100% Humboldt

Send us a text What makes a small town strong? For Becky Giacomini, it starts with ranch gates, school doors, and hospital halls—and a promise to show up. We dive into Becky’s journey from Southern California to the Eel River Valley, where she met her husband at a rodeo, grew potatoes into chips, raised a family, and spent 30 years in education before stepping into community leadership full time. We talk about the cultural fabric of Fortuna, Ferndale, and Rio Dell—how dairy and cattle families fuel youth programs, FFA chapters, and the fair’s sale day. Becky breaks down why Humboldt’s ag roots matter to everyone, not just ranchers: they form a resilient network that keeps kids engaged, supports local businesses, and rallies neighbors when floods and fires hit. She shares a powerful mentorship lesson from the late Don Brown—enjoy the beauty here, bring the check not the casserole, and leave a legacy that lasts—and how that advice still guides her work. Healthcare sits center stage as Becky explains Women for Wellness, a member-led giving circle that funds critical equipment and education for Redwood Memorial and St. Joseph. It’s philanthropy with results, turning pooled donations into bedside improvements that touch thousands. We round out the conversation with Humboldt favorites—Centerville Beach, Russ Park, Seagrill, Benbow—and a candid look at FOMO, JOMO, and the boundaries that keep volunteers energized. If you care about rural community building, local healthcare, and the grit behind small-town resilience, this conversation will stick with you. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves Humboldt, and leave a review to help others find the show. Then tell us: where will you show up this week? Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text A bottle pops, and so does a life story. Rosa Dixon joins us to share how a childhood on a Tennessee commune shaped her instinct to collaborate, how New York City sharpened her operator’s edge, and how a frightening misdiagnosis led her to build Raised Gluten Free—now a national brand with 18 products in 7,500 retailers. From pies at the farmer’s market to private label partnerships with Walmart and Sprouts and a recent Target launch, Rosa breaks down the unglamorous math of scaling food: distribution hubs, shared kitchens, and community support that makes the difference between a hopeful idea and a healthy company. We also go deep on Humboldt Made—what it actually does for local makers, why Friday Night Markets fund the mission, and how storytelling inside grocery stores helps shoppers discover the people behind beloved products. With new Headwaters backing, we’re taking a Humboldt row to Natural Products Expo West, putting Maka Pierogies, Jersey Guy Scoop, Nomolina Pesto, and Shroom Shots in front of the buyers who can change a company’s trajectory. Rosa explains how to prepare for trade shows, turn a single email into a regional launch, and keep wins circulating here at home. Then crisis hits close to home. The Arcata fire destroyed seven businesses and threatened the historic downtown. Within 48 hours, more than 50 community leaders aligned on roles, relief, and fundraising—PG&E pledged $50,000, banks and the university followed, and a committee is forming to assess needs and distribute funds. We lay out simple ways to help: show up for the porch-party fundraiser weekend, spend with neighboring shops, and lean into the Choose Humboldt app and articles that make supporting local easy and fun. Along the way, Rosa shares a personal health reset—losing 70 pounds, lifting heavy, and finding daily discipline—and the legacy she hopes to leave: wake up trying to help, support, and love. If this resonates, share the episode with a friend, subscribe for more Humboldt maker stories, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text Ever wonder who keeps local voices on the air when big media moves on and broadband eats cable? We sit down with Access Humboldt’s executive director, Christina Jeffers, to explore how a PEG station—public, education, and government—safeguards free speech, broadcasts full civic meetings without edits, and gives anyone in the community the tools to make radio and TV. Christina’s story is a ride: theater and stunt acting in Los Angeles, a decade in an ER, bold creative development in Sacramento, and now leading a small but mighty team that treats transparency and storytelling as public goods. We dig into what Access Humboldt actually does—five cable channels, a low-power FM station, and a programming approach that elevates citizen creators alongside government coverage—and why it matters more as algorithms shrink attention spans and national outlets chase hot takes. Christina explains the money puzzle: franchise fees were designed to compensate the public when cable used shared rights-of-way, but as telecoms shifted services to “broadband,” funding eroded. The stakes are concrete: fewer resources for distance learning, fewer hands to staff meetings, and fewer doors for new creators to walk through. And yet, the solution is close to home—local support, smarter partnerships, and programs like Boltfest, a year-round short film incubator that takes ten-page scripts to a real red carpet. Along the way, we talk identity, belonging, and why self-expression fights isolation. Christina’s Burning Man stories aren’t about shock; they’re about permission and generosity—the same spirit she brings to Access Humboldt. If you care about open government, rural education access, or seeing your neighbors on screen instead of in the comments, this conversation will give you a map and a reason to act. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves local media, and leave a review to help more people find the show. Want to keep community media alive? Donate, volunteer, or pitch a show idea—then tell us what you’d make first. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text What if the safest street is also the one that moves the most people with the least stress? That’s the question we chase with CRTP’s executive director, Colin Fiske , as we unpack how Humboldt can move beyond car-only thinking and build streets that actually serve the way we live. From Arcata’s trail links to Eureka’s most dangerous corridors, we connect policy, culture, and design into a practical roadmap for change. We start with the wins: the Annie and Mary Trail segment tying Cal Poly Humboldt to Arcata, Bay Trail momentum, and the promise of the Great Redwood Trail from Eureka to College of the Redwoods. Then we get into the systems thinking. Protected bike lanes don’t just help cyclists; they reduce car crashes. Real bike boulevards slow and thin traffic so families feel safe. Walk audits expose blind spots on Fourth, Fifth, and Broadway, where most serious injuries cluster. And when callers demand more lanes, we talk induced demand—why congestion returns—and its lesser-known counterpart, traffic evaporation, which helps road diets and roundabouts work. Culture counts, too. “Motonormativity” shows how we give cars a moral pass we’d never grant elsewhere. Helmets help, but the lasting fix is street design that prevents crashes. Equity threads through everything: kids, elders, and low-income neighbors bear the brunt of fast arterials. The answer is closer homes, jobs, and services—think downtown housing over a transit center—plus a connected network so no trip requires braving a hostile block. Quick-build pilots with paint and posts prove ideas fast and make long-term projects smarter. If you care about safer crossings, reliable buses, protected lanes, and lively downtowns, you’ll find concrete steps and local examples you can act on today. Listen, share with a neighbor, and tell us: which street should get a road diet or protected lane next? If you’re enjoying the show, follow, rate, and leave a review—your feedback helps more people find conversations that move communities forward. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text A 115-year-old ferry shouldn’t be the heartbeat of a modern waterfront—but the Madaket is exactly that. We sit down with fifth-generation Humboldter and tug captain Leroy Zerlang to chart how a tiny passenger boat outlived an entire ferry fleet, helped launch maritime careers, and still carries school kids at the same price set decades ago. From cabinet shop to wheelhouse, Leroy’s path is a tour of Humboldt Bay’s grit, humor, and stubborn devotion to its working water. We dive into the Madaket’s rebuild after the Coast Guard said “fix it or retire,” the hands-on shipwright work that stretched from six months to two years, and why the boat’s continuous certification since 1910 makes it a rarity on the West Coast. Then we widen the lens: harbor cruises that reach the old Arcata Long Wharf, oysters and wildlife in Arcata Bay, the quiet power of the Skywalk and Carson Mansion on visitors, and a simple truth—tourists love this place. So why no bayfront hotels, few waterfront restaurants, and not enough space where the view can pay the bills? Leroy lays out a clear plan: invest in hospitality where it belongs—on the water—and build a destination Maritime Museum in historic Samoa. The working side matters just as much. Fishing’s been battered by closures and uncertainty, and boats are leaving. The fix is practical: ice, cold storage, repair space, reliable docks, and respect for the people who keep the waterfront alive. Along the way, we relive shipwrecks you can still see at minus tide, and the improbable rescue of the Golden Rule, a peace boat restored after years in Leroy’s yard that sailed to Hawaii and back. It all points to a shared vision Bonnie Gool championed: make the bay our front door, not our back door. If you care about Humboldt’s future, this conversation brings the map and the compass. Subscribe, share with a bay-loving friend, and leave a review with the one change you’d make first for our waterfront. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text A statue that seemed to smile on its way home. A hidden cabin that vanished overnight. A police log so human it reads like a short story. Our 100th milestone conversation with editor Kevin Hoover is a tour through Arcata’s past, present, and near future—told by someone who has walked every street, sat through the 7 a.m. meetings, and printed the town’s heartbeat onto shrinking pages week after week. We dig into how Cal Poly Humboldt is reshaping the region, from a $5.05 million purchase of Sun Valley Floral Farms to the ripple effects on housing, small business, and a bolder 15‑minute town vision for Arcata and McKinleyville. Kevin weighs promise against pressure, naming the culture and capital a campus brings while calling for planning that keeps neighborhoods livable, walkable, and resilient. Climate change raises the stakes as sea levels press toward the bay’s edge, and a new data center and undersea cables force fresh questions about digital infrastructure, local benefit, and trust. Along the way, Kevin shares the craft and chaos of building a paper from scratch, the ethics behind a beloved police blotter, and why profiles of “regular exceptional” people still matter more than any viral clip. We trade notes on the stages and makers that make Arcata hum—from CenterArts trios that fill a room like orchestras to Playhouse Arts’ role in knitting a district from creativity—and we get personal about best days, worst days, and the music he’s composing late at night in Logic Pro. If you care about local news, city planning, sea level rise, university growth, or simply how a town tells its truth, this one’s for you. Press play, then tell us what story surprised you most. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more curious neighbors can find us. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text What does it take to make wood sing? We sit down with Marimba One founder Ron Samuels to follow the arc from a Humboldt State spark to an Arcata workshop that supplies universities, symphonies, and soloists worldwide. Ron shares how an early encounter with African-style marimba led to years of hands-on experimenting, nights in woodshops, and the hard-earned knowledge of how to tune a bar so that overtones line up, resonators breathe, and a melody stays clear even when the room is alive. We dig into the craft behind the music: arches carved into the underside of bars to shape harmonics, resonators adjusted with precision plugs to balance warmth and brightness, and modern tooling—custom extrusions, injection-molded interfaces, and CNC machining—used not to mass-produce, but to stabilize frames and protect tone. Ron breaks down the differences between marimba, vibraphone, and xylophone, and how thoughtful engineering can make an eight-foot, 300-pound instrument feel responsive under the mallets. Along the way, we swap listening notes, from Bach’s cello suites on marimba to jazz vibes and a Rolling Stones classic that quietly features the instrument you didn’t know you knew. The conversation turns to sustainability with a breakthrough: a synthetic alternative that finally sounds like true rosewood. After years of R&D, player tests, and careful sourcing, the team unveiled material that keeps lines articulate without the harsh ring that plagues other substitutes. It’s conservation through acoustics, a practical path for schools, ensembles, and touring artists who need consistency and conscience. Grounded in Humboldt County’s creative network—engineers from Yakima days, artists, and builders—Ron’s shop also invests locally with school tours and concerts at the Arcata Playhouse. If you love craft, sound design, and the human stories behind great instruments, this one’s for you. Hit play, subscribe for more conversations with builder-founders and artists, and leave a review telling us your favorite marimba recording or the question you want us to ask Ron next. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text Roses blooming in February changed everything. That’s how Dr. Keith Flamer knew College of the Redwoods would be home—a place where Marine Corps grit and Jesuit heart could fuse into a people-first campus that serves Humboldt with purpose. In a wide-ranging conversation, we trace his path from Chicago’s west side and brand management at Kraft to graduate work at Gonzaga and two decades leading CR through change with transparency, humor, and resolve. We dive into the big pivot shaping community colleges: meaningful careers that don’t require four-year debt. Dr. Flamer lays out why CR’s future is anchored in healthcare pathways and skilled trades—nursing, allied health, welding, construction technology, aquaculture, and climate resilience. These programs move students into well-paying jobs faster, strengthen the regional workforce, and create stackable on-ramps for first-generation learners and working adults. Along the way, we talk student housing, a new PE and field house, upgraded athletics, creative arts improvements, and the Del Norte healthcare education center—projects designed to turn access into persistence and graduation. Policy and funding challenges are real, but they’re met with open books and decisive collaboration. Dr. Flamer walks us through balancing budgets without cutting opportunity, building partnerships with local industry and elected leaders, and keeping equity, inclusion, and community engagement at the center. Post-pandemic lessons—flexible online learning, tele-services, smarter scheduling—are now tools for long-term success. And beneath it all is a personal ethic: love people first. That’s the leadership that connects CR to Humboldt’s fabric, sends students seamlessly to Cal Poly Humboldt when it fits, and holds space for respectful disagreement as the community grows. Come for the story, stay for the playbook: practical steps to build programs that pay, campuses that belong to their neighbors, and a legacy defined by service. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—we read every word. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text Some conversations change how you see your neighbors. This one does. We sit with longtime educator and advocate Nezzie Wade to explore why Humboldt County’s per-capita homelessness ranks among the highest in the country and what can actually move the needle: community-first design, small-scale villages, safe parking, and dignity-forward services that meet people where they are. Nezzie's story threads from Catholic schooling and decades of teaching sociology to co-founding Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives (AHA). Along the way, she lays out a clear diagnosis: California’s housing targets are chronically underbuilt; income thresholds exclude those in crisis; and institutional models struggle to support people who’ve been surviving outside for years. The alternative is both humble and powerful—mutual aid as infrastructure. Think tiny house villages that function like neighborhoods, with roles and support baked in, not imposed. Think safe sheltering that invites participation and grows stability. We also spotlight AHHA’s mobile shower program: a custom trailer with ADA access that’s delivered more than 7,000 hot showers and services to 16,000+ guests across Eureka, Arcata, and McKinleyville. It’s a blueprint for practical compassion—hygiene, food, clothing, and referrals—built on local donations and grit, not red tape. Nezzie makes a direct ask: partners with land near transit, donors willing to seed operations and simple utilities, and listeners ready to help turn proven concepts into living spaces. If you care about Humboldt, housing, or humane policy, this conversation gives you facts, context, and a path to act. Subscribe, share with a friend who cares about solutions, and leave a review with one idea you’d support locally—land, funding, or time. Your voice helps build the village. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text A fight that ends in a handshake. A rural theater that sells out in Los Angeles. A historic bar that becomes a stage. Michael Fields joins us to trace a life built on place, grit, and the belief that the best stories come from the people right in front of you. We start with his leap from Jesuit classrooms and Vietnam-era protests to the San Francisco Mime Troupe and the early days of Del Arte. Michael walks us through the big experiment: a rural training center paired with a professional touring company that took original work from Blue Lake to the Bay and on to LA. The turning point arrives with a piece on the Fish Wars that rockets them onto critics’ lists, packs houses for months, and proves that bold, locally rooted storytelling can travel. Along the way, we get the road lore: the car that fills with smoke from the inside, the Boston bar where every backstage crew eats, and the Greek restaurant that quietly keeps a company alive. Then we come home to Humboldt. Michael explains how an Irish playwright inspired him to turn the Logger Bar—Humboldt County’s oldest continuously serving bar—into a creative venue where you can sip a pint while the band kicks up a live, local show. Logger Legends celebrates the talkers, the lookers, and the lovable liars who give a town its voice. We celebrate Eric Hollenbeck and the Blue Ox through Radio Man, a production that left hard-bitten men wiping their eyes. And we look forward: the riverfront, the levee, new gathering spots, and a call for leadership that favors distinctive local spaces over bland, copy-paste development. If you care about community theater, rural arts, Blue Lake history, or how a bar becomes a civic living room, you’ll find a lot to love here. Hit play, share it with someone who loves Humboldt culture, and leave us a review so more neighbors can find these stories. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text A small stage can change a whole town. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Jackie Dandeneau , the executive artistic director behind Playhouse Arts, conductor of the Blue Lake Community Choir, and one of the community builders shaping Arcata’s creative life. We swap stories about saving a venue, turning it into a citywide arts engine, and how a Tuesday night show can feel like church when the room leans in. Jackie takes us from a farm near Jasper to national theater tours, radio drama in Vancouver, and eventually to Blue Lake, where the Arcata Playhouse became home base. We dig into how the Playhouse grew beyond performances: writing the City of Arcata’s strategic arts plan, placing artists in schools, and creating Our Space, an arts-and-wellness program for houseless neighbors that restores dignity through making. When KHSU went dark, the community lit a new signal—KHHA 94.7 LPFM—broadcasting from a converted storage unit with big spirit and a local-first