Do we have more in common than divides us? Thought-provoking conversations on the street & with special guests from the arts.
Episodes
Thursday Jan 30, 2014
Thursday Jan 30, 2014
Broadcast on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream
Email: ruth@ksco.com Twitter: @ruthcopland
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruth.copland.1
HOUR 1: Talk with listeners calling in live
‘Why is violence such a prominent part of entertainment?’ Does violent media affect our behavior adversely or is it harmless? Do we have a responsibility to control how violence is portrayed due to the number of recent shootings or are these unrelated? Is there a difference between ‘good violence’ and ‘bad violence’ in media?
Why do parents routinely disregard 17 ratings for video games and let their children play very violent games at a young age? Do we owe it to our society to take some responsibility for this assault on our senses as we would if it was an assault on our persons? Or is it up to the individual to decide what to consume? Join the conversation!
HOUR 2: (Begins at 0:53 mins) Interview with Artist and Indie Game Designer Edmund McMillen
Ruth And Edmund McMillen
I interview Edmund McMillen, artist, indie game designer and joint CEO, with his partner Tommy Refenes, of independent gaming company Team Meat. Originally working graphically in the independent comic book medium, Edmund has designed concepts and artwork for many hugely popular indie games including Grey Matter, Coil, Triachnid, Aether, Time Fcuk, Spewer, Gish, Super Meat Boy and The Binding of Isaac. After years of sacrifice and struggle to stay independent, Edmund and Tommy found commercial success with their game Super Meat Boy, which took off in a huge way with millions of sales. Critics lauded the game's precise control, retro artwork, and soundtrack. Edmund and Tommy and the development process of Super Meat Boy are featured in the film Indie Game: The Movie.
Edmund's follow-up game The Binding of Isaac has accrued over two million sales and fans eagerly await the next game from Team Meat Mew-genics which is due out sometime in 2014. For more info go to www.edmundm.com
Sunday Jan 26, 2014
Sunday Jan 26, 2014
Broadcast on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com live stream
Email: ruth@ksco.com Twitter: @ruthcopland
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruth.copland.1
HOUR 1: Talk with listeners calling in live
Susana Arias and Ruth
‘What is the point of education?’ To instil morals and values? To teach us how to think? To create a lifelong love of learning? To give us the skills we need to seek for answers and find solutions to problems throughout our life? Or is it simply to prepare us to gain and keep a job? Should we distinguish between education and training, recognising that we need both? Is the purpose of education to give students access to things unimagined and unencountered, allowing them to soar to greatness? Or is that just completely unrealistic? Was your education satisfactory? What would you change if you could go back and change what you were taught? Join the conversation! Call the studio with your thoughts on +1 831 479 1080.
HOUR 2: (Begins at 52:30 mins) Interview with Renowned Sculptor and Painter Susana Arias
I interview Susana Arias, renowned sculptor and painter, who was distinguished in 2013 as "Artist of the Year", selected by the Santa Cruz County Arts Commission. Born originally in Panama, Susana now lives and works in Santa Cruz. Her work is in the collections of the Museum of the OAS in Washington D.C., Museo de Arte Contemporaneo in Panama, Rep. of Panama, as well as in museums in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezuela, and the Museum of Art and History in Santa Cruz, California. Her work is in private collections in the United States, Europe, Canada and Latin America. Speaking about her work Susana has said
"My work is done in series.
Each series is inspired by a glimpse of nature
a word in a book
or undercurrents in my thoughts.
It becomes my passion
and I must explore it
with form and materials.
I concern myself with the contrast
between primitive cultures
and contemporary aesthetics.
I explore man's attempt to control nature
and survive in an entropic world. "
Working with Santa Cruz local youth she has created:
“Light Time” (a working sundial), a traffic circle on King St;
“Sentinel”, a bas relief architectural ceramics sculpture at Aptos Jr. High; “Our City, Our Town”, the bas-relief tiles around the Police department; “Spring and Fall” two traffic islands on Swift St; “Small Creatures ” a traffic island on Trescone St; and numerous murals at school sites: Westlake, De Laveaga, and Vine Hill. To view her work go to www.susanaarias.com
Monday Jan 20, 2014
Monday Jan 20, 2014
Broadcast on KSCO AM 1080 and KSCO.com Live Stream
Email: ruth@ksco.com Twitter: @ruthcopland
Facebook: facebook.com/ruth.copland.1
HOUR 1: Talk with listeners calling in live
‘Who controls the end of life?’ God? The government? The medical profession? Or us? How important is quality of life and should each individual be able to choose for themselves how and when their life ends? Or should this be mandated by the state? Is euthanasia giving dignity in death to people at the end with no quality of life? Or is it a slippery slope? Should the individual’s desire for autonomy trump blanket legislation? Or is it the government’s job to preserve life even against the wishes of the individual? Join the conversation!
