As 2021 screeches to a close (and we're not sorry about that are we?), we look toward 2022 with hopeful anticipation.  The last two'ish years have been tough on all of us for so many reasons and we're all looking for ways to expand our mental and physical well-being. I talk with the lovely Melissa Kinsel about her lifelong learning with yoga and how rookies like me (and you!) can tap into the positive wellness benefits of yoga. 

Join host Michelle R Scully and her guest, the fascinating Lisa Kaplan to discuss all things Art/Life.  Lisa Kaplan is the Executive Director of the Middletown Art Center (MAC) and a multi-media artist. Lisa shares her fascinating ancestry, experience living in Israel, and her journey from art schools to ending up in Lake County.  We talk about how the MAC came to be, how art infuses life, the momentous impact of the Valley Fire on the south county communities, and how MAC has been a place of safety, community, and healing.  Lisa confirms that I am very funny and shares how she creates her art with the intent of helping mend the world.   

Host Michelle R Scully's guests on this episode of the Gathering are the dynamic duo Roberta and Dr. Harry Lyons. We talk about the incredible natural landscape of Lake County, the big bodacious Clear Lake of course, our favorite birds, dancing, and we tell LOTS of secrets.  Keep it on the DL.  You'll love Roberta and Harry together, we had almost too much fun.  

Host Michelle R Scully gets the scoop about the upcoming Big Valley, Small Farms Tour with guests Mark and Tamara Lipps of Ripe Choice Farm and Catering on this episode of Gathering. Join us to learn a little about The Ripe Choice Farm, find out what common thread the three of us share, and how you don't want to miss this upcoming tour.  Oh yeah, of course, we talk about Bud, the pot-bellied pig with has his own fan club.  Big Valley, Small Farms Tour is September 19, 2021 9 - 3.  It's a don't miss day; mark the calendar to enjoy all the fabulous small farms featured -The Ripe Choice Farm, Peace and Plenty Farm, Edenberry Farm, Finca Castelero Farm, Bell Haven Flower Farm, and Campodonico Olive Farm.  Be there so you don't experience FOMO.  Contact [email protected] for more info! 

Host Michelle R Scully hosts a dog party!  Join me to talk DOGS with Val Stallings, Canine Coach, Behavior Consultant, and owner of Send Rover on Over.  We talk about our shared love of dogs, the importance of positive reinforcement,  choosing a dog breed and energy type that matches your family 'style' to ensure a win-win-win!  I ask Val for her top beneficial suggestions for those of us looking to continue improving our relationship with our dogs. We had a bit of a time-delay in our conversation, but I think you'll love hearing insights from someone who has made a life of helping dogs (and their humans!) to be their best selves! Now go out there and be as awesome as your dog thinks you are! 

Host Michelle R Scully's guests on this Vision Quest episode of Gathering are Brian Fisher and Karen Pavone with Visit Lake County CA.  Brian is the owner/operator of Suite on Main boutique stay in Kelseyville and the newly appointed Executive Director of the Lake County Tourism Improvement District.  Karen Pavone, of Karen Pavone Photography and Ink Farm Creative, is the creative visual genius bringing the brand to life for Visit Lake County CA's social media presence. They've been killing it in the social media space, getting the word out about what we've known all along, that Lake County is bursting with beauty.  We talk about the experience of 'rebranding' Lake County's tourism presence and how in spite of a global pandemic, people are being drawn to explore the hidden gems of Lake County. I surprised Brian and Karen by asking our two favorite Oklahomans, Libby Bender, VP and Chief Branding Officer, and Amber Row, Senior Account Manager of Belo + Company to podcast 'bomb' us.  Libby and Amber were the dynamic duo who lead us with the rebranding process, and not only helped create the new face of Lake County's tourism marketing but became life-long friends in the process. Libby and Amber share their observations of the impact of the pandemic on tourism, trends they are seeing, and confirm, without too much arm-twisting, that they LOVE Lake County most of all. Check them out at www.lakecounty.com; www.karenpavonephotography.com 

Host Michelle R Scully's guests on this episode of the Gathering are Sharon Maher and Zabdy Neria. I had the privilege of knowing Sharon and Zabdy as former students when they pursued their bachelor's degrees in Lake County and now I feel blessed to call them friends.  We talk about going to high school in Lake County, moving away, and making the decision to come back and make a life here.  We give a shout out to Lake County wines, throw a little shade Napa's way, talk about their perspectives on how our community can support and encourage our youth that this is a place of belonging where they too can make a place for themselves. Join me as we give space to young voices; two young women who graduated high school in Lake County, left, and came back to our community to contribute with a vengeance (the good kind of course!). 

Gathering, Episode 3: Vision Quest: Checking in on Cobb.  Host Michelle R Scully's guests on this episode of the Gathering are the tenacious trio from Cobb Mountain - Cathy McCarthy and Cindy Leonard of the Cobb Area Council and our District 5 Supervisor, Jessica Pyska.  We talk all things Cobb Mountain; from ice cream, the resorts of long ago and the resurgence we're seeing today, resilience in the aftermath of disaster, bodacious blackberries, to the importance of having fun now more than ever.

Host Michelle R Scully's guest on the Gathering is Shannon Kimball Auth, Manager of Community Integration for Adventist Health, and lead of Project Restoration. We talk about pants, all the different hats she has worn, and her work to combat homelessness in our community.  You'll appreciate Shannon's wise insights and words of encouragement about how to supercharge your heart's passion and get out from under the weight of weariness. Join me for this fast-paced visit with this powerhouse with a servant's heart.  

It’s been a year y’all.  The pandemic provided us so many challenges and so many opportunities to learn, expand our thinking, and yep, to eat way more pizza than necessary.  My guests today are Rachel and Christian Ahlmann, of Six Sigma Ranch, Vineyard, and Winery but we won’t be talking business.  Four years ago Rachel and Christian decided to live debt-free and create a light carbon footprint by making a vintage Airstream trailer home to them and their three awesome kids.  Multiply that togetherness in a 30’ by 8’ aluminum space by 1000x when the pandemic came along and threw a curveball or ten. We talk what makes the Ahlmann 5 tick, life lessons with kids and from kids, and everything in between. Check them out on Instagram @sixsigmaranch