Santa Barbara is one of the most sought-after places in the world to live, but it's not all palm trees, red tile roofs and oceans. Santa Barbara is also wracked with housing challenges for most people who don't make at least six figures a year. In this podcast, Rob Fredericks, executive director of the Santa Barbara Housing Authority talks about the major challenges facing the city and how the city and state are way behind in building enough housing for everyone who needs to home. It's not just ...
Jul 25, 2021•49 min
The controversial Santa Barbara City Administrator Paul Casey spills it all as he announces his departure from the city on Sept. 10. Casey, appointed City Manager in 2015 and Community Development Director in 2001, says he is leaving City Hall. Casey led the city during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also faced serious blowback from members of the business and development community for his perceived leadership problems. In this podcast, Casey talks about the highs, lows and the critics, and pulls no...
Jul 19, 2021•53 min
Architect Jeff Shelton recently won approval from the Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission to design a building on the 700 block of State Street. The tequila bar will undoubtedly carry his amazing signature elements. He talks about the Ablitt Tower, the Vera Cruz House, El Jardin, and where he gets his inspiration. "I take on every project like it is my only project and like it's the last project I will ever do," Shelton tells Santa Barbara Talks.
Jul 10, 2021•40 min
Janene Scully is Noozhawk's "wrangler of words," in Santa Barbara's North County. Scully is a true blue, veteran journalist who spins compelling yarns as Noozhawk's north county editor. In this revealing podcast, Scully talks about life as a journalist, the many stories she has covered, photojournalism and her thoughts on the future of the industry. Scully, one of Noozhawk's most prolific reporters, explains what keeps her running at maximum speed nearly three decades into the business. "You got...
Jul 05, 2021•45 min
Michael Montenegro is on a mission to save and preserve Santa Barbara's history. He founded chicanocultureSB on Instagram, which has ballooned into one of the region's most popular IG pages. He has also made several short films documenting the history of Chicanos in Santa Barbara. In this podcast, Montenegro offers a candid portrait of his passion for preserving history, his love for filmmaking and details of his upbringing. Montenegro also talks about Latino representation in Santa Barbara poli...
Jun 28, 2021•58 min
Robin Elander, executive director of Downtown Santa Barbara, has helped revitalize the organization and transformed it into an influential business, political and advocacy organization. In this podcast, Elander talks about the future of State Street, outdoor dining, parklets, and how businesses are responding to the re-opening of the economy. Thanks for watching the 64th episode of Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina
Jun 21, 2021•37 min
In a move that shakes up the Santa Barbara City Council District 4 election, Barrett Reed has announced that he is running for City Council. Reed, a real estate investor, said he plans to be strong on homelessness and revitalize State Street. Reed said he will bring leadership to the City Council. He grew up in Santa Barbara and wants to make the city a great place to live for his kids and family. visit www.santabarbaratalks.com Support these podcasts at www.patreon.com/joshmolina Instagram: Mot...
Jun 14, 2021•37 min
Das Williams grew up poor in Isla Vista, dropped out of high school, lived in his RV for six months while attending Santa Barbara City College, and then met two professors, Dr. Manou Eskandari and Dr. John Kay, who instilled a belief in himself. Williams' SBCC experience helped his transfer to UC Berkeley and eventually UCSB. Williams served seven years on the Santa Barbara City Council, six years in the California State Assembly, and now is in his fifth year as a member of the Santa Barbara Cou...
Jun 07, 2021•45 min
The future of journalism is bright; just ask Jade Martinez-Pogue and Brooke Holland, two of Santa Barbara's rising stars. In this amazing podcast, Holland and Martinez-Pogue talk about their careers so far in the industry, including the challenges, the highs, the lows, and all the work that goes into storytelling. This exclusive podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a journalist in an industry constantly changing. They also talk about what it's like to be young women in ...
May 30, 2021•58 min
Former Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Gordon Auchincloss talks creating a navigation center to help Santa Barbara County's homeless. He's working with a broad array of organizations and individuals to address the chronically homeless population in Santa Barbara County. The goal is to find land that provides housing, support services and care to help solve the countywide problem. Don't miss this podcast where Auchincloss talks creative solutions to Santa Barbara's homeless challeng...
