Action Items Podcast

Journalist James Stout delves into his latest feature for Comstock's "What's Holding Up Valley Rail?" where he investigated delays in railway expansion throughout the Central Valley. We discuss the hurdles that are baked into the system, changing attitudes towards public transit and whether hopping on a train might be more commonplace in future America.  James Stout's work focuses on conflict, migration and anti-fascism. He has written for National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, Esquire and more, and he produces his own podcast, "It Could Happen Here." Improve your business outcomes and career trajectory by keeping up with Comstock’s. Subscribe to the magazine here.  Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0)

Host and Assistant Editor Dakota Morlan is joined by Editor Judy Farah and Senior VP and Director of Business Development Clayton Blakley as we celebrate 35 years of Comstock's magazine, remember how we got here and muse about where we're headed.  Read the digital edition of our anniversary issue here. Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0)

Sacramento's performing arts powerhouse and Comstock's 2024 Young Professionals honoree Jacob Gutierrez-Montoya shares how he's found success in an elusive field, his vision for the Sac arts scene and why he (sometimes) works for free.  Get to know Comstock's 2024 Young Professionals here.  Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0)

Inventive minds have always looked to the skies for inspiration, but new imaging tools have unlocked a more intricate study of bird flight. In this episode, UC Davis faculty members Christina Harvey, an aerospace engineering expert, and Michelle Hawkins, director of the California Raptor Center, discuss a Defense Department-funded research project to inform future drone technologies. Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) Read the featured story “Fly Like an Eagle” here.   

In this special episode, we get to know some of our 2024 Women in Leadership while exploring the Jacquelyn, a new bar, restaurant and private club venue in Sacramento.  Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) Read more about Comstock's Women in Leadership here. 

Nurse practitioner and founder of Destination Aesthetics Shawna Chrisman is on a mission to dispel the myths surrounding aesthetic treatments. In this episode, we discuss unusual patients, "the natural look," emerging technologies, how much is too much, looking younger in the workplace and why medical aesthetics aren't just for women anymore.  Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) Read the featured story “The Evolution of Aesthetics” here. 

Jennifer T. Smilowitz, assistant professor of the cooperative extension in the Department of Nutrition at UC Davis, is a breast milk expert and devotee. In this episode we talk about the science, potential medical applications, cultural context, barriers to breastfeeding and why there is no true substitute for human breast milk. Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) Read the featured story "Beyond the Bottle" here.  To subscribe to Comstock's magazine, visit comstocksmag.com.

Father and daughter Jim Mayfield and Hannah de Bie of Sub Sea Systems discuss marine tourism, VR integration, Saudi Arabia's entertainment megaproject Qiddiya, the importance of ocean exploration and working with family.  Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) Read about Sub Sea and other unique family businesses here.  To subscribe to Comstock's magazine, visit comstocksmag.com.

San Joaquin County Historical Museum's executive director and fifth generation Stocktonian Phillip Merlo speaks on the rich history, abundant opportunities and dogged optimism of the port city. Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) Read the featured story "Manufacturing a New Vision for Stockton" here.  To subscribe to Comstock's magazine, visit comstocksmag.com.

Fathom co-founder Eric Howard discusses generative AI tools, artistic value and how creatives can adapt to a changing industry. To read the article, visit comstocksmag.com.  Hosted by Dakota Morlan Produced by Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0)

Comstock's Young Professionals Lauren Oto and Nathan Langley talk about mentors, working with AI and what it was like to be a "Rock Star" in this issue's spread.  Host: Dakota Morlan Producers: Dominic Tassinari and Dakota Morlan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0)     

Boutique marketing agencies in the Capital Region consider the medium to be just as important as the message itself. They recognize the demand for video on platforms like TikTok and YouTube as reflective of our need for human connection and a growing demand for more “unfiltered” content.  Writer and reader: Robin Douglas Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Danna Sweidan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0)  Read the story here: https://www.comstocksmag.com/longreads/medium-message  

Are you frequently labeled “a lot,” “difficult” or “loud” at work? Do managers often not know what to do with you? Do you accidentally alienate coworkers with your “a-lotness”? Do people look you in the eye and call you exhausting? Why not try: working from home? Writer and reader: Melody White Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Danna Sweidan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0)  Read the story here: https://www.comstocksmag.com/article/working-home-extrovert

In a year of rising costs, farmers still have quality as an advantage. Still, farmers market vendors and shoppers are struggling to stretch their dollars. Writer and reader: Kate Gonzales Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Danna Sweidan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) (include links) Read the story here: https://www.comstocksmag.com/article/inflation-hits-market-basket

Comstock's invited some of our Young Professionals honorees for happy hour at Canon Restaurant to talk mentorship and nonlinear career paths. Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Danna Sweidan, Johnny Flores and Vanessa Labi Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0)  Read Latoya Jackson-Lainez's profile here and Amber Celmer's profile here: 

Capital Region music festivals attract tens of thousands of fans from nearby areas and from all around the country, shaping its identity and boosting the local economy. Writer and reader: Steve Martarano Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Vanessa Labi and Danna Sweidan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) (include links) Read the story here: (link)   Teaser sentence Writer and reader: (name) Host: (name) Producer: (name) Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) (include links) Read the story here: (link)

The pop-up model allows independent chefs to experiment with new concepts and creative menus without investing in overhead. Writer and reader: Vanessa Labi Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Vanessa Labi Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) (include links) Read the story here: https://www.comstocksmag.com/article/pop-ups-are-popping

As national and international tourism decreased during the pandemic, regional visitation saw a boost. We profile three small picturesque towns that got a big increase in visitors. Writer and reader: Scott Thomas Anderson Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Danna Sweidan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) (include links) Read the story here: (link)

Comstock’s magazine invited three of our 2022 Women in Leadership honorees to join us for a discussion on the ways women are shaping the future of the Capital Region. Listen in on our conversation with Preet Ahluwalia, the investment officer who graced our cover this year; Amber Hoiska, VP of Pac Shield Roof Services; and Lora Anguay, chief zero carbon officer of SMUD. Host: Vanessa Labi, Jennifer Fergesen Producer: Danna Sweidan  Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) (include links) Read the story here: https://www.comstocksmag.com/women-leadership

Young restaurateurs in the Capital Region are rewriting the definition of authenticity. Writer and reader: Jennifer Fergesen Host: Vanessa Labi Producer: Danna Sweidan Music: Time Out by Atch (CC BY 3.0) (include links) Read the story here: https://www.comstocksmag.com/article/new-fusion-food