Hello Sonoma!

Sherman Tylawsky is an engaged citizen, an avid historian, and a proud American. He has spent time on both sides of Capitol Hill as an intern with both a Republican and Democratic Senator, his Masters in International Affairs put him on track to be a true public servant, and his desire for increased civility in US politics all make him a unique voice in Sonoma County and beyond. In this episode, w...

Hello Sonoma is going Global! Or at least, partially. This is the first episode in which Hello Sonoma is going on the road, eventually to visit and conduct interviews in 3 of Sonoma's Sister Cities in France, Italy, and Hungary. In this episode, I introduce the Sister City project as I begin my travels in New York and Madrid. I also speak with Brenda, a flight attendant who tell me about some of h...

John Brians is a local legend. From his perch in front of his frame store on East Napa St., he has seen it all. Though he grew up in Penngrove and has now lived for many years in Sonoma, he had a roundabout way of coming home by way of New York City and Casablanca, developing careers first as an artist and then as a framer of art. I sat down to talk with him on his bench to talk about his experien...

When he first started Loudmouth Golf, he was Scott Woodworth. Since then, the single-named "Woody" has become a fashion icon and a sports fashion influencer in everything from the PGA tournament to Olympic curling. The pants that made his company famous continue to turn heads, enliven fairways, and, perhaps most importantly, start conversations. In this episode, we talk about how Woody started Lou...

Lynne Lancaster is an expert on both public speaking and cross-generational communication. Whether through corporate talks or private coaching, she has used her platform to help others communicate effectively to a variety of audiences. Her ability to bridge generational gaps has helped create better understanding between the 5 generations now fully embedded in the workforce. In this episode, we di...

Lee Armstrong got her start in puppetry in her home province of Nova Scotia, Canada. What began as a stroke of luck has since transformed into a lifelong career spanning kids classes at Sonoma elementary schools, working with international animation studios , and teaching at UC Santa Cruz and across the country. In this episode, we talk about just how powerful puppets can be in helping people of a...

Kathryn Del Chiaro Williams has seen both sides of the spotlight. She has been a star on many stages, including various roles in Sonoma Shakespeare, Sonoma Arts Lodge and even the Moose Lodge. But as a teacher, she has helped shine light on the star within each of us. In this episode, we talk about the way she sees people either through the lens of an actor, or a masseuse, discovering that the bes...

Elise is a community builder. Whether in downtown Sonoma or central Delhi, she brings people, young and old, together. As the culinary arts director at the Sonoma Community Center, she uses the power of sharing a meal to build special connections. But her 10 years living in India, where she met her husband, infused in her a worldly perspective and a desire to bridge them. In this episode we talk a...

Dina Saoudi doesn't like the word "empower." Not only is it overused, it seems to imply that the people receiving its benefit are incapable and powerless to begin with. Over the course of her careers in finance, consulting, investing, and book publishing, Dina has managed to overcome this idea and find a way to highlight the power people have through their tremendous skill, abilities, and potentia...

In her new book, Kimberlee Williams highlights the positive side of sisterhood, the myriad ways in which women of all backgrounds and races can stand up for one another. She shares about her own experiences with racism in many forms, about the intersection of her various identities as a black, queer, disabled woman, and all in a way that is approachable and encourages questions and growth. In this...

When Olga first went in Nepal more than 35 years ago, she expected to be setting off on a challenging trek through the Himalaya. Little did she know that this walk in the mountains would mark the beginning of a new life journey that has since helped her educate, nourish and save tens of thousands of Nepali Children. Her background as a lawyer in the California Supreme Court and a young adventurer...

You may have heard Squire Fridell's voice or seen his face if you were watching TV anytime in the 90s and early 2000s. Having starred in over 3,400 television commercials (the most, perhaps, of anyone ever), Squire's personality lights up any room, or in this case any vineyard. Having retired from his time in the spotlight as Ronald McDonald and the face of the Toyotathon for almost 30 years, he n...

Connor Vickers is a burgeoning voice in cinema. He got his early start in Sonoma and, after years spent honing his craft, he recently came back to tell a local story through his first feature length film: Tell Mama Not to Worry. The movie takes place in Sonoma and features two characters with opposing views of their hometown – the kind of voices many locals might have of wherever they're from...

