Ojai: Talk of the Town

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with Ojai resident Sharon Scott Williams, whose deeply personal memoir Crazy Mama has been transformed into a riveting one-woman play, premiering at the Rubicon Theatre from March 27 to April 13. Starring the incomparable star of stage and screen Linda Purl, the production brings to life 16 characters in a raw, heartbreaking, yet often humorous exploration of a daughter’s decades-long struggle to save her mother from the grip of paranoid schizophrenia.

We talk with Sharon about the painful yet redemptive journey that shaped her story — growing up with a mother who believed she was working for the FBI, the weight of hope and helplessness, and the profound impact of mental illness on families. Directed by TV and stage veteran Anson Williams, (Sharon's husband), Crazy Mama is a testament to resilience, love, and the complicated ties that bind us to those we hold dear.

Join us for this intimate conversation as Sharon reflects on turning her trauma into art, the catharsis of storytelling, and the power of theater to foster understanding and empathy.

Check out the Rubicon's website for more information - https://www.rubicontheatre.org/events/crazy-mama/

Get ready for a juicy conversation! This week on Ojai Talk of the Town, we welcome Scott Daigre, founder of Tomatomania!, the country’s largest heirloom and hybrid tomato seedling sale. What started in the 1990s as a small nursery event has blossomed into a can’t-miss springtime tradition across Southern California, with dozens of locations offering an incredible variety of tomato plants, expert advice, and all the inspiration you need for your garden and kitchen.

Scott shares the origins of Tomatomania and what makes tomatoes so endlessly fascinating. We dig into the best growing tips, surprising heirloom varieties, and even a few favorite ways to enjoy summer’s most beloved fruit. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a curious newbie, this episode is ripe with insights and stories you won’t want to miss!

🎧 Listen now and get ready for tomato season! 🍅

We also talk about Ojai's peculiar micro-climates, local topics and controversies and much more. We did not discuss Keir Starmer's lordship, Mark Twain's book "The Gilded Age," or the discovery of new Easter Island statues.

Check out more at Tomatomania.com where you can also purchase Scott's seminal book, "Tomatomania!" on tomato growing and cooking.

Can you really go home again? Peter Marcus, along with his partners Evan Graham-Arango and Reiana Onglenco, proves that not only can you return, but you can also plant something new. In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we dig deep into the story of Ojai Roots — a 10-acre farm and the brand-new Farm Shop that’s bringing farm-to-table full circle.

(Note: Check out the Spring issue of Ojai Quarterly magazine for a feature on Ojai Roots written by Ilona Saari.)

Peter, a seasoned chef with a Michelin-starred résumé, shares how his journey took him from high-end kitchens in New York, Copenhagen, and Australia back to Ojai, where he now cures his own hams, crafts a curated wine bar menu, and bakes up his grandmother's beloved "Nana’s Cookies." We also explore how the team is blending agriculture, community, and culinary craft to create a one-of-a-kind farm store experience.

From house-smoked salmon to their own vineyard’s rosé, this episode is a feast for the senses. Tune in as we talk food, farming, and finding your roots in Ojai.

We did not talk about proper cures for salmon candy, medieval water clocks or capybara videos. Check out more at ...

https://ojairoots.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoouQz2y-7Z3rIMS8wdm_6kn-t0Q6RgO90gtT9WbuEdPB0h5Fav5

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, actor Michaela Watkins joins us to talk about her latest film, Suze, a Canadian indie gem screening at the Ojai Playhouse on March 9. She'll be on hand for a post-film discussion, but first, we dig into the heart of the movie, the revival of the "New Sincerity Movement," and why audiences are craving stories about broken people finding connection.

Michaela also reflects on her incredible career including a stint of Saturday Night Live, the LA-based Groundlings, working with the husband-wife duo Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart behind Suze to her collaborations with the late, great Lynn Shelton and acclaimed director Nicole Holofcener (You Hurt My Feelings). We swap stories about mutual Ojai friends, share what this town means to us, and much more.

Note: We did not talk about the Ventura River estuary, proposed NFL rule changes or the ill-fated El Dorado expedition of 1559 led by "Wrath of God" Aguirre.

Tune in for a conversation that's as heartfelt, funny, and sharp as Michaela herself.

What if the biggest obstacle in your life was… you? Bestselling author and personal development pioneer Gay Hendricks joins us to talk about The Big Leap, his game-changing book that introduced the world to the Upper Limit Problem — that sneaky, self-imposed ceiling on success and happiness. From overcoming hidden fears to expanding into what he calls your Zone of Genius, Gay breaks down the patterns that hold us back and how to break through them.

We also reflect on our mutual friend Jim Selman, a luminary in transformational leadership, and how his legacy continues to inspire. With 35 books (and counting!) co-authored with his wife, Katie Hendricks, from their Ojai-based Hendricks Institute, Gay has spent a lifetime helping people push past self-sabotage and step into their fullest potential. Tune in for an insightful, uplifting, and occasionally mind-bending conversation that just might inspire your next big leap.

Jim and I also talked about his childhood with a single mom in northern Florida in the 1950s, and how she overcame significant obstacles to become a well-respected journalist and mayor of their hometown. We also talked about his academic career and much more. We did not, however, talk about Ernest Shackleton's expeditions, the development of dimpling on golf balls or Robert Caro's magisterial account of Robert Moses, in "The Power Broker."

