California Groundbreakers

This pandemic has created a major upheaval in Los Angeles, the global hub of entertainment. We're now used to streaming movies and TV shows whenever we want, and we're finding new types of entertainment in places like YouTube, Twitch and TikTok. So what does the future hold for movie theaters, streaming services, film and TV studios, and the people who work for all of them, when this pandemic ends? Listen to two experts in entertainment and pop culture who tell us what types of things we'll be watching in the future, how we'll be watching then, and what that all means for one of California's biggest economic forces, the entertainment industry. GUESTS * Gene Del Vecchio, adjunct professor of marketing at USC's Marshall School of Business, marketing consultant for the entertainment industry, and author of business books like "Creating Blockbusters" - https://www.marshall.usc.edu/personnel/gene-del-vecchio * Henry Jenkins, Provost Professor of Communication, Journalism, Cinematic Arts and Education at USC, writer/editor of 20 books about media and popular culture, and co-host of the podcast "How Do You Like It So Far?" - https://annenberg.usc.edu/faculty/henry-jenkins PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 6:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and this episode * 6:15 min - The biggest changes that Del Vecchio and Jenkins made in their entertainment consumption during this pandemic * 10:30 min - Are movie theaters going to survive? * 17:40 min - How the movie experience, and types of movies, will change as more of us stop going to the movies * 23:10 min - What's the relevance of movie stars these days, and will Scarlett Johansson's "Black Widow" lawsuit against Disney change the way they're paid? * 31:25 min - How the rise of streaming video is changing TV production and the traditional TV and cable networks * 42:05 min - How GenZ's tastes in entertainment are changing the way Hollywood makes entertainment * 48:20 min - How social movements are hitting Hollywood (i.e., MeToo, PayUpHollywood, cancel culture), and are they causing significant change? * 57:25 min - Will Los Angeles remain the epicenter of entertainment, and will Hollywood still be "Hollywood?" * 1 hr, 30 sec - Del Vecchio and Jenkins' recommendations for what to watch this summer

Silicon Valley has always been the global hub of technology, and in the past 18 months, it has made the tools that allowed Americans -- and the American economy -- to survive the pandemic. Right now, California's tech industry is triumphant, and flush with profits. What will it do with all that money and power? And who, if anyone, can restrain tech, and its potential to dominate the way we live our lives? We talk with Cindy Cohn, executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, about what Big Tech and Silicon Valley are doing – and should be doing – when it comes to misinformation, consumer data, cyberattacks, dealing with Congress and the FBI, and more (https://www.eff.org/about/staff/cindy-cohn). PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:40 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to this episode * 4:40 min - How Cohn has personally experienced the boons and the banes of pandemic-time technology * 7:40 min - With the Delta variant of the coronavirus on the rise, should tech be used to create vaccine passports and immunity passports, and for public health monitoring in general? * 14 min - How privacy and security of our consumer data gathered online has changed during the pandemic * 18:05 min - How the battle of the Feds vs. Big Tech will affect us * 25 min - "This is an example of everyone agreeing on a problem and rushing to a really awful solution" * 28:10 min - What the tech industry should do (or not) about the issue of misinformation vs. freedom of expression * 33:30 min - Can Silicon Valley protect us from ransomware, spyware and cyberattacks? * 41:30 min - Why California's "broadband destiny" now has a bright future * 46 min - Because we're more online now, how can we better protect our digital privacy and freedoms? * 50:30 min - Silicon Valley is always rising and falling -- how will it do this time post-pandemic? RESOURCE GUIDE * Electronic Frontier Foundation's tools for web privacy and security - https://www.eff.org/pages/tools * EFF's "How to Fix the Internet" Podcast - https://www.eff.org/how-to-fix-the-internet-podcast

California's arts institutions are dealing with budget cuts and revenue shortfalls due to the pandemic, and a reckoning with systemic racism in the art world. So what progress have they made in diversifying their staffs, their artwork, and their audiences over the past year? And will any of us ever look at art, and the meaning of it, in the same way again? We talk with two people who present great works of art to the public, but do it in very different ways. GUESTS * Thomas Campbell, CEO and director of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and former CEO/director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (https://deyoung.famsf.org/Becoming-an-Anti-Racist-Institution) * Andre Jones, a.k.a. Natty Rebel, designer, muralist and founder/director of the Bay Area Mural Program (https://bamp.netlify.app) PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 4 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to this episode PART ONE: Thomas Campbell * 4 min - Why Campbell, an Englishman who had a prestigious career in London and New York, decided to make the move to California * 7:40 min - How he views art in California, California art, and how we perceive it * 10:25 min - What Campbell learned about leading two top museums through two tough times in U.S. history * 14:20 min - How George Floyd's murder shaped Campbell's view of the art world, and his decision to create an anti-racist institution * 20:05 min - What should California's arts institutions be doing to create "blockbuster" exhibitions of non-white-male California artists? * 26:35 min - Diversifying museum staff and management - do they all need Masters and Ph.D degrees? * 31:15 min - How to make a museum's board of directors more diverse -- and still have a board that brings in the money needed to run the museum * 35:25 min - Using California's role as a technology hub to revolutionize art * 40:50 min - How the inaugural DeYoung Open brought in a new range of art and artists * 46:10 - What art institutions, and us art lovers, can do to support artists and make the art world more accessible PART TWO: Andre Jones * 51:20 min - What brought Jones from the East Coast to the Bay Area, and how his new home has inspired the way he creates art * 57:20 min - His approach to creating public art * 59:45 min - How the Bay Area Mural Program got started and is now expanding * 1hr, 2:25 min - How the events of 2020 made Jones take action as an artist and activist * 1 hr, 6:55 min - Is the new focus on diversity of art turning into more financial success for artists of color? * 1 hr, 10:15 min - Creating the new generation of artists * 1 hr, 13:40 min - Jones' recommendation for public art that really resonates today * 1:16:10 min - Jones' prediction for the future of public art in California, and how Californians can make that future bright RESOURCE GUIDE * Institutional Blog for the Museums of Fine Arts in San Francisco - https://deyoung.famsf.org/blog/category/1494 * Black Liberation Walking Tour in Oakland - https://www.blwt.org IMAGE CREDIT: "United We Rise" Mural in Downtown Oakland by Divya Bala (https://www.instagram.com/artbydivya/?hl=en)

Few business sectors in California were more battered by the pandemic than the dining industry -- nearly a third of the state's restaurants permanently closed in the past year, and two-thirds of workers temporarily lost their jobs. Now as California opens back up, how many restaurants will reopen, and will they bounce back? We talk with two people who write about California's dining scene about how restaurants are adapting post-pandemic, and what we should expect now when we go out to eat. GUESTS * Janelle Bitker, food enterprise reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle (https://www.sfchronicle.com/author/janelle-bitker) * Javier Cabral, editor of LA Taco (https://www.lataco.com/author/javiercabral) PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and this episode * 4:20 min - Janelle and Javier share their "This Changes Everything" moment covering the food scene in the past 15 months * 10:25 min - Do people still want to pay $300 for a fine-dining meal? * 13:30 min - How "ghost kitchens" are changing up the restaurant industry * 18:45 min - How the labor and racial justice movements are changing up the restaurant industry * 26:10 min - More people of color being hired as food critics at top California publications -- how will their articles and POVs change our food scene? * 33:55 min - How we Californians can support and help restaurants stay alive and thrive * 37:50 min - Janelle and Javier give some of their favorite dining-out picks in SF and LA RESOURCE GUIDE * Janelle's eat-here pick in San Francisco: Nari in Japantown (https://www.narisf.com) * Javier's eat-here pick in Los Angeles: Tamales Elena Y Antojitos in Bell Gardens (http://ordertamaleselenayantojitos.com) * LA pop-ups: Golden Rice (https://www.goldenrice.co), Little Fish (https://www.instagram.com/littlefish_echopark/?hl=en) and Quarantine Pizza (https://www.instagram.com/quarantinepizzaco/?hl=en) * Nonprofits that are helping keep restaurants open: SF New Deal(https://sfnewdeal.org)and Restaurants Care (https://restaurantscare.org/get-involved) * "The Taco Chronicles" on Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/title/81040704) * "Counter Intelligence: Where to Eat in the Real Los Angeles" by Jonathan Gold (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780312267230)

The pandemic has changed the concept of physical stores – do we still need them, what's their purpose now, and how should they change to stay relevant? And what about the stuff we buy – do we need to have the same things we bought before the pandemic, and do we still need to shop for so much of it? We talk with two retail experts about how the coronavirus has shaken up the industry, how our consumer spending habits are shifting, and what shopping will look like in the future. GUESTS * David Fishbein, co-founder of the Runyon Group, a real-estate development firm in Los Angeles that owns, creates and manages new types of shopping hubs (https://www.voguebusiness.com/consumers/is-la-platform-the-future-of-retail) * Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association (https://calretailers.com) PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:55 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and this episode * 4;55 min - Notable turns, twists and trends in shopping and retail since the pandemic shutdowns began * 11:25 min - How stores will look different in this new experiential type of shopping * 17:40 min - How Amazon -- and everyone buying all their stuff online -- are threatening brick-and-mortar shopping * 22:50 min - How consumer tastes and trends -- especially those of younger people - are changing what's in and out of style with shopping * 28:20 - Will shopping malls stick around? And will we still go shopping in our downtowns?

Travel is bouncing back, but there's still plenty we don't know about how the pandemic -- and new variants of the coronavirus -- will play out, either here in California or overseas. And those big unknowns are still dramatically shaping the future of travel. We talk with two California-based travel experts who have been on the road this year about what to expect for local, domestic and international travel, what's quickly going back to normal, what may be changing permanently, and what's still to be determined. GUESTS * Julia Cosgrove, vice president and editor in chief of Afar Media (https://www.afar.com) * Hugh Garvey, editor in chief of Sunset Publishing (https://www.sunset.com) PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and this episode * 5:25 min - How the pandemic has changed travel trends and people's preferences since shutdown started * 11:10 min - What travel in California looks like now * 16:50 min - How shortages (i.e., rental cars, restaurant employees) are going to affect your travel plans * 19:35 min - New and different types of trips that are now in style * 27:35 min - Will plane travel be any different or go back to the (unfortunate) norm? * 33:50 min - The future of the cruise industry * 36:55 min - How "working from home" and "digital nomads" are reshaping travel * 41:40 min - Julia and Hugh pick the best California trip to take (after the summer is over) RESOURCE GUIDE * Arundhati Roy's travel essay, "The Portal Is a Pandemic," that Julia cited - https://www.ft.com/content/10d8f5e8-74eb-11ea-95fe-fcd274e920ca * Nominate a place or a person for Sunset Magazine's Travel Awards 2021 by July 16 - https://www.sunset.com/travel/sunset-travel-awards-returning-2021 * What to know about camper van rentals - https://lushpalm.com/camper-van-rentals-california-coast *Santa Ynez Valley - https://www.visitsyv.com * Bell's Restaurant in Los Alamos - https://www.bellsrestaurant.com * White Water Lodge in Cambria - https://whitewatercambria.com

Now that California is reopening, where do we go and how do we get there? This three-part episode focuses on the future of transportation in the state, from clean cars and electric trucks to high-speed rail and highway removals. We're talking with three people who are working on innovations in all those areas. GUESTS * Part 1: Robert Powers, general manager of Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART ) * Part 2: Craig Segall, deputy executive officer of mobile sources and incentives at California's Air Resources Board * Part 3: Jeanie Ward-Waller, deputy director of planning and modal programs at Caltrans PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 2:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to this episode * 2:30 min - Robert Powers of BART talks about public transit -- how it's recovering from the pandemic gut punch, who it needs to service, and how it should be funded going forward * 23:10 min - Craig Segall of the Air Resources Board explains California's Clean Cars program, how he's going to meet the 2035 goal of all new-car sales being zero-emission vehicles, and how he's going to convince millions of us to buy them * 38:25 min - Jeanie Ward-Waller, the "forward-looking thinker" at Caltrans, talks about that agency's plans, from "electrifying" California to making Equity come first when repairing current infrastructure and building new ones RESOURCE GUIDE * SPUR's Bay Area Regional Strategy for 2070: Climate Change and Transportation (https://www.spur.org/featured-project/spur-regional-strategy/climate-transportation) * Link21, the proposed integrated rail network for Northern California - https://link21program.org/en/about * The Advanced Clean Cars Program - https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/advanced-clean-cars-program * Clean Cars 4 All Program - buying guide and rebate incentives - https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/msprog/lct/vehiclescrap.htm * Caltrans' 5 Priorities - https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/documents/director-5-topic-fact-sheet-a11y.pdf * California Transportation Plan 2050 - https://dot.ca.gov/programs/transportation-planning/state-planning/california-transportation-plan

The pandemic has re-shifted our priorities, particularly where we want to live and work. For many Californians, that location may be a different one than the place they were living before the coronavirus hit. And that's causing major changes in cities, suburbs and small towns across the state. Join us as we talk with two planning and development experts about how the pandemic is changing the urban and rural regions they live and work in, and what those changes mean for California overall. GUESTS * Alicia John-Baptiste, CEO of SPUR, a nonprofit think tank focused on regional planning and public policy in the San Francisco Bay Area (https://www.spur.org) * Shawna Purvines, deputy director of the Community Development Resource Agency in Placer County (https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/sacramento-tipping-point/article251711163.html) PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 4:10 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to this episode * 4:10 min - John-Baptiste and Purvines share what pandemic-induced changes they've seen in their regions, as planning professionals and as residents * 10:15 min - How the pandemic has affected the housing markets in the Bay Area and super-hot Placer County * 18:35 min - Will it be easier, or harder, now to build more affordable housing in California? * 29:45 min - What will Downtown look like in the future, and where will the new community-gathering hubs be? * 36:30 min - Predictions for post-pandemic traffic patterns and transit use * 43 min - Has the pandemic turned ideas previously considered as "moonshots" into actual possibilities for future community planning and development?

