This Must Be the Place

As PEANUTS marks its 75th anniversary, this episode goes inside how Charles M. Schulz’s work is preserved, extended, and reimagined — from museum archives to new stories for today’s audiences.

As the PEANUTS comic strip celebrates its 75th anniversary, this episode goes behind the scenes of one of the most influential works in cartoon history. We go inside the enduring legacy of PEANUTS — from Charles M. Schulz’s creative process to how Snoopy and Charlie Brown still connect with new generations.

Benjamin Clark, curator of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, joins the show to explore the lasting impact of Charles M. Schulz and why characters like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang continue to resonate decades later. Benjamin shares insights into preserving Schulz’s work, discovering personal artifacts, and honoring both Schulz’s artistic vision and his humanity.

The conversation then expands into the present day with Mary Valencia-Shyne, senior artist at the Schulz Studio, who discusses contemporary cartooning and what it takes to protect and extend the PEANUTS legacy. Mary offers a behind-the-scenes look at how new PEANUTS content is created — from product approvals to Apple TV+ projects like Camp Snoopy and One-of-a-Kind Marcie — while also sharing her journey as a modern cartoonist, educator, and graphic novelist.

From classic comic strips to today’s digital platforms, this episode explores how PEANUTS continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.

✏️ Perfect for PEANUTS fans, artists, cartoon lovers, and anyone curious about creativity, legacy, and pop culture history.

Featured Guests:

Benjamin Clark, Curator at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center

Mary Valencia-Shyne, senior artist at the Schulz Studio

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center: The central hub for all things “Peanuts,” located in Santa Rosa, California. Visitors can explore exhibitions, view original art, and learn about Schulz's life and work.

• Peanuts Official Website: For character profiles, comic strip archives, and educational activities.

• Rob Armstrong, Cartoonist

• Broom-Hilda comic strip created by cartoonist Russell Myers

• “Happiness is a Warm Puppy” Book

• Warm Puppy Cafe, the cafe where Charles Schulz spent every morning

• Craig Schulz

• Beetle Bailey Comic Strip

• Pogo Comic Strip

• Shuntaro Tanikawa

• It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

• A Charlie Brown Christmas

• Charlie Brown's All-Stars!

• Lee Mendelson 

• Bill Melendez

• Vince Guaraldi

• Apple TV+: A streaming service featuring new Peanuts content

• You and Me on Repeat: A young adult graphic novel by Mary Valencia Shyne 

• Center for Cartoon Studies: An educational institution where Mary studied

• Webtoons: An online platform for digital comics

• TikTok: A social media platform that Mary plans to use for her book sales 

• Storygraph

• Libraries: Mentioned as a key venue for discovering new graphic novels 

• Penguin Random House: Mary's former employer in digital publishing 

• Manga

On the this episode of This Must Be the Place, we journey to the Healdsburg International Short Film Festival with organizers Pamela and Kirk Demorest and get a behind the scenes look at one of the films premiering at the Fest, Eat Surf Love, with director Nada Djordjevich and actress Molly Wood. It's a star-studded episode.

In the first segment, Pamela and Kirk Demorest dish on the history of their short film festival, tracing its roots back to a fundraiser in Bodega Bay before it found its home in Healdsburg. The Hollywood veterans discuss how they saw potential for a unique kind of film festival and realized that Healdsburg's infrastructure and community support were the perfect ingredients for their dream. They explain why short films offer the ideal vehicle for global storytelling, providing a diverse and accessible platform for filmmakers and a curated experience for audiences. The couple explain their curation process, which they describe as having a "human" and "European" feel, emphasizing character-driven narratives and emotional depth over cheap thrills. You'll get an inside look at the rigorous selection process, where Pamela and Kirk and their committee reviewed over 467 films to narrow down the program to just 51. And, we'll explore how the festival champions the power of concise storytelling, proving that a compelling narrative doesn't need a feature-length runtime to make an impact.

Next, we're joined by director Nada Djordjevich and actress Molly Wood to discuss their award-winning short film, Eat Surf Love. Nada shares her experience directing her first live-action film, and Molly discusses her professional journey from journalism to landing her first acting role in the film. We dive into the creative and logistical advantages (and challenges) of shooting a short film on mobile phones and on location in San Francisco. The duo also discuss the film’s themes, film collaboration, friendship, and advice for novice filmmakers. 

