In the first part of our four part series called The Heat Beat, Beth Thornton reports on how communities can prepare for heat waves and save lives. Filmmaker Sky Bergman speaks about her latest film- Mochitsuki, which explores the ancient tradition of preparing Mochi to celebrate the Japanese New Year. The authors of ‘Your Brain on Art’ talk about their research and book with UCSB student reporter Brandon Yee. Violinist Brynn Albanese brings live music to hospital patients across the Central Coast as a Certified Music Practitioner.

On this week’s show, you’ll learn about a recent workshop on recycling textiles. Organizer Dave Cross of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce speaks with KCBX’s Beth Thornton. On this month’s episode of Working Lunch, host Jim Dantona speaks with Janette Garrett and Jeff Szytel of Water Systems Consulting about providing solutions for sustainable water use. KCBX’s Brian Reynolds chats with author Dr. Doug Garland about his book and podcast “The Tall Poppy Syndrome”. A local youth sports team is opening the door for LGBTQ+ youth in athletics, and they are doing it on wheels.

An annual art-exhibit that highlights the talent of Cuesta College’s students is teaching them how to market and exhibit their art. A short film that follows a local musician who turned the sounds of a wine harvest into music is here at the SLO International Film Festival. Author Kathy Mastako talks with KCBX's Brian Reynolds about her book on the Point San Luis Lighthouse. Tom Wilmer speaks with Shizue Seigle about a new local history exhibit. The Playing With Food team looks into the world of honey production.

A large housing development proposed for Nipomo comes before County Supervisors for a vote. Cookbook author Brigit Binns invited the Playing With Food team into her kitchen to cook, chat, and eat. Longtime SLO city employee Terry Sanville speaks about his days with traffic management and his new novel 'The Misplaced'. Baile Folklorico classes and performances provide connection to Mexican culture for families in Salinas.

Digital Democracy is the result of a collaboration between Cal Poly and CalMatters that aims to give every Californian access to information about what our lawmakers in Sacramento are doing. Al Stewart is appearing at the Cuesta CPAC with his band Empty Pockets on Saturday April 20th. He talks with KCBX's Sal Espana about history, wine, and songwriting in this interview from the KCBX archives. On Peace Love & Pets, host Robin Coleman speaks with Kristin Howland of Pacific Wildlife Care about their rehabilitation programs.

A high school activist in Santa Maria is making waves fighting for farmworkers' rights. Cesar Vasques speaks with KCBX’s Gabriela Fernandez. The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival begins on April 25th, and Correspondent Tom Wilmer chats with the Festival’s executive Director Skye McLennan. On Working Lunch, host Jim Dantona will be talking with Ken Trigueiro, CEO & President with People's Self-Help Housing.

As part of a senior project, a team of Cal Poly engineering students is working to build a new prosthetic for a fellow student. The Playing With Food team takes a look at backyard chickens. Cal Poly Arts Director Molly Clark talks about her mission to provide compelling performances that resonate with students and the community. From an episode of Agenda Breakdown from the KCBX Archive, we discuss the reasons behind the use of roundabouts on the Central Coast.

We start with a series on PTSD and homelessness from KCBX reporter Amanda Wernick. KCBX’s Kim Foster speaks with NPR's Nathan Rott about California’s changing environment. Sarah Aguilar, Director of Santa Barbara County Animal Services joins host Robin Coleman on Peace, Love & Pets.

New research has found that sea otters on the Central Coast are having a stabilizing effect on the ecosystem. On the Nonprofit Story, we'll take a look at SLO Village, which provides a community for people who are choosing to age in their own homes. On Working Lunch, we’ll hear from CEO Jennifer Adams of Lumina Alliance. Their work supports and empowers local survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. A new effort is underway to save some of the oldest and largest living things on the planet- Giant Sequoia trees- in a way that is cause for debate.

As ‘kitten season’ approaches, Peace Love & Pets host Robin Coleman focuses on volunteer kitten fostering and adoptions. Her guest is Damon Watkins of the Cal Poly Cat Program. The Nonprofit Story’s host Dr. Consuelo Meux chats with Jackie Kinsey, Outreach Coordinator for the SLO Library, and Karen Perry, Board President of Friends of the SLO Library. Their 45th annual book sale is upcoming. The Playing With Food Team met up with two Central Coast pasta makers: one commercial, and one in-house restaurant. They made some delicious discoveries!