Santa Barbara's Gregg Hart is headed for Sacramento, making a much-anticipated voyage into state politics. Hart is running for California State Assembly. One of Santa Barbara's most consummate elected officials, he has served over the course of four decades, from starting in the Santa Barbara City Council, then getting elected to the county board of supervisors. In this podcast, Hart talks housing, COVID-19, his approach to statewide politics, his plans for the legislature if elected and the ove...
Feb 12, 2022•39 min
Retired Santa Barbara Police Department Det. Roger Aceves talks an array of issues in the latest episode of Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina. Aceves, who has spent 16 years on the Goleta City Council, talks 20 years of Goleta cityhood and how Goleta has changed the past 20 years. He shares his views on housing, parks, commercial and retail development and the relationship between the city of Santa Barbara and Goleta. Aceves also jumps in on Santa Barbara's Civilian Review System and shares h...
Feb 05, 2022•43 min
UCSB's Acting Athletic Director Kelly Barsky shares her story of athletics, empowerment and leadership in this special edition of Santa Barbara Talks. Barsky shares her coaching and playing philosophy and her own stories as a star high school and college athlete. At UCSB, Barsky says she is focused on the success of the students in all aspects. "My mission is how do we serve our student athletes to the best of our ability, how do we support the co-curricular experience, their academic experience...
Jan 31, 2022•38 min
Susan Salcido is Santa Barbara County's top education official, the superintendent of Santa Barbara County Schools. With a stellar reputation for communication and working well with others, she leads a countywide effort to make sure the 20 school districts in the county are running smoothly. That's never been easy, but her job is even more important in the age of the pandemic. In this exclusive podcast, Salcido walks us through the role of the Santa Barbara County Education office and its import...
Jan 22, 2022•43 min
Austin Herlihy, executive vice president of Radius Commercial Real Estate, talks the sale of the Hotel Indigo and boom in the hotel industry in Santa Barbara and State Street. Herlihy talks about the attraction of the Funk Zone and how it is luring hotel investors and owners to help revitalize State Street. He also talks about the state of retail on State Street, commercial vacancies, and the challenges that homelessness creates in the city. And then he shares his story of growing up, coming to ...
Jan 15, 2022•35 min
Santa Barbara City Councilman Oscar Gutierrez talks the NEW City Council that will be sworn in Tuesday, Jan. 11, and gives his thoughts on former Cathy Murillo and the ways she influenced him. Gutierrez offers a view of his platform, including his efforts to help businesses in his District, including the 400 block of State Street, which recently saw the closure of J.J.s Diner. Gutierrez also shares his personal story, growing up on Santa Barbara's Westside, the son of immigrant parents who worke...
Jan 08, 2022•52 min
Noozhawk owner, founder and publisher Bill Macfadyen sits down with Josh Molina for the first SBT podcast of 2022 to dive deep about Noozhawk and the local media landscape. Macfadyen talks about whether Noozhawk is liberal, conservative, or something else. He explains the inner-workings of Noozhawk and pulls back the curtain on how the company gathers news. He also talks about his popular and sometimes controversial column. The two also relive some old days working at the daily paper. Toward the...
Jan 03, 2022•52 min
Retired UCSB sociology professor Dick Flacks dives into the debate over Santa Barbara's proposal to create a 2 percent cap on rent increases. Flacks offers counterpoints to residential property owners who say that maximizing rent increases would hurt tenants because they would not be able to make repairs or conduct regular maintenance. Flacks makes a case for tenants and talks about ways to increase affordable housing. He says that the city should consider building on parking lots, working with ...
Dec 19, 2021•1 hr
Santa Barbara Police Chief Barney Melekian is one of the most respected people in law enforcement throughout the nation. He is currently serving as interim police chief, at a time of major transition and turmoil at City Hall. Melekian opens up about his thoughts on the Community Formation Commission and the eventual Civil Review System. Many members of the community pushed for a civilian review board after the murder of George Floyd. He also talks about implicit bias training, diversity of the p...
Dec 11, 2021•45 min
Economist Dr. Lanny Ebenstein explains all of the maps behind the new district maps for Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, California State Assembly and the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Ebenstein eloquently breaks down the pros and cons of each scenario and how it will impact voters. Essentially, 2nd District Santa Barbara County District Supervisor Gregg Hart may be in the rare situation where he is calling his own shots and will find success whether he seeks re-election in th...
