Leah Sottile
@leahsottile.bsky.social
Independent journalist. Books: Blazing Eye Sees All, When The Moon Turns To Blood. Podcasts: Hush, Burn Wild, Two Minutes Past Nine, Bundyville. High Country News correspondent. Subscribe to Substack. www.leahsottile.com
Pinned
Leah Sottile
@leahsottile.bsky.social
· Mar 25
Blazing Eye Sees All: Love Has Won, False Prophets, and the Fever Dream of the American New Age
Love Has Won, False Prophets, and the Fever Dream of the American New Age
bookshop.org
Out today: Blazing Eye Sees All, my investigation into the wide spiritual world of the New Age. It is an unintentional story of extremism, feminism, climate change, deception, power, myth and the very nature of believing. I hope you read it.
bookshop.org/p/books/blaz...
bookshop.org/p/books/blaz...
Reposted by Leah Sottile
Many of you know the work @leahsottile.bsky.social and @ryanjhaas.bsky.social do here in the Northwest, but ahead of the launch of our first reported story next week, we wanted to share a recap of some of our past work. You may be new to us or you may have missed some; either way, let's catch up.
We Like to Dig.
Where we've been, and where we're going.
www.thewesternedge.media
February 12, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Many of you know the work @leahsottile.bsky.social and @ryanjhaas.bsky.social do here in the Northwest, but ahead of the launch of our first reported story next week, we wanted to share a recap of some of our past work. You may be new to us or you may have missed some; either way, let's catch up.
Reposted by Leah Sottile
Worth a read from @leahsottile.bsky.social, who frames journalism pay/industry issues well (and who Spokanites have to thank for helping launch Volume Music Festival). ⬇️
When OPB both cancelled Hush and fired me in an email, I had to think hard about why I ever worked for an outlet who couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter.
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
Why I Won't Quit
"Why had I compromised my independence for an organization that couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter?"
open.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Worth a read from @leahsottile.bsky.social, who frames journalism pay/industry issues well (and who Spokanites have to thank for helping launch Volume Music Festival). ⬇️
Volume was my pride and joy!
February 12, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Volume was my pride and joy!
Extremely Oregon hot take: Gov Cup in Salem, Oregon plays the best music of any coffee shop in the state.
February 12, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Extremely Oregon hot take: Gov Cup in Salem, Oregon plays the best music of any coffee shop in the state.
Reposted by Leah Sottile
Reposted by Leah Sottile
When OPB both cancelled Hush and fired me in an email, I had to think hard about why I ever worked for an outlet who couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter.
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
Why I Won't Quit
"Why had I compromised my independence for an organization that couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter?"
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:19 PM
When OPB both cancelled Hush and fired me in an email, I had to think hard about why I ever worked for an outlet who couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter.
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
Reposted by Leah Sottile
OPB has been the gold standard of journalism in this state for so many years, it's incredibly disheartening to hear what's been happening behind the scenes, especially from someone whose work I respect enormously!
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:04 PM
OPB has been the gold standard of journalism in this state for so many years, it's incredibly disheartening to hear what's been happening behind the scenes, especially from someone whose work I respect enormously!
Reposted by Leah Sottile
Leah has been doing some real shit for a while. It's worth reading anything and everything she puts out.
When OPB both cancelled Hush and fired me in an email, I had to think hard about why I ever worked for an outlet who couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter.
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
Why I Won't Quit
"Why had I compromised my independence for an organization that couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter?"
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Leah has been doing some real shit for a while. It's worth reading anything and everything she puts out.
Reposted by Leah Sottile
Want journalism about the northwest that doesn't helicopter in, err on basic facts, and condescend to us? Subscribe to @thewesternedge.bsky.social This excerpt from @leahsottile.bsky.social on why it's necessary 🔥
February 10, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Want journalism about the northwest that doesn't helicopter in, err on basic facts, and condescend to us? Subscribe to @thewesternedge.bsky.social This excerpt from @leahsottile.bsky.social on why it's necessary 🔥
Reposted by Leah Sottile
Everyone go subscribe to The Western Edge. Leah and Ryan have consistently done some of the most important and interesting journalism in the Western US.
When OPB both cancelled Hush and fired me in an email, I had to think hard about why I ever worked for an outlet who couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter.
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
Why I Won't Quit
"Why had I compromised my independence for an organization that couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter?"
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Everyone go subscribe to The Western Edge. Leah and Ryan have consistently done some of the most important and interesting journalism in the Western US.
Reposted by Leah Sottile
We continue our essay series on why The Western Edge exists. @leahsottile.bsky.social writes with heart about why she keeps reporting, even when the job -- and the boardroom jockeys -- will never understand her work.
Why I Won't Quit
"Why had I compromised my independence for an organization that couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter?"
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:23 PM
We continue our essay series on why The Western Edge exists. @leahsottile.bsky.social writes with heart about why she keeps reporting, even when the job -- and the boardroom jockeys -- will never understand her work.
When OPB both cancelled Hush and fired me in an email, I had to think hard about why I ever worked for an outlet who couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter.
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
Why I Won't Quit
"Why had I compromised my independence for an organization that couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter?"
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:19 PM
When OPB both cancelled Hush and fired me in an email, I had to think hard about why I ever worked for an outlet who couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter.
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
Reposted by Leah Sottile
If you want to understand how far-reaching the corporate rot in media is, read this gutting piece about the fall of Oregon Public Broadcasting.
