Nathan Vass: Author, Bus Driver, and Miles of Stories
- Greg Inglin
- Sep 16
- 2 min read
In this eye-opening episode, join Greg Inglin for an intimate conversation with Nathan Vass—a Seattle urban artist, filmmaker, and one of the city's youngest and most compassionate city bus drivers. From riding the notorious Route 7 through Seattle's most diverse neighborhoods to witnessing firsthand the complex realities of homelessness and mental health struggles that often unfold on the bus, Nathan shares raw stories that reveal the human side of social issues. Curious how he manages to find hope, build community, and navigate danger behind the wheel? Tune in to discover how driving a city bus can open windows into lives we often overlook—and why acknowledging those unseen moments can change how we see our city and each other.
What You Can Expect from This Episode:
- Powerful stories and insights from the frontline of Seattle’s public transit system and the diverse communities along Route 7 from a compassionate bus driver
- A heartfelt exploration of homelessness and mental health awareness through the eyes of an empathetic urban bus driver
- Thought-provoking reflections on social issues, compassion, and the transformative power of paying attention in the ordinary moments of urban life
Guest Resources:
Nathan Vass’ Website: https://www.nathanvass.com
Deciding To See: The View from Nathan’s Bus: https://www.nathanvass.com/book.html
About My Guest: Nathan Vass is a Seattle-based author, filmmaker, photographer, and longtime city bus driver renowned for his empathetic storytelling and observations from behind the wheel of Route 7, one of the city’s most dynamic and challenging lines. Drawing on his experiences with thousands of riders across diverse neighborhoods, Nathan’s acclaimed books "The Lines That Make Us" and "Deciding to See" explore themes of community, respect, grief, and resilience, while his creative work in photography and film further reflects his commitment to illuminating the humanity in everyday urban life.
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Want to skip to the good part? Here’s this episode’s segments:
00:00 The Fascination with Buses
04:09 The Journey to Becoming a Bus Driver
07:17 Driving the Challenging Route 7
10:04 Building Community Connections
13:02 The Importance of Interaction
16:08 The Art of Writing and Remembering
19:03 Navigating Difficult Situations
22:21 The Tragic Story of Sean Yim
28:49 The State of Third Avenue
33:19 Compassion in the Face of Adversity
38:32 The Impact of Fentanyl on the Community
43:52 Understanding the Homeless Experience
50:13 Finding Hope Amidst Challenges
54:28 Creative Pursuits and Future Projects
