Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina

On the 21-year-anniversary of the Michael Jackson trial and verdict, former News-Press reporter Dawn Hobbs recalls her time covering the high-profile trial. Hobbs covered every day of the trial in Santa Maria. In this episode of Santa Barbara Talks, Hobbs explains how she was assigned the story, how she approached the beat, and the moment she "locked eyes," with Michael Jackson. Hobbs also talks a...

Josh Molina talks about his memories of Loretta Redd; Also, a possible collaboration with Instagram's Visionari, in this Josh-only podcast. Josh reported on Loretta in various capacities over the years and he shares some of his thoughts on her. Also, Josh is talking with Visionari about being a guest on Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina. Who is Visionari? We kickstart the conversation here. Vis...

Explore Jason Dominguez's vision for Santa Barbara, his background, and his approach to local governance as he campaigns for District 4 City Council. This interview covers key community issues like housing, fire safety, State Street, and rent stabilization. In this episode: Jason's personal journey from Maywood to Santa Barbara and his legal and international experiences His previous city council...

Santa Barbara Talks: Ryder Christ, Santa Barbara's Street Interviewer, talks with Josh Molina about his transition from News Director at KEYT to man-on-the-street interviewer. Christ opens up about his questions, his character, his approach, his dress, his style and what he learned from John Palminteri. Christ is leading a wave of local social media personalities capturing eyeballs on the South Co...

Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse won't run for re-election afterall, opening the race wide open for council colleagues Eric Friedman and Kristen Sneddon. Wendy Sims-Moten is also in the contest. Josh Molina talks about what led up to Randy's departure and what happens next on the road to the November mayoral election.

Jeramy Gordon started a newspaper in Santa Barbara at the age of 23 years old. For the next seven years, the paper emerged as such a popular media source that expanded with the launch of the Montecito Messenger. In this podcast, Gordon talks about running the newspaper as a young entrepreneur, in the triumphs and challenges, and what led to the paper's closure seven years later. Gordon then talks...

Betsy O'Brien is the host of TheBetsLife podcast, and has crafted a vibrant platform where she focuses on women, business, fashion, fitness and culture, while living her "best life." The Montecito native opens up about her life, her business and what she loves about Santa Barbara. Joshua Molina is a teacher and journalist in Santa Barbara. He is the editor of the Santa Barbara News-Press. This pod...

In this episode: The role and responsibilities of the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party Why local races matter and how party involvement influences election outcomes Challenges of down-ballot races and voter engagement techniques The significance of endorsements in local elections, including the Santa Barbara mayoral race Fundraising realities for grassroots campaigns and the importance of com...

Daniel A. Nelson talk about his compelling, moving documentary "Are You My Brother?" and his many other works, in the latest episode of Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina. Nelson go this start as a journalist at Santa Barbara City College, serving as sports editor of The Channels. He freelanced for the Santa Barbara Daily Sound, and covered the San Francisco Giants before transferring to Columbi...

Santa Barbara City Councilman Oscar Gutierrez chats with Santa Barbara News-Press Editor Joshua Molina about why he supports a rent stabilization ordinance in Santa Barbara. He also explains why he backs the plan to build housing at Paseo Nuevo. Gutierrez recently took trips to Japan and China and shares what he learned there. Joshua Molina is.the editor of the Santa Barbara News-Press and a journ...

Santa Barbara City Administrator Kelly McAdoo receive a $40,000 pay increase in salary and compensation. I break down the contract and explain the factors that led up to this and the problems with perception. McAdoo now makes $353,576 annually — and that's just her base.

Journalist Josh Molina talks about his love for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and how this year was bittersweet. He recalls his memories from childhood and describes what being a Dodger fan really means to him. Josh Molina is a journalist and college instructor who creates dynamic conversations on the topics of housing, education and politics and much more. Please subscribe!

Santa Barbara's outspoken Aron Ashland, owner of The Cruisery, talks State Street, ebikes, cars, retail, restaurants and much more in the latest episode of Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina. Ashland has been a vocal critic of Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse. He has followed all of State Street's changes, with parklets, pedlets and outdoor dining. Josh Molina is an award-winning journalist who h...

Sullivan Israel, the leader of Strong Towns SB, joins Josh Molina for an extended conversation about cars, bikes, housing and the future of State Street. Israel is strong advocate of keeping downtown closed to vehicles, amid pressures to re-open the street to cars. Israel, a 25-year-old urban planner, also talks about Paseo Nuevo, downtown housing, gentrification and the upcoming City Council elec...

Journalist Josh Molina talks about his experience covering the No Kings rally in Santa Barbara and offers some analysis on the event.

Robin Elander, executive director of the Santa Barbara Downtown Improvement Association, talks about re-opening State Street to one lane of cars, as part of a grand vision for State Street. Elander explains how Placer.ai data tracks pedestrian activity. She says that fewer people are returning to key blocks of State Street, while other areas of the city are growing, post-pandemic. Learn all about...

The Santa Barbara Unified School District State of Schools held by the Santa Barbara Education Foundation met on Thursday morning. Here's some of my thoughts and highlight's of the event. Check out the full story in Noozhawk on Saturday. The bottom line -- test scores are up and Superintendent Hilda Maldonado explains why.

Josh Molina breaks down the Santa Barbara City Council meeting and the controversy over transparency of the rent stabilization ordinance. Councilmember Meagan Harmon said it crafted "Under the Cover of Darkness," and she wants a stronger, better ordinance.

Journalist Josh Molina breaks down the controversy over the proposed rent control/stabilization ordinance leading up to Tuesday's Santa Barbara City Council meeting. Two members of the council, Wendy Santamaria and Kristen Sneddon have drafted a proposed ordinance and the council will decided whether to place the matter on an agenda for discussion/vote. The proposal calls for rents not to be incre...

Journalist Josh Molina kicks off a new series of talking Santa Barbara in 30 minutes. Today Josh dives into Paseo Nuevo and the latest with the plan to dramatically overhaul the iconic Santa Barbara mall. Josh talks about the original plan, how it changed and the controversy over housing, retail and grocery stores planned for the facility. The city also intends to give away the land underneath the...

Josh Molina interviews Ben Romo about the housing crisis and what can be done to build more affordability in Santa Barbara. Romo also talks about how he and a team saved the archives of the Santa Barbara News-Press and have led an effort to relaunch the historic newspaper. Joshua Molina is an award-winning journalist who creates compelling conversations with dynamic individuals on the topics of ho...

Joshua Molina talks about social media and the danger of attacking people online that you don't agree with and how this was revealed in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk murder. Joshua Molina is an award-winning journalist who creates compelling conversations with dynamic individuals on the topics of housing, education, culture, art, politics and so much more. Please consider a contribution at www...

Dr. Eliot Jacobson, retired professor of mathematics and computer science and doomer talks climate change and the state of Earth in the latest episode of Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina. The two discuss the following topics: Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) collapse The Sixth Great Extinction AI's Effect on Climate Change Ocean Temperatures Earth's Reflection Glaciers Ocean...

Journalist Josh Molina talks about the Labor Day Barbecue events in Santa Barbara at Tucker's Grove. Here is his TOP 10 list of highlights, memories and moments! Josh Molina is a journalist and college instructor who creates dynamic conversations on the topics of housing, education and politics. Please susbcribe!

K-Lite 101.7's Catherine Remak talks about her career as a radio host for music, news and interviews, in this dynamic conversation with Josh Molina of Santa Barbara Talks. Remak discusses changes in radio, how she is remade herself, and why she loves being the familiar and comforting voice in our lives. Remak talks about her career in journalism for more than three decades, and her longtime radio...