Fresno's Best

Today, we have Jon Forrest Dohlin on the show. Jon has been the Chief Executive Officer and Zoo Director of Fresno Chaffee Zoo since February 2021. Born and raised in California, Dohlin received a BA in Biology from Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA, and a Masters of Architecture from Parsons School of Design in New York. He worked for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) at the Bronx Zoo as an Exhibit Designer and in Construction Management before becoming the Director of the WCS New York Aquarium in 2008. This was such a fun conversation about one of Fresno's greatest attractions, and Jon seems like the perfect person to be at its helm. Please enjoy!

Books

A Different Nature: The Paradoxical World of Zoos and Their Uncertain Future David Hancocks

Alexander: The Ambiguity of Greatness Guy Maclean Rogers 

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store: A Novel James McBride

Today, we have Mas Masumoto on the podcast. A farmer, writer, and a repository of memories of the valley, Mas is a central voice in the region. I am so excited to have him on the show to talk about farming, memory, writing, agrarian ideas, glyphosate, real estate development, tell intimate family stories, mental illness, pickled peaches, and much more. Please enjoy my conversation with Mas Masumoto.

Masumoto Family Farm Website

Books:

Wendell Berry 

Michael Pollan

Book of Delights: Essays Ross Gay

The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck

In this episode, Joseph Rios makes a return to the podcast to discuss the upcoming book festival on May 4th from 9am-4:30pm at the Fig Garden Swim & Racquet Club. Mark your calendars! 

Today, we have Grace Berg and Andrew Feil of the Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) on the show. Partnering with churches, the ENP seeks to provide a number of critical resources to neighborhoods across Fresno, including school support, health and fitness, training, and much more. Grace and Andrew both bring a wealth of experience to their work and have just launched a new podcast called What's Good in the Neighborhood. Please enjoy our conversation!

ENP Website

Books:

Andrew: 

American Dirt Jeanine Cummins 

The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No that Puts You in Charge of Your Life Vanessa Patrick

Grace: 

She Deserves Better: Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self, and Speaking Up Sheila Wray Gregoire, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, and Joanna Sawatsky 

Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation Kristin Kobes Du Mez 

Today, we have Ariel Davis and Mikaela Silva on the show. Ariel and Mikaela are members of Clovis Community College's Speech and Debate Club and team. Speech and Debate is one of the most intellectually rigorous activities available for students, and, as a former member of a speech debate team both in high school and college, I can't recommend the activity more highly. 

CCC Spech and Debate Club Site

Books: 

The Poppy War: A Novel R.F. Kuang

The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

Today, we have Rev. Simon Biasell on the show today. Simon is the pastor at the Big Red Church and Co-Executive Director of Woven Coalition for Justice. For more than twenty years, Simon has worked to build radical hospitality within faith-based groups and is passionate about connecting and organizing community members to speak truth to power. Simon graduated from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He and his wife live in the Fresno High neighborhood with their two children. Simon is a doctorate student at the University of Dubuque where his research explores how the next generation of churches can best serve their communities.

Big Red Church Website

Books:

Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human Cole Arthur Riley

Today, we have Jarron Young on the show. Jarron was born and raised in fresno California and is the co-owner and operator of Phill's Family Grill. In partnership with older brother Phillip Young, they thrive to excel as entrepreneurs by continuing the legacy of late Father Phillip Young owner and operator of Phills Corner Grill in Clovis They are excited to soon be serving Fresno with their twist on California-style backyard BBQ. We talk about all things BBQ, and I know you will love this conversation!

Phil's Corner Grill

Books:

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World Admiral William H. McRaven 

Today, we have Naomi Marie on the show. Naomi is a Fresno Artist born and educated in Fresno, California. She is involved in everything from Art Hop to Murals to teaching Art to students. Her goal, above all, is to bring more positivity back to Fresno’s Art scene.

Books:

Van Gogh: The Life Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith 

Artist Recommendations: 

https://www.instagram.com/aiww/

https://www.instagram.com/keithharingfoundation/

https://www.instagram.com/end_in_eon/

Today, we have Emily Dewise on the show. Emily is the founder of Emmies Swim School, where she gives swim and aquatic instruction. Coming from a family of aquatic instructors, Emily found her passion early and hopes to teach many kids across Fresno to learn to love swimming. With the days starting to warm up, I thought this would be the perfect conversation as we start to dream about swimming pools, lake fronts, and the beach.

Emmie's Swim School Website

Books:

The Silent Patient Alex Michaelides

All the Devils Are Here Louise Penny 

Today, we have Jeremy Hofer on the show. Jeremy is the Lending Manager for Self Help's Charter School division where he assists mission-oriented developers and nonprofits finance charter schools that lead to deep community impact. Before joining Self-Help in 2018, he directed Access Plus Capital, a CDFI loan fund serving small businesses.  Over the course of ten years he developed and managed the fund helping hundreds of Central Valley entrepreneurs get financed to start and expand their businesses.  Jeremy is a board member of the Central California Land Trust, and serves on several loan committees of community lenders in his hometown of Fresno, CA. In addition, Jeremy is a co-founder of Porchfest, an amazing outdoor music event in Tower that takes place on a number of porches. Jeremy is also a talented musician and regularly plays live music around Fresno. Jeremy has a master’s in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University and an Economic Development Professional certification from the National Development Council.  

Porchfest Website 

Self Help Credit Union 

Reading Recommendation:

Geography Subreddit