Podcasts about ojai

What do you get when Hermanos Gutiérrez teams up with Leon Bridges? “Elegantly Wasted,” the Ecuadorian-Swiss, guitar wizard brother duo’s first song ever to feature English lyrics. By tapping their recent tourmate Bridges for the project, they’ve treated us to a sonic expansion of each artist's signature sound. The result is undulating rhythms,  silky vocals, and impeccable vibes. P.S. Prepare to swoon, because Hermanos Gutiérrez will be live at The Libbey Bowl in Ojai on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Creativity through the lens of an Author and Actor"Creativity feels like a life line, like another vein in my body."Tim Cummings is the author of the multiple-award-winning coming-of-age novel, Alice the Cat, published by Fitzroy Books. It was chosen as an American Book Awards 'Best Book' Finalist for 2023, received a Bronze Medal in the 2024 Feathered Quill Book Awards, and is a Finalist in both the 2024 National Indies Excellence Awards for Teen Fiction and the Independent Author Network's Book of the Year Awards. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University Los Angeles and a BFA from NYU/Tisch School of the Arts. Since 1984, he has appeared in over 200 projects across theatre, film, television, voice-over, and new media. Recent publications of short fiction, essays, and poetry include F(r)iction, Scare Street, Lunch Ticket, MeowMeow PowPow, From Whispers to Roars, Drunk Monkeys, Hare's Paw, Lit Angels, and Critical Read/RAFT, for which he won the ‘Origins' contest for his essay, “You Have Changed Me Forever.” He teaches writing for UCLA Extension Writers' Program, The Townies Inc in Ojai, runs private workshops, and coaches authors. He lives in Los Angeles with his partner of 19 years and their dog. Website: timcummings.ink  InstagramSend us a text

When Beth Lane was six years old, her mother let slip a family mystery: she had six siblings, all adopted. That cryptic admission set Lane on a decades-long journey to uncover the truth — a journey that culminated in UnBroken, a powerful documentary about how her mother and six siblings, all Jewish children in Nazi Germany, survived the Holocaust with the help of a courageous German farmer and his wife. Hidden in a cramped laundry hut for nearly two years, the Weber children, ages six to eighteen, endured lice, starvation, cold, and constant fear. Their story, once nearly lost to time, now shines as a beacon of resilience and compassion.In this episode, Lane, an actor, writer, and first-time director based in Ojai, shares the extraordinary path from family secret to cinematic revelation. After reconnecting with the German farmer's grandson on a research trip, Lane was galvanized to make the film. Drawing inspiration from Shoah and animated Holocaust shorts, she wove archival material, survivor interviews, and gentle visual storytelling into a deeply human narrative. UnBroken premiered at the Heartland Film Festival in 2023, won the Best Documentary Feature Premiere award, and went on to screen internationally before its 2025 Netflix release, where it quickly became a top-five hit.But more than just a personal project, UnBroken is a call to empathy in an age of division. All profits from the film support the Weber Family Arts Foundation, which Lane founded to combat antisemitism through education and storytelling. As she tells it, the film asks a single, haunting question of viewers: “Would you hide me?” Tune in for this moving conversation about memory, legacy, and the quiet courage that can change the course of history.Check out the Weber Family Foundation at https://www.theweberfamilyartsfoundation.com/mission

In this episode, “Truth is a Pathless Land,” we speak with Transformative Inquiry Program faculty member Connie Jones to explore the micropolitical stakes of revolutionary spirituality through Krishnamurti's challenge to religious prescription, psychological conditioning, and egoic identification. We discuss techniqueless meditation, the primacy of awareness over truth, and the distinction between perception and cognition as a path beyond the representational mind. Our conversation engages the unknown as the ground of creativity and examines how culturally conditioned individualism is challenged by non-dual insights. We also explore Bohmian Dialogue as a transformative practice aligned with Krishnamurti's vision—an open, non-hierarchical mode of collective inquiry that suspends judgment and cultivates shared attention. Through this lens, we consider how his praxis opens onto a micro-political awareness capable of generating new forms of being and transformation beyond all systems of conditioning. Connie Jones, Ph.D., is a sociologist of religion who joined CIIS in 1994, having taught at several colleges and theology schools. Beginning with her doctoral dissertation on the caste system in India, she has pursued a long interest in the cultures and religions of the East, including the adoption of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs and practices in the West. She researches spiritual teachers as well as the evolution of new religious movements around the world. Throughout her career in higher education, she has helped establish women's studies departments and curricula in several colleges and has published research on women's status in India and feminist methods. She has been a member of a multidisciplinary team of scholars that investigates new religious movements around the world and has published articles on movements that are based on Eastern religious belief and practice. At present, Constance has a book, Krishnamurti: Self-Inquiry, Awakening, and Transformation, in press with Cambridge University Press. In this volume she outlines the life and teaching of the enigmatic 20th century philosopher and teacher J. Krishnamurti. She serves in scholarly positions with the Gurdjieff Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man (2017- present) Tbilisi, Georgia and the Publications Committee of the Krishnamurti Foundation of America (2018-present), Ojai, California. Books: Encyclopedia of Hinduism Contemplative Literature The EWP Podcast credits • Connect with EWP: Youtube • Facebook • Hosted by Stephen Julich (EWP Core Faculty) and Jonathan Kay (PhD grad) • Produced by: Stephen Julich and Jonathan Kay • Edited and Mixed by: Jonathan Kay • Introduction music: Mosaic, by Monsoon on the album Mandala • Music at the end of the episode: Tundra Immanence (blowing meditation) • Introduction Voiceover: Roche Wadehra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In this episode, “Truth is a Pathless Land,” we speak with Transformative Inquiry Program faculty member Connie Jones to explore the micropolitical stakes of revolutionary spirituality through Krishnamurti's challenge to religious prescription, psychological conditioning, and egoic identification. We discuss techniqueless meditation, the primacy of awareness over truth, and the distinction between perception and cognition as a path beyond the representational mind. Our conversation engages the unknown as the ground of creativity and examines how culturally conditioned individualism is challenged by non-dual insights. We also explore Bohmian Dialogue as a transformative practice aligned with Krishnamurti's vision—an open, non-hierarchical mode of collective inquiry that suspends judgment and cultivates shared attention. Through this lens, we consider how his praxis opens onto a micro-political awareness capable of generating new forms of being and transformation beyond all systems of conditioning. Connie Jones, Ph.D., is a sociologist of religion who joined CIIS in 1994, having taught at several colleges and theology schools. Beginning with her doctoral dissertation on the caste system in India, she has pursued a long interest in the cultures and religions of the East, including the adoption of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs and practices in the West. She researches spiritual teachers as well as the evolution of new religious movements around the world. Throughout her career in higher education, she has helped establish women's studies departments and curricula in several colleges and has published research on women's status in India and feminist methods. She has been a member of a multidisciplinary team of scholars that investigates new religious movements around the world and has published articles on movements that are based on Eastern religious belief and practice. At present, Constance has a book, Krishnamurti: Self-Inquiry, Awakening, and Transformation, in press with Cambridge University Press. In this volume she outlines the life and teaching of the enigmatic 20th century philosopher and teacher J. Krishnamurti. She serves in scholarly positions with the Gurdjieff Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man (2017- present) Tbilisi, Georgia and the Publications Committee of the Krishnamurti Foundation of America (2018-present), Ojai, California. Books: Encyclopedia of Hinduism Contemplative Literature The EWP Podcast credits • Connect with EWP: Youtube • Facebook • Hosted by Stephen Julich (EWP Core Faculty) and Jonathan Kay (PhD grad) • Produced by: Stephen Julich and Jonathan Kay • Edited and Mixed by: Jonathan Kay • Introduction music: Mosaic, by Monsoon on the album Mandala • Music at the end of the episode: Tundra Immanence (blowing meditation) • Introduction Voiceover: Roche Wadehra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

In this episode, “Truth is a Pathless Land,” we speak with Transformative Inquiry Program faculty member Connie Jones to explore the micropolitical stakes of revolutionary spirituality through Krishnamurti's challenge to religious prescription, psychological conditioning, and egoic identification. We discuss techniqueless meditation, the primacy of awareness over truth, and the distinction between perception and cognition as a path beyond the representational mind. Our conversation engages the unknown as the ground of creativity and examines how culturally conditioned individualism is challenged by non-dual insights. We also explore Bohmian Dialogue as a transformative practice aligned with Krishnamurti's vision—an open, non-hierarchical mode of collective inquiry that suspends judgment and cultivates shared attention. Through this lens, we consider how his praxis opens onto a micro-political awareness capable of generating new forms of being and transformation beyond all systems of conditioning. Connie Jones, Ph.D., is a sociologist of religion who joined CIIS in 1994, having taught at several colleges and theology schools. Beginning with her doctoral dissertation on the caste system in India, she has pursued a long interest in the cultures and religions of the East, including the adoption of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs and practices in the West. She researches spiritual teachers as well as the evolution of new religious movements around the world. Throughout her career in higher education, she has helped establish women's studies departments and curricula in several colleges and has published research on women's status in India and feminist methods. She has been a member of a multidisciplinary team of scholars that investigates new religious movements around the world and has published articles on movements that are based on Eastern religious belief and practice. At present, Constance has a book, Krishnamurti: Self-Inquiry, Awakening, and Transformation, in press with Cambridge University Press. In this volume she outlines the life and teaching of the enigmatic 20th century philosopher and teacher J. Krishnamurti. She serves in scholarly positions with the Gurdjieff Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man (2017- present) Tbilisi, Georgia and the Publications Committee of the Krishnamurti Foundation of America (2018-present), Ojai, California. Books: Encyclopedia of Hinduism Contemplative Literature The EWP Podcast credits • Connect with EWP: Youtube • Facebook • Hosted by Stephen Julich (EWP Core Faculty) and Jonathan Kay (PhD grad) • Produced by: Stephen Julich and Jonathan Kay • Edited and Mixed by: Jonathan Kay • Introduction music: Mosaic, by Monsoon on the album Mandala • Music at the end of the episode: Tundra Immanence (blowing meditation) • Introduction Voiceover: Roche Wadehra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

In this episode, “Truth is a Pathless Land,” we speak with Transformative Inquiry Program faculty member Connie Jones to explore the micropolitical stakes of revolutionary spirituality through Krishnamurti's challenge to religious prescription, psychological conditioning, and egoic identification. We discuss techniqueless meditation, the primacy of awareness over truth, and the distinction between perception and cognition as a path beyond the representational mind. Our conversation engages the unknown as the ground of creativity and examines how culturally conditioned individualism is challenged by non-dual insights. We also explore Bohmian Dialogue as a transformative practice aligned with Krishnamurti's vision—an open, non-hierarchical mode of collective inquiry that suspends judgment and cultivates shared attention. Through this lens, we consider how his praxis opens onto a micro-political awareness capable of generating new forms of being and transformation beyond all systems of conditioning. Connie Jones, Ph.D., is a sociologist of religion who joined CIIS in 1994, having taught at several colleges and theology schools. Beginning with her doctoral dissertation on the caste system in India, she has pursued a long interest in the cultures and religions of the East, including the adoption of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs and practices in the West. She researches spiritual teachers as well as the evolution of new religious movements around the world. Throughout her career in higher education, she has helped establish women's studies departments and curricula in several colleges and has published research on women's status in India and feminist methods. She has been a member of a multidisciplinary team of scholars that investigates new religious movements around the world and has published articles on movements that are based on Eastern religious belief and practice. At present, Constance has a book, Krishnamurti: Self-Inquiry, Awakening, and Transformation, in press with Cambridge University Press. In this volume she outlines the life and teaching of the enigmatic 20th century philosopher and teacher J. Krishnamurti. She serves in scholarly positions with the Gurdjieff Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man (2017- present) Tbilisi, Georgia and the Publications Committee of the Krishnamurti Foundation of America (2018-present), Ojai, California. Books: Encyclopedia of Hinduism Contemplative Literature The EWP Podcast credits • Connect with EWP: Youtube • Facebook • Hosted by Stephen Julich (EWP Core Faculty) and Jonathan Kay (PhD grad) • Produced by: Stephen Julich and Jonathan Kay • Edited and Mixed by: Jonathan Kay • Introduction music: Mosaic, by Monsoon on the album Mandala • Music at the end of the episode: Tundra Immanence (blowing meditation) • Introduction Voiceover: Roche Wadehra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/spiritual-practice-and-mindfulness

