Ojai: Talk of the Town

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with Kristen McGuinness — author, writing coach, and the fearless organizer behind the upcoming TEDx Ojai event on Sunday, February 2nd. From 10 am to 4 pm, an impressive lineup of speakers will take the stage to share thought-provoking ideas, fascinating stories, and maybe a few surprises, all with the stunning Ojai backdrop.

But this conversation is much more than just a preview of the event. Kristen shares wild tales from her time in the publishing world, including working with the infamous Judith Regan during her tabloid-dominating romance with Bernie Kerik, and Kristen's role in shaping O.J. Simpson’s controversial book, If I Did It. Along the way, we explore how these eyebrow-raising experiences informed Kristen’s career, her perspective on storytelling, and her passion for helping others find their voice.

Kristen also talks about her father's notorious career as one of America's biggest marijuana smugglers and repeat escapes from prison.

Tune in for laughs, insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at both the world of TEDx and the publishing industry’s most scandalous moments!

We did not talk about Sacramento Delta smelt runs, the Pacific Palisades on fire or the IPO of fast fashion giant Shein.

Check out more of Kristen's work at https://www.kristenmcguiness.com/

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we celebrate Wendy Barker's remarkable ten-year journey as the executive director of the Ojai Valley Museum. Wendy has revitalized this cornerstone of our community, bringing in a dynamic, younger board of directors, curating awe-inspiring exhibits, and creating events that have reinvigorated local interest and engagement.

As the current Rotary Club president, Wendy’s leadership extends beyond the museum, reflecting her commitment to making Ojai a better place for all. Join us as Wendy shares stories from her decade at the museum, her vision for the future, and how she balances her dual roles in our community.

Whether you're an art enthusiast, a history buff, or someone inspired by strong leadership, this conversation is a must-listen. Tune in to learn more about Wendy's transformative impact on Ojai and what’s next for her and the museum.

We did not talk about Ukraine shutting off gas pipelines, cabinet picks or the ancient art of Stoic joy.

Check out more about Wendy at https://www.ojaivalleymuseum.org/

After chasing drug runners on the high seas as a Coast Guard officer and reporting on climate change for GlacierHub, Peter Deneen has found his true calling in the rugged landscapes of Ojai Valley. As the new Executive Director of Keep Sespe Wild, Deneen brings his distinct blend of military precision, journalistic insight, and environmental passion to one of Southern California's most precious wilderness areas.

His path to conservation leadership reads like an adventure novel – surviving a mountain lion attack in Sisar Canyon, documenting the devastation of the Thomas Fire, and studying climate science at Columbia University. But it was a teenage bike crash that first connected him to the community he now serves, as a teenaged intern at the Ojai Valley News.

Today, Deneen channels his diverse experience into protecting the Sespe's delicate ecosystem. From helping coordinate the Save White Sage campaign to tackle overharvesting, to addressing single-use plastic pollution, he's taking on the region's most pressing environmental challenges. As co-founder of the Sisar Canyon Run Club and board member for multiple local organizations including The CREW and Ojai Raptor Center, Deneen embodies the connection between community engagement and conservation.

Join us as we explore how this Coast Guard veteran turned environmental leader is working to preserve Ojai's bioregion for future generations, one project at a time.

We did not talk about Yankee clipper ships, the unexpected environmental challenges of transitioning to an all-electric future, or the evolution of baseball from the English schoolyard game of rounders.

Learn more about Peter at PeteDeneen.world or SespeWild.org.

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with Lucy Bellwood, the adventure cartoonist behind beloved works like Demon Dialogues and Baggywrinkles. Known for her vibrant illustrations and thoughtful reflections on creativity, this Ojai-raised artist has returned after years in the Pacific Northwest, finding inspiration not only in our natural beauty but in the connections she’s built with the community.

Lucy shares details about her Boxing Day event, (Dec. 26th, Basic Premise gallery, 918 E. Ojai Avenue), a festive gathering to celebrate creativity, camaraderie, and new beginnings with chocolate-chip miso cookies. She also talks about her open studio practice, inviting locals and visitors alike to drop by her workspace for casual conversations about art, storytelling, and life’s everyday adventures.

