For 25 years now, Kim Maxwell, a performer herself, has taught Ojai people on how to tell their stories and how to perform them, and how to grow in the process. For the past three years, she and her crew, which includes her daughter Lily, have produced "The Townies" podcast, which includes only-in-Ojai conversations, music, performances, our own "Prairie Home Companion."

Kim, a native of Canada's Prairie Provinces, escaped the bitter cold for the bright lights of Los Angeles in her teens and has only looked back occasionally, just to be sure nothing was gaining on her. We learn about how she crafted her identify, from a lonely, misfit teen to one of the most distinguished acting coaches in Southern California. Along the way, she started Theater 150, was among the founders of the Ojai Playwrights Conference and now owns Kim Maxwell Studio. She is a Living Treasure of Ojai, a winner of the Ojai Chamber of Commerce's Spirit Award and as kind and empathetic a soul as you are likely to meet.

If you want to hear a brilliant and talented person talk about a life well-lived, you have come to the right place.

We did not talk about Wayne Gretzky, rainforests or cargo containers.

Check out kimmaxwellstudio.com