Olivia Chase and Steve Sprinkel are the owners of The Farmer and the Cook in Ojai, California. What is The Farmer and the Cook? It's a restaurant, café, bakery, farm market and community hub in the middle of Ojai, plus a 10 acre farm a few blocks away.The Farmer and the Cook opened in 2001, though Olivia and Steve have been at the center of the American organic food movement for decades, helping it grow from a radical counter-cultural idea in one small area of Southern California to a transformational influence on the American food system. Organic food, vegetarian and vegan food, farmers markets, farm to table – these are ideas that entered the American mainstream because of what started to happen in this area. Today, they are often buzz words, corrupted by industrial food. Then there are people like Olivia and Steve that have not wavered from their original goals. They have stayed true to their ethos, growing, distributing and serving nutritious food that is good for your body and doesn't destroy the environment. They try to make it nutritious food affordable and accessible to anyone in their community, not just the wealthy Angelenos that make their way to the town on the weekends.In our discussion, where Juli was there on location, we talk about how the price of land has made it difficult for new farmers, but how organizations they are a part of, like the Ecological Farming Association and ALBA, are helping to train farmworkers, many of them Latin American, to improve yields and access land of their own. We talk about hopeful gains in seed saving, which is helping make agricultural diversity more resilient. They are also helping preserve seeds from Gaza so that they don't disappear during the war and they can eventually be reestablished by Palestinian farmers.I've been thinking a lot lately about the time it takes food movements to have real impacts. We are sometimes taken by surprise at how quickly food systems can be disrupted. I've seen it happen rapidly in the two decades I have been researching food in Latin America. Sometimes we want things to happen in the other direction overnight, but it takes time. Seemingly small actions, like saving seeds and getting nice vegetables into the hands of consumers can have a strong impact as time goes on. It might take decades before you can see the change, maybe it's after your bones are down in the ground, but someone must have the courage to start somewhere. --Host: Nicholas Gill Co-host: Juliana DuqueProduced by Nicholas Gill & Juliana Duque Recording & Editing by New Worlder https://www.newworlder.com Read more at New Worlder.

In this special episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with the luminous Kitty Winn — award-winning actor, devoted mother, and granddaughter of Gen. George C. Marshall — to trace a remarkable life lived on her own terms.After winning Best Actress at Cannes for her raw, unforgettable performance in The Panic in Needle Park alongside Al Pacino, and stepping into horror history as Sharon in The Exorcist, Kitty stepped away from the spotlight to raise her family.Now a cherished member of the Ojai community, Kitty shares stories from her family's extraordinary legacy, including her grandmother's rebellious stint with a traveling Shakespeare troupe in the early 1900s. We explore Kitty's deep commitment to nurturing young artists through the Ojai Film Society's Student Film Contest, her thoughts on acting, legacy, and why she's chosen to make Ojai her stage today.We talked about Kitty's early years in India with her military father, Gen. Marshall's challenges in both World Wars, his post-war importance and much more. We did not talk about Instagram flexibility gurus, Brad Pitt in Formula One or Edward Gibbon's Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire.It's a graceful, insightful conversation with a woman who continues to inspire — quietly, steadily, and with uncommon elegance. You can read more about this remarkable woman in Mark Lewis' story in the Ojai Quarterly archives at https://www.ojaihub.com/winns-circle/

Explore the haunting legend of the Char Man on Creek Road in Ojai, California. This eerie stretch is known for sightings of a charred figure lurking among the trees, born from tales of mysterious fires and tragic pasts. Tune in for a chilling journey into one of California's most haunted roads.

What happens when five brilliant, rebellious Romantics take refuge from a climate catastrophe in a lakeside villa — and decide to conjure monsters?In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with acclaimed playwright, screenwriter and novelist Jule Selbo to discuss her gripping new play, Mary Shelley: The Year Without Summer, premiering in Ojai on August 8, running through August 17th at Matilija Auditorium, directed by Richard Camp as the Ojai Performing Arts Theater's summer production.Set in the summer of 1816, amid the eerie aftermath of a volcanic eruption that blotted out the sun, the play captures a charged gathering at Villa Diodati, where Mary Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, Dr. Polidori, and Mary's stepsister Claire Clairmont engage in a dark game: Who can write the best horror story?From this stormy retreat, two modern mythologies are born —Mary's Frankenstein, which redefined horror and science fiction, and Polidori's Vampyre, the prototype for the seductive bloodsucker that haunts our popular imagination to this day.Jule shares her insights into dramatizing these iconic figures, why the tensions of that fateful summer still resonate, and how creativity thrives in chaos. A must-listen for literature lovers, theater fans, and anyone who enjoys a good ghost story.We talk about how these gothic tales speak to the modern imagination, writing for money and much more. (We do not talk about old English desserts, Arthur Rimbaud or folk dancing.)For more information, check out OPAT's website at OjaiTheater.org or Jule Selbo's site at JuleSelbo.com.

Rachel Lang is an astrologer, author, and spiritual teacher who bridges the mystical and the practical. With a Libra Sun and Taurus Rising, she blends intuition, creativity, and community leadership—serving in elected office in Ojai, California, where she brings soul-centered insight into real-world policy. She's the author of Modern Day Magic and As Above, So Below, and hosts The Rachel Lang Show, exploring astrology, intuition, and collective healing. A sought-after speaker and teacher, Rachel leads workshops nationwide, including at Omega Institute and The Shift Network. Rachel's work integrates archetypal astrology, ritual, and psychic mediumship to empower others to align with cosmic rhythms and take inspired action. She also serves on several nonprofit and agency boards focused on equity, sustainability, and public service. We discuss:  Why astrology and spirituality are deeply personal practices that can't be fully replaced by technology. How Mercury retrograde offers an opportunity for reflection, healing, and realignment. The powerful influence of astrological events on our relationships and emotional lives. How astrocartography and intentional travel can support personal and professional growth. The importance of integrating spirituality into daily life and community engagement for greater well-being. Follow Rachel Lang on Instagram: @rachellangastrologer Learn more about Rachel Lang: www.rachellangastrologer.com Learn more about High Vibration Living with Chef Whitney Aronoff on www.StarseedKitchen.com  Get 10% off your order of Chef Whitney's organic spices with code STARSEED on www.starseedkitchen.com  Follow Chef Whitney Aronoff on Instagram at @whitneyaronoff and @starseedkitchen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a mystical optimist and a self-proclaimed cynic start a podcast, sparks fly—and sometimes combust. In this lively, revealing conversation, Ojai-based artists Daren Thomas Magee (the Instagram juggernaut Real Fun, Wow) and musician Jaymee Carpenter (Love Is the Author) open up about the origin story of their podcast Mystical-Cynical, how each season seems to end in a breakup, and why they keep coming back for more.We dive into the rhythm of creative collaboration, the friction and forgiveness that fuel their friendship, and how life in a small town like Ojai shapes their artistic lives and inner journeys. Along the way, we talk about purpose, pain, laughter, healing — and why Mystical-Cynical resonates so deeply with its devoted listeners.Whether you're a seeker, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode is a real fun… wow.Note: We did not talk about gout, dental procedures or Jeffrey Epstein. Check out Daren's artistry and comic musings on Instagram @realfunwow and Jaymee's @loveistheauthor.

Diana Yen is a chef from New York who has recently moved to Ojai, CA. Her newest book, Firepit Feast, is out now. We chat about farmers carrying at Equinox, mesh tops, innovation in the handwashing space, exploring local citrus, Orange County spring rolls, a new avocado is about to drop, the future of matcha, whisk size matters, fast food burger styling, writers as influencers, and our thoughts on beef tallow. instagram.com/diana_yen_ twitter.com/donetodeath twitter.com/themjeans howlonggone.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're joined by Rachel Lang, an astrologer, author, spiritual teacher, and public official in Ojai, California. Rachel gives us a masterclass in using astrology as a practical tool, from timing business launches with moon cycles to understanding the major upcoming Neptune in Aries transit. We explore its historical parallels to the Civil War era, what it means for the future of spirituality and social justice, and how you can work with your own chart to navigate the changes ahead.Build Your Business Birth Chart Reading with Cara: - Book your reading hereConnect with Rachel: - Website - Instagram Business Witch The Course: - This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠ Business Witch The Course⁠⁠Additional Resources:- ⁠⁠Learn about working with me and subscribe for business tips.⁠⁠- ⁠⁠Apply to be a 1:1 client.⁠⁠- ⁠⁠Follow me on Instagram!⁠

Episode Summary: Paul Ward visits Mesa in Ojai, California—a 10-acre citrus farm that's home to an innovative community tackling youth homelessness. Guest Dan Parziale, co-founder of Mesa, explains how this transitional housing project supports vulnerable 18–24 year olds with holistic services, beautiful tiny homes, and a deep sense of community. Discover how Mesa is changing lives by replacing shelters with opportunity, healing, and hope. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction Paul introduces Dan Parziale and the mission behind Mesa Farm. 00:30 – What is Mesa? Dan explains how Mesa began and what the 10-acre farm provides for its young adult residents. 01:41 – Who Mesa Serves A look at Mesa's participants—many experiencing or at risk of homelessness—and how they are referred. 02:44 – A Spirit of Connection Why collaboration, beauty, and community are essential parts of Mesa's model. 03:39 – It Takes a Village Dan shares how community members—from realtors to volunteers—play an active role in residents' success. 04:33 – What's Required of Residents Minimal mandatory activities, but plenty of engaging opportunities including filmmaking and natural building. 05:26 – Film, Farming & Pizza Ovens Hands-on learning in the arts and agriculture, from shooting short films to selling tangerines. 06:28 – Rethinking Housing Environments Why Mesa is beautiful by design—and how that impacts healing and outcomes. 07:35 – Early Transitions & Support Mesa's first residents have already started moving out, with rental assistance for the next stage of life. 08:34 – Why Mesa Was Created Dan and co-founder Kyle Thompson wanted to flip the script on how we support at-risk youth. 09:58 – Breaking the Poverty Trap How Mesa's design philosophy focuses on dignity, restoration, and upward mobility. 11:00 – How Mesa is Funded Mesa began with a state grant and continues through a mix of government and private support. 11:29 – Replicating the Model Mesa's approach can—and should—be expanded to other communities facing youth homelessness. 12:20 – Meaning Behind the Name “Mesa” A table to gather at. A plateau to launch from. 13:03 – Dan's Background From Ojai to LA to Haiti—Dan's unique journey to nonprofit leadership. 14:30 – Preventing Lifelong Homelessness Mesa works upstream to catch youth before long-term homelessness becomes a cycle. 15:51 – The Financial & Human Cost Investing early in young people saves resources—and lives—down the line. 16:50 – A Smarter Approach to Homelessness Prevention, beauty, and opportunity drive lasting impact. 18:35 – Volunteering at Mesa Gardening, cooking, teaching art—Mesa thrives on community support. 19:29 – The Joy of This Work Dan reflects on the honor and hope that comes from working with young adults at a turning point. 20:35 – Remembering Who You Are Helping youth reconnect with their identity and potential. 21:20 – Inside the Tiny Homes Tour the beautifully furnished 270 sq ft homes with mountain views, art, and personalized music. 23:16 – Why Design & Dignity Matter Personalized homes help participants feel welcome, safe, and valued. 24:48 – Why Private Space Matters Tiny homes provide dignity and safety that communal shelters can't. 25:09 – How to Get Involved Mesa is building a volunteer portal and welcomes people to share their skills and passions. 26:29 – Website & Social Media

