Solutions News

In this edition of Solutions News, Rinaldo is joined the uniquely brilliant and globally influential, Deepak Chopra. We will be talking primarily about the NY Times Best Seller, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Human Potential, his 90th book to be published, as well providing you a “peak preview” of his newest book coming out this week, Total Meditation: Practices in Living the Awakened Life. We’ll also learn about his plans to help reduce teen and adult suicides with his new non-profit platform NeverAlone.Love and his lifelong interest in supporting the whole person: mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. Don’t miss this week’s show and enjoy our intimate conversation with Deepak!

On this week's episode of Solutions News, we explore the benefits of a Partnership Model as opposed to Domination Systems with special guest Dr. Raine Eisler, President of the Center for Partnership Studies. Author and social scientist Dr. Eisler, among many other things, is a holocaust escapee from Austria who has both a Juris Doctorate and a Ph.D and has been a Fellow of the World Business Academy for almost three decades. In the show, we explore how human societies can be categorized along a continuum of how strongly it supports general human growth and development (the Partnership Model) versus how strongly it supports the rise of a small class of people on the backs of the rest (the Domination System). (Produced by Kristy Jansen.)

On this episode of Solutions News we are talking about reliability, safety & resiliency in our electrical grid, and how we might cure California’s current power problems in a way that gets us off fossil fuels, addresses environmental and economic injustice, and also build resilient communities across the state. The answer is simple, we have the technology, we have the know how. All we lack is the political will. Our guest is Lorenzo Kristov, PhD who has spent his career focusing on power system transitions to integrate high levels of renewable generation and distributed energy resources (DER). He’s truly one of the visionary leaders in the field of grid systems design, and we are very excited to share his wisdom with our audience today. (Produced by Kristy Jansen) For Full Show Notes visit: https://solutionsnews.org

On today's edition of Solutions News we are talking about the climate emergency. That’s right, we're calling it a Climate Emergency because that’s what it is. Yes, there are numerous other issues that have been dominating the headlines in the last few weeks and months, but among those, especially in the last few weeks, are many headlines about natural disasters: high winds and high heats. Hurricanes, Fires and Floods. So, what are we going to do about it? Well, one thing that MUST happen is that our policy makers need to get active and pass legislation that moves our society off the worst polluting and extractive industries and towards regenerative, renewable models of power, food and transportation, and start putting resilience at the forefront of how we make decisions. With that, we are thrilled that Congresswoman Julia Brownley will be our guest today. Tune in to hear more... (Produced by Kristy Jansen) For full show details go to https://solutionsnews.org/julia-brownley

In this edition of Solutions News Rinaldo Brutoco interviews the mother of impact investing, Hazel Henderson about what the world might look like in a new economy that measures success by putting love at the center of how we measure economic viability. It’s all about getting beyond GDP as the only metric of success. Our guest Hazel Henderson is the founder of Ethical Markets Media, LLC and the creator and co-executive Producer of its TV series. She is a world-renowned futurist, evolutionary economist, a worldwide syndicated columnist, consultant on sustainable development, and author of The Axiom and Nautilus award-winning book Ethical Markets: Growing the Green Economy (2006) along with eight other books. She co-edited, with Harlan Cleveland and Inge Kaul, The UN: Policy and Financing Alternatives, Elsevier Scientific, UK 1995 (US edition, 1996). Recognized as one of the founders of whole systems thinking as applied to economics. Her articulation of the “Love Economy” - which we will explore on today’s show - laid much of the groundwork for updated economic models that include human well-being and environmental sustainability metrics in how we measure success. For full details and more about Hazel Henderson, visit https://solutionsnews.org. (Producer: Kristy Jansen)

This week on Solutions News, we explore the landscape of Covid-19 testing in the US, with a spotlight on Ventura County and their effective approach to widespread testing, and timely notifications. Our Guest is Director of the Ventura County Sherif's Office of Emergency Services, Patrick Maynard. He tells us about the evolution of Ventura County's testing program, and explains the different types of tests available. We also travel to a surprising location that's done a good job including surveillance testing for Covid in their approach, and has so far done a much better job at controlling spread then other places. (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

