NW Book Talk – Monika Spykerman – 6-24-2026

Monika Spykerman: Finding the Human Story Behind the Headlines

Feature writer Monika Spykerman of The Columbian joins Patty Grasher to discuss the art of human-interest storytelling and why people are often the most important part of any story.

Monika shares her unconventional path from newsroom assistant to feature writer, how she discovers story ideas, and what makes readers connect with a feature article.

From local personalities and unusual hobbies to community events and everyday heroes, this conversation offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at local journalism and the stories that help define Southwest Washington.

Contact information, links and transcript for Monica Spykerman podcast and more on NorthwestBookTalk.com