In this episode, we sit down with Kelley D'Angelo, founder and CEO of Lark Ellen Farm and the visionary behind the brand-new Purely Sprouted™ line. What started as personal wellness experiment in her home kitchen in Ojai — driven by chronic aches, low energy, and grain sensitivities — has blossomed into a national success story.Kelley began in 2015 at the Ojai Farmers Market with her first sprouted granola bites, and Lark Ellen Farm now reaches over 300 stores across the U.S. gofarmhand.com+11accountixsolutions.com+11Lark Ellen Farm+11. In March 2023, she launched Purely Sprouted™ at Natural Products Expo West, introducing nutrient-dense snack mixes and individually portioned nuts in eight crave-worthy flavors — and pledged support to 1% for the Planet Purely Sprouted.We explore the science behind sprouting: how soaking and germinating nuts and seeds increases nutrient availability, eases digestion, and boosts flavor. But scaling this kind of food business, especially in a small town, hasn't been easy. Kelley shares her experience pitching to investors like the Santa Barbara Angel Alliance Facebook+7Forbes+7Purely Sprouted+7, getting her first pallet shipped (and spilling boxes along the way) , and tackling bank relationships, cash flow stress, vendor contracts, and hiring.After being selected in 2025 for RangeMe's “Brands Created by Moms” collection, marking Lark Ellen Farm's 10th anniversary month, the story's only getting bigger ForbesLark Ellen Farm+15nosh.com+15Shoutout LA+15. Kelley offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs who want to turn kitchen curiosity into a sustainable brand: from co-packing to financial planning, logistics, and preserving mission alongside growth.Tune in for an inspiring blend of wellness wisdom, small-town hustle, and the earthy crunch under Kelley's leadership.We did not talk about drift net dangers, ancient Babylonian gold hoards or the recent NYC mayoral primary election.

Liz and Sarah discuss what their career has in common with the annual Ojai Fourth of July Parade. Then, in a Day In The Life segment, they share how they spent their Hive 25. There were many activities, including handing in a script and a trip to Sarah’s favorite stationary shop. In Hits & Bombs, they give two Hits — one to Jocelyn at the Blue Iguana Inn, and another to the people on Sarah’s flight from Los Angeles to Minneapolis. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from friend-of-the-pod Brook Sitgraves Turner: Google Doc Tabs. Finally, Liz recommends the Substack newsletter, Tepper Talks, for anyone who’s trying to make it in Hollywood. Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below. https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/ LINKS: Happier In Hollywood on Substack: https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: https://amzn.to/3FJwgWc Zaidee’s Bar & Grill: https://www.soulepark.com/facilities/restaurant Poketo Concept Planner: https://www.poketo.com/products/concept-planner Noted in Ojai: https://www.notedojai.com/ Blue Iguana Inn: https://www.blueiguanainn.com/ Waterpik Flossing Toothbrush https://amzn.to/4lC8Yk5 Brook Sitgraves Turner: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8223801/ Tepper Talks on Substack: https://ktepper.substack.com/about Photo by Nguyen Hoang Dieu Anh on Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Hoppus is a musician, most notably from the band Blink-182. His memoir, Fahrenheit 182, is out now. We chat about taking ecstasy on the 4th of July, the imminent cancellation of fireworks, Sufjan Stevens' body tea, Ojai scene report, bean and cheese burritos, Travis Barker's bachelor party, skee ball, growing up in methed out Cali, his wife got in early with Tesla stock, why Blink is selling more tickets than ever 30 years in, a case for pyrotechnics, his goth phase, writing his book was super fun with the help of THC, his cancer recovery, how he met his wife, his favorite comedians, and what it takes to be a true road dog. instagram.com/markhoppus twitter.com/donetodeath twitter.com/themjeans howlonggone.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz and Sarah share their plan to spend all of July finishing a solid draft of their novel. It’s time to get it done! In Take A Hike, they talk about the upside of the downslide of Hollywood. When everything changes, new opportunities arise! In The Craft (& Fain), Sarah talks about the Poketo Concept Planner that’s helping her make headway on a creative project. This week’s Hollywood Hack is courtesy of Jessica Lahey from the #AmWriting podcast — set a UPS/FedEx alert so that you can preempt barking dogs. Finally, Sarah recommends the graphic novel Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls. Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! LINKS: Jessica Lahey of #AmWriting: https://www.jessicalahey.com/amwriting-podcast The Gift of Failure: https://amzn.to/4kRej7b The Addiction Inoculation: https://amzn.to/3FPiVvC Poketo Concept Planner: https://www.poketo.com/products/concept-planner Noted in Ojai: https://www.notedojai.com/ Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls: https://amzn.to/45Bz7ed Photo by S. Tsuchiya on Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we dive into the magic of movies under the stars with Brady Hahn and Nick Weissman, two driving forces behind the Ojai Film Society's revitalized Summer Series at Libbey Bowl. Brady, a holistic strategist and community connector, and Nick, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and producer, share their passion for cinema, community, and curating experiences that resonate long after the credits roll.This summer, the Ojai Film Society is hosting a stellar lineup of free screenings open to the public, with the theme "Imagine a World," transforming Libbey Bowl into a moonlit movie palace. Highlights include:"Sally" – a revealing look at Sally Ride, the pioneering astronaut, who made immense sacrifices for the sake of her private life. June 25th."Neverending Story" – the beloved classic work of that speaks to the power and poetry of imagination. August 8th.Plus other classics and soon-to-be-classics through the end of September.We talk about what makes film such a powerful communal ritual, how Ojai's creative spirit shapes the selections, and why showing up for stories — together — is more important than ever. We did not talk about walking meditation techniques, Korean banchan or the 1984 California Angels all-star lineup.So grab your blankets and popcorn. The show is about to begin. Check their website for up-to-date information, OjaiFilmSociety.org

Filmmaker, environmental advocate and Ojai neighbor Rebecca Tickell joins us to talk about storytelling as activism and how she and her husband, Josh Tickell, are using their cameras and their land at Big Picture Ranch to shift the global conversation on food, farming, and the future.From the Netflix hit Kiss the Ground to its award-winning follow-up Common Ground — and the hyper-local lens of Regenerate Ojai — Rebecca shares what it takes to grow a movement, one compost pile and one story at a time. We dig into the power of regenerative agriculture, why it matters for our community, and how Ojai can lead by example.Rebecca grew up a farm girl in Vermont, where she became a lifelong environmentalist. Identified early for acting talent, she earned high praise in her childhood for her star turn in the nostalgic holiday film "Prancer," but pivoted to directing when she and Josh teamed up for "Fuel" and other films taking on Big Oil. We talked about Ojai's role as a test case for a sustainable, inclusive, healthy future. We did not talk about condor restoration, trout-fishing pioneers Dame Julia Berners and Isaac Walton or the Who's rock-opera "Tommy."Check out more about Big Picture Ranch at BigPictureRanch.com, where they are hard at work on the third installment of the soils trilogy, with "Groundswell."

Democracy is calling….Trickster recruiting! Caroline welcomes fellow Libra Dragon astrologer, pragmatic mystic Rachel Lang, that we honor our teammate,  true Visionary Activist, Zohran Mamdani… and all the descriptive and navigational guidance available to us all….. With a Libra Sun and Taurus Rising, Rachel also weaves the astro-politico worlds — one foot in the mystical, the other in municipal leadership. As a public servant who holds an elected office in Ojai, California, she brings her spiritual insight and creative vision into every decision, believing that leadership should be both soul-centered and community-driven.   https://rachellangastrologer.com/   *Woof*Woof*Wanna*Play?!?* · www.CoyoteNetworkNews.com · The Visionary Activist Show on Patreon The post The Visionary Activist Show – Democracy is calling appeared first on KPFA.

In this episode of Mind Your Own Karma, I sit down with author and professor Joan K. Peters, whose memoir Untangling dives deep into the layered, complex process of healing through psychoanalysis. Joan opens up about her own long-term journey in therapy, the power of dreamwork, and thesubconscious patterns that keep so many of us stuck.We talk about what it really means to “untangle” the inner knots around love, money, and self-worth, and why healing often looks nothing like we expect.Joan's honesty, depth, and insight make this a must-listen for anyone who's ready to look beneath the surface. What we cover in this episode:The difference between traditional therapy and psychoanalysis.How childhood perception shapes adult pain.Joan's biggest “knots” and how she began to unravel them.Why healing is often messy—and why that's okay.The slow unwinding process of real change.The power of telling your story.What to look for in a healing relationship.How logic and emotion can coexist in deep healing work.More about Joan:Joan K. Peters is a writer, professor emeritus, and the author of Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis. With a Ph.D. in comparative literature, Joan taught others how to analyze great stories—until she found herself living one of her own. She now resides in Ojai, California, with her husband, dogs, and afew chickens who've probably heard all the secrets.Grab Joan's book:Website: https://www.untanglingjoan.com/Untangling on Amazon: https://a.co/d/e736fXe Want to explore your own healing journey through the body?Check out my Somatic Mindful Guided Imagery sessions at https://www.somatichealingjourneys.com/Have a unique healing modality you'd love to share on the show?Email me at mindyourownkarma@gmail.com—I'd love to hear from you!Find Melissa:-Email Melissa here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindyourownkarma@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Click here for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mind Your Own Karma Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Click here for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Somatic Mindful Guided Imagery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Find Mind Your Own Karma on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Find Mind Your Own Karma on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Find Mind Your Own Karma on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Remember: You might be just one listen away from a totallydifferent life. #MindYourOwnKarma #KarmaCrew #UntanglingTrauma #PsychoanalysisHealing #SubconsciousHealing #HealingJourney #DreamworkTherapy #EmotionalHealing #TherapyTools #MentalHealthAwareness #DeepHealingWork #InnerKnots #UnravelThePast #TellYourStory #JoanKPeters #MemoirHealing #HealingPodcast #TraumaRecovery#HealingThroughPsychoanalysis #HealingIsMessy

This episode is a live recording of Love Is The Author's debut event this past month at Light And Space Yoga in Ojai, CA featuring a one of a kind conversation with SOMA (Sacred Order Of Mystic Apogees) who were just coming off of participating in an historic countercultural event in Los Angeles: opening for Tyler Childers at the iconic Hollywood Bowl to a sold out audience. The recording begins with a touching introduction and blessing ceremony by legendary founder/editor in chief of Shambhala Publications Samuel Bercholz and his daughter Sara, followed by Jaymee's interview with the group. The episode concludes with a live ecstatic kirtan performance by SOMA recorded at a fundraiser for The Kali Mandir Ashram this past month in Laguna Beach, CA. You can watch the introduction and interview portion of this episode on our YouTube channel: https://shorturl.at/D7owbSOMA: https://somakirtan.bandcamp.comSHAMBHALA PUBLICATIONS: www.shambhala.comKALI MANDIR ASHARM: www.kalimandir.orgLITA PODCAST: hosted, produced, mixed and edited by Jaymee Carpenter. LIVE SOUND: Chris FallerInterested in Spiritual Mentorship with Jaymeeemail: lacee@loveistheauthor.com to set up a free consultation,or visit: www.loveistheauthor.com/mentorship SPONSORS: RAUM GOODS (www.raumgoods.com)INDIAN LODGE ROAD (www.indianlodgeroad.com) GUAYAKI YERBA MATÉ (www.guayaki.com)VALLEY OF THE MOON (www.shorturl.at/dCVh2)THiS SHOW is a LABOR of LOVE. PLEASE SUPPORT IT: www.patreon.com/loveistheauthorpodcastFAN CONTACT: jaymee@loveistheauthor.comON INSTAGRAM:  @soma_kirtan / @robertryan323 / @loveistheauthor / @unconventionalgardener

