Comstock's Talks

Get to know our 2026 Women in Leadership during a reception at Scott's Seafood on the River in Sacramento. To read about the honorees, visit  comstocksmag.com. It's even better in print.  Subscribe  to the magazine today! Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0)

Comstock's contributor Steven Yoder discusses his January cover story on how tariffs are affecting local businesses and why they aren't necessarily the biggest factor shaping the economy in 2026. For more on this topic, you can read our  web-only story on how tariffs are affecting manufacturers in the region.  It's even better in print.  Subscribe  to the magazine today! Hosted by Dakota Morlan Pr...

How do you choose your career? When is it a good idea to start a business? How do you maintain momentum? Comstock's Young Professionals  Charanjeet "Charlie" Kaur Tiwana-Purewal and Freddie Silveria offer insight.  Get to know all of Comstock's 2025 Young Professionals (and start thinking about who you want to nominate next year!) It's even better in print.  Subscribe to the magazine today! Hosted...

Editor Judy Farah, Managing Editor Dakota Morlan and contributor Steve Martarano discuss April's cover story on the A's, the gray wolf's California comeback and whether or not dire wolves are a good idea.  Improve your business outcomes and career trajectory by keeping up with Comstock's.  Subscribe to the magazine today. Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC...

How do you lead diverse teams with differing opinions? Where do you find the confidence to make big career moves? Are women leaders expected to be nicer than men? Comstock's Women in Leadership honorees Cassandra Jennings and Yvonne Pire join us for a special episode recorded in the wine cellar at Mulvaney's B+L in Midtown Sacramento. Get to know all of our  2025 Women in Leadership (and start thi...

Predicting the future is hard, but we still like to try. Comstock's contributor Steven Yoder breaks down his cover story " New Year, New Administration. What Can We Expect? " in which economists offer their insight on the next few years in the Capital Region. Which areas will see the most growth? Is it time to make the big moves or to play it safe? Find out in our latest episode.  Read more from S...

Journalist James Stout delves into his latest feature for Comstock's " What's Holding Up Valley Rail? " where he investigated delays in railway expansion throughout the Central Valley. We discuss the hurdles that are baked into the system, changing attitudes towards public transit and whether hopping on a train might be more commonplace in future America.  James Stout's work focuses on conflict, m...

Host and Assistant Editor Dakota Morlan is joined by Editor Judy Farah and Senior VP and Director of Business Development Clayton Blakley as we celebrate 35 years of Comstock's magazine, remember how we got here and muse about where we're headed.  Read the digital edition of our anniversary issue here . Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music:  Time Out  by Atch ( CC BY 3.0 )

Sacramento's performing arts powerhouse and Comstock's 2024 Young Professionals honoree Jacob Gutierrez-Montoya shares how he's found success in an elusive field, his vision for the Sac arts scene and why he (sometimes) works for free.  Get to know Comstock's 2024 Young Professionals here .  Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music:  Time Out  by Atch ( CC BY 3...

Inventive minds have always looked to the skies for inspiration, but new imaging tools have unlocked a more intricate study of bird flight. In this episode, UC Davis faculty members Christina Harvey, an aerospace engineering expert, and Michelle Hawkins, director of the California Raptor Center, discuss a Defense Department-funded research project to inform future drone technologies. Hosted by Dak...

In this special episode, we get to know some of our 2024 Women in Leadership while exploring the Jacquelyn , a new bar, restaurant and private club venue in Sacramento.  Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music:  Time Out  by Atch ( CC BY 3.0 ) Read more about Comstock's Women in Leadership  here . 

Nurse practitioner and founder of Destination Aesthetics Shawna Chrisman is on a mission to dispel the myths surrounding aesthetic treatments. In this episode, we discuss unusual patients, "the natural look," emerging technologies, how much is too much, looking younger in the workplace and why medical aesthetics aren't just for women anymore.  Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari...

