Welcome

SANTA BARBARA TALKS with JOSH MOLINA

Conversations with people about education, housing and business that address community challenges and offer solutions

FIDEL RODRIGUEZ

Fidel Rodriguez has decades of experience holding workshops that focus on practical wellness tools, history, trauma, poverty, racism, leadership and healing. For the last few years, he's been on the front lines in Santa Barbara fighting to change an offensive and racist street name in Santa Barbara

SUPPORT PODCASTS WITH JOSH MOLINA

Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina provides a unique platform for people in the world of business, housing and education to talk candidly about the community's challenges and the solutions. Journalist Josh Molina creates dynamic conversations with the influential people who help make the community special. Your support helps Josh expand and grow his podcasts to a larger audience and create an audio history of this incredible community.

LUCAS ZUCKER

Rising young political star Lucas Zucker is the policy and communications director for the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE). In this podcast Lucas talks about the Latino exodus of families in Santa Barbara and COVID-19 conditions in the migrant farmworker fields.

'THERE's GREAT STORIES TO BE TOLD'

JOHN PALMINTERI

Santa Barbara journalistic icon John Palminteri talks with Josh Molina about his career, his biggest stories and life as a media celebrity. He talks about his Instagram platform, and how he uses it to break news, while dropping a ton of names, past and present. Settle in to this amazing podcast.

'EVERY DAY YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO REALLY HELP PEOPLE'

Santa Barbara Police Sgt. Rashun Drayton

Santa Barbara Police Department Sgt. Rashun Drayton talks about what it is like to be a Black police officer, implicit bias, his Santa Barbara upbringing, career in the U.S. Marine Corps, life as father of two girls, and the state of the country, amid the fallout of the George Floyd killing.

'IF A KID DOESN'T FEEL SAFE IN CLASS, THEY ARE NOT LEARNING'

FRANN WAGENECK, SANTA BARBARA UNIFIED

Frann Wageneck, assistant superintendent of the Santa Barbara Unified School District, talks about what equity means to her, the discrimination that she has faced and overcame, and her efforts to understand her white privilege and how she can be a better advocate and educator.

SUBSCRIBE TO JOSH TALKS

Get the latest podcasts and our newsletter with content about our community.

'I DON'T THINK OUR TEACHERS HAVE EVER WORKED HARDER'

Dos Pueblos High School Principal Bill Woodard

Dos Pueblos High School Principal William Woodard talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted his school, DP's innovative parking lot graduation plans, the credit/no-credit grading policy, Just Communities' implicit bias training, district leadership and his former life as a journalist.

'KIDS DIE NEEDLESSLY AND MOMS DIE FROM PREVENTABLE CAUSES'

THOMAS TIGHE

Thomas Tighe, President and CEO of Direct Relief, talks about his organization's response during COVID-19, his thoughts on the Lompoc prison outbreak, and Direct Relief's other big mission: supporting midwifery and helping to prevent the unnecessary deaths of mothers and children during labor.

'IT'S CRAZY TIMES RIGHT NOW; It's A VERY FLUID SITUATION'

INSTITUTION ALE OWNER SHAUN SMITH

For Shaun Smith, Institution Ale is not just a restaurant and bar, it's a way of life. He, his brothers and father grew the company from a home-brewing hobby to one of the region's top beer destinations. Hear about how he made his first beer, life as a new dad, and the future amid COVID-19.

'PEOPLE ARE COMING DOWNTOWN; IT'S A WHOLE NEW ADVENTURE'

PASCUCCI OWNER LAURA KNIGHT

Santa Barbara's Laura Knight, owner of Pascucci, is one of Santa Barbara's restaurant success stories. In this podcast she talks about surviving the pandemic and offering expanded dining. Josh and Laura also recall their memories of the late Babatunde Folayemi, a Pascucci regular.

'COULDN'T WE WORK TO MAKE A BETTER CITY?'

THE CRUISERY OWNER ARON ASHLAND

Aron Ashland transformed a restaurant on State Street into The Cruisery. With a long history of managing restaurants and nightclubs, Ashland has been one of the driving forces behind State Street's recent revitalization. Ashland talks about overcoming the pandemic and pivoting to outdoor dining.

'I DON'T WANT IT TO BE LOOKED AT AS JUST A SHOPPING CENTER'

Paseo Nuevo's Mary Lynn Harms-Romo

Mary Lynn Harms-Romo, the senior marketing director for Paseo Nuevo, opens up about the loss of Nordstrom, the future of the iconic, 30-year-old mall, what's going on with the old Macy's building, she explainswhat's behind the $20 million in tenant improvements that the mall's owners are investing.

'I WOULD RATHER HAVE SECTIONS OF STATE STREET CLOSED DOWN'

Michael Jordan

Santa Barbara City Councilman Mike Jordan talks Paseo Nuevo, closing State Street to cars, downtown building heights, City Hall turmoil, his jump from planning commission to City Council, and his thoughts on City Administrator Paul Casey and the community development department.

'I DON'T KNOW WHEN WE WILL OPEN; THAT KEEPS US UP AT NIGHT'

Bob Stout

Downtown Association chairman and acting executive director Bob Stout has owned the Wildcat Lounge and downtown clubs for nearly 40 years. We talk surviving the pandemic, saving downtown, his views on housing, and why LGBTQ+ acceptance matters at the Wildcat.

'WE NEED TO GET OUR CITY OPEN'

Jason Jaeger

Jason Jaeger, founder and principal of Jaeger Partners, believes Santa Barbara should be open for business now. Jaeger also talks housing in the downtown, the need for Santa Barbara city officials to work with the business community, and his vision for Santa Barbara's future.

'THE RESTAURANTS ARE SUFFOCATING AND THEY NEED TO GET OPEN'

ROB DAYTON

Santa Barbara's transportation guru Rob Dayton talks about opening State Street to pedestrians and bicycles, revitalizing the downtown, helping businesses navigate the community development department, building housing, and his vision for the future of Santa Barbara.

'I AM NOT A PERSON WHO REALLY LIKES TO BE TOLD NO'

MEAGAN HARMON

Santa Barbara City Councilwoman Meagan Harmon swept into office 16 months ago and is now the talk of City Hall. She talks about assisting the business community, rebuilding downtown, life as a mom during the pandemic and the pressures of being a parent while being committed to public service.