Legendary founder/editor in chief of Shambhala Publications Samuel Bercholz returns for his 8th appearance on the podcast, this time with his daughter Sara Bercholz (Exec, Vice President of Shambhala Pub.) to discuss the elements of deception, the phenomenon of karmic connection, the commonality of all religious traditions, the Buddhist recipe for forgiveness, and the unique experience Sara had growing up in a Buddhist household within western culture, including meditating next to Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche's deceased body as an 8 year old child. Recorded live in Ojai, CA at Jaymee and Lacee's home in their bedroom on Father's Day weekend. You can now watch this full episode on our YouTube channel: www.youtu.be/-CG1sMxUmCILITA PODCAST: hosted, curated, produced, edited and mixed by Jaymee Carpenter. WWW.LOVEISTHEAUTHOR.COMInterested in Spiritual Mentorship with Jaymeeemail: lacee@loveistheauthor.com to set up a free consultation,or visit: www.loveistheauthor.com/mentorship SPONSORS: RAUM GOODS (www.raumgoods.com)INDIAN LODGE ROAD (www.indianlodgeroad.com) GUAYAKI YERBA MATÉ (www.guayaki.com)VALLEY OF THE MOON (www.shorturl.at/dCVh2)THiS SHOW is a LABOR of LOVE. PLEASE SUPPORT IT: www.patreon.com/loveistheauthorpodcastFAN CONTACT: jaymee@loveistheauthor.comON INSTAGRAM:  @loveistheauthor / @unconventionalgardener

Join us in a vibrant conversation about the 34th annual Ojai Pride Walk & Picnic, happening Sunday, June 29, 2025, as we gather at Libbey Park. It has now now expanded from its humble 1992 beginnings with just six marchers, to a vibrant celebration of diversity, inclusion, and joy In this special episode, we sit down with:Helen Allen and Lynn Doherty, Ojai Living Treasures and co-founders of the original Pride march, whose vision began nearly 34 years ago when six women walked hand‑in‑hand down Ojai Avenue.Kate Levinstein and JoEllen Depakakibo of Queers in Valley, the dynamic new organizers who stepped up last year to carry the torch forward.Expect a lively conversation that explores:The march's evolution from a small group to a community-wide event hosting booths with free resources, local artists and performers, and a drag-hosted picnic How Queers in Valley is deepening inclusivity—introducing non-police security, ASL interpretation, wheelchair access improvements, and seating for .Anecdotes about local stars like Michelle Chakra (Ryan Beaghler), our returning drag host, beloved for drag brunches, bingo, and laughter.Schedule for June 29 (11  a.m. to 3 p.m.):Pride Walk begins at 11 am at the Libbey Park fountain Picnic & performances follow, featuring coffee from JoEllen's Pinhole Coffee Van, live music, community booths, and a warm drag show under the Ojai sun After-party kicks off at 3 pm at The Ojai Pub, followed by line-dancing with Diane Anastasio at the Ojai Rancho Inn from 4 to 5:30 p.m.This year's celebration is made possible by a powerful network of sponsors and supporters:City of Ojai, which issued an official proclamation honoring Pride Month, and provides ongoing support for event logistics.Local community groups, businesses, and arts organizations sponsoring booths, performance stages, accessibility services, drag entertainment, and refreshments.Tune in to explore how Helen Allen, Lynn Doherty, Helen Levinstein, and JoEllen Depakakibo are weaving together past and present to make Ojai Pride an inclusive celebration of love, visibility, and community for the next generation.They also give special thanks to Ojai Pub, The Rancho/Chief's Peak, and Sespe Creek Collective for various fundraising and gathering endeavors. We did not talk about oak pollen counts this early summer, Kim Stanley Robinson novels or Filipino street food.For more information, check out these sites:ojairec.com, theojaivortex.com, ojai.ca.gov

Larry Charles is a living legend of comedy who's long awaited highly revealing memoir Comedy Samurai is out today on Grand Central Publishing wherever you buy new books. The Emmy award-winning writer of iconic Seinfeld episodes, director of Borat, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Religilous and Bob Dylan's Masked And Anonymous sits down for a 2 hour conversation with Jaymee at Love Serve Remember Foundation headquarters in Ojai, CA, covering the entire arc of his career, his spiritual outlook, the recent loss of his home in the Palisades Fire, life lessons learned and the epic synchronicities that have consistently illuminated his path forward as a groundbreaking artist. Plus: a special walk on performance by Scarlet Rivera, iconic violinist of the Bob Dylan's Desire album, and a Borat style prank by Dave England from Jackass. You can also watch the stunning full episode on our Love Is The Author Youtube channel: www.shorturl.at/Rm1WLBuy 'Comedy Samurai': https://shorturl.at/uu68nLarry On Instagram: @larrycharlesLITA PODCAST: hosted, produced and edited by Jaymee Carpenter. Interested in Spiritual Mentorship with Jaymeeemail: lacee@loveistheauthor.com to set up a free consultation,or visit: www.loveistheauthor.com/mentorship SPONSORS: RAUM GOODS (www.raumgoods.com)INDIAN LODGE ROAD (www.indianlodgeroad.com) GUAYAKI YERBA MATÉ (www.guayaki.com)VALLEY OF THE MOON (www.shorturl.at/dCVh2)INTRO/OUTRO MUSIC: Jaymee & Benjamin Carpenter ("Spiritual Mathematics")THiS SHOW is a LABOR of LOVE. PLEASE SUPPORT IT: www.patreon.com/loveistheauthorpodcastFAN CONTACT: jaymee@loveistheauthor.comON INSTAGRAM:  @loveistheauthor / @unconventionalgardener

EPISODE 133: Beth Lane is a multi-hyphenate artist based in Los Angeles and Ojai. She most recently produced, directed, and wrote the award-winning feature documentary UnBroken. A trained actor and coach, she has performed on both coasts—from dancing at the Metropolitan Opera House with the legendary Jessye Norman and Samuel Ramey, to starring in acclaimed LA theater productions like West Coast Ensemble's Assassins and Francis Ford Coppola's Distant Vision. Beth narrates over 40 voices in the audiobook, The Bride Price, and wowed the owners of New York City's famous Iridium Jazz Club where she debuted and released her CD, Lies of Handsome Men. A graduate of the University of Michigan and UCLA's MFA program, Beth coaches actors for film, TV, theater, musicals and voice-over as well as non-actors in public speaking. bethlane.comContact us: makingsoundpodcast.comFollow on Instagram: @makingsoundpodcastFollow on Threads: @jannkloseJoin our Facebook GroupPlease support the show with a donation, thank you for listening!

Liz and Sarah discuss the downside of being deadline driven. They love a deadline, but sometimes creative projects need more room to breathe than a deadline allows. In Take A Hike, Sarah suggests growing something. She’s taken up gardening, and it’s making her happier, healthier, and more productive! Then Liz gives herself a Hit for being a connector, and Sarah gives a Bomb to the Ojai trash system. This week’s Hollywood Hack will add more fun to your life: get the whimsical version of something you need (like paper clips). Finally, Liz recommends the book Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America by Bridget Read. Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below. https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/ LINKS: Happier In Hollywood on Substack: https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: https://amzn.to/3FJwgWc On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft: https://amzn.to/441n1sC Navigating the Future of Entertainment Summit: https://members.thearnoldacademy.com/navigating-the-future-of-creative-work-live-summit Drama Darling podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drama-darling-a-real-housewives-comedy-podcast/id1684156555?i=1000710903737 Grosse Pointe Garden Society trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwJ8P6GZvkU Midori paper clips: https://amzn.to/4jE4vMr More cute paper clips: https://amzn.to/3FEtZvn Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America: https://amzn.to/4mTKrIJ Photo by Dan Cristian Pădureț on Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're here with a special Father's Day weekend release: Actor Tyler Labine (New Amsterdam, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil) and filmmaker-writer-photographer Reed Fish (I'm Reed Fish) join the pod to talk about their new venture: I Love You So Much, a no-holds-barred podcast on parenting, co-parenting, divorce, being single dads, and rethinking masculinity in the age of social media.Come for the funny, raw, and often profound conversations between longtime friends who aren't afraid to talk about the hard stuff. With a rotating roster of guests from Tyler's world in Hollywood and Reed's world in podcasting and storytelling, I Love You So Much dives into accountability, emotional growth, and what it means to be a good man today.We talk about Ojai life, navigating new partnerships, raising kids and holding each other accountable. We did not talk about carbon tax credits, rise of El Segundo as a military tech sector or the return of spitballs to major league baseball.In this episode, we talk about what inspired them to start the show, how their personal journeys shaped the tone, and why vulnerability might just be the new strength.You can follow their journey on the "I Love You So Much" wherever you catch your podcasts, or check out their Instagrams at https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKsyttuySsK/https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKsyttuySsK/

Today I dive into -  My absolute love of the Def Leppard masterpiece High n Dry, The Honda Motorcycle company has built 500 million Motorcycles, The press making Los Angeles look like the end of the world and Ojai's amazing classic movie theater Ojai Playhouse reopening. Thank you for always tuning in. Please get your tickets to see me live around the  country including Fort Collins Colorado this week https://www.deandelray.com/tourdates Patreon for all your bonus episodes - https://www.deandelray.com/patreon  My brand new Comedy Special 5836 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbeaApu4OP0 Have a great week my friends DDR  

In episode #376 of The Hormone Puzzle Podcast, our guest Holly Leever, talks about The Use of Acupuncture for Menstrual Cycle Issues - PMS, Period Pain, Irregular Cycles. More about Holly: Holly is a Fertility Awareness Educator, licensed Acupuncturist, and Herbalist whose passion for women's health stems from her personal experience with cycle and fertility challenges. After recovering from anorexia, fertility awareness helped her reconnect with her body and has since supported her through natural pregnancy prevention, conception, and postpartum. In 2014, she founded Rosebud Wellness to help women optimize fertility and hormone balance through holistic care. She supports clients locally in Ojai, California, and virtually worldwide. When she's not supporting women on their wellness journeys, Holly enjoys spending time with her daughter, practicing yoga, and connecting with nature. She also hosts The Fertile Womb podcast, offering empowering education on fertility awareness and holistic reproductive health. Thank you for listening! This episode is made possible by Puzzle Brew's Fertility Tea: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/fertility-tea Follow Holly on Instagram: @‌rosebud_wellness Get a FREE 35-minute Training on Cycle Charting for Conception Success HERE. Follow Dr. Kela on Instagram: @‌kela_healthcoach Get your FREE Fertility Meal Plan: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/ FTC Affiliate Disclaimer: The disclosure that follows is intended to fully comply with the Federal Trade Commission's policy of the United States that requires to be transparent about any and all affiliate relations the Company may have on this show. You should assume that some of the product mentions and discount codes given are "affiliate links", a link with a special tracking code This means that if you use one of these codes and purchase the item, the Company may receive an affiliate commission. This is a legitimate way to monetize and pay for the operation of the Website, podcast, and operations and the Company gladly reveals its affiliate relationships to you. The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, the Company only recommends products or services the Company believes will add value to its users. The Hormone Puzzle Society and Dr. Kela will receive up to 30% affiliate commission depending on the product that is sponsored on the show. For sponsorship opportunities, email HPS Media at media@hormonepuzzlesociety.com

In this reprise episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with writer and historian Mark Lewis to explore one of the most unsettling chapters in American cultural history — the Hollywood Blacklist. Mark's feature in the Fall 2015 issue of the Ojai Quarterly dove deep into the fear-fueled politics of the late 1940s and '50s, when actors, writers, and directors were exiled from the entertainment industry for alleged Communist ties.Many of those key figures lived in Ojai - names like Paul Jerrico, Michael Wilson and Dalton Trumbo, where they found a haven and an understanding community.Through richly detailed storytelling and incisive commentary, Mark reveals how the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings not only destroyed careers but also reshaped Hollywood and American public life. We discuss the rise of informants, the toll on personal lives, and the eerie parallels between that Red Scare era and the social media-fueled cancel culture and political polarization of today.This conversation isn't just a history lesson — it's a warning. As we reflect on the past, we're forced to ask: how do we protect freedom of expression without falling prey to fear and conformity? We did not talk about Vaclav Smil's latest work, impending screw worm disasters or the rise of our new digital overlords.Don't miss this hauntingly timely discussion on art, politics, and the enduring fight for the soul of American storytelling.