HOUR 2: (Begins at 52:30 mins) Interview with New York Times Best-selling Author Nancy Horan
I interview Nancy Horan, New York Times best-selling fiction author of Loving Frank and Under The Wide And Starry Sky. Her debut novel, Loving Frank, explores the true story behind American architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his lover, Mamah Borthwick Cheney. It was translated into 16 languages, remained on the New York Times best-seller list for over a year, and was awarded the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for Best Historical Fiction as well as being voted one of the best books of 2007 by The Washington Post and Chicago Tribune amongst other newspapers. Her eagerly awaited second novel, Under The Wide And Starry Sky tells the passionate love story of Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson and his intrepid American wife, Fanny. We’ll talk about her life, work and why she likes to write fact as fiction. More info at www.nancyhoran.com
Thursday Jan 09, 2014
Thursday Jan 09, 2014
On KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340, and KSCO.com Live Stream
HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners Calling In Live
Are we born good? New research suggests we are born innately good with compassionate and self-less tendencies. So why do some people go on to do terrible things whilst others live caring, self-less lives? Why do some of us survive and thrive after experiencing trauma and others do not? Does it depend on what we bring into the world with us, whether it be biological or spiritual, or are our experiences in life key to who we become? How important is developing an inner life? Can it stop us behaving negatively, prevent bad things happening to us and/or help heal us from trauma? Where does the balance lie between nature, nurture, and personal responsibility?
Join the conversation!
HOUR 2: (Begins at 53 mins) Interview with actress, screenwriter, film producer, and therapist Deborah Allen
I interview Deborah Allen, actress, therapist, and screenwriter and film producer of the film JANE, a groundbreaking narrative drama based on a true story that creates a compelling picture of the inner life of a teenage girl in the face of rape and its aftermath. JANE is a story of regeneration. Against the odds, a young girl chooses to find a way through her pain to an authentic whole self, proving that there is a spark within all of us that no one can destroy. Deborah has a master’s degree in theater arts and spent many years in the San Francisco Bay Area theater community, as an actress and director. From 1984-88 she served as the Executive Director of Theater Bay Area. She’s worked with Trap Doors/Puertas Dissimuldas at Watsonville High School with the Bear Republic Theater and Teatro Campesino. She was an artist in residence at the National Theatre of Uganda and directed August Wilson’s Fences at the National Theatre. Deborah is an educator, training mid-life professionals with in-depth psychology, complementary medicine, and trauma education. Her writing has appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Callboard Magazine, American Theater Magazine, Tikkun, and African Farmer. For more info on the film JANE go to www.jane-themovie.com
Friday Dec 20, 2013
Friday Dec 20, 2013
On KSCO AM1080 and KSCO.com Live Stream
HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners Calling In Live
Ruth and Laurie R King
What is the true nature of a gift? Historically, many tribal groups circulate a large portion of their material wealth as gifts. A gift is given in the knowledge that it will keep being given and never be stagnant. Do we now think of gifts predominantly as material items? Has gift-giving become a barter exchange where we try to give gifts of equal value to what we will receive? Has gift-giving become largely an obligation or is there still real joy in it? What about gifts that aren’t things? Our time, caring, thoughtfulness, creativity? The sunset, the ocean, the mountains? A child’s uninhibited laughter, the love of someone dear to us, the caring of a stranger? Do we think of these as gifts? Is a true gift something that is offered freely with no expectation of return? Join the conversation!
HOUR 2: (Begins at 0:51 mins) Interview with internationally best-selling author Laurie R King
I interview Laurie R King, award-winning, internationally best-selling author of over 25 books including the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series, Kate Martinelli books and novels including her latest The Bones Of Paris. Since her first book in 1993, A Grave Talent, which won the MWA Edgar Award for best first novel, and the CWA Creasey Award, she has averaged a book a year, gathering multiple nominations for and winning many prestigious writing awards including The Beekeeper’s Apprentice being chosen as one of the top 100 Favourite Mysteries of the 20th. A third generation Northern Californian who has lived most of her life in the San Francisco Bay area, Laurie R King has also spent a considerable amount of time in Britain. Her background is as mixed as any writer’s, from degrees in theology and managing a coffee store to raising children, vegetables, and the occasional building.
The Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series allows King to explore all sorts of ideas and forge an unlikely relationship between two remarkably similar individuals who happen to be separated by age, sex, and background.
