Laguna Beach schools are at a crossroads, and the biggest question is not test scores - it's trust. Joan Malczewski, PhD, reveals what happens when a high-performing district still has to confront challenges such as declining reading habits nationally, AI in the classroom, financial scrutiny, and a community rift over leadership.

A UC Irvine history professor, former CPA, parent, and current Laguna Beach Unified board member, Malczewski brings a rare mix of education policy, public service, and financial oversight to one of the most closely watched school board races in Orange County. She makes the case that excellent schools do not stay excellent by accident - they stay strong by responding to change, listening to families, and making deliberate, research-based decisions.

Takeaways:

• Strong school districts must keep adapting, even when they are already high-performing.
• Classroom technology should be judged by whether it supports learning goals, not simply by how much screen time it adds.
• Reading for pleasure builds focus, critical thinking, and the ability to understand other perspectives.
• Schools can help students develop civic habits by discussing free speech and protest openly.
• Transparent, consistent processes help protect trust when a school board makes major leadership decisions.
• Financial oversight matters, and reviews should be grounded in evidence rather than speculation.
• Long-term facilities projects and day-to-day operating budgets are separate responsibilities that require careful planning.
• Public criticism can be part of civic participation, even when it is uncomfortable for elected officials.
• Rebuilding collaboration between school boards, teachers, families, and staff is essential when trust has eroded.
• Local school board elections can shape not only schools, but also the wider community’s civic life.

#JoanMalcheski #LagunaBeach #LagunaBeachSchools #LagunaBeachUSD #LagunaBeachUnified #LagunaBeachEducation #LagunaBeachCommunity #LagunaBeachVoters #LagunaBeachPolitics #OrangeCounty #OrangeCountySchools #VitaminOC #PublicEducation #PublicSchools #EducationMatters #SchoolBoard #SchoolBoardElection #LocalElections #CivicEngagement #EducationPolicy #StudentSuccess #ReadingMatters #ClassroomTechnology #SchoolLeadership #CommunityTrust

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Confused by a long ballot and competing campaign claims? Joanna Weiss and Whitney Gomez welcome back attorney and civic advocate Gialisa Gaffney for a clear, lively guide to the November election. Together, they unpack key Orange County races and the most debated propositions, explaining what’s at stake for voting access, insurance, housing, schools, and local leadership. Whether you’re looking for a quick overview or a deeper look at the issues, this conversation helps you approach your ballot with more context—and make your own informed decisions.

Link to OC Ballot Babes 2026 Midterm Election Recommendations:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K14il0QP0PCVdqoXY_Fn-NDSV2y7A2tlGcdy5bOZM1w/edit?usp=sharing

Takeaways:

• Gialisa Gaffney returns with a detailed guide to key California and Orange County races and ballot propositions.
• The hosts emphasize that Orange County’s supervisor race matters because the Board of Supervisors oversees a nearly $10 billion county budget.
• Gialisa argues that experience and a concrete plan should guide voters evaluating candidates for California insurance commissioner.
• The discussion presents Proposition 39 as a potential barrier to voting for eligible Californians without valid, unexpired government photo ID.
• The hosts urge listeners to look beyond campaign ads and assess candidates’ records on local issues.
• The episode connects insurance affordability with wildfire risk, resilient rebuilding, and climate-related challenges.
• Gialisa explains why she is skeptical of several ballot initiatives, including proposals concerning taxes, housing, research funding, and wealth.
• The conversation highlights how city and county decisions can affect housing, public spending, infrastructure, and residents’ legal rights.
• School board and education races receive attention alongside state and congressional contests.
• The hosts encourage listeners to consult the Ballot Babes’ guide, weigh the arguments, and make their own informed choices.

#OrangeCounty #OrangeCountyCA #OrangeCountyPolitics #OCElection #CaliforniaPolitics #CaliforniaElection #Election2026 #BallotGuide #VoterGuide #GetOutTheVote #VoteLocal #CivicEngagement #InformedVoting #VotingRights #PublicPolicy #LocalGovernment #CaliforniaVoters #OrangeCountyVoters #CommunityVoices #Civics #ElectionCoverage #SchoolBoard #HousingPolicy #ClimatePolicy #VitaminOC

#KatrinaFoley #BenAllen #XavierBecerra #SteveHilton #FionaMa #GloriaRomero #ShirleyWeber #DonWagner #MaliaCohen #EleniKounalakis #RobBonta #MichaelGates #TomUmberg #MikeLevin #DaveMin #RobertGarcia #BrianBurley #DerekTran #YoungKim #KenCalvert #ChrisDuncan #TonyStrickland #CatherineBlakespear #ChrisKluwe #CottiePetrieNorris

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On this episode of Vitamin O C, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley joins Joanna Weiss and Whitney Gomez to discuss why the race for the county’s Fifth District seat matters and how county decisions affect residents’ everyday lives. Foley talks about coastal erosion and beach replenishment, federal funding cuts affecting health care and food assistance, and efforts to strengthen oversight of homelessness spending and county contracts. She also responds to AI-generated campaign ads about herbicides, shares her approach to public safety, and discusses fentanyl, human trafficking, and new state laws addressing nitrous oxide. It’s a timely conversation about the people, priorities, and policies shaping Orange County.

Takeaways:

• Foley argues that beaches