In true Lucy Bellwood fashion, these open office hours offer more than just a glimpse into her artistic process —t hey’re a testament to her commitment to fostering connection. Whether it’s sharing a sketch, a story, or a moment of shared wonder, Lucy’s approach embodies the spirit of community that Ojai thrives on.

Tune in to hear about Lucy’s journey as an artist, what led her to Ojai, and how she’s redefining the way we connect through creativity. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of art, adventure, and the power of saying yes to life’s unexpected invitations. Don’t miss it!

Note: We did not talk about extinct eagle species in New Zealand, the invention of chromium or a review of Sean Baker's new film, "Anora."

Check out more of Lucy and her work at ... https://lucybellwood.com/

Ojai Talk of the Town welcomes Tom Morris, a titan of the classical music world, for a deep dive into his extraordinary memoir, Always the Music: How a Lifelong Passion Framed a Future for Orchestras." With decades of leadership at the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra, Tom shaped the future of two of America’s most revered symphonies. As artistic director of the Ojai Music Festival for 16 years, he brought bold programming and visionary collaborations to the forefront of contemporary music.

In Always the Music, Tom shares behind-the-scenes stories of his friendships with legends like Pierre Boulez, Arthur Fiedler, and John Williams and Michael Tilson Thomas on iconic tours, his memoir brims with insights into the artistry, genius, and grit behind world-class symphonies and public arts organizations.

Much more than a memoir, Tom's book contains insights and action plans for orchestras and arts organizations to refocus on providing transcendent experiences, to build audiences and connect communities through the transformative power of art.

Join us as Tom reflects on his transformative career, the enduring power of live performance, and the lessons he’s learned about music’s role in connecting us all. Don’t miss this candid and inspiring conversation with a master of his craft!

We did not talk about John McPhee's meditation on shad runs in the Delaware River, Josh Allen's chances of winning an MVP or the opening of the El Roblar Hotel.

Check out more about Tom at https://www.ojaifestival.org/about/leadership/thomas-w-morris-artistic-director/

Tracey Curtis-Taylor, (on the cover of the Winter OQ) is an adventurous aviator, who has retraced some of the most epic routes in flying history, from Capetown to London across the length of Africa, retracing Lady Heath's journey in 1928, and another from England to Australia, flying the same route as Amy Johnson in 1930.

She now flies a 1940 Boeing Steerman, and joins the Commemorative Air Force in Camarillo in their events.

Curtis-Taylor has created an educational program designed to get more women into flying, as the industry faces a dire pilot shortage and, with fewer than 5 percent of airline pilots as women, they need recruits.

She wrote the book, "Bird," about her epic exploits. She is now based in Ojai.

We talked about the Golden Age of Aviation, when the best engineers and pilots moved from the Wright Brothers' short hops to the first jet engines and breaking the sound barrier in 1947, an incredible period of progress and energy. She also talked about navigating the boys club of pilots, her crash landing, her upbringing between England and Canada, and much more.

We did not talk about Keep Sespe Wild, Jeremy Saulnier films, or the "Magic Art of Tidying."

You can learn more about Tracey from her website, BirdinaBiPlane.com

In a repost of a fan favorite from 2022, Laurel S. Braitman (re-)joins the podcast to talk about her most recent book, "What Looks Like Bravery: A Journey Through Love & Loss" about losing her father to cancer and finding herself in the process.

She is the Writer-in-Residence at the Stanford School of Medicine. Her work has appeared in The Guardian,[5] The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company,[6] The New Inquiry,[7] Salon,[8] and a variety of other publications. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Cornell, and a TED talk fellow.

She authored in 2015, "Animal Madness: How Anxious Dogs, Compulsive Parrots, and Elephants in Recovery Help Us Understand Ourselves."