Today’s edition of Solutions News is focusing on the criminal justice system, some new measures on the ballot in California designed to make it a bit more fair, and taking a look at different models that work wonders in reducing recidivism, incarceration and the costs around prisons. Our guest tonight is the esteemed Judge George Eskin, retired from the California bench in 2013. Judge Eskin has been a long -time advocate for civil rights and prison reform, and among his many accomplishments, Judge Eskin served on the Proposition 47 Executive Steering Committee to the Board of State and Community Corrections, the Judicial Council Pretrial Detention Reform Workgroup, and the California Judges Association Executive Board. Tune in to hear more… For full show details please visit us on https://solutionsnews.org (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

In this edition of Solutions News, we ask, "How can we support our communities in the face of hunger?" Our guest today is Erik Talkin, CEO of the Santa Barbara County Foodbank. For the past ten years, Erik’s goal has been to help the Foodbank become an organization that moves people from hunger to nutritional self-sufficiency and health – both for themselves and for their communities. In addition to his work at the Food Bank, Erik currently serves on the Board of Directors of the California Association of Food Banks and the National Advisory Council of Feeding America. We are talking about hunger, public assistance, and food Insecurity in a land of plenty… All essential topics as we face an end to most of the direct support that was originally included in the CARES act. For more - go to: https://Solutionsnews.org/listen (Producer: Kristy Jansen)

In this episode of Solutions News, Rinaldo Brutoco interviews Gregg Hart, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for the County of Santa Barbara, about the local Government’s response to the pandemic and the economic shocks that have hit the region. He also asks how we have gotten where we are now in this failed response to the novel coronavirus, and makes some suggestions for how to rise above the moment and look into a different future. We also feature Didyaknows, and end the show by spotlighting on a few major issues that we successfully addressed with collective action in the past. Tune in to listen to the show! (produced by Kristy Jansen)

In this edition of Solutions News, we investigate what it means to live an examined life, and how by reflecting on the end of our days, we might choose to live a life imbued with meaning, prioritizing relationships and our deeper values. Our guest is filmmaker Kate Carter, founder of Life Chronicles, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families cope with impending loss by recording life stories. How can we, each of us, proactively choose our own individual path that we are here to tread on this planet at this time. Life Chronicles helps us retain the wisdom, the personal interactions, the emotions, and the personal connections on film for the next generation to experience, and so much more. We all have words of wisdom and words of care to leave behind. Tune in to hear about the therapeutic value such interactions can bring, and how self-reflection can bring out wisdom we never knew we have to share. (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

In this episode of Solutions News, we're talking about COVID-19, our responses to it, and about the whole idea of paying taxes - with Syon Bhanot, a behavioral economist who studies the economics of prosocial behavior. With tax season upon us and a belief that taxes are as certain as “death,” we thought it was time for us at Solutions News to take a closer look at the role taxes play in the USA and other advanced societies. We’re looking at the way taxes actually can be a solution for not only the current pandemic but a host of other social challenges we face as a society. Think of that: seeing taxes as a benefit rather than a burden. Now, that’s some real positive thinking – but it is wholly justified as you’ll be hearing in what follows. (Produced by Kristy Jansen) For more details visit: www.solutionsnews.org

In this episode of Solutions News, we shine a special Fourth of July spotlight on what truly makes America unique. In honor of our Nation’s 244th birthday, and in honor of some recent trends we’ve been observing, we wanted to focus on the collective aspects of our country’s founding today. Because, despite many current narratives that highlight rugged individualism as the essential aspect of the American character – in fact, we are a nation that knows how to come together and reach for higher goals. Today’s show highlights the Interdependent nature of our society’s basic premises – we focus on Conscious Capital with our Guest Peter Matthies, on Conscious Consumption and its role in founding this country, and finally on the Declaration of Independence – though not the part you’re used to hearing about on Independence Day…. Tune in! (Produced by Kristy Jansen) For more on Solutions News and this episode go to the website: www.solutionsnews.org.

On this episode of Solutions News, Rinaldo Brutoco interviews Tom Reed, the Executive Director of Unity Shoppe - one of the oldest and most successful public charities in Santa Barbara. Unity Shoppe’s unique and powerful business model, which is all about honoring the dignity of individuals and families in our community who’ve fallen on hard times, has been recognized by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Jeff Bridges and more recently Brad Paisley, who’s been working to replicate its model in Nashville, TN. Taking a page out of Unity Shoppe’s book, we open the show with a story exploring solutions to poverty and unemployment in the current economy and end with a brief history of Roosevelt’s New Deal. (Produced by Kristy Jansen) for more see: https://solutionsnews.org

