Fresno's Best

By Jordan MattoxSociety & Culture

Fresno's Best episodes

April 14, 2021 The Preacher's Hour Podcast Combined Episode
Today, we have a combined episode with Jeff and Brandon who host the show the Preacher’s Hour, a local program that focuses on religion in our modern time and giving clear advice in an increasingly unclear world. I have enjoyed their show and want to champion local podcasts, so you’ll see more partnerships in the future meant to highlight other people doing good work in town.
Links:
Preacher's Hour Podcast
Books Recommended:
How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind by Thomas Oden
Letters to the Church by Francis Chan
The Reason for God by Tim Keller
Support Us:
Our Patreon Page

53 min
March 21, 2021 Sharon Weaver, Executive Director of San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust
Today we have Sharon Weaver on the show. Sharon is the executive director of the San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust, which works to protect the 22-mile stretch of the river between Friant Dam and Highway 99. This was a wonderful conversation about environmental protection, water rights, the politics of development, and much more. Please support our podcast by leaving a rating and review or consider contributing financially at Patreon Page.
Books
The Soil Will Save Us: How Scientists, Farmers and Foodies are Healing the Soil to Save the Planet by Kristin Ohlson
The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan
53 min
March 18, 2021 Jaime Ramirez, FPU Head Coach and Sporting Director of Fuego FC
Today, we have Jaime Ramirez on the show. Jaime has been a fixture in the Fresno community as the coach for Fresno Pacific University and it was announced that Jaime will take over as the Sporting Director for the Central Valley Fuego FC, who will play their first season in 2022. We spend most of this podcast though talking about coaching, motivation, education, talent development, and the future of sports.
Books:
Revolucion: The Philosophy of Football: In Shadows of Marcelo Bielsa by Jed Davies

Our Patreon Page
1 hr 1 min
March 09, 2021 Andrew Fiala, Professor of Ethics at Fresno State
On today's show we have Dr. Andrew Fiala, professor of ethics and philosophy at Fresno State. This was a great conversation; we had a lot to talk about! We talk about ethics, ancient philosophy, war, vegatarianism, the popularity of stoicism and much more. Please enjoy.
Recommended Books
The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker
Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker
About Andrew Fiala
His Website

1 hr 23 min
March 03, 2021 Rachel Dunston, Baker and Custom Cake Maker Extraordinaire
Today, we have Rachel Dunston on the show a custom cake baker in Fresno who has appeared on Food Network. Rachel’s cakes are absolutely stunning, and I encourage you to visit her instagram page linked below to see for yourself.

Rachel's Instagram Page
Rachel's Website
Support Us
Our Patreon Page
32 min
February 27, 2021 Tyler Maxwell, City Council Member from District 4
Today we have on the show Tyler Maxwell, the city council representative from District 4. Tyler recently had success getting a free bus fare program passed and is working on a few different things to improve the lives of Fresnans.
Books
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
The Power Broker by Robert Caro
Support Us!
Our Patreon Page
43 min
February 17, 2021 Lindsay S. Callahan, Director of United Way Fresno and Madera
Today, we have Lindsay Callahan on the show. Lindsay is the director of United Way Fresno and Madera. She has that 10,000 foot view on difficult issues that is so helpful in thinking about the ways for our community to move forward. This was a great conversation!
Books:
Essentialism Greg McKeown
Whistling Vivaldi Claude M. Steele
Support Us:
Our Patreon Page
1 hr 4 min
February 13, 2021 Jim Boren, Former Executive Editor the Fresno Bee and Current Institute Director at Fresno State
Today, we have Jim Boren on the show. Jim is a journalist, longtime editor of the Fresno Bee, and, most recently, the executive director of the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State. This was a great conversation and we really dig into some weighty topics after the perfunctory burrito conversations at the beginnings.
Books
All the President's Men
Boys on the Bus
The Road to Character
Support Us
Our Patreon Page
1 hr
February 07, 2021 Rei Hotoda, Music Director of the Fresno Philharmonic
Today’s episode is probably my favorite episode so far and it is all due to my wonderful guest Rei Hotoda, whose biography and resume are so expansive that it would be hard to do it justice here. Rei is now in her third season as Music Director of the Fresno Philharmonic and guest conducted around the world. An accomplished conductor and pianist, Rei studied at Eastman School of Music in Rochester New York and USC. This is a fantastic and fascinating conversation.
Books
Eglar As I Knew Him
Chopin's Piano
Songs of the Unsung
Support Us
Our Patreon Page
1 hr 4 min
January 28, 2021 Mike Seay, The Fresnan
Today we have on the Mikey Seay from all the famous fresno media outlets including the blog The Fresnan, and the podcasts the Perfect Pour and Flowing with Famous. He’s the Fresno guy. We obviously have a lot to talk about and we actually spend a lot of time talking about food, content that I know people like listening to. We also unveil the new name of Clovis!
Books
Murder in the Garden Scott Morrison
William Saroyan

1 hr 5 min