Issues & Ideas
Issues & Ideas
KCBX
"Issues and Ideas" is a weekly magazine program exploring news, arts, and culture in California and on the Central Coast.Regular audio segments are produced by the following contributors:People and the Planet produced by Gianna PatchenRaiseUp Radio produced by Julie LynemWine Country produced by Mira HoneycuttPlaying with Food produced by Fr. Ian DelingerThe Nonprofit Story produced by Dr. Consuelo MeuxJourneys of Discovery produced by Tom Wilmer Book Waves produced by Brian ReynoldsThe show is a production of the KCBX News Department with regular segments produced by reporters and staff:Kendra HannaGabriela FernandezMonica Lopez"Issues and Ideas" is produced and mixed by Emily Harris.Our engineers are Operations Director, Hank Hadley and Operations Assistant, Brad Kyle.
From competing to campus: Chef Arthur Dulin brings his award winning culinary talent to Cal Poly
Cal Poly Dining Services Chef Arthur Dulin talks about his recent award and going for gold at next year's National Association of College & University Food Services Challenge. From bagels to cookies, San Luis Obispo baker Michael Milch talks about baking the foods he loves– gluten free. And John Smigelski with the California Alliance for Community Energy talks about a recent report on the cost to keep Diablo Canyon Power Plant running.
Aug 1
59 min
Festival Mozaic's SLO Music and Arts Festival kicks off
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.
Jul 15
59 min
SLO’s Citywide Single Vote: How did we get here?
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.
Jun 1
59 min
From food insecurity to abundant tables
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.
Mar 18
58 min
The power of choral music, Author Chris Blake, and a Zero Foodprint program
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.
Nov 26, 2025
58 min
Independent bookstores and wine from Cambria
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.
Nov 22, 2025
39 min
Diablo Canyon, Morro Bay Bird Festival and the SLO Food Bank
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.
Nov 3, 2025
59 min
Horror flicks, the magical world of legumes, and happy animals
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.
Oct 28, 2025
59 min
Film, community libraries, and the power of teaching people to read
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.
Oct 21, 2025
59 min
Load more