It’s been another week of protests in cities around the nation, hundreds of thousands of people marching, demanding change – demanding that we reform our nations’ policing practices. A deep reckoning is underway of the structural racism and institutional violence against black and brown Americans. Yes, Black Lives Matter. So do Brown and Native American ones. In this episode of Solutions News, we are jumping into a discussion on these themes – first with a look at our Criminal Justice System - an area just as flawed as our militarized police culture - then we bring you a fascinating interview that our producer Kristy Jansen did with spirit-centered activist, a leader in community-based safety and sentencing reform movements, Aqeela Sherrills. Aqeela has been on the front lines of restorative peace movements in urban America his entire life, and we believe you’ll find this interview informative and inspirational. Later on, we will end the show with a spotlight on Juneteenth - the celebration of the end of slavery in this country on June 19, 1865—yes, 2 full years after the Emancipation Proclamation when the last state, Texas, freed its slaves. (Produced by: Kristy Jansen) for more visit our website: solutionsnews.org

In this episode of Solutions News, we hope you will appreciate as we look for some Solutions to the ongoing inequalities that exist between different communities in our nation that’s supposed to be all about equality and justice for all. One area that must play a role in healing these divided that has plagued our nation since the beginning is the private sector, and particularly business – as one of, if not THE most powerful institutions in the USA. Last week we started this show with a piece we called, Half Slave, Half Free, observing the reality that people of color are not equal in this country; and, that this condition is a fundamental challenge to our “Union” as envisioned by Abraham Lincoln. Hopefully, after the last two weeks of international protests, we are ready to get creative. It is not enough to “wish” racism away. It is not enough to “hope” it goes away. It is not enough to ignore the reality of 400 years since slavery reached our shores and somehow “forget” what has happened. It is not enough to cease being a racist or to continue with a belief that one is neutral, and has no responsibility in this fight. It is now incumbent on all of us who believe that this is a country based on equality to actively be anti-racist. What does this mean? It means, that whites have accumulated the majority of power in our society so it means whites must be the source of the solution. People of color have been too marginalized to create equality. As Emmanuel Acho observed, it will take a “White Solution.” South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn recently observed, that with few exceptions almost every white person who came to our shores did so voluntarily seeking a better life. And, tragically, with very few exceptions the ancestors of our fellow black Americans were brought here under duress as slaves. These enslaved people built this nation with the sweat of their brows and labored to co-create with us the wealth that became the United States even though the horror of Reconstruction. They labored to work our farms and build our factories through the incredible indignities of the “the Jim Crow” era. We are excited to discuss these themes with our guest tonight – Mr. Yusuf George, the Managing Director of Capital Engagement for JUST Capital, and the author of a recent article in FORBES about Corporate Responsibility for healing the racial divide. (Producer: Kristy Jansen. For more on this program visit https://solutionsnews.org)

With this episode of SOLUTIONS NEWS, we bring you an all-new show to kick off a new season! Obviously, our joy at being back in the studio is more than a little bit depressed by the peaceful protests that are rocking all 50 states in reaction to the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police. Yes, we still have a pandemic, and yes we still have economic chaos, and yes—we still have climate change bearing down on us. But, we’re SOLUTIONS NEWS so it is our job to see a crisis of this magnitude and propose effective solutions. Today we feature an interview with Dr. Clint Rogers, who has spent a decade learning deeper solutions from a master healer and is on a mission to share that Wisdom of the Ancients with the world. In that interview, we will discuss the concepts of rebirth and renewal as the natural next step after decline and despair. To us, this was the perfect context (meaning birth and renewal) within which to address why we MUST eliminate our racist original sins if we are to emerge from the current “dark night of the soul” where America finds itself today… Please listen to hear more from Rinaldo, Dr. Clint, and the Solutions News team on deeper healing in times of strife and stress. (Produced by Kristy Jansen) See https://solutionsnews.org for more show information and to read about our guests.

