What keeps a journalist asking tough questions after decades on television? KESQ anchor Karen Devine joins Patrick Evans and guest co-host Shaun LaBelle, music producer and host of the Shaun LaBelle Show on 100.9FM The Patriot, for a conversation about reporting, resilience, and building a life in the Coachella Valley. Recording at Skip Paige’s Little Bar, Karen reflects on her Palm Springs Walk of the Stars honor, mentoring reporters, and the investigations that helped families find answers. She shares her perspective on separating news from opinion, adapting to social media, and checking facts as artificial intelligence enters newsrooms. Beyond the anchor desk, discover her love of Padres baseball, blues music, Sunday Scrabble with her father, and a second chance at love. It’s a look at the person behind the headlines.

Takeaways:

• A Walk of the Stars honor inspires reflection.
• Investigative reporting helps families find answers.
• Separating news from opinion matters.
• Mentoring reporters keeps newsroom veterans learning.
• Social media adds demands to reporting.
• AI tools still require fact checking.
• Family helped shape a career rooted in the desert.
• Baseball, blues, and Scrabble bring joy beyond work.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #KarenDevine #LocalTVNews #ShaunLaBelle #KESQ #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #InvestigativeJournalism #PalmSprings #WalkOfStars #Newsroom #MediaTrust #Journalism #BroadcastNews #CommunityStories #DesertLife

From ballet stages in Japan to cabaret spotlights in Palm Springs, drag entertainer Billy L’Amour has built a life around performing. Billy joins Patrick Evans and guest co-host Melanie Blue, at Skip Paige’s Little Bar to share the artistry behind the glamour. Hear how injuries prompted a career reinvention, why a Montreal commitment took priority over pursuing RuPaul’s Drag Race, and how love helped fuel a return to the stage. Billy also reveals the inspiration behind the name, the joy of reuniting with a live band, and the craft of turning laughter into emotional connection. With stories of international tours, creative burnout, and dreams of European cabaret festivals, this conversation celebrates persistence, musical curiosity, and the courage to keep creating a life truly worth taking center stage for.

Takeaways:

• Billy’s drag career began on the ballet stage.
• Injuries sparked a reinvention through singing and cabaret.
• A Montreal commitment took priority over Drag Race.
• Classic entertainers helped inspire Billy’s stage persona.
• Love and encouragement helped Billy return to performing.
• The Love Notes bring collaborative freedom to performances.
• Humor opens audiences to deeper emotional connections.
• European cabaret festivals remain a dream worth pursuing.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #MelanieBlue #ImprovComedy #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #BillyLAmour #DragPerformer #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #PalmSprings #DragCabaret #LiveSinging #TheLoveNotes #Ballet #CreativeReinvention #Cabaret #LiveMusic #DragEntertainment

From singing with her father's dance band at fourteen to spending 44 years with The Manhattan Transfer, Cheryl Bentyne has stories worth pulling up a stool for. She joins Patrick Evans and guest co-host Fred Bronson, music journalist for Billboard, on Big Conversations, Little Bar to revisit the audition that changed her life, the precision behind Birdland, and the thrill of performing with Ella Fitzgerald. Cheryl shares memories of Grammy wins, international success, and the musical trust that kept four voices together. She also explores her love of the Great American Songbook, the freedom of solo recordings, and her preference for live audiences. Then the conversation takes an unexpected turn: transforming vintage lamps into art. It's a look at a life still finding fresh ways to create, onstage and off.

Takeaways:

• Cheryl started performing with her father's band at fourteen.
• One audition launched 44 years with The Manhattan Transfer.
• “Birdland” remained challenging throughout decades of live performances.
• Singing with Ella Fitzgerald became a cherished career highlight.
• Four voices required precision, discipline, and mutual trust.
• Solo recordings offered freedom in song selection and interpretation.
• Live audiences provide the energy Cheryl loves most.
• Vintage lamps became canvases for her next creative chapter.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #FredBronson #MusicJounalist #BillboardMagazine #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #CherylBentyne #TheManhattanTransfer #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #VocalJazz #Birdland #GreatAmericanSongbook #EllaFitzgerald #GrammyAwards #JazzVocals #PalmSprings #LampArt

Animal welfare, affordability, creativity, and community service converge in a lively conversation with Tom Snyder, CEO of Animal Samaritans. He explains to host Patrick Evans why overcrowded shelters, rising veterinary costs, and pet “petflation” are putting families under pressure, while outlining financial assistance, free spay-and-neuter programs, rescue efforts, specialty veterinary care, and the organization’s plans for expansion. Guest co-host Terry Ray brings humor and personal experience, including how Animal Samaritans helped his late mother’s dog through a serious medical scare. The conversation also reveals Snyder’s unexpected creative past as a playwright, actor, teacher, surfer, and aspiring novelist. Along the way, Patrick, Terry, and Tom explore adoption challenges, responsible pet ownership, nonprofit fundraising, the emotional demands of rescue work, and the powerful bond people share with animals throughout the Coachella Valley community today and beyond.

Takeaways:

• Rising veterinary costs are straining pet-owning families.
• Financial assistance helps keep pets with their owners.
• Free spay and neuter programs reduce shelter overcrowding.
• Animal Samaritans offers extensive specialty veterinary services.
• Rescue partnerships save thousands of at-risk animals.
• Successful adoptions require thoughtful matches between pets and families.
• Nonprofit leadership demands compassion and difficult financial decisions.
• Snyder’s creative life includes theater, teaching, and writing.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #TerryRay #BentTheatre #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #TomSnyder #AnimalSamaritans #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #AnimalRescue #PetAdoption #PetWelfare #VeterinaryCare #SpayAndNeuter #NonprofitLeadership #PalmDesert #PetCare #CommunityImpact

Playwright, director, actor, professor, and producer Luke Yankee joins the corner booth for a lively journey through a remarkable theatrical life. He shares memories of growing up as the son of acclaimed actress Eileen Heckart, where family friends included Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Ethel Merman, Mary Tyler Moore, and other entertainment legends. Yankee reflects on finding his own creative voice, directing his parents, learning from Broadway great Hal Prince, teaching emerging playwrights, and developing works including Marilyn, Mom & Me. He also previews upcoming directing projects, explains how collaboration and criticism strengthen his writing, and delivers unforgettable backstage stories involving missed entrances, bold auditions, and even a wandering cow. The episode also marks an emotional transition as Randy Florence says farewell after three and a half memorable years together onstage.