Roger and Diana Rhoten are known throughout the community as beacons of joy, creativity, and fun. Quite possibly Sonoma's only true celebrities, the duo has left an impact on thousands of young Sonomans through their work at the Theatre (Including Roger the Magic Man and Witchie Poo), summer camps, and ropes courses. In this episode we talk more about their origins and how they came to hold such a...

The Sebastiani Theatre is one of the Plaza's most iconic buildings and the heart of Sonoma's cultural scene. With live performances, youth camps, and, of course, cinema, the theater helps bring our community to life. But none of this would be possible without Roger and Diana Rhoten. For more than 30 years, the duo have made this Sonoma historic building the cherished cultural hub we know today. In...

For 30 years, Readers' Books has been a "gathering place for booklovers of all ages." In this episode, I talk with two people who help make Readers' so special, Rosie and Barbara Hall.  Rosie is the event coordinator and children's book buyer whose knowledge of literature goes back to studying Dickens in college, and who takes great care in finding and recommending excellent books for childre...

Erin Hill Freschi and Jessica Fudim went to Kaniv, Ukraine in 1989, teenagers sent as emissaries for peace. At the height of the Soviet Union, these exchanges were seen as a unique chance to break through media borders and make connections with the people that the news had made feel so far away. In this episode, Erin and Jessica share stories and memories from their experience, reminding us how im...

Sofia is a seeker. Throughout her burgeoning journalism career, she has covered stories as varied as Wyoming's Brain Drain and disappearing forests in New Mexico in an effort to find the truth and reveal some of our country's diversity. Her journey has taken her to countless neighborhoods and homes throughout the west, interviewing people affected by everything from the Clean Water Act to fading n...

Charlotte is a community builder. Through her new role as Executive Director of Sonoma's Community Center, she aims to build an inclusive environment that welcomes Sonomans from every walk of life. Her PhD in Anthropology taught her to investigate and celebrate the diversity of the human experience, and her international upbringing in the Netherlands offers a unique perspective on American culture...

After many years as a Hollywood costume designer, now Kristen Anacker is focused on giving other artists the tools they need to succeed. While art covers many media, the central tenet of creation can sometimes founder without a greater vision. Through The Artist Conference Network, Kristen helps artists attain their dreams that might otherwise escape them. In this episode, we discuss the mechanics...

Gary Saperstein brings people together. As a co-founder of Out in the Vineyard, Gary has brought together members of the LGBTQ+ community to Sonoma to celebrate the magic of wine country for decades. But his desire to showcase the beauty of Sonoma Valley includes a dedication to local community service through participating in county commissions, enticing travelers through the visitors bureau, and...

Jean-Charles is a dreamer. In every arena, whether that be wine, spirits, fragrances, or jewelry, his forward thinking allows him to imagine the future far beyond the next bottle vintage or stylistic trend. He builds on history to fuel his innovation, whether that be to reduce packaging throughout his 30+ wine supply chains, or to introduce biodynamic and organic farming as a standard. With kindne...

Whether it be Corporate Law, Digital Marketing, Teaching, Writing, or Venture Capital, Alicia Morga leaves a trail of excellence wherever she goes. She sold her first company, Consorte Media, after it became a hugely successful bridge between advertisers and latino markets for big brands such as Ford and Best Buy. Since then, she has continuously built new companies and expanded into new ventures....

Gianna Biaggi is a world citizen. Having grown up in Sonoma, she got her first taste of the world outside the valley on a trip to Paraguay in high school. Since then, Gianna lived in Nairobi, Kenya where she helped started a literacy project for local girls, and later in Abaarso, Somaliland (formerly Somalia) as the head of lower school at a world-class boarding institution. Using what she learned...

Dan Blumin is an explorer. As a New Yorker, Dan frequently explores the Big Apple's underground art and music scene while he's there. And when he's not, he dashes off for adventures in Iceland and India, climbing mountains in the west, or even road trips across the country – all while working at one of the fastest growing healthcare consultancies in the country. Having grown up in a Jewish-Buddhis...