On this "Best of" episode of Solutions News, Rinaldo talks to Sam Horn about her latest book, SOMEDAY is not a Day of the Week, and about how to take positive action in our lives. Topics on the show include Universal Basic Income - now being tried out in Stockton, CA, how the technology behind bitcoin - blockchain - is revolutionary despite bitcoin's questionable worth, and how 3D mapping of the Notre Dame which was completed in 2015 might make rebuilding the iconic structure possible. We also featured some great "didyaknows". (Original Broadcast April 19, 2019)

Guest: Kathy Odell, Topics: Economic Independence, Micro-lending, & Allowance by Rinaldo Brutoco & Kristy Jansen

On this "best of" episode of Solutions News, we bring you our 2019 interview with Jan Muhlfeit, the former chairman of Microsoft Europe who after leaving that role in 2014, fell into a personal crisis, but came out with a new understanding of how important the human side of capital is, and wrote the insightful and informative bestseller, The Positive Leader, on how to tap into the full potential of teams and how by bringing human capital to the forefront a company (or a country) will thrive. Jan Mühlfeit emphasizes: “If people are able to leverage their talent and their strengths, they will not only be more productive and successful but also happier. Unlocking human potential is a mantra for me personally because I think that if we better utilize the best in us, we will manage to create a better world for all”. This methodology with roots are in positive psychology is based not only on his own experience but also the experience of many of the top individuals in the global world of business, politics, as well as sport, with whom he had the honor to meet, work and spend time worldwide for many years. Other topics on this show include a story on being positive even happy, even in the face of sudden change. Original Broadcast date: May 10, 2019 (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

On this "best of" episode of Solutions News, we cover the ways the corporate world is beginning to make the shift towards more just and sustainable practices and more equality with a focus on certified “B-corporations” and the non-profit, JUST Capital, which is working to help large publicly traded companies succeed with truly “just” business practices. To shake up the show’s format a bit, our producer Kristy Jansen takes on the role of Host, and Rinaldo - who’s a sought after expert on how business can be a force for good sits in the interview hot seat! The solution that some are calling for is a new ethos that supports companies that build sustainability into the workforce and the local community, and which provide environmental stewardship while penalizing those that continue as bad actors. This solution is gaining new power in corporate board rooms at the largest public companies in America, as well as among smaller private businesses. What’s at stake is basically the sustainability of the American economy - and perhaps the very foundation of our political system as well. Original Broadcast date: September 13, 2019 (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

This episode of Solutions News features a "Best of" show from our archives. Rinaldo Brutoco interviews Joe Simonetta, and they dig into Joe's latest book - 7 Words to Change the World: The Simple Truth and The Death of Sacred Cows. Other topics we address on this show: PG&E's Bankruptcy, a coal plant that transitioned to solar, working from home, and other great solutions! This episode first played on January 18, 2019. (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

In honor of the Original Earth Day in April 1970, this episode of Solutions News features an interview with one of the original environmental activists in the US. Tune in to hear Rinaldo and Kristy talk with local environmental icon Marc McGinnes about his 50-year journey as an "environmental elder" and his newest book In Love with Earth. Other topics on the show include the Exxon lawsuit, right-to-repair laws, and tips for mastering emotions. This is one of our favorite episodes, and rounds out the April 2020 "Earth Month" special.

On this episode of Solutions News, we mix things up. Last week we featured an interview with Brent Goodlet, who helped to organize the General Climate Strike that occurred on September 27, 2019 - the day we recorded this show. In honor of this action and the millions who participated in the youth-led strikes that occurred around the world on September 20, 2019, we are going to take a listen to some of the young voices and others who are making this a global event. We will hear from some of the activists, organizers, and participants from both the youth-led and General Climate Strikes and talk about the power of a collective youth voice in helping to change the world.

On this "best of" episode of Solutions News (recorded Sept 20, 2019), we take a look at the role the media can play in informing the general public, and how this is an essential part of American Democracy. We also address the false dichotomy that’s now a firmly held cultural belief that we have to choose EITHER cheap goods made with extractive procedures OR pay more for “Green” products produced sustainably. This is a false dichotomy, and in fact, it pays off “BIGLY” to invest in renewable, power and sustainable procedures that support the environment and worker paychecks. Our guest on this show is Brent Goodlet, a post-doc in materials science, who is also a community activist and organizer of a local Climate Strike. We will be talking with Brent about the concept of the strike, and how the youth-led large scale civil disobedience movements like the climate strike and walking out of class are designed to provoke substantive action by government, business and other halls of power in our society. Finally, we highlight some of the reasons we support the climate strike, and why we are taking this episode AND next week’s to give voice to this movement. (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

