Shows
This Must Be the PlacePliny the Younger 2026: Vinnie Cilurzo on the Beer That Changed Craft BrewingCraft beer fans, this one's for you. We sit down with Vinnie Cilurzo, co-owner and Director of Brewing Operations at Russian River Brewing Company, to talk about Pliny the Younger, Pliny the Elder, Blind Pig IPA, and the brewing philosophy behind one of America's most celebrated craft breweries.Pliny the Younger 2026 Release 📅 March 20 – April 2, 2026 📍 725 4th St, Santa Rosa, CA | 700 Mitchell Lane, Windsor, CAVinnie and his wife Natalie Cilurzo built Russian River into a global craft beer destination. Each February, their Pliny the Younger release draws thousands of beer lovers from around the world —...
2026-03-1557 minThis Must Be the PlaceCalifornia Artisan Cheese Festival | An Insider's Guide with Keith Adams of Wm. Cofield Cheese & the California Artisan Cheese GuildCalifornia Artisan Cheese Festival returns to Sonoma County March 20–22, bringing together cheesemakers, farms, restaurants, and artisan food producers for three days of tastings and cheese experiences across the region.In this episode we preview one of the most delicious weekends of the year with two conversations from inside the artisan cheese world.First, we talk with Keith Adams of Wm. Cofield Cheese in Sebastopol about his journey to becoming a cheesemaker and what to expect at the sold-out Cheese Crawl at The Barlow on March 21.We discuss:• The difference between Alemar Chee...
2026-03-1158 minThis Must Be the PlaceSebastopol Bluegrass Festival Turns 20 | Ted Kuster on Banjo, Bluegrass & Sonoma County’s Folk TraditionExplore one of the most beloved Sonoma County events as we preview the Sebastopol Bluegrass & Folk Music Festival — a standout and celebrated music festival in California.Episode Preview Festival producer and California Bluegrass Association chair, Ted Kuster shares the story behind the festival’s 20-year legacy, the banjo traditions that power bluegrass culture, and why Sebastopol has become a hub for folk and acoustic music.Plus, hear Laurie Lewis with “Don’t Get Too Close” and get a preview of this year’s festival lineup.Sebastopol’s beloved Bluegrass & Folk Music Festival turns 20, and this episo...
2026-03-0833 minThis Must Be the PlaceSonoma County Oscars Preview with Rialto CinemasBest Picture Predictions, Academy Awards Buzz & Rialto’s Oscars Night for a Cause🎬 Oscars season is here — and we’re breaking it down from a Sonoma County perspective.Joined by Ky Boyd and Joe Mulcare of Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol, we dive into this year’s Academy Awards race — from Best Picture front-runners and bold predictions to the films that truly deserve the big screen.Plus: details on Rialto’s live Oscars Night on March 15 benefiting Food For Thought.Inside the conversation:⭐ What Oscar season looks like from inside an independent mo...
2026-03-0146 minThis Must Be the PlaceTEDx Sonoma County 2026 Preview: Mindshift, AI & The Power of PerspectiveIn this episode, we preview the 14th annual TEDx Sonoma County event happening March 7, 2026 at the Jackson Theater in Santa Rosa.Executive Producer Marilyn Nagel joins us to discuss this year’s theme:“Mindshift: Power of Perspective.”In a world shaped by AI, algorithms, social media, and rapid internet culture, how do we separate truth from perception? How do we rethink criticism, authenticity, resilience, and leadership in 2026?We break down:• The difference between TED and TEDx • How TEDx Sonoma County curates 200+ speaker applications • The “X-factor” that makes an idea worth sp...
2026-02-2239 minThis Must Be the PlaceHow Sonoma County Became a Craft Beer Mecca | FeBREWary & SF Beer WeekThe Ultimate Sonoma County Craft Beer Guide With Sayre Piotrkowski | Bay Area Brewers Guild + SF Beer Week PreviewSearching for the best breweries in Santa Rosa? Planning a Sonoma County beer trip during SF Beer Week? Curious why FeBREWary has become one of Northern California’s biggest craft beer traditions?This episode is your inside guide.FeBREWary started as a winter collaboration with Visit Santa Rosa to boost local business — and has evolved into a month-long craft beer celebration that now anchors Sonoma County’s beer tourism season. From limited IPA releases to guild...
