Journalist Josh Molina breaks down the plan between the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce and the city of Santa Barbara over an economic development proposal. The city wants to move forward, but without doing a request for proposals. Councilwoman Meagan Harmon raises some concerns about not doing a competitive process. Also, the democratic party declines to endorse Mike Jordan in his re-election bid on the Santa Barbara City Council. Check it out and find more content at santabarbara...
Jul 24, 2024•22 min
Jett Black-Maertz suspends campaign in District 1 on Santa Barbara's Eastside. Tony Becerra, martial arts sensei challenges Oscar Gutierrez in District 3 on the Westside. Josh Molina explains how these changes shakeup the Santa Barbara City Council contest. Joshua Molina is an award-winning journalist who creates dynamic conversations on the topics of housing, education, transportation, business, culture and much more. Please share this podcast with a friend and please hit subscribe. Visit www.s...
Jul 17, 2024•16 min
Three members of StrongTowns SB join Josh Molina for a special episode of Santa Barbara Talks to discuss the future of State Street! Ian Baucke, Joanna Kaufman and Tristen Miller outline their vision for the State Street Promenade. The group would like to see no cars allowed between the 500 and 1300 blocks and they prefer the "flat and flexible" way. In this podcast, they explain what they actually believe about cars, electric bikes and pedestrians on the promenade. StrongTowns SB has emerged as...
Jul 06, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Architect Ed Lenvik talks the future of Santa Barbara' State Street and the promenade, including his views on cars, bikes, parklets, pedestrians whether to become "curbless." He also discusses retail, the "restaurant mafia," and his views on the the progress of the State Street Advisory Committee, a group he sits on. Lenvik, a member of the Historic Landmarks Commission, pulls no punches in his assessment of the city's progress on State Street over the past three years, while also showing a love...
Jun 28, 2024•58 min
osh Molina and Emily Zacarias talk bullying, smart phones and social media, in this hour-long podcast between two parents. Zacarias is a member of the Goleta Union School District Board of Education and a parent of two children. She is focused on the use of smart phones and social media among young people We also discuss bullying cases in recent months, including two tragic cases. Zacarias shares her views on social media restrictions, smart phone bans and how to prevent bullying. She also talks...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Tom Widroe, executive director of the Santa Barbara Barbara County Taxpayers Association, joins Josh Molina and Santa Barbara Talks to talk the presidential election, Trump, culture wars, Jerry Seinfeld, comedy, Republican politics and other issues. Josh Molina is a journalist who creates dynamic conversation and provides media content on the issues of the day, including housing, transportation, education, business and culture. Visit www.santabarbaratalks.com to make a contribution and please su...
Jun 15, 2024•1 hr 33 min
osh Molina explains what is going with the Montecito Hot Springs controversy and why people are arguing over whether the pools are legal. A viral video sparked the latest wave of attention, as Montecito homeowners and trail hikers collide over parking in the neighborhoods, and alleged dumping of trash, fires, cooking and other behavior. Journalist Josh Molina gets you caught up to speed on the latest happenings, and why everyone is frustrated with Santa Barbara County, the board of supervisors, ...
Jun 05, 2024•24 min
Journalist Josh Molina talks about two California bills designed to help safe journalism. Molina also talks about his idea of teaching journalism as part of the curriculum in elementary schools to promote critical thinking and educate young people about the importance of understanding media literacy. Joshua Molina is a journalist who talks about housing, education, media, politics, business and culture. visit www.santabarbaratalks.com and consider a contribution and also subscribe to his podcast...
May 27, 2024•20 min
Goleta City Councilman Stuart Kasdin announces his plans for re-election and seeking a third term on the Goleta City Council. Kasdin also shares his views on the Goleta Old Town restriping project, housing, potholes on Phelps Road, and the success of Goleta's businesses, including the Camino Real Marketplace. Kasdin also discusses his background and his career teaching political science, most recently at Santa Barbara City College. Joshua Molina is a journalist who creates dynamic conversations ...
May 27, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Wade Cowper and Paula Phan are back to talk about the Waula Festival, this Saturday, May 25 at 5 p.m. Spencer the Gardener. The festival features a musical lineup of The English Beat, Spencer the Gardener, Queentide, Young Santa, and lots wine. All money goes to benefit the Sarah House a home for hospice patients. For tickets visit www.waulafest.com Please subscribe to Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina on YouTube. Please support this podcast series by visiting www.santabarbaratalks.com. Josh ...