This month, we're turning Earth Day into Earth Month. Why only celebrate and discuss the power of Mother Nature and what we can do to help for one day? In the midst of the global crisis, we cannot forget about our beautiful Earth. Tune into our next few shows, replays of some of our favorite Earth-related topics, to learn from the experts on what we as citizens of the Earth can do to help! Our first story with Stacy discussed how to repair a fraying democracy. Political theorist Teresa Bejan studied and wrote a book about civility. After concluding her studies, Bejan learned “the virtue that makes un-murderous coexistence possible [in society] is the virtue of civility,” as she states in her TED Talk. “Civility makes our disagreements tolerable so that we can share a life together, even if we don’t share a faith — religious, political or otherwise.” The point of civility, she says, is to allow us to “have fundamental disagreements without denying or destroying the possibility of a common life tomorrow with the people we think are standing in our way today.” It is up to all of us-- teaching our leaders to lead, voting, and putting country above party. AND MORE... (Producer: Kristy Jansen)

In this episode of Solutions News, as we all call in to the show from our respective home or yurt based offices, Rinaldo Brutoco and Kristy Jansen talk with Jon Aimonetti, Executive Director of Fairview Gardens – an urban farm collective in Goleta, CA. They discuss chronic diseases based on unhealthy ultra-processed food, which have been the leading causes of death in the United States for the past several decades, and are still linked to American’s unhealthy bodies. The solution is to reimagine our food culture, reinvest in local, organic farms and gardens, and reorient our food systems to prioritize foods low on the processed food pyramid. In addition, we explore some key skills to master in the kitchen, which might make us all question the assumption that fast and cheap rules out healthy and good. We also enjoy didyaknows! (Produced by Kristy Jansen).

Our lead story on this episode of Solutions News explores areas of public intervention that might be most effective, and asks how smart, targeted moves at the federal level, in coordination with various business sectors might give this nation a head start in reimaging an economy that works BETTER for MORE of us for when we can all get back to work. Our guest is Congressman Tom Malinowski, who represents New Jersey’s 7th district. We will be talking with him about what actions are being taken at the federal level in the face of both the public health emergency we are already in, and about the economic crisis that’s just beginning to be felt. After our conversation with the Congressman, we will finish with a few words on how critical to our collective well-being is that we have good leadership. (Producer: Kristy Jansen)

On this Friday the 13th, we have a tremendously important episode of Solutions News for you, built around the questions we’ve been hearing from our friends and neighbors about what to do with the pandemic knocking at our door. Our guest today is Dr. Douglas Metz, Deputy Director of SB County Public Health. Officials across the nation have begun to make proactive decisions to temporarily close schools, and shut-down public events, sports games, conferences, and other non-essential groupings of people to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In this context, a new question arises - how badly will this health crisis morph into a full-blown economic crisis; how will it affect our personal ability to pay our bills; and, how will it impact our consumer economy more broadly? While it’s impossible to know the future, in our lead story, we explore a few proactive business solutions that in the absence of, or in addition to, fundamental and substantive assistance from the federal or state policymakers, can help to smooth out the economic fallout from this pandemic. Then we talk with Dr. Metz and ask him all about how to protect ourselves and our families and the community at large in the face of this public health emergency - as well as how to take care of ourselves or our loved ones in the case of getting ill. In our final word today, we discuss some ways to curtail negative “emotional contagion” and promote good mental health in the face of media narratives and panicky friends or family members that feed our fear of this public health emergency. In the best advice in the universe, from Douglas Adam’s Hitchhiker’s Guide - “Don’t Panic.” (Produced by Kristy Jansen) For more go to solutionsnews.org/listen

On this episode of Solutions News, our first story is about repurposing real estate into space with a vision, but then we roll into a fascinating interview with Sandy Blair, CEO and Founder of Operation WEBS, a nonprofit that works with women veterans experiencing homelessness. We finish off the program with a look at women's equality and a salute to empowerment. Listen now to hear more! (Produced by Kristy Jansen) solutionsnews.org/listen

On this episode of Solutions News, our guests are Susanne Chess and Bob Evans, two mission-driven entrepreneurs who have made it their business to manufacture solutions to address problems large and small. Their latest project is focused on sustainable desalination using the power of the deep ocean to create clean freshwater without creating more problems for the animals, plants and other creatures who live there. We also feature other business-driven solutions, our didyaknows and feature an update on the Ocean Clean-up River project. (Produced by Kristy Jansen) For more details go to solutionsnews.org/listen

In this episode of Solutions News, we focus on cities as major players in revolutionizing the carbon economy. Our Guest is David Gershon, founder and CEO of the Empowerment Institute, as well as a long time Fellow of the World Business Academy, and we talk with David about his plan for Isla Vista to be carbon neutral by 2025 and his initiative to bring scalable, trackable carbon neutrality to cities by activating the citizenry statewide one block at a time. (Producer: Kristy Jansen) For full show details visit, solutionsnews.org.

