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Issues and Ideas features a wide variety of people sharing their thoughts and perspectives about local issues, initiatives and happenings on the Central Coast. You might hear a policy maker discussing new regulation, an artist sharing their creative process, an entrepreneur exploring sustainable business practices, or an author talking about her latest book.Our regular segments include: "Wine Country" with wine journalist and author Mira Honeycutt; literary conversations on "Bookwaves" with former librarian Brian Reynolds; "Playing With Food" with culinary enthusiast Fr. Ian Delinger; stories of Central Coast downtowns on "Talking Downtown" with Carol Tangeman; Dr. Consuelo Meux's "The Nonprofit Story" that covers the work nonprofits are doing on the Central Coast, and "People and the Planet" with Gianna Patchen, who explores the interconnection between our communities and our environment.The show also carries occasional episodes from "Journeys of Discovery" by KCBX travel correspondent Tom Wilmer; features from the KCBX Newsroom, from KCSB, the student-run radio station at UC Santa Barbara, and from The California Report; along with interviews by other occasional contributors from our Central Coast community.

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Check latest episodes from Issues & Ideas podcast

Remembering Hank Hadley and Frank Lanzone

2026/10/06

This week, KCBX presents a special program honoring and remembering two of our own who passed away at the end of the summer: former General Manager Frank Lanzone and Operations Manager Hank Hadley.

SLO City Council Candidate Forum

2026/09/28

This week, KCBX News presents a pre-election forum with three candidates running for San Luis Obispo City Council: Brett Cross, Emily Francis, and Michelle Shoresman.

Is California overdue for the next ‘Big One’?

2026/08/18

Referred to as the “Big One,” the 1906 earthquake left an indelible mark in the minds of Californians and has left many wondering about the next one. Vicki Gonzalez of CapRadio's Insight speaks with UC Davis Geology Professor Mike Oskin about his research on earthquakes. Then KCBX’s Gabriela Fernandez speaks with San Luis Obispo Emergency Manager Joe Little on how residents can prepare for natural disasters like earthquakes and wildfires. And we journey to Morro Bay with producer Tom Wilmer who speaks with Larry Newland on what visitors can find at the Maritime Museum on the Embracadero.

The Costs of Offshore Drilling in California

2026/08/10

The restart of offshore oil production along the Central Coast has sparked a growing legal and political battle over whose authority it is to regulate the project. KCBX’s Gabriela Fernandez spoke with UC Santa Barbara political science professor Paasha Mahdavi about his research on the matter. Then CapRadio’s Insight host Vicki Gonzalez spoke with CalMatters health reporter Kristen Hwang about her new documentary exploring the future of Medi-Cal. And KCBX Contributor Mira Honeycutt visits Epoch Estate Wines, where history, innovation and sustainable farming come together in a Paso Robles’ vineyard.

Teddy’s Juke Joint, a legendary home for the blues and community

2026/07/23

We hear about one of the last standing Juke Joints in the country, Teddy’s Juke Joint near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We revisit two interviews, one from BookWaves producer Brian Reynolds with award winning author Susan Straight on her latest book Sacrament. Then RaiseUp Radio producer Julie Lynem speaks with CalPoly professors Kerry Langner and Amanda Fry on the complexities of raising children on the Central Coast.

Festival Mozaic's SLO Music and Arts Festival kicks off

2026/07/15

El Niño is poised to impact the climate globally and potentially along the Central Coast. The San Luis Obispo Music and Arts Festival by Festival Mozaic is set to return this week. And, the Santa Barbara News-Press is back! We’ll hear how the paper has been rebuilding its newsroom.

SLO’s Citywide Single Vote: How did we get here?

2026/06/01

San Luis Obispo is changing the way it elects city council members. A whitepaper out of UCSB argues PG&E is overcharging ratepayers. We wrap up with winemakers from Turley Cellars and Radial Estate.

