Ojai: Talk of the Town

When Beth Lane was six years old, her mother let slip a family mystery: she had six siblings, all adopted. That cryptic admission set Lane on a decades-long journey to uncover the truth — a journey that culminated in UnBroken, a powerful documentary about how her mother and six siblings, all Jewish children in Nazi Germany, survived the Holocaust with the help of a courageous German farmer and his wife. Hidden in a cramped laundry hut for nearly two years, the Weber children, ages six to eighteen, endured lice, starvation, cold, and constant fear. Their story, once nearly lost to time, now shines as a beacon of resilience and compassion.

In this episode, Lane, an actor, writer, and first-time director based in Ojai, shares the extraordinary path from family secret to cinematic revelation. After reconnecting with the German farmer’s grandson on a research trip, Lane was galvanized to make the film. Drawing inspiration from Shoah and animated Holocaust shorts, she wove archival material, survivor interviews, and gentle visual storytelling into a deeply human narrative. UnBroken premiered at the Heartland Film Festival in 2023, won the Best Documentary Feature Premiere award, and went on to screen internationally before its 2025 Netflix release, where it quickly became a top-five hit.

But more than just a personal project, UnBroken is a call to empathy in an age of division. All profits from the film support the Weber Family Arts Foundation, which Lane founded to combat antisemitism through education and storytelling. As she tells it, the film asks a single, haunting question of viewers: “Would you hide me?” Tune in for this moving conversation about memory, legacy, and the quiet courage that can change the course of history.

Check out the Weber Family Foundation at https://www.theweberfamilyartsfoundation.com/mission

In this special episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with the luminous Kitty Winn — award-winning actor, devoted mother, and granddaughter of Gen. George C. Marshall — to trace a remarkable life lived on her own terms.

After winning Best Actress at Cannes for her raw, unforgettable performance in The Panic in Needle Park alongside Al Pacino, and stepping into horror history as Sharon in The Exorcist, Kitty stepped away from the spotlight to raise her family.

Now a cherished member of the Ojai community, Kitty shares stories from her family’s extraordinary legacy, including her grandmother’s rebellious stint with a traveling Shakespeare troupe in the early 1900s. We explore Kitty’s deep commitment to nurturing young artists through the Ojai Film Society’s Student Film Contest, her thoughts on acting, legacy, and why she’s chosen to make Ojai her stage today.

We talked about Kitty's early years in India with her military father, Gen. Marshall's challenges in both World Wars, his post-war importance and much more. We did not talk about Instagram flexibility gurus, Brad Pitt in Formula One or Edward Gibbon's Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire.

It’s a graceful, insightful conversation with a woman who continues to inspire — quietly, steadily, and with uncommon elegance. You can read more about this remarkable woman in Mark Lewis' story in the Ojai Quarterly archives at https://www.ojaihub.com/winns-circle/

What happens when five brilliant, rebellious Romantics take refuge from a climate catastrophe in a lakeside villa — and decide to conjure monsters?

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with acclaimed playwright, screenwriter and novelist Jule Selbo to discuss her gripping new play, Mary Shelley: The Year Without Summer, premiering in Ojai on August 8, running through August 17th at Matilija Auditorium, directed by Richard Camp as the Ojai Performing Arts Theater's summer production.

Set in the summer of 1816, amid the eerie aftermath of a volcanic eruption that blotted out the sun, the play captures a charged gathering at Villa Diodati, where Mary Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, Dr. Polidori, and Mary’s stepsister Claire Clairmont engage in a dark game: Who can write the best horror story?

From this stormy retreat, two modern mythologies are born —Mary’s Frankenstein, which redefined horror and science fiction, and Polidori’s Vampyre, the prototype for the seductive bloodsucker that haunts our popular imagination to this day.

Jule shares her insights into dramatizing these iconic figures, why the tensions of that fateful summer still resonate, and how creativity thrives in chaos. A must-listen for literature lovers, theater fans, and anyone who enjoys a good ghost story.

We talk about how these gothic tales speak to the modern imagination, writing for money and much more. (We do not talk about old English desserts, Arthur Rimbaud or folk dancing.)

For more information, check out OPAT's website at OjaiTheater.org or Jule Selbo's site at JuleSelbo.com.

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