This week on Solutions News, we interview Das Williams, Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor, who's running for re-election. With the election coming up, we wanted to take the time to focus on local elections, which impact our daily lives in some ways more powerfully than general elections, and it is these local officials who feed the pipeline for Statewide and National Political leadership. They are the County Supervisors who guide local development, our School Board Members who determine what we teach and how. In this race, Das Williams is focused on solutions to Community Resilience, Energy, Housing and Transportation infrastructure, and how to bring the community together. Topics on the show also address renewables driven community microgrids, the power of radio to bring diverse communities together in honor of World Radio Day. For full show details go to solutionsnews.org/listen (Produced by Kristy Jansen. Photo Das Wiliams and Joan Hartmann serve on MBCP - credit: CostalView.com)

This week on Solutions News, we interview Laura Capps, Candidate for Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor. With the election coming up, we wanted to take the time to focus on local elections, which impact our daily lives in some ways more powerfully than general elections, and it is these local officials who feed the pipeline for Statewide and National Political leadership. They are the County Supervisors who guide local development, our School Board Members who determine what we teach and how. In this local race, Laura Capps' agenda includes poverty, climate safety, and housing, topics that are always in need of solutions. Other topics addressed on this episode include the legacy of California's Prop 13, which is also on the ballot this time around, and we highlight the rise of electric vehicles in this year's Superbowl Ads. The times they are a changin'! Next week we will interview Das Williams, current 1st District Supervisor for Santa Barbara County, also running in this race local race. (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

This week on Solutions News, we welcome Kristine Schwarz, Executive Director of New Beginnings Counseling Center, a mental health center that provides services to low-income families and individuals. When it comes to mental health, having a safe place to sleep is the first step to treatment. But having an address is also essential to access other types of support - including the ability to open a bank account! On the edge of stability, how does a person manage his or her finances? That’s a question we had too. Something as simple as cashing a check becomes increasingly difficult in an increasingly cashless society, so what is it like being unbanked in America, and what are some solutions? Listen now! For more details go to solutionsnews.org (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

On today’s show, in honor of our Guest, Aaron Briner, Battalion Chief - Fire Marshall for Montecito Fire Protection District, we outline how Emergency Response works, learn from Aaron about how the prevention services are just as much a part of what keeps us safe from fires, floods and other disasters large and small. We also celebrate our first responders, discuss the challenges of the job, and ask how we can support them in our communities. Full show notes at solutionsnews.org (produced by Kristy Jansen)

It’s no question that fossil fuels are on the way out. Hydrogen holds great potential as a sustainable form of energy. On this episode of Solutions News, we visited the National Energy Laboratories in Hawaii with expert Mitch Ewan. Ewan is the Hydrogen Systems Program Manager at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawaii. Hydrogen is extremely abundant and easily harvested, and the key to an energy future that produces energy at a much lower environmental and financial cost than fossil fuels. If harvested using green electricity, Hydrogen also has zero environmental impact. To learn more about the hydrogen economy from this episode with Mitch Ewan, listen now! For more details go to solutionsnews.org. (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

On this episode of Solutions News, host Rinaldo Brutoco and producer Kristy Jansen talk agroforestry with expert Dave Sansone, an agroforestry and permaculture researcher and consultant on the Island of Hawaii. Sansone practices a climate-friendly, “no-till, no work” farming strategies in Hawaii that allows for the best outcome with the least effort. The episode spotlighted Hawaii in the conversation of agroforestry and "bio-tilling". Specifically, the three discussed the use of regenerative agriculture to grow food, feed, and fiber. Farmers are discovering that a systemic focus on soil health will award them better outcomes with less inputs. This is because regenerative agriculture aims to boost microbial activity, carbon retention, and water infiltration in the soil so plants can more efficiently obtain what they need. The best way to achieve this? Do less, not more. The soil is an integral part of the entire ecosystem, and it is a complex system in itself. Agroforestry is defined as sustainable agriculture which grows trees alongside other crops and animals to benefit all parties, including people and the greater environment. According to the U.S. Forest Service, strategic agroforestry can increase crop yields by 56 percent. Agroforestry is a type of regenerative agriculture that increases the productivity of the land by restoring organic materials to the soil, thus resulting in the previously mentioned benefits such as carbon retention. This unique solution provides more than a quick fix to a complex and pressing issue. Agroforestry produces a diverse crop yield, a healthy ecosystem, and a resilient habitat that can more easily adapt to a changing planet. To learn more about agroforestry and other topics from last week’s episode of Solutions News, please visit www.solutionsnews.org/dave-sansone.

