Area 831

Kevin Adler is the founder of Miracle Messages, a nonprofit organization that puts feet on the ground to help the homeless reconnect with their family and loved ones - or in some cases just provide a voice to listen to them. In this episode, we'll learn about Kevin's connection to family in Santa Cruz and how a single conversation inspired him to create this volunteer network that's now in its tenth year. We'll also discuss and learn about the unintentional biases that many of us might have over the homeless issue, hear some of the success stories in his new book, “When We Walk By”, and we'll find out about some of the opportunities to volunteer and assist with Miracle Messages. Want to be a volunteer with Miracle Messages or just learn more about this organization? Visit them at miraclemessage.org. You can also just pick up the phone and call them at 1-800-MISS-YOU. You can also pick up a copy of Kevin's new book that documents the work he and his organization have done, at www.whenwewalkby.com.

For some people, avoiding a "normal" day job is motivation enough to follow your passion and take the DIY (do it yourself) route to success. Santa Cruz native Joe Sib was raised in the mountains off Soquel-San Jose Road. A teenage passion for skateboarding led to fronting the punk bands Wax and 22 Jacks and then co-founding the indie label SideOneDummy Records. Missing the rush of being on stage led him to standup comedy, where you'll find him today. And where you can SEE him, locally, on Friday, February 9th, when he rolls through town for an evening at Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz. For tickets to Joe Sib’s stand-up comedy at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on February 9, 2024 - CLICK HERE For more on Joe Sib, including tour dates - CLICK HERE

A chat with the multi-hyphented entrepreneur-inventor-teacher AND Santa Cruz NEXTie award-winner Courtney Laschkewitsch Courtney always wanted to carve her own path, and passed on nine colleges to instead create an entrepreneur-based curriculum locally at Cabrillo College, utilizing their Small Business Development Center (SBDC). She’s currently a Product Licensing Coach at InventRight, helping others realize their dream of bringing their own inventions to market. She also hosts the serialinventingpodcast.

We focus on a LONG-TIME Santa Cruz business as we chat with John Bargetto, Director of Winemaking for Bargetto Winery, the oldest winery in Santa Cruz County. This episode is a detailed look at the history of wine in California, told by a third-generation winemaker. John talks about his family's history with wine (before and after prohibition) and some of the innovations his father brought to the winery back in the 1960s such as wine tasting and wine clubs. We'll also learn about the 1976 "Judgement of Paris" - when a blind taste test favored California over competing French wines and changed the reputation and trajectory of California wines forever. Links: Shop Bargetto Wines Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | X

Everyone has a story, and children's book author Megan Wood is certainly no exception. Megan has always surrounded herself with art and artists - she's a longtime participant in Burning Man. In 2020 she decided to escape the chaos of sheltering in place in the city and help out a friend's secluded farm in the mountains. Her planned two-week stay on the farm lasted 60 weeks. In that time she learned to work the land and care for the animals. Already an experienced and creative childcare provider, she then combined those two passions into what's become her Farm Day Adventures series of books. Megan is passionate about engaging children in activities that stimulate their curiosity and sense of wonder. Her unique experiences working on a farm are captured with humor and courage through her stories. You'll learn about her in this episode. She even reads to us from her book Cash, The Clever Canine! (click the link to buy on Amazon)

October is Depression Awareness Month. In today's episode, we're chatting with Jeremy Lansing, licensed therapist and a representative of the Santa Cruz Health Services Agency. We'll learn about the differences between depression and anxiety, how to recognize the signs of each, and how resources such as simply calling 988 or going to 988lifeline.org are always there at the ready to help. We'll also talk in length about how mental health issues were somewhat stigmatized in the past - and still in the present, for some communities - and the positive steps that therapists, families and friends have taken over the decades to help people become aware and deal with these issues. We also talked about a tool anyone can use to determine if they might suffer from Depression. You can check that out HERE. If you, or anyone you know, suffers from depression or another mental health condition, please refer to these helpful resources: Santa Cruz Health Services Behavioral Health Website Santa Cruz County Mental Health Pocket Guide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Santa Cruz County American Behavioral Clinics Depression Awareness Month

