Facilitating Change podcast

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

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Every day, over 1,000 staff members who are part of UW Facilities work hard to keep campus running. Facilitating Change is a podcast where Facilities staff shares their stories and what drives them in their dedication to serving the University. Brought to you by the Facilities Action for Inclusion and Respect (FAIR) Coalition, the podcast allows you to meet the change makers driving excellence behind the scenes, whether it’s maintaining campus operations, keeping spaces clean, managing massive capital projects or leading sustainable initiatives.

New episodes will be available starting March 10 and continuing the second Tuesday of each month.

Episodes

March 10 – From Classrooms to Clean Spaces: Thomas Bain on Service, Simplicity and Self-Discovery

Thomas Bain, a custodian with the Building Services Department, shares his journey from being an elementary assistant teacher for 17 years to his current role at UW Facilities. He discusses the perks and challenges of his new job, his involvement in the Stepping Stones program for personal growth and his love for travel and music. Thomas also reflects on how his extensive teaching background influences his current work, the importance of building and maintaining relationships, and his life philosophy that “you get out of life what you put into it.” Listeners also get a glimpse into his childhood memories, family dynamics and favorite experiences while traveling.

Find the March 10 episode on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and Pocket Casts.

Upcoming episodes

April 14 – Mapping Mars to Mastering Data: Jonathan Pruitt’s Journey to UW Facilities
May 12 – 24 Years of Legacy: From Guam to UW, Vina Lorenzo’s Journey of Impact and Innovation
June 9 – Rooted in Reality: Ian Wyborsky on Labor, Learning and Living with Intention
July 14 – Staying in the Paint: Emily Adams’ Bold Stand for Sustainable Impact at UW
August 11 – Faith, Leadership and 30 Years of Service: Roman Ariri’s Journey at UW Facilities
September 8 – Big Brain Energy: Ryan Balkcom on Botany, Beats and Bold Adventures
October 13 – The Power of Showing Up: 30 Years of Dedication and Doing the Work with Jodi van Matri