On this episode of Solutions News, we address the secrets of success and self-mastery along with our guest Jack Canfield, the esteemed originator of The Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. First with a look at how Americans learned about personal empowerment by learning how to master communication, then with a story on one of the greatest inspirational projects of all time, and finally with some specific tips on how to build better habits - Just in time for New Years! We will also have our fan favorite “didyaknow” segment! Listeners of the show are welcome to visit Jack's website and sign up for a free gift: "The Success Principles 10-Day Transformation." (original airdate: 7/19/19) Produced by Kristy Jansen

On this episode of Solutions News, we interview Barry Schoer, Executive Director of the Sanctuary Centers, and a lifelong advocate for the humane and effective treatment of those who live with addiction and mental health issues. We explore the cultural implications of the current addiction crises in the United States and the world. We discuss how community based supportive living situations are a more effective and humane solution for the seriously ill rather than abandoning them to fend for themselves on the street or in the prison system. We end the show with a look at the crisis for connection that affects much of the world, and how we each might find our way towards human connection. (Original airdate: 8/9/19) Produced by Kristy Jansen

On this episode of Solutions News, we welcome Dr. Brian von Herzen, the Executive Director of the Climate Foundation, who’ll be talking with us about marine permaculture and some amazing things he’s developing to help the world. Our topics today are focused on the ocean: first a story about how bacterial microbes “eat” carbon dioxide all while providing a food source for fish and cleaning up industrial waste in the meantime, and another about how man-made artifacts in the oceans are being turned into marine habitats where life is thriving! Later on, we have some great didyaknows, and a final story on some health benefits of eating ocean greens. (Original airdate: 5/31/19) Produced by Kristy Jansen

On this episode of Solutions News, we focus on economic independence and how it helps everyday people stay out of poverty. Access to money - knowing how to earn it, how to manage it, and how to keep it, can be one of the most powerful forces in a person’s life. Our guest is Kathy Odell, CEO-elect of Women’s Economic Ventures, known locally as WEV. For over two decades, WEV has been a leading provider of microenterprise development services to women along California’s Central Coast. We will explore the broader micro-lending movement, both in developing economies and as it’s been working in the USA, and share some tips on how we can help our children become strong money managers as well.

People continue to flock to the urban hubs of America, but our cities have struggled to keep pace with the people, leading to Americans who spend more than a reasonable share of income on housing, all the while there is not enough public assistance (or housing laws) to solve the problem. On this episode of Solutions News, we talk about the affordable housing crisis from a different perspective - how we got here and how we might address it. We’ve touched on this subject in several previous shows in other ways, but since it shelter is one of those basic needs, and lack of housing continues to challenge many communities in California, as well as across the nation, there is always more to say. We are excited to welcome our guest, Rob Fredericks, the CEO and Executive Director at the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, who has been at the forefront of this challenge for several decades. After the interview with Rob and some didyaknows, we end the show with a brief look at the importance of the personal relationships that can develop within neighborhoods - and specifically an innovative program called “Cool Blocks”. (Produced by Kristy Jansen, with assistance from Benjamin Schwartz)

In this week’s episode of Solutions News, we discuss microgrids in Puerto Rico, talk about corporations underwriting farmers’ transitions to organic food, and Rinaldo interviews Margaret Klein Salamon. After a discussion about the Green New Deal and Margaret’s organization The Climate Mobilization, Rinaldo discusses the ways in which gratitude changes your brain. (Original airdate 2/15/19) Produced by Kristy Jansen.

On this episode of Solutions News, we focus on the creative arts and argue that art and arts education ought to be celebrated as a solution, not considered an afterthought. Music, drawing, painting, photography, dance, poetry, storytelling, and even cooking, knitting and other hand-crafts - all these forms of creative expression are essential human skills. Some argue that ART - defined broadly - is what makes us human, and see it as key to creating social cohesion and for individual self-development. Our guest is Judi Wiesbart, who is one of the (24) founding artists for Mike Cregan’s new La Cumbre Center for the Creative Arts. We talk with Judi about the La Cumbre project, about her art and sculpture, along with her social activism and how it all fits together. For as the 19th-century artist Edgar Degas explained: “ART is not what you see, but what you make others see.” (Guest Host: Kristy Jansen. Produced by Kristy Jansen and Benjamin Schwartz)

