The Drive with Daedalus Howell

we have Frank Schwartz, better known as Feral, an event producer and DJ whose résumé includes producing Burning Man theme camps and, more recently, multi-generational North Bay events including Ghost Town Halloween, Convergence Equinox and International Waters. He’s here to talk about Feral Event Productions and the next International Waters event, Saturday, Sept. 19—plus the art of getting generations onto the same dance floor.

Our guest is Maria Isabel Lopez, an award-winning actress from the Philippines who also represented at the Miss Universe Pageant, and an accomplished mosaic artist. Her creative career has taken her from pageants to film and now increasingly into visual art. She’s here to talk about her movie career, her latest film, Diamonds in the Sand, and her new solo exhibition, “Illumination in Glass,” opening 5–8pm, Saturday, Sept. 12, at Usher Gallery in Petaluma

Our guest is Juliet Annerino, a board-certified clinical hypnotherapist in Los Angeles who helps clients address anxiety, phobias, smoking, weight loss and other challenges through hypnosis. Today, we’re talking about the power of rapport—why some people immediately put us at ease, why that connection matters in hypnotherapy, and seven ways we can get better at creating it ourselves.

Our guests are Jennifer Steinman Sternin, an award-winning filmmaker whose work has appeared on HBO, Netflix, Disney+, Peacock and Amazon Prime, and Dr. Joan Roughgarden, Harvard-trained biologist and author of Evolution’s Rainbow. Jennifer is co-producer, co-writer and editor of the documentary Second Nature, which explores what science has to say about sex, gender and sexuality in the natural world. They’re here to talk about the film ahead of its screening at Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol, Wednesday, September 9.

In its second year, Food Not Fentanyl is a celebration of life that takes seriously the task of saving lives. Hosted by harm-reduction foundation Micah’s Hugs in partnership with Petaluma’s Sax’s Joint, the Aug. 30 event will feature lifesaving Narcan demonstrations, “stories of hope,” food trucks and musical performances. This interview with host Daedalus Howell features Micah Sawyer as well Kimberly Saxelby and Tiffany Saxelby of Sax's Joint.

Actor, media personality, and instructor Terry McGovern explores the elements of our lives that faded away unnoticed. 

Things that have disappeared without anybody noticing. When did everything become so damned complicated?

Our guest is Henry Ferguson, a senior at Marin School of the Arts and a student in its Cinematic Arts program—the same program that helped launch Backrooms filmmaker Kane Parsons. Henry has been busy writing, directing, editing and scoring films, with two of his own projects selected for the All American High School Film Festival. His film Corridors features our own Drive Hall of Famer and American Graffiti cast member Terry McGovern. Henry also scored another festival selection and edited a documentary for the Rafael Film Center that made the cut. He’s here to talk about the future of filmmaking—and his future in it.

Henry also just finished the 48 Hills Film program in SF. It’s founded and run by Joe Talbot, director of The Last Black Man in San Francisco. That film will show 12/20 at the Castro Theatre in SF.

Our guest is Thomas Botzler, who joins us for a personal conversation about hospice care and end-of-life choices. Drawing from his own experience entering hospice, Thomas is here to talk about what that transition actually feels like, the decisions and options that come with it, and what he’s learned about approaching the end of life with clarity, intention and dignity.

Dr. Damien Wilson is the inaugural Hamel Family Chair of Wine Business Education with SSU's Wine Business Institute. Dr. Wilson arrived in California in 2015 with 20 years of professional experience in the wine sector. This commercial experience facilitated him achieving the first-ever Honors Degree in Wine Business with the University of Adelaide, and this qualification is among his four degrees in the discipline of Wine Business. He joins us from Burgundy's School of Wine and Spirits Business, having established a European professorial career after having started with the University of South Australia in 1999.

Our guest is Angie Dillion-Shore, CEO of First 5 Sonoma County, here to preview A Dolly Good Time, a fundraiser happening Saturday, August 29, in Santa Rosa to support Sonoma County’s Imagination Library. We’ll talk about the event, the importance of getting books into the hands of young children, and how Dolly Parton’s celebrated literacy program is helping Sonoma County families build a love of reading from the very beginning.

Our guests are Rebecca Roudman and Jason Eckl from Not Loud Concerts, returning to preview Country Boogie Night, Sunday, August 16, at Napa Yard. It’s the latest in their summer series built around a simple idea: concerts that are not too long, not too expensive, and, of course, not too loud. This time, two bands share the outdoor stage, trading songs and going head-to-head on the Napa Yard lawn. We’ll talk country, boogie, the dueling-band format, and what’s in store for Sunday’s show.