After more than a year of closed campuses and online-only learning, California's higher education system has been completely changed in a way that will persist when students head back to class in real life for a new school year. But there are other changes still developing, like: * what's the right mix of face-to-face, virtual and hybrid learning * how to better help students with their mental health, financial aid, and food and housing needs * how to make campuses get more flexible in the ways they operate * and how to get California's large population of lower-income students all the way to graduation with a college degree and good job prospects We talk with two college students, and a newly-appointed university president, about which changes are needed most, and what California's higher education system needs to do to become the best in America again. PART ONE * Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, the brand-new president of Fresno State University PART TWO * Stephen Kodur, a 2021 graduate from Reedley College and president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges * Josh Lewis, a senior at UC Berkeley and chair of Government Relations for the UC Student Association PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to min - Intro to the podcast and this episode * 3:35 min - Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval describes what learning will be like at Fresno State in the new school year, and how the campus will operate differently * 8:30 min - Improving mental health care needs and access to other amenities students need to avoid burnout and dropping out * 19:45 min - Are there any new ways to boost financial aid, and get it to a wider group of students? * 22:20 min - Most 9th graders in California right now apparently won't get a college degree - how can we change that? * 32:20 min - How state colleges can be run more like businesses that provide good products to their customers * 36:45 min - Jiménez-Sandoval's advice for high school students currently thinking about college applications and their futures --- * 41 min - Stephen Kodur and Josh Lewis share their most significant moment of being a college student during a pandemic * 45:50 min - The pros and cons of virtual education and learning online * 50:15 min - How should the cost of a college education be priced going forward? * 55:45 min - What the state and the Feds should do to reform and improve the financial aid system * 1 hr, 1:05 min - How college students feel about their job prospects, and are their schools helping them out? * 1 hr, 6:40 min - What should the college campus of the future be like? * 1 hr, 12:25 min - Kodur and Lewis predict what their post-pandemic futures will be like RESOURCE GUIDE * Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval's appointment as President of Fresno State University - https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article251194999.html * Stephen Kodur profiled in this CalMatters story about student financial aid - https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2021/04/cal-grant-expansion-older-students/ * Info about Assembly Bill 1456 to revamp Cal Grants - https://edsource.org/2021/california-lawmakers-propose-cal-grant-reforms-to-help-low-income-students/649611 * Info about Assembly Bill 928 to make it easier for community college graduates to transfer to CSU and UC schools -https://diverseeducation.com/article/207621/

This pandemic has been a wild ride for everyone, especially for young Millennials and Generation Z. These teens and 20-somethings are dealing with some turbulent stuff -- mental health issues, remote learning, a rocky economy and job market -- during some pivotal life stages. On the other hand, what happened in 2020 made many young people far more aware of politics and activism, and their generation is set to take over the economy in just a decade. So what are the specific ups and downs they're going to be facing between now and then, and how are they going to handle them? We're asking those questions to three people: a Gen Zer, a young Millennial, and a researcher who studies their generations' cultures, habits and lives. GUESTS: * Isha Clarke, the 18-year-old co-founder of climate-change activism group Youth vs. Apocalypse - https://www.youthvsapocalypse.org/meet-the-staff * Assemblymember Alex Lee, representing Assembly District 25, and California's first Gen Z state legislator - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/us/alex-lee-california-assembly.html * Jean Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of many books on generational differences, her latest is "iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy -- and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood" - http://www.jeantwenge.com/about-jean PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 6:05 min - Intro to the episode and our guests * 6:05 min - Alex Lee and Isha Clarke explain how the past 14 months have impacted them and their peers * 9:40 min - How Millennials/GenZers have changed the way mental health issues are perceived and addressed * 14:30 min - How Alex and Isha are making their mark in politics and activism - and how their generations must work with older ones to make change * 20:50 min - The economic and job outlook for young people - and how they'll handle their powerful role as the now-largest population group in the U.S.

Remember when a first date often involved dinner and a movie, a few drinks in a crowded bar, and if things went well, a goodnight kiss? 2020 changed all that with social distancing, mask-wearing and the threat of catching a deadly disease. But right now, when every adult is eligible for vaccination, what does this summer -- and the future -- hold for modern dating, romance and relationships? GUESTS * Paul Eastwick, professor of psychology at UC Davis and head of the university's Attraction and Relationship Research Lab - http://pauleastwick.com * Julie Krafchick, producer and co-host of the podcast Date/Able, which focuses on sex, love, dating and relationships - https://www.dateablepodcast.com PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 5:20 min - Intro to episode and our guests Paul and Julie * 5:20 min - How people's views of dating and relationships have changed since the pandemic started * 9 min - Have people's views, and people's use, of online dating changed. too? * 14:20 min - Will this summer start another "Roaring 20s," or FODA (fear of dating again) or something else? * 19:05 min - What role does passion play these days in modern relationships? * 24:50 min - Has the pandemic changed people's views about weddings and getting hitched? * 28:50 min - With the pandemic putting so much stress on people's relationships, how to keep them surviving and thriving? * 33:20 min - Julie and Paul's advice for getting out there to mix and mingle again

What does the future hold for working parents in California? Will the childcare crisis, homeschooling debacle and issues involving remote work and essential work put us on a new path to better work-life balance? Are the federal and state governments going to make parenting easier to do going forward? And how can we use what we’ve learned during the pandemic to ensure that raising kids while working full-time fills us with happiness instead of with heartburn? We talk with two people who focus on better work-life balance issues professionally at their day job, and also personally at home as parents to young children. GUESTS * Danika Dellor, executive director of the California nonprofit Women’s Achievement Network and Development Alliance (WANDA) in Silicon Valley - https://wandasiliconvalley.org * Liz Morris, deputy director of the Center for WorkLife Law, an advocacy and research organization at the University of California’s Hastings Law - https://worklifelaw.org PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 6:50 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and the reasons for this episode * 6:50 min - Some significant work-life impacts Dellor and Morris have seen on parents during this pandemic * 11:40 min - Their thoughts on the Biden Administration's American Families Act and what California legislators are proposing * 16:10 min - Will paid leave be more widespread and easier to access? * 19:30 min - Burnout, and the apparent disconnect between what "back to the office" should look like * 24 min - What should employers be doing to improve work-life balance? * 27 min - Where are the men in this scenario? * 32 min - Can we innovate an expanded, and improved, childcare system? * 36:15 min - Words of advice for current -- and future -- parents who work RESOURCE GUIDE The Center for WorkLife Law has COVID-19 resources, including a free legal helpline for parents, family caregivers and pregnant and breastfeeding people. English: https://worklifelaw.org/covid19/helpline-resources/ Spanish: https://worklifelaw.org/covid19/recursos-de-covid-19/

COVID-19 caused the early deaths of many seniors, but even as we see the light at the end of the tunnel, the big issues of aging and senior care in California won't be easing up. The new Census data shows that California keeps getting older, and by the year 2030, nearly a quarter of our population will be over age 65. That affects nearly everything in this state, including housing, pensions, jobs and of course, healthcare. That’s why California has created a new Master Plan of Aging to address the issue of aging in the Golden State, and how we’re all going to handle it, no matter how old we are. We talk with Kim McCoy Wade, director of California’s Department of Aging, who's in charge of rolling out this Master Plan and preparing America’s most populous state for massive demographic change over the next decade. She explains what you need to know, and prepare for, as a California resident who’s getting older by the day. PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 5:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're focusing on aging * 5:15 min - How California's aging demographics affect all of us * 8:35 min - What the pandemic has shown about the problems of aging in California * 12:40 min - How to build seniors-suitable housing in a state that's infamous for making housing available for people of any age * 15:50 min - How to improve nursing homes and give them a "Golden Girls" quality of life * 19:40 min - How will California innovate healthcare delivery and Medicare? * 24:05 min - How to use technology to improve seniors' lives * 26:55 min - Reducing age-ism and keeping seniors productive in society * 30:30 min - Where's the money going to come from, and how will the Master Planners be held accountable for making this work? * 36 min - What California citizens can do to make "aging in place" work better in this state RESOURCE GUIDE * California's Department of Aging -- check out its "How DO I?" section - https://aging.ca.gov/ * California's Master Plan for Aging - https://mpa.aging.ca.gov/ * Local Playbook for communities, companies and philanthropists can use to help with the plan - https://mpa.aging.ca.gov/LocalPlaybook/ * How to Build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs, or "granny flats" for short) in California - https://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-research/accessorydwellingunits.shtml Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Even though coronavirus infections have sharply dropped, and the CDC is relaxing the rules around masks and mingling, what are we going to do about California’s healthcare system and our shell-shocked hospitals? How can we make sure we prevent so many unnecessary deaths among the people who cook our food, clean our houses, take care of our kids and do all the essential work we rely upon them for? Join us as we talk with Elaine Batchlor, M.D. -- or "Dr. B" for short -- the CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in Los Angeles, which was the Ground Zero of COVID deaths in California during those dark days last winter. She’ll tell us what went wrong last year and why, and what needs to happen now so we can address California’s major healthcare challenges and do better next time. PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 4:20 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, this episode and "Dr. B" * 4:20 min - The status report for California hospitals today, where they stand in the COVID-19 battle, and getting people vaccinated * 7:30 min - What this pandemic is teaching us about California's public health system * 11:30 min - Where the building blocks -- and the money -- should be focused for creating a successful public health system, and what Dr. Batchlor is doing about this at her own hospital * 21:30 - Why hospitals in wealthy areas leave hospitals like Dr. Batchlor's in the lurch when they're overwhelmed with patients, even during a pandemic * 26:40 min - How hard it will be to keep burnt-out healthcare workers on the job, and get young people into the medical field, after this grueling year * 30:30 min - What can we Californians do to build a better public healthcare system? RESOURCE GUIDE * New York Times article on the novel treatment MLK Jr. Community Hospital is now offering the patients it treated for COVID-19 - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/01/us/coronavirus-hospitals-recovery.html * Medscape article on Dr. Batchlor and how she turned a hospital nicknamed "Killer King" into a highly rated healthcare site in Los Angeles - https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/948712

With recent headlines about scandals and snafus at Big Tech companies like Google and Facebook, tech workers in Silicon Valley are fed up with doing business as usual, and they’re fighting back. Software coders and engineers who earn six-figure salaries are joining forces with the lower-paid workers who make their tech campuses run and embracing the idea of labor unions. in this episode, we’re talking with two people who believe in the power of collective action to make Silicon Valley a more equitable place. GUESTS * Maria Noel Fernandez, director of Silicon Valley Rising (https://siliconvalleyrising.org) * Christopher Schmidt, software engineer at Google and a founding member of the Alphabet Workers Union (https://alphabetworkersunion.org) PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 5:10 min - Intro to "This Changes Everything," this specific episode, and our guests * 5:10 min - Fernandez and Schmidt describe their organizations, the missions, and what they're focusing on now * 14:20 min - Are tech companies responsive to these groups, and making change? * 19:20 min - How Google's planned mega-campus in San Jose -- and the concessions it's giving to people living there -- could be a model for the rest of California and the U.S. * 24:05 min - How have the past 12 months of shutdowns, business crises and remote workforces changed the groups ' missions and tactics? * 29:35 min - Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Alabama recently voted against unionizing - why did they decide that, and what does that say about working for a Big Tech company? * 34:30 - How has the pandemic changed the meaning of work, and what it means to be a worker? * 41:15 min - Fernandez and Schmidt give advice to both management and employees on how they can work together to run a business that benefits everyone

