17 minMar 13, 2024

How To Make Friends in Portland

Show Notes

In a place full of introverts that rains eight months out of the year, it can be challenging to meet new people as an adult. What if you don’t like drinking or hiking? How do you spark meaningful conversations with strangers? Today on City Cast Portland, we’re bringing in local tour guide and founder of Throw Snakes Tours, Dresden De Vera. He’s a self-described friend-for-hire and has some great tips on where to meet people in a city that some newcomers claim can be a bit stand-offish.

Resources For Making Friends:

Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at [email protected], or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448.

Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.

Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Become a founding member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recent EpisodesSee all

Why Gov. Tina Kotek Wants To Keep Her Job

33 minSep 29, 2026

Gov. Tina Kotek is running for reelection in a tight race against the same Republican opponent she faced back in 2022, former state Sen. Christine Drazan. She talks with host Claudia Meza about why she wants to keep her job and her agenda for her second term — including expanding universal preschool statewide, increasing affordable housing options, and fighting against Trump’s funding cuts and policies.  Editor’s Note: Sen. Christine Drazan declined our invitation to appear on City Cast Portland. Discussed in today's episode: Gov. Tina Kotek Sen. Christine Drazan Oregon Governor Election 2026: Latest Polls [New York Times] Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here .   Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at [email protected] , or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448 . Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and be sure to follow us on Instagram . Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise . Learn more about the sponsors of this September 29th episode: Oregon Ballet Theatre The Reser

Meet the 3 Candidates for Multnomah County Chair

38 minSep 28, 2026

Today, we're continuing our coverage of the upcoming fall election with the three candidates running for Multnomah County chair. Joining host Claudia are current Multnomah County District 3 Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, current District 2 Commissioner Shannon Singleton, and former District 1 Commissioner Dr. Sharon Meieran.  Discussed in today's episode: Julia Brim-Edwards Shannon Singleton Sharon Meieran Fixing Multnomah County [Sharon Meieran] Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ , or leave us a voicemail at ⁠⁠⁠⁠503-208-5448⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and be sure to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠⁠⁠⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Learn more about the sponsors of this September 28th episode: Oregon Ballet Theatre The Reser

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One Oregon City is Lowering Energy Costs — Presented By City Cast Portland

17 minSep 27, 2026

What’s a seemingly small project in Portland that’s made a big difference? About 12 miles away in the Oregon suburb of Tualatin, a drinking water pipe has just been fitted with a seamless electrical turbine, so that an existing utility can now have a dual purpose. David is joined by Nic Westendorf, Tualatin’s deputy public works director, to talk about the power of thinking local, using existing tools, and looking ahead to a sustainable future to inform what we do today. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options .

Round 2: Why These 3 Portlanders Want To Represent District 3

34 minSep 25, 2026

Today we’re finishing up our Portland City Council interviews for our fall election coverage with the second panel of candidates for District 3. Joining host Claudia Meza are current City Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane, as well as Kellie Torres, who works as an external affairs and partnerships manager for Portland Parks & Recreation, and Tom Sollitt, who has a background in communications, programming, and events. Discussed in today's episode: Tiffany Koyama Lane  Tom Sollitt Kellie Torres Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ , or leave us a voicemail at ⁠⁠503-208-5448⁠⁠ . Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and be sure to follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ . Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠⁠ . Learn more about the sponsors of this September 22nd episode: ⁠⁠PaintCare⁠⁠ ⁠⁠OMSI