When a mystical optimist and a self-proclaimed cynic start a podcast, sparks fly—and sometimes combust. In this lively, revealing conversation, Ojai-based artists Daren Thomas Magee (the Instagram juggernaut Real Fun, Wow) and musician Jaymee Carpenter (Love Is the Author) open up about the origin story of their podcast Mystical-Cynical, how each season seems to end in a breakup, and why they keep coming back for more.

We dive into the rhythm of creative collaboration, the friction and forgiveness that fuel their friendship, and how life in a small town like Ojai shapes their artistic lives and inner journeys. Along the way, we talk about purpose, pain, laughter, healing — and why Mystical-Cynical resonates so deeply with its devoted listeners.

Whether you’re a seeker, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode is a real fun… wow.

Note: We did not talk about gout, dental procedures or Jeffrey Epstein.

Check out Daren's artistry and comic musings on Instagram @realfunwow and Jaymee's @loveistheauthor.

In this episode, we sit down with Kelley D’Angelo, founder and CEO of Lark Ellen Farm and the visionary behind the brand-new Purely Sprouted™ line. What started as personal wellness experiment in her home kitchen in Ojai — driven by chronic aches, low energy, and grain sensitivities — has blossomed into a national success story.

Kelley began in 2015 at the Ojai Farmers Market with her first sprouted granola bites, and Lark Ellen Farm now reaches over 300 stores across the U.S. gofarmhand.com+11accountixsolutions.com+11Lark Ellen Farm+11. In March 2023, she launched Purely Sprouted™ at Natural Products Expo West, introducing nutrient-dense snack mixes and individually portioned nuts in eight crave-worthy flavors — and pledged support to 1% for the Planet Purely Sprouted.

We explore the science behind sprouting: how soaking and germinating nuts and seeds increases nutrient availability, eases digestion, and boosts flavor. But scaling this kind of food business, especially in a small town, hasn't been easy. Kelley shares her experience pitching to investors like the Santa Barbara Angel Alliance Facebook+7Forbes+7Purely Sprouted+7, getting her first pallet shipped (and spilling boxes along the way) , and tackling bank relationships, cash flow stress, vendor contracts, and hiring.

After being selected in 2025 for RangeMe’s “Brands Created by Moms” collection, marking Lark Ellen Farm’s 10th anniversary month, the story’s only getting bigger ForbesLark Ellen Farm+15nosh.com+15Shoutout LA+15. Kelley offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs who want to turn kitchen curiosity into a sustainable brand: from co-packing to financial planning, logistics, and preserving mission alongside growth.

Tune in for an inspiring blend of wellness wisdom, small-town hustle, and the earthy crunch under Kelley's leadership.

We did not talk about drift net dangers, ancient Babylonian gold hoards or the recent NYC mayoral primary election.

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we dive into the magic of movies under the stars with Brady Hahn and Nick Weissman, two driving forces behind the Ojai Film Society's revitalized Summer Series at Libbey Bowl. Brady, a holistic strategist and community connector, and Nick, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and producer, share their passion for cinema, community, and curating experiences that resonate long after the credits roll.

This summer, the Ojai Film Society is hosting a stellar lineup of free screenings open to the public, with the theme "Imagine a World," transforming Libbey Bowl into a moonlit movie palace. Highlights include:

• "Sally" – a revealing look at Sally Ride, the pioneering astronaut, who made immense sacrifices for the sake of her private life. June 25th.

• "Neverending Story" – the beloved classic work of that speaks to the power and poetry of imagination. August 8th.

  Plus other classics and soon-to-be-classics through the end of September.

We talk about what makes film such a powerful communal ritual, how Ojai’s creative spirit shapes the selections, and why showing up for stories — together — is more important than ever. We did not talk about walking meditation techniques, Korean banchan or the 1984 California Angels all-star lineup.

So grab your blankets and popcorn. The show is about to begin. Check their website for up-to-date information, OjaiFilmSociety.org

Filmmaker, environmental advocate and Ojai neighbor Rebecca Tickell joins us to talk about storytelling as activism and how she and her husband, Josh Tickell, are using their cameras and their land at Big Picture Ranch to shift the global conversation on food, farming, and the future.

From the Netflix hit Kiss the Ground to its award-winning follow-up Common Ground — and the hyper-local lens of Regenerate Ojai — Rebecca shares what it takes to grow a movement, one compost pile and one story at a time. We dig into the power of regenerative agriculture, why it matters for our community, and how Ojai can lead by example.

Rebecca grew up a farm girl in Vermont, where she became a lifelong environmentalist. Identified early for acting talent, she earned high praise in her childhood for her star turn in the nostalgic holiday film "Prancer," but pivoted to directing when she and Josh teamed up for "Fuel" and other films taking on Big Oil.