Thirteen months of statewide shutdowns have meant shuttered doors and bankruptcies for businesses in all types of industries, and the exodus of companies leaving California for other states seems to have accelerated. Governor Gavin Newsom has promised that the state will be fully open for business by June 15 if all goes well, but how many businesses will make it to that date? And will they be able to recover and thrive in a post-pandemic economy? We’re talking to two CEOs in industries that were hit hardest by California’s shutdowns. GUESTS * Dustin Lancaster, founder of An Eastside Establishment, the umbrella company for a group of restaurants, bars and hotels in Los Angeles (www.establishmenteast.com) * Francesca Schuler, CEO of In-Shape Health Clubs, which operates fitness centers statewide (www.inshape.com/our-story) NOTE: There are some audio glitches between the 8:50-minute and 10:30-minute marks, and again between the 13:15-minute and 14:15-minute marks PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:25 min - Intro to "This Changes Everything," and why we're doing this episode * 4:25 min - The two CEOs' share a few of the tough decisions they've made in the past year, and where those decisions have put them today * 10:30 min - Where they got help -- and where they didn't -- from federal, state and local government authorities * 14:50 min - How different will your restaurants and gyms look to customers when they go back inside? How has that changed the way you run your businesses overall? (Will fine dining bounce back? And do you think cocktails-to-go will stick around?) * 29:10 min - What should California government do more of to keep businesses here in the state and thriving? * 38:25 min - The CEOs' advice for current and aspiring business owners in California to run their companies and make them grow

When kids go back to in-person learning, what will that be like? How will the classroom be set up? How will school administrators handle the needs of their students, parents and teachers? And how will California’s public schools be different, for better or for worse, when the new school year begins? We’re asking these questions to David Miyashiro, superintendent of the Cajon Valley Union School District. His was one of the few in California, and the nation, to keep schools open for in-person learning during the pandemic. And unlike many other districts in the state, Cajon Valley got cooperation from its teachers, parents and school boards to allow students back to the classroom. PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 4:20 min - Intro to this episode and why we're talking with David Miyashiro * 4:20 min - Miyashiro explains his decision process when the shutdown started, and why he decided to reopen his schools when others were not * 7:25 - How Miyashiro planned in advance for remote learning and using technology outside the classroom * 9:10 min - Setting up the in-person classroom for a new school year * 12:05 min - Biggest lessons learned over the past 12 months * 14:20 min - Handling students' mental health needs * 15:25 min - How Miyashiro worked with his teachers and the school boards to open up the classrooms * 19:40 min - There are warning signs of a shortage of public school teachers, and more parents taking their kids out of public schools -- how is Miyashiro handling those issues? * 23;45 min - What the new school year starting in August will look like in Cajon Valley Unified, and Miyashiro's advice for state officials on what they need to do long-term for public schools RESOURCE GUIDE * New York Times story with more info on Miyashiro's decision to reopen Cajon Valley School District for the 2020-2021 school year - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/us/cajon-valley-school-reopening.html Photo Caption: Sandy Huffaker for the New York Times

In this episode, we’re taking a look at The Future of Work in California – how we’ll be doing it, and where we’ll be doing it from. In Part One, we’re talking about the post-pandemic office, and what it will look like, with two people in the Bay Area who are designing it now - Christopher Good, creative director of One Workplace, and Melissa Pesci, a principal at HGA Architecture in San Francisco. Then it’s a conversation with Adam D’Angelo, CEO of the technology firm Quora. Last June, he announced that his company, headquartered in Silicon Valley, would now and forever be a “remote first” company. Listen in as they tell us what the last 12 months has done to the workplace, and the workforce, in California, and how office life will be totally different going forward. * * * * * PART ONE * 0 to 3:55 min - Intro to "This Changes Everything," and our workplace-creator guests, Christopher Good and Melissa Pesci * 3:55 min - Visualizing what "Workplace 2030" looks like, or at least what to expect for Workplace 2021 * 10:25 min - Open-concept space, or cubicles and closed-door offices? * 16:55 min - Improving communication between workers in the office and remote workers at home * 20:40 min - How will the future of how we work, and where we work, affect the urban downtowns where big offices and headquarters are typically based? *25:20 min - What Good and Pesci look forward to when working in the post-pandemic workplace PART TWO * 29:35 min - Intro to Adam D'Angelo, CEO of Quora * 32:20 min - D'Angelo's views of remote work before the pandemic hit, and how they changed a few months later * 36:45 min - Why open-space office concepts aren't so great, even for collaborating * 39:35 min - How Quora's management and working structures have changed since going remote * 41:30 min - How a "remote first" workplace will actually level the playing field and help employees climb the career ladder * 44 min - Should workers' paychecks be based on where they live? * 46:15 min - Will Silicon Valley and the Bay Area take a hit if more companies leave and go remote? * 48:50 min - One thing D'Angelo misses about working in person with others, but why he advises everyone to be optimistic about remote work going forward RESOURCE LIST * Christopher Good's six-part series on LinkedIn about the experience his team went through as they tried to create a better workplace for their company - www.linkedin.com/pulse/culture-community-design-part-1-6-good-cid-ncidq-asid-leed-ap/ * Melissa Pesci's "Redefining Workplace" podcast - https://hga.com/redefining-workplace-podcast/ * Adam D'Angelo's explanation on the Quora blog about why a "remote first" workplace will work best - https://quorablog.quora.com/Remote-First-at-Quora

In this first episode, we’re taking a look at The Future of News in California, and how the pandemic has added more stress to local newspapers, which are already in a downward spiral. If they keep cutting back, or close for good, how will we Californians get our news? We’re talking about that with: * Colleen McCain Nelson, the brand new editor in chief of the Sacramento Bee, and regional editor of the McClatchy company’s four other newspapers in California * Jeff VonKaenel (pictured top right), owner of the News & Review, which has published free weekly community newspapers in Sacramento and Chico for over 40 years. PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 8 minutes - Why we're doing this new "This Changes Everything" podcast, and intro to the Bee's new editor Colleen Nelson * 9:38 min - How can someone who never lived in California be the right pick as top editor for five California newspapers? * 12:55 - Nelson's answer to the people who say, "I don't subscribe to the Bee because there's nothing to read in it anymore." * 15:25 - The controversy around "clickbaiting," and how to balance publishing stories that people find interesting to read and publish stories that they should be reading * 20:12 - Should newspapers focus on certain topics because they've got the staffing (i.e., political reporters in Sacramento) or the reader interest (i.e., restaurants), and less on other topics that don't have that support? * 23:15 - How the Bee newspapers are covering equity and diversity now * 28:35 - How the new Community Advisory Boards will work * 32:20 - Why do hedge funds and billionaires like Jeff Bezos want to buy newspapers, and what does that mean for the future of news? * 37:30 - What keeps Nelson motivated to keep working in an industry that everyone says is near death ----- * 43:30 min - Intro to Jeff VonKaenel * 44:50 min - He describes the day when he knew the coronavirus would make him layoff 40-plus staffers and stop publishing the papers * 47:20 min - What goes into the $45,000-per-week cost for publishing newspapers that don't charge for subscriptions * 50 min - Is the financial model of being supported by advertising totally dead? * 53 min - If free community newspapers stop printing, where will people get their local news? And do people know -- and care -- about this crisis? * 56:40 min - VonKaenel talks about the Independent Journalism Fund he started * 57:55 min - Google and Facebook are setting up multimillion-dollar funds to rescue local journalism -- even though they're seen as the reasons why local newspapers are dying. Will VonKaenel take their money? * 1 hr, 55 sec - What he has in mind for a new business plan to save local media * 1 hr, 7:40 min - What Californians can do to ensure local journalism stays alive and thrives NOTABLE LINKS * McClatchy Company, owners of the Sacramento Bee, Fresno Bee, Modesto Bee, Merced Sun-Star and The Tribune in San Luis Obispo - www.mcclatchy.com/ * News and Review, which publishes in Chico, Sacramento and Reno - www.newsreview.com * Nieman Journalism Lab, a great website to read (for free)about what the future of journalism could look like - www.niemanlab.org * The title of the book that Vanessa couldn't remember when talking to VonKaenel about the connection between newspapers and democracy is "Ghosting the News" by Margaret Sullivan - https://globalreports.columbia.edu/books/ghosting-the-news/ Photo credit: Terry Hagz, Sacramento News & Review

We're doing a new podcast series about California's post-pandemic future. Here's a quick intro so you know what to expect. Episodes will drop weekly between March 28 and July 4.

We're doing a specific group of podcasts in July -- conversations focused on what systemic change looks like, particularly here in California, in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Each conversation has two people: a young leader who has galvanized others by speaking out and leading demonstration and campaigns, and a "veteran" activist/ decision makers who has been working on race equity and justice issues for decades. For this podcast, we're looking at some proposed laws on racial justice and equality that the state legislature will be voting on, and also that California residents will be voting on in the November ballot. Talking about them are a 19-year-old college student who helped to get 15,000 people protesting on the streets of Oakland last month about police brutality, and a state politician who proposed some of these new laws and is getting them in front of the state legislature and on the election ballot for votes. SPEAKERS * Xavier Brown, Oakland native and UCLA student (in photo above) * Kevin McCarty, California Assemblymember representing the 7th District, which includes the city of Sacramento PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 3:40 min - What's the purpose for doing these podcasts * 3:40 min - How Xavier Brown helped get 15,000 people out on the streets of Oakland to protest against police brtuality * 8:10 min - How being biracial made Kevin McCarty see race and racism, and influenced his role in politics * 11:30 min - What is the California Black Legislative Caucus, and what it's working on right now * 14:50 min - Proposed bills about use of force and holding law enforcement officials accountable (Assembly Bill 1506 Deadly Force Accountability Act, and AB 1185 on officer oversight in the Sherriff's Department) * 26:20 min - Affirmative Action on the ballot: good intentions, but is it a good thing to bring back to California (Proposition 16) * 38:30 min - Giving parolees a better chance to thrive in their post-prison world (AB 2342 in the State Legislature and Proposition 17 on the November election ballot) * 43:20 min - Reparations: How should California remedy inequality and discrimination?(AB 3121) * 50:25 min - Ethnic Studies classes in colleges and high schools as a requirement to graduate(AB 1460) * 52 min - Brown and McCarty have some questions for each other SONG CREDIT: "Be the Difference" by Izreal Graham, a.k.a. Sacramento PD Officer Filmore Graham (youtu.be/xaRXwnndydg) PHOTO CREDIT: Alejandro Lazo / The Wall Street Journal

** This conversation was recorded on July 13 ** We're doing a specific group of podcasts in July -- conversations focused on what systemic change looks like, particularly here in California, in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Each conversation features two people: a young leader who has galvanized others by speaking out and leading demonstration and campaigns, and a "veteran" activist/ decision maker who has been working on race equity and justice issues for decades. This conversation is focused on police reform, so we put together two people who may often look at law enforcement from opposing sides: a former police chief, and an activist whose brother's death at the hands of police officers made national headlines and led to California's groundbreaking police-use-of-force law. This conversation could have gone in any direction -- listen to find out how the two men agree on some things, disagree on others, and decide where to take this conversation next. SPEAKERS * Stevante Clark, a human rights activist in Sacramento (in photo above) who just started the I AM SAC Foundation, in honor of his brother Stephon Alonzo Clark (www.iamsacfoundation.com) * Bob Harrison, police office for 30 years, former chief of police for the City of Vacaville, and current course manager for the California Peace Officer Standards and Training’s Command College, a graduate program for law enforcement managers. PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:25 min - What's the purpose for doing these podcasts * 4:25 min - Stevante Clark explains how "passion without direction is chaos" and how he's steering his passion into a new direction * 12:35 min - Bob Harrison explains what police departments are focusing on now, and how they're responding to the current spotlight on police reform * 18:30 min - Drilling down on what community policing, the need for more mental health assistance, and defunding the police means * 21: 15 min - How Clark and Harrison view protests, and policing them * 25:50 min - California's "Stephon Clark Law" on the use of force by police: how is that working out? * 31:30 min - What Clark thinks of Attorney General Javier Becerra's recommendations for police reform * 34:10 min - Harrison's thoughts on how to turn police from "warriors" into "guardians" * 42:55 min - How to get more people of color into the still majority-white police departments * 48:25 min - Clark asks Harrison how he would have handled the Stephon Clark shooting if it had happened in his police department * 49:45 min - How Clark and Harrison plan to keep this conversation going SONG CREDIT: "Be the Difference" by Izreal Graham, a.k.a. Sacramento PD Officer Filmore Graham (youtu.be/xaRXwnndydg) PHOTO CREDIT: Xavier Mascarenas / Sacramento Bee

** This podcast was recorded on May 18 ** NOTE: Forgive us for the spots of glitchy audio in this one -- they're worst in the first 4-5 minutes, and then it gets better. Such is podcasting during Pandemic Time! After nearly two months in lockdown, restaurant owners got their first concrete guidelines for opening up again when the state of California issued a 12-page document with 99 new regulations covering everything from physical partitions and closed bars to dishwasher goggles and table wait times. How will these guidelines change the way restaurants look and operate? Will they guarantee safety of staff and customers? How much will the new regulations raise restaurants’ costs of business, and how much of those costs will be passed on to customers? And will those customers even be eating out again when they’re allowed to? Listen to our conversation with Brad Cecci, chef of the Sacramento restaurant Canon, and Jot Condy, CEO of the California Restaurant Association, about what eating out will look like in the New Normal. PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 4:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:30 min - How different Cecchi's restaurant, Canon, will look once it reopens * 6:50 min - How reopening is looking like around California, and will it be the same for different types and sizes of restaurants? * 12:20 min - How friendly are landlords being to their struggling restaurant tenants? * 17:10 min - How to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission between staff and customers during a meal * 23:35 min - How to track sources of outbreaks if a diner falls ill -- and how to address liability risks * 29 min - How will the "fine dining experience" be different, and how do you convince people to come out and pay for it? * 35:35 min - Running a restaurant will become more costly -- what changes will owners make to keep costs low, and what costs will be passed on to diners? * 41:30 min - What types of restaurants will survive, even thrive, and which ones will become obsolete? * 50 min - Restaurants have been around since the 1600s - what aspects of them will stick around, and what New Normal changes will happen after reopening?