2026-02-1541 minThis Must Be the PlacePaying Our Rent to Nature: How LandPaths Is Reimagining Conservation in Sonoma CountyFrom preserving historic ranchland to creating “people-powered parks,” LandPaths is quietly reshaping how Sonoma County connects with nature — and this episode goes inside how it’s happening.LandPaths has spent nearly 30 years connecting people to the wild landscapes of Sonoma County — not just by protecting land, but by inviting the community to care for it.In this episode, we’re joined by Craig Anderson, co-executive director of LandPaths, to explore a more human, inclusive approach to conservation — one he describes as “paying our rent to nature.”Craig shares how his lifelong relationship with the outdoors led h...
2026-02-0844 minThis Must Be the PlacePaula McLain on "Skylark," Hidden Paris, and the Women History ForgotAuthor Paula McLain on hidden Paris, two timelines, and a woman’s fight for creative freedom across centuries.Bestselling author Paula McLain discusses her new novel Skylark, a dual-timeline historical novel set in Paris in 1664 and during the Nazi occupation of the 1940s.The conversation begins with a reading from Skylark and unfolds into a deep exploration of resistance, artistic freedom, and the women history tried to silence. McLain shares how Paris’s underground tunnels and the buried River Bièvre inspired the novel, and why parallels between 17th-century sumpt...
2026-02-0144 minThis Must Be the PlaceYou’ve Never Seen Wayne Thiebaud Like This — Inside The Unknown Thiebaud: Printmaking & a Landmark Sebastopol ExhibitionWayne Thiebaud is celebrated for his iconic Americana paintings of cakes and pies, but this exhibition explores a lesser-known side of his mastery: printmaking.This episode explores The Unknown Thiebaud: Passionate Printmaker, a rare exhibition that uncovers the quiet, obsessive printmaking practice that shaped one of America’s most beloved artists.Serafina Palandech, executive director of the Sebastopol Center for the Arts (SebArts), joins us to explore how this landmark show brings together six decades of Thiebaud’s prints—from early experiments to deeply refined, meditative studies—and why Sebastopol is the perfect place for this sto...
2026-01-2538 minThis Must Be the PlaceHow Jahari Stampley Is Redefining Modern Jazz | Grammy-Nominated PianistHe didn’t touch a piano until 14 — now he’s a Grammy-nominated jazz artist redefining what modern jazz can be.Jazz, legacy, and late starts — a deep conversation with one of today’s most exciting musicians.Jahari Stampley, one of the most decorated jazz musicians of his generation, is the winner of the 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute International Competition, a 2024 Grammy nominee, and the 2025 ASCAP Herb Alpert Composers Award recipient.From touring with legends like Stanley Clarke to hitting #1 on the iTunes Jazz chart with his debut album Still Listening, Jahari has moved effortlessly between ja...
2026-01-1851 minThis Must Be the PlaceArtistry in Wood: Inside Sonoma County’s Premier Woodworking ExhibitionHow Local Woodworkers Built One of North America’s Most Respected Art ShowsIn this episode, we head inside the 36th Annual Artistry in Wood Exhibition at the Museum of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa, joined by two masters of the medium and curators of the show: John Cobb, a renowned professional woodturner, and Don Jereb, master woodworker and longtime leader of the Sonoma County Woodworkers Association.Together, they pull back the curtain on how raw, locally sourced wood becomes museum-grade art — and how a once-local gathering evolved into one of the most respected woodworking exhi...
2026-01-1133 minThis Must Be the PlaceWhat Happens When Local Journalism Disappears — and Who Pays the PriceLocal newsrooms are vanishing across the country — and the consequences reach far beyond headlines. This episode explores what’s driving the collapse of local journalism and why it matters to anyone who cares about their community.What happens to democracy when local journalism disappears? Oscar-nominated filmmaker Rick Goldsmith joins us to explain how vulture capital and private equity are accelerating the collapse of local journalism — and what it will take to save American news. Award-winning documentary filmmaker Rick Goldsmith joins This Must Be the Place to discuss the power of documentary film in an era of col...
2026-01-0444 minThis Must Be the PlaceStand-Up Comedy in Sonoma County with Gina Stahl-Haven & Jon LehreStand-up comedy in Sonoma County is thriving — and this episode goes inside the North Bay comedy scene with two of the people helping shape it.Award-winning comedian Gina Stahl-Haven joins the show to talk about her storytelling-driven approach to stand-up, her unconventional path from theater and improv to comedy competitions like the San Francisco International Comedy Competition and America’s Got Talent, and why authentic self-disclosure resonates more than one-liners. Gina also previews her New Year’s Eve comedy show in Santa Rosa, where she’ll debut new material.Next, comedian and booking agent Jon Lehre br...
