California Voices

Immigration & Fantasy ~ Leslie Adame, LatinX Author

From LA this time, we meet Leslie Adame, a young, LatinX author and SoCal native, who has written and published her first novel, a middle-grade, fantasy tale called "Chloe Vega & the Agents of Magic." It's an entertaining yet serious story about young immigrants and their families, which Leslie hopes will bring further representation to a community of immigrants in this country that doesn't always have exposure and identity.

Penelope the Powerful Poet...is Not Your 'Typical Teenager'

Penelope Oliver's parents began exposing her, at a very young age, to 'what our collective humanity looks like,' opening her innocent eyes to the challenges facing human beings across the world. Now, as a college student, Penelope is already a seasoned & engaged advocate, the founder of a non-profit, community arts project, partnering with influential leaders to speak out on behalf of children in Gaza and immigrants...all the while sharing stories & writing her poetry, with her pen as part of her power.

A Writer for the Future - Author Kim Stanley Robinson

Science Fiction Novelist Kim Stanley Robinson, who lives in Davis, CA, has been writing Science Fiction for decades but his acclaimed 2020 book "The Ministry for the Future" brought him additional recognition worldwide for its prescient, sobering and yet hopeful description of the harrowing impacts of climate change across the globe, even in California, prompting TIME Magazine to call Robinson 'a hero of the environment.' Kim Stanley Robinson talks about his literary work, the art of writing science fiction...and the future.

"Equity, Access & Justice" - Darcy Totten, Executive Director, California Commission on the Status of Women & Girls

March is Women's History Month! In recognition and celebration, here's a spcial conversation with Darcy Totten, who has been leading the CA Commission on the Status of Women & Girls since 2024. The Commission marked its 60th anniversary last fall, and begins the new year continuing its work prioritizing access to leadership, equality, freedom and safety, for half of the world's population. Darcy shares her own personal story of coming out, rising up, and guiding the Commission towards a not-too-distant future when "it's the women who are in charge."

Legacy of Preservation & Restoration - Robert Hanna, the Great-Great-Grandson of John Muir

Robert Hanna finally made the connection in middle school that he was a descendant of naturalist John Muir. Robert has spent his life since then learning about John Muir's work and developing a deep appreciation for what Muir stood for and what he was able to accomplish as a protector and advocate for our country's national parks and wild & scenic spaces. Robert is carrying on his famous ancestor's legacy through his own campaign to restore the Hetch Hetchy Valley near Yosemite National Park to its original scenic beauty. (www.hannaplus.com/restorehetchhetchy) [https://www.hannaplus.com/restorehetchhetchy)] This conversation was recorded at the John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez, CA.