In this episode, we’re talking about how to keep our mental health and our sanity intact during Pandemic Time. Dr. Peter Yellowlees, Chief Wellness Officer at UC Davis Health System, has been writing a newsletter called “Good Stuff” about how to keep one’s mental health in good shape. He started writing it when the pandemic began, specifically for essential workers on the frontlines at UC Davis Medical Centers. But because his advice is applicable to other people stressed out by the current situation, we got him to sit down and offer mental health tips and strategies for the rest of us. PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 4:45 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're doing this episode right now * 4:45 min - How to think about what we can control, what we can't, and how do we accept that * 7:30 min - How to approach day-to-day living in "the bubble," and how to handle relationships * 10 min - How people, both living solo and living with kids and significant others, can maintain their sanity * 13 min - Advice for helping kids keep mentally upbeat * 15:55 min - Handling money and job stresses during this economic crisis * 20:25 min - How to make positive change, make good decisions, and making them stick * 25 min - What Dr. Yellowlees has learned about his mental health while sheltering in place * 30:10 min - The Crystal Ball question: What will we learn from sheltering in place, for better and for worse? * 34:20 min - Resources for those who want to reach out for help READ Dr. Yellowlees' Pandemic Time reading pick ("The Great Influenza" by John M. Barry) and his "Good Stuff" newsletters at https://health.ucdavis.edu/clinician-health-and-well-being/Program/Good-Stuff-Newsletters.html LISTEN to Dr. Yellowlees' podcast, "Joy of Medicine," talking with physicians about what they do and why they love it - http://joyofmedicine.org/joy-of-medicine-on-call-podcast/ WATCH the show -- all 23 seasons of it -- that Yellowlees and our parents have become addicted to during the shutdown (available on Amazon and Hulu) - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007y6k8 FIND HELP and resources at these websites: * Centers for Disease Control - www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html * UC Davis MIND Institute - https://health.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/resources/covid-19.html * Mental Health America - https://mhanational.org/covid19 * National Alliance on Mental Illness - https://www.nami.org/covid-19-guide

If you’re running out of things to watch on streaming TV or favorite podcasts to listen to, have we got suggestions for you. We talked with a few people who read books, watch TV and produce podcasts for a living, and they gave us great suggestions for what to tune into during this “Pandemic Time." Listen to their picks for current news, "comfort food" selections, for kids, learning new skills and hobbies, and episodes that will make us escape from reality, connect with others, and celebrate life. PART ONE: STREAMING TV Michele Foss-Snowden (pictured in photo), a professor of communication at Sacramento State University also hosts her own podcast, The TV Doctor, in which she offers Television "prescriptions" to help cure whatever is ailing you. Her picks range from "Nailed It" and "Making It" to "Schitt's Creek" and "Star Trek Discovery" PART TWO: PODCASTS (at the 36:50-minute mark) Rockwell Felder, co-founder of Squadcast, a startup that makes podcast-creation software startup, and Sacramento podcast host/producer/consultant Johnny Flores, gave us their top picks for easy listening during these tough times. Their picks range from "Science Vs" and "Wow in the World" to "Flexitarian Feast" and "Hardcore History" PART 2.5 - Podcasts for Kids Johnny Flores asked Sasha, his girlfriend who is a Sacramento librarian, for kid-friendly podcast picks, and here's what she recommends: - Ear Snacks - Eleanor Amplified - Stories Podcast - The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel PART THREE: BOOKS We interviewed Heidi and Ross Rojek, owners of Capitol Books in Downtown Sacramento, for top book picks, but sadly the sound quality of our interview wasn't great. So we're going to list their picks here, and you can buy them from Ross and Heidi by going to their website at https://capitalbooksonk.com * Coronavirus-Themed Fiction - "The Stand" by Stephen King - "Wanderers" by Chuck Wendig * Solace Reading - "Copy Boy" by Shelley Blanton-Stroud " Untamed" by Glennon Doyle " That Is All" by John Hodgman - "Wow, No Thank You" by Samantha Irby - " Becoming" by MIchelle Obama * Travel Getaways - "From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home" by Tembi Locke - "In the Kingdom of Ice" by Hampton Sides * Cooking Books - "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat" by Samin Nosrat - " Bread Baking for Beginners" by Bonnie Ohara - " Tartine Bread" by Chad Robertson - "Dining In" and "Nothing Fancy" by Alison Roman For the Kids - The "Ivy and Bean" series by Annie Barrows - "Where's Waldo? the Boredom Buster Book" by Martin Hanford - The "Dogman" series by Dave Pilkey - The "Hilo" series by Judd Winnick

** This Q&A was recorded on May 8, 2020** We’re taking a look at California’s grocery stores -- how they’ve handled becoming the “public square” that everyone is still allowed to go to, and all the stressful issues that go along with it, from ensuring the health and safety of their front-line employees, to making sure there’s enough toilet paper, flour and beef cuts on the shelves. And now, with more people using e-commerce to get their groceries delivered, and cooking more meals at home than ever before, what’s the New Normal for grocery stores and how people will shop for their food? We’re talking with Chelsea Minor, a top executive at Raley’s, the California grocery store chain headquartered in West Sacramento, about how grocery stores are handling the coronavirus crisis, and how the lessons they’re learning today will shape the way we all get our groceries in the future. PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 4 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're doing this episode * 4 min - When Raley's Supermarkets realized things were going to change, and what actions they took first * 5:50 min - How the supermarket supply chain works normally, and how it works in Pandemic Time * 11:45 min - Price gouging: Where, and why, the food costs are going up * 14:15 min - What food shortages should we be prepared for now? * 17:05 min - Deciding what health and safety measures to put in place for store employees working on the front lines * 22 min - Why grocery stores are hiring so many people, and where they're working * 24:55 min - Is online grocery shopping here to stay? * 26:45 min - What grocery stores are learning about human behavior and psychology these days * 31:30 min - Predicting the future of grocery stores in the New Normal, and the way people will go shopping * 35:05 min - Minor's recommendation for an essential kitchen tool since we all have time to cook

In this episode, we’re taking a look at California’s food supply chain – how it’s under stress, and even breaking, because of the coronavirus crisis. We’re talking with a couple of people who are literally “in the field” and seeing how pandemic-induced glitches in the food supply chain are playing out. First is Evan Wiig, communications director for the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, which is helping California’s small farms get through the pandemic by matchmaking them with food banks, school districts and other food hubs that need supplies. In the second half, we talk with Dave Daley, chair of California Cattle Council, a fifth-generation cattle rancher, and a just-retired professor of animal sciences at Chico State, about the meatpacking-plants shutdown, why he supports President Trump ordering them to stay open, and how this will play out in the butcher shop and the supermarket. PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY Part One: Evan Wiig * 0 to 5:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're doing this episode * 5:30 min - What's literally going on in the ag fields right now * 8:40 min - Why it's not so easy for farmers to pivot from their original clients to new ones * 13:55 min - Federal and state aid to farmers -- who gets it, and will it be enough? * 22:20 min - Community-supported Agriculture (CSA) is doing gangbusters right now -- will it last? * 28:15 min - Matchmaking farmers with food banks and other big hubs that need their food now * 32:45 min - The future of farming, for better and for worse * 37:30 min - How can Californians help farmers out in the New Normal Part Two: Dave Daley * 42:45 min - The steps in the supply chain of raising a cow from birth to grocery-store product * 48:50 min - What happens when there's too many cows, and few to no places to send them to? * 51:30 min - How will the current situation shake out the cattle industry -- and beef/dairy prices at the supermarket? * 54:20 min - Was President Trump right in using the Defense Production Act to keep meatpacking plants open? * 57:50 min - Dealing with the other New Normals: wildfire season and the rise of Impossible Burgers and other "fake meats" * 1 hr, 1:10 min - The best cut of meat to put on the BBQ for dinner

In this episode, we’re taking a look at California’s restaurant industry – the efforts happening now to keep it going, and what it will look like after the pandemic is over. Our guest to explain all that today is Patrick Mulvaney, chef and owner of Mulvaney’s B&L in Sacramento. Like many other restaurants, Mulvaney’s B&L closed its doors once the shutdown started, but that’s when Patrick Mulvaney started cooking up his biggest project yet: serving thousands of meals to Sacramento’s most vulnerable people. And now his project is scaling statewide. Join us as Mulvaney talks about his new project, how it can help both California restaurants and residents stay afloat, and what he predicts the dining scene will look like after the pandemic ends. PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 4:20 min - Intro to this podcast, and to Patrick Mulvaney * 4:20 min - When Mulvaney realized he had to shut down his restaurant for the first time in its 14-year history * 8:05 min - How he came up with the plan for "Family Meal" * 14:08 min - The commentary Mulvaney wrote about Family Plan that caught fire statewide and in Washington D.C. * 21:10 min - What "opening up" looks like for Mulvaney's restaurant * 24:05 min - What he predicts the post-pandemic restaurant scene in Sacramento will look like * 29 min - How eating out at a restaurant will be different * 32:50 min - How can we Californians help? * 35:25 min - What Mulvaney wants to have happen when his restaurant is open again for business SUPPORT FAMILY MEAL at www.SacFamilyMeal.com READ THE COMMENTARY Mulvaney and fellow chef Brad Cecchi wrote that got Gavin Newsom's attention and sparked a statewide initiative at https://is.gd/IaGAah READ THE ESSAY in the New York Times by NYC chef Gabrielle Hamilton wrote about the decision to close her restaurant, Prune, and her predictions for restaurants at https://is.gd/vMtpSO

In this episode (taped April 19), we’re talking with a couple of everyday people who are doing amazing things in this New Normal -- and got their local communities to step up by offering volunteer time, skills and financial support. First up: Cris Stellar, owner of Dry Diggins Distillery, who pivoted from brewing spirits for cocktails to making hand sanitizers and disinfectant sprays for California medical and law-enforcement workers. In the second half, Alan Puccinelli talks about his Operation Shields Up, an organization entirely run and funded by volunteers to make protective face shields for hospital workers, first for Sacramento-area hospitals and now nationwide. Listen to Stellar and Puccinelli explain how and why they’re doing these altruistic efforts, what they’ve learned along the way, and how you can help out, too. NOTES: * Cris Stellar says ramped-up production of his sanitizing products means he can now start providing them to workers in elder-care facilities and nursing homes. If you're one of those, or know workers in that area, contact Stellar by phone at (530) 313-4000 or email inquiry.drydiggings@gmail.com * Operation Shields Up still needs help in various ways. Find out how you can lend support at its website - www.opshieldsup.org PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY Part One: Cris Stellar * 2:30 min - Intro to this episode, and to Stellar * 5:10 min - How Dry Diggings switched from spirits to hand sanitizer * 7:10 min - How Stellar made sure his new products were legit and good enough for medical workers * 9:35 min - So how do you make hand sanitizer anyway? (Hint: what you're making at home probably isn't the right type) * 11:45 min - Who he started giving these products to, and who he has added on along the way * 16:30 min - Where the community stepped up to support - and why three gallons of glycerine was so crucial * 20:15 min - So can we all buy Dry Diggins sanitizer spray along with our bottle of gin at the tasting room in the future? * 24:05 min - What Stellar has learned in the past few weeks since the pandemic started Part Two: Alan Puccinelli * 27:55 min - Puccinelli explains what he did post-pandemic, and what he started a month ago * 32:15 min - Who uses the shields he makes, and how he guarantees that they meet the safety requirements needed for frontline workers * 36:50 min - What it takes, in plain English, to make a face shield, and how one maker multiplied to two, to four, to a community effort * 43:05 min - Where Puccinelli still needs help, "because we're still feeding a bottomless pit" * 46:25 min - And how he keeps his health and sanity while creating 1,000 shields a day * 49 min - Will Operation Shields Up still be up when the pandemic is called over? * 56:25 min - What Puccinelli has learned personally and professionally since he started his efforts