May 23, 2024•12 min
anta Barbara's plan to reduce free parking downtown on dozens of city blocks and in city lots and garages crashed and burned at the Santa Barbara City Council. From the first time it was unveiled, the proposal appeared ill-timed and lacking a cohesive public relations message. Journalist Josh Molina breaks it all down in this Top 10 list of reasons why the Santa Barbara proposal fell short. Visit www.santabarbaratalks.com to make a financial contribution to support these podcasts. Please hit sub...
May 17, 2024•30 min
This is the week of May 14 and the city of Santa Barbara is talking budget, including a proposal for a half-cent sales tax on the Nov. ballot to raise $15.6 million, along with a proposal to raise parking fees to generate another $3.1 million, all while facing a lawsuit from Disney and Hulu over a video utility users tax and streaming services. Also this week, Wendy Santamaria appears on an episode of Santa Barbara Talks to discuss her candidacy against incumbent Alejandra Gutierrez. Josh Molina...
May 14, 2024•17 min
Wendy Santamaria is running for Santa Barbara City Council in District 1, which represents Santa Barbara's Eastside. In this conversation with journalist and college instructor Josh Molina, Santamaria outlines her vision for creating more affordable housing, tenant protections and "saving the fabric of Santa Barbara." "Are we really going to put profit over people's livelihood," Santamaria says. She also outlines a multipronged approach for addressing the housing crisis, including creating renta...
May 13, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Joshua Molina breaks down Tuesday night's Santa Barbara Unified School Board meeting and explains how the District should do everything it can to avoid a strike. The tensions between the District and the Santa Barbara Teachers Association is at a high, and the meetings have escalated into tense situations. Check out the latest in this episode of Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina Visit www.santabarbaratalks.com. Subscribe and watch on YouTube.
May 08, 2024•25 min
Journalist Josh Molina talks about the heroic work student journalists are doing at colleges and universities across the country, at this time of protests and counter protests. Molina explains the role of the free press, and why journalists daily face adversarial circumstances to report the news. Santa Barbara Talks is a podcast hosted by journalist and college instructor Joshua Molina. He creates dynamic conversations with people on the topics of housing, education, politics, business, culture ...
May 04, 2024•21 min
Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County President Suzanne Cohen talks with Journalist Josh Molina about the role of the organization in the March 5 election, its growing influence in local politics, and how it is different from the Santa Barbara County Democratic Central Committee. Cohen explains the organization's non-endorsement in the First District Santa Barbara County Supervisor's contest, the role it played in helping Joan Hartmann get re-elected in the Third District, and its involvement...
May 02, 2024•58 min
The city of Santa Barbara wants to install timed parking downtown to save the downtown parking fund from financial collapse. They also want to dramatically overhaul the pay structure in downtown lots and garages, including moving to 15 minutes only free in some surface lots. Josh Molina talks about the proposal and its potential impacts. Please subscribe to this podcast on YouTube and visit www.santabarbarataks.com to make a contribution. Josh Molina discusses issues about housing, education, tr...
Apr 24, 2024•16 min
Dr. Daraka Larimore-Hall, member of the Santa Barbara County Democratic Central Committee returns to Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina to discuss his views on being a new father, the Das Williams' shocking loss in his bid for another term on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, the Democratic Party's endorsement process, whether Roy Lee should have gotten an interview, views on the Santa Barbara County Democratic Women, and why and how he was removed from consideration as a delegate...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 26 min
Journalist Josh Molina talks about the state of journalism with focus on NPR journalist Uri Berliner, and how a lack of viewpoint diversity has damaged the media giant. Josh talks about how he stands up to local electeds and activists who pressure him to influence the news. Josh Molina is a journalist, teacher and multimedia podcaster. Visit www.santabarbaratalks.com to support this podcast. Subscribe on YouTube
Apr 15, 2024•17 min
In this daily edition of Santa Barbara Talks, Josh Molina discusses the need for changes in the endorsement process on the Santa Barbara County Democratic Central Committee. Roy Lee, a Democrat, never got an interview for the First District Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors seat. And that's a problem. Hear the reasons why in this 14-minute podcast. Also listen to learn about the proposed housing site at the Glen Annie Golf Club for between 800 and 1,000 units. Visit www.santabarbaratalks...