The five Kate Martinelli books feature a modern homicide detective based in San Francisco. The latest book The Art Of Detection bringing about a meeting of the Mary Russell and Kate Martinelli worlds.
In what can only be described as a remarkable career, Laurie has also written non-fiction, stand-alone novels and the Stuyvesant/Grey books, the latest of which is The Bones Of Paris. We talk about her life and work. For more info visit www.laurierking.com
Friday Dec 13, 2013
Friday Dec 13, 2013
KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340, and KSCO.com Live Stream
‘What constitutes happiness?' is the topic this week. Should we be trying to be happy all the time or is that unrealistic? What are being told happiness is? What is the media projecting about what should make us happy? Is happiness a choice or is it dictated by the events of our life? Is happiness an individual pursuit or predicated on those around us? Can we grow through happiness or is it necessary to suffer to become a better person? Join the conversation!
HOUR 2: (Begins at 0:53 mins) Interview With Award-winning Author, Journalist, Film-maker, and Historian Geoffrey Dunn
I interview Geoffrey Dunn, award-winning journalist, author, film-maker, and historian whose books include The Lies Of Sarah Palin and Santa Cruz Is In The Heart Volumes I and II. A fourth-generation Santa Cruzan, raised in the local Italian fishing community, Geoffrey has chronicled life in Santa Cruz lovingly and meticulously, yet without rose-tinted glasses, offering up a rich historical tapestry of which many locals are unaware. A contributor to The Huffington Post, where he has broken several national stories since the 2008 presidential campaign, Dunn has also served as a Senior Editor for Metro Newspapers in Northern California. The recipient of more than two dozen journalism and film awards during his career, he recently was honoured with a Gail Rich Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce. We talk about his life, work and latest projects.
Friday Dec 06, 2013
Friday Dec 06, 2013
On KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340, and KSCO.com Live Stream
Do manners really matter? Are they an outmoded social convention or actually the cornerstone of civilization? Edmunde Burke famously stated "Manners are more important than laws". He believed the rule of law can be used to positive effect but legislating all human behaviour can only lead to enslavement, whereas manners provide a form of social self-limitation, a signal of willingness to abide by common standards, to which we voluntarily agree. Others would argue that manners inhibit our freedom, create elitism, and are just plain outdated. So - are manners for social conservatives, creating small-town snobbery, and stopping progress? Or are they a way of creating a freer civilized society? Join the conversation!
Ruth and Sam Andrew
HOUR 2: (Begins at 0:53 mins) Interview with Sam Andrew of Big Brother and The Holding Company
I interview Sam Andrew of Big Brother and The Holding Company, originally comprised of Janis Joplin, Peter Albin, Sam Andrew, James Gurley, and Dave Getz. As a singer, songwriter, composer, and guitarist and founding member of Big Brother, Sam Andrew has multiple hits and three platinum albums to his name. A prolific songwriter all his life, he wrote his first song when he was six. Of his early compositions, Call On Me and Combination of the Two have been two of Big Brother's most enduring classic tracks. Sam Andrew and Janis Joplin also recorded an album together as the Kozmic Blues Band called I Got Dem Old Kozmic Blues Again Mama. Sam and original band mate James Gurley produced some of the greatest psychedelic guitar solos of all time. In 1997, Guitar Player magazine listed the work of Sam and James on Summertime as one of the top ten psychedelic solos in music history. Sam has also scored films in the US and Canada and written two string quartets and a symphony. Sam continues today in his original role as musical director of Big Brother and when they are not on the road pursues his solo project The Sam Andrew Band. A sensitive, thoughtful man, he is one of the true music greats. For more information go to www.bbhc.com
Saturday Nov 30, 2013
Saturday Nov 30, 2013
On KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream
HOUR 1: Playing Lacy J Dalton's new single 'Next To Me' and interviewing Audrey Murr Copland
I interview Audrey Murr Copland who has built up a dedicated following over 35 years in the spiritual field. She was fortunate to develop her skills alongside mentors such as Sir George Trevelyan, Frederic Lionel, Lilla Bek, Brugh Joy and Barbara Ann Brennan. Audrey is a natural sensitive who works intuitively with colour and energy yet she has always sought to grow and develop her skills through experience and deep study. Consequently, her work is thoroughly grounded in the teachings of the great masters and is also practically tried and tested via the hundreds of individual healing consultations she has given and through her work with groups at conferences and courses all around the world. Audrey has also helped set up Healing organisations in Europe and the USA.
