When I first interviewed today’s guest, we explored her many lives — barrel racing, triathlons, international nursing with the Indian Health Service, professional theatre in Kenya, coaching basketball in Pakistan, writing about Third Culture Kids in Boston, and even winning national basketball titles at the Senior Games.

But this time, she’s back for something entirely different.

Now, she’s stepped into the spotlight as a stand-up comedian — proving once again that reinvention isn’t a phase, it’s a way of life.

In this episode, we talk about what drew her to comedy after so many extraordinary chapters, what it feels like to start again in front of a live audience, and why humor may be the boldest move of all.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to try something new, this conversation might just nudge you toward the mic, or at least something new!

Today we’re joined by Marcia Sivek, a passionate advocate for cheetah conservation with the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Pivoting from her experience at the time. the journey began in 2017 when she met Dr. Laurie Marker at the Wildlife Conservation Network Expo — a meeting that led her all the way to Namibia as a working guest at CCF’s conservation center.

Retired — or thinking about what’s next?

In this episode, Marcia Sivek shares how she reinvented herself and found purpose through conservation work with the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

We explore how retirees can:

Your experience doesn’t expire. It evolves.

After years of volunteering with CCF’s Northern California chapter, Marcia now serves on the development team, where she builds relationships with donors, leads outreach efforts, and helps connect new audiences to the mission of saving cheetahs in the wild.

Go Ahead and Tell Me!

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Tenzin Chogkyi — meditation teacher, compassion trainer, and longtime community educator — as we explore how it’s never too late to live with purpose, get involved, and make a meaningful difference.

Drawing from decades of Buddhist practice, modern psychology, and hands-on service work — from international teaching to prison programs and local volunteer efforts — Tenzin offers practical wisdom for cultivating compassion, emotional balance, and sustainable engagement in today’s world.

This special event will focus on finding purpose later in life, especially after 60, and discovering ways to contribute to our communities with heart, resilience, and joy. Whether you are curious about meditation, looking for inspiration in a new life chapter, or seeking meaningful ways to serve, this conversation will offer insight, encouragement, and practical ideas you can begin using right away.

Come ready to reflect, learn, and leave inspired.

On Go Ahead and Tell Me, host Susan Douglas explores how later chapters of life can become a time of reinvention, creativity, and purpose.

This week, she talks with Dr. Deborah Bronstein and Lesley Harris of the Santa Cruz Symphony about leadership, inspiration, and the Symphony’s exciting upcoming season — including Amadeus with Charles Pasternak — and their decades-long commitment to music education.

Tune in for a conversation about music, community, and what’s possible at every stage of life.

What happens when two artists are shaped by Africa—and connected by a coastal town in California?

On this episode of Go Ahead and Tell ME!, host Susan Douglas brings together Mary Collis, a Kenyan abstract painter and child of Africa, and Michelle McClune, a Santa Cruz local whose journey from veterinary science to wildlife art was deeply shaped by Kenya.

They talk about art as expression and advocacy, conservation and community, finding your voice at any stage of life, and the lasting impact of Africa.

One was born into Africa. One found Africa and was forever changed. Both tell their  story through art.

Listen now and join the conversation.

#GoAheadAndTellME #MaryCollis #MichelleMcClune #AfricanArt #WildlifeArt #ArtAndConservation #Kenya #SantaCruzArtists #CreativeJourneys#Abstract Art

The Artistic Director of Santa Cruz Shakespeare returns to talk about what’s ahead — including plans for 2026 — and for the first time ever, he shares a special plan out loud that’s never been announced before . 

 Listen now and join the excitement!

#GoAheadAndTellMe #SantaCruzShakespeare #CharlesPasternak #TheatreTalk #ExclusiveReveal

This episode we sit down with Joe & Gayle Ortiz, the husband-and-wife team behind the iconic Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria in Capitola. For more than 45 years, they’ve filled our community with incredible food, unforgettable pastries, and the kind of warmth that keeps people coming back generation after generation.

In this episode, we talk about:

If you love a great origin story — and you love great food — you won’t want to miss this conversation.

#GaylesBakery #CapitolaCA #SantaCruzEats #LocalLegends #PodcastLife #BakingStories #CommunitySpotlight #SupportLocal #FoodLovers #Area831 #SmallBusinessSuccess #BakeryLife

From blockbuster films like Zodiac, Transformers, and The Pursuit of Happyness to the hit TV series Brooklyn 99, Ryan “RJ” Allen and David Mong have seen it all.

Now, these two industry veterans are bringing their decades of on-set experience to the coast of Santa Cruz — as the founders of HWY 17 Studios, a state-of-the-art production facility offering three fully customizable stages for film, events, and creative experiences.In this week’s episode of Go Ahead and Tell Me!, RJ and David share with Susan and Denise:

  Their partnership with the Santa Cruz Film Festival and their mission to make Santa Cruz a creative hub for filmmakers and storytellers

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a studio from the ground up — or what’s next for California filmmaking outside of LA — this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Learn more about the studio: https://www.hwy17studios.com

#HWY17Studios #SantaCruzFilm #FilmProduction #CaliforniaFilmmakers #BehindTheScenes #Podcast #FilmmakingCommunity #DuMoProductions #SantaCruzFilmFestival #CreativeHub #MadeInSantaCruz

In this episode we have the extraordinary pleasure of speaking with Tam and Susan O'Conner Fraser,  You may know  them as Santa Cruz Voice hosts for " Think Local First” they are a dynamic duo whose lives have been anything but ordinary. From Tam’s childhood traveling with the circus in Kansas City, Missouri, to Susan’s grounded upbringing in Pittsburg, California, their paths converged in high school on the set of a school musical—and the rest is history.

Together, they’ve built a 46+ year media and production empire, working with global networks like Discovery, Travel Channel, Military Channel, and National Geographic Television. Their work spans television specials, corporate communications, branding, event production, and social media strategy. Along the way, they’ve been committed to giving back, serving on non-profit boards, and supporting local initiatives.

In this episode, we explore how their unique backgrounds shaped their creative journey, the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, the secrets of a lifelong partnership, and exciting projects on the horizon, including their upcoming multi-platform media venture, ‘All About Pets.’ Get ready for an inspiring conversation full of stories, insight, and laughter!"

Have you ever felt a song move through you — not as performance, but as prayer?

Together we explore how song becomes healing, how harmony weaves community, and how the voice itself can open the heart’s doorway. 💫

 Heather shares:

It’s a conversation filled with stillness, sound, and spirit — an invitation to remember that your voice is sacred.

 Learn more about Heather’s music and retreats at heatherhoustonmusic.com.

If the episode moves you, please share it with someone who needs to be reminded of their own song.

#SongAsMedicine #HeatherHouston #SistersInHarmony #SacredVoice #SoundHealing #MysticalPodcast #WomenWhoSing #MusicAsPrayer #Chant #ConsciousMusic