May 23, 2021•55 min
Meagan Harmon is Santa Barbara's rising political star. But beyond the acumen and advocacy, the 34-year-old Lompoc-born millennial is also one of the county's most intriguing personalities. She's a mom of a three-year-old, who balances life as an attorney and a member of the Santa Barbara City Council. In this podcast, she talks about the challenges she faces as a young woman in politics, battling misogyny and ageism. Harmon also opens up about her miscarriage in 2020, and how she has managed to...
May 16, 2021•1 hr
Journalist Josh Molina previews the upcoming episode with newly appointed California Coastal Commission member Meagan Harmon, who is also on the Santa Barbara City Council. Josh also talks about the nexus between journalists, deadlines, and public relations. Hint: Josh hates being asked "what is your deadline" by public relations professionals. Great episode for those who deal the media or consider yourself a media enthusiast. @JECMolina instagram: MotownJosh
May 13, 2021•12 min
Randy Rowse had done it all in Santa Barbara. He served on the City Council for 9 years. At the same time he owned the iconic Paradise Cafe in downtown Santa Barbara. Now, after a brief stint in retirement, Randy Rowse has decided he wants to be the top politician in Santa Barbara. He's running for mayor, taking on incumbent Cathy Murillo. In this podcast, Rowse opens up about State Street, housing, bikes, homeless, councilwoman Meagan Harmon, extra pay for grocery store workers, and the future ...
May 09, 2021•49 min
Graham Farrar opened the first retail cannabis dispensary in Santa Barbara and is now looking to expand with licenses in Isla Vista and Santa Ynez. The founder of Glass House Farms, Farrar recently went public on the Canadian stock exchange. In this podcast, he talks about the controversial cannabis industry, his efforts to educate people about the plant's benefits, and his rise from Santa Barbara Middle School student, to co-founder of software.com, Sonos and now one of the biggest cannabis pla...
May 03, 2021•50 min
Deborah Schwartz is running for mayor of Santa Barbara. The longtime Santa Barbara Planning Commissioner is looking to unseat incumbent Cathy Murillo and knock off two challengers. The daughter of famed environmentalist Naomi Schwartz, Deborah says it's time for a "course correction" in Santa Barbara. In this podcast, she explains what's wrong with Santa Barbara, and her plan to fix it.
Apr 26, 2021•57 min
Journalist Josh Molina talks about the reporting behind the Montecito Riven Rock/Hot Springs trail drama, as reported at Noozhawk.com on Sunday. Molina, the host of Santa Barbara Talks, explains the work that goes into reporting and photography when reporting a complex, but important story about the interface between residential, urban and outdoor recreation. Molina also explains the "warning" he received from the CHP.
Apr 18, 2021•29 min
Zumba dance instructor extraordinaire talks about her rise from classically trained dancer in New York to one of the world's foremost Zumba dance instructors. Santa Barbara's Josette Tkacik opens up about defeating Rheumatoid arthritis through diet and lifestyle changes, being a mother and building a business when all the odds were stacked against her. Tkacik also talks about energy and intuition what she believes is her gift to the world.
Apr 16, 2021•47 min
Less than a week after seeking the endorsement of the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party, Eric Friedman opens up about one of the questions involving his political support of his mother. Friedman also explains why he doesn't always endorse the same people as the Party. "I know the person she is," Friedman says. "I know her whole life, her whole history," Friedman also talks about what equity means to him as an elected official. He also talks about his job at Trader Joes, while also working as...
Apr 05, 2021•52 min
Dr, Mario Garcia, professor of Chicano Studies at UCSB, is a historian who shares his views on the life journalist Ruben Salazar. Salazar was one of the first Mexican-American journalists to work at the Los Angeles Times and cover issues of concern to the Mexican-American community. He also worked as a journalist for Spanish-language TV station KMEX 34. Garcia has studied Salazar and his impact on the Chicano community and activism. Salazar died controversially at the hands of authorities while ...
Mar 21, 2021•1 hr 7 min
Former California State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson talks about her 14 years as a member of the California legislature, including her groundbreaking efforts to equalize pay for women in the workplace and require corporations to place women on boards of directors. Jackson also for the first time publicly endorses James Joyce for Santa Barbara mayor. Listen to Jackson talk about the failures of the Trump administration and her admiration for Vice President Kamala Harris. The former Senator also de...
