since 2013’. Founder Emma McIlroy, sums it all up by saying “I’ve got a funny accent, I’m queer, I’m a woman, I don’t totally fit into most of the rooms I walk into, but Portland’s accepted me and given me massive opportunity”.
Located in downtown Portland’s Pearl District, Powell’s is the world’s largest independent book store.
Then there’s Ian Williams, the former ‘ambitious janitor’ at Nike who designed shoes inspired by “slippery when wet” floor cleaning signs, and who now runs a coffee shop where the clientele bond over a love of sneakers.
Even the theme music for Portland, Unpacked is local – composed by Ben Landsverk, musical director of Low Bar Chorale, a twice-a-month ‘pub choir’ that transforms Portland bars into a drop-in/indie sing-along backed by a live band of rotating musicians.
With initiative
These two stories of Portland’s initiative, in particular, are astounding:
- Room at the Inn is a beautiful, heart-warming story. The Jupiter Hotel, one of the city’s cool boutique properties, was experiencing a severe downturn in occupancy. On hearing a radio interview that the County required more beds for the homeless community than the current shelters could provide, they jumped in and offered up the hotel as the solution. This will help people already in shelters who were vulnerable including those with weakened immune systems, respiratory conditions etc. (but not diagnosed with COVID-19) and should not be housed in larger shelters.
- Then there’s another lovely good news story. Iconic book store Powell’s City of Books, which is the world’s largest independent new and used book store, has re-employed 100 staff thanks to the support of its loyal book-buying community. It has nine colour-coded rooms and over 3,500 different sections, offering something for every interest, including an incredible selection of out-of-print and hard-to-find titles. Powell’s is family-owned by three generations.
Life changing
The Jupiter Hotel – one of Portland’s cool boutique properties was experiencing a severe downturn in occupancy – until it reinvented itself.
According to vice-president of marketing for Travel Portland Ajay Date, more Australians than ever are listening to podcasts, but travel is an unexplored area of podcasting.
“We felt there was an opportunity to lean into that and explore rich story telling through the people and the soundscapes of the city,” Ajay said.
In the final episode of the series, Agolley describes why she was sad to leave the city she had come to know so well. “Portland feels intimate, personal, like a meaningful friendship,” she says. “When we travel, we expect to be on the sidelines, as an observer. Portland pulls you into its communities.”
She digs deep to find stories explaining the long and winding road taken by Portland to become the progressive city it is today. “In some ways Portland was exactly what I imagined and in other ways it took me by surprise,” Faustina said. So she skillfully started unpacking it.
All you have to do now is listen and be transported into a different dimension as you rejoice. Factor in the delight when you listen to the podcast and share the episodes with your family and friends.
Only then will you appreciate the meaning of these words from American actress, comedian, writer, producer and director Amy Poehler: “Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life”.
DETAILS BOX
Portland, Unpacked was brought to life through the talents of Audiocraft, Marketing Equation, Faustina Agolley, American Airlines, Jupiter Next and Nova.
How to Listen
You can find Portland, Unpacked on your favourite podcast platform or go to https://www.travelportland.com/portland-unpacked/
For more information on Portland and the podcast, visit: https://www.travelportland.com/portland-unpacked/
https://media.travelportland.com/media-resources/story-ideas/armchair-travel-to-portland
https://www.kxl.com/powells-books-back-in-business/
