Public Comment podcast

08/10/2025

For Episode 23 (with our first guest in Season 2!), we welcome Rick Kaufman, owner of Harvest Inn in St. Helena. We talk about hospitality in Napa Valley and the impacts of events such as wildfires, the pandemic and changes in destination travel.

Welcome to Episode 23 of our "Public Comment" podcast. As former elected officials in Napa Valley, we talk about politics, people and whatever else is on our...

08/04/2025

Welcome to Episode 22 of our "Public Comment" podcast. As former elected officials in Napa Valley, we talk about politics, people and whatever else is on our minds.
This episode, we kick off Season 2 with a preview of some of the topics and guests we have coming up.
Email us at [email protected] to share your comments about what you'd like to see and hear this season. Cheers!

Welcome to Episode 22 of our "Public Comment" podcast. As former elected officials in Napa Valley, we talk about politics, people and whatever else is on our...

07/28/2025

Season 2 is set to launch Monday, August 4.
Here's a recap of the topics we covered in Season 1:
Episode 01: Life as Elected Officials
Episode 02: NIMBYism (“Not In My Backyard”)
Episode 03: Non-Profits in Napa Valley
Episode 04: Vision for Napa County
Episode 05: State of Napa Valley’s Wine Industry
Episode 06: Government Waste
Episode 07: Special Interest Groups
Episode 08: News and Social Media
Episode 09: Immigration
Episode 10: Housing
Episode 11: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Episode 12: Public Education
Episode 13: Generational Business
Episode 14: Wine Industry Regulations
Episode 15: Guest Chris Canning, former Mayor of Calistoga
Episode 16: Guest Peter Rumble, Napa County Farm Bureau
Episode 17: Guest Jason Johnson, Tech Entrepreneur
Episode 18: Guest Michelle Benvenuto, Winegrowers of Napa County
Episode 19: Guest Linsey Gallagher, Visit Napa Valley
Episode 20: Guest Barry Martin, Radio Personality
Episode 21: Season 1 Recap

07/23/2025

Thanks to all of our subscribers and viewers of "Public Comment"!
After a summer break, we're back in production. With fresh topics and new guests, we're launching Season 2 starting on Monday, August 4.
Email us at [email protected] to share ideas for future topics or to let us know your thoughts about our podcast.
Cheers!

06/24/2025

Please share your thoughts about our Public Comment podcast by emailing us at [email protected].
Suggested topics? Guests? We look forward to hearing from you.
Season 2 will launch in July. Cheers!!

06/17/2025

In Episode 21, we wrap up Season 1 with a look back at some of the topics and guests we had since our January 16 debut. We also talk about what's next on our agenda for Season 2, which will launch in July. Email us at [email protected] to share your comments about what you'd like to see and hear next season. Cheers!

06/17/2025

In Episode 20, our in-studio guest is Barry Martin, radio host/producer and community theater director/actor. We talk about today's political landscape, the role of traditional and social media in disseminating news, as well as how Barry's love of the arts led him to a second career in Napa community theater.

06/17/2025

In Episode 19, our in-studio guest is Linsey Gallagher, President and CEO for Visit Napa Valley. We discuss how Linsey manages Napa Valley's effort to remain a leading global travel destination and the significant benefits to the Napa Valley community from our agriculture, wine and hospitality sectors.

06/17/2025

In Episode 18, our in-studio guest is Michelle Benvenuto, Executive Director for Winegrowers of Napa County. We chat about Michelle's advocacy on behalf of her members and her thoughts about agriculture and the wine business in Napa Valley.

06/17/2025

In Episode 17, our in-studio guest is tech entrepreneur Jason Johnson, who launched several successful start-up companies while living in San Francisco. Moving to Napa allowed Jason and his family to return to a lifestyle that reminds him of his rural Oregon upbringing. We talk about what continues to drive him to be an innovator in technology and other sectors.

06/17/2025

In Episode 16, our in-studio guest is Peter Rumble, CEO of the Napa County Farm Bureau. Peter talks about his vision for the Farm Bureau and the role he and the organization play advocating for agriculture and farming in Napa Valley.