Apr 09, 2024•14 min
Jett Black-Maertz outlines her vision for Santa Barbara and explains why she is running for Santa Barbara City Council, in the latest episode of Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina. In this podcast conversation, Maertz talks about: Housing Homelessness Paseo Nuevo State Street Rent Control Her views on incumbent Alejandra Gutierrez's City Council record Santa Barbara's Eastside Reasons why she is running in District 1 Her experience and so much more! Check it out! Maertz is running for City Cou...
Apr 06, 2024•42 min
Steve Lavagnino is the triple crown chair. He is chair of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and SBCERS, and widely regarded as a guy who loves public service. In this week's episode of Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina, Lavagnino discusses: Housing SBCAG Highway 101 Cannabis Pension Reform County Budget Veterans Stand Down Das Loss and so much more! Josh Molina is a journalist, teacher and podcaster. Visit his website at www.san...
Mar 25, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Journalist Josh Molina discusses the Top 10 highlights of his week with a focus on the GOP uprising, the Third District Santa Barbara County Supervisor's seat, the rudeness and confusion at Santa Barbara City Hall over State Street, and much more in this 15-minute podcast Josh Molina is a journalist and community college instructor. Please visit his website at www.santabarbaratalks.com and subscribe to this podcast to learn everything about Santa Barbara County.
Mar 04, 2024•15 min
Cheryl Trosky, Colleen Estrada and Mary Hudson (mother of pop superstar Katy Perry) join Josh Molina in the latest episode of Santa Barbara Talks to talk about their candidacies for the Santa Barbara County Republican Party. The three are part of a slate looking to bring more leadership and transparency to the Republican Central Committee. They have started a website called www.unite2winsb.com. Trosky is running for re-election in District 1. Estrada is running for re-election in District 3. Hud...
Feb 24, 2024•55 min
Former Santa Barbara City Councilman Dale Francisco breaks down the drama over the attempt to seize power on the Republican Central Committee. For the first time, a slate has emerged to unseat current GOP leadership. Francisco explains the power struggle within the GOP. He also talks about Frank Troise, and his unconventional campaign for Third District Santa Barbara County Supervisor. Francisco then discusses First District Supervisor Candidate Roy Lee and why he believes the business owner and...
Feb 19, 2024•43 min
Check out this short podcast where journalist Josh Molina untangles the Santa Barbara City Council meeting on Tuesday and explains how it went off the rails when some council members opted to blame city staff and the media for its "messaging." Molina explains media literacy and the importance of getting information out to the public. The controversy is over an important $32.5 million bridge project that would connect the lower Eastside to the waterfront. Please watch this podcast on YouTube and ...
Feb 14, 2024•12 min
Peter Lewis, Francois DeJohn and Trevor Large join Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina to talk about the proposed Community Benefit Improvement District. The proposed CBID would enhance safety and cleanliness on State Street. The purpose of the proposed Community Benefit Improvement District (CBID) is to ensure the future economic vitality of downtown. This initiative aims to assess property owners within the proposed district to independently fund and direct special benefits to address cleanli...
Feb 13, 2024•29 min
Dr. Eliot Jacobson, professor of mathematics and computer science returns to Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina to talk about the major weather storm currently hitting California. Jacobson explains why it is happening, and why we should expect more extreme weather events. Jacobson also talks about what it means to be an environmental doomer (it's not what you think), and expresses his frustration with some environmentalists who perpetuate a green energy agenda. He says there is no quantifiable...
Feb 07, 2024•53 min
ournalist and college instructor Josh Molina explains why money matters in elections and how the Third District Supervisors contest has perplexed political watchers. Investment Banker Frank Troise has raised little money in his bid to unseat Joan Hartmann. Is it a brilliant political ploy, or a humongous blunder? Molina relies on his 23 years of journalistic experience to explain why raising the most money in elections typically wins you an election. "Don't play the game if you aren't playing to...
Feb 01, 2024•16 min
Journalist Josh Molina shares his views on the housing crisis in Santa Barbara, while sharing about his own upbringing, growing up poor in Goleta and Santa Barbara. Molina talks about how his personal story affects his reporting and storytelling. He also talks about a recent sex trafficking story he wrote and shares details about his new title. Please hit subscribe on YouTube and consider a financial contribution by visiting santabarbaratalks.com. This is podcast is an effort to talk to a wide s...
Jan 19, 2024•18 min