2025-12-2855 minThis Must Be the PlaceSonoma Wine Guide & Holiday Pairings with Master Sommelier David GlancyLooking for a smarter way to choose Sonoma County wines for the holidays? This episode is your guide.Master Sommelier and San Francisco Wine School founder David Glancy joins the show to break down Sonoma County wines in a way that’s approachable, practical, and rooted in real-world tasting. David shares his journey through the Master Sommelier process, explains how Sonoma’s diverse AVAs differ, and offers expert recommendations at every price point — from hidden value bottles to special-occasion splurges.The conversation also covers the dos and don’ts of holiday wine pairings, helping you build a...
2025-12-2150 minThis Must Be the PlaceHow Local E-Commerce Is Boosting Sonoma County Businesses with Trellus CEO Adam HaberWhat does the future of local shopping look like in Sonoma County — and can e-commerce actually support small businesses instead of replacing them?In this episode, Adam Haber, co-founder and CEO of Trellus, breaks down how his hyper-local e-commerce and same-day delivery platform connects Sonoma County consumers directly with local merchants. Adam explains how Trellus is designed not just for speed and convenience, but to keep dollars circulating locally, create jobs, and help neighborhood shops stay visible and competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.The conversation dives into how Trellus differentiates itself from national delivery ap...
2025-12-1434 minThis Must Be the PlaceA Chanticleer Christmas: Interview with Music Director Tim KeelerInside Chanticleer’s holiday concert in Petaluma — and the music behind one of the world’s most celebrated vocal ensembles.A holiday tradition comes to Sonoma County as GRAMMY Award–winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer brings “Chanticleer Christmas” to Petaluma.In this episode, Tim Keeler, music director of Chanticleer, joins the show to preview the group’s upcoming December 18 performance in Petaluma and share the story behind one of the most celebrated vocal ensembles in the world. A former countertenor with the group, Tim reflects on Chanticleer’s roots in San Francisco, its evolution from early music into a wid...
2025-12-1042 minThis Must Be the PlaceSonoma County Mysteries with Author Scott LipanovichSanta Rosa-based author Scott Lipanovich discusses his Jeff Taylor mystery series and his highly anticipated new novel, West County. Scott delves into his creative journey, sharing how a high school creative writing class sparked his passion and how the unique landscapes and culture of West Sonoma County became the perfect backdrop for his mysteries. The conversation explores Scott's writing process–the challenges of plot development and the inspirations behind complex characters like the transformed PI-turned-doctor Jeff Taylor, the mysterious Edwina Siba (inspired by Armstrong Woods redwoods), and the local "West County ecosystem" they inhabit. Hear how real-life Sonoma County lo...
2025-12-0733 minThis Must Be the PlaceSmall Business Spotlight: How GATHER Built a Sebastopol Craft & Community HubGather, a new home goods boutique in Sebastopol, is redefining retail. The brainchild of co-owners, Erin Hillmer and Jen Koelemeijer, Gather goes beyond retail by creating a community hub, focused on teaching the practical arts–gardening, cooking, preservation, fermentation, and the fiber arts–while providing all the best tools and products to engage in these endeavors. The name "Gather" perfectly encapsulates Erin and Jen’s mission to build a vibrant community-cum-retail space that invites people in to learn the craft and how to use the tools needed to perform the practical art. Their aim is to provide a vibrant space t...
2025-12-0332 minThis Must Be the PlaceJazz, History, and the Healdsburg Jazz Festival with Marcus ShelbyHow jazz, history, and live performance come together at the Healdsburg Jazz Festival — with Marcus Shelby.Jazz is more than music — it’s a way of telling American history. In this episode, Marcus Shelby, composer, educator, and artistic director of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, joins the show to explore how history, storytelling, and live performance shape his work.Marcus shares his path from engineering student to bandleader, composer, and educator, and explains why studying legends like Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn is essential to understanding jazz today. He discusses how historical narratives — from Harriet Tubman to the N...