Over the next few weeks – or however long it takes before we are allowed to leave our houses again – we’ll be looking at the ways our coronavirus-affected lives are changing over the short- and long-term, and talking with Californians making significant change in this New Normal. In episode #1 of this series, we talked with a UC Davis epidemiologist about how COVID-19 got its start. In this episode, we‘re asking the question: How will it meet its end? How close are we to a vaccine? Will it kill it, or will it mutate and come back? In the meantime, should we start giving out "immunity passports?" Telling us what they know so far about all this are two UC Davis medical researchers who are part of the global team working round-the-clock on the race to create an effective vaccine. Listen to our talk with: * Chris Miller, core scientist in the Infectious Diseases Unit at UC Davis National Primate Research Center * Nam Tran, professor of clinical chemistry in the UC Davis Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine about how they’re fighting COVID-19, what methods they’re testing to stop it in its tracks, and whether we can hope for an ultimate cure. PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 3:55 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're doing this series * 3:55 min - Who these guys are, and how they"fell" into their fields of research * 5:40 min - Why Tran called Miller and told him to "drop everything" and join his team to create diagnostic testing and a vaccine for COVID-19 * 9:20 min - Where UC Davis fits into the global race and collaborative efforts of scientists to create a vaccine * 13:50 min - In visual terms, what would a vaccine look like, and how would it act, to effectively attack COVID-19? * 17:15 min - What they know -- and what they know they DON'T know -- about COVID-19 * 24:10 min - What is serology testing, and are "immunity passports" a good idea? * 29:25 min - Two types of experimental drugs getting a lot of media attention -- what is their potential for being the wonder vaccine? * 33:30 min - In the race to create this vaccine, how safe will it be to try options on human "guinea pigs"? * 45 min - Annual shot or the ultimate end-it-all cure: Trying to predict the future of COVID-19

Doing live, in-person events is off the table for a while, but we’re still interviewing Californians doing groundbreaking things during “Pandemic Time.” So here is our podcast series “The New Normal in California.” Over the next few weeks – or however long it takes before we get the all-clear to leave our houses again – we’ll be looking at the ways our coronavirus-affected lives are changing over the short- and long-term, and talking with Californians making significant change in this New Normal. In this first episode, we’re taking a look at the coronavirus that sparked a global pandemic, where it started and why, and what can we do as humans to stop this kind of thing from happening again? To help us understand all that, we interviewed Dr. Christine Kreuder Johnson, a professor of epidemiology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine who studies animal-to-human transmission of viruses. Her new study about that type of viral transmission was published early April in a prestigious research journal, and it is already the most downloaded study in that publication’s 105-year- history. We talk with Dr. Johnson about animals, humans, how they mix, how that leads to deadly pandemics, and how there is still hope for reducing them – if we make significant changes in the way we live today. PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 6:30 min - Intro to this new podcast series, and why Dr. Anthony Fauci inspired this first episode * 6:30 min - How dizzy water birds that were unable to fly made Johnson become an epidemiologist and do wildlife research * 11:15 - Why you should watch the movie "Contagion" to understand how small actions can turn into a global pandemic * 17:10 min - From AIDS in the 1980s to Ebola around 2013 -- why have more of these animal-to-human virus outbreaks been happening one after the other? * 24:25 min - How COVID-19 got its start, and how it's different from other viruses in the coronavirus family * 29:55 min - Johnson's just-published "rockstar" findings, and why hers is the most-downloaded study in the 105-year history of the "Proceedings of the Royal Society B" journal * 36 min - California has a lot of animals cited in Johnson's study -- should we who live near them be concerned about human-to-animal transmission of viruses? * 38:40 min - What about "zoonotic spillover" between humans and their cats, dogs and other pets? * 41:10 min - Johnson is in charge of PREDICT, a program that detects new, potentially dangerous diseases, and helps labs worldwide to stop global pandemic threats -- but last year the Feds stopped its funding, and the program was scheduled to shut down in March 2020. Has that changed? * 46:30 min - Has this global pandemic made it more likely that countries will collaborate in efforts to stop more of them? * 49:10 min - Will "zoonotic spillover" ever really go away? And what can we as humans do to reduce the number and risk of them?

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, so we’re running a Q&A series this year called “The Women in Charge,” focusing on California women who are doing groundbreaking things in policy and politics, both here in the Golden State and around the nation. Because it’s also an Election Year, we’re going to talk with the women in charge of getting other women inspired to run for political office, funding them so they can go the distance, and training them so they’ll succeed. California is home to innovative organizations that are getting more women elected and appointed to top spots on local, state and national levels. * California Women Lead is the state's first, and still only, nonpartisan organization that encourages and mentors women to run for office or apply for an appointment at the state or local level. * Emerge California is a top training program for Democratic women who want to run for office (graduates include Eleni Kounalakis, California’s first female Lieutenant Governor, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf). * Fund Her, the first political action committee focused on electing progressive women, provides that badly-needed financial support to ensure their candidates are well-positioned to win. * And Ignite goes all the way down to the K-12 grade level to train young women who want to become the next generation of political leaders. Join us for a conversation with some inspiring political leaders in California who know how to maneuver through the political world, and teach other women how to navigate successfully, too. PANELISTS * Esmeralda Cortez Rosales, West Coast program manager for Ignite National * Samantha Farmer-Helton, chief political strategist for Fund Her, and deputy political director for Consumer Attorneys of California * Lindsey Nitta, executive director of California Women Lead * Melanie Ramil, executive director of Emerge California PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 5 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and the reason for this specific event * 5:10 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and highlight particular California women in politics who have inspired them * 11:15 min - How California Women Lead gets more women appointed and elected around the state * 15 min - How Emerge California picks women to train, and how it trains them * 19:50 min - How Fund Her is getting women candidates to be better fundraisers and get connected to more donors with deep pockets * 23:05 min - How Ignite is training young women to be future political leaders * 30:45 min - Women typically haven't run for office unless they've been asked to -- is that changing? * 35:40 min - What skill sets do women need to run for office in 2020? * 39:55 min - What skills women need to raise money to run their campaigns * 46:20 min - How each of the panelists' organizations are funded * 52:15 min - Do you need to be a "yes man" as a woman climbing the political career ladder? * 57:25 min - How college students can explore career opportunities in the political world * 1 hr, 40 sec - How high schoolers can start thinking about getting involved in politics * 1 hr, 6:35 min - The pros and cons of social media for women running for office * 1 hr, 10:15 min - How do you balance the "likeability" factor with "being real" while running for office? * 1 h, 13:30 min - Lessons learned from the six female Democrats who ran for the Presidential nomination this year Photo credit: Ignite National

Mom knows best . . . especially when she’s the Speaker of the House. So Christine Pelosi decided to write a book about her mom, Nancy, the homemaker and mother of five who became a Congresswoman from San Francisco and is now the most powerful woman in U.S. politics. 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, so we've started a new Q&A series called “The Women in Charge,” focusing on California women who are doing groundbreaking things in policy and politics, both here in the Golden State and around the nation. We kicked things off by having a conversation with Christine Pelosi, a political mover and shaker herself (she’s currently Chair of the California Democratic Party Women’s Caucus), an attorney, an author and the second-oldest of Nancy Pelosi’s five children. Her latest book is "The Nancy Pelosi Way: Advice on Success, leadership and Politics from America’s Most Powerful Woman. " The recent iconic images of her mother interacting with President Donald Trump — staring him down across the table at the White House, giving him what looks pretty much like a clapback at the State of the Union speech — made Christine believe it was time to relay how Nancy Pelosi gets stuff done, and how women in business and politics can claim their own seat at the table. Join us for a conversation with Christine about her mom’s rise to political powerhouse, her role in current events, and the Pelosi advice on politics, family and friendship. PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 6:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to Christine Pelosi * 6:15 min - Christine's first memory, literally sitting in her stroller, of her mom in political mode * 9:40 min - What Nancy Pelosi was thinking during the last State of the Union, and why she ripped up her copy of President Trump's speech * 15:40 min - How motherhood prepared Nancy Pelosi for politics and to be Speaker of the House * 24:05 - How does one not be pigeonholed as "running as a woman," and instead be considered as "the best person for the job"? * 30:45 min - The various ways Nancy Pelosi took "a seat at the table" and how other women can do the same * 38:40 min - Building strategic alliances to get things done and be successful in your career * 43:30 min - How to handle criticism and keep your cool * 49:40 min - How to handle fear during such a tumultuous time * 54:50 min - How both Christine and Nancy Pelosi have addressed -- and made changes -- to the "Capitol culture" to get rid of sexism and harassment * 1 hr, 2 min - Christine's thoughts on the Democratic candidates for President * 1 hr, 8:05 min - Other countries worldwide have women as heads of state, why won't America elect one? * 1 hr, 13:20 min - Advice for people to get more engaged politically -- and where can we make the most impact?

A new food economy is taking root in places like the dairy section of grocery stores and the drive-thrus of Burger King. Plant-based and lab-made meat, cheese, ice cream and even sushi are appearing more regularly on menus, and many of the companies creating them are based here in the Golden State. The Age of Animal Protein — with its environmental, ethical and health baggage — seems to be giving way to the Age of Alternative Protein. But are these newfangled proteins all they’re supposed to be? Critics say they’re heavily processed, contain lots of non-natural ingredients, and aren’t that great for our health. And will they shut down the industry of cattle ranching and poultry farms, or is there a more eco-friendly way for us to have our animal proteins without the guilt? Listen to this fabulous food-focused discussion with chefs, scientists and food developers about the latest efforts to reimagine and redesign animal- and animal-free proteins. PANELISTS * Jamie Cavanaugh, owner of soon-to-open Pure Soul Plant Based Eats in Sacramento * Doni Curkendall, vice president of operations and logistics at The Better Meat Co. * Isaac Goldman, head of business development at Eclipse Foods * Ermias Kebreab, professor of animal science at UC Davis, and director of UC Davis World Food Center * Stephen Leopold, COO and general manager of Burger Patch PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 5 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 5 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and reveal the alt-protein they're currently eating all the time * 11:35 min - An overview of the "meatless meat" industry, and the new innovations * 15 min - How Eclipse Foods plans to be the "Impossible Foods of dairy" * 18 min - Truths and myths about the cattle/livestock industries and their impact on the environment * 23:40 min - Consumer adaptation of alt proteins, and how their tastes and preferences for that food type have changed * 29:25 min - Innovations and expansion of alt-protein products that chefs can serve up in their kitchens * 32:40 min - How healthy is the Impossible Burger and similar foods? * 39 min - As demand for this food type goes up, will supply keep up with it? * 44:40 min - What's the difference between a vegan diet and a plant-based diet, and between plant-based and lab-grown? And what do all these terms like "clean meat" mean? * 51 min - What markets these companies are targeting, and what education strategies they'll be using * 58:25 min - Are there any changes in nutritional values when the plant is turned into product? * 1 hr, 3:05 min - How are these companies handling the issue of GMOs? * 1 hr, 6:35 min - Can these foods be made -- and sold -- at a cost that's equal to their traditional counterparts? * 1 hr, 11:20 min - What are your personal/professional motivations for making these foods? * 1 hr, 16 min - Is there an environmental cost in the rise of alt proteins? * 1 hr, 22:30 - After the Impossible Burger, what's the next hot Alt Protein we'll be hearing about soon?