From food insecurity to abundant tables

2026/03/18

On today’s program, we hear from the new head of a local group that works to address food insecurity on the Central Coast… Wine Country producer Mira Honeycutt sits down with Alma Rosa Winery's Samra Morris to talk about winemaking on the Central Coast... and Father Ian takes listeners to a stunning fruit ranch and wedding venue for a look at seasonal pears in his segment, Playing with Food.

The power of choral music, Author Chris Blake, and a Zero Foodprint program

2025/11/26

This week, we explore how music, storytelling, and environmental leadership are bringing our communities together. First, we’ll hear from the Master Chorale’s Outreach Committee about the power of choral music to connect people and inspire participation. Next, local author Chris Blake shares his journey of searching for meaning and connection in his new book, Searching for a God to Love. And finally, we’ll talk with leaders from Cal Poly’s Initiative for Climate Leadership and Resilience about their work to support regenerative agriculture and climate solutions through the Zero Foodprint program.

Independent bookstores and wine from Cambria

2025/11/22

Brian Reynolds chats with Carroll Leslie, owner of Volumes of Pleasure, about the rich history of the independent bookstore that has been serving Los Osos for over 50 years. Then, for Wine Country, Mira Honeycutt visits with vintner Rajat Parr at his Parr Collective winery in Cambria.

Diablo Canyon, Morro Bay Bird Festival and the SLO Food Bank

2025/11/03

Gianna Patchen is back with People and the Planet. This week she speaks with Kara Woodruff, a member of the Diablo Canyon decommissioning panel and the policy advisor to Senator John Laird.Then Carol Tangeman meets with Bob Revel of the Morro Bay Bird Festival.And our news correspondent, Natalia Young, talks with the SLO County Food Bank about the recent government shutdowns and how the food bank is preparing for people's needs.

Horror flicks, the magical world of legumes, and happy animals

2025/10/28

Halloween’s around the corner, and things are getting spooky at the SLO Film Center. David McAbee talks with Skye McLennan about what’s creeping onto the screen at The Palm Theater, just in time for Halloween.Then, Father Ian’s back with Playing with Food. This week, he’s going nuts for beans as he learns about legumes.And finally, David McAbee speaks with Melisa Beveridge of Woolleybear Travels, whose animal paintings are making a difference one sanctuary at a time.

Film, community libraries, and the power of teaching people to read

2025/10/21

David McAbee sits down with Carlos and Kyle Plummer of the SLO Film Society. With the Film Expo coming up in November and a fundraising night at The Bay Theater, they’ve got a lot happening, both on screen and behind the scenes.Then, Dr. Consuelo Meux is back with The Nonprofit Story. This week, it’s all things library as she talks with Juliane McAdam, President of the SLO Library Foundation, and County Library Director Christopher Barnicle.And we’ll close with Michelle Haddad from The Literacy Connection, who’s helping students and tutors build stronger futures, one page at a time.

Secret cinemas, marine protection & an author's local family history.

2025/10/17

David McAbee sits with Bob Whiteford, one of the owners of Insomniac Video, to talk about the rise, and eventual fall, of the beloved video store and how he’s now teaming up with The Palm Theatre to bring back a little movie magic through Insomniac Secret Cinema.Then, Gianna Patchen returns with another edition of People and the Planet. She speaks with Sandy Alesworth and Steph Wald about the Point Sal Marine Protection Program.And finally, Brian Reynolds talks with author and entrepreneur Mike Miner about his new book Heroes, Rogues, and Wisdom: A 20th Century American Family History.

Arts, advocacy, and a little wine country flair

2025/10/08

David McAbee sits down with Jordan Chesnut, executive director of the SLO County Arts Council, to talk about National Arts and Humanities Month. She also shares the data from the 2025 Arts and Culture Economic Impact Report. It’s art, passion, and data, all coming together.Then Rosie Boultman has a conversation with Christina Dawson from SLO County UndocuSupport, sharing how they’re helping longtime, local undocumented workers and families.And finally, Mira Honeycutt returns with another edition of Wine Country. She chats with Matt Kleefisch of The Ava Hotel in Paso Robles about what drew The Ava to Paso’s lush, inviting landscape.