Issues & Ideas

Vintners carrying the Paso Cab flag, nurturing youth learning through the loop of music and how Dignity Health's hospitals serve the Central Coast Mar 10, 2025

We have a brand new segment here on Issues and Ideas! It’s called Wine Country and it’s hosted by wine journalist Mira Honeycutt. Mira is in conversation with Paso Vintners Gary Eberle, founder of Eberle Winery, and Jerry Lor, founder of J. Lor Vineyards and Wines, about Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. Sarah Mason, founder of the nonprofit Infinite Music, talks to KCBX Programming Intern Sam DJ about the long-term learning benefits of music education. Jim Dantona, host of Working Lunch, speaks with Sue Anderson, CEO of Dignity Health Central Coast Facilities about the specialized care they provide and the future of healthcare in the region.

Amanda Wernik on the Refugio pipeline, California's Wheat2School program, SLO Repertory's Million Dollar Quartet and a poetry reading to honor Refaat Alareer Feb 24, 2025

KCBX reporter Amanda Wernik talks about why it's important for her to report on the Refugio pipeline. Fr. Ian Delinger visits schools in San Luis Obispo County to learn more about California Wheat Commission's Wheat2School project. KCBX reporter Alyssa Toledo's story about the musical Million Dollar Quartet playing at the San Luis Obispo Repertory Theater until March 9th and what sets it apart from other productions. And my interview with community members from SLO county who want to celebrate Palestinian culture through a poetry reading honoring Palestinian poet and activist Refaat Alareer.

Central Coast's first-ever cat cafe, Cal Poly's Mariachi ensemble, musician Chencho Perez's journey and author Yang Huang on her life and writing Feb 17, 2025

KCBX's Robin Coleman talks with Jaime Pierce, owner of the Caffeinated Cat Cafe in Grover Beach for Peace, Love and Pets. Sam DJ, Programming Intern at KCBX, talks to members of Cal Poly's Mariachi ensemble about their heritage and what Mariachi means to them. From the California Report, reporter Benjamin Purper talks to Chencho Perez, a musician, who is part of a community of artists celebrating and experimenting with Norteño music, in the Santa Maria valley. Last but not least, KCBX's Tom Wilmer is in conversation with award-winning author Yang Huang about her literary works and her lived experiences in China and the degree to which they inform her work.

Maureen Zawalick on Diablo Canyon's safety and future, fulfilling end-of-life dreams at Dream Makers SLO and sips of wisdom on building a brand Feb 10, 2025

Jim Dantona, host of Working Lunch and CEO of San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce sits down with Maureen Zawalick, Vice President of Business and Technical Services at PG&E to talk about the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. KCBX's Brian Reynolds talks to Reilly Newman, co-author of a new book, along with his business partner Scott Saunders, titled “Brandy: 101 Sips of Wisdom For Attaining a Successful Brand.” Dr. Ronda Beaman, Executive Director of the nonprofit Dream Makers San Luis Obispo, speaks with KCBX's Meher Ali about what she has learned from fulfilling the final wishes of terminally ill patients in San Luis Obispo County.

Music education and the SLO Youth Symphony, scholarships to honor Dr. King, SLO County's immigrant community and the NIH funding pause Feb 04, 2025

Grace Seng, Music Education Manager of the SLO Symphony, in conversation with Marisa Waddell, KCBX's Program Director about music education and the SLO Youth Symphony. Mary Matakovich, Board President for the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. High School Memorial Scholarship Fund, speaks to Sam DJ, Programming Intern at KCBX, about honoring Dr. King through scholarships for SLO high schoolers. One of the founders of SLO County UndocuSupport, Joel Diringer, talks about his new report on immigrants living in SLO County, with KCBX's Meher Ali. And, KCSB student reporter Joyce Chi speaks to UCSB scientists about President Trump's funding pause on the NIH and its impact on science and health research.

Lee Herrick, California's poet laureate, affordable pet boarding and the Garagiste Wine Festival Jan 27, 2025

Lee Herrick, the poet laureate of California in conversation with Caleb Nichols, the new poet laureate of San Luis Obispo County. Robin Coleman for Peace, Love and Pets speaks to Isabelle Gullö from Care for Paws and Katie Bean from Creekside Pet Boarding, about their efforts to make pet boarding more affordable in San Luis Obispo County. KCBX’s Father Ian Dellinger traveled to Paso Robles this past November to attend the Garagiste Festival. It was the last in a series of wine festivals and this year’s starts next week on February 7th in Solvang.

New California laws, reflecting on the Live Oak Music Festival, UCSB's researchers speak against war and a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum Jan 13, 2025

A summary of state laws taking effect this year, from the California Report. Frank Lanzone, KCBX Director and General Manager, and Greg Perry, Development Director and key organizer of the Live Oak Music Festival chat with KCBX's Meher Ali about their best moments at Live Oak. Festival tickets go on sale January 20th at 10 am. Researchers Against War is a group founded by grad students at the University of California, Santa Barbara that is highlighting the university’s ties to the Department of Defense as well as military companies. Zoha Malik from KCSB, the university's student radio station reports. A story from our archives! KCBX’s Tom Wilmer travelled to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis in 2018 and spoke to Faith Morris, the museum's External Affairs Officer about the importance of educating people on history.

Navigating life in a divided nation, the Morro Bay Bird Festival and the concerns of undocumented immigrants living on the Central Coast Jan 07, 2025

Tania Israel, author and Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of California at Santa Barbara, speaks with KCBX’s Brian Reynolds about her new book Facing the Fracture: How to Navigate the Challenges of Living in a Divided Nation. Registration is open at this year’s Morro Bay Bird Festival that starts on January 16th until the 20th. Bob Revel and Susie Reddy, from the Festival's planning committee, talk to KCBX's Carol Tangeman about the exciting lineup. Mario Espinoza-Kulick, health equity expert and faculty at the Ethnic Studies department at Cuesta College, talks with KCBX's Meher Ali about the concerns of undocumented immigrants, as the new administration takes office.

Son Care Foundation, Visit SLO CAL, protecting Monarch butterflies, and the Run SLO club Dec 17, 2024

Rhys Jensen of Son Care Foundation discusses the ways the nonprofit is saving lives through the human-canine bond. Cathy Cartier, Visit SLO CAL’s CEO, shares insights about San Luis Obispo County’s non-profit tourism promotion organization. Devon Szalva, a student reporter for KCSB radio, spoke with researcher Ethan Anadon about the challenges facing monarch butterfly habitats. KCBX’s Allysa Toledo looks at the impact of the Run SLO Club.

African Californios, a journey from Nanjing to SLO, and immigration policies Dec 10, 2024

Cal Poly Professor Cameron Jones and student Anthony Herrera talk with KCBX's Meher Ali about the African Californios Project. Journalism professor Yan Shan shares her journey from Nanjing to Cal Poly with KCBX’s Tom Wilmer. UCSB student reporter Ashley Segat speaks with UC Santa Barbara professor Alfredo Gonzalez about what immigration policies could look like under the Trump administration.

Pearl Harbor Day, chronic pain- part 2, and Playing With Persimmons Dec 03, 2024

December 7th is National Pearl Harbor Day, and back in 1991, KCBXs Tom Wilmer created a short radio story chronicling two fictional SLO High graduates of the class of 1942. Also, you’ll hear part two of Brian Reynolds’ interview with David Hanscom, MD, author of Back in Control: a Surgeon's Road Map out of Chronic Pain and Douglas Garland, MD, author of The Tall Poppy Syndrome: the Joy of Cutting Others Down. KCBXs Alyssa Toledo takes you behind the curtain at The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville. And from our Playing With Food archives, we look at the different ways to enjoy the different varieties of persimmons.

SLO for Home, corporate responsibility, and Back in Control: a Surgeon's Roadmap out of Chronic Pain. Nov 26, 2024

KCBX intern Meher Ali talks with Katie Lichtig of SLO for Home, about their goal to empower refugee families to rebuild their lives on the Central Coast, and SLO for Home's recent rebranding. On Playing With Food, Fr. Ian speaks with Brian Talley of Talley Vineyards about corporate responsibility. KCBX’s Brian Reynolds chats with David Hanscom, MD, author of Back in Control: a Surgeon's Road Map out of Chronic Pain and Douglas Garland, MD, author of The Tall Poppy Syndrome: the Joy of Cutting Others Down.

Your green waste bin, wine industry changes, The Monday Club and the Budget Cafe Nov 20, 2024

KCBX intern Meher Ali gets answers to questions about green waste bins, in a conversation with Rachelle Paris, the city’s Solid Waste & Recycling Coordinator. Ash Mehta, local wine retailer, speaks with KCBX’s Stu Soren about recent changes in the wine industry. KCBX’s Alyssa Toledo explores how The Monday Club’s centennial pays tribute to its past while looking forward to the next hundred years. The Budget Café in San Luis Obispo is a mirror of the unpretentious side of San Luis Obispo, according to KCBX’s Tom Wilmer. He speaks with the owner of the iconic cafe.

Sideways Uncorked, SLO County's Veterans Memorial Museum, and senior pets and grief Nov 12, 2024

The Movie Sideways is 20 years old, and there’s a new book out – Sideways Uncorked- a Perfect Pairing of Film and Wine. We talk with the authors, Kirk Honeycutt and Mira Advani Honeycutt. KCBX’s Tom Wilmer checks in with Bart Topham, Director/Curator with SLO County's Veterans Memorial Museum. On Peace, Love & Pets, host Robin Coleman shares stories about senior pets and grief.

SLO County's Regional Road Safety Plan, the Morro Bay Bird Festival, and Playing With Food- local coffee Oct 29, 2024

John DiNunzio, Transportation Planner with SLOCOG, speaks with KCBX’s Marisa Waddell about the county’s Regional Road Safety Action Plan. The Morro Bay Bird Festival is in January of 2025, and Bob and Robbie Revel talk about how to best enjoy the festival. Fr. Ian, of Playing With Food, is sharing his exploration of coffee produced on the California Coast.

Winter weather forecast; Avila Beach, California- a book; and the band Fruition Oct 22, 2024

Retired meteorologist John Lindsey chats with KCBX’s Kim Foster about what to expect- weather wise- this coming winter. Paul Karlen and Lisa Wilkerson, the creators of a new book called Avila Beach California, talk about the project- calling it a ‘labor of love’. The band Fruition will be performing at SLO Brew Rock soon, and band member Kellen Asebroek spoke with KCBX’s Brad Kyle.

Melanie Senn's novel 'Murray', Pete Kelley- restaurateur and author, and blending art with jazz. Oct 08, 2024

SLO Women’s Rugby celebrates 20 Years of breaking barriers. Local writer and freelance reporter Melanie Senn talks about her new book- Murray: A Novel. Fort Hunter Liggett is leading the energy independence charge with micro-grids. Pete Kelley, owner of the "Pete's" Central Coast restaurants from 1977 to 2007, talks with KCBX's Carol Tangeman in this interview from the archives, recorded in 2022. Morro Bay ceramicist Ross Hale blends sculpting with jazz, and talks about his aspirations for the project.

'Sideways', Hope on Park, Playing With Wine, and a sonic journey through a wine harvest Oct 01, 2024

The movie Sideways celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Evan Kleiman of KCRW explores the movie’s lasting effects on the Santa Ynez Valley. Correspondent Tom Wilmer enjoys a conversation with second generation winegrower Austin Hope. Fr. Ian plays with wine. Former KCBX news director Benjamin Purper takes us on a sonic journey through a Central Coast wine harvest.

Peace Love & Pets- ASAP Cats, and the Central Coast Bioneers Conference Sep 17, 2024

On Peace, Love & Pets, host Robin Coleman and Jessica Wiebe, of ASAP Cats, share ideas and information about how we can help homeless cats on the Central Coast live better lives. Also, the upcoming Central Coast Bioneers Conference includes a tour of green energy buildings. Andy Pease of In Balance Green Consulting talks with Carol Tangeman about the Conference and the tour.

Extreme heat, a family history, equitable housing, and the Goleta Pipeline Sep 10, 2024

Extreme heat can be life-threatening for many Californians without air conditioning in their homes, and renters in California can’t force landlords to install air conditioners. Also, California schools must now adjust sports practices and games when it’s too hot outside. KCBX correspondent Tom Wilmer visits with Victoria Newhouse and Quince Williams, architectural historians and NYC architects who discuss social equity, architecture and hope for the future of affordable housing in a new book- Housing the Nation. KCBX's Brian Reynolds speaks with author Dianna Jackson about her new book From Beloit to Clark Gable in Three Generations. She traced her great grandfather’s journey across the United States to California’s Central Coast in the mid 1800s. An oil spill in 2015 devastated the Santa Barbara community and its ecosystem. The Pacific Pipeline Company has gotten the okay from the county for a major step toward resuming operations. Rosie Bultman from KCSB-FM on the UC Santa Barbara Campus speaks with Brady Bradshaw of The Center for Biological Diversity.

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