Mar 08, 2021•1 hr
Mike Eliason is one of the country's foremost photojournalists. His also a former firefighter and now the Santa Barbara County Public Education Officer. Listen to Josh and Mike recalls their days working together covering stories everywhere in Santa Barbara County. Eliason also opens up about photography, his favorite moments, how he got his start and details on how he spends his day in search of the next big shot.
Feb 22, 2021•57 min
Elise Simmons, principal of Santa Barbara High, talks with Josh Molina about COVID-19's impact on the school, on-campus cohorts, and her thoughts on when high school might re-open to in-person learning for everyone. Simmons also shares her story about how she found education and overcame her own obstacles to emerge as one of the Santa Barbara Unified School District's rising stars.
Feb 16, 2021•1 hr 8 min
Gabe Escobedo has emerged as one of Santa Barbara's key political players. He serves on the city's planning commission and was recently selected as one of the 13 members of Santa Barbara Community Formation Commission. Escobedo talks about his upbringing, the challenges and discrimination he faced growing up, and the change he intends to bring to the city. As a 32-year-old, Latino millennial renter, Escobedo offers his view of Santa Barbara, including climate change, housing and the controversia...
Feb 08, 2021•1 hr 9 min
In first video interview, James Joyce III announces bid for Santa Barbara mayor, looking to unseat Cathy Murillo. Joyce would be the first black man to serve as mayor and would unseat the first Latina. Joyce talks about race, why the time is right for him now, what he can bring to Santa Barbara and how he started Coffee With a Black Guy several years ago to facilitate difficult conversations. Check out the first interview with James Joyce III in his bid for Santa Barbarra Mayor
Feb 01, 2021•28 min
Dr. Daraka Larimore-Hall sits down with Josh Molina to discuss the strength of the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party, the 2021 Mayor's race, mayor Cathy Murillo's performance as mayor and the role parties in deciding candidates and elections. Larimore-Hall recently started his own podcast called "Talking Strategy, Making History," which can be found at https://www.patreon.com/tsmh.
Jan 23, 2021•59 min
Santa Barbara City Councilwoman Alejandra Gutierrez talks about the tragic shooting that took the lives of two teenagers on the Eastside on Sunday night. Gutierrez, elected to the City Council in 2019, also shares her story of growing up on the Eastside, deciding to run for office, and the challenges she has faced since her term began. Gutierrez tells all in this one-hour podcast.
Jan 07, 2021•59 min
One of three Mexican-Americans on the Santa Barbara City Council, Westside resident Oscar Gutierrez opens up to SBT about his two-plus years on the Santa Barbara City Council, the challenges he has overcome, and what it's like to work with his colleagues and the administration. Gutierrez also shares details of his rough high school experience, how mentors have helped shaped him, and his efforts to help young people believe in themselves and accomplish their goals. Gutierrez also talks about his ...
Dec 29, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Retired Santa Barbara Police Department Sgt. Mike McGrew talks about his new work with nonprofit 911 At Ease International, a group that provides free and confidential, trauma-informed counseling for first responders. McGrew also opens up about his personal battles, including his struggle with alcohol, overcoming cancer, and losing a child. but finding redemption and purpose when he turned his life over to God.
Dec 25, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Yona Estrada is living his dream. He recently opened YonaRedz, which specializes in birria queso tacos. Yona grew up on Santa Barbara's Westside. In this podcast, Estrada shares his story of growing up poor, in a single-parent household, and turning his mother's recipes into a successful business. He started cooking in a friend's backyard, moved to a rented kitchen, and now opened YonaRedz at 532 State Street. Hear his story in this exclusive podcast with Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina.
Dec 06, 2020•45 min
Das Williams, First District Santa Barbara County Supervisor, opens up to Josh Molina about politics, education and his future. In this podcast, Williams states that he will be supporting Cathy Murillo for Santa Barbara Mayor in 2021; talks about the impact of distance learning on students whose parents can't afford to stay home with their kids, and explains how someday he might want to return to the state legislature. Williams also talks about religion, his faith and how he reconciles his evang...
Nov 29, 2020•43 min