She first became aware of the healing power of her voice when she was presenting spiritual development groups where participants were entranced by the energy conveyed as she spoke. Students eagerly suggested that she should record her voice and she then developed the first of her creative visualisations which were an instant success. She has continued devising new meditations ever since and the whole range is now available on CD. For more info go to www.ucanhealit.com and www.cdbaby.com/Artist/AudreyMurrCopland1
HOUR 2 (Begins 0:48 mins): Interviewing Celebrated Americana Artist Kenny Butterill
Ruth with Kenny
I interview Kenny Butterill and he plays live in the studio with members of his band. Before 2000, songwriter/producer Kenny Butterill was a virtual unknown. The release of Butterill's debut album, No One You Know, changed all that and put him on the cutting edge of the progressive music scene. Indeed, Butterill's brand of radio friendly "rootsy, folksy, bluesy, Americana, alt.country feel good music" has endeared him to markets all over the world.
The release of Butterill's second album Just A Songwriter caused his popularity to soar even higher. Filled with inviting melodies, masterful songwriting and engaging, earthy vocals, the self-produced Just A Songwriter album is Kenny Butterill personified: compassionate, sensitive and diverse, yet singularly. Not surprisingly the CD received many accolades including "Best Alt-Country/Americana CD" by True West Magazine in its 50th Anniversary Round up of the Best of the West. The CD spent many weeks in the Americana Top 40 Chart and in the other leading Roots/Country/Folk music charts around the world. He's currently recording his new CD, 'Troubadour Tales'. For more info go to www.nobullsongs.com/
Wednesday Nov 27, 2013
Wednesday Nov 27, 2013
On KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340, and KSCO.com Live Stream
HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners Calling In Live
Ruth and Tad Williams
'Can gratitude be an attitude of life?' is the topic this week (with Thanksgiving imminent in America). Popular psychology promises that gratitude can unlock the fullness of life, and various spiritual traditions advocate practising gratitude as a means of finding inner peace and even enlightenment. How hard is it to change our perspective and see our cup as half full rather than half empty? If we manage to do this, does it change our lives? Is it possible to be grateful even when life is very tough, without diminishing the real experience of our suffering? Also, what effect does simple gratitude have on those around us? Join the conversation!
HOUR 2: (Begins at 0:53 mins) Interview with Internationally Best-selling Fantasy and Science Fiction Writer Tad Williams
I interview Tad Williams who has been been described as "a true legend of fantasy writing". Known for meticulous world-building, exquisite narrative, extremely original ideas, and also for just being a very good writer, Tad Williams continues to deliver the goods even after 20+ years in the writing business, most recently with his Bobby Dollar series, the first two books of which are called The Dirty Streets of Heaven and Happy Hour In Hell. Tad lives locally in the Santa Cruz area with his wife, Deborah Beale, their two children, and more cats, dogs, turtles, pet ants and banana slugs than they can count! Since 1985, Tad has written 18 novels, and his work has been translated into more than 20 languages. He is the author of the multi-volume series: Memory, Sorrow, Thorn; Otherland; and Shadowmarch and stand-alone novels Tailchaser's Song, The War of The Flowers and Caliban's Hour, as well as comics published by DC Comics, a series of young-adult books written with his wife, Deborah Beale, The Ordinary Farm Adventures, and also short fiction, essays, and screenplays. Tad's stories have earned critical acclaim and immense popularity worldwide. More info at www.tadwilliams.com
Friday Nov 22, 2013
Friday Nov 22, 2013
On KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com live stream
HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners Calling In Live
Are Individual Needs More Important Than The Common Good? How do we balance pursuing our individual desires with being a community member and a global citizen? Is it ever right to sacrifice the rights of the individual for the common good? How do we decide what the common good is? Are there dangers in valuing the collective over the individual or local community? Or can collective rights actually help protect our individual rights? Join the conversation!
HOUR 2: (Begins at 0:52 mins) Interview with Rock Manager, Record producer, Music Publisher and Entrepreneur Sir Harry Cowell
I interview Sir Harry Cowell about his life, work, super-hit show 'Raiding The Rock Vault' and current artists Demi Holborn, Ayo Beatz, and Cameron Whiley. After attending one of England's top private schools, Sir Harry took an unconventional career path becoming a drummer and drum tech/tour manager for artists such as Genesis, The Police, AC/DC, and Ozzy Osbourne, and managing such artists as Asia and Ultravox. He has built impressive independent music publishing, production, and artist development companies having chart success with Enrique Inglesias, Celine Dion, Ricky Martin, Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli, Tina Turner, Errol Brown, Rod Stewart and many more. He is producer of the super-hit Las Vegas show 'Raiding The Rock Vault', which has been voted Best Musical In Vegas 2014. Listen in as we discuss Sir Harry's colourful life and impressive career. To find out more about the hit Vegas show go to www.raidingtherockvault.com
You can find more information on Sir harry's artists at