Our guest is Samar Hazelwood, founder of Blissful Events, a luxury wedding and event planning and design company specializing in Wine Country and destination celebrations. With nearly 20 years of experience, Samar joins us to reveal what actually goes into creating the perfect Wine Country wedding—from finding the right setting and designing the experience to managing the countless details guests never see. We'll talk trends, pitfalls, hospitality, and the art of making an elaborate event feel effortless.

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Our guest is Juliet Annerino, a board-certified clinical hypnotherapist based in Los Angeles who helps people overcome anxiety, phobias, unwanted habits, and other barriers to personal change. Juliet returns to explore the power of labels—asking whether the way we define ourselves, from phobias and allergies to diagnoses like ADHD, can sometimes limit us more than help us. We'll discuss the science behind mindset, including Yale University's famous "Mind Over Milkshake" study, and share three practical ways to turn labels from limitations into tools for growth.

Our guest is Jason Curtis, a longtime Sonoma County technology entrepreneur who spent 15 years in the wine industry before leading winery software company vinSUITE. Today, he and his wife, Jennifer Nunn, are focused on using technology for public good. Jason joins us to discuss Canairy, their new free app for iOS and Android that delivers real-time air quality alerts using local sensor data—helping people stay informed during wildfire smoke events, temperature inversions, and other air quality hazards. We'll talk about the technology behind the app and why timely information can make a real difference in protecting public health.

Our guest is Jeff Burkhart, longtime Pacific Sun contributor and one of the North Bay's most curious storytellers. His latest cover story uncovers the surprising Cold War history hidden in the Marin Headlands, where the restored SF-88 Nike Missile Site reveals a little-known chapter of nuclear defense just north of the Golden Gate. We'll talk about the history behind Project Nike, why nuclear-armed missiles once stood in Marin County, and how a simple museum visit turned into a fascinating investigation of the Cold War's lasting legacy. 

Terry is back and we're better than ever! Listen on The Drive 95.5 FM

Our guest is Paula Poundstone, the iconic stand-up comedian whose razor-sharp observational humor and quick improvisational wit have made her one of America’s most beloved comics. A regular panelist on NPR's Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me! and host of the Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone podcast, Paula joins us to preview her performances Friday and Saturday, August 14–15, at the Marin Showcase Theater. We'll talk comedy, current events, life on the road, and why no two Paula Poundstone shows are ever quite the same.

 With our guest Will Abrams back on The Drive, we'll also look at what these developments could mean for wildfire survivors and future victims seeking justice.

Our guest is Penny Lane, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker whose credits include Hail Satan?, Listening to Kenny G, and Confessions of a Good Samaritan. A Guggenheim Fellow whose work has been recognized by Sundance, Tribeca, and museums around the world, Penny joins us to discuss her latest documentary, Wild Inside, and the stories that compel her to explore unusual people, provocative ideas, and the often surprising intersections between human nature and the wider world.

Our guest is Will Abrams, a wildfire survivor and organizing advocate with the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition, a grassroots organization representing thousands of Californians affected by utility-caused wildfires. After narrowly surviving the 2017 Tubbs Fire, Will dedicated his career to advancing policies that support wildfire safety, climate resilience, and fair outcomes for survivors. Today we'll discuss AB 2700, legislation aimed at strengthening wildfire survivor compensation, along with the broader challenges of long-term recovery and building more resilient communities in California.

Our guest is Juliet Annerino, a board-certified clinical hypnotherapist based in Los Angeles who helps clients overcome anxiety, phobias, smoking, weight challenges, and other obstacles through hypnosis. Today she's here to discuss "How to Motivate Others" and share three surprising strategies that can apply everywhere—from parenting and workplace leadership to, as Juliet puts it, "interstellar domination."

Our guest is Dominic Cerniglio of Bella Rosa Coffee Company, a local specialty coffee company with a passion for craft and community. Dominic is also a filmmaker and longtime creative collaborator.

Our guest is Alexis E. Fajardo, better known as Lex Fajardo, an Eisner Award-winning cartoonist, creator of the Kid Beowulf graphic novel series, and editorial director at the Charles M. Schulz Studio. Inspired by mythology, monsters, and epic adventures, Lex is here to talk about the new Kid Beowulf Kickstarter, the enduring appeal of graphic novels, and what it's like helping carry on the creative legacy of Charles Schulz while creating worlds of his own.