California Now Podcast

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson chats with Tony Hawk, the world’s most famous skateboarder. Hawk, who recently appeared on an episode of Saturday Night Live, has deep roots in San Diego County and plenty of recommendations to share—especially along the North Coast region that includes Carlsbad, Cardiff-by-the Sea, Encinitas, and Del Mar. Hawk also dishes on his forthcoming Chick & Hawk restaurant, a collaboration with former Jeune et Jolie chef Andrew Bachelier.  To top things off, Hawk takes the California Questionnaire, revealing all sorts of personal insights, including his favorite Golden State splurge, his ideal road trip, and his sunrise-to-sunset ultimate dream day.

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson talks with celebrity chef and TV personality Brooke Williamson. Since winning Top Chef season 14, Williamson has competed on a handful of cooking competitions, including Guy’s Grocery Games, Knife Fight, and Food Network’s Tournament of Champions, for which she was the first to win. Williamson and her husband Nick Roberts own Playa Provisions in Los Angeles County’s beachside neighborhood Playa del Rey. The unique restaurant complex features four different dining concepts inspired by the city’s charming country marts. During her conversation with Johnson, the L.A. chef breaks down each, including the grab-and-go cafe King Beach, upscale seafood spot Dockside, ice cream shop Small Batch, and whiskey bar Grain. The South Bay resident also took the California Questionnaire, sharing her favorite road-trip destinations, California song, outlet mall, and more.

Artist and lowrider expert Ricardo “Tijuana Rick” Cortez shares the rich history and cultural significance of lowriders in San Jose. Topics include cruising events, favorite local attractions, and the origins of lowrider culture as a form of resistance and self-expression. The podcast also explores the Winchester Mystery House's backstory, paranormal activity, and culinary delights in San Jose.

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson chats with comedian and actor Blake Anderson. Known for creating the Comedy Central shows Workaholics and Game Over, Man!, Anderson has lived all across the Golden State, from the suburbs of the East Bay to Orange County and Los Angeles.  In 2020, Anderson launched the weekly podcast, This Is Important, with his best friends and Workaholics costars Adam Devine, Anders Holm, and Kyle Newacheck. In it, they discuss “serious” topics such as video games, pickleball, and embarrassing anecdotes. During his conversation with Johnson, Anderson shares memorable stories from his time on the show, a few dozen restaurant recommendations—he really loves Mexican food—and timely tips for attending Bay Area sporting events.  The Concord native also took the California Questionnaire, answering a series of rapid-fire questions about his love for the Golden State­––including his go-to road trip and opinions on the best-ever California song.

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson chats with three noteworthy guests and learns what makes Palm Springs such an inspiring destination. To start, Johnson speaks with Dani Dazey, designer and star of the Discovery+ and HBO Max TV series Trixie Motel. The two discuss behind-the-scenes details from the show, including what it was like working with famed drag queen Trixie Mattel and her celebrity pals. The designer also shares recommendations for the perfect Palm Springs weekend.  Next, Johnson gets a taste of old-school Palm Springs with Mikael Healey, musical director at Melvyn’s Restaurant at the Ingleside Inn. The longtime desert local shares how the city and hotel became a refuge for celebrities like Greta Garbo and Salvador Dalí. Healey also takes listeners back to the Rat Pack era with two improvised piano medleys. Finally, Johnson chats with Greg Purdy, a longtime staffer with the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. From stargazing and hiking to formal dances and fine dining, Purdy and Johnson discuss the incredible activities that await at the top of Mount San Jacinto. Purdy also talks about the remarkable process of building the tramway, which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2023.

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson learns about the Inland Empire through the insights of three unique guests who proudly call the area home. First up, Johnson talks with Joel Greene, the charismatic host of Inland Empire Explorer. Greene shares must-visit spots in his hometown of Rancho Cucamonga, where to grab top-tier Mexican food in Riverside, and outdoor adventure in Big Bear Lake. Greene also showcases a few of his favorite doughnut shops, with detailed advice on what to order. Next, Johnson speaks with Alexa Cappelli, a musician and former contestant on NBC’s The Voice. The Upland native performs three songs on the episode—“Say Something,” “Temporary,” and “Could’ve Just Left Me Alone.” She also shares behind-the-scenes details about her recent music video and reveals a few of her Inland Empire favorites. Last, Johnson speaks with Jerry Rowley, longtime owner of Logan’s Candies in Ontario. Rowley chats with Johnson about the beloved candy shop’s 90-year history, including its newfound success on TikTok. The episode wraps with Rowley taking the California Questionnaire.

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson discusses the vast and varied Shasta Cascade region with two creative-minded locals. Singer-songwriter Jessica Malone starts things off with stories about her love of the area. The longtime local gives a live performance of two songs—her latest, “Sweet Sunlight,” as well as “Gold Flowers of the West,” a love letter to California’s natural splendor. Malone shares why she loves this part of the state and recounts a particularly memorable moment growing up in the small town of Mt. Shasta City.   Next, Johnson talks with Siskiyou County filmmaker Autie Carlisle about her new documentary film series Shasta Stories. The two discuss how the series came to be, Carlisle’s love of the community and its quirks, and where she finds her fascinating film subjects. Plus, Carlisle helps listeners plan their next visit to the region by sharing some of her go-to local haunts.

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson discusses fine dining, road trips, ascots, and the most fabulous experiences available in the Golden State with TV personality Craig Kilborn. The former host of The Late Late Show and The Daily Show shares how he’s enjoying his laid-back California lifestyle these days, a topic he explores on his new podcast, The Life Gorgeous. Building off the success of his whimsical Instagram profile, Kilborn had the idea to create a podcast where famous friends and fascinating guests alike can discuss everything from martinis to movies to pies with “Lord Kilby,” as he’s known to fans. During his chat with Johnson, Kilborn serves up dozens of recommendations: restaurants to patronize, towns to explore, trips to take, and much more. The bon vivant and lifelong traveler also took the California Questionnaire, answering a series of question about his love for the Golden State—including his ultimate splurge and how his dream day would unfold.

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson gets to know this storied small town with three unique guests. First up, Johnson speaks with bluegrass musician Molly Tuttle, recently nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy. The Northern California-bred singer-songwriter breaks out her guitar for an exclusive performance of two songs off her new album, Crooked Tree. Tuttle shares details about her song “Grass Valley” as well as her love of the area and its rich music scene.   Next, Johnson chats with Sonya Krimsky, events manager at the history-laden Holbrooke Hotel. Krimsky details the colorful past of this former Gold Country saloon, a spot once frequented by the likes of Mark Twain, Jack London, and Black Bart. The two also cover the hotel’s recent restoration, rumors of ghosts haunting the halls, and the joys of preserving a slice of California Wild West past.   Lastly, Patrick Millar, co-owner of Gold Vibe Kombuchary, takes the California Questionnaire. The longtime Grass Valley local shares where he would go for the ultimate shopping spree, why a weekend getaway is his go-to splurge, and dispels a certain misperception about Californians.

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson discusses art, culture, and California with entertainer Cheech Marin. The Up in Smoke star and longtime Nash Bridges cast member recounts how he first developed a love for art when he was just 11 years old. Later, as his career blossomed, Marin started buying Chicano art and now his collection is considered one of the biggest and best in the world.  More than 500 works from that collection are permanently housed at The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture in Riverside—a museum affectionately known as “The Cheech.” Johnson and Marin discuss how the recently opened museum came to be, Marin’s favorite paintings on display, the charms of Riverside, and future plans for “The Cheech.”  The Los Angeles native also took the California Questionnaire, answering a series of questions about his love for the Golden State—including his favorite California song and how his dream day would unfold.