Allo wraps the episode with a review of a beer that’s easy to love–Fort Point Beer Company’s flagship, KSA. The Craft Beer Concierge teaches us a bit about this style's German history and reveals its flavor profile. 

Featured Guests:

Pamela and Kirk Demorest

Nada Djordjevich

Molly Wood

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Healdsburg International Short Film Festival: The official website for tickets, event details, and submissions.

• FilmFreeway: The platform used by the festival to accept film submissions.

• Healdsburg Center for the Arts: The festival's collaborative partner for the opening night gala and other events.

• Eat Surf Love

• Manny's Cafe: A location featured in the film Eat Surf Love.

• The Embarcadero: A location in San Francisco also featured in the film.

• Ed Begley Jr.: The actor and author mentioned in relation to a book signing at the festival.

• Tom Waits: The renowned musician who served as a judge for the festival for four consecutive years.

• • Molly Ringwald and Rosie O'Donnell: Mainstream actresses whose work has been featured in past festival selections.
  • Fort Point Beer Company

  
  

  This Must Be the Place is produced by Podlocally

  Original theme music composed and recorded by Mateo Carrillo and James Cote.

On this episode of "This Must Be the Place," we explore the vibrant North Bay art scene from Burning Man to Santa Rosa’s Open Studios. Our host, Allo, chats with two art aficionados who give us insights into these worlds: Jennifer Raiser, a veteran Burner, Burning Man board member, and author of Burning Man, Art on Fire, and Spring Maxfield, the driving force behind the Santa Rosa Urban Arts Partnership and Santa Rosa’s Open Studios. These enlightening conversations prove you don't need to travel to Black Rock City to see world-class art—you just have to know where to look.

Jennifer Raiser takes us inside the 2025 Burning Man festival, giving us a detailed recap of the event from the unpredictable weather to the resiliency and community spirit that defines the festival. We delve into the art that shapes the event, learning all about how artists interpreted the Tomorrow Today theme and what art trends emerged that we should expect to see in the zeitgeist. Jennifer describes the powerful symbols of monsters, birds, and feminine strength reflected in this year's art, and reveals how this radical creativity has found a natural home right here in Sonoma County. You'll hear about specific local Burner artists like Brian Tedrick and Michael Garlington and get an itinerary to see some of this incredible art for yourself at local spots like Paradise Ridge Winery and Sebastopol's town green.

Then, we discuss the burgeoning Santa Rosa art scene with Spring Maxfield, a passionate advocate for the North Bay’s art community. Spring, whose own passion for art was ignited after moving to Sonoma County in 1990, founded the Santa Rosa Urban Arts Partnership to create new economic opportunities for local artists. She tells us all about the flourishing South A Street Arts District and explains how events like the Santa Rosa Open Studios—a multi-weekend event in September—are designed to connect artists directly with their patrons. This is a chance to see emerging artists like Bug Thompson and Alina Nubel in their element. Spring also teases some exciting new events, from the upcoming Winterblast parade to the growing mural scene, leaving us with a powerful message: supporting local art isn't just about filling empty walls—it's about enriching our entire community.

We cap this episode with a celebration of brewing as an art form, featuring a fresh release from the legendary Russian River Brewing Company. The new Hop Growers Tribute Series is a 6.5% ABV craft beer, showcasing a masterful blend of hops that’s a special collaboration with Mac Hops from New Zealand. The result is a vibrant flavor profile that is both complex and balanced–an artistic blend of bitterness and flavor. This is a limited release, so head to Russian River Brewing's locations in Santa Rosa or Windsor before it’s gone.

Featured Guests:

Jennifer Raiser

Spring Maxfield

Resources & Artists Mentioned in this Episode:

Burning Man

Book: "Burning Man, Art on Fire" by Jennifer Raiser

Paradise Ridge Winery 

Wine Country Garden Design (Sonoma Garden Center)

Sebastopol's town green

Santa Rosa Urban Arts Partnership 

Santa Rosa Open Studios

North Bay Burners Facebook group

Sonoma County Art Trails

Winterblast Parade (November 15th)

Criminal Bakery

Cafe Frida

Spinster Sisters

Arlene Francis Center

Brian Tedrick, Michael Garlington, Kevin Clark, David Best, Marco Cochrane, Mark Rivera

Bug Thompson, Alina Nubel, Zoe Dinardo, MJ Lindo, Joshua Lawyer, Bud Snow

Russian River Brewing Company

Original theme music composed and recorded by Mateo Carrillo and James Cote.

