Kevin Adler is the founder of Miracle Messages , a nonprofit organization that puts feet on the ground to help the homeless reconnect with their family and loved ones - or in some cases just provide a voice to listen to them. In this episode, we'll learn about Kevin's connection to family in Santa Cruz and how a single conversation inspired him to create this volunteer network that's now in its tenth year. We'll also discuss and learn about the unintentional biases that many of us might have ove...
Mar 12, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 15
For some people, avoiding a "normal" day job is motivation enough to follow your passion and take the DIY (do it yourself) route to success. Santa Cruz native Joe Sib was raised in the mountains off Soquel-San Jose Road. A teenage passion for skateboarding led to fronting the punk bands Wax and 22 Jacks and then co-founding the indie label SideOneDummy Records. Missing the rush of being on stage led him to standup comedy, where you'll find him today. And where you can SEE him, locally, on Friday...
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 14
A chat with the multi-hyphented entrepreneur-inventor-teacher AND Santa Cruz NEXTie award-winner Courtney Laschkewitsch Courtney always wanted to carve her own path, and passed on nine colleges to instead create an entrepreneur-based curriculum locally at Cabrillo College, utilizing their Small Business Development Center (SBDC). She’s currently a Product Licensing Coach at InventRight , helping others realize their dream of bringing their own inventions to market. She also hosts the serialinven...
Dec 13, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 13
We focus on a LONG-TIME Santa Cruz business as we chat with John Bargetto, Director of Winemaking for Bargetto Winery , the oldest winery in Santa Cruz County. This episode is a detailed look at the history of wine in California, told by a third-generation winemaker. John talks about his family's history with wine (before and after prohibition) and some of the innovations his father brought to the winery back in the 1960s such as wine tasting and wine clubs. We'll also learn about the 1976 "Judg...
Nov 30, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Everyone has a story, and children's book author Megan Wood is certainly no exception. Megan has always surrounded herself with art and artists - she's a longtime participant in Burning Man. In 2020 she decided to escape the chaos of sheltering in place in the city and help out a friend's secluded farm in the mountains. Her planned two-week stay on the farm lasted 60 weeks. In that time she learned to work the land and care for the animals. Already an experienced and creative childcare provider,...
Oct 19, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 11
October is Depression Awareness Month. In today's episode, we're chatting with Jeremy Lansing , licensed therapist and a representative of the Santa Cruz Health Services Agency . We'll learn about the differences between depression and anxiety, how to recognize the signs of each, and how resources such as simply calling 988 or going to 988lifeline.org are always there at the ready to help. We'll also talk in length about how mental health issues were somewhat stigmatized in the past - and still ...
Oct 05, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Santa Cruz artist Jimbo Phillips was likely destined to do amazing work. (His father, Jim Phillips, created the iconic “screaming hand” skateboarding symbol.) Jimbo’s work has appeared on countless skateboards, stickers and magazines. He’s created amazing poster art for bands including Blink182, Social Distortion and local favorites Good Riddance - who were an early guest on this series. His drawings have also reached beyond the skate world and utilized by companies such as Toyota & Nike, an...
Jul 12, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 9
UCSC alumna Gail Carriger has been a ceramicist, archeologist, professor and is now a noted author of steampunk fiction with over 30 titles to her name. Learn about the common thread running through all her careers and find out what to expect in her new science fiction novel “ Divinity 36 ,” in our latest episode. Links Gail’s official website Gail on Social Media Twitter - Facebook - Instagram See / Buy Gail’s Books...
Jul 04, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 8
We stretch the “831” reach of the podcast for this special episode with Al Jardine, founding member of The Beach Boys. After recapping how Al first met Brian and Carl Wilson in high school, we fast forward to present day and talk about his solo project “ A Postcard From California ” , an upcoming southern California tour, as well as his philanthropic work with organizations including The Surfrider Foundation and the Monterey SPCA “Help Me Rhonda” Courtesy Al Jardine, from “A Postcard from Califo...
Jun 14, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 7
As a sports chiropractor, Aaron Hinde wanted to create a healthy alternative to “energy” drinks that were loaded with sugar and synthetic caffeine. Along with business partner Orion Melehan, they created the LifeAid line of beverages. Learn their story and why they’ve kept LifeAid local and independently owned. Links: LifeAid website Try & Buy LifeAid Products
Jun 07, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 6
June is Pride month, and on the eve of the Santa Cruz Pride Parade and Festival, we chat with Rob Darrow, the Chair of Santa Cruz Pride. Another Santa Cruz lifelong resident, Rob talks about the history of the organization - it began in 1975 - and gives us a preview of the Pride Parade and Festival which runs all weekend and is just the first of several local counties who celebrate Pride Month. To learn more about Santa Cruz pride - including a schedule of events for the Pride Parade and Festiva...
Jun 03, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 5
For 45 years, Gayle’s has been “everyone’s favorite bakery.” This time out on the podcast, we talk with Gayle and Joe Ortiz, who met when Joe was formerly dating Gayle’s neighbor, met her, and “never left”- they’re approaching their 50th wedding anniversary. The bakery started simple, with Gayle learning how to make croissants and eventually opening a small shop at the corner of Capitola and Bay Avenues - they knew it was a great location, as Gayle had spent a lot of time vacationing in Capitola...
May 31, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 4
We talk with Russ Rankin, the founder and songwriter of punk band Good Riddance . Russ is another lifelong Santa Cruz local. In the spirit of the podcast, we focus on Russ’ local roots - where he grew up (everywhere…he moved a lot) and what the local music scene was like when he was growing up and discovering new local bands and local venues. We also delve into how he became a vegan and how politics influences his songwriting. Like many artists, Russ didn’t start out with the idea “I’m going to ...
May 17, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Our crew chats with Jame Durbin, whom locals (and the rest of the world) probably know best as a finalist on season 10 of American Idol. He rose to prominence on the show because he's a rocker with a "heavy" heavy metal influence, and the show was more pop-focussed until James came along and rocked the house. Post-"Idol" (he came in fourth place), the show sponsored a parade in his hometown of Santa Cruz which resulted in the largest public gathering - 30K people - in Santa Cruz history. Fun fac...
May 16, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 2
This short episode is an introduction to your hosts Michael Gaither is a lifelong south county resident. He's a performing songwriter, a DJ with KPIG radio, and a music columnist for the Santa Cruz Sentinel newspaper. He's also hosted podcasts in the past. He's a Gen X'er (technically a boomer, but he's an old punk, so he identifies with Gen X. It also make him feel young. Denial is a strong tool.) Emily Stansill is our on-staff Millennial. She's a Santa Cruz County transplant who moved to the a...
Apr 30, 2023•4 min•Season 1Ep. 1