A Buddhist, two Mormon Missionaries, and Chuck Testa walk into a conversation to try to find the cosmic punchline in this instant classic episode of non-stop hilarity and wisdom. Chuck Testa is easily the most recognizable taxidermist in the world, due to a viral commercial for Testa's business created by Rhett & Link for the show Rhett & Link: Commercial Kings, and the catchphrase "Nope, Chuck Testa!" became an Internet meme. Elder Hobbs and Elder Andersen are two Mormon young men currently fulfilling their missionary work in Ojai as part of their religious calling who have become friends with both Jaymee and Chuck (separately) canvassing door to door, and thought they all should meet. Jaymee facilitates a beautiful discussion between the men on the nature of faith, seeing past differences, and we learn a whole lot more about both Mormonism and Taxidermy in this groundbreaking episode.Interested in Mentorship with Jaymee? email: lacee@loveistheauthor.com to set up a free consultation,or visit: www.loveistheauthor.com/mentorship SPONSORS: RAUM GOODS (www.raumgoods.com)INDIAN LODGE ROAD (www.indianlodgeroad.com) GUAYAKI YERBA MATÉ (www.guayaki.com)VALLEY OF THE MOON (www.shorturl.at/dCVh2)LITA PODCAST: hosted, produced and edited by Jaymee Carpenter. PLEASE $UPPORT THiS SHOW: www.patreon.com/loveistheauthorpodcastCONTACT: jaymee@loveistheauthor.comON INSTAGRAM:  @loveistheauthor / @unconventionalgardener

In this episode Ali is joined by Deane Juhan, renowned author of 'Job's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork.' Deane shares his experiences from the Esalen Institute and his transformative work with Dr. Milton Trager. The discussion delves into somatic intelligence, the phenomenon, necessity and benefits of touch. Deane also shares personal anecdotes from his journey, emphasizing the importance of sensual awareness, pleasure to help us re-pattern detriment habits, and the interplay between sensory motor and emotional intelligence. This episode is a treasure trove of insight on bodywork, a holistic approach to somatic health and living our lives as bodies.FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:ALI - WebsiteALI - LinkTreeFOR MORE DEANE JUHAN:www.jobsbody.comDeanejuhan@gmail.com BIO:1971-1974: Studying for my Ph.D. in English Lit.1974: Esalen Institute radically changed the course and purpose of my life. On the Esalen Massage Crew for 15 years. During that time I met Dr. Milton Trager, saw his work and became one of his first students. HIs mentoring was another transformational experience. From student I went on to become a certified practitioner and finally instructor1978-1987: Wrote "Job's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork"Spent the last 40 years teaching Dr. Trager's work, my material from Job's Body, developing classes for innovative views of functional anatomy, sensory-motor nervous system and thee physiology of touch. I believe that the disembodied nature of our cultural heritage is one of the most serious threats to our survival.DEANE'S BOOKS: OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS: Esalen Institute  The Body Has a Mind of Its Own by Sandra & Matthew BlakesleeHarlow's Monkeys - Harlow's Studies on Dependency in MonkeysWilliam Blake and his poem, London wherein he writes the term Mind Forged ManaclesRolfer/ing - A "Rolfer" is a practitioner who performs Rolfing, a hands-on bodywork method developed by Dr. Ida Rolf in the 1950s. Rolfing aims to improve body structure, posture, and movement by addressing the connective tissues, known as fascia, that permeate the body. Rolfers work with the fascia to realign the body and address patterns of tension and restriction that can impact health and well-being. Dr. Milton TragerThe Milton System of Mental Gymnastics refers informally to the Trager Approach, specifically the movement component developed by Dr. Milton Trager, called Mentastics - short for mental gymnastics.What Is It? Mentastics are gentle, mindful movements designed to retrain the nervous system through positive sensory experience. These movements are not exercises in the traditional fitness sense - they are subtle, intuitive, and exploratory. The goal is to create a feeling of lightness, ease, and freedom in the body, often through very simple gestures done with full awareness and intention.Bob Brown, Soma School of Massage - has long since closed but was one of the most formative experiences in Ali's professional development. She attended in 1980 and became a certified professional massage therapist at 19 years old while taking what is now called a "gap year" between Barnard and Wellesley. 45 years later, Ali still offers part-time her Propriomassage® she has developed over the decades. Although evolved, refined and mastered since those pivotal weeks with Bob in his Oakland Hills house where he certified thousands of massage therapists, the fundamental structure of Ali's technique is still what she learned there. Ozone Injections - if you have suffered from any injuries you have not been able to resolve, or just want to improve your health in. variety of ways, make a B-line to Dr Nancy Doreo in Ojai, California. She will change your body and life as she did Ali's. Gil Hedley - About, Live with Gil, The Nerve TourThe Body is a Gift with Gil Hedley: A Reverential Journey into the Human BodyTanya Diamond - Love, Pleasure and AI[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

Guru of Ojai vintage John Dennis returns to celebrate our 100th episode in hilarious, healing and heartwarming conversation with Jaymee, covering everything from cold-plunging to crack smoking in their youth. John's amazing shop of oddities Valley Of The Moon has been a sponsor of this podcast, and John is not only a friend but a fan favorite and one of our most requested return guests since he made his last appearance on Episode 4.Interested in Mentorship with Jaymee or Lacee? email: lacee@loveistheauthor.com to set up a free consultation,or visit: www.loveistheauthor.com/mentorship SPONSORS: RAUM GOODS (www.raumgoods.com)INDIAN LODGE ROAD (www.indianlodgeroad.com) GUAYAKI YERBA MATÉ (www.guayaki.com)VALLEY OF THE MOON (www.shorturl.at/dCVh2)LITA PODCAST: hosted, produced and edited by Jaymee Carpenter. PLEASE $UPPORT THiS SHOW: www.patreon.com/loveistheauthorpodcastCONTACT: jaymee@loveistheauthor.comON INSTAGRAM:  @loveistheauthor / @unconventionalgardener

Jonathan Parks-Ramage is a writer from Los Angeles. His critically acclaimed debut novel YES, DADDY (HarperCollins) was named one of the best queer books of 2021. His second novel, IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD (Bloomsbury), is out June 3rd. We chat about Diddy's applesauce burger, Kid Cudi aura farming at the courthouse, Jony Ive's potential wearables, which necklaces to wear as a top, being shirtless at events, straight guy bodies, hot Ojai murder cults, Ryan Murphy's The Shards, another cuppa Skarsgård tea, ideal natural disasters, never flirt with an actor, threesome drama, sexual mazes, the P-Town "Dick Dock, " where to have sex in Paris, famous white women, Joshua Tree not for me, and how far he'll travel for p*ssy. instagram.com/jprampage twitter.com/donetodeath twitter.com/themjeans howlonggone.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz and Sarah talk to best-selling author and friend of the pod, Melissa de la Cruz, about the state of publishing, her new novel When Stars Align, and her passion for fashion. In Take A Hike, inspired by her recent trip to the Renaissance Fair, Sarah shares why you should attend an Immersion Event. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you understand fandom better (your own and other people’s) — a breakdown of the five kinds of fans. Finally, Sarah recommends going to a honey tasting at the Heavenly Honey Company of Ojai. Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends! Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below. https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/ LINKS: When Stars Align by Melissa de la Cruz: https://amzn.to/43bOJlN Melissa de la Cruz: https://melissa-delacruz.com/ Heavenly Honey Company: https://heavenlyhoneycompany.com/ Photo by Sarah Lee on Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we take a sun-dappled stroll through the life and work of Stephanie Hubbard —landscape architect, abstract expressionist, and one of the newest members of the Ojai Studio Artists. Fresh off a prestigious nine-month residency at the Taft Gardens, Stephanie shares how Ojai's wild beauty has rooted itself in her art — and her soul.We talk childhood in the Transcendentalist center of Concord, Massachusetts, apprenticing with a ceramicist painting flowers for Evelyn & Crabtree, and what it was like to work as on-screen talent with the classic show "This Old House." We get into the tangled garden of her creative process, where soil meets soul, and brush meets instinct.Stephanie's story is one of elegant reinvention — from shaping landscapes to letting landscapes shape her. If you like stories about artistic breakthroughs, garden epiphanies, or what happens when a designer trades blueprints for brushstrokes, don't miss this one.We did not talk about when Shohei Ohtani was going to next take the mound, David Hockney's camera obscura or the short-lived Korean Empire.Pull up a seat — or better yet, take us on a walk — and enjoy the view. You can learn more about Stephanie and her work at her artist website, Stephanie-Hubbard.com, or her landscape architectural firm, Site-Creative.com