Jennifer T. Smilowitz, assistant professor of the cooperative extension in the Department of Nutrition at UC Davis, is a breast milk expert and devotee. In this episode we talk about the science, potential medical applications, cultural context, barriers to breastfeeding and why there is no true substitute for human breast milk. Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morl...

Father and daughter Jim Mayfield and Hannah de Bie of Sub Sea Systems discuss marine tourism, VR integration, Saudi Arabia's entertainment megaproject Qiddiya, the importance of ocean exploration and working with family.  Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music:  Time Out  by Atch ( CC BY 3.0 ) Read about Sub Sea and other unique family businesses here .  To s...

San Joaquin County Historical Museum's executive director and fifth generation Stocktonian Phillip Merlo speaks on the rich history, abundant opportunities and dogged optimism of the port city. Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music:  Time Out  by Atch ( CC BY 3.0 ) Read the featured story "Manufacturing a New Vision for Stockton" here .  To subscribe to Coms...

Fathom co-founder Eric Howard discusses generative AI tools, artistic value and how creatives can adapt to a changing industry. To read the article, visit comstocksmag.com .  Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch ( CC BY 3.0 )

Comstock's Young Professionals Lauren Oto and Nathan Langley talk about mentors, working with AI and what it was like to be a "Rock Star" in this issue's spread .  Host: Dakota Morlan Producers: Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch ( CC BY 3.0 )     

Boutique marketing agencies in the Capital Region consider the medium to be just as important as the message itself. They recognize the demand for video on platforms like TikTok and YouTube as reflective of our need for human connection and a growing demand for more "unfiltered" content.  Writer and reader: Robin Douglas Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Danna Sweidan Music: Time Out by Atch ( CC BY 3....

Are you frequently labeled "a lot," "difficult" or "loud" at work? Do managers often not know what to do with you? Do you accidentally alienate coworkers with your "a-lotness"? Do people look you in the eye and call you exhausting? Why not try: working from home? Writer and reader: Melody White Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Danna Sweidan Music: Time Out by Atch ( CC BY 3.0 )  Read the story here: h...

In a year of rising costs, farmers still have quality as an advantage. Still, farmers market vendors and shoppers are struggling to stretch their dollars. Writer and reader: Kate Gonzales Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Danna Sweidan Music: Time Out by Atch ( CC BY 3.0 ) (include links) Read the story here: https://www.comstocksmag.com/article/inflation-hits-market-basket

Comstock's invited some of our Young Professionals honorees for happy hour at Canon Restaurant to talk mentorship and nonlinear career paths. Host: Vanessa Labi Producer:  Danna Sweidan,  Johnny Flores  and Vanessa Labi Music: Time Out by Atch ( CC BY 3.0 )  Read Latoya Jackson-Lainez's profile here  and Amber Celmer's profile here : 

Capital Region music festivals attract tens of thousands of fans from nearby areas and from all around the country, shaping its identity and boosting the local economy. Writer and reader: Steve Martarano Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Vanessa Labi and Danna Sweidan Music: Time Out by Atch ( CC BY 3.0 ) (include links) Read the story here: (link)   Teaser sentence Writer and reader: (name) Host: (nam...

The pop-up model allows independent chefs to experiment with new concepts and creative menus without investing in overhead. Writer and reader: Vanessa Labi Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Vanessa Labi Music: Time Out by Atch ( CC BY 3.0 ) (include links) Read the story here: https://www.comstocksmag.com/article/pop-ups-are-popping

As national and international tourism decreased during the pandemic, regional visitation saw a boost. We profile three small picturesque towns that got a big increase in visitors. Writer and reader: Scott Thomas Anderson Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Danna Sweidan Music: Time Out by Atch ( CC BY 3.0 ) (include links) Read the story here: (link)

Comstock's magazine invited three of our 2022 Women in Leadership honorees to join us for a discussion on the ways women are shaping the future of the Capital Region. Listen in on our conversation with Preet Ahluwalia, the investment officer who graced our cover this year; Amber Hoiska, VP of Pac Shield Roof Services; and Lora Anguay, chief zero carbon officer of SMUD . Host: Vanessa Labi, Jennife...