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 over the homeless issue, hear some of the success stories in his new book, “When We Walk By”, and we'll find out about some of the opportunities to volunteer and assist with Miracle Messages. 

Want to be a volunteer with Miracle Messages or just learn more about this organization? Visit them at miraclemessage.org. You can also just pick up the phone and call them at 1-800-MISS-YOU.

You can also pick up a copy of Kevin's new book that documents the work he and his organization have done, at www.whenwewalkby.com.

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, February 9th, when he rolls through town for an evening at Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz. 

For tickets to Joe Sib’s stand-up comedy at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on February 9, 2024 - CLICK HERE

For more on Joe Sib, including tour dates - CLICK HERE

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 serialinventingpodcast.

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 "Judgement of Paris" - when a blind taste test favored California over competing French wines and changed the reputation and trajectory of California wines forever.

Links:

Shop Bargetto Wines

Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | X

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, she then combined those two passions into what's become her Farm Day Adventures series of books.

Megan is passionate about engaging children in activities that stimulate their curiosity and sense of wonder.

Her unique experiences working on a farm are captured with humor and courage through her stories. You'll learn about her in this episode.

She even reads to us from her book Cash, The Clever Canine! (click the link to buy on Amazon)

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 in the present, for some communities - and the positive steps that therapists, families and friends have taken over the decades to help people become aware and deal with these issues.

We also talked about a tool anyone can use to determine if they might suffer from Depression. You can check that out HERE.

If you, or anyone you know, suffers from depression or another mental health condition, please refer to these helpful resources:

Santa Cruz Health Services Behavioral Health Website

Santa Cruz County Mental Health Pocket Guide

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Santa Cruz County

 American Behavioral Clinics Depression Awareness Month

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, and have even appeared in Tony Hawk’s “American Wasteland” video game for the Xbox and Playstation2

A fascinating - and fun - discussion with a true local artist. We dive into Jimbo’s influences, his future plans, and worthy tangent on what AI might possibly mean to the future of art - and artists.

Jimbo Phillips: Web - Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Shop Jimbo’s Store

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

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 California (Universal Music)

Al Jardine’s Official website

Al Jardine on Social Media

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

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