Meet your vineyard night-shift rodent patrol —barn owls. Bob Peak, a dedicated volunteer at Pacific Wildlife Care, shares how these incredible predators consume up to 30 gophers or voles a night. Learn fun facts about their short lifecycle, nesting habits, and how to properly install nest boxes (hint: ventilation and road direction matter!). Discover how you can encourage barn owls to thrive on your land—plus, hear how these owls even foster orphaned chicks. Resources:         REGISTER: 6/6/25 Tailgate | Bird Abatement and Managing Wildlife in the Vineyard 58: Barn Owls 84: Falconry Bird Abatement 118: Managing Rodent Pests in Vineyards with Integrated Pest Management Build Your Own Owl Box Cornell Lab All About Birds National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Pacific Wildlife Care The Barn Owl Box Company The Barn Owl Trust (UK) UC Davis Raptor Center Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate SIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet   Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the year Vineyard Team – Become a Member Get More Subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode on the latest science and research with the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast. Since 1994, Vineyard Team has been your resource for workshops and field demonstrations, research, and events dedicated to the stewardship of our natural resources. Learn more at www.vineyardteam.org.   Transcript [00:00:04] Beth Vukmanic: Meet your vineyard, night shift Rodent patrol - barn owls. Welcome to Sustainable Wine Growing with Vineyard Team, where we bring you the latest in science and research for the wine industry. I'm Beth Vukmanic, executive director [00:00:18] In today's podcast, Craig Macmillan critical resource manager at Niner Wine Estates with longtime SIP Certified Vineyard in the first ever SIP Certified winery. Speaks with Bob Peak, a dedicated volunteer at Pacific Wildlife Care. [00:00:34] Bob shares how these incredible predators consume up to 30 gophers or voles a night. Learn fun facts about their short lifecycle nesting habitats, and how to properly install nest boxes, hint, ventilation, and road direction matter. [00:00:50] Discover how you could encourage barn owls to thrive on your land plus. Here how these owls even foster orphaned chicks. [00:00:58] If you love this topic and want to learn even more about barn owls, you won't want to miss the June 6th, 2025 tailgate on bird abatement and managing wildlife in the vineyard. [00:01:09] Hosted at Jackson Family Wines Bar M Vineyard in Los Alamos, California. We'll see a live falconry demonstration and learn the latest barn owl research from California Polytechnic State University, including how changes in vineyard habitat affect foraging behavior. To register, just go to vineyard team.org/events or look for the link in the show notes. [00:01:33] Now, let's listen in. [00:01:38] Craig Macmillan: Our guest today is Bob Peak. He is a volunteer with Pacific Wildlife care in SLO County, California. And today we're gonna talk about barn owls. Thanks for being on the podcast, Bob. [00:01:48] Bob Peak: Thank you very much Craig, and I want to thank you and the Niner Wine Estates for this invitation. I think that this going to be very informative and quite fascinating actually. [00:02:00] Craig Macmillan: Yeah, so I'll give you a little bit of background on that. I met Bob, when he came out to Niner Wine estates, looking for clutches, looking for looking for outlets, and we learned all kinds of fascinating things. And I was like, I have got to talk to this guy on the podcast 'cause there's so much information and interesting things about barn owls that I didn't know, until a couple months ago. [00:02:23] But why don't we start with you telling us a little bit about, pacific wildlife Care. [00:02:28] Bob Peak: Yes. Pacific Wildlife Care was started 41 years ago here in the county by home rehabbers. There was no facility. People did their work in their specialty right out of their home, whether it was raccoons or opossums. We people tended to have a different skill that they were good at, and it started with very humble beginnings. [00:02:51] We finally reached a point where we could afford a facility and we went and occupied part of the PG&E power plant there in Morrow Bay. We are right next door to the Marine Mammal Center, if anyone knows where that is, and we are right now in the process of having to move as they are, also as there are plans coming up for the property. [00:03:17] We currently have had some donors step up and provide us with not only the 10 acres of land on Buckley Road in San Luis Obispo, but we are also very quickly in the process of building a brand new facility out there. [00:03:35] Craig Macmillan: That is really great. There's definitely a need for this. How did you personally become involved in wildlife rehabilitation? [00:03:43] Bob Peak: I needed something to do after I retired and I literally, I saw an ad in the Tribune, a local paper that said that they were looking for volunteers and I had had some experience with the birds of prey as a a child. I have a Native American background and they're a very important part of our culture. [00:04:04] we, we learned about them early on and the opportunity to work around people that were like-minded as far as with the animals in San Luis Bipo County was rather exciting. [00:04:18] Craig Macmillan: And so let's move on. Talk about barn owls specifically. Why is it important to encourage and protect barn owls? [00:04:24] Bob Peak: Ooh, that's a good question. barn owls are a species that really keep things in check. They're the balance to something that could get outta control very quickly. and I think we all see that, whether it's at our houses or at the wineries. And that's these, the rodents and other pests. That not only are harmful to us but they're harmful to our crops and even potential danger to us as well. [00:04:56] They are voracious eaters. They consume anywhere between six to eight voles or gophers a night. And that's each when a parent is feeding the young. That number can go up by times four. You could see that you might be 30 vols taken a night. So they do a tremendous job for the environment. And again, they, they're more of a checks and balances. [00:05:29] I think too that the more barn owls that you have in an area it means that you're basically protected. It's one of those things too where people also think the same way with the, the skunks or opossums and raccoons. They can be nuisances at times, but they serve a very good purpose in eliminating all kinds of pests, insects, and things that you don't want. [00:05:56] Craig Macmillan: What is the lifecycle of a barn owl? [00:06:00] Bob Peak: . I wrote a couple of notes down on this. The lifecycle is rather short for barn owl. The, they're cavity nesters, what happens is the, the barn owl parents make for life, they're monogamous. So they'll stick around they'll find a cavity barn or something that a box where they'll head in and lay anywhere between one and eight eggs. The incubation period is rather quick. [00:06:38] The breeding season is basically between late January and February for about six to eight weeks. , about a week and a half before the female laser eggs, she's nest bound. She's too heavy to fly. She can't even get out of the box. [00:06:53] Another thing that she does at that same time is she picks a little brood patch. On her belly to where she can remove those feathers. And once the young born, 'cause they have no feathers, she will put them right next to that skin of hers for the warmth that they're gonna need. [00:07:15] Incubation is 29 to about 34 days. Again, they could lay between one and eight eggs. And they can do that three times a year. They might just have one clutch of eight. They could have two or maybe even three if the conditions are right. [00:07:33] She'll turn these eggs every so many minutes and then it takes, oh, I would say, you know, like 29 to 34 days, [00:07:44] and then the chick to get out from the shell. The have this little hook on the end of their bill. It's an egg tooth that's on the end of their, bill. And then that will actually break the egg open and it does take a while for, it takes 12 to 36 hours for 'em to get out of that eggshell. Four to seven. [00:08:08] It'll be about four months before they'll see another. But brood, because once they leave, then they'll lay more eggs. [00:08:17] The four months will pass from the egg being laid to the young, gaining independence. That's it. And they pretty much don't receive much training from their parents. It's, they get out of the box and then they're on their own. Where a great horned owl will spend up to a year or more, even longer with their parents. [00:08:37] Craig Macmillan: Hmm. [00:08:39] Bob Peak: A freshly hatched barnells Pink mentioned that know they hatch in sequence of the way that they were laid. [00:08:46] Craig Macmillan: Oh. [00:08:46] Bob Peak: The oldest could be three weeks old when the youngest hatches. So there is a. A challenge for food with that young one because that big one's gonna be going after it. So that's right off the bat. You know, you got some you know, some things working against you. [00:09:03] The downey Plumage starts to show up about three weeks later. They tend to clutch together and for that warmth till then. And then the female again, is taking the food brought by the male. The male is doing all the hunting. And the male will bring it in. The female will grab that food and rip it apart and feed it individually to each of the babies. Very small pieces [00:09:31] about the time they're two weeks old, they can stand on their own and they can actually eat whole prey. And now that's something to see on itself, to watch these little critters take a vole or a small mouse and swallow that you think they're gonna choke. It's quite. For a parent, you know, you're worried, you know [00:09:53] once the, the youngest chick can feed itself, then mom will leave the nest for hunting too. No longer needed to rip food. And then it takes both parents to feed those animals. And because each of the young ones are gonna need three or more mice themselves. On top of mom and dad eating each needing 8, 6, 7, or eight themselves. [00:10:23] Average time to fledge is about nine weeks. Fledgling means they basically are fully feathered and ready to take off to see the world. They can test their wings sometimes, but to do so a lot of times there's no perch. There's just basically the entry and exit hole. That's why we find 'em so many times on the ground. They're curious. They get close to that or sometimes they can get pushed out again. Most of the time when we receive them, it's because they've fallen out of a nest. [00:10:58] , if they are on the ground, they're pretty much doomed because. There's raccoons in your area, Craig. You've got Bobcat, you've got mountain lions, coyotes. We're trying to get them back into that box as soon as we can. [00:11:13] Fledglings will continue to be fed by the parents for about three months, maybe even a little longer. By. Oh, I would say November. The fledglings will have dispersed if they were laid in the summer and they found a territory settled into a new Nest site. But life is hard for the new ones. It's true of owls and it's true of the raptors, hawks, eagles and things. The survival rate is low. The survival rates can average 37 to 65%. [00:11:54] Craig Macmillan: Hmm. [00:11:54] Bob Peak: But the odds improve greatly. If they make it past their first year, they gotta get the skills down. Many young barnells starve to death. Typically, they'll live only another three or four, three years through typical lifespan. [00:12:09] Craig Macmillan: Hmm. [00:12:10] Bob Peak: The barn owls do not typically hunt close to their nest box. They like to leave, they like to go to open fields where they can fly low. Listening for rodents. A lot of times, again, we think of them as using their sight, but they have incredible hearing as well. Just look at those ears on a great horn owl. [00:12:31] The one of the reasons why they get into trouble as well, when they're going close to the ground or just flying after something, they're looking down and they're not looking ahead. That's why they could easily run into the side of a truck. On a side, you know, a highway and you see them very frequently on the side of the road. 'cause that's just what they did. They ran right into the side of it. They can run into power poles, they run into anything that's there in front of them they can run into. So it's, it can be dangerous. About 80% of fatalities are from traffic casualties, 80%. It is really important to keep your nest boxes away from the road and the highway and the entrance hole. Of course, we talked about this, Craig is always facing east and never facing a busy road. [00:13:27] Would you like me to talk about the nest box that we have come to? [00:13:32] Craig Macmillan: Yeah. First of all though, i, you know, you mentioned, mice and voles most of vineyards are interested in gophers. How important are gophers to their diet? [00:13:43] Bob Peak: Oh, extremely. They're, they're just like a vole. Very similar. They're like the, the same thing. They love gophers. I think that you'll find it in in vineyards like yours where you take a more natural approach to things. You're letting much Mother Nature do this work. And the gophers are very delicious for these barn owls they're meaty usually. The mice can be a little smaller, it's very good. That's why they prefer a gopher or a vol. [00:14:18] I know that some of the vineyards around also will spray and we talked about this you know, using no, , insecticides and things like that where yours is a, you know, a kind of a, a free zone and when you're spraying on the ground and things chemicals. Those are picked up by the rodents and things of that nature and transferred to the barn owl. So, another reason to take your approach to vineyard management. Very important step. It's, it keeps everything safe. [00:14:53] Craig Macmillan: Let's talk about barn owl nesting boxes now. You mentioned, you mentioned a couple of things. You said nightmare road. The opening facing east is preferable. Will they not nest if the opening is facing north or west or south? [00:15:08] Bob Peak: They will, but you're gonna expose them to wind and air and possibly rain that will you know, get in there. That's typical. Most of our, our, our weather fronts are coming from west to east, so it gives them a little added protection [00:15:26] also to that sun coming up in the morning. It gives some warmth into the box. Yeah, but those are, those are the, the real key points. [00:15:35] Another one too, craig, is to make sure that the box is well ventilated. It has to have ventilation holes throughout the box. It's best to have 'em on the floor so any liquid that does get in there can go through as well as on the side, so you can get a breeze through there. [00:15:55] Size also is very important. If you can think about having eight of those little barn outlets with two parents in there, you need a big box and for them to really thrive. [00:16:10] The larger the box, the better. The I've seen some boxes that are so small that it just, it gives the owl outlets less of a chance because they feel that they have to fight to survive a little more when there's not enough space. And I've heard of other owletes pushing other owletes out of the box just to increase their chances of survival. You know, it's kind of one of those survival of the fittest things. So the more room they have, the better it is for everyone. [00:16:47] Craig Macmillan: How big is appropriate? [00:16:49] Bob Peak: I would say probably three feet by two feet, to three feet, and probably two to three feet tall. [00:16:58] Craig Macmillan: Oh, okay. That's a lot bigger than most of the boxes. I see. Yeah. [00:17:01] Bob Peak: They are, they're much bigger. We've looked at a lot of other facilities that rescue barn owls. [00:17:08] We've even gone over to England. They have a a, a program with their owls as well. They had one of the more interesting boxes. it had on the outside a platform. Purchase basically. So these young ones can get out there and see the world, test their wings and then get right back inside if they need to. [00:17:29] Much bigger boxes, much heavier to work with. Again, that was the thing that we found. We, it was just a heavy box, but it was exceptional. But it was big. And they need to be cleaned. So any box that's built needs to have an access port to where you can get into it every couple years and clean out the droppings which need to be done very carefully, because again, as you know, some animal droppings can cause us harm. So you wanna make sure you wear a mask. [00:18:01] Craig Macmillan: Right. [00:18:02] Bob Peak: Again there's all kinds of issues and that, or, discussions about having a perch on the outside or ledge on the outside of that box. [00:18:12] It's nice because they can get out there, have a chance of getting out and getting right back in and not falling to the ground. That perch also is a chance for a great horned owl to come over and get itself on there as well, or on any of the little. Ledges that you built. [00:18:32] The key to all of this is the size of that entry hole. That entry hole cannot be bigger than about five and a half inches, really, five to five and a half inches any bigger than that. You're gonna a, a great horned l be able to get in and then, and it's just, it's not good. [00:18:50] Craig Macmillan: Right. So the, horned owl is a predator [00:18:53] my. It is, you wouldn't think, you know, owl to owl stuff like that. But yeah, it is. They are probably one of the more other than traffic fatalities, it's the, great horned owl [00:19:06] They are very aggressive. They know where these things live. They're very smart. The great horned owl, and again. If you get a young one out on a perch and it's there, it's, it could be could be done. [00:19:20] I have seen, 'cause I've been to a lot of vineyards in the area and I've seen a lot of large holes in these boxes and I actually went into one and it, it was occupied by great horned owl. it laid eggs in the box. [00:19:38] Oh wow. [00:19:39] Bob Peak: So. Well that is something too about owls. Is they don't make nests. [00:19:45] , the great horned owl will and barn owl will find a cavity. The great horn owl's, not a cavity nester, but they'll take an old hawks nest or eagle nest or something and make it their own. And then they tend to get into trouble because they're usually using a nest that isn't in that good of a shape. [00:20:04] Craig Macmillan: Hmm. What are some other things about sighting of boxes? We, we know not close to a road. We know the direction of the, the, of the opening. What are some things that will encourage the bar nows to nest there based on their other behavior? [00:20:19] Bob Peak: I, I think that you just have, to know, about approximately how many acres you have and you want to place a box about every five acres. You can actually have more boxes depending on how much food you have for them, but anywhere between five to 10 acres per box. Again, with the parameters of facing these, being the correct size and everything. So if you have a 50 acre property, you're looking at anywhere between oh five to 10 boxes on that property. [00:20:54] Craig Macmillan: And something that. I had heard was that it's good to have them near a tree. So that they have someplace that they can land right away when they come out of the box. Is that true? [00:21:05] Bob Peak: Yeah. I, we, we've experimented with that Absolutely. Again that's a more natural setting for them where they would be in the the hollow of a tree and come out and possibly be on a branch. Absolutely. I like that. I like that better than being on a pole. [00:21:24] As long as you still have access to the clean out and, and isn't too, you know, dangerous for someone to get up there. Yeah. I like that better than being on a pole without a [00:21:34] Craig Macmillan: Well actually having it in a tree. [00:21:37] Bob Peak: yes, [00:21:37] Craig Macmillan: Oh, okay. Because what I had been told was that you'd want to have one because of the horn dial. You have one on a pole, but have it close to a tree where they can just shoot out and land on a branch and look around and see if there's a threat. [00:21:51] But you say, actually put it in the tree [00:21:55] Bob Peak: it in the tree. [00:21:56] Craig Macmillan: fascinating. That's really interesting. [00:21:58] The way that I met you is you were looking. For clutches to, how should we say, transplant? Some some outlets that, That you folks had. And I learned that barn owls are one of the few raptors That will actually foster outlets from other clutches. That's true. [00:22:18] Bob Peak: That that is correct, Craig. Very good. Good research. Yes. We found that the barn owls were exceptional foster parents, which really gives those guys a chance to make it. [00:22:31] We found out that like you mentioned, the hawks and others just really don't do it. In fact, it would be dangerous to even attempt in some of the species. [00:22:41] One of our, original founders of Pacific Wildlife Care, Kelly was very successful in well all. Many of the things that she does for Pacific Wildlife Care, but she was able to get a red shoulder, a female hawk, to foster young red shoulder hawks for many, many, many years, and gave many of those a chance that wouldn't have a chance. The, the quite amazing I lost my train of thought. [00:23:13] Craig Macmillan: Well, we were talking about fostering and what I had learned from you was you were looking at the clutch that we had at niner, and apparently you, you need to match. The foster bird to the family in terms of its age and development, is that correct. [00:23:32] Bob Peak: That that is correct. Do you want to throw that young one in where there's other young and where there aren't adolescents? I. To where it's gonna have a chance to get some food. [00:23:43] Another thing that one of the other parameters for finding a foster box, you know, a barnell box is The number in there. If there's already five in there, it would be hard for me to put a one or possibly two in there and put that much added stress on the parent. To feed it, and we really can't ensure that that young one's gonna get fed with that many in the box. [00:24:11] I look for one that has maybe three, two, or three, and that additional one or two outlets is not going to stress the parents and the other young ones. But yes, you, you try to match up with age and size as well. [00:24:30] Craig Macmillan: You had mentioned that a nesting pair might have multiple clutches during a year and of different sizes, and if I, remember correctly, that has to do with the availability of resources. [00:24:42] Bob Peak: Yeah, absolutely. Craig. I have found over the years you know, we've the living on the central coast, it's feast and famine with the rain as well. [00:24:53] And I've seen years we're going around to different wineries. There might be 15 boxes and 12 or 13 or 14 of 'em are occupied. I've also. Gone around different seasons and hit 30 boxes and only two of them were occupied. That's how bad the food situation was. [00:25:16] Where we get into a pinch with our fostering and the barn owls finding a home for 'em is that we have a lot of farmers and ranchers in the Paso area. And a lot of 'em , get that hay. Some of the best hay you can get is out of Oregon and they bring a lot of that alfalfa and hay down. And when they're in the moving those bales around, after the farmer gets a, a load they discover that there's owl outlets in the hay bales. We receive a lot of outlets through the bales of hay that are shipped to us here. Locally from outta state, and those are the ones that we must have a foster box for because there's no chance of ever reuniting with their original parents. [00:26:07] Craig Macmillan: How do they end up in there? How do they end up in the hay? [00:26:10] Bob Peak: Oh, well, , imagine a big, giant stack of hay, 15 feet tall and you know, it sat there for months they'll, you know, there's little spots where they can get in and. It's quite nice for a nest. The they'll also use, palm trees and things of that nature where they can get in there. Yeah, so it's quite common for 'em to get into hay? bales [00:26:33] Craig Macmillan: What conditions overall, we've talked about a couple of different things, but like in the, in the grand scheme, what are the kinds of conditions that they're gonna be looking for in a, in a nesting box? I. [00:26:45] Bob Peak: as far as the owls and owls [00:26:47] Craig Macmillan: Yeah. So the, So when the nesting pair, is it, does the male find the nest and then attract the female or the other way around? [00:26:55] Or do they call up some kind of a bird, bird box realtor and go look at different, look at look at different spots and say, I like this one better than that one. Or [00:27:04] Bob Peak: that's a good question. I think it's more the female you know, they have that nesting instinct. 'cause they're gonna be laying the eggs. And I think that it's just, it's more like any, any female would tell you it's, it's a feel. it. feels good this place. And they don't tend to wander off very far from when, where they were born. [00:27:28] So this place has felt good to her for a while. A lot of times they'll use the same box over every single year. So that's why, again, it's nice to you know, you could even add boxes depending on, you know, just how many boxes are occupied. You can tell if you, if you've got 15 boxes and 13 or 14 of 'em are occupied, you could probably put more boxes on your property. [00:27:55] Craig Macmillan: In. Interesting. Yeah, I've seen that myself in vineyards where there'll be a one box located in just a spot. Doesn't seem to be very interesting to me or anything special. And the ground below it is just littered with, with pellets and bones and skulls and it is been going on for years, obviously. And then you go down 50 yards and there's nothing like the box doesn't look like the box has ever been in inhabited. [00:28:21] Bob Peak: Very true. [00:28:23] Craig Macmillan: And, it just has to do with kind of where they came from and they like to come back to the same box. I, think that's interesting. [00:28:30] Bob Peak: And, and it's more of a feel too, again of, of what's around, is there a wire that they have to dodge? Is there a tree? They might have seen a great horn owl over there in that other spot. Yeah. There, there, there's no telling what has, but mainly that nesting instinct drives that female to that box. [00:28:51] Craig Macmillan: Are there particular conditions you think that are like big, big red flags? You mentioned the presence of barn ows. You mentioned is there a wire? Are there definitely some situations where if I'm gonna place a box I, can look around and kind of go, yeah, it's probably not the best spot [00:29:05] Bob Peak: I, I think the key is what we, we, we were just talking about with wires, anything that's gonna get them tangled up. Sometimes the I've seen netting in trees. To keep reptiles even out, and you want to avoid placing a box around there. But I think the main thing is again, where most fatalities occur are close to the road. Keep them away from the road. That, that, that, that's really the most important. [00:29:32] Craig Macmillan: Something that I heard that I don't know is true was that when you, there are two things. [00:29:38] One, there's the question of whether you should paint the box or not, [00:29:42] and then two, that they won't come and nest unless the boxes had a chance to weather for a year or so. Are either of those true? [00:29:52] Bob Peak: , we've talked about that the painting on the outside of the box is fine. Throw up some white on there to you know, kind of keep it from getting too hot, but you don't want to paint the inside. The paint is fumey. The chicks could pick at it with their beaks. So there's all kinds of reasons why you wouldn't want it on the inside, but certainly on the outside. Yes. [00:30:17] You also want to avoid wood that has particular odors. There can be some wood that is very, very pungent cedars and things like that. And you want to be careful about that. So just a regular pine or regular fir box. And I think there's one that's preferable to another, but I'm not sure what that is. Pine versus fir. I could find out though. [00:30:44] Craig Macmillan: Well what, what about just basic plywood? [00:30:47] Bob Peak: Yeah. Well that's made out of a, usually a fir or a pine. [00:30:51] Craig Macmillan: Hmm. [00:30:52] Bob Peak: Exactly. [00:30:54] You can run that whitewash on the outside give it the vent holes. That's really the only only parameters. [00:31:03] Craig Macmillan: Are there other things that a grower can do to make an nesting box more attractive? I. [00:31:08] Bob Peak: I, I don't really have a mailbox out front or maybe a, you know, welcome some welcome home [00:31:15] Craig Macmillan: Just supply some gophers right in front of the box. [00:31:18] Bob Peak: yeah, maybe some gophers hanging outside now that might do it. No, not really. I think again, it's just a matter of need and a matter of availability. [00:31:30] Craig Macmillan: Right are there, are there other birds that compete for the nesting habitat, the naturally occurring habitat, [00:31:39] Bob Peak: As far as, [00:31:41] Craig Macmillan: I've heard that kestrels can be a competitor. [00:31:43] Bob Peak: yeah, kestrels are cavity nesters. That's a fact. But I think there's so many more options for them. They're much smaller. I. And there's so many little nooks and crannies and trees and other things like that to where most of the times, , I've not seen in my practice a kestrel in a barn owl box. I have seen great horns in there, but not kestrels. [00:32:10] Craig Macmillan: Got it. Is there one thing that you would tell a grower? One piece of advice that you would tell a grape grower on this topic? [00:32:20] Bob Peak: Let nature watch over your property. [00:32:23] Craig Macmillan: That's good [00:32:23] Bob Peak: It's been doing it since before you got here, and it'll do it after you've gone. That's how it's always worked. And work with it. And not work against it. [00:32:38] Craig Macmillan: It makes, makes a lot of sense. Where can people find out more about you in wildlife? [00:32:44] Bob Peak: Best is to go to our Facebook page or our webpage at pacificwildlifecare.org. Facebook page is great because there's a lot of videos and pictures. If you have children, it's wonderful because we have release videos there. [00:33:03] They can click on different links once they get to our Facebook page, find out ways to get involved. We're always, again, we're a 501(c)3 nonprofit, so like all of those, we're always looking for two things, people and money. So there's gonna be plenty of opportunity for people to get involved in both ways there on our websites. [00:33:26] And we have a lot of really, really wonderful things coming up. With this new facility there we're, really quite excited. [00:33:33] They can also call us at 805-543-WILD. That's really more of a, you know, a rescue line. But if you have general questions and you want to know more, you can please call them and they'll help you out in any way you want. [00:33:51] Craig Macmillan: That's fantastic. And actually I, do have one more question just occurred to me. If I do come along and find some outlets, they're out of the box, clearly they're not able to fly or they're not ready to go. , how do I handle that? [00:34:07] Bob Peak: Excellent. Thank you for bringing that up. That's an excellent question, Craig. [00:34:11] Best thing to do is to realize that. These young little outlets, as young as they look and as innocent as they look, they've got some talons on them. So you always want to avoid getting your hands near, near their, their their talents. [00:34:29] But the most important thing with a young one that falls out is to keep them warm. I would place them inside a box, put some bedding down or something in there to let them get snuggled into it. And call Pacific Wildlife Care, our hotline, and we'll have someone out there asap to get this guy give them a chance, but keep them warm and sheltered. For the night. You might have to hold them overnight, but as long as they're warm they'll be fine. And to not feed there's no need to give the animals any food. [00:35:04] Craig Macmillan: And, we have listeners around the nation and around the world, and I would imagine that there are similar organizations located in every state and the union. And so just do a little research And, find who your local people are. Because I was doing research on this myself preparing for the interview, And, I was really impressed by , the network really of wildlife rehabilitation globally around the world. I think there's actually an international association, if I remember right. [00:35:30] Bob Peak: Yeah. And thanks for bringing that up. We can't do this by ourselves. That's why we need our volunteers. We need other organizations as you mentioned. [00:35:41] We find that so many times when we have gotten in a pinch, we have relied on the Ojai raptor center. They have been invaluable as far as us being able to bring them animals that , we weren't able to take care of, but they are. [00:35:58] So if they can't do it, we can, or vice versa. It's an important network that one way or another we'll get it done. 'cause we have, volunteers that will travel anywhere to take care of these animals. [00:36:12] Craig Macmillan: That's fantastic. [00:36:14] Well. This was a great conversation. I, like I said, I met you when you were looking for a place to foster some owls, and it was just really, really, fascinating to me, having been around this topic for a very, very long time. the barn owl is kind of the mascot of vineyard team. It's on a lot of our, a lot of our stuff. And so we've been, we've been following this for a long time and I learned more from you in about an hour. Then I had learned in the preceding several decades, let's just put it. that way, several decades. And I, And I, really appreciated that. It was really, really great. And I really appreciate you being a guest. [00:36:50] Again, our guest today was Bob Peak. He's a volunteer with Civic Wildlife Care in san Luis Obispo County. And yeah, just thanks for being on the podcast. It's a really real pleasure. [00:37:01] Bob Peak: Thank you Craig. And again, thank you, for this opportunity. Again, please check out Pacific Wildlife Care. you'll love it. [00:37:08] [00:37:12] Beth Vukmanic: Thank you for listening. [00:37:13] Today's podcast was brought to you by Helena Agri Enterprises. Founded in 1957, Helena Agri Enterprises has grown to be one of the nation's foremost agricultural and specialty formulators and distributors In the United States products and services offered include crop protection products. Fertilizer specialized nutrients, seeds, and precision ag services and software. Helena's overriding goal is to help its customers succeed. This is achieved with a unique combination of dedicated and knowledgeable people, unique and useful products, and the latest technical knowledge. The company defines its own success through the success of its customers. [00:37:56] Make sure you check out the show notes. For links to Pacific Wildlife Care, the barn owl Trust in the United Kingdom, UC Davis' Raptor Center, plus Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast episodes 58 barnells 84 Falconry Bird Abatement, and 118 managing rodent pests and vineyards with integrated pest management. [00:38:18] If you liked the show, you can do us a big favor by sharing it with a friend, subscribing and leaving us a review. You can find all of the podcasts at vineyardteam.org/podcast, and you could reach us at podcast@vineyardteam.org. [00:38:31] Until next time, this is Sustainable Wine Growing with the Vineyard team.   Nearly perfect transcription by Descript