roster that keeps Humboldt’s voices on the air and in your earbuds. We share favorite shows and why they hit so hard, from an all-women mariachi band filling the room with new songs and new neighbors, to intimate sets where the audience becomes the magic. Jackie’s lens is clear: gratitude is a balm inside pain, justice is the work of designing belonging, and succession is generosity in action—handing over the reins so a legacy no longer depends on one person. We close with what’s ahead: holiday pantomime chaos, porch festivals, poetry in the marsh, line-dancing fundraisers, and how to rent the Playhouse when your crew needs a seasonal home. If this resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend who loves local arts, and drop a review. Your support helps more people find the creators, venues, and programs that keep Humboldt connected. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text Ever wonder how we might bridge the seemingly unbridgeable divides in our society? David Frank's journey from East Coast political science graduate to Humboldt County media advocate offers a roadmap worth exploring. Growing up in a household where defending your opinions and understanding opposing perspectives was expected at the dinner table, Frank developed skills that would serve him throughout life. "My parents always expected us to be able to converse intelligently and defend our opinions and then kind of pivot to understand people that disagreed with us," he explains. This foundation in civil discourse shaped his approach to media and community engagement. After arriving in Humboldt County in 2004 as a caregiver for a friend, Frank quickly put down roots, bartending at Plaza Grill and Abruzzi for over a decade before joining Internews, an international media nonprofit. His passion for policy analysis and community dialogue led him to host shows on KMUD and Access Humboldt, including "You Are Here" and "Redwood Wonk," where he explores local manifestations of national issues. What makes Frank's perspective particularly valuable is his commitment to being a bridge-builder. As a former delegate to the California Democratic Party, he positioned himself as an observer of the schism between establishment and progressive wings, using his media platform to share insights with the community. Rather than stoking division, he focuses on creating spaces where people can listen to each other and work toward solutions. Frank identifies three critical issues facing Humboldt County: healthcare access, climate-related concerns (including wildfire and insurance challenges), and broadband connectivity in rural areas. He advocates for community forums that bring together academics, policymakers, and residents to address these challenges collaboratively. "We can solve problems locally, we address problems locally, we lead by example as citizens here in our own community," he asserts. Ready to join the conversation about building a more connected community? Follow Frank's shows and initiatives as he continues his mission to fight "the good fight" through civil discourse and community engagement. The path to healing our divisions might just start with a conversation in your own backyard. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text Step into the extraordinary life journey of Brett McFarland, a musician whose path from Midwest farming to Humboldt County outlaw country is nothing short of cinematic. This deeply moving conversation reveals how Brett's search for a fresh start brought him to Northern California's emerald triangle, where he established himself as an organic farmer before becoming entangled in the cannabis cultivation that defined the region. When federal agents built a conspiracy case against him based largely on hearsay, Brett found himself serving nearly four years in prison—a crucible that would transform him forever. The raw vulnerability with which he shares his incarceration experience is breathtaking, particularly as he describes discovering a Hawaiian forgiveness prayer that helped him release the bitterness threatening to consume him: "I'm sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you." Music became Brett's salvation behind bars, playing on battered guitars for fellow inmates, creating moments of connection amid dehumanizing circumstances. Yet his return to society brought new challenges, as post-prison trauma strained his marriage to the breaking point. In a moment of profound honesty, Brent reveals how therapy helped him recognize his hypervigilant state and ultimately save his relationship. The conversation's most powerful revelation comes when Brent describes finally overcoming his fear of "not being good enough" to embrace music publicly. After seeing Willie Nelson perform in 2023, something clicked: "Not next year, today." The floodgates opened—from opening for blues legend Earl Thomas to recording in Nashville, his authentic outlaw country sound quickly gaining global recognition. His performance of "How We Do It In Humboldt" captures the spirit of a community that embraces outsiders and second chances, written by someone who has lived its highest highs and lowest lows. Don't miss Brett's upcoming shows in Sebastopol and Trinity Center, with hints of a special Eureka Theater performance coming soon. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text Forget everything you thought you knew about rural healthcare. In this eye-opening conversation, Michael Keleman, CEO of Providence Health Serving Humboldt, shatters the "medical desert" stereotype by revealing how metropolitan-level medical care exists in this coastal Northern California community. Having worked for healthcare giants including Stanford, Kaiser Permanente, and Sutter Health, Keleman brings a unique perspective to Providence's operations in Humboldt County. With surprising candor, he shares how the community performs robotic thoracic surgeries, offers comprehensive oncology services, and provides advanced trauma care—all services you might expect only in major urban centers. The conversation explores the rich history of St. Joseph Hospital, which began in 1912 when twelve Sisters arrived from France with a simple but revolutionary mission: "Go out into communities, find like-minded individuals who share in your values, find a problem and solve it." That outreach-focused foundation continues to shape Providence's approach today. What truly distinguishes Humboldt's healthcare landscape, according to Keleman, is the unprecedented collaboration among providers. Unlike the competitive environments he experienced elsewhere, here competitors regularly come together to address community health challenges collectively. This "Humboldt way" extends to physician recruitment, with initiatives like "Home in Humboldt" bringing together the Coast Guard, Cal Poly, and local healthcare systems to attract medical talent. Perhaps most revealing is Keleman's personal discovery of Humboldt's unique community bonds. Despite being relatively new to the area, he articulates a profound insight: "Humboldt's the first place I've ever lived where I understand the concept of community... I've never really understood the depth of a relationship until I moved here." Ready to challenge your assumptions about what's possible in rural healthcare? Listen now and discover why this CEO believes the future of medicine might be found not in crowded urban centers, but in collaborative communities like Humboldt County. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text What if the parenting strategies that worked perfectly for one child completely fail with another? In this illuminating conversation, Tom Rector reveals why understanding a child's unique genetic makeup and personal memories is crucial for effective communication and connection. Tom shares his remarkable journey from a 22-year-old contractor to the owner of Thomas Home Center, celebrating 40 years in business and 55 years of marriage along the way. But the heart of our discussion goes beyond business success to explore Tom's profound insights into human development. Through raising five children—including two adopted—and his extensive work with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Tom discovered that traditional parenting approaches often fall short with children from different genetic backgrounds or traumatic histories. The solution? What Tom calls "biosocial cognition"—recognizing that each person is shaped by three fundamental elements: their memories, their genetic predispositions, and their inherent humanity. This framework has transformed his approach to parenting, advocacy, and education, allowing him to connect with even the most resistant youth in juvenile detention facilities. Perhaps most valuable is Tom's SHRR definition of maturity: Self-sufficient, Honest, Responsible, and Respectful. This simple yet profound framework gives young people and parents alike a clear understanding of what maturity actually means, rather than vague expectations to "grow up" or "act more mature." Whether you're a parent struggling to connect with your child, an educator working with diverse learning styles, or simply someone interested in better human communication, Tom's wisdom offers practical approaches to meeting people where they are and helping them thrive on their own terms. Through his Accrescent Institute, Tom continues to share these insights through trainings, presentations, and resources designed to help children and families flourish. Ready to transform your approach to parenting or working with youth? Visit the Accrescent Institute website to explore Tom's resources and discover how understanding biosocial cognition could change everything about how you connect with the children in your life. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text How do you survive when your captors view you as nothing more than a commodity? Jeff Woodke's answer is both heartbreaking and inspiring. After dedicating 27 years to humanitarian work among nomadic tribes in Niger, Jeff was violently abducted by terrorists in 2016. For six and a half years, he endured unimaginable conditions – kept outdoors, frequently chained, moved constantly, and held in isolation. His captors told him bluntly, "You're nothing but a goat. If you end up dying, we'll just get another one." In this deeply moving conversation, Jeff shares how he clung to faith when hope began to fail. "If memories have no mass, why are they so heavy?" he asks in one of the powerful poems he crafted mentally during captivity. Now known as "The Ransom Poet," Jeff reveals how writing became his lifeline when freedom seemed impossible. Jeff takes us through the night of his abduction, when armed men killed his guards and severely beat him before taking him hostage. He describes the psychological torture of isolation, the physical hardships of outdoor confinement, and the surreal experience of return – including his first taste of freedom in the form of a glass of wine on an Air France flight home. The story doesn't end with release. Jeff candidly discusses his ongoing journey of healing, his forthcoming memoir "All the Way Home," and how he's creating space for recovery through poetry and purpose. "I breathe space enough to fit all my feelings. I breathe space enough to find some kind of healing." For anyone who has faced trauma, struggled with faith, or wondered what sustains the human spirit in darkness, Jeff Woodke's extraordinary testimony offers powerful insights into resilience, forgiveness, and finding your way back to life after devastating loss. Follow Jeff's continuing journey at jeffwoodke.com and @theransomedpoet on Instagram. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text Behind the ornate Victorian facades of Old Town Eureka lies a shadow world of untold stories—tales of remarkable women who wielded significant economic power yet remain absent from our history books. Local historian Lynette Mullen stumbled upon this hidden narrative during the pandemic while researching an empty parking lot on Eureka's waterfront, uncovering the story of a chambermaid named Virginia Jeffrey that would forever change her understanding of our community's foundations. What began as casual research evolved into a passionate quest to document how women working in Eureka's "necessary evil"—its red light district—literally helped build the city we know today. These women, erased from historical record despite their contributions, financed iconic buildings that still stand. As Mullen explains with palpable enthusiasm, Eureka made a strategic decision in the 1800s to tacitly permit these establishments while other towns like Ferndale drove them out. By the early 1900s, when Eureka faced financial troubles, the city implemented an unofficial tax system on brothels, even issuing business licenses for women to legally sell cigars and candy within otherwise illegal establishments. Mullen brings these stories to life through her walking tours, "The Lower Levels" and "The Wicked Waterfront," guiding visitors through the physical spaces where this history unfolded—from the site of the former Scandia Hotel to the blocks between C and D Streets that constituted Eureka's own version of the Barbary Coast. Her research extends beyond the women themselves to colorful characters like "Coffee Jack" Connor, an infamous crimp who tricked sailors into debt and indentured servitude, operating right from what is now Old Town. Experience Eureka with new eyes by exploring the history beneath your feet. Book a tour at thelowerlevels.com and discover how our understanding of who built this community has been incomplete without these remarkable stories of resilience, entrepreneurship, and survival against incredible odds. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text Larry Goldberg's life story reads like an adventure novel, spanning from protest movements in 1970s New York to pioneering renewable energy and internet infrastructure in Humboldt County. This wide-ranging conversation reveals how a philosophy major from Queens found himself sailing a square-rigger through the Caribbean, studying at Jerusalem's Holocaust museum, and eventually transforming Northern California's energy landscape. At just 20 years old, Goldberg crewed on the ship used in the movie "Hawaii," sailing through the West Indies during the early days of reggae music before joining what he affectionately calls a "hippie ship" bound for Grenada. These formative adventures sparked a lifelong pattern of seeking meaningful challenges and embracing change—a philosophy he articulates as "Do what you can with what you've got, where you are, in the time you have." After completing his MBA at Humboldt State with a focus on alternative energy (one of the earliest such programs on the West Coast), Goldberg established Northern California's first municipal solar utility in 1979. When Reagan-era policy changes eliminated crucial tax credits, he pivoted to energy efficiency work across eight counties before founding North Coast Internet in 1994—Humboldt's first internet service provider. His subsequent tech support business grew to serve CompUSA nationwide before the dot-com crash forced another reinvention. Throughout these professional evolutions, Goldberg's commitment to community service remained constant. His 30-year involvement with the Redwood Alliance helped successfully decommission Humboldt Bay's nuclear power plant, while his 29 years in Rotary International (where he recently became president of Southwest Rotary) exemplify the organization's motto: "Service above self." Today, Goldberg continues his solar energy work as a consultant with Six Rivers Solar while pursuing his passion for documenting local music through video recordings of regional festivals—a project he shares annually at his "Best of the Fests" gathering. His story demonstrates how adaptability, service, and finding joy in collaborative projects creates a life of purpose and impact. Want to discover how your passion can become your purpose? Join us for this inspiring conversation with one of Humboldt County's most innovative community leaders. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text What if the secret to fatherhood isn't found in parenting books but in knowing who you are and what you truly value? Scott Hammond, author of "Everyday Dad," joins Pete Ciotti on The Grit Podcast to explore how intentional parenting transforms both fathers and children. This candid conversation cuts through parenting platitudes to address the real challenges modern dads face. Between demanding jobs, financial pressures, and technology competing for children's attention, many fathers feel the system is rigged against meaningful family connection. Yet Hammond offers a revolutionary perspective: these challenges can become opportunities for growth when approached with what he calls "maverick grit." The discussion weaves through powerful insights about breaking generational cycles, speaking life into your children, and finding balance without compromise. Hammond vulnerably shares how he healed an estrangement with one of his children through authentic empathy rather than quick fixes. Pete reflects on discovering that some of his most meaningful connections with his teenage son happen in unexpected moments—like during a round of golf neither had initially prioritized. Both men challenge the cultural narrative that success means accumulating possessions rather than nurturing relationships. "Show me your schedule or your checkbook," Hammond suggests, "and I'll show you your priorities." This practical wisdom grounds the conversation in actionable steps rather than abstract ideals. Whether you're a new father figuring out where to start, a seasoned dad navigating the teenage years, or someone simply interested in the intersection of parenting and personal growth, this episode offers both inspiration and practical guidance for the journey. The conversation closes with a powerful reminder that reverberates beyond parenting: what if your best years aren't behind you, but still ahead? For fathers ready to approach parenting with intentionality, courage, and presence, this possibility isn't just hopeful rhetoric—it's an invitation to transformation. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text John Ash's remarkable journey unfolds like a masterclass in reinvention. Born in Vallejo during WWII while his father served overseas, John's early years in Detroit's golden era—when Motown was thriving and the city bustled with over two million people—laid the foundation for his adaptable spirit. When directionless after high school, John's photography hobby became his professional gateway when the Navy recognized his talent. As a combat photographer during Vietnam, he captured aerial reconnaissance from aircraft carriers, witnessing the heart-stopping drama of fighter jets landing on deck at night. This unique vantage point—being part of history while documenting it—seems to have instilled in him a lifelong ability to both participate in and shape the communities around him. The conversation reveals how pivotal moments redirected his life course. While organizing concerts with then-unknown bands like Pink Floyd as a student leader at San Diego State, John lived communally with fellow campus influencers. Yet his true calling emerged during a Ford Foundation experiment studying student leaders, where a Berkeley professor's architectural insights triggered what John calls an "epiphany" about his future. Boston Architectural College followed, launching a distinguished career that would eventually bring him to Humboldt County following a 6.2 earthquake in 1992. Perhaps most inspiring is John's physical transformation—quitting a two-pack-a-day cigarette habit at 38 and progressively building from short runs to completing the Canadian Ironman triathlon. This same determination fueled community initiatives like founding the Explore North Coast Kayak Association, introducing locals to hidden natural treasures in their own backyard. From designing the Sequoia Park Skywalk that transformed zoo attendance from 40,000 to 180,000 visitors, to writing his psychological thriller novel "The Road to Oracle," John embodies continuous growth. When asked about his desired legacy, his answer is profoundly simple: "That he spent his whole life learning how to love." Subscribe now to hear more stories of remarkable community members shaping Humboldt County's past, present and future. Support the show About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world. We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean. We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%! Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt! Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!