Hey Sonoma County, mark your calendars because this week on This Must Be the Place, we're festival bound, getting all the deets on the upcoming Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival and Railroad Square Music Festival from event organizers John Burns and Josh Windmiller.

Your host, Allo, kicks things off, chatting with John Burns about all things craft beer. John is a 25-year member of the Petaluma Rotary which hosts the upcoming Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival. We hear all about the event’s history, stellar lineup of craft breweries, the delicious eats, and live tunes from Batacha and Johnny Sanchez. This tasty event is happening September 13th from 1 to 5 PM in downtown Petaluma, and it's all for a great cause–benefiting local initiatives like homeless shelters, youth programs, and teacher mini-grants. You'll snag a souvenir tasting glass and a handy site map to navigate all the goodness, including favorites like Old Caz and Drake's Bear Republic, alongside exciting newcomers like Del Cielo and Goat Rock Cider Company.

Then, things get electric as Allo connects with Josh Windmiller, the mastermind behind the FREE Railroad Square Music Festival. Josh shares the incredible grassroots journey of this festival, which highlights regional acts across multiple stages in the heart of Santa Rosa's Railroad Square. He's been building community connections for two decades, championing the arts and fostering strong relationships with local businesses and government to make this festival a reality year after year.

Josh talks about the band selection process, explaining how they scout talent year-round to ensure an incredible array of diverse artists are represented. Almost every act you'll see this year across the five stages is performing for the first time at the festival, promising fresh sounds and discoveries.

Josh overviews the epic day ahead in Railroad Square, with a full rundown of the musical acts like SambaDa, Electric Tumbleweed, and tons of other local gems. They've even added an Electric Railroad Station for house and dance music lovers, plus a dedicated kids' area managed by the Children's Museum of Sonoma County. Expect fantastic food vendors, local crafters, and shops, plus expanded drink options including cocktails from Griffo, beer from Moonlight Brewing Co, and wine from Rodney Strong. The party runs from noon to 7 PM on September 28th, and you can find the full lineup on railroadsquaremusicfestival.com. This grassroots, diverse, and inspiring festival is truly a highlight for Santa Rosa, encouraging everyone to discover new music and support local talent. 

Don't forget to tune in for our "Crack One Open" segment where Allo reviews Cellar Clown from Moonlight Brewing. Allo breaks down why this Märzen-style lager is THE beer to drink in celebration of OctoberFest and explains why it is the perfect seasonal bridge from summer into fall. Allo even gives us a brief history of the German holiday and some tasty food-pairing ideas.

So whether you're craving a cold brew or ready to dance your heart out, this episode has got you covered. Tune in, support local, and get ready to discover your next favorite North Bay beer and band. 

Featured Guests:

John Burns

Josh Windmiller

Featured Music:

“Always Drinking” by Electric Tumbleweed

“Lonesome LA Cowboy” by Electric Tumbleweed

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival

Railroad Square Music Festival

Moonlight Brewing

Rodney Strong

Griffo Distillery

Children's Museum of Sonoma County

SambaDa

Electric Tumbleweed

Old Caz

Drake's Bear Republic

Del Cielo 

Goat Rock Cider Company

Original theme music composed and recorded by Mateo Carrillo and James Cote.

Correction: In this episode, we mistakenly gave the incorrect name of an up-and-coming actor as Isaiah Young. The correct name is Isaiah Carter.

This week, This Must Be the Place shines the spotlight on Sonoma County's bustling theater scene. In this episode, host Allo Gilinsky invites two theatrical heavyweights to pull back the curtain on the community, the productions, and the passionate people who bring life to the stage. First, we talk to theater critic, Harry Duke, who gives us a preview of the season's must-see shows and enlightens us about Sonoma County’s rising stars and incredible local talent. Next, we talk with Elly Lichenstein, a founding board member of Petaluma’s Mercury Theater. We delve into the theater’s history, legacy, and hear the inspiring story of this new community-led theater, as well as get a sneak peek of upcoming productions. We close the episode with the perfect post-show beer to toast the local arts. 