After hearing Dave's story in the previous episode and the profound similarity between his UFO experience in Ojai and his meditation at the Integratron, we wanted to learn more about the strange history of this building. But what started out as an effort to learn more about this place ended up turning into a bit of an adventure. In this episode, historian Daniel Paul joins to tell the story of The Integratron and the man who built it, George Van Tassel. Van Tassel was an aerospace engineer who became a UFO pioneer after claiming contact with extraterrestrials in California's Mojave Desert. He lived under Giant Rock, a 7-story boulder in the desert where he operated an airstrip and café. His life's work was the Integratron, a domed structure he built based on channeled communications with a group of aliens called the Council of Seven Lights —and, more specifically, an individual being named Solganda. After this interview, we traveled to the desert to meet a man named Don McKinney, who owns a massive archive of George's recordings, photos, and the original blueprints of the Integratron. If you want to hear about that trip and our effort to help Don preserve this archive, it will be available on the Otherworld Patreon next week. Daniel's Historical Proposal for The Integratron George Van Tassel's FBI File Check out our Merch⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on:⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ Twitter⁠⁠⁠ For business inquiries contact: OtherworldTeam@unitedtalent.com If you have experienced something paranormal or unexplained, email us your story at ⁠⁠⁠stories@otherworldpod.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave and his high school friends take their first solo camping trip together out in rural Ojai. What begins as any normal night suddenly changes when the group is awoken by an unearthly sound. Years later, during his visit to the Integratron, Dave gains insight on what might have happened to him and his friends. Check out our Merch⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on:⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ Twitter⁠⁠⁠ For business inquiries contact: OtherworldTeam@unitedtalent.com If you have experienced something paranormal or unexplained, email us your story at ⁠⁠⁠stories@otherworldpod.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Daniella and Barbaranne are still buzzing from an amazing weekend in Ojai with their fabulous Lady tribe complete with margaritas, facials and all night chats and giggles. A really fun, joyous episode. There's a new #flicsaf and #barbsbagoftricks Check out more shows and watch the full episode on Youtube. Sign Up For the upcoming Live Audience episode of HonestAF Show at Licorice Pizza Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as we talk with the Ojai Music Festival's Bravo Education Coordinator Laura Walter on planting the seeds of musical creativity, and what's coming up for young performers this spring and summerIn this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with Laura Walter, the inspiring force behind the Bravo! education program at the Ojai Music Festival for decades. Laura shares how elementary students across the valley are being introduced to music through hands-on, joyful experiences—and how those early encounters are shaping lives.She also spotlights the upcoming SCORE program performance, directed by Caitlin Praetorius and Bill Wagner, where student-composed works take the stage. Don't miss this showcase of young talent on Sunday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at Nordhoff High School.And for those budding musicians eager to keep the rhythm going, Laura gives us the scoop on two summer music camps running June 23–28 and August 11–16, held weekday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon at the Ojai Presbyterian Church. These programs, offered in partnership with the Ojai Recreation Department, continue the Festival's mission of bringing the joy of music to the next generation.We also talked about her youth in a music family of 8 in Michigan, going to college in Kentucky, her lifelong love of play as it pertains to learning, and much more. We did not talk about the second consecutive Pope from the western hemisphere, the overuse of peppercorns in many steaks au poivre or Gibbons' insights into the early Ottoman Empire.Tune in for a conversation filled with harmony, heart, and the promise of a bright musical future for Ojai's youth. For more information, check out OjaiFestival.org (the beloved cultural institution returns this year June 5-8).