** This podcast was recorded on November 18, 2019** Our final “Policy and a Pint” of 2019 is with a former farm boy from the Central Valley who is now Gavin Newsom’s go-to guy for advice on California ‘s economy and business affairs, and also chair of the state’s High Speed Rail project. Lenny Mendonca grew up milking cows on his family’s farm in Turlock, but he was the first one in his family to go to college -- Harvard University -- where he became student body president. A Stanford MBA, a partnership at management consulting mega-firm McKinsey, and advising roles at California startups and nonprofits gave him such an impressive resume that Governor Newsom tapped Mendonca to be his Chief Economic and Business Advisor, the director of the state’s Office of Business and Economic Development (also known as GO-Biz), and, last but not least, the chair of California’s High Speed Rail Commission. Those are a lot of responsibilities, but Mendonca is taking them on — his mission now is to make Inland California the most desirable place to live in the state. He wants to raise the region’s stature in the eyes of companies on the coast, and solve some of its biggest problems around housing, jobs, transit and wealth inequality. Join us for this conversation down in the basement of Ruhstaller’s taproom in Downtown Sacramento as we talk with Mendonca about his Central Valley roots and vision, and how he plans to bring the jobs, the housing and the high-speed transit to California’s “flyover country." PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 6:45 min: Intro to California Groundbreakers, and a brief backgrounder of Mendonca * 6:45 min - Mendonca, also owner of Half Moon Bay Brewing, shares his favorite beer on tap there, and a must-visit place he recommends in Inland California (also involves yeast) * 10:15 - How growing up on a dairy farm, running for student body president, and adjusting from Turlock to Harvard University prepped him for the future * 18:05 - How Mendonca envisions the private and public sectors working better together * 23 min - The big news coming out of this year's economic summit run by California Forward, which Mendonca helped create * 26:40 min - How he met Gavin Newsom, who made him a job offer he couldn't refuse * 29 min - The disconnect between Silicon Valley and Central Valley: How Mendonca wants to better connect coastal California and inland California * 35:35 min - How concerned should California be about so many of its companies and middle-class workforce leaving for other states? * 41 min: The future of California's agricultural industry; and what local governments can do to prevent brain drain and draw new businesses * 47:40 min - Boosting education, reducing inequality there, and connecting it more closely to business * 53:30 min - The importance of digital innovation in state government, and "civic tech" as a hot business sector * 58:50 min - What can Property Business Improvement Districts do to improve the urban core, and can they partner up with Go-Biz? * 1 hr, 6:40 min - Investing in Inland California's rural communities * 1 hr, 9:40 min - The future of high-speed rail in Inland California * 1 hr, 14:50 - Hidden business gems in Inland California that need investment help * 1 hr, 17:40 min - How to encourage businesses to decentralize and do more teleworking * 1 hr, 19:45 min - Is there a problem with state legislators who lack business experience but are passing bills that directly affect businesses? * 1 hr, 22:35 min - What is California doing to boost business in the nature/wildlife/outdoors tourism industry? * 1 hr, 25:40 min - How Mendonca manages his multiple jobs sanely; and his direct pitch to our podcast producer Kaleb to consider staying in California

Is the jig up for the “Gig Economy” in California? Governor Gavin Newsom just signed California’s Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) legislation into law — and it’s one of the most contentious bills this year that we’ll probably still be talking about (and voting on) during Election Year 2020. AB5, which kicks in on January 1, changes the test used to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. The legislation will affect at least one million workers, ranging from ride-hailing drivers and food-delivery couriers to construction workers and franchise owners, who could now all be reclassified as employees. Proponents of AB5 say the new bill gives gig economy workers more access to basic workplace protections, like a minimum wage and unemployment insurance. Those against it say it will prevent contract workers from having flexibility and control over their schedules, and it will make running businesses in California even more expensive. Besides knowing how this may affect your job, you'll also have a better sense about how you may vote on it in 2020 (Uber, Lyft and DoorDash are planning to spend $90 million to support a ballot initiative that would essentially exempt them and their contract workers from AB5). Join us for a interesting conversation about how this bill could change up jobs, labor unions, the workplace and the economy in California — and the rest of the country. PANELISTS * Anthony Giannotti, owner of Anthony's Barber Shop and Bottle & Barlow in Sacramento * Kimberly Lucia, partner and attorney specializing in employment law at Boutin Jones Inc. in Sacramento * Khaim Morton, vice president of policy and economic development at Sacramento Metro Chamber * Jeff Perry, a Sacramento-based Uber driver, and an organizer for Gig Workers Rising * NOTE: Caitlin Vega, legislative director for the California Labor Federation, had a family emergency and couldn't attend the event PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 7:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and the focus of this discussion: the contentious Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) * 7:15 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share the most interesting "gig job" they've ever had * 10:50 min - Lucia gives us a primer on AB5 -- the court ruling that got the ball rolling, and a general summary of the bill Governor Newsom signed into law * 16:20 min - Giannotti describes how that court ruling hit his business hard, and what has happened since * 20:25 min - Perry explains the current situation for gig workers, and how he sees AB5 improving things for them * 27:50 min - Morton tells why the Metro Chamber sees AB5 as really bad for its business members * 30:15 min - Why labor unions and organizers support AB5 * 37:25 min - Why did some types of employees get exemptions under AB5 (e.g., hairdressers and doctors) and some did not (e.g. truck drivers and freelance writers)? * 43:50 min - How will AB5 impact consumers -- and their wallets? * 1 hr, 2:25 min - Why Uber, Lyft and DoorDash are spending $90 million to create a ballot initiative in 2020 that shoots down AB5 -- and will they succeed? * 1 hr, 10:35 - How easy will the independent-contractor-to-employee transition be for workers and businesses? * 1 hr, 16 min - Panelists' personal thoughts on the current situation of work, the workplace, workers' rights, and employee benefits -- and how it could be changed * 1 hr, 22:05 min - What's the outlook for the Gig Economy, and how will it affect other industries?

With fires blazing yet again in Wine Country and the hills of Los Angeles, PG&E power outages, and historic, triple-digit-m.p.h. windstorms blowing through the state, we thought it would be a good time to talk with someone who could help us make some sense of all this Wildfire Season craziness, someone with 30-plus years of experience dealing with it on a daily basis. So we sat down with California's top firefighter Ken Pimlott, the just-retired head of Cal Fire, who was in charge over the past 8 years of putting out (in)famous blazes like the Wine Country, Woolsey, Mendocino Complex, Carr and Camp Fires. Listen to Pimlott's take on the latest round of fires blazing; last year's historic Wildfire Season and the 103 people it killed; PG&E and its power shutoffs; what he was thinking while briefing Jerry, Gavin and Donald about the Camp Fire (see photo above); and more. PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 5:50 minutes - What it's like to be a firefighter in the middle of a raging wildfire * 5:50 min - Lessons learned from being the head of Cal Fire * 12:30 min - The strategy for fighting big blazes like the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County and just-started-but-still-dangerous fires like the Getty Fire in Los Angeles * 21:05 min - What has changed -- and hasn't -- in Pimlott's time as Cal Fire chief in terms of fighting fires, public perception and media coverage * 30:40 min - Memories and experiences of the Camp Fire in Paradise, which started nearly a year ago * 38:20 min - His take on PG&E's role in wildfire management, the shutoffs, and how to deal with the power lines * 48:15 min - What are the best ways to alert people that a wildfire is coming their way? * 51 min - Should we keep building homes farther afield, especially if they're in high-risk wildfire zones? * 55:35 min - How we'll need to deal with the "New Normal" of Wildfire Season year-round

Kristopher Barkley and Nikky Mohanna are two people who are literally changing the shape of Sacramento’s skyline. They’re designing and constructing buildings that aim to show off the Capitol City at its best, and they’re striving to innovate the places in which we live, work and play. Barkley, who has just hit the 30-year mark at Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture (which is about to celebrate its 70th birthday), has designed or contributed to nearly all of the firm’s projects, including remodeling of the CalPERS headquarters, renovation of SMUD’s headquarters, and the new Powerhouse Science Center on the riverfront. At age 29, Mohanna has quickly gained the reputation as one of Sacramento’s most innovative homebuilders, with her about-to-open Midtown “microunits” apartment building, 19J, and her about-to-break-ground 10K, a mixed-use building in Downtown that combines a hotel with studios and co-living spaces. Listen to this great conversation with a “young whippersnapper” and a “seasoned veteran” as they talk about their groundbreaking projects in Sacramento, and find out how their views compare and contrast on architecture, design, urban planning, and the future of live/work/mixed-use living in California. PEOPLE * Kristopher Barkley, partner and design director at Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture * Nikky Mohanna, principal at Mohanna Development PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 6:55 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're putting on this event * 6:55 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and tell us what building in California inspires them most * 9:30 min - How Barkley, who grew up in Central Washington, not known for a lot of buildings, became an architect * 11:20 min - How growing up with a real-estate developer and an architect as parents influenced Mohanna's career path * 13:15 min - Barkley's approach to designing a new building versus renovating a local landmark, like the 50-year-old Modernist SMUD Headquarters * 16:50 min - How living in London influenced Mohanna's lifestyle, and the layout of her residential buildings * 23:10 min - What cities are inspiring, and what cities Sacramento should use as models for urban planning * 28:10 min - What do you want people -- particularly government officials who issue building permits -- to know about architecture? * 32:35 min - What is good about building and architecture in California, and what would you like to see changed? * 37:35 min - What's the future for young architects and builders in California? * 41:50 min - Taking climate change and Sacramento's City of Trees" reputation into account when designing and building structures * 46:40 min - How famous Pop artist Wayne Thiebaud made his mark on Sacramento architecture * 49:20 min - Innovation and new technology being used in architecture and building * 56:20 min - If you were playing "Sim City: Sacramento," what would you change about the city's layout, particularly the riverfront? * 1 hr, 4:20 min - Thoughts about "upzoning" and "alley activation" for more urban density in Sacramento * 1 hr, 8 min - What's the importance of exteriors in buildings these days? * 1 hr, 14:15 min - Advice for young people to follow in Barkley and Mohannah's footsteps * 1 hr, 20:15 min - How to address cars, parking and public transit issues with future buildings * 1 hr, 27:10 min - How would you change the suburbs, and what would you do with buildings like the Sleep Train arena and the dying shopping malls? * 1 hr, 32:30 min - How are you using your role as a builder to tackle a pressing issue in California, like homelessness or inequality?

Eating local, sustainable and seasonal is something we hear a lot in the “Farm-to-Fork” capital city of Sacramento. Is that message making its its way to school lunchrooms here as well? Many school districts are trying to get local ingredients on the menu. And other organizations, from Bay Area startups to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, are helping them out with a big push to promote healthy eating and local agriculture. But three questions: How will school districts pay for it? How can parents, farmers and other food promoters help out? And will California kids eat it if it’s not fried or chocolate? Join us for a food-focused conversation about how schools, parents, the public and private sectors, and foodies in general can work together to bring the fresh high-end cuisine California is known for into the cafeteria. PANELISTS * Nick Anicich, Farm to School Program lead at the California Department of Food and Agriculture * Diana Flores, director of Nutrition Services, and the future Central Kitchen, at Sacramento City Unified School District * Todd McPherson, Urban Agriculture Academy coordinator at Luther Burbank High School * Kirsten Saenz Tobey, co-founder and chief impact officer of Revolution Foods * Amber Stott, founding executive director of the Food Literacy Center PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 6 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're having this discussion * 6 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share their favorite lunchtime meal * 12:30 min - How Sacramento City Unified School District is getting fresh, local food into its cafeterias * 21:15 min - How California's Department of Food and Ag is helping other school districts statewide to do the same * 24:20 min - How Oakland-based Revolution Foods is getting public school districts nationwide to serve its meals * 29:05 - Teaching kids about food literacy, and lessons learned about how to make them more food adventurous * 33:15 min - Teaching students about growing, gardening, food activism, and agriculture as a career * 37:40 min - Working with Federal rules and regulations about school meals * 51:45 min - Any new state legislation that passed to boost "Farm to School" programs? * 55:20 min - How would proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)affect school funding and meals for children? * 58:05 min - How can small school districts procure better foods and partner with farms to improve their meal offerings? * 1 hr, 7:50 min - Panelists share their recent Farm to School success stories (e.g., making pesto for fellow students, testifying in front of City Council, building a cooking school and commercial kitchen, partnering up with Stephen Curry) * 1 hr, 17:20 min - How can farmers and ranchers better connect with schools for offering climate change-focused food and ag education? * 1 hr, 17:20 min - The challenges of switching over school menus to healthier food that won't make students revolt * 1 hr, 24:05 min - What can individual Californians do to help public schools serve better, healthier, fresher food to their students? RESOURCES For info on panelists' organizations, and other organizations mentioned during the podcast, go to the event info on our website - www.californiagroundbreakers.org/events/2019/9/25/farm-to-fork-in-california-schools

We took a road trip to hold this conversation (our 50th event!) at the lovely Gold Rush town of Auburn because, according to Cal Fire maps, it sits in the “high” risk zone of wildfire hazards, and it’s right next to the “very high” risk zone that includes much of the Sierra Nevadas, including Paradise, Grass Valley and Nevada City, and all of Lake Tahoe. In fact, one in four Californians live in a high- or very-high risk wildfire zone. So a lot of people are at risk of being hit when the next wildfire burns. For our second event focusing on “Wildfire Season,” we’re talking with a great group of panelists whose jobs involved making a lot of big decisions about the wildfires that hit California in the past few years. They explain those decisions and what it means to live in a risk zone for wildfires, and give advice on what you need to know, how you need to prepare; how things are changing, from forest management and firefighting to utility usage and homeowners’ insurance policies; and how all that will probably change your lifestyle and the place you live. PANELISTS * Todd Leopold, county executive officer for Placer County * Michael Picker, newly-retired president of the California Public Utilities Commission * Ken Pimlott, newly-retired chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection * Seren Taylor, senior legislative advocate for the Personal Insurance Federation of California PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 6:25 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to this event * 6:25 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and divulge whether their dream retirement home is in a high-risk wildfire zone or not * 12:40 min - How California's wildfires -- and fighting them -- have changed over the past few years * 17:20 min - The connection and clash between public utilities and wildfire-risk zones, and how the "public safety power shutoff" decision came to be * 30 min - How insurance companies are rethinking their coverage of California homes in wildfire-risk zones, and how that will affect the homeowners * 38:45 min - What wildfire-prevention legislation came out of the state capitol, and what should lawmakers have done? * 49:50 min - Do forest thinning and fire breaks really works? Would the money be better spent on fireproofing homes? * 57:20 min - What type of early-warning alarm system should be set up in the high-risk zones? And what should you do if the fire hits before you can leave? * 1 hr, 4:45 min - Say you're the urban planner in charge of a town in a high-risk zone, how would you build up (or rebuild)that town to make it better withstand wildfires? * 1 hr, 16:20 min - When the state legislature starts again in January, what wildfire-focused issue do you want them to address?