Our first guest is the renowned actor, director, teacher, and theater critic Harry Duke, who shares his unique and extensive knowledge of the North Bay's theater world. He provides a fascinating overview of the scene, highlighting what sets Sonoma County apart from its neighbors. Harry shares his personal journey from a career in banking to finding his calling on the stage and reviewing shows across the North Bay. He gives us a preview of standout upcoming productions, including a special anniversary show at 6th Street Playhouse and a powerful world premiere at Spreckels. Harry also offers his expert insight into the challenges facing local theaters, from funding struggles to engaging new generations.

Next, we hear from Elly Lichenstein, a driving force and founding board member behind the brand-new Mercury Theater in Petaluma. Elly shares the inspiring story of how a collective of passionate artists came together to create an intimate, community-focused theatrical home in the former Cinnabar Theater space. She gives us a rundown of their inaugural season, which promises both comedic and thought-provoking content. Elly also speaks to the vital role of community and volunteerism in keeping local theater alive and thriving.

After our captivating dive into the rich world of Sonoma theater, we grab a drink with our host and Craft Beer Concierge, Allo Gilinsky. This week, Allo is pouring a Belgian Tripel from Windsor's family-owned Cuver Brewing, a company that, like the theater companies we discussed, is known for celebrating and revitalizing classic styles. Allo shares his tasting notes and gives expert food pairing advice.

Featured Guests

• Harry Duke: Actor, director, teacher, and theater critic. Find his work at North Bay Stage and Screen.

• Elly Lichenstein: Founding Board Member of Mercury Theater.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• Mercury Theater: The new community-driven Petaluma company.

• North Bay Stage and Screen: Harry Duke's guide to theater in the North Bay.

• 6th Street Playhouse: Learn more about their anniversary season.

• Spreckels Performing Arts Center: Check out their world premiere.

• Cinnabar Theater: Explore the historic theater's new season.

• Cuver Brewing: Grab a Belgian-style beer from this Windsor brewery.

• Craft Beer Concierge: Find Allo's other beer reviews and adventures.

Join us for a fun and informative conversation about Steven Spielberg's cinematic masterpiece, Jaws on its 50th anniversary. In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the enduring legacy of this summer blockbuster and its profound impact on both Hollywood, movie-goers, and, of course, sharks.

Our first guest is Ky Boyd, Director of Sebastopol, CA’s Rialto Cinemas, who shares his film expertise and knowledge about the groundbreaking and enduring film, Jaws. We discuss its revolutionary summer release strategy, which transformed Hollywood's approach to profitability and set the stage for the blockbuster era. Ky also details the film's lasting cultural footprint, including its iconic score and visual storytelling techniques that continue to influence filmmakers today. The conversation wraps up with exciting news about upcoming events at Rialto Cinemas, including a special 50th Anniversary Screening of Jaws from August 29-31, 2025 and a sneak peek into their strong fall lineup.

Next, we hear from David McGuire, founder of the non-profit Shark Stewards, who offers a different perspective on Jaw's impact. David discusses the negative consequences of Jaws on public perception and the subsequent decline in shark populations over the past five decades. He shares crucial insights into the behavior of sharks in Northern California's "Red Triangle" region and provides valuable safety measures for surfers and ocean enthusiasts. David also recounts his personal experiences filming sharks. He highlights his Sharktoberfest events dedicated to shark conservation and education. To learn more about Shark Stewards and their efforts, including beach cleanups and educational events, visit sharkstewards.org.

After diving into the rich history of cinema and the pressing issue of shark conservation, we crack one open with our host Allo Gilinsky, the Craft Beer Concierge. Allo closes out the show with a pithy and on point review of North Coast Brewing’s Scrimshaw Pilsner. Allo discusses the brewery’s celebrated history, provides tasting notes, and waxes poetic on why it's the perfect brew to unwind with after a long day or even after a close encounter with a shark!

This episode offers a comprehensive look at "Jaws", inviting listeners to appreciate its cinematic achievements while also reflecting on its real-world consequences and the importance of shark conservation. And, of course, enjoy a well-deserved Scrimshaw Pilsner while you're at it!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Rialto Cinemas

Shark Stewards

Bodega Marine Laboratory

Coastal Clean Up 

Sonoma MPA Collaborative

North Coast Brewing

Craft Beer Concierge

Listen up Sonoma County locals! Join host Allo Gilinsky on This Must Be the Place, and learn what it's like to be a craft beer enthusiast living in wine country. Let Allo be your weekly guide to the weird and wonderful happenings in Sonoma County. From sipping suds with local legends to uncovering hidden gems, we're diving deep—one story, one sip, and one adventure at a time.