Laguna Talks

We interview Shallom Berkman, co-founder of iconic Urth Caffe, which recently opened its first Orange County location in the historic Cottage building.

Meet 5 Laguna burners who attended this year’s festival, and gain riveting insights from first-timers Geoffrey Godot and Meschi Schmidt, and veterans in the game Chris Prelitz, Jerry Bloch and Giada Fried.

Jodie Gates is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Laguna Dance Festival. She was recently named Associate Dean of the USC School of Dance. Listen to her journey, love of dance, and why it’s important for Laguna.

Meet Clay Berryhill, Laguna local, tech entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the brains behind 133, the Laguna Beach super group of all-star players that only Clay could pull off. Tune in to hear his ambitious plans for the greatest band that never was. 133 is "the road to Laguna."

Meet local Laguna wood worker Von Aronson, an artist who is bringing ecstatic dance back to Laguna.

Meet the Kelp Lady. aka Nancy Caruso, the amazing and tireless marine biologist responsible for our kelp resurgence, the wonderful Kelp Fest, and her newest effort to restore our long extinct abalone population. Wow.

Join locals Andrew Soliz and Carrie Woodburn as they discuss how to be resilient in times of emergency, from natural disasters to supply shortages to disruptions of the grid. They explain how to come at it from a place of calm and security.

Meet Laguna fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse and learn about Laguna’s current fire risk, what we have done to mitigate it, and what’s left to do. Plus get Jeff’s take on our water crisis, and what it takes to be a fireman or woman.

Meet local designer, builder, and Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce President Gregg Abel. Gregg is a longtime force for good in town, a renown tastemaker with a California Craftsman sensibility. Gregg’s father Chris was one of the leading mid-century architects in Orange County, and Gregg has taken the family baton and run with it.

Meet Dave, the featured columnist for the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot community paper. Dave has a unique take on our town, and writes weekly about his keen observations and the quirky people who make up our town.

Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot’s only full time columnist David Hansen joins the show to talk about the writer’s process, and how he dreams up such colorful stories about our town.

Meet longtime Laguna local and all-around great character Bucky Baker expound on his recent, unfortunate incarceration. A fascinating and candid look at our prison system and whether it really functions to rehabilitate the incarcerated.

Listen to Ronnie expound on his 25 years with his epic band World Anthem, as well as bodysurfing the wedge, growing up in Laguna, and being a force for good in town.

Meet 12 term (that’s right 24 years) Planning Commissioner Norm Grossman. You would think that would make him stale, but think again. Norm is fresh, topical, and wanting to move Laguna forward.

We got a surprise visit when Mayor Bob Whalen stopped in and spent the next 90 minutes talking about his agenda for the coming year. It’s ambitious, and we love it!

Meet longtime Planning Commissioner and City Council candidate Rob Zur Schmiede expound on what he will do for Laguna if elected.

Meet newcomer city council candidate and lifelong resident Michele Hall talk about her vision for bringing a new generation of leadership to our town.

Meet the candidate for City Council, running as an Independent on the slogan "Laguna is a Masterpiece." Find out what he means and what he wants to do.

Meet the irascible Grossman – a one issue candidate who wants to overhaul the Laguna Beach Police. Find out why.

Meet 4 term City Council woman Toni Iseman, in the midst of her campaign for an unprecedented 5th term. Find out what makes Toni ticks.