California Now Podcast

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers experiences the ultimate celebration of pop culture with actor-director-podcaster Kevin Smith and comic book creator, writer, and podcast host Marc Bernardin. The two longtime Comic-Con veterans share memories from their earliest trips to San Diego Comic-Con and reflect on how the event has transformed from a niche gathering of comic-...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers explores Gilroy with two insightful local voices about the city’s culture, creativity, and community. First, Meyers sits down with Ruben Dario Villa, a Gilroy-based artist and designer. Villa helps orient listeners to the city’s unique geography at the crossroads of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Central Coast, and the Central Valley...

As California continues to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, California Now host Josh Meyers heads to San Francisco to explore the energy, innovation, and community shaping this iconic World Cup host region. The journey begins at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, where Meyers meets Stephanie Rogers, executive vice president of marketing for the San Francisco 49ers. From a rooftop garden overlooking the...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers goes on location to experience the FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles through the players, venues, and innovators shaping the city’s global soccer moment.  The journey begins at Dignity Health Sports Park, home of the LA Galaxy, where Meyers meets soccer legend Cobi Jones. A three-time World Cup player, Jones reflects on the evolution of...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers explores a piece of coastal paradise on Catalina Island with Derrik Lang, senior features editor for the Auto Club of Southern California’s Westways magazine. Lang shares expert tips on how to get to Catalina Island via the Catalina Express and Catalina Flyer. The two explore must-see attractions like the iconic Catalina Casino—home t...

On this special on-location episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers heads to the Eastern Sierra for a winter adventure at Mammoth Mountain—exploring the stories, landscapes, and personalities that make Mammoth one of California’s most iconic alpine destinations. The episode begins with a scenic gondola ride to the summit and the Eleven53 Interpretive Center, where Meyers meets the...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers sits down with two accessible travel advocates to explore the unparalleled experiences California offers for all travelers—including those with mobility needs, sensory sensitivities, non-visible disabilities, and more. First up, Josh chats with Abbey Romeo, star of Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum and autism awareness advocate, and Mary...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers speaks with the woman responsible for packing the house for some of television’s biggest live shows. Meyers sits down with KC Cavarozzi, founder and fan experience expert at On Camera Audiences. Cavarozzi and Meyers reminisce about the joys and challenges of working behind the scenes at MadTV before pivoting to the dos and don’ts of b...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers welcomes one of his oldest friends: actor, comedian, and writer Ike Barinholtz. The two look back on their early days performing together and how one unforgettable trip to Los Angeles convinced Barinholtz that California was home. “The L.A. I see every day, it's that Get Shorty , late nineties-ish L.A. I still see it through that lens...

On this special on-location episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers celebrates the 100th anniversary of America’s most legendary highway with a road trip across California’s stretch of Route 66. He kicks off the adventure in the Mojave Desert with Kyle Okura, keeper of Roy’s Motel & Café and the desert town of Amboy. Okura shares the remarkable father-son story behind preservin...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers explores San Mateo County, aka the San Francisco Peninsula, with two local experts. He starts off the episode chatting with Nick Calderon, director of Parks and Recreation for San Mateo County. Calderon shares recommendations for the area’s vast outdoor offerings. “You can start your morning on a remarkable run or bike ride along the...

On his debut episode of the California Now Podcast, new host Josh Meyers dives head-first into the weird and wonderful folklore that stretches across this state from the hub of spiritual tourism in Mount Shasta to UFO sightings in the Mojave Desert.   First up, Meyers chats with Zach O’Brien, founder of the digital publication Active NorCal. A Lemurian expert, O’Brien explains how Northe...

Big news—California Now is back with a new season and a new host, Josh Meyers! Join Josh as he travels the Golden State, meeting the people and discovering the places that make California so extraordinary. Get ready for fresh stories, hidden gems, and plenty of inspiration for your next adventure.

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson explores the vibrant, eclectic world of events, celebrations, and festivals in California with three noteworthy guests. First, Johnson chats with Rick Farman and Allen Scott, cofounders of the Outside Lands Music Festival in Golden Gate Park. Farman and Scott dive into the event’s origin story, evolution, and some of their favori...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson explores the deep cultural heritage and vibrant traditions of Native American communities across the Golden State—and how travelers can experience them in meaningful ways. To begin, Johnson speaks with Tara Gomez, co-owner of Camins 2 Dreams winery in Lompoc and a proud member of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. Gomez shar...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson hits the road with three seasoned travelers to explore California’s epic road trip experiences. To kick things off, Johnson chats with Zach Dundas, the editorial director behind the Wildsam field guides and Wildsam Magazine , a publication focused solely on road trips. Dundas explains why the open road remains one of the most pro...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson chats with Olympic gold medalist, bestselling author, and Bay Area native Kristi Yamaguchi. The figure skating icon reflects on her childhood in Fremont, her first time on the ice at a Hayward mall, and her unforgettable 1992 World Championship win in Oakland. “It truly was a huge homecoming,” she says, recounting the joy of comp...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson digs into the Golden State’s dynamic and diverse restaurants with three experts who know the local food scene inside and out. First, Johnson chats with Elina Shatkin, food journalist and producer of KCRW’s Good Food in Los Angeles. Shatkin shares some of her favorite restaurants and foodie neighborhoods across the City of Angels....

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson welcomes actor and comedian Josh Meyers, cohost of Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers— a podcast he does with his brother, late-night talk show host Seth Meyers. In this engaging conversation, Meyers shares the inspiration behind the podcast, its memorable guests (from Bill Gates to Tiffany Haddish), and why childhood vacation...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson explores the wonderful world of sports across the Golden State with three notable experts. First, Johnson speaks with Natalie Nakase, head coach of the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest team making its debut in San Francisco. Nakase, the first Asian American coach in the league’s history,  shares her vision for the team a...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson dives into the best of Sacramento’s food, culture, and outdoor scene with three expert insiders. First up, Johnson is joined by Benjy Egel, the food and drinks writer for The Sacramento Bee . Egel explains how the area’s agricultural abundance helps fuel its thriving farm-to-fork dining scene. “ So much of the U.S.’s produce come...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson takes listeners on a journey through Monterey County, chatting with local experts about the best places to explore, stay, and dine in this picturesque stretch of the Central Coast. First, Johnson chats with Erin Sollecito, the business development director at Monterey Touring Vehicles. Erin shares how Monterey's diverse landscape...

On this special episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson speaks with eight L.A. insiders about both the city’s incredible offerings and its resilience in response to the recent wildfires. Plus, hear special shoutouts from some of L.A.’s notable residents. First, Evan Lovett, the creator of the L.A. in a Minute   podcast, brings to life the fascinating history of Pacific Palisad...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson talks to three Golden State insiders who want to help you get the most out of your next trip to the state—no matter your budget. First, Johnson chats with Nina Ruggiero, Senior Editorial Director at Travel + Leisure . Ruggiero starts off by sharing the latest lodging travel trends and what she looks for in a great hotel. “ Yes, y...

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson takes listeners on a set-jetting tour of California, exploring the state’s notable TV and film locations with three knowledgeable experts.   First up, Johnson chats with Bryan Rice, owner of San Francisco Movie Tours, who reveals how the city’s unique landscapes have played host to countless classic films. Rice takes Johnson thro...