Explore with Gore

Where does your garbage actually go? And what happens to the things you put in the recycling bin? On this episode of Explore with Gore , Supervisor James Gore sits down with Leslie Lukacs, Executive Director of Zero Waste Sonoma, to explore the past, present and future of waste in Sonoma County—and what it will take to build a more sustainable future. Leslie breaks down what happens after we put s...

On this episode of Explore with Gore , Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore sits down with Healdsburg Mayor Chris Herrod to talk about the community he grew up in, how it has transformed over the years, and the decisions that will shape its future. From housing affordability and responsible growth to the arrival of SMART rail, the future of the Russian River, and efforts to address homelessness, Ma...

n this episode of Explore with Gore, Supervisor James Gore sits down with Santa Rosa Mayor Mark Stapp for a wide-ranging conversation about the city’s past, present and future. Mark talks about what drew him to public service, what he has learned during his time as mayor, and where he believes Santa Rosa stands today. The conversation covers some of the issues that matter most to residents, includ...

In this episode of Explore with Gore, Supervisor Gore sits down with Ron Calloway, Chair of the Mark West Area Municipal Advisory Council, to talk about how a community shaped by wildfire has come together and built something stronger. Ron shares the story of Mark West before and after the fires, how residents found their voice, and the role the MAC has played in connecting the community with Sono...

What does it take to keep agriculture thriving in Sonoma County? In this episode of Explore with Gore , Supervisor Gore sits down with Agricultural Commissioner Andrew Smith for a wide-ranging conversation about the county’s agricultural past, present and future. Andrew explains what the Agricultural Commissioner actually does, how Sonoma County’s agricultural landscape has evolved from the prune...

Supervisor Gore sits down with Alma Bowen, Executive Director of Nuestra Comunidad, to reflect on the experience of the 2017 Tubbs Fire and how it helped inspire a new vision for community resilience in Sonoma County. Alma shares her journey from working as a 911 dispatcher during the fires to leading an organization focused on making sure residents are prepared, informed, and empowered before the...

In this episode of Explore with Gore, Supervisor James Gore sits down with Larkin O’Leary, founder and Executive Director of Common Ground Society, to talk about disability inclusion, belonging, and what it means to “be the one” in our community. Larkin shares the personal story that led her to create Common Ground Society after navigating the challenges of raising a child with a disability. What...

Public education affects every resident of Sonoma County—even those without children in school. In this episode of Explore with Gore , Supervisor James Gore sits down with Dr. Amie Carter, Superintendent of the Sonoma County Office of Education, to discuss the state of education across the county, the challenges schools are facing, and the innovative programs preparing students for the future. The...

Building a Stronger Sonoma County: Roads, Resiliency & the Future of Public Infrastructure Every day, thousands of people drive county roads, cross bridges, board buses, fly out of the Sonoma County Airport, recycle their waste, and visit public buildings—without giving much thought to the people who keep it all running. Behind the scenes, one department is responsible for much of the infrastr...

Sonoma County Airport has come a long way over the past two decades. In this episode of Explore with Gore, Supervisor Gore sits down with Airport Manager Jon Stout to talk about the airport's transformation from a small regional facility with limited commercial service into a growing transportation hub that connects Sonoma County to destinations across the West and beyond. Jon shares the story...

Sonoma County is home to one of the most diverse and expansive regional park systems in California, offering everything from rugged coastline and redwood forests to rivers, mountains, and community parks. In this episode, Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore sits down with Regional Parks Director Bert Whitaker to discuss the past, present, and future of Sonoma County's parks. Bert reflects on his j...

Could another major wildfire happen in Sonoma County—and are we more prepared today than we were in 2017? In this episode of Explore with Gore , Supervisor James Gore sits down with Marshall Turbeville to discuss how wildfire risk has changed across northern Sonoma County and what communities are doing to prepare for the future. The conversation explores lessons learned from the 2017, Kincade, Wal...

Over the past decade, Sonoma County has experienced dramatic swings in weather—from historic drought to severe storms, floods, and wildfires. In this episode, Supervisor James Gore sits down with Brad Sherwood to discuss what these changes mean for our water supply today and how we’re preparing for the future. Together, they explore the lessons learned from recent droughts, the innovative projects...

Welcome to the pilot episode of Explore with Gore. In this podcast series, Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore will sit down with community leaders, county department directors, and other partners to discuss the issues, projects, and people shaping District 4 and the greater Sonoma County community. For this first episode — essentially a practice run — the tables are turned as Gore’s staff member...