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 te...

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 s...

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 o...

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 fathe...

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...

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 a...

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...

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 Se...

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...

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...

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...

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 politi...

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 o...

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 st...