(And follow @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and @leahsottile.bsky.social’s new publication @thewesternedge.bsky.social which will be amazing bc they’re amazing)
(And follow @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and @leahsottile.bsky.social’s new publication @thewesternedge.bsky.social which will be amazing bc they’re amazing)
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:58 AM
If you want to understand how far-reaching the corporate rot in media is, read this gutting piece about the fall of Oregon Public Broadcasting.
(And follow @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and @leahsottile.bsky.social’s new publication @thewesternedge.bsky.social which will be amazing bc they’re amazing)
(And follow @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and @leahsottile.bsky.social’s new publication @thewesternedge.bsky.social which will be amazing bc they’re amazing)
Thank you. YOU are amazing.
February 10, 2026 at 5:21 AM
Thank you. YOU are amazing.
Reposted by Leah Sottile
Been a huge Ryan fan for north of a decade now. This is a real bummer and a real loss for OPB. It's also just a really good look at the struggle of local journalism.
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Been a huge Ryan fan for north of a decade now. This is a real bummer and a real loss for OPB. It's also just a really good look at the struggle of local journalism.
Reposted by Leah Sottile
"The OPB on your coffee mug, or on your window sticker, might not be the exact place you think it is."
This week, we're telling you why we started the @thewesternedge.bsky.social. Today read @ryanjhaas.bsky.social's devastating essay about local media:
www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
This week, we're telling you why we started the @thewesternedge.bsky.social. Today read @ryanjhaas.bsky.social's devastating essay about local media:
www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
www.thewesternedge.media
February 9, 2026 at 4:56 PM
"The OPB on your coffee mug, or on your window sticker, might not be the exact place you think it is."
This week, we're telling you why we started the @thewesternedge.bsky.social. Today read @ryanjhaas.bsky.social's devastating essay about local media:
www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
This week, we're telling you why we started the @thewesternedge.bsky.social. Today read @ryanjhaas.bsky.social's devastating essay about local media:
www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
I'm so proud to see that BLAZING EYE SEES ALL has been nominated for the Oregon Book Award in nonfiction! As a Frances Fuller Victor superfan, and a fan of all the other nominees, this is v. cool.
literary-arts.org/2026/02/anno...
literary-arts.org/2026/02/anno...
Announcing the 2026 Oregon Book Awards Finalists
Thirty-five titles from Oregonians across seven genre categories were chosen as finalists by panels of out-of-state judges, from a total of 200 submitted titles.
literary-arts.org
February 9, 2026 at 6:48 PM
I'm so proud to see that BLAZING EYE SEES ALL has been nominated for the Oregon Book Award in nonfiction! As a Frances Fuller Victor superfan, and a fan of all the other nominees, this is v. cool.
literary-arts.org/2026/02/anno...
literary-arts.org/2026/02/anno...
Reposted by Leah Sottile
Oregon Public Broadcasting is one of the crown jewels of public media in the US. This is a shot across its bow.
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Oregon Public Broadcasting is one of the crown jewels of public media in the US. This is a shot across its bow.
Reposted by Leah Sottile
It’s been hard to get off my chest to my Canadian colleagues something that’s been in my mind over the past year in America, but @ryanjhaas.bsky.social recent essay on the current state of OPB nicely captures that. www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
www.thewesternedge.media
February 9, 2026 at 6:15 PM
It’s been hard to get off my chest to my Canadian colleagues something that’s been in my mind over the past year in America, but @ryanjhaas.bsky.social recent essay on the current state of OPB nicely captures that. www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
Reposted by Leah Sottile
Fascinating, must-read look at the state of media in Oregon from the inside. Also, give Ryan a follow if you care about the news in Oregon and the PNW
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Fascinating, must-read look at the state of media in Oregon from the inside. Also, give Ryan a follow if you care about the news in Oregon and the PNW
Reposted by Leah Sottile
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:58 PM
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
Reposted by Leah Sottile
We've never met, but I have a lot of respect for @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and @leahsottile.bsky.social who do excellent journalism in Oregon. The fact that they stood up their own publication makes me excited to see what they do!
www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
www.thewesternedge.media
February 9, 2026 at 4:53 PM
We've never met, but I have a lot of respect for @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and @leahsottile.bsky.social who do excellent journalism in Oregon. The fact that they stood up their own publication makes me excited to see what they do!
www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
"The OPB on your coffee mug, or on your window sticker, might not be the exact place you think it is."
This week, we're telling you why we started the @thewesternedge.bsky.social. Today read @ryanjhaas.bsky.social's devastating essay about local media:
www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
This week, we're telling you why we started the @thewesternedge.bsky.social. Today read @ryanjhaas.bsky.social's devastating essay about local media:
www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
www.thewesternedge.media
February 9, 2026 at 4:56 PM
"The OPB on your coffee mug, or on your window sticker, might not be the exact place you think it is."
This week, we're telling you why we started the @thewesternedge.bsky.social. Today read @ryanjhaas.bsky.social's devastating essay about local media:
www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
This week, we're telling you why we started the @thewesternedge.bsky.social. Today read @ryanjhaas.bsky.social's devastating essay about local media:
www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...
Reposted by Leah Sottile
Here's a project to watch from Leah Sottile and Ryan Haas
We are 100% subscriber supported, so please consider joining us.
Journalism should be sustainable for the people doing the reporting and editing. That's why we want a direct relationship with you, our readers. Please consider signing up so we can keep reporting on what matters to our region.
Journalism should be sustainable for the people doing the reporting and editing. That's why we want a direct relationship with you, our readers. Please consider signing up so we can keep reporting on what matters to our region.
The Western Edge | Substack
Journalism that cuts through. Click to read The Western Edge, a Substack publication. Launched 6 days ago.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Here's a project to watch from Leah Sottile and Ryan Haas