Restart at Any Age!

The Artistic Director of Santa Cruz Shakespeare returns to talk about what’s ahead — including plans for 2026 — and for the first time ever, he shares a special plan out loud that’s never been announced before .  If you love theatre, bold ideas, and exclusive reveals, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.  Listen now and join the excitement! #GoAheadAndTellMe #SantaCruzShakespeare #Charle...

This episode we sit down with Joe & Gayle Ortiz, the husband-and-wife team behind the iconic Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria in Capitola. For more than 45 years, they’ve filled our community with incredible food, unforgettable pastries, and the kind of warmth that keeps people coming back generation after generation. In this episode, we talk about:  How Gayle’s began in a tiny 800-sq-ft space...

From blockbuster films like Zodiac, Transformers, and The Pursuit of Happyness to the hit TV series Brooklyn 99, Ryan “RJ” Allen and David Mong have seen it all. Now, these two industry veterans are bringing their decades of on-set experience to the coast of Santa Cruz — as the founders of HWY 17 Studios, a state-of-the-art production facility offering three fully customizable stages for film, eve...

In this episode we have the extraordinary pleasure of speaking with Tam and Susan O'Conner Fraser,  You may know  them as Santa Cruz Voice hosts for " Think Local First” they are a dynamic duo whose lives have been anything but ordinary. From Tam’s childhood traveling with the circus in Kansas City, Missouri, to Susan’s grounded upbringing in Pittsburg, California, their paths converged in high sc...

Have you ever felt a song move through you — not as performance, but as prayer? In this week’s episode of Song as Medicine, we sit in circle with the luminous Heather Houston, singer, composer, and founder of Sisters in Harmony. Together we explore how song becomes healing, how harmony weaves community, and how the voice itself can open the heart’s doorway. 💫  Heather shares:  The moment she real...

What happens when you mix Puccini with a pint? You get Opera on Tap!  Lori Schulman and Jordan Best, the powerhouse duo behind the Santa Cruz Opera Project — the company that’s redefining what opera looks (and sounds!) like on the Central Coast. Hear how a 3-hour parking-lot conversation turned into a thriving company, why they believe opera is for everyone, and how their latest project is bringin...

Get ready for a powerhouse conversation with two of Santa Cruz’s most iconic entertainers — John Michael, the dynamic frontman and vocal impressionist behind The John Michael Band, and Otis Coen, the multi-talented musician known for his soulful blend of rock, Motown, and blues. With careers that span decades, both artists have lit up stages across California and beyond — sharing the spotlight wit...

Two award-winning sommeliers, John Haffey and Ryan Cooley, traded Michelin stars for ocean air and opened Vin Vivant — Capitola’s newest wine bar where world-class bottles meet coastal ease. In this 54-minute interview, we dive into their journey from the precision of Aubergine to the freedom of building their own vision — a place where wine feels alive, not intimidating. Expect stories of risk, c...

We had the honor of welcoming Christy Licker, founder of Caroline’s Nonprofit Thrift Shop in Aptos, to the show. Caroline’s was created in memory of Christy’s daughter and has since become a beacon of generosity, raising millions for local nonprofits that support children and families in need. 💙  You can support Caroline’s mission by shopping secondhand, donating gently used items, or volunteerin...

What do barrel racing, triathlons, international nursing, professional theatre in Kenya, writing groundbreaking books, winning national basketball titles at the Senior Games, and stand-up comedy have in common? They’re all chapters in the extraordinary life of our next guest. From working with the Indian Health Service in Oklahoma to coaching basketball in Pakistan, acting on stage in Kenya, writi...

This week’s Go Ahead and Tell Me: From a single gym in downtown Santa Cruz back in 1997 to six thriving locations today—Christophe Bellito, co-owner of Toadal Fitness, shares his journey of building a community-first fitness brand. We talk origin stories, growth, surviving the pandemic, and the future of fitness. Plus, some fun rapid-fire questions you won’t want to miss! #ToadalFitness #SantaCruz...

In this episode of Go Ahead and Tell Me we’re joined by Elizabeth Borelli — author, coach, and wellness guide who inspires people to eat well and live joyfully. Elizabeth’s first book, Beanalicious Living, showed us how simple plant-based foods can transform our health. Her newest release, Tastes Like la Dolce Vita, takes us on a journey into the Mediterranean lifestyle — filled with flavor, mindf...

In this episode of Go Ahead and Tell Me, we sit down with two inspiring women—Susan Lovegren and Theresa Salzburg—who are each creating community and connection in unique ways. Susan, the dynamic leader of a local Meetup group, shares her journey of bringing people together and fostering spaces where authentic conversations and meaningful relationships can flourish. Theresa, an artist, healer, and...

In this extraordinary episode, we sit down with a remarkable 100-year-old native French woman  whose life reads like a gripping novel of resilience, courage, and unexpected love. Born Jewish in wartime France, she escaped the horrors of Nazi occupation, surviving against impossible odds. During the war, she worked with the Free French forces under General Charles de Gaulle,  After the liberation,...

This week on Go Ahead and Tell Me, we sit down with a fabulous group of Santa Cruz women whose book club is part literary salon, part therapy session, and always a good time. They share where they came from, what they are reading, and how stories (and drinks) have bonded them. #BookClubVibes #SantaCruzStories #GoAheadandTellMe #LadiesMeeting #FunTimes

In this episode of Go Ahead and Tell Me, we sit down with Dr. Michael Franzblau — physicist, educator, and essayist — for a wide-ranging conversation on curiosity, optimism, and the surprising ways science connects to everyday life. From multiverse theory to mindful living, Michael shows us how a life of inquiry can be both rigorous and full of joy.#PodcastInterview #MichaelFranzblau #ScienceCommu...

Join Dr. Arthur Faygenholtz, renowned Chiropractor and creator of Stick Yoga®, as he delves into the transformative world of movement, mindfulness, and holistic health. With over 35 years of experience in Chiropractic care and a passion for integrating physical and neurological wellness, Dr. Faygenholtz introduces listeners to the innovative practice of Stick Yoga®—a fusion of Hatha Yoga, kinesiol...

 Meet Michelle Martinez Hayward — educator, Tai Chi teacher, world traveler, and natural storyteller. From an Indigenous reservation to classrooms and resorts across the globe, her life is full of movement, insight, and stories you won’t forget. Tune in as she shares a few of them on this week’s episode. #GoAheadAndTellMe #TaiChiWisdom #Storyteller #MichelleMartinezHayward #PodcastGuest #LifeInMot...

In this episode of Go Ahead and Tell Me, we talk with Cindy Hill Ford and Dr. Michelle Bean, co-founders of SoulCare Studio in Aptos, CA — a space where wellness meets soul. They share how their unique backgrounds in trauma-informed therapy and functional medicine led to a powerful vision: blending science, spirit, and community. From ketamine-assisted healing to reiki, movement, and cultural even...

Robin Leah, a former professional dancer turned spiritual guide, discussed her journey from dance to personal transformation in a podcast episode. She emphasized that dance was not just a physical practice but a profound means of self-expression and healing. This experience led her to explore the mind-body connection and the power of manifestation, culminating in her book, The Manifestor Effect. I...

We present Charles Pasternak, Artistic Director #Santa Cruz Shakespeare company, #www.santacruzshakespeare.org/season-2025/ We cover #casting of actors, #Artistic Director's vision, #expanding Santa Cruz Shakespeare company, #Great location at the Audrey Stanley Grove at Delaveaga Park, #Catered Picnics, #Behind the Scenes, #ShakesEDU Education Progam, #Levels of Membership, #Charles reading of So...