2025-11-3048 minThis Must Be the PlaceCelebrity Chefs Crista Luedtke & Duskie Estes: Thanksgiving, Friendship, Community, & Sonoma County RestaurantsAcclaimed celebrity chefs Crista Luedtke and Duskie Estes discuss their impressive culinary journeys and their shared passion for community-focused initiatives. The conversation delves into their experiences as competitive chefs, their commitment to sustainable, local farming and seasonal ingredients, and the challenges of culinary entrepreneurship. They share stories about their long-standing friendship, forged through charity events like the Chef's Cycle rides for No Kid Hungry and cooking for first responders during the 2017 Sonoma County fires. The chefs also offer insights into judging cooking shows, the dynamics of the Sonoma County restaurant scene, and offer several excellent local dining recommendations. Listen...
2025-11-2353 minThis Must Be the PlaceInside the Santa Rosa Symphony & the Future of Classical Music with Francesco Lecce-ChongInside the Santa Rosa Symphony’s upcoming season — and how classical music can bring a community together.What role does a symphony play in a modern community? In this episode, Francesco Lecce-Chong, music director and conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony, joins the show to preview the upcoming season and share his vision for making orchestral music accessible, engaging, and relevant.Francesco reflects on his journey to the podium, his approach to interpreting scores, and how he builds programming that reaches new audiences — from the Classical Series and Pops Series to the Family Concert Series. He als...
2025-11-0954 minThis Must Be the PlaceHarry Potter, Renaissance Magic & Petaluma History: A Chat with Museum Director Stacey AtchleyStacey Atchley, the dynamic Executive Director of the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, joins us to discuss the exciting new exhibit, "Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine, and Harry Potter's World." Stacey explains how the exhibit creatively connects Petaluma's local history to broader historical themes and even the magical world of Harry Potter. We learn how the exhibit uses historical objects like herbarium journals and early medical supplies to explore themes of potion-making, monsters, and immortality, making history relevant and enjoyable for all ages. Stacey also provides a captivating look into the museum's mission to preserve local history, foster community connections...
2025-11-0232 minThis Must Be the PlaceHaunted Sonoma & Napa: Real Ghost Stories with Paranormal InvestigatorsReal ghost stories, haunted buildings, and paranormal legends from Sonoma and Napa Counties.Is wine country haunted? In this Halloween-inspired episode, seasoned paranormal investigators Devin Sisk and Ellen Macfarlane, co-founders of Napa City Ghosts & Legends Walking Tours, share real ghost stories and local legends from Sonoma and Napa Counties.Devin and Ellen, who lead ghost walking tours in Napa, Sonoma, and Vacaville, reveal what sparked their fascination with the supernatural history of the region and dive into some of the most compelling haunted locations — from eerie buildings to wineries with lingering spirits. The conversation explores ho...
2025-10-2642 minThis Must Be the PlaceFamily, Politics, and Empathy in a Divided America with Beth MacyHow family, politics, and empathy collide in a divided America — with award-winning author Beth Macy.What happens when national divisions show up at your own kitchen table? In this episode, award-winning author Beth Macy joins the show to discuss her new memoir, Paper Girl: A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America, a deeply personal story about family, identity, and the growing divides shaping life in the United States.Beth shares how returning to her hometown of Urbana, Ohio forced her to confront political and religious rifts within her own family, and how th...
2025-10-1939 minThis Must Be the PlaceMasters of Harmony, Master of Suspense | Yale Whiffenpoofs & the Hitchcock Film FestTabatha Stewart, a Healdsburg native and a Yale Whiffenpoofs member, discusses the Whiffs upcoming performance at the Raven Theater on October 19th. Tabatha dishes on her journey from local musical theater to joining the oldest collegiate a cappella group in America. She explores the group's history, evolution to become gender-inclusive, and the vibrant a cappella culture at Yale. Tabatha previews the Whiffenpoofs upcoming performance, shares insights about a cappella music's appeal and unique aspects of vocal harmonization, and talks about what it will be like to perform in front of her hometown crowd.The Hitchcock Film Festival...
2025-10-1249 minThis Must Be the PlaceSonoma Speaker Series & the Harvest Fair| Fostering Conversation, Connection, & AgricultureKathy Witkowicki, CEO of the Sonoma Speaker Series, shares her journey to bring to Sonoma County some of the most dynamic voices in politics, art, science, and sports. Kathy explains how the series has evolved from a political focus to a diverse lineup featuring everyone from musicians like Huey Lewis to sports icons like Diana Nyad and Steve Kerr. She highlights upcoming events, including a conversation with Michael McFaul, the former United States Ambassador to Russia, on October 13th. Emphasizing the intimate setting, Kathy stresses the importance of fostering community dialogue and offering a blend of education and entertainment...