We talked about Ojai's role as a test case for a sustainable, inclusive, healthy future. We did not talk about condor restoration, trout-fishing pioneers Dame Julia Berners and Isaac Walton or the Who's rock-opera "Tommy."

Check out more about Big Picture Ranch at BigPictureRanch.com, where they are hard at work on the third installment of the soils trilogy, with "Groundswell."

Join us in a vibrant conversation about the 34th annual Ojai Pride Walk & Picnic, happening Sunday, June 29, 2025, as we gather at Libbey Park. It has now now expanded from its humble 1992 beginnings with just six marchers, to a vibrant celebration of diversity, inclusion, and joy

In this special episode, we sit down with:

• Helen Allen and Lynn Doherty, Ojai Living Treasures and co-founders of the original Pride march, whose vision began nearly 34 years ago when six women walked hand‑in‑hand down Ojai Avenue.

• Kate Levinstein and JoEllen Depakakibo of Queers in Valley, the dynamic new organizers who stepped up last year to carry the torch forward.

Expect a lively conversation that explores:

• The march’s evolution from a small group to a community-wide event hosting booths with free resources, local artists and performers, and a drag-hosted picnic

• How Queers in Valley is deepening inclusivity—introducing non-police security, ASL interpretation, wheelchair access improvements, and seating for .

• Anecdotes about local stars like Michelle Chakra (Ryan Beaghler), our returning drag host, beloved for drag brunches, bingo, and laughter.

Schedule for June 29 (11  a.m. to 3 p.m.):

• Pride Walk begins at 11 am at the Libbey Park fountain

• Picnic & performances follow, featuring coffee from JoEllen’s Pinhole Coffee Van, live music, community booths, and a warm drag show under the Ojai sun

• After-party kicks off at 3 pm at The Ojai Pub, followed by line-dancing with Diane Anastasio at the Ojai Rancho Inn from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

This year’s celebration is made possible by a powerful network of sponsors and supporters:

• City of Ojai, which issued an official proclamation honoring Pride Month, and provides ongoing support for event logistics.

• Local community groups, businesses, and arts organizations sponsoring booths, performance stages, accessibility services, drag entertainment, and refreshments.

Tune in to explore how Helen Allen, Lynn Doherty, Helen Levinstein, and JoEllen Depakakibo are weaving together past and present to make Ojai Pride an inclusive celebration of love, visibility, and community for the next generation.

They also give special thanks to Ojai Pub, The Rancho/Chief's Peak, and Sespe Creek Collective for various fundraising and gathering endeavors. 

We did not talk about oak pollen counts this early summer, Kim Stanley Robinson novels or Filipino street food.

For more information, check out these sites:

ojairec.com, theojaivortex.com, ojai.ca.gov

We're here with a special Father's Day weekend release: Actor Tyler Labine (New Amsterdam, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil) and filmmaker-writer-photographer Reed Fish (I'm Reed Fish) join the pod to talk about their new venture: I Love You So Much, a no-holds-barred podcast on parenting, co-parenting, divorce, being single dads, and rethinking masculinity in the age of social media.

Come for the funny, raw, and often profound conversations between longtime friends who aren’t afraid to talk about the hard stuff. With a rotating roster of guests from Tyler’s world in Hollywood and Reed’s world in podcasting and storytelling, I Love You So Much dives into accountability, emotional growth, and what it means to be a good man today.

We talk about Ojai life, navigating new partnerships, raising kids and holding each other accountable. We did not talk about carbon tax credits, rise of El Segundo as a military tech sector or the return of spitballs to major league baseball.

In this episode, we talk about what inspired them to start the show, how their personal journeys shaped the tone, and why vulnerability might just be the new strength.

You can follow their journey on the "I Love You So Much" wherever you catch your podcasts, or check out their Instagrams at https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKsyttuySsK/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKsyttuySsK/

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we wander into the wilds with Cole Bush, founder of BCB Shepherdess, whose herd of 800 goats and sheep are quietly revolutionizing how we manage wildfire risk, invasive species, and land stewardship across Southern California.

What began as a humble vision just four years ago has grown into a high-impact, ecologically sound practice that blends ancient pastoral wisdom with cutting-edge climate resilience. From San Diego County roots to contracts across Ventura and L.A., Cole shares how prescribed grazing is not only a fire prevention tool, but a powerful act of regeneration—sequestering carbon, building biodiversity, and engaging communities in the process.

We talk fire, food, folklore, and the fierce future of shepherding in the West.

