Full Expression
John Francis, Ph.D. is known around the world as the "Planet Walker." Following a tragic oil spill in the San Francisco Bay in 1971, he took a vow to reject motorized transportation. Some time later he added a vow of silence which lasted 17 years. An author, traveler, student, and teacher, John Francis has explored every continent without the use of motorized travel. “Planet Walker” is the title of his autobiography as well as a documentary film about his life released in 2024.
info_outline Ep #23 - Trevor Wallace - Treasure HunterFull Expression
Trevor Wallace is an expedition filmmaker, explorer and cultural heritage advocate. His projects focus on expanding human curiosity about the wild and remote corners of the world. He is the co-founder of the Menorca Shipwreck Project and collaborates with scientists, archeologists and communities to document stories of the human spirit — present and past.
info_outline Ep #22 - Will Allen - In Defense of SoilFull Expression
Will Allen is a farmer, author and activist. Raised in California, he has spent the last 20 years on Cedar Circle Farm in southeastern Vermont. I talked with Will about finding ancient pottery in a Peruvian jungle, the evolution of the modern organic farming movement and the joy he brings to each day even in the face of adversity.
info_outline Ep #21 - Alondra Bentley - Instinct, Intrigue and SongwritingFull Expression
Alondra Bentley is a British-born songwriter and illustrator living in Madrid. She was raised in southern Spain, studied fine arts before launching her music career, and has recorded five studio albums (with a new release pending). For over ten years, Alondra has taught children art and music based on the Montessouri methodology which emphasizes the discovery and understanding of our emotions.
info_outline Ep #20 - Peter Schaumann - Peace, Love, and Portrait PaintingFull Expression
Peter Schaumann is a native of Pennsylvania, and currently resides in Newtown Square. He is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Art, and has been on the faculties of Philadelphia College of Art and Moore College of Art and Design. Following a distinguished career as a New York illustrator where he was cited for numerous honors and awards, he turned to fine art, figure painting, and portraiture. His work has appeared in many galleries across the United States. Peter has earned numerous awards for his portraiture and most recently completed a painting of Tom Wolf, the former governor of...
info_outline Ep #19 - Bonnie Hayes - The Craft of SongwritingFull Expression
Bonnie Hayes is an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, and educator. The eldest of seven children from a highly musical family, she attended Washington High School and San Francisco State University. Her brother, Chris, was the lead guitarist for Huey Lewis and the News. Her brother, Kevin, was a drummer with the Robert Cray Band. Bonnie has performed in numerous bands as well as on tours with Bob Seeger, Belinda Carlisle and Billy Idol. Her songs have been recorded by Cher, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Cole, Robert Cray, David Crosby, Adam Ant and Booker T and the...
info_outline Ep #18 - Michael Pollan - Immersive JournalismFull Expression
Michael Pollan is an author, educator, documentary film creator and avid gardener. His work investigates the nexus of nature and culture and spans topics of gardening, agriculture, nutrition and cuisine, and neuropsychology. Six of his nine books have been New York Times bestsellers; three of them (including, How to Change Your Mind) were immediate #1 New York Times bestsellers. His other books include This is Your Mind on Plants, Cooked, Food Rules, In Defense of Food, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, The Botany of Desire, A Place of My Own and Second...
info_outline Ep #17 - Davia Nelson - Kitchen Sisters RadioFull Expression
Davia Nelson is a radio producer, screen writer and casting director. She began in radio as a DJ in high school in Los Angeles. She later attended UC Santa Cruz and began documenting the community through a series of oral history pieces. With her partner, Nikki Silva, Davia founded “The Kitchen Sisters,” one of the most lasting and prolific public radio production teams in modern history. Their NPR series include “Hidden Kitchens,” “Lost and Found Sounds,” the “Sonic Memorial Project,” “The Hidden World of Girls” and “The Keepers.” They have won 2 James Beard Awards, 2...
info_outline Ep #16 - Joe Breeze - The Freedom MachineFull Expression
Joe Breeze is an American bicycle frame builder, designer and advocate from Marin County, California. An early participant in the sport of mountain biking, Breeze — along with other pioneers including Gary Fisher, Charlie Kelly and Tom Ritchey — is known for his central role in developing the mountain bike. Joe is the co-founder and curator of the Marin Museum of Bicycling and the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in Fairfax, California. He helped me immensely with the introduction of a Chronicle book I wrote in the late 1990s, called Fat Tire: A Celebration of the Mountain Bike. I...
info_outline Ep# 15 - Hal Mayforth - Born to DrawFull Expression
Hal Mayforth is an American cartoonist, illustrator and abstract painter. A nationally recognized illustrator, Hal’s work has been widely published in magazines from Rolling Stone to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. His colorful paintings have been exhibited in galleries around the United States. He is a lifelong musician and most recently was the artistic collaborator on my “Gratitude” video that was released in May 2022. I spoke with Hal Mayforth about his journey to becoming a professional illustrator, his daily practice of automatic drawing,...
info_outlineRonnie Vannucci, Jr. is a classically trained percussionist and drummer for The Killers. While pursuing a music degree at the University of Las Vegas Nevada in 2002, he joined bandmates Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning and Mark Stoermer. The Killers have recorded six best-selling albums and performed in 50 countries. I spoke with Ronnie about his experience as a wedding photographer, the importance of mastering the art of listening, and the making of the band’s upcoming album, “Pressure Machine.”