2025-10-0547 minThis Must Be the PlaceHow PEANUTS Keeps Evolving — and Still Connects Across GenerationsAs PEANUTS marks its 75th anniversary, this episode goes inside how Charles M. Schulz’s work is preserved, extended, and reimagined — from museum archives to new stories for today’s audiences.As the PEANUTS comic strip celebrates its 75th anniversary, this episode goes behind the scenes of one of the most influential works in cartoon history. We go inside the enduring legacy of PEANUTS — from Charles M. Schulz’s creative process to how Snoopy and Charlie Brown still connect with new generations.Benjamin Clark, curator of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, joins the show t...
2025-09-2850 minThis Must Be the PlaceHollywood in the North Bay: Inside the Healdsburg International Short Film FestivalOn the this episode of This Must Be the Place, we journey to the Healdsburg International Short Film Festival with organizers Pamela and Kirk Demorest and get a behind the scenes look at one of the films premiering at the Fest, Eat Surf Love, with director Nada Djordjevich and actress Molly Wood. It's a star-studded episode.In the first segment, Pamela and Kirk Demorest dish on the history of their short film festival, tracing its roots back to a fundraiser in Bodega Bay before it found its home in Healdsburg. The Hollywood veterans discuss how they saw...
2025-09-2157 minThis Must Be the PlaceSonoma County’s Art Scene: From Burning Man to Open Studios with Jennifer Raiser and Spring MaxfieldOn this episode of "This Must Be the Place," we explore the vibrant North Bay art scene from Burning Man to Santa Rosa’s Open Studios. Our host, Allo, chats with two art aficionados who give us insights into these worlds: Jennifer Raiser, a veteran Burner, Burning Man board member, and author of Burning Man, Art on Fire, and Spring Maxfield, the driving force behind the Santa Rosa Urban Arts Partnership and Santa Rosa’s Open Studios. These enlightening conversations prove you don't need to travel to Black Rock City to see world-class art—you just have to know where...
2025-09-1442 minThis Must Be the PlacePetaluma Craft Beer & Railroad Square Music Festivals | Sonoma County Insider’s GuideHey Sonoma County, mark your calendars because this week on This Must Be the Place, we're festival bound, getting all the deets on the upcoming Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival and Railroad Square Music Festival from event organizers John Burns and Josh Windmiller.Your host, Allo, kicks things off, chatting with John Burns about all things craft beer. John is a 25-year member of the Petaluma Rotary which hosts the upcoming Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival. We hear all about the event’s history, stellar lineup of craft breweries, the delicious eats, and live tunes from Batacha an...
2025-09-0739 minThis Must Be the PlaceOpening Soon: A Preview of Sonoma County’s Fall Theater SceneCorrection: In this episode, we mistakenly gave the incorrect name of an up-and-coming actor as Isaiah Young. The correct name is Isaiah Carter.This week, This Must Be the Place shines the spotlight on Sonoma County's bustling theater scene. In this episode, host Allo Gilinsky invites two theatrical heavyweights to pull back the curtain on the community, the productions, and the passionate people who bring life to the stage. First, we talk to theater critic, Harry Duke, who gives us a preview of the season's must-see shows and enlightens us about Sonoma County’s rising stars and in...
2025-08-2745 minThis Must Be the Place“Jaws” at 50: A Reel Deep Dive and Real World ImpactJoin us for a fun and informative conversation about Steven Spielberg's cinematic masterpiece, Jaws on its 50th anniversary. In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the enduring legacy of this summer blockbuster and its profound impact on both Hollywood, movie-goers, and, of course, sharks.Our first guest is Ky Boyd, Director of Sebastopol, CA’s Rialto Cinemas, who shares his film expertise and knowledge about the groundbreaking and enduring film, Jaws. We discuss its revolutionary summer release strategy, which transformed Hollywood's approach to profitability and set the stage for the blockbuster era. Ky also details th...
2025-08-2447 minThis Must Be the PlaceIntroducing This Must Be the PlaceListen up Sonoma County locals! Join host Allo Gilinsky on This Must Be the Place, and learn what it's like to be a craft beer enthusiast living in wine country. Let Allo be your weekly guide to the weird and wonderful happenings in Sonoma County. From sipping suds with local legends to uncovering hidden gems, we're diving deep—one story, one sip, and one adventure at a time.
2025-08-2300 min