On this episode of Solutions News, we welcome the honorable Monika Penukonda, director of the Divine Lineage Meditation & Healing Center in Mendocino, CA. She was in Santa Barbara to raise awareness and funding for projects that exhibit possible ways to live in harmony as a community in times of a changing climate, especially in areas like Mendocino which are struggling in the face of power shut-offs and fire breakouts. Monika brings in a spiritual perspective of living in harmony as we move into an environmentally unsettled future. Because climate change is warming Earth by the day, it is essential for builders to consider adverse climate conditions such as fires, drought, and flooding in construction. In addition to hosting Monika as the featured guest, the show also explores innovative, sustainable, and resilient building construction for the future. Two specific technologies mentioned are Rammed Earth construction and 3D Printed housing. After our “didyaknows”, we turn our eyes to Copenhagen, Denmark. This city nearly burned to the ground several times in its history, which perhaps is one of the reasons it stands out today as one of the “greenest” cities today. (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

On this episode of Solutions News, we sit down with Andrew MacCalla, VP of Emergency Response and New Initiatives at Direct Relief, one of the most nimble and effective non-profit aid organizations in the country. From being on the ground in Haiti for 2 years after the 2010 earthquake to managing medical deployments after Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Dorian, Andrew has tremendous experience on the front lines of disaster relief and recovery. We talk with him about providing life-saving medical packs, medicines and now helping local medical centers build their own solar and storage based microgrids to keep the power on in the face of the next outage. It may even be that Puerto Rico has something to teach California now that the major utilities are preemptively shutting off our power! In addition to talking Direct Relief, Rinaldo gives an update on Puerto Rico's development into a microgrid leader. We also explore the role of NGOs in providing essential help after natural disasters and other unsettling events. (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

On this episode of Solutions News, we interview Rabbi Michael Lerner about his newest book, Revolutionary Love: A Political Manifesto to Heal and Transform the World. We also explore Americans' obsession with work and ask if a reduced work-week might actually improve productivity. In addition, we feature our "didyaknows" and spotlight voting and activism in shaping our world. As Anita Roddick once said: "If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in your sleeping bag."

On this episode of Solutions News, we focus on education - it’s incredible power to transform lives, and why we should be investing in education as a society - not abandoning every family to fend for themselves. Our guest is Victoria Juarez, the CEO and President for the Scholarship Foundation, an incredible local organization that in 2019 alone gave $8 Million worth of scholarship support to nearly 2500 Santa Barbara students in college, graduate and vocational schools. As the education activist Malala Yousufzai reminds us, “Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” (Producer: Kristy Jansen)

Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” On this episode of Solutions News, we take on the complex and distressing topic of domestic violence. Jan Campbell, Executive Director of Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County joins Rinaldo and Kristy in the studio to describe the problem, and discuss solutions. Inspired by the topic, our main story focuses on the subject of emotional intelligence. Mastering this critical human skill helps us with our relationships, self-regulation, and navigating the social world. Later on, we explore the connection between shame and violence, and turn a spotlight on a UK prison program that teaches offenders empathy and self-regulation and thereby improves recidivism rates. Additional resources: https://dvsolutions.org/get-help/hotlines/ https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/fastfact.html https://www.psychalive.org/insight-into-the-violent-mind/ https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-11947481 Producer: Kristy Jansen Assistant Producer: Benjamin Schwartz Audio Engineer: Mark Giles

On this episode of Solutions News, Rinaldo interviews U.S. Congresswoman Katie Porter about congressional oversight and the role of regulation in banking. This fascinating conversation should not be missed!

On this episode of Solutions News, we target solutions that work to create lasting peace in the world. We examine the role that women have played in ending violence in conflict zones, and how it's been shown that women and other non-combatants need to be at the center of peace negotiations if a community or a country wants to truly heal after a war ends. We interview Professor Joe White, founder of the “2020: A Year Without War” project which seeks a worldwide truce for just one year. We also spotlight an innovative company, RUMI, founded by US Veterans of the Afghan wars who have partnered with Afghan farmers growing saffron, a crop with enough value to replace opium poppies as a credible alternative to illicit drug trades. It is a mission-driven business that does well by doing good. And of course, we have some fun “didyaknows”! (Produced by Kristy Jansen) For the full show details go to https://solutionsnews.org/10-4-19-joe-white