Legendary tattoo artist and painter Robert Ryan returns for his fourth conversation on the podcast to discuss the hidden language of graffiti, learning about spiritual practice from hardcore music, the influence of protest music, how preparation can be grounds for failure, and how he and his kirtan group SOMA (Sacred Order Of Mystic Apogees) became the opening act for Tyler Childers upcoming tour, including playing The Hollywood Bowl in June. Plus, Jaymee and Robert detail their upcoming event together in Ojai on Friday June 13th.Love Is The Author presents SOMA & KIM KRANS 6/13/25 in Ojai (Tickets): https://shorturl.at/FQSqYInterested in Spiritual Mentorship with Jaymee? for more information or to set up a free consultation email: lacee@loveistheauthor.com or visit: www.loveistheauthor.com/mentorship SPONSORS: RAUM GOODS (www.raumgoods.com)INDIAN LODGE ROAD (www.indianlodgeroad.com)GUAYAKI YERBA MATÉ (www.guayaki.com)VALLEY OF THE MOON (www.shorturl.at/dCVh2)LITA PODCAST: hosted, produced and edited by Jaymee Carpenter. SOUND MIX: Chris FallerPLEASE $UPPORT THiS SHOW: www.patreon.com/loveistheauthorpodcastCONTACT: jaymee@loveistheauthor.comON INSTAGRAM:  @soma_kirtan / @robertryan323 / @loveistheauthor / @unconventionalgardener

This week on Ojai Talk of the Town, we're joined by storyteller Megan Dolan and Ojai Storytelling Festival's executive director Kara Lakes. Megan shares the inspiration behind her powerful solo show, Not the Right Mom: One Mother's Misadventures in Autism, a Full Spectrum Comedy — a deeply funny, raw, and tender look at parenting on the spectrum, and what it means to show up when you feel wildly unqualified.Kara - herself the mother of an autistic child - tells us why the Storytelling Festival is bringing this moving performance to the Temple of the Oaks on May 7, and why stories like Megan's matter now more than ever. We talk about vulnerability, humor, and how storytelling builds empathy, one laugh — and one tear — at a time.We also talked about the dehumanizing remarks made by HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, how family members deal with their autistic siblings, and why and how the power of stories can overcome fear and ignorance.We did not talk about Marie Curie's strange death, the Lakers' early playoff exit or the rise of inauthentic Texas barbecue.For more information, check out OjaiStoryFest.org.

Join Michaela in this live workshop recording as she discusses the best way to learn tantra, what it means to be a well matched couple, the art and practice of ecstatic intimacy, how to live a joyous life, and the jar exercise. 00:00 - Well matched couples 02:01 - The best way to learn tantra 03:24 - The preliminaries and essence of tantric intimacy 07:00 - Spontaneous ecstasy and practices of bliss 08:48 - Central channel and NLMM 10:19 - Code words and quick communication 12:39 - How to live a joyous life 14:48 - The jar exercise Buy Michaela's Relationship Course: https://www.michaelaboehm.com/workshops/instant-access-the-untamed-heart-the-relationship-course/ Attend the Relationship Bootcamps in: - London, 28-29th June - https://www.michaelaboehm.com/workshops/june-28-29-the-relationship-bootcamp-weekend-intensive-london/ - Ojai, California, 19-21th September - https://www.michaelaboehm.com/workshops/september-19-21-the-relationship-bootcamp-a-3-day-intensive/ For retreats, workshops, teacher trainings and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

After several years in Los Angeles, the Ojai Playwrights Conference Gala - widely known as one of the best parties of the social calendar - is coming home — to the Ojai Playhouse. on May 17th.Executive Director Jeremy Cohen joins us to talk about this year's star-studded celebration, featuring appearances by Tig Notaro and Indigo Girls' Emily Saliers, as well as the upcoming 28th anniversary festival in August.We dig into why theater still matters in uncertain times, the power of storytelling to foster empathy and inclusion, and why Ojai's unique cultural ecosystem makes it the ideal place to nurture bold new voices in American theater. Plus: Jeremy shares his own path into the world of dramaturgy, how he ended up in Ojai, and why this little valley has such an outsized impact on the stage.We also talked about the OPC Taco Tuesdays events for writers in Ojai, We did not talk about the Chicago Cubs' promising prospects this baseball season, the Cathar conspiracies or Marxist views on alienation.Whether you're a theater buff, a curious local, or just need a little hope through art — this episode's for you.Check out more about the Gala, the OPC programming and much else at OjaiPlays.org.

A grieving teen yearning to reconnect with his late grandfather unknowingly summons a burned ghost that begins stalking the streets of Ojai, California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices