SoCo Chat

Latest Episodes:

Special- Behind the Gates: Opening Day at Sonoma’s ‘Hot Dogs & Cool Cats’ Fair Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

We are coming to you from the Hall of Flowers at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds for opening day of the 2025 Sonoma County Fair.

Joining us for opening day is Matt Daly, the Chief Executive Officer of the Sonoma County Fair.

Episode 78- Inside Public Health: A Conversation with Department of Health Services Director, Nolan Sullivan Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services is one of the largest, most important County departments, touching everything from homelessness to pandemic response, to the opioid crisis. Behavioral Health, environmental health, public health, even the Sonoma County Animal Shelter all fall under this sprawling department.

The director of the Department of Health Services, Nolan Sullivan, is five months into the job and he joins us to talk about his vision for the department.

Capitulo 77 - Transparencia y confianza: cómo IOLERO supervisa la Oficina del Sheriff Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

La mayoría de la gente sabe que la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Sonoma se encarga de la aplicación de la ley en el condado. Sin embargo, es menos conocida la Oficina Independiente de Revisión y Difusión de las Fuerzas del Orden (IOLERO), una agencia independiente que supervisa la Oficina del Sheriff mediante la divulgación y la promoción de una mayor transparencia en las operaciones policiales. En este episodio, hablamos con el director de IOLERO, John Alden.

Episode 77 - Transparency & Trust: How IOLERO Oversees the Sheriff’s Office Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Most people know that law enforcement in the County is handled by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. What’s less well known is the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach or IOLERO, an independent agency that oversees the Sheriff’s Office through outreach and the promotion of greater transparency of law enforcement operations. In this episode, we speak with IOLERO Director, John Alden.

Episode 76- SoCo Chat hits the road: A preview of the 2025 Sonoma County Fair Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

This weeks episode, we are doing something a bit different. We are taking SoCo Chat on the road, specifically to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. We can already see preparations underway, which means that the Sonoma County Fair, a time-honored and cherished summer tradition, is almost here.

To give us a preview of the upcoming fair, including what’s new and exciting at this year’s event, we have as our guest Matt Daly, Chief Executive Office of the Sonoma County Fair

Capitulo 76- SoCo Chat de paseo: Un avance de la Feria del Condado de Sonoma Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

En el capítulo de esta semana, vamos a hacer algo un poco diferente. Vamos a llevar SoCo Chat de excursión, concretamente al recinto de la Feria del Condado de Sonoma. Ya podemos ver los preparativos en marcha, lo que significa que la Feria del Condado de Sonoma, una tradición veraniega muy apreciada y con mucha historia, está a punto de comenzar.

Y para hablar con nosotros, tenemos el placer de contar con un invitado muy especial ya que es el primer invitado en ser entrevistado tres veces en SoCo Chat Español. Hoy representando por segunda ocasión a la Feria del Condado de Sonoma, le damos la bienvenida a Hugo Mata.

Episode 75- LEAP Toward Change: How Lived Experience is Shaping Sonoma County’s Homeless Services Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

On this weeks episode, we are talking about homelessness, an issue that is unfortunately prevalent in Sonoma County. Fortunately, there is a lot of support for homeless individuals including the Lived Experience Advisory and Planning Board, or LEAP.

The board is comprised of diverse people with lived experience of homelessness, with an emphasis on racial and ethnic diversity. The purpose of the LEAP Board is to advise Sonoma County on homeless-related programs, policies and how to spend money targeted for homeless services. Here to talk about all of this is the Chair of the LEAP Board, Rebekah Sammet.

Episode 74 - Keeping pets safe in the summer heat Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

We’re excited to welcome back a familiar face — Emma Diemert, the Animal Shelter Supervisor at the Sonoma County Animal Shelter. Emma joined us previously to discuss the incredible work being done at the shelter, and today she’s back to focus on something extremely important this time of year: summer safety for our pets.

Episode 73- From Awareness to Action: Confronting HIV/AIDS in Sonoma County Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Our topic is HIV and AIDS, and what the Sonoma County Public Health Division is doing to raise awareness about this communicable disease. We covered similar ground in the fall, but it is an important topic, so we are revisiting it.

As our guest today, we welcome back Miranda Patrick, a public health nurse who specializes in sexually transmitted infections and who is particularly focused on HIV.

Episode 72- Inside Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Anyone who has ever watched a courtroom drama on TV will know that the right to an attorney is fundamental to our legal system. But not everyone can afford to retain legal representation. In those cases, the court will appoint a lawyer to represent a defendant and ensure a fair trial. That’s when the Public Defender’s office becomes involved.

The office provides free legal services to defendants who are not financially able to employ their own counsel. It also provides support for immigrants facing deportation proceedings. Here to talk about this is the Sonoma County Public Defender, Brian Morris.

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