Big Conversations, Little Bar

At Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert, narrative nonfiction writer and true crime sleuth Lou Schachter unpacks why crimes captivate us—and how travel fuels his reporting on Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence . He traces a personal origin story to his grandfather’s 1933 Los Angeles murder, a saga tangled with Bugsy Siegel and a corrupt DA, now chronicled at Lu...

What do Ranger School grit, cutting-edge robotics, and Burgundy wine have in common? This lively episode of Big Conversations, Litte Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence traces an extraordinary journey from West Point and the DMZ to the operating room and, now, the tasting room . Our guest, Dr. Patrick St. Pierre , an Eisenhower Medical Center orthopedic surgeon and Level 4 sommelier—explai...

Recorded at the famed corner booth of Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert, this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar hosted by Patrick Evans and Randy Florence , follows a remarkable journey from church greeter to reality-TV standout . Guest Gary Levingston shares how a chance encounter at Southwest Church led to casting for the senior-edition dating franchise, the sequestered Malibu mansio...

This episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence spotlights a dynamic leader shaping the desert’s classical scene. As artistic director for Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic , our guest Lee Mills explains how a tiny team brings the world’s great orchestras to the McCallum Theatre within a narrow January to April window—often booking seasons as far out as 2028....

From New York steakhouse soirées to Coachella Valley showstoppers, event planner Lola Kent brings a decade-plus of creative fire to the corner booth on this week’s episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence . She shares how a chance ceremony paired her with officiant Randy, sparking 60+ weddings built on listening, storytelling, and short-but-soulful vows. Lola...

In this captivating episode, local author and playwright David Church takes listeners on a fascinating journey through history, imagination, and creativity. Best known for his Edison Trilogy of novels, Church reveals how Thomas Edison’s little-known experiments with a “spirit box” sparked his fictional adventures into the supernatural and beyond . He shares with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence on...

In this powerful episode, the hosts welcome Danny Labin, CEO of the Jewish Federation of the Desert, for a conversation spanning his global experiences and local commitments. From producing Sesame Street in over 25 countries to navigating life in Lithuania and leading major philanthropic efforts in Israel, Labin’s journey reflects a life dedicated to education, cultural understanding, and communit...

In this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar , Yvonne Bell, the newly appointed CEO of the McCallum Theatre, shares her insights on leading the iconic desert venue. Discussing her transition from Development to CEO, Bell reveals plans for an expanded season and new programming aimed at engaging a broader audience. She highlights upcoming Broadway shows, dance performances, and the exciting int...

In this lively episode, actor Steven Ciceron joins Patrick Evans and Randy Florence at Skip Paige’s Little Bar to share his journey from clinical psychologist to working actor . With over 50% audition success and roles across film, television, and theater , Ciceron discusses the discipline and humility that fuel his craft . He dives into his passion for horror, balancing dark characters with a nat...

In this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar , Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome acclaimed photographer, author, artist, and actress Mary Ann Halpin for a heartfelt and often hilarious chat. From her beginnings in Chicago to her transformative work behind the camera in Los Angeles, Mary Ann shares how life’s twists—like infertility—led to her groundbreaking photo books, including Pregna...

In this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar , Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome Tom Kirk , the Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) . They dive into the pivotal role of CVAG in regional planning , focusing on transportation developments like CV Link and traffic signal synchronization initiatives . Tom shares insights on the challenges faced when...

In this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar , Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome Andrea Carter , a Coachella Valley marketing and PR powerhouse with a fascinating life story. Andrea shares insider tales from coordinating A-list celebrities at the Palm Springs International Film Festival to co-founding the record-breaking Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament for St. Jude . She reflects on...

In this episode, Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome Laurilie Jackson , a seasoned media professional and professor , who shares her inspiring journey from Canadian roots to becoming a prominent figure in Coachella Valley journalism to Big Conversations, Little Bar . Laurilie recounts her early experiences in broadcasting, including her internships at CNN and Entertainment Tonight , and discu...

In this episode, the hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence delve into the fascinating world of cinematography with accomplished cinematographer Alan Gitlin . With a career spanning decades, Gitlin shares his experiences working on iconic films, including Star Trek Generations and Titanic . He discusses his journey from his early days in Hollywood to his production and mentoring role with Palm Spr...

In this captivating episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar , join hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence as they sit down with Frank Furino , a media and entertainment veteran with an extraordinary history . From his early days in the bustling newsrooms of ABC to his adventures in Hollywood , Frank shares his remarkable journey, including his chance encounters with famous figures like Howard Cos...

In this enjoyable episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar , Patrick Evans and Randy Florence sit down with playwright, producer, director and actor Del Shores to discuss his remarkable journey through the world of theatre and film . Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his iconic work Sordid Lives , Del shares personal stories about his upbringing in the Southern Baptist church and how it shaped h...

In this episode Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence , the banter dives deep into the poignant yet humorous journey of Molly , a woman who faced terminal cancer with remarkable strength and a quest for self-discovery . Nikki Boyer, the creator of the podcast and television series "Dying for Sex," shares intimate stories and insights from her friendship with Molly a...

In this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar , hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome Carole Stephen-Smith , a veteran writer for The Desert Sun ’s Desert Scene page. Carole shares captivating stories from her 13 years of covering community philanthropy and the arts in Palm Springs , along with her unique experiences with legendary figures like Frank Sinatra , the Annenbergs and former...

In this engaging episode, hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence sit down with Wells Marvin , a prominent developer with deep roots in the Coachella Valley . He shares his journey from the Bay Area to La Quinta, where he made a significant impact on local real estate, including the iconic Old Town La Quinta . Wells reflects on his experiences in developing residential and commercial properties , t...

The focal point of this episode is the engaging dialogue with guest Dave Karger , a prominent host of Turner Classic Movies . As we convene in the inviting ambiance of Skip Page's Little Bar , we delve into the intricate tapestry of storytelling that defines the Coachella Valley , enriched by the support of the McCallum Theater . Throughout our discourse, we explore the nuances of Dave's illustrio...

In this episode, hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome John Taylor, Morning Show Host at KGAY 106.5 FM , to discuss the transformational role of storytelling within the vibrant Coachella Valley . John shares his extensive radio and voice acting career, beginning from unexpectedly breaking into the radio business on a historic news day, to becoming an eminent voice actor in Hollywood and a...

This episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar hosted by Patrick Evans and Randy Florence centers on the remarkable journey of Brandon Weimer , the founder of Brandini Toffee , who shares the story of how a school project evolved into a thriving business . Initially conceived to fund a school trip to Italy, Brandini Toffee has blossomed into a beloved confectionery brand within the Coachella Valley...

In this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar , hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome Ellen Goodman from the Palm Springs Unified School District Foundation . Ellen shares her journey from the East Coast to the Coachella Valley, highlighting her rewarding transition into the nonprofit sector. As the first employee hired by the Foundation, Ellen recounts her experiences in raising funds...

In the finalé episode of our first season of 2025, Big Conversations, Little Bar , hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome back Hollywood insider Sue Cameron for a second engaging appearance. From their seat in the coveted corner booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar , they dive into the unpredictable world of Hollywood tales . Sue, who grew up amid the excitement of Old Hollywood, shares anecdo...

The chatter in this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar revolves around the multifaceted career of renowned local jazz musician Slim Man , who shares his journey from struggling in Nashville to finding success in the Coachella Valley music scene . With hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence guiding the dialogue, Slim Man recounts the trials he faced a decade ago, including personal hardships...