It’s a special “Back to School” edition of Groundbreakers Q&A as we sit down with Gary May, Chancellor of UC Davis, and talk with him about his vision and goals for UC Davis and the Sacramento region, and his take on the state of higher-education today — the college admission scandals, massive student loan debt, improving diversity levels and graduation rates, boosting students’ STEM skills and career opportunities while trying to find them affordable housing and food. We’ll also ask him about his inspirations, whether his love of "Star Trek" helped UC Davis score $15 million from NASA to research spacecraft and deep-space exploration, and why he sees comic books as a great educational tool. PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 5:45 min - Why we picked Gary May for this "Groundbreakers Q&A" * 5:45 min - May explains what a Chancellor does, shares his Top 3 "Star Trek" episodes, and reveals his favorite character from the original series * 12:25 min - How his mother's experience with higher education influenced his own experience * 16:15 min - Why comic books are a great learning tool -- and his favorite comic-book characters * 19:45 min - How May's experience as a Georgia Tech student helped him as a Dean there to attract underprivileged students to the school -- and make them feel at home * 23:35 min - What brought May to UC Davis, what he learned in his first year, and what he has started putting into place * 30:25 min - Getting students into STEM careers -- and particularly keeping women in them for the long run * 33:35 min - Getting more diversity in higher-education faculty and staff * 35 min - After the "Varsity Blues" college-admissions scandal earlier this year, what should be changed about the application and admissions process? * 37:15 min - A high school senior asks for advice about applying to college and getting accepted into the one you want * 39:50 min - The idea behind the Aggie Square development being built in Sacramento -- and how to grow the tech community here in town * 44:45 min - Do we really need four years of college to earn a degree? * 47:10 min - A UC Davis freshman asks how he can afford the $45,000 per year needed to attend the school * 50:35 min - With less financial help coming from the state, where is UC Davis going to find the money to keep the lights on? * 52:55 min - How to make UC Davis stand out, and apart, from other California schools * 55:40 min - Top research coming out of UC Davis, and the "deep space exploration" project for NASA * 59 min - Getting along with the state legislature and the federal government * 1 hr, 2:50 min - Students' safety and activism in this era of uncertainty * 1 hr, 6:30 min - Before they "beam him up," what May wants to leave behind at UC Davis

** This podcast was recorded live on August 28, 2019** On the surface, the legal cannabis business looks like the greatest thing since sliced bread to hit California’s tax coffers. Sorry to harsh your buzz, but no. California's cannabis industry is an absolute mess. In May, the Governor’s office released state budget documents showing that it has cut cannabis tax revenue projections of $1 billion by a whopping $223 million through 2020, so it’s only expecting $288 million this year, and $359 million in fiscal 2020. How could the state miscalculate its cannabis business so badly? A few reasons given are: 1) a blanket of regulatory red tape; 2) taxes, taxes and more taxes; 3) anti-cannabis city councils and NIMBY objections; and 4) the black market’s not going anywhere. So where do we go from here? What can be done to bring a new high to the cannabis industry and get it back on the track it was projected to run? Listen to our conversation with some pros about how to make sure California’s legal cannabis market doesn’t go up in smoke. PANELISTS * Kimberly Cargile, executive director of the Sacramento cannabis dispensary A Therapeutic Alternative * Joe Devlin, former chief of cannabis for the City of Sacramento who just became senior vice- president of new market development for Ikanik Farms * Khalil Ferguson, executive fellow for policy and research at the California Urban Partnership * Gabriel Garcia, principal at Garcia Law Corporation who practices cannabis law * Amy Jenkins, senior policy director for the California Cannabis Industry Association * John Oram, CEO of NUG, a diversified cannabis company based in Oakland that just opened its first retail shop in Sacramento

*This event was recorded on July 10, 2019 * Sacramento is still sometimes called “that place halfway between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe.” And travelers often drive to those two tourist attractions without stopping to see what’s in between them. But that’s changing. Sacramento is dedicated to turning the Old Sacramento waterfront into a new type of tourism draw. The town of Winters in Yolo County just got selected by USA Today as one of the country’s best small-town food scenes. And Lodi, originally(in)famous for the Creedence Clearwater song, is a place people now don’t mind getting stuck in, thanks to its upward-trending Wine Country status. We’re talking with a few people who are leading the efforts to boost tourism in Sacramento and the Central Valley. Join us for a great conversation about Northern California’s newest hot spots, and what both tourists and local residents should know about what's going on there. PANELISTS * Nancy Beckman, CEO of Visit Lodi * John Donlevy, City Manager of the town of Winters * Rob Stewart, host and producer of the KVIE show Rob on the Road * Mike Testa, CEO of Visit Sacramento PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 5:25 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 5:25 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share their travel destinations in the Central Valley (Bakersfield is one of them) * 12:50 min - What Sacramento is doing to boost tourism, and who is it's trying to attract * 18 min - How getting picked as "Wine Region of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast magazine has boosted Lodi's tourism cred * 22:15 min - How the town of Winters was ranked #4 on USA Today's "Best Small-Town Foodie Destinations" * 30 min - What Rob Stewart has seen in Central Valley travel trends, changes, ups and downs in his decade of doing "Rob on the Road" * 34:10 min - What works (and doesn't) to get the word out and draw tourists to town * 40:35 min - Fine dining vs down-home food experiences: How to market "Farm to Fork" based on pricing, affordability and exclusivity * 48 min - The right way to add more accommodations in town * 53:35 min - And what about adding more RV parks? * 1 hr, 1:15 min - Demographic differences in tourism: What appeals to different age ranges? * 1 hr, 5:25 min - Travel trends like agritourism and cannabis tourism: Are they on these towns' radars? * 1 hr, 8:30 min - How to market "experiences" in town * 1 hr, 13 min - How these tourism efforts will impact jobs and incomes for local residents * 1 hr, 17:45 min - How tourism efforts address -- or clash with -- California's problems with housing affordability and homelessness * 1 hr, 21:40 min - How do you solve the housing problem called Airbnb? * 1 hr, 25:50 min - Next hot upcoming must-attend events in the area (Junior Olympics, Earthquake Festival and Rob's new show)

** This discussion was recorded on June 26, 2019** State Senator Scott Wiener, who represents San Francisco, has made waves since he came to Sacramento in 2016. His efforts to build more housing around public transportation and in wealthy suburbs have made his legislation the most talked-about so far this year at the Capitol, and in the media. He’s also famous for his proposal to “keep the bars open till 4 a.m.”, citing the cultural and economic benefits of nightlife. Wiener compares San Francisco politics to “a knife fight in a phone booth,” and says getting his start there had made him steely enough to handle politics at the State Capitol. Join us at Ruhstaller as we talk with Wiener about housing, homelessness, education and LGBTQ legislation, as well as his past, present and future as a politician and a groundbreaker in California. PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 1:35 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 1:35 min - Intro to Senator Scott Wiener * 6:30 min - How many Senate committees Wiener sits on, and why this year's planned summer vacation is an important one for him * 8:50 min - His first political experience (which involved a threat of burning a cross on his lawn) * 11:40 min - On coming out nearly 30 years ago in North Carolina * 14 min - On moving to San Francisco, moving from corporate law to the City Attorney's office, and making the decision to run for office * 16:50 min - Why San Francisco politics is like a "knife fight in a phone booth" * 20:40 min - What issues he has decided to focus on at the Capitol in order to "push the envelope" * 23:40 min - His efforts on housing legislation to date -- and the controversy over Senate Bill 50 * 30:50 min - How to deal with NIMBY -- and your housing bill being held up by one person * 37:50 min - Lowering the voting threshold to a 55 percent majority from a two-thirds vote * 41 min - Building affordable high-density housing that you can buy instead of just rent * 47:05 min - Tying transportation to construction, and explaining the reality of gentrification * 52 min - Where Wiener stands on the "split roll" revise of Proposition 13 * 58 min - Regarding Google devoting $1 billion to building housing, what is the private sector's role in alleviating the housing crisis? * 1 hr, 2 min - Improving education * 1 hr, 4:15 min - The controversy over housing the homelessness in San Francisco * 1 hr, 7:30 min - Legislation on LGBTQ issues and gender equity in the workplace * 1 hr, 11:20 min -A lot of the housing in California is bought for investment purposes (rentals, Airbnb listings) -- is there any way to change that? * 1 hr, 16:15 min - Wiener's predictions (and hopes) for what will happen at the Capitol after summer break, and in Election Year 2020

** This conversation was recorded on June 4, 2019 ** Wildfire Season is here! (Although in California, it’s now almost year-round, right?) To find out how the Golden State is planning for it, we talked with the man who is now responsible for a lot of those fire management and firefighting efforts — Wade Crowfoot, California’s new Secretary for Natural Resources. He’s in charge of CAL Fire and the Departments of Water Resources, Fish and Wildlife, and Parks and Recreation. Basically, Crowfoot is making a lot of the decisions about what happens on California lands — and what should happen to those lands in this age of climate change. Listen to Crowfoot explain what he’s planning for forest management, wildfire preparedness and firefighting efforts, and what will be different about Wildfire Season 2019. PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 4:40 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:40 min - Welcome to Wade Crowfoot's favorite places that show off California's natural resources at its finest * 7 min - How Crowfoot started on the path of an environmental-focused career; and the comparisons/contrasts of working for both Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown at different times * 11:05 min - What has struck Crowfoot most about this job and its huge influence in the past two months since he was appointed * 13:10 min - Forest management, and how to do it in the nation's most-populous state * 17:10 min - Planned firefighting strategies for Wildfire Season 2019 * 22:20 min - How Cal Fire is using new technology to spot and manage wildfires * 25:05 min - Dealing with Washington D.C. when it comes to forest management and wildfires; and how much will California be spending on these -- and is it enough? * 28:30 min - The role -- and financial responsibility -- of utility companies in wildfire prevention and management * 33:50 min - Should we rebuild in areas hit by fire that probably will be hit again? And how to handle the town of Paradise's contaminated water supply, which will be expensive to clean up? * 37:20 min - What are the responsibilities of owners to create "defensible space" and fireproof their properties? * 40 min - How to tackle the labor shortage for jobs in forest/wildfire management * 43:35 min - What can be done to make California a more fire-resilient state? And handling retreats from areas that are prone to wildfires and rising sea levels * 50:55 min - Boosting wildfire preparedness and protection in vulnerable communities * 53:45 min - A new strategy for managing water allocation to California's rural and urban areas * 56:35 min - How is the legislature doing in handling wildfire-focused laws? And would a wildfire version of "tornado sirens" work here? * 1 hr, 1:50 min - A plan for California to take over management of Federal lands * 1 hr, 3:30 min - Should "fire fees" be charged again to rural residents for firefighting efforts?And making it easier and quicker for governments to approve pilot programs of new technologies for wildfire management * 1 hr, 7:35 min - The "people vs fish" question: balancing saving the fish and ensuring enough water for people * 1 hr, 11:15 min - Balancing forest-management projects with carbon-reduction goals * 1 hr, 13:15 min - Crowfoot plugs a few plans for other Natural Resources' upcoming projects, and its new building going up in Downtown Sacramento

** This event was recorded on May 23, 2019** California is known for its amazing wines and its innovative, offbeat ways of growing, producing and marketing them. So in our offbeat and innovative way, we’re going doing a new type of tasting, mixing plenty of great wine with good gab by California Groundbreakers who turn grapes into liquid bliss. Our wine pros this time around are: * Andrew Willsen, manager and sommelier at top Sacramento restaurants including Mulvaney’s B&L, the Waterboy, Hawks and Taylor’s Kitchen * Craig Haarmeyer, who runs his Haarmeyer Wine Cellers out of West Sacramento, is designated a “winemaker to watch” by the San Francisco Chronicle, and believes in the power of Sacramento "terroir" (https://haarmeyerwinecellars.com) * Chris Walsh, an Amador County native who earned his chops in New York City as a sommelier, then decided to come home a few years ago and now makes natural wines under his End of Nowhere label, which showcases grapes grown by other small farmers in the Sierra Foothills (http://ljlwine.com) Join California Groundbreakers' executive director Vanessa Richardson as she asks questions of Andrew, Craig and Chris about California and Sacramento-specific wines -- how to taste them, appreciate them, and discern the difference between wine reality and marketing hogwash. PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 3:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 3:30 min - Panelists introduce themselves and share their favorite wine-focused movies ("Grapes of Wrath," "Bottle Shock," the "Somm" series and "Sour Grapes") * 6:25 min - Panelists' first memorable experience of drinking wine, and how they got into a wine-focused career * 16:45 min - Craig explains notable things and specific characteristics about growing -- and selling -- wine in the Sacramento region * 22:40 min - The definition of "terroir" and why it matters * 24:15 min - Chris explains Amador County terroir, and how his "natural" wines are made * 28 min - How should we taste a glass of wine? * 35:30 min - What should we talk about when we talk about wine? What's the line between sounding smart and sounding pretentious? * 41:55 min - Panelists share their pet peeves and under-the-radar highlights of the wine industry