Braitman is a Thacher alumni and grew up over the hill in Santa Paula. Besides her father's (and mother's) remarkable life stories, we talked about the changes we've seen in Ventura County and Ojai over the decades, the writing process, how the publishing business has changed and where it's headed, and the saga of Monarch, the grizzly on the state flag. Laurel said it was captured in the Tehachapi Mountains, I believe it was in the Sespe wilderness.

We did not talk about the Consumer Protection Bureau, Ventuckian musical genres or local mafia connections.

Check out more about Laurel at https://www.laurelbraitman.com/

In this podcast episode, Eric Goode, founder of the Turtle Conservancy and an acclaimed conservationist, opens up about his latest project, Chimp Crazy. Following the success of Tiger King, which helped pass the Big Cat Safety Act, Goode aims to do the same for chimpanzees. The show shines a spotlight on Tonia Haddix, a colorful character whose chaotic attempts to shelter Tonka, a former movie-star chimp, from PETA and the actor Alan Cumming, create the heart of the four-part series.

Beyond the entertainment, Goode dives into the broader mission of wildlife conservation, emphasizing the urgent need for legislation that safeguards these intelligent, endangered creatures.

Shifting focus to Ojai’s rich natural landscape, Goode discusses the wild terrains of the Sespe Wilderness, where mountain lions prowl, bighorn sheep roam, and a grizzly bear reintroduction program stirs hope for restoring native predators. His passion for conservation extends beyond documentaries, as he advocates for the protection of habitats and the creatures within them.

Chimp Crazy is just the beginning, and Goode’s relentless drive for change continues to pave the way for critical reforms in animal welfare. He also talks about his latest project, a deep dive ten years in the making about the exotic reptile trade and the dangerous demimonde in which traffickers live.

We did not talk about the lost technology of affixing rudders to wooden sailing ships, North Korean nuclear aims, or taimen fishing in Mongolia.

Learn more about Goode and the Turtle Conservancy at https://www.turtleconservancy.org/

Cheserae Scala is a certified Death Midwife, bringing families together around a dying loved one, facilitating the transition and providing ceremonies and sacred rites, grief counseling, death-care directives, after-death care and funeral planning.

She talked about growing up in northern Michigan to an entrepreneurial family, and how her mother's terminal cancer diagnose awoke in her the desire to serve people as they deal with inevitable. She speaks about the taboos about talking frankly about death, as well as the laws which govern in-home dying and how they discourage healing and humane practices.

We talked about own experiences with death, as she shared anecdotes about some of her experiences, cultural practices around the world, and much more. We did not discuss Shinto animism, NFL referees or Space X launches.

Scale co-owns Alquimia Wellness on El Roblar in Meiners Oaks with her husband, Dr. Eric Baumgartner. Check out their website at www.alquimia.life ...

Doug Parker is a retired attorney who worked for the legendary Len Garment in a white-shoe NYC law firm. After his narrow loss to JFK in 1960, the firm gained a new partner, Richard Nixon. When Nixon regained the White House in 1968, he brought along some of his former associates, including Doug. When the Watergate scandal broke, Parker represented President Nixon in front of the "steely-eyed Judge Sirica" during one of the most tumultuous political moments in American history (until now).

We also talked about one of his most important, and fun, cases, representing the Toronto Blue Jays as one of their players tried to get out of his contract, and major league baseball, to go the NBA and play for Red Auerbach as he built the Boston Celtics into world champions. That erstwhile infielder was named Danny Ainge.

A lifelong Cubs fan, Doug is also one of the few people to span both World Series appearances, between 1948 and 2016.

He also wrote the only authorized biography of famed humorist Ogden Nash: 'The only way to keep your marriage brimming / with love in the loving cup / whenever you're wrong admit it / whenever you're right, shut up.' Or 'Oh what a tangled web parents do weave / whenever they think their kids are naive.

We talked about the parlous state of American politics, the decades of "wait'll next year!" that Cubs and Buffalo Bills fans have endured, and why Ojai is a special place. We did not talk about walleye rigs, the Humboldt current or Japanese confections.