Takeaways:

• Growing up surrounded by Broadway shaped Yankee’s creative path.
• Eileen Heckart offered demanding lessons in acting.
• Paul Newman shared memorable advice with young Luke.
• Writing eventually became Yankee’s strongest creative calling.
• Directing his parents created unforgettable family moments.
• Great writers learn when criticism improves their work.
• Theater mishaps often become the best backstage stories.
• Randy Florence closes a memorable three-and-a-half-year chapter.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #LukeYankee #Playwright #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #EileenHeckart #Broadway #Theater #TheatreDirector #Playwriting #PalmSprings #MarilynMomAndMe #PerformingArts #BehindTheScenes #EntertainmentPodcast

Television icon Linda Gray kicks off a new season joining Patrick Evans and Randy Florence in the corner booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar for a candid, funny and revealing conversation about a career built on persistence, curiosity and refusing to accept other people’s limitations. Gray recalls her early modeling days, the famous legs behind The Graduate poster, hundreds of commercials and the nerve-racking leap into dramatic acting. She shares how Norman Lear expanded her perspective through a groundbreaking television role before Dallas transformed her into an international star as Sue Ellen Ewing. Gray also opens up about her friendship with Larry Hagman, the chemistry that helped shape their legendary characters, fighting for the opportunity to direct, reinventing herself on the London stage and ultimately returning to the Ewing family. It’s an engaging conversation about resilience, reinvention, friendship and continuing to embrace new challenges throughout life with humor and grace.

Takeaways:

• Early theater taught Gray to trust her creative instincts.
• The Graduate poster unexpectedly made her legs Hollywood history.
• She pursued acting despite traditional expectations for women.
• Norman Lear encouraged empathy, curiosity and rejecting judgment.
• Gray immediately sensed Sue Ellen Ewing was her role.
• Chemistry with Larry Hagman helped redefine their Dallas characters.
• Gray fought for opportunities to direct Dallas episodes.
• Reinvention, resilience and curiosity continue driving her remarkable career.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #LindaGray #DallasTVSeries #SueEllenEwing #DesertPodcast #FamousInterviewGuests #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #LarryHagman #TheGraduate #TelevisionHistory #HollywoodStories #WomenInTelevision #ClassicTelevision #PalmDesert

On this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, the tables turn as legendary Coachella Valley journalist Bruce Fessier steps in as guest host to celebrate the podcast’s 150th episode milestone. What follows is a lively, heartfelt, and often hilarious look back at three years of unforgettable conversations, iconic guests, and behind-the-scenes moments that defined the show. From celebrity encounters and emotional interviews to unexpected revelations and laugh-out-loud stories, the hosts, guest episode host and executive producer John McMullen on what makes the podcast unique—authentic, unscripted dialogue with fascinating people. They revisit standout episodes, discuss the evolution of the show, and explore the magic of letting conversations unfold naturally. Along the way, they share insights into storytelling, interviewing, and the rich cultural fabric of the Coachella Valley. It’s a celebration of connection, curiosity, and the people who make every episode memorable.

Takeaways:

• The podcast celebrates its milestone 150th episode after three years.
• Authentic, unscripted conversations are the show’s defining strength.
• The Coachella Valley is filled with fascinating, untold personal stories.
• Great interviews come from listening, not just asking questions.
• Some of the best moments happen when guests go off-script.
• High-profile guests often become the most relatable in conversation.
• The show has built credibility through organic guest connections.
• There’s no shortage of future stories or compelling guests to feature.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #BruceFessier #JohnMcMullen #150Episodes #PodcastMilestone #CoachellaValleyStories #DesertLife #PodcastHighlights #StorytellingMatters #LocalVoices #EntertainmentTalk #BehindTheMic #PodcastCommunity #UnscriptedConversations

On this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, Patrick sits down solo with media entrepreneur and digital thinker Baratunde Thurston for a wide-ranging, deeply human conversation about technology, identity, and community. Randy is away due to a family loss on this episode. The discussion takes on an intimate tone as Baratunde shares his perspective on artificial intelligence, warning not of machines taking over—but of humans becoming too machine-like. He explores how we can live well with technology while preserving meaning, connection, and democracy. The conversation also dives into his upbringing in Washington, D.C., his influential mother, and the experiences that shaped his bestselling book How to Be Black. From working at The Onion to building new media ventures, Baratunde reflects on storytelling, culture, and the responsibility we all share in shaping the future together.

Takeaways:

1. AI’s greatest risk is humans losing humanity, not machines taking over
2. Technology should enhance life—not replace meaningful experiences
3. AI reflects human input, including both our best and worst traits
4. Community involvement is essential in shaping AI’s future
5. Storytelling is a powerful tool for connection and understanding
6. Identity is complex and cannot be defined by a single narrative
7. Early life experiences deeply shape perspective and purpose
8. Collaboration and curiosity drive innovation and progress

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #BaratundeThurston #ArtificialIntelligence #LifeWithMachines #TechnologyAndHumanity #DigitalFuture #Storytelling #CommunityMatters #PodcastLife #Innovation #TheOnion #PBS