“Fire, Flocks & the Future: Cole Bush and the Shepherd's Return”

🔊 Body Copy:
In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we wander into the wilds with Cole Bush, founder of BCB Shepherdess, whose herd of 800 goats and sheep are quietly revolutionizing how we manage wildfire risk, invasive species, and land stewardship across Southern California.

What began as a humble vision just four years ago has grown into a high-impact, ecologically sound practice that blends ancient pastoral wisdom with cutting-edge climate resilience. From San Diego County roots to contracts across Ventura and L.A., Cole shares how prescribed grazing is not only a fire prevention tool, but a powerful act of regeneration —sequestering carbon, building biodiversity, and engaging communities in the process.

We talk fire, food, folklore, and the fierce future of shepherding in the West. We did not talk Adriatic marble trout, seppuku manuals or the paper-making technologies of ancient Egypt.

You can learn more about their efforts at https://shepherdesslandl.co/about

In this reprise episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with writer and historian Mark Lewis to explore one of the most unsettling chapters in American cultural history — the Hollywood Blacklist. Mark's feature in the Fall 2015 issue of the Ojai Quarterly dove deep into the fear-fueled politics of the late 1940s and ’50s, when actors, writers, and directors were exiled from the entertainment industry for alleged Communist ties.

Many of those key figures lived in Ojai - names like Paul Jerrico, Michael Wilson and Dalton Trumbo, where they found a haven and an understanding community.

Through richly detailed storytelling and incisive commentary, Mark reveals how the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings not only destroyed careers but also reshaped Hollywood and American public life. We discuss the rise of informants, the toll on personal lives, and the eerie parallels between that Red Scare era and the social media-fueled cancel culture and political polarization of today.

This conversation isn’t just a history lesson — it’s a warning. As we reflect on the past, we’re forced to ask: how do we protect freedom of expression without falling prey to fear and conformity?

We did not talk about Vaclav Smil's latest work, impending screw worm disasters or the rise of our new digital overlords.

Don’t miss this hauntingly timely discussion on art, politics, and the enduring fight for the soul of American storytelling.

On this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we take a sun-dappled stroll through the life and work of Stephanie Hubbard —landscape architect, abstract expressionist, and one of the newest members of the Ojai Studio Artists. Fresh off a prestigious nine-month residency at the Taft Gardens, Stephanie shares how Ojai’s wild beauty has rooted itself in her art — and her soul.

We talk childhood in the Transcendentalist center of Concord, Massachusetts, apprenticing with a ceramicist painting flowers for Evelyn & Crabtree, and what it was like to work as on-screen talent with the classic show "This Old House." We get into the tangled garden of her creative process, where soil meets soul, and brush meets instinct.

Stephanie’s story is one of elegant reinvention — from shaping landscapes to letting landscapes shape her. If you like stories about artistic breakthroughs, garden epiphanies, or what happens when a designer trades blueprints for brushstrokes, don’t miss this one.

We did not talk about when Shohei Ohtani was going to next take the mound, David Hockney's camera obscura or the short-lived Korean Empire.

Pull up a seat — or better yet, take us on a walk — and enjoy the view. You can learn more about Stephanie and her work at her artist website, Stephanie-Hubbard.com, or her landscape architectural firm, Site-Creative.com

In this episode, we sit down with filmmakers Jack Piatt and David Breschel, the creative forces behind Highway West Entertainment, whose work spans literature, music, and the open road of independent cinema. Their short film The Singers, a haunting and poetic adaptation of Ivan Turgenev’s 19th-century story, has been selected for the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival, where its timeless themes of memory, art, and loss will find a new audience. Jack and David share how they discovered the story, why it resonated with them today, and what it means to adapt classical literature in a modern cinematic language.

We also talk about their powerful documentary I Need You, a heartfelt chronicle of the legendary band America, which was screened to great acclaim at last year's Ojai Film Festival, and also with more recently at the Ojai Playhouse with founding members Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley.

With behind-the-scenes access and deep reverence for their enduring legacy, the film captures the band’s extraordinary 50+ year journey — from their British-American roots to their emotional farewell tour. Jack and David reflect on the art of telling a band’s story with honesty, tenderness, and the kind of nuance that comes only from true fans.

In both projects, you’ll hear their passion for storytelling—whether through fiction, film, or friendship. And you’ll get a glimpse of what it takes to shepherd meaningful, independent work into the world.

Tune in for a conversation that travels from 19th-century Russia to the stage lights of the present, with two artists who are helping shape the future of narrative film.

We did not talk about the in-migration of Sinaloa Cartel leaders, ghost ships of the Namibian Desert or the declining recruitment into the U.S. armed forces.

For more information about Jack and David, check out their website at https://highwaywestent.com/