You can learn more about Gay Hendricks and his and wife Katie's work at the Hendricks Institute: https://hendricks.com/

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with artist and curator Cassandra C. Jones, whose work blends digital collage with storytelling in striking and unexpected ways.

As the founder and Arts Chair of the Taft Gardens Residency Program, she offers artists an immersive experience in one of Ojai’s most stunning and secluded landscapes. We discuss how Taft’s South African and Australian Gardens inspire creativity, the evolving art market, and, of course, the infamous $6 million banana taped to a wall.

Whether you’re an art lover, a plant enthusiast, or just curious about what drives today’s artists, this conversation is not to be missed.

We did not talk about the Jokic trade, Taylor Swift's Superbowl outfits or MK Ultra.

Check out more on Cassandra at https://www.cassandracjones.com/

What do South African wines, the auto industry, and gelato have in common? Ojai's own Sanders Marvin. He joins us to talk about closing his shop next to the Arcade, and focusing on catering, popup events and wholesale of his distinctive gourmet frozen treats known for innovative flavors such as Pixie Had a Moment, Valhrona Chocolate and Godfather Sicilian Pistachio.

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with the founder of Sanders & Sons, Ojai’s go-to spot for handcrafted frozen gourmet delights. But before he was dreaming up decadent flavors, Sanders helped introduce South African wines to the world in the 1980s and navigated the high-stakes world of automotive manufacturing as an executive.

We talk about his fascinating career pivots, his training in Bologna, Italy with a master gelatiere, connection to Minnesota’s celebrated Native American restaurant Owamni, and, of course, the art of making exceptional gelato. Tune in for a conversation as rich and satisfying as his signature scoops. 🍦

Sanders brings us into the world of sourcing the finest ingredients, developing relationships with local restaurants and much more.

We did not talk about ancient rope-making technologies, Argentinian beaver infestations or the Nikola Jokic's trade.

https://www.instagram.com/sanders_and_sons_gelato/

We sit down with author Howard Smith to discuss his latest novel, "Viva Verdi & Violetta." This immersive historical tale dives deep into the life and struggles of Giuseppe Verdi, his muse Giuseppina Strepponi, and the revolutionary fervor of the Italian Risorgimento of the mid-19th century.

Told through the watchful, and witty, mind of his close friend, a restaurateur and retired opera singer, the novel brings to life Verdi’s rise as a composer, the artistic and political battles of 19th-century Italy, and the resistance against Austrian occupation. Smith takes us behind the curtain, revealing Verdi’s encounters with freedom fighters like Garibaldi and the dramatic cultural shifts that shaped his operatic masterpieces.

There's also a lot of about food and culture in this transformative time. Tune in for a captivating discussion on music, history, and the timeless power of storytelling! 🎭🎼

We did not talk about efforts to install tracking chips in NFL footballs, the rise of Canadian comedy shows like "Son of a Critch" and "Shoresy" or muskellunge fishing.

Check out Howard's latest novel on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with Aldo Leopold scholar Rick Knight for a thought-provoking conversation about one of the most influential voices in conservation history. Rick takes us on a journey through Leopold's life, from his transformative years in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico to his beloved shack in Wisconsin’s Driftless area.

We explore Leopold’s revolutionary insights on the relationship between people and the land, his pioneering concept of the "land ethic," and how his experiences in wild places shaped his philosophy. Rick also shares how Leopold's work remains profoundly relevant in today’s world, especially as we face unprecedented environmental challenges.

Tune in to hear why Aldo Leopold’s legacy continues to inspire and guide the conservation movement—and don’t miss Rick Knight’s upcoming talk and panel discussion in Ojai on February 1st at Oak Grove School. Whether you’re a devoted naturalist or just curious about the roots of modern conservation, this conversation is sure to leave you inspired.

We did not talk about the voyage of the whaling ship The Essex, functional MRIs or crypto-scams.

You learn more about Rick and the Feb. 1st event at https://ovlc.org/events/onsite-seminar-and-panel-special-event-with-the-ojai-valley-land-conservancy-a-sand-county-almanac-by-aldo-leopold

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with Jessica Thompson, owner of Green Goddess Garden, to discuss the vital steps homeowners and communities can take to protect their properties from the ever-present threat of wildfires. With recent devastation in Pacific Palisades and Los Angeles serving as a stark reminder, Jessica shares her expertise on creating defensible spaces, adopting responsible building practices, and restoring native plants to enhance resilience.

Jessica also talked about her game-changing visit to Iranian-American architect and writer's Nadir Khalili's property near Hemet, and the incredibly firesafe homes and buildings he created near Hesperia. Khalili, who died in 2008, is regarding as a pioneer in sustainable, eminently livable homes.

We also explore the benefits of drought-tolerant landscaping and how these practices intersect with Ojai’s thriving citrus industry, a cornerstone of our local economy. Whether you're looking to safeguard your home or support sustainable land stewardship, this episode offers practical advice and a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities facing our community in fire-prone Southern California.

We did not talk about fiat currency, the evolution of baseball gloves or the Humboldt Current.

Check out more about Jessica at GGGOjai.com.

Or about Khalili's work at CalEarth.org.