Santa Cruz artist Jimbo Phillips was likely destined to do amazing work. (His father, Jim Phillips, created the iconic “screaming hand” skateboarding symbol.) Jimbo’s work has appeared on countless skateboards, stickers and magazines. He’s created amazing poster art for bands including Blink182, Social Distortion and local favorites Good Riddance - who were an early guest on this series. His drawings have also reached beyond the skate world and utilized by companies such as Toyota & Nike, and have even appeared in Tony Hawk’s “American Wasteland” video game for the Xbox and Playstation2 A fascinating - and fun - discussion with a true local artist. We dive into Jimbo’s influences, his future plans, and worthy tangent on what AI might possibly mean to the future of art - and artists. Jimbo Phillips: Web - Instagram - Twitter - Facebook Shop Jimbo’s Store

UCSC alumna Gail Carriger has been a ceramicist, archeologist, professor and is now a noted author of steampunk fiction with over 30 titles to her name. Learn about the common thread running through all her careers and find out what to expect in her new science fiction novel “Divinity 36,” in our latest episode. Links Gail’s official website Gail on Social Media Twitter - Facebook - Instagram See / Buy Gail’s Books

We stretch the “831” reach of the podcast for this special episode with Al Jardine, founding member of The Beach Boys. After recapping how Al first met Brian and Carl Wilson in high school, we fast forward to present day and talk about his solo project “A Postcard From California” , an upcoming southern California tour, as well as his philanthropic work with organizations including The Surfrider Foundation and the Monterey SPCA “Help Me Rhonda” Courtesy Al Jardine, from “A Postcard from California (Universal Music) Al Jardine’s Official website Al Jardine on Social Media Twitter Instagram Facebook

As a sports chiropractor, Aaron Hinde wanted to create a healthy alternative to “energy” drinks that were loaded with sugar and synthetic caffeine. Along with business partner Orion Melehan, they created the LifeAid line of beverages. Learn their story and why they’ve kept LifeAid local and independently owned. Links: LifeAid website Try & Buy LifeAid Products

June is Pride month, and on the eve of the Santa Cruz Pride Parade and Festival, we chat with Rob Darrow, the Chair of Santa Cruz Pride. Another Santa Cruz lifelong resident, Rob talks about the history of the organization - it began in 1975 - and gives us a preview of the Pride Parade and Festival which runs all weekend and is just the first of several local counties who celebrate Pride Month. To learn more about Santa Cruz pride - including a schedule of events for the Pride Parade and Festival, visit www.santacruzpride.org Santa Cruz Pride Socials Instagram Twitter Facebook

For 45 years, Gayle’s has been “everyone’s favorite bakery.” This time out on the podcast, we talk with Gayle and Joe Ortiz, who met when Joe was formerly dating Gayle’s neighbor, met her, and “never left”- they’re approaching their 50th wedding anniversary. The bakery started simple, with Gayle learning how to make croissants and eventually opening a small shop at the corner of Capitola and Bay Avenues - they knew it was a great location, as Gayle had spent a lot of time vacationing in Capitola. Gayle’s father said “You can’t just make croissants. You also need to at least make bread.” That’s where Joe came in: He learned to bake bread. (Fun fact: He was a painter and says “Dough was easy. It was the same consistency as spackle.”) Over the years, and 4,500 recipes later, Gayle’s has grown into the enterprise you see today with everything from cookies to catering and even the rosticceria that’s part of the facility. They’ve grown with the times, and in particular, learned how to adjust what they do during the Covid pandemic, to make their business more efficient AND keep their employees and customers safe. Outside of Gayle’s Bakery, Gayle is an artist and Joe is a writer and musician. Follow them on Instagram @gaylesbakery. Listen to some of Joe’s original music from Bread - The Musical and Escaping Queens by visiting www.ortizpresents.com

