In this exclusive interview, Wade Cowper, political strategist and co-founder of CCA Enterprise, talks all things politics, including his views on recent election results, Santa Barbara County party politics and the 2021 mayoral contest. Wade and Josh drop a lot of names, including Meagan Harmon, Kate Ford, Alejandra Gutierrez, Virginia Alvarez and Vicki Ben-Yaacov. From there, the conversation turns to the state of the media and journalists Delaney Smith, Jerry Roberts, Melinda Burns, and the importance of civics and media literacy. Wade offers a laser-like understanding of the political landscape in this dynamic conversation.

Nick Welsh, executive editor of the Santa Barbara Independent, reveals the man behind the pencil, in this exclusive podcast conversation. Welsh talks about his award-winning Angry Poodle column, his thoughts on writing, and how "Mrs. Powell" in Catholic School helped inspire his path. Welsh talks about his career, how his writing changed after overcoming cancer, and he shares his thoughts on journalists and journalism. Welsh also opens up about a few of Santa Barbara's most prominent names, past and present. "I always knew I wanted to be writer," Welsh says.

Caroline Harrah has emerged as one of the South Coast's most influential parent activists with the formation of Facebook group SB PLAN. But Harrah is not new to activism. A parent with a longtime record of volunteering, she is now trying to provide a platform and voice for parents, teachers and administrators who have opinions about the re-opening of public schools during the pandemic. In this podcast, Harrah talks openly about her group, how it formed, its goal, and its frustration and expectations for the political leaders who will decide the re-opening. A communications expert, Harrah says, "We started SB PLAN because we didn't have a voice. We felt like we weren't represented."

Iconic journalist and author Jerry Roberts visits Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina to discuss the local, state and national political scene. Jerry talks about "triple smart" Meagan Harmon and who's really driving the conversation at Santa Barbara City Hall. Roberts also eloquently outlines the state of play in the Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Trustees election, and breaks down a few of the high-profile statewide propositions. Finally, Jerry talks about Trump and what America can expect to see on Election Night at the 77 days that follow.

Radius Commercial Real Estate Co-Founder Steve Golis talks the state of apartment investing on the Central Coast. Golis shares how student housing has been hit hard by COVID-19, but is surviving. He also talks about some ballot measures, including how rent control would hurt the industry. Golis has more than 40 years in residential real state an brings an expert set of eyes to the real estate investment market.

Musician and Realtor Steve Epstein and Kostis Protopapas, artistic and general director of Opera Santa Barbara, tell all about how government officials on the state and local level have ignored live music as part of the COVID-19 re-opening strategy. To say "we will wait until the pandemic is over to have live music," is nonsense, Protopapas says. The two are working with a large group of arts stakeholders to bring live music, with social distancing, back to Santa Barbara. "My community has been deprived of their tribe," Protopapas said. "We have been deprived of everything that means something to us." Steve and Kostis explain their plan for returning outdoor live performances to Santa Barbara.

Goleta City Councilman James Kyriaco opens up about all the local election contests, including the contentious Goleta mayor's race, Goleta City Council, and the school board elections in Goleta and Santa Barbara. Kyriaco, a former political consultant, puts his pundit hat on to talk about national politics President Trump, and shares details about his childhood. He talks fondly of his mom and the sacrifices she made as a single-mother. The councilman also shares why he is such a passionate advocate for childcare programs.

Iliana Gonzalez, marketing director at PHP Agency, speaks with Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina about financial planning, her experience helping managing people's wealth and investments. She also shares her experience as an immigrant to the country, and how she learned financial planning lessons from her parents mistakes.

Dr. Charity Dean, one of the country's foremost experts on battling the COVID-19 pandemic, talks with Josh Molina in this one hour-plus podcast conversation. Dr. Dean is the former assistant director of the California Department of Public Health, and the former Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer. Dr. Dean talks about the importance of COVID-19 testing, the country's failed response to the pandemic and how by February 2020 it was "game over." Dr. Dean explains what the country has learned -- and has not -- since the 1918 influenza pandemic. Dr. Dean also talks about how the public health system and the health care delivery system work in silos, and what needs to happen before schools can re-open. Most of all, Dr. Dean explains how human beings need to work together to overcome this pandemic and own our individual mitigation roles through social distancing and wearing masks.

Fidel Rodriguez has decades of experience holding workshops that focus on practical wellness tools, history, trauma, poverty, racism, leadership and healing. Fidel graduated from USC as a McNair Scholar with degrees in Chicano/Latino and African American studies. He is a certified trainer for Franklin Covey and an initiated Shaman. He was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California and is of Mexican, Native-American and African descent. For the last few years, he's been on the front lines in Santa Barbara fighting to change an offensive and racist street name in Santa Barbara.