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Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Bree Karpavage, the Open Studios and Tannery Arts Center Manager from Arts Council Santa Cruz County, to break down Santa Cruz Open Studios and why it’s become a core event for artists and the wider community. We talk through how the tour works, what it takes for artists to join, and why art visibility, education, and funding all connect.  • What Santa Cruz Open Studios is and how the October art tour works  • The scale of participation across the county and how to plan a route  • The financial impact for artists and what $1.4M in art sales signals  • Who Open Studios is best for and what artists need to prepare  • Professional development workshops that teach business skills for artists  • How the application and jury process works and what gets submitted  • Studio accessibility plus host locations for artists without public-ready spaces  • Barriers to entry, including fees and the emerging artist fund  • Why art matters to community health, culture, and voice  Find Bree: Tannery Arts Center Open Studios Santa Cruz County Arts Council Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County Instagram Facebook Support the show

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Inside Arts Council Santa Cruz County. We talk with Grants Manager Tamara Liu about how local artists and arts organizations fund their work, why public benefit matters, and how equity efforts are reshaping who receives support. We share clear advice on eligibility, applications, and ways to get involved. • What a grant is  • Where re-granted funds come from locally • Eligibility tied to residency and public sharing • How to simplify the application and submit work samples • Why demand exceeds supply and how reviews work • Equity progress across South County and communities of color and queer artists • Links between arts education, grants, and Open Studios • The council’s role in advocacy, training, and connections • How donors and volunteers expand flexible funding Find Tamara:  Arts Council Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County Instagram Facebook Support the show

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Inside Arts Council Santa Cruz County, we look at how the arts education fuels an entire creative ecosystem from first encounters in classrooms to paid teen teaching roles, veteran artists in schools, and dance programs for seniors living with dementia.  Sarah Brothers Bot the Arts Education Director shares how Arts Council Santa Cruz County connects schools, artists, and families to make the arts a durable force for learning and belonging. • Why arts education builds skills like empathy, resilience, and critical thinking • How Spectra teaching artists are trained and matched with schools • What makes Mariposa Arts a paid teen-to-child teaching pathway • How we train generalist teachers to integrate arts across subjects • Why Family Arts Nights deepen parent-school trust • Expanding to seniors and adult learners with movement and dance • Funding challenges and the need for ongoing advocacy • How grants, Open Studios, and education reinforce each other Find Sarah at: Mariposa Arts Arts Council Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County Instagram Facebook Support the show

Send us Fan Mail We trace Jacob Martinez’s path from outsider to builder and unpack how Digital NEST turns first-gen talent into confident leaders through transparency, training, and courageous asks. Real talk on hiring, culture, and stress gives a grounded playbook for turbulent times. • founding story shaped by class contrast and belonging • embedding leadership training for staff and youth • professional development funds and clear advancement • nonprofit hiring realities and people decisions • COVID pivot to online tools and community support • post-pandemic outreach to bring youth back • radical transparency with finances and access • compensation strategy tied to equity and runway • fundraising courage and mentorship on the ask • stress management, sabbaticals, and boundaries • advice for emerging and seasoned leaders Support  & Hire the youth! Find us at digitalnest.org and on socials. Email Jacob at [email protected] Bio Jacob Martinez, founder & CEO of Digital NEST, is a social entrepreneur, tech educator, keynote speaker, and cutting-edge community collaborator. His mission is to bridge the digital divide and create opportunities for young people in rural communities to access the economic and social benefits of technology. Recognition for Martinez's work includes: 2020 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award, the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Entrepreneur Fellowship, 2024 UC Santa Cruz Alumni Achievement Award, and the 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year for Santa Cruz County, among others. He speaks frequently about his work at events, including TEDxSantaCruz and the 2015 White House Tech Meetup.  He sits on the boards of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation and the Center for Rural Innovation. He is an External Special Adviser to the UCSC Chancellor as well as an Advisor for Reservoir Ventures, a modern investment firm focused on supporting entrepreneurs in Central California and the Monterey Bay Area. When Jacob is not making sure youth in rural communities are ready for big careers, he spends time with his wife and three kids, and enjoys gardening and traveling. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail We explore people-first leadership with Casey Coonerty Protti of Bookshop Santa Cruz, from family roots in service to making brave, values-led decisions through crisis. COVID recalibrates pace, transparency meets limits, and empathy becomes a daily practice on the sales floor. • family culture of service shaping leadership style • upfront vs behind-the-scenes leadership trade-offs • slowing down decisions during COVID for safety • centring core values when answers are unclear • balancing mission and financial sustainability • training new staff on history and expectations • transparency, what to share, and unionization • anxiety, boundaries, and practical coping habits • controversial books and courageous curation • communication modes and avoiding performative input • why fiction grows empathy and better leadership • Readers Club details and community gratitude Bio Casey Coonerty Protti is the second-generation owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz located in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz for over 59 years. Casey received a BA from the University of California at Berkeley, a MPA from Harvard University and a MBA from Northwestern University. Casey returned to Santa Cruz to run daily operations of Bookshop Santa Cruz in 2006 after working in the nonprofit field and serving as a consultant for the American Bookseller’s Association. Besides raising her two children and trying to read and travel as much as possible, Casey served on the Downtown Commission of Santa Cruz and the boards of the Santa Cruz Downtown Association, the Santa Cruz Education Foundation, The Independent Booksellers Consortium, The Women's Educational Success Program at Cabrillo College and the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail We trace Justin Cummings’ path from early leadership training to steering Santa Cruz through a pandemic, fires, and a fragile housing landscape. Practical stories show how to connect experts, cut red tape, protect renters, and stay grounded without losing joy. • early leadership roots in camp programs and team captaincy • becoming mayor during crisis and defining the role • building information bridges across sectors • doubling local COVID testing capacity through escalation and certification • handling criticism with clarity and boundaries • self care, time management and public visibility • housing instability as the central community risk • tenant protections and a funded attorney resource • transparency versus strategy in public communication • culture setting through joy, humor and choosing issues not sides • advice for emerging leaders on listening and sharing the stage  Bio I moved to Santa Cruz from Chicago in 2007 to pursue a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology with a designated emphasis in environmental science from UC-Santa Cruz, which I received in 2013.  My work has largely focused on invasive species eradication in places such as Panama and the Galapagos, sustainable fisheries science, tropical forest restoration, assessing the impacts of climate change on the environment, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in environmental conservation. After a brief post-doc in Miami, I returned to Santa Cruz in 2015 to co-found and direct the UC-Santa Cruz Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program, whose mission is to prepare college students from diverse backgrounds to become the next generation of conservation leaders.     In Santa Cruz, I witnessed and experienced the impacts of the exorbitant housing market. I got involved in a rent control measure campaign and was one of the highest signature gatherers to place the measure on the 2018 ballot. This, along with a commitment to community engagement, prompted me to run for city council. In 2018, I was the highest vote recipient and became one of two African American men voted onto the Santa Cruz City Council for the first time in history. In 2020 I became the first African American man to serve as Mayor of the City of Santa Cruz. In 2022, I was elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors as the Third District Supervisor.    During my time on the council, I focused on sustainable community growth, increasing affordable housing, reducing carbon emissions, public safety reform, amplifying the voices of marginalized community members, connecting people to resources during the pandemic, and most importantly bringing our community together to make Santa Cruz better for everyone.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Thomas Sage Pedersen sits down with Maria Elena De La Garza, Executive Director of the Community Action Board, to explore what it means to lead with grace, authenticity, and service. Maria shares her journey from growing up in her family’s restaurant to leading one of the most community-rooted organizations in Santa Cruz County. Through stories of faith, mentorship, and the power of showing up, she reminds us that true leadership begins with healing ourselves and walking with our people—fiercely, humbly, and with love. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail The room gets loud when stakes are high—threats, rumors, pressure, even your own inner commentary. We sat down with DeAndre James, executive director of the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley to map a saner path through the chaos: turn down the noise, clarify the facts, and move with integrity even when power says “wait.” From an all-night food mission in the mil tary that drew bogus warnings to the green light on a new wellness center in Watsonville, this conversation shows how courage and patience can coexist. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Ever noticed how the mightiest sequoias require fire to release their seeds? This morning's reflection explores how today's political turmoil—regardless of where you stand—offers similar potential for transformation when approached with warrior-like resilience. The current political landscape didn't emerge overnight. It's been building for decades through grassroots movements, reminding us that meaningful change requires patience and persistence. As a Sagittarius, I've developed a deep appreciation for fire's dual nature: its destructive power alongside its generative potential. What if we viewed our current societal discomfort through this lens? When feeling overwhelmed by the news cycle, I've found strength in stopping to ask: "What would be a world worth fighting for?" This simple question shifts focus from what we resist to what we create. Rather than dismissing empathy as weakness, I've discovered it's actually the foundation for understanding something far greater. By channeling compassion amid chaos, we open ourselves to possibilities that remain hidden when operating from fear alone. The obstacles we face today aren't just challenges to overcome—they're invitations to reimagine how we might do things differently. Take a moment today to rest, breathe deeply, and consider: what beauty might emerge from this current fire? What seeds within you are waiting for these exact conditions to germinate into something magnificent? Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Imagine transforming your life through fitness and faith. Join us for an engaging conversation with fitness extraordinaire Nativo Gonzalez, who opens up about his journey from podcasting to personal growth and wellness. Nativo shares the poignant reasons behind ending his beloved podcast, "Paid the Cost," and the joy he found in passing his equipment to a trusted friend for future meaningful endeavors.  He reflects on the invaluable lessons learned from diverse guests, including a transformative moment with Pastor Jerry Morales that deepened his understanding of identity and spirituality. Discover the trials and triumphs of maintaining discipline in fitness and nutrition. Nativo shares humorous and heartfelt stories about meal prepping, adapting to a new physique, and setting a positive example for family and community.  Learn about the blessings of following one's passion, the balance of priorities, and the enduring support from loved ones. This episode is packed with words of wisdom and inspiration, encouraging listeners to embrace health and wellness, live in the moment, and become part of something greater. Everyone's Music School Creating positive and lasting change in people's lives with music!Twdcc's Black health Matters InitiativePromotes equity to improve the quality of life for Black residents in Santa Cruz CountyIgnite NexusConsulting, life & executive coaching for organizations & individuals. Start the journey today!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how journalism and PR can coexist in harmony, or how the lessons from Star Wars might apply to real-life professions?  Join us on Speak for Change as I chat with my dear friend Ashley Drew Owen, who takes us through her fascinating journey from the newsroom to the world of public relations. Ashley shares the ethical tightrope she walks to maintain her journalistic integrity while thriving in PR, and we have a bit of fun drawing parallels between these two fields and the light and dark sides of the Force. The episode isn't just about professional transitions; it's also a heartfelt exploration of personal storytelling and its immense power. We reflect on the simple, early joys of sharing personal stories with friends and delve into the profound connections such sharing fosters. From overcoming fears of imperfection to the therapeutic benefits of writing, we explore numerous facets of creativity and confidence.  Our conversation touches on the creative process in both personal and professional realms, celebrating achievements, nurturing curiosity, and embracing actions that lead to progress. We also dive into the enriching world of performing arts and the unique ways they enhance empathy and human understanding.  Wrapping up with a discussion about the inspiring connections between food, community, and kindness, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and themes that resonate deeply with the human experience. Ignite NexusConsulting, life & executive coaching for organizations & individuals. Start the journey today!Everyone's Music School Creating positive and lasting change in people's lives with music!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What does freedom mean to you? Join us as we unravel the concept of freedom through the unique perspectives of friendship and art. Our collaborative project, "The Shapes and Sounds of Freedom," springs from an unlikely yet profound friendship with Yayah.  Our journey began with backyard gatherings filled with music, dance, and deep conversations, all of which shaped our understanding of energy and freedom. We share these heartwarming anecdotes and how they led to a multidisciplinary artistic venture that celebrates authentic expression. Listen in on an intimate conversation with two musicians who open up about their creative journeys and the power of vulnerability. We discuss how shedding inhibitions and embracing new environments, like the experimental art venue Indexical, has been transformative.  This episode also delves into the complexities of navigating red flags versus obstacles in relationships and projects. We explore the healing power of music and poetry, and the necessity of facing discomfort for personal growth and liberation. Finally, we touch on the emotional intensity of the classical music world and the cathartic power of laughter. We reflect on our own experiences of balancing personal commitments with professional demands and the importance of honest communication.  Through personal stories and candid discussions, we underscore the significance of authenticity and the joy of creating art with others. Don't miss out on this heartfelt exploration of personal growth, artistic liberation, and the beauty of genuine human connections. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Can sound transform your everyday life into a symphony? Join us on Speak for Change as we explore the extraordinary creative world of Bora Yoon, an interdisciplinary artist and musician.  From her early days with classical instruments to her passion for choral and experimental music, discover how influential artists like Ani DiFranco, Tori Amos, and Björk shaped her journey.  Bora opens up about her unique approach to music, the significance of archetypal personas, and how dream language deeply influences her performances. Dive into the captivating interplay between sound, noise, and music as Bora elucidates the concept of perfect pitch and its magical ability to turn mundane sounds into compelling musical compositions.  We discuss the fusion of sound design and music composition, drawing parallels to surrealist films and the evocative power of sound memories. This episode brings to light the challenges creative individuals face, from economic hurdles to personal limitations, and how these obstacles can sometimes fuel innovative artistry. Experience the eclectic world of orchestral percussion and experimental notation through Bora's lens, highlighting her piece "Parhelion" created for the Cabrillo Festival. The conversation touches on the intricate process of integrating diverse musical elements, the influence of astrology, and the spiritual impact of natural phenomena on her work. We reflect on the evolving arts landscape, the importance of diverse musical identities, and the need for an inclusive music theory curriculum.  This episode is a treasure trove for anyone passionate about the boundless possibilities of creative expression in music. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail https://www.annaclyne.com/ What sparks creativity in the mind of a Grammy-nominated composer? Join us as we sit down with Anna Clyne, whose journey into the world of music and composition unfolds in this captivating episode.  From receiving her first piano at age seven to her master’s studies that fueled her passion for composition, Anna’s path is a testament to the transformative power of music. Discover how her early exposure to diverse musical genres shaped her unique approach, and how integrating visual art into her compositions, notably in "Night Ferry" and her ongoing project "Palette," has pushed the boundaries of contemporary music. Ever wondered how an unexpected technical glitch can inspire musical genius? Anna shares the allure of composing music by hand and the serendipitous moments that breathe life into her work.  Hear about the world premiere of "The Gorgeous Nothings" at the BBC Proms, an exquisite piece inspired by Emily Dickinson's poetry. Anna also opens up about "Within Her Arms," a moving tribute to a loved one, and offers a glimpse into her peaceful yet creatively charged life in the picturesque Hudson Valley. As we delve deeper, Anna's reflections on personal beliefs, mindfulness, and the preciousness of life add profound layers to her artistic narrative. Her love for the banjo and the whimsical idea of composing a banjo concerto showcase the depth and breadth of her musical interests. This episode is filled with rich insights, from her experiences with Japanese calligraphy to lively debates over Marmite, painting a vivid portrait of an artist constantly in pursuit of creative expression. Don't miss this enriching conversation with Anna Clyne. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail https://www.theandyhudson.com/ Ever wondered how a simple mix-up could change the course of a musician's life? Join us on Speak for Change as Andy Hudson, a talented clarinetist and educator, recounts the amusing story of how he ended up with a clarinet instead of the saxophone he originally desired.   Through a blend of humor and passion, Andy shares his remarkable evolution from reluctantly playing the clarinet to discovering his profound love for the bass clarinet, an instrument he now champions for its marimba-like range and versatility in the orchestra. Experience the captivating world of contemporary and experimental music as Andy takes us through a memorable performance of an Alvin Lucier piece in a Chinese restaurant. Discover the power of music in unconventional venues and the importance of connecting with young audiences through new stories and compositions.  Through collaborations with composers like Yvonne Rodriguez, whose works explore themes of migration, Andy illustrates how contemporary music can foster empathy and enrich our understanding of classical repertoire, ultimately bridging cultural gaps and enhancing humanity. Explore the significance of play, experimentation, and community engagement in shaping the future of orchestral music. Andy highlights the challenges and triumphs of integrating new voices into traditional orchestra settings, celebrating the Cabrillo Festival's role in promoting innovation.  From the transformative power of bringing orchestral music to local communities to the dedication of musicians interpreting contemporary works, this episode emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, accessibility, and the joy of continuous artistic exploration. Tune in for an inspirational journey that underscores how music can drive personal and collective transformation. Everyone's Music School Creating positive and lasting change in people's lives with music!Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music Transform the orchestral experience for artists & audiences by building a vibrant community &more Ignite NexusConsulting, life & executive coaching for organizations & individuals. Start the journey today!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show