Channel 253 is a Tacoma-based podcast network founded in 2015 to tell the story of the city through in-depth conversations about housing, politics, culture, arts, education, and civic life.
Since its founding, Channel 253 has produced hundreds of episodes and live events, including Adult Civics Happy Hour, a public forum designed to make local government more accessible and understandable.
Meet the team
Marguerite Martin – Co-Founder & Visionary
As the creator of the Move to Tacoma podcast, the founding podcast of Channel 253, she is “pod auntie” to everything we’re doing at Channel 253.
Marguerite Martin is a Tacoma real estate professional, media host, and community connector. She began selling real estate in Tacoma in 2005 and founded MoveToTacoma.com in 2015, a relocation and neighborhood platform dedicated to helping individuals and families understand Tacoma’s communities before they move.
Marguerite created the Move to Tacoma podcast, the founding show of Channel 253, to elevate local voices in Tacoma and explore the neighborhoods, civic issues, and culture shaping the city. Over the past decade, Channel 253 has produced hundreds of episodes across multiple shows covering housing, local government, arts, education, and business.
Through her real estate work, Marguerite operates a referral-based matchmaking model, connecting buyers and sellers with carefully vetted Tacoma-area specialists based on goals, geography, and expertise.
Channel 253 has been featured in regional and national media and has built a membership community of engaged listeners committed to Tacoma’s future.
Erik Hanberg – Co-Founder and Publisher
Erik Hanberg is the co-founder of Channel 253, Tacoma’s hyperlocal podcast network. As a long-time civic voice in the community, his goal was to elevates more voices, shine a light on conversations that are often behind closed doors, and connect Tacoma residents to the civic decisions shaping their city.
Erik Hanberg is the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Government Relations at KNKX Public Radio. He has more than twenty years of leadership experience spanning public media, nonprofit management, and elected office.
Erik Hanberg served more than 12 years as an elected commissioner on the board of Parks Tacoma, a municipality with a $50 million annual budget, including two terms as board president. He has served as executive director of two nonprofits, interim executive director of two more, and on more than a dozen nonprofit boards and committees.
Erik Hanberg is the author of four books for nonprofits. The second edition of his book on board governance, The Little Book of Boards, will be published in June 2026 by Harriman House, an imprint of Macmillan International. He consults with nonprofit boards across the country and speaks regularly at national conferences on fundraising, governance, and leadership.
Erik Hanberg also writes fiction and his books have sold more than 140,000 copies collectively. He lives in Tacoma, Washington with his wife Mary and two children.
Doug Mackey – Co-Founder and Sound Engineer
Doug lends his studio at Moonyard to Channel 253. In addition to his steadfast work with the podcast network, he is in multiple bands and released a concept album/rock opera, “Mary, Me”, in 2024 with Mr. Blackwatch. It’s a 2-CD set with an accompanying narrative piece and a 24-page lyric booklet.
Credits
In addition, each podcast or event takes many people to make happen.
Channel 253
Cover design: Mary Holste
Cover illustration: John Prosser
253 Dial Tones Introduction: Doug Mackey
Move to Tacoma
Host: Marguerite Martin
Theme: Doug Mackey
Sound: Doug Mackey
Cover Art: Mary Holste
Nerd Farmer
Host: Nate Bowling
Theme: Doug Mackey
Sound: Doug Mackey
Cover Art: Tram-ahn Nguyen
Show Notes: Cat Melaunie
Citizen Tacoma
Host: Candice Ruud
Co-host: Doug Mackey
Theme: Doug Mackey
Sound: Doug Mackey
Cover Art: Mary Holste
Producer: Erik Hanberg
Past Host: Jenny Jacobs
Interchangeable White Ladies
Hosts: Hope Teague-Bowling and Annie Jansen
Theme: Doug Mackey
Sound: Doug Mackey
Cover Art: Tram-ahn Nguyen
Flounders B-Team
Hosts: Tim Hamilton, Kevin Zamira, Steve Ketelsen, Cat Peterson
Sound: Steve Ketelsen
Taco-Man
Host: Taco-Man
Theme: Doug Mackey
Sound: Doug Mackey
Cover Art: Sean Alexander
Producer: Erik Hanberg
Crossing Division
Host: Evelyn Lopez
Theme: Doug Mackey
Sound: Doug Mackey
Cover Art: Sean Alexander
Producer: Erik Hanberg
Past Co-hosts: Justin Camarata, Julie Anderson, Dave Jones
We Art Tacoma
Host: Erik Hanberg
Theme: Doug Mackey
Sound: Doug Mackey
Cover Art: Sean Alexander
Past Co-host: Amanda Westbrooke
What Say U?
Hosts: Melannie Denise Cunningham and Audrey Cunningham
Theme: Doug Mackey
Sound: Doug Mackey
Cover Art: Sean Alexander
Kitchen 253
Hosts: Evelyn Lopez
Theme: Doug Mackey
Sound: Doug Mackey
Cover Art: Erik Hanberg
Adult Civics Happy Hour
Producers: Marguerite Martin, Nate Bowling, Hope Teague-Bowling, Lindsey Stevens, Erik Hanberg
Sound: Doug Mackey