Molly Spencer and guest co-host, Cat Smith, sit down with Libby Oberlin—an award-winning Bay Area actor, stage director, and educator whose passion for the stage began at just six years old. From her start as a kid reporter in Springfield, Massachusetts to a rich career spanning Shakespearean powerhouses, opera divas, and comedic clowns, Libby has done it all.

We dive into her impressive journey through companies like We Players, Shotgun Players, The Mountain Play, and more, including her celebrated turn as Maria Callas. But at the heart of this conversation is her upcoming role as the one and only Janis Joplin in A Night with Janis at Sonoma Arts Live Theater—a show that promises powerhouse vocals, raw emotion, and Libby’s signature fearless energy.

Fun, witty, and deeply passionate about her hometown of Sonoma, Libby shares the joys, challenges, and inspirations that have shaped her as an artist.

Step into the world where horses heal and community thrives. This week, we’re talking with Becca Knopf, the dynamic program manager behind the magic at Square Peg Foundation Sonoma  —a nonprofit that’s redefining what belonging looks like.

 From retired racehorses to neurodivergent youth and adults, Square Peg creates a space where every story matters (tails included). 

Becca opens up about her roots, her personal journey of growth, and becoming a part of Square Peg, the organization’s celebrates being part of the new documentary Rescued Hearts, which beautifully captures the life-changing bond between humans and horses. Gallop along with us and discover the beatiful story of Square Peg Foundation .

 In this episode, we catch up with Spencer DeSylva, Sonoma’s own Trashion Icon, who once globe-trotted through the fashion capitals of London and Manchester, earned a degree in Fashion Marketing, and landed a job with, yes- the Philip Treacy. Between a pandemic and Brexit, Spencer found themselves returning to the States wondering what was next. 

Enter Trashion Fashion Sonoma. From outreach, education, social media, taking the runway by storm and holding a year-long artist residency that’s chock full of entertaining, dazzling and informative YouTube videos. 

 Every Trashion season, Spencer is a part of Trashion and divides their time with their business' Vignette du Vin, creating  fashion illustrations using wine as the medium and also being an integral part of Professionals with Pride, Sonoma County's first LGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce.

We talk about using trash as the fashion medium, the dangers of consumerism and what it takes to live an unapologetically extravagant life in the arts. And trust us—reading about Spencer is one thing, but hearing them? That’s a runway moment of its own.Come for the couture, stay for the charisma. Spencer DeSylva is the moment.

This week on the pod, we sat down with a true community legend: Manuel Merjil,  a connector of many and all-around cultural spark plug. Born and raised in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, forged in San Francisco, and bloomed in Sonoma Valley, Manuel’s journey is anything but ordinary. From teaching citizenship classes, part founder of three magazines, and building community bridges for the latino, LGBTQ,  theater and art communities - his story is a vivid mural of resilience, joy, and pure corazón.

We’ll talk about his upcoming honor at the 2025 Sonoma Community Center Muse Gala celebrating opportunity, unity and community.  Tune in for a love story, inspiration and a true humanitarian who believes in the power of positivity.

It's another KSVY & SCC podcast merge with KSVY radio host Cat Smith and Molly Spencer from the SCC podcast! 

We have a chat with Jesse Fernandez, a 17-year stand-up comedian who is instructing a summer course at SCC called Make Them Laugh - A Stand Up Comedy Class! 

Jesse, who regularly performs at all the major Bay Area clubs, has been featured in 11 SF Sketchfests, written and produced for Emmy-winning teams and videos, presented research at The International Society For Humor Studies Conference, and won the Speechless improvised PowerPoint competition as well as the National College Comedy Competition. Among the countless people he’s opened for are Maria Bamford (from Netflix’s Lady Dynamite), Andy Kindler (judge on NBC’s Last Comic Standing), Mary Lynn Rajskub (from Fox’s 24), and even Steve-O (you know what he’s from). He’s written in the funniest parts of great TED Talks, Starbucks, MSN, ABC, eBaum’s World (yes, they’re still around), famous comedians, and many more.

From humble beginnings with Top Ramen dinners in a big Hawaiian family to becoming a fermentation queen  and thriving business owner, Sam Paone has crafted a unique path through food, music, and business. As the owner of Golden State Pickle Network/Collective Cultures, Sam turns everyday ingredients into extraordinary flavors—think kimchi dressings, bold aiolis, and more.

From music school in Denver to the restaurant kitchens of Berkeley, Sam helped advise on  a Kenwood restaurant opening , where an obsession with fermentation turned from a hobby into a thriving business. Now, with sold-out fermentation classes at the Sonic Community Center and a new pilot series, "Jarring Everything" , Sam is expanding their culinary influence and  currently raising sponsorship to bring the show to life on Eat This Network.

Tune in as we dive into the wild world of fermentation, the artistry of balancing bold flavors, and the adventurous life journey of an amazing woman! 

In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Fontaine, a chef, teacher, and beekeeper who brings a touch of Normandy, France, to the heart of Northern California. From Berkeley to  Petaluma, Anthony has not only planted roots but infused his communities with the warmth and depth of French cuisine.

Teaching at the Sonoma Community Center, he believes a meal is more than just food—it’s an experience, an atmosphere, and an opportunity to bring people together. His philosophy is simple yet profound: “Find your own answer around the table.” Through his classes, he inspires home cooks to embrace independence in the kitchen, particularly teens in the Kitchen on Fire program in Berkeley, where he fosters confidence and creativity in young chefs.

Beyond the classroom, Anthony is passionate about knife skills and classic French bistro cooking, which he aims to bring to his classes at SCC. But his love for food extends beyond the kitchen—he is also a dedicated beekeeper. A fascinating journey indeed!!

Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Christian Moses is the 2025 Sonoma Ceramics Artist in Residence and kicks off the pod with a deep dive into his whimsical world of ceramics, where nostalgia meets New York’s rich cultural history. Born and raised in Harlem and Brooklyn with five siblings, Christian’s ceramics journey really took off in 2020 with his handcrafted, unconventional ceramic designs filled with whimsical illustrations started gathering attention.

We talk about his early hustle, launching a skateboard  deck design business at just 16, his love for bones shirts, and how his latest work draws inspiration from the iconic Pelle jackets that defined hip-hop style in the ‘70s. Tune in for a conversation about craftsmanship, culture, and  a slice of the Christian Moses story!

Join us for an inspiring episode featuring Tony Gonzalez, the Artistic Director of Transcendence Theatre Company. Tony opens up about his deep-seated belief in the power of teamwork and how it shapes his work in theater, family and life. 

 From his Ohio roots to the dazzling lights of Broadway, Tony shares his incredible journey as a performer and associate choreographer in the hit musical "Mama Mia," which took him around the globe for over 10 years.  He shares his enthusiasm and love for the incredible family and community of the Transcendence Theater Co.  

With a passion for positivity and an infectious enthusiasm, Tony’s story is a testament to following your dreams. Plus, we'll delve into his love for Mexican food and traveling!  Get ready for an upbeat and heartwarming episode filled with laughter, inspiration, and the magic of the performing arts.