We talk with Russ Rankin, the founder and songwriter of punk band Good Riddance. Russ is another lifelong Santa Cruz local. In the spirit of the podcast, we focus on Russ’ local roots - where he grew up (everywhere…he moved a lot) and what the local music scene was like when he was growing up and discovering new local bands and local venues. We also delve into how he became a vegan and how politics influences his songwriting. Like many artists, Russ didn’t start out with the idea “I’m going to lead a legendary punk band.” Instead, it was learning drums at an early age, being a music fan, and crossing paths with teachers who said “you have something special - you need to do something with this.” Flash forward a few years, and Russ was creating bands and playing the local party scene. He eventually crossed paths with guitarist Luke Pabich, and things clicked. Russ started writing, and he and Luke hit the road hard, playing every venue they could and passing out demo tapes (remember “tapes?”) until one landed in the hands of “Fat” Mike Burkett (Fat Wreck Chords, NOFX) We talk about how “you make your own luck” through hard work. Russ and Luke certainly did. Outside of Good Riddance, Russ is a scout for the Tri Cities Americans hockey team (from Kennewick, Washington). As of this interview, the band is getting ready for festivals and summer shows. For more on Good Riddance, including their tour schedule, please visit grpunk.com Russ Rankin on Social Media Twitter Instagram Good Riddance on Social Media Twitter Instagram Song Credit: Libertine, by Good Riddance - Courtesy Fat Wreck Chords Photo Credit: Lindsey Lutts McGuire

Our crew chats with Jame Durbin, whom locals (and the rest of the world) probably know best as a finalist on season 10 of American Idol. He rose to prominence on the show because he's a rocker with a "heavy" heavy metal influence, and the show was more pop-focussed until James came along and rocked the house. Post-"Idol" (he came in fourth place), the show sponsored a parade in his hometown of Santa Cruz which resulted in the largest public gathering - 30K people - in Santa Cruz history. Fun fact: "Idol" normally only sponsors parades for the top three finalists, but fan demand resulted in James getting the only 4th place parade in the show's history. In the interview we dive into a long discussion of his vocal influences, including a deep cut conversation about the late Ronny James Dio, and we learn how he developed his vocal style from a foundation of choral work, and then LOTS of time watching YouTube videos and learning how to sing metal from studying his own idols. James lives in south county these days, so we'll also learn where his favorite taquerias are. Follow James on social media: Instagram Twitter Facebook

This short episode is an introduction to your hosts Michael Gaither is a lifelong south county resident. He's a performing songwriter, a DJ with KPIG radio, and a music columnist for the Santa Cruz Sentinel newspaper. He's also hosted podcasts in the past. He's a Gen X'er (technically a boomer, but he's an old punk, so he identifies with Gen X. It also make him feel young. Denial is a strong tool.) Emily Stansill is our on-staff Millennial. She's a Santa Cruz County transplant who moved to the area seven years ago, and we're not letting her leave. With Michael and Emily's demographic and geographic differences - she lives in mid county - we get two very different, and complementary perspectives. Joe Bettencourt is our producer, lurking on the interviews and providing additional insight to the series. About the Area 831 Podcast team: Michael Gaither, Host A lifelong resident and South County native, Michael is an award-winning, performing songwriter, a DJ on the legendary KPIG radio, and an arts correspondent with the Santa Cruz Sentinel. He’s also produced and hosted podcasts in the past, including his own “Songs and Stories” in addition to several corporate series. Learn more about Michael: michaelgaither.com - Facebook - Instagram. Emily Stansell, Host A transplant to the Santa Cruz area, Emily moved to the area after college and didn’t actually plan on staying here for more than a year. But lo and behold, this place has taken a hold of her Joe Bettencourt, Producer Born and raised in Watsonville, Joe’s background is in Digital Marketing. He has produced several campaigns and programs while working at Yahoo, Plantronics/Poly, Realtor.com and Palo Alto Networks. His first job in Santa Cruz was at the Boardwalk, Working for Whitings Foods during high school (1987-91). Learn more about Joe: Facebook - Instagram