Dec 04, 2021•56 min
One year ago Virginia Alvarez was elected to the Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Education. In this podcast she talks about the past year, including the recent controversial teachers survey that suggested low morale among teachers and counselors, and a lack of confidence in superintendent Hilda Maldonado. Alvarez lets loose with her opinions on the turnover among district officials and administrators, and the concerns teachers feel about being overworked and not listened to during...
Nov 22, 2021•53 min
Jonathan Abboud, Santa Barbara City College Trustee, and General Manager of the Isla Vista Community Services District, talks with Josh Molina about his Assembly run next year. Abboud, 29, is known for his creative ideas, work ethic and political ambition. Now he's looking to win a newly configured assembly seat. Listen to Jonathan talk about affordable housing, the state of Isla Vista, equity at Santa Barbara City College, and regionalism. He also toward the end of the podcast shares his "fun f...
Nov 21, 2021•56 min
In this video, Giana Magnoli pulls back the curtain on Noozhawk.com and how the organization gathers news. Among some of the highlights: 1:26: The role Noozhawk plays in the local media landscape 3:32: Why Giana chose Noozhawk over other options 5:05: Giana talks original team, Lara Cooper, Noozhawk's beginnings on Gutierrez Street 6:30: Early feelings on working for just-launched startup 9:05: Josh talks working at the San Jose Mercury News and living at the Extended Stay for 6 months 9:40: Gia...
Nov 15, 2021•56 min
James Joyce III nearly shocked the world on Election Night in Santa Barbara when he placed second, winning 7,125 votes in his bid for mayor. He finished in second, far ahead of incumbent mayor Cathy Murillo. While Joyce did not win the top spot, he showed that there was a lot of buzz and excitement around his campaign. Joyce was outspent heavily by his opponent, yet only finished 3,000 votes behind the top vote-getter Randy Rowse. In this podcast, Joyce talks about his campaign, the strategy, wh...
Nov 07, 2021•53 min
Former Mayor Sheila Lodge has endorsed Randy Rowse in the 2021 Santa Barbara mayoral race, in somewhat of a political shocker. Lodge has thrown her credibility behind Kristen Sneddon in her re-election campaign. Lodge also talks about why she is not a fan of councilwoman Meagan Harmon, whom she calls "calculating." Lodge also pivots from politics to talk about local issues and her book, Santa Barbara: An Uncommonplace American Town. At 91 years old, Lodge is still going strong and one of the mos...
Oct 31, 2021•58 min
Goleta City Councilman James Kyriaco unleashes his wealth of knowledge on the Santa Barbara mayoral and city council election and the city of Goleta in this blockbuster 2-hour podcast! Kyriaco, a former political consultant breaks down the state of play in the mayoral election and warns people not to count out incumbent mayor Cathy Murillo, Kyriaco talks about the challenges Murillo faces as candidate of color. Kyriaco also talks about Meagan Harmon's rise to power, and Kristen Sneddon, whom he ...
Oct 24, 2021•2 hr 9 min
Santa Barbara County Chairperson Darcel Elliott talks about the mystery and intrigue surrounding the upcoming Santa Barbara Mayoral contest. There's some concern among Democrats that Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murillo won't win a second term because she faces spoiler candidates in Democrat James Joyce and Deborah Schwartz while going up against a right-leaning moderate in Randy Rowse. Elliott walks us through the various scenarios that could play out on election Day. She also talks about City Cou...
Oct 17, 2021•43 min
Please take a moment to visit Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina on You Tube and subscribe to see the video versions of the podcast. Dr. Daraka Larimore-Hall joins Josh Molina for nearly one-hour of political talk regarding the Santa Barbara Mayor's race and two City Council contests. Larimore-Hall defends Cathy Murillo's record and raises concerns and questions about those who are supporting the other Democrats in the race, James Joyce and Deborah Schwartz. Murillo has been endorsed by the Sa...
Oct 09, 2021•56 min
Kristen Sneddon talks with Josh Molina in this powerhouse podcast leading up to the Nov. 2 election. Sneddon is looking to win a second term and is taking on Barrett Reed, who is well-funded by developers. Sneddon charges in the podcast that a Reed contributor skirted campaign contribution rules by giving money under multiple LLCs to Reed. Sneddon also discusses her votes on the Project Labor Agreement, the Mission Canyon Bridge and other policy positions. Sneddon sums up her views on working wi...
Oct 04, 2021•51 min
New Santa Barbara Assistant City Administrator Rene Eyerly talks with Josh Molina about all things City of Santa Barbara. Eyerly joined the city in 2017 from the city of San Jose and has been one of the city' s environmental leaders since. She's led efforts regarding recycling, sustainability and reducing climate change. Recently, she helped move 58 people from encampments in wildland areas into the Rose Garden Inn, as part of the city's efforts to help the homeless and reduce fire risks. Eyerly...
Sep 26, 2021•51 min
The Whip SB looks to create conversation around politics and community. Alexis Tande joins Josh Molina in this exclusive podcast to talk about the technology venture. Tande hopes to create a forum for individuals to talk freely and openly about the issues they face in the community, and interact with elected officials. Currently the forum exists on Instagram Live, through a series of interviews that Tande hosts, and interactive questions. Soon, The Whip SB will release an app. PLEASE SUBSCRIBE T...
Sep 20, 2021•52 min
Please subscribe to my You Tube Channel Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina. Also visit www.santabarbaratalks.com and consider a donation to help grow this video series. She's one of Santa Barbara's original television stars. Paula Lopez, former anchor with KEYT and KCAL 9 talks about her career in broadcast journalism, including her very public exit, and her road to recovery from alcohol addiction. Lopez opens up about her recovery, as a way to help and inspire others. In addition, she talks a...
Sep 12, 2021•50 min
Join Josh Molina and Jerry Roberts in a Santa Barbara City Council District 4 debate between Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon and challenger Barrett Reed. The two battle over a variety of issues, including equity, homelessness, Paseo Nuevo and much more. Reed also challenges Sneddon on several points and the issue of Rob Dayton's leave of absence also erupts. This is a high-energy debate that will give readers a clear sense of where the candidates stand on the issues.
Sep 10, 2021•1 hr
Santa Barbara downtown property owner Richard Berti talks candidly on his views on homelessness and the lack of city leadership to address the issue over the long-term. Berti also shares details of his personal life story and how he became one of Santa Barbara's most prominent downtown property owners.
Sep 06, 2021•56 min
Join Josh Molina and Jerry Roberts to talk to the candidates for District 6 Santa Barbara City Council. We talk to the candidates about homelessness, State Street, economic development, Paseo Nuevo Mall, equity and leadership. www.santabarbaratalks.com
Sep 03, 2021•56 min
All six candidates for Santa Barbara Mayor talk with journalists Josh Molina and Jerry Roberts. Watch Mayor Cathy Murillo and candidates Randy Rowse, Deborah Schwartz, James Joyce, Mark Whitehurst and Matt Kilrain talk about this issues of the day in this exclusive podcast with Santa Barbara Talks and Newsmakers with Jerry Roberts. Forum also available on You Tube.
Aug 30, 2021•1 hr 18 min
Longtime Santa Barbara City Hall employee Nina Johnson is running for the Santa Barbara City Council in District 6. Johnson has spent nearly 25 years in the City Administrator's office. It's the only job she has ever had professionally. Now, she is looking to jump from her office to a spot on the Santa Barbara City Council. She's connected s with businesses, architects, the arts and tech community. "“Many people want to see a new style of doing things, so they appreciate what I bring," Johnson s...
Aug 23, 2021•33 min
Sportswriter Mark Patton talks with Josh Molina about his wonderful, decades-long career, telling the stories of Santa Barbara's athletes. Patton shares stories about covering basketball star Brian Shaw, discusses his favorite athletes and opens up about his writing style. Patton talks about his high school and college sports experiences, learning journalism under Ray Canton at The Channels, working as a crime reporter for the Santa Maria Times, and then landing his dream job at his local newspa...
Aug 15, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Developer Ed St. George says he wants 1,000 units of housing at Paseo Nuevo, in this wide-ranging podcast. St. George also talks about Rob Dayton, Meagan Harmon, Paul Casey, politics, 711 N. Milpas Street, Solvang and responds to his critics.
Aug 09, 2021•47 min
For years, everywhere a person turned at a city or county government event or affair, there was Lee Moldaver. Quiet and unassuming but with laserlike observation skills, Moldaver could recite Santa Barbara history, chapter and verse, like Billy Graham could preach on the Bible. Endowed with wit, humor and a phenomenal memory, he would quote Greek philosophers and slip in historical war references into everyday conversation. The loss of Moldaver marks an end to another chapter in Santa Barbara's ...
Aug 02, 2021•29 min