**This event was recorded on April 30, 2019** This "Groundbreakers Q&A" is with two guys who know their way around a kitchen. Rick Mahan and Patrick Mulvaney are Sacramento's Top Chefs. Their restaurants, The Waterboy (opened in 1996) and Mulvaney B&L (in 2006), set the bar for fine dining in Sacramento, and they're still atop the list of places worth opening up your wallet for a memorable meal. When they're not cooking, they're still doing plenty to promote good food, boost Farm to Fork efforts, and improve Sacramento's dining scene. Mahan is a big supporter of the Food Literacy Center, and Mulvaney is getting national attention for his efforts to tackle the mental health crisis in the restaurant industry. Join us for a great conversation with these two seasoned veterans of the city's ever-changing, often-challenging restaurant scene as we talk with them about Michelin stars, minimum wage hikes, the mental health movement, farmers markets, and other things that are shaping their menus today. PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O min to 5 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 5 min - The chefs introduce themselves and talk about what food they're loving right now (like fava beans and wild boar) * 7:30 min - First memories of food, and first experiences in the kitchen * 11:50 min - What brought Mulvaney, an Irishman from Long Island, out West, what kept him in Sacramento, and how his restaurant got his name * 14:05 min - Mahan's journey from washing dishes at Buffet Excellence at age 16, to having a life-changing experience in France * 20:45 min - What happened in those first few days, weeks and months of opening the new restaurant * 26:35 min - The pros and cons of serving Sacramentans as restaurant diners * 31:15 min - How to address changing tastes, trends and younger customers * 37 min - What the chefs are working on now outside the kitchen * 44:50 min - The Food Network effect: What do these TV shows overhype and downplay in the restaurant industry that we customers should know about as reality? * 53:40 min - The dish from Americo's (where the Waterboy stands today) that Mahan promises to make if you request it * 56 min - Thoughts on tasting menus, "tweezer plating," and the upcoming Michelin guide on Sacramento restaurants * 1 hr, 1:50 min - The pros and cons of running a restaurant -- especially in California * 1 hr, 7:05 min - The biggest challenge -- and fear -- the chefs are facing * 1 hr, 11:50 min - Thoughts on California's agriculture industry, and the future for farmers * 1 hr, 14:10 min - How the Waterboy got its name (it wasn't the Adam Sandler movie) * 1 hr, 20:15 min - Workforce development: How do we train the people who will run Sacramento's restaurants in the future? * 1 hr, 30:15 min - Best piece of advice for someone just starting out in this business * 1 hr, 32:10 min - Best piece of advice for amateur chefs in the kitchen

** This conversation was recorded on April 17, 2019** California’s legislature is looking at how to make blockchain and cryptocurrency easier to use here. One bill would set up a structure for regulating virtual-currency business activities in the state. Another would require California to start accepting “stablecoins,” digital currency tied to the U.S. dollar, from cannabis businesses starting in 2020, so they don't have to pay their taxes and fees via briefcases full of cash. And blockchain isn’t just about currency — California water-rights experts are placing IBM-made sensors in Central Valley rivers to monitor real-time volume and usage. And the Sacramento Kings, the first sports team in the world to accept bitcoin at its games, is using blockchain can improve the fan experience at Golden 1 Center. But what exactly is this blockchain thing? What’s the point of Bitcoin? Do you need to start learning how to buy cryptocurrency, or is this a fad that will be old news next year? Listen to our easy-to-understand discussion about this tech trend that California is playing a big role in shaping. PANELISTS * Ally Medina, director of the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition (and current Mayor of Emeryville) * Kevin Weiler, lead blockchain engineer for San Diego-based XYO Network, which bought his blockchain startup, Layer One, last summer PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 5 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers and this topic * 5 min - Ally Medina talks about how her Coalition is getting blockchain-legislation passed, and testing cryptocurrency wallets that are government-suitable * 7:25 min - What exactly is blockchain, and examples of how it works * 9:25 min - Who is in the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition, and what types of business they do * 10:45 min - How Kevin Weiler uses blockchain with things like "merkel trees," and how his company is creating a competitor to GPS tracking * 17:45 min - How blockchain can best be used by government agencies -- and by cannabis companies * 25 min - What's the status of Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrency -- is it a risky fad, or is it here to stay? * 30:10 min - How does one assess the value of a cryptocurrency? * 33:35 min - How would people working in the cannabis industry learn about, get trained in, and enter into the use of cryptocurrency? * 38:25 min - Do blockchain transactions need to be regulated if they are decentralized? * 41 min - How will California's newly-passed Consumer Data Privacy Act affect blockchain? * 44 min - Because blockchain could cause so much disruption, how is Big Business (with big lobbying efforts) handling that? * 49:45 min - Will Bitcoin ever hit its financial high again? * 51:45 min - What Weiler's company is doing to help people keep control of their location-based data privacy -- and why Medina argues for access to that data * 56:15 min - An Oracle executive predicted that "50 percent of all companies will be using blockchain within the next three years" -- is that viable? * 58:50 min - The California state government is putting together a workgroup to study blockchain and see how to handle it -- who should be appointed to this group, and what should they focus on to make effective recommendations?

**This discussion was recorded on April 8, 2019** Sacramento is getting attention nationwide for its alt-transportation methods, which focus on smarter, safer and more efficient ways of getting people from A to B, while reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion in a big way. But it’s not always a smooth ride. There are multiple complaints about how Jump bikes are blocking sidewalks, and Jump scooters are not that safe for their drivers or the people they run into. The City is putting new fees, rules and restrictions in place that Jump says is expensive and prohibitive to expanding its services. The Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project is in jeopardy, with project bids for construction way higher than expected, and far beyond the project budget. And can Sacramento Regional Transit ever get anyone to ride its light rail? The future of transportation in Sacramento is off to a great start, but how will these bumps in the road affect it? And how will we — as users, taxpayers and voters — affect and be affected by these new modes of transportation? We’re talking about it down in the basement of Ruhstaller in downtown Sacramento with the people who are in charge of taking us where we want to go, but differently. PANELISTS * Jennifer Donlon Wyant, active transportation program specialist for the City of Sacramento * Jessica Gonzalez, director of marketing and communications for Sacramento Regional Transit * Jennifer Venema, sustainability manager for the City of Sacramento PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:45 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:45 min - Panelists introduce themselves and tell us the best "ride" they've ever had * 8:40 min - Jump bikes and scooters are just the start: details about the "Vision Zero" project * 10:30 min - "Electrifying" efforts: Sacramento's new focus on electric cars and shuttles * 13:35 min - Sacramento Regional Transit's major rehaul of its bus routes, and its new shuttles * 15:50 min - Sacramento as a transit laboratory: what efforts have tested well so far, and which needs more work? * 24:10 min - What's going on with the Sacramento Riverfront Streetcar Project: will construction start this year as planned? * 26:15 min - Why the City is imposing new fees, rules and regulations on "shared rideables" like Jump bikes and scooters * 31:40 min - Improving pedestrian safety and protecting walkers from aggressive drivers * 33:40 min - The new ordinance for cracking down on improperly-parked bikes/scooters * 38:25 min - How Sacramento's transportation orgs are working on Electrify America -- and how Volkswagen and its "Dieselgate" scandal play a role * 43 min - What's the role of suburbs in this new future of transportation? And how about the private sector? * 53:15 min - Efforts to teach people on how to ride these bikes and scooters properly * 57:55 min - What are the efforts to partner with cities outside Sacramento, like Roseville and Elk Grove? * 1 hr, 1:35 min - Any plans for a multi-use "crossover" pass that works for all the transit methods? * 1 hr, 5:30 min - How do public-private partnerships work in this area, and how are they contracted and monitored? * 1 hr, 9:20 min - With all these tech-savvy transit options, how do you make them accessible to underserved communities with digital divides? * 1 hr, 13:50 min - How all these new transit methods could impact Sacramento's urban planning efforts in the future

* This podcast was recorded on April 3, 2019 at Antiquite Midtown in Sacramento* We’re talking with some of Sacramento’s mightiest movers and shakers this year, people who are bringing changes, making waves and putting California’s capital on the map in bold font. This conversation is with two people who play big roles in shaping Sacramento’s arts scene, supporting and promoting local artists, and getting their efforts talked about in cultural circles around California and nationwide. Liv Moe, founding director of Verge Center for the Arts, and Estella Sanchez, founder and executive director of Sol Collective, do all this by providing vital resources to career and emerging artists, as well as offering arts education opportunities for youth and adults. They’re two major reasons why the Capitol City’s cultural scene is on fire, and why it has such a passionate community rooting it on. Join us as we talk with Moe and Sanchez about the state of the arts in Sacramento, what they’re working on now, and what they want to happen so that the city’s artists get the support they need and the recognition they deserve. PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 4:35 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:35 min - Sanchez and Moe introduce themselves, and describe the work of art that inspires them most (from Miguel Bounce Perez and Christian Marclay, respectively) * 8:05 min - From high school counselor and women's rights advocate to leaders in the arts: How each woman started down the path to the positions they hold today * 12:40 min - The specific things that make Sol Collective and Verge unique * 17:30 min - The blood, sweat and tears shed in buying the buildings these organizations are housed in -- and how that effort made both Sanchez and Moe stronger * 26 min - How strongly is Sacramento embracing its arts scene -- and its artists? * 33:20 min - The arts and gentrification: How they go together, for better and for worse * 41:50 min - Approaching art as activism, especially in these politically-charged times * 52 min - How Sacramento museums can better support the local arts scene * 1 hr - How Moe and Sanchez mentor their artists, and have helped them go on to bigger, better opportunities * 1 hr, 6:30 min - As a cultural leader in Sacramento, when do you know how loud to speak out, and how do you know when it's best to step back and stay silent? * 1 hr, 12:50 min - Next steps and future plans for Sol Collective and Verge

** This event was held on February 27, 2019 at Antiquite Midtown in Sacramento ** One of the City of Sacramento’s big initiatives: Come up with the right jobs strategy that boosts all of its neighborhoods, especially those with less-than average employment rates and high poverty. So how is that going? How is Sacramento residents' feedback on the matter being used? What is funding being spent on, and who and where is it benefiting? And how can the City’s government, businesses, nonprofits and us individuals turn these efforts into tangible economic growth and good jobs that boost people’s incomes and improve the neighborhoods they live in? Join us for another “cocktail conversation” with some Californians who are giving their all to boost economic growth in neighborhoods that need it — and find out how you can help them with their efforts. PANELISTS * Melissa Anguiano, economic development manager for the City of Sacramento * Nicholas Haystings - president and executive director of Square Root Academy, a nonprofit that puts on after-school programs and community events in STEM skills for underrepresented students * Mariah Lichtenstern - founding partner and managing director of DiverseCity Ventures, a venture capital firm that funds tech companies run by underserved founders * Tyrone Roderick Williams - director of Sacramento Promise Zone, and director of development for Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency * Dianna Tremblay - Director of Acceleration for ICA Fund Good Jobs, a nonprofit, impact investment firm focused on creating jobs and economic opportunity in San Francisco and Oakland’s inner cities PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 7:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and about this topic * 7:15 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share the most "interesting" job they've had to date * 11:15 min - Details about how the City of Sacramento is going to tackle economic inequality * 18:05 min - What is the Sacramento Promise Zone? * 24:35 min - How STEM skills are expected to secure good jobs -- and how they're being taught in underserved neighborhoods * 28:45 min - What's the landscape like in Sacramento for entrepreneurs from economically-disadvantaged areas who want to start and build businesses? * 34:25 min - How one Bay Area org does it re creating jobs and building economic growth - and how that can be applied here to Sacramento * 41:50 min - How much should city governments do -- and offer -- to lure companies to town and bring jobs to neighborhoods that need them? * 50:45 min - What's the private sector's role in getting jobs and economic growth to underserved neighborhoods -- and what should it be? * 53:30 min - What are efforts to getting economic equality to the City's schools? * 1 hr, 2:45 min - For struggling neighborhoods that are not in a Promise Zone or an Opportunity Zone, how can they get resources and funding to boost their economic growth? * 1 hr, 6:20 min - How do you bring the "entrepreneurial spirit" to residents in neighborhoods who have potential but may not have that type of business background or knowledge? * 1 hr, 16:05 min - What can we, as individuals and as California residents, do to help get economic growth to neighborhoods that need it?