Willow's Vintage Homestead

Most homesteaders have considered having their own hives, and this fascinating conversation with urban beekeeper Laura Huchel is packed with information so you can decide if it's right for you.

Larry Guenther and I chat about the importance of music in our lives, especially how it brings communities and groups together through the shared experience of heartfelt songs.

Local art teacher Erica Wolfsen explains how and why art is for everyone, and bringing communities together through public art, school programs, and learning how to play at paint parties with friends.

My pal Ginger Pauley "The Vintage Girl" from Vintage America with Ginger shares what it's like to be a bandleader and singer covering music of the 1920s-40s.

Vintage menswear expert Neal Blangiardo, proprietor of Eff's Style Emporium in New York City, discusses how to find vintage treasures in resale shops, how to clean (and how NOT to clean) vintage neckties, and ideas for dressing sharply in all seasons.

Local florist Nina Mimnaugh chats with me about how she got into the floralist business, growing local flowers organically here in the Yosemite foothills, and how one classroom opportunity changed her life.

The fine folks at Iron Gate Swordfighting chat with me about the history of how all kinds of folks learned how to use a sword for battle, dueling, or just for show -- and where you can find qualified teachers in your area.

Local herbalist Cindi Reusch, owner of Small Woods Farm, joins me for an interesting chat about the little-known miracle herb Yerba Santa, foraging, and her flourishing four-acre homestead in the California foothills.

Heidi Iverson of Honeyfolk Clothing, and author of The Natural Dye Handbook , chats with me about plant dyes, foraging, playing with color, different kinds of fibers, and visible mending.

Soap is STEM! Hayley Jay Croom of Paintbox Soapworks explains the science behind soapmaking, including glycerin melt-and-pour, cold process, and hot process. We also cover a bit about the psychology of scent, and what colors and scents work with which types of soap and why.

Expert Roberta Bassin shares a lifetime of knowledge and research about the enigmatic pilot Amelia Earhart, whose plane disappeared over the Pacific Ocean in 1937. Have they actually found her plane? What's in the classified files? Tune in and find out!

We're going Back to the Future with actor Jeffrey Weissman (George McFly in 2 & 3) as we talk about how to bring history alive for audiences with improv, immersion, authenticity, and passion.

Chuck Conrad, Founder and Executive Director of the Texas Broadcast Museum, shares fascinating stories about early radio, television, recordings, and the importance of saving what remains of this history.

The Krabills of Aurora, OR share tips and tricks for how to find and identify vintage items, and what it's like to run their store, Trash and Treasure Vintage.

Jody Pritzl, expert on Shiny Brite and other vintage American-made holiday ornaments, chats with me about collecting, memories, and the magic of Christmas.

Homesteader Cheryl Berg and I chat about foraging, closet mead, food preservation, hugelkultur, and lots more in this fun and informative episode.

A fascinating conversation with John Ramirez about how those floats for the Tournament of Roses Parade are designed and created, plus how voice acting legend June Foray launched his career as a Disney animator and designer.

Learn lots of weird facts about The Iron Door Saloon in Groveland, CA, courtesy of owners Corinna & Chris Loh. Bullet holes? Ghosts? Live rattlesnakes?? You betcha!

This fascinating look at burlesque history with performer and educator Kia Puckett touches on Victorian sensibilities, roller derby, spies, Betty Boop, and other surprising aspects of this misunderstood art form.

Tribal Vice Chair of the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, Waylon Coats, shares a lot of history about the Indigenous peoples of Yosemite, cultural caretaking of the land, and hope for the next generation.

Get an inside look at the gold rush through the eyes of an 1850s miner and learn how gold gets into them thar hills in the first place with mining expert Shannon Poe.

The very magical Robert Baxt and I chat about the history of stage magicians, vaudeville, Houdini, and Hollywood's Magic Castle.

Local librarian and artist Abby Miller and I talk about why hands-on crafting matters, especially as it relates to community and self-care.

Ian Love-Jones and I chat about the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) -- What it is, what we do as Odd Fellows, the history behind the fraternal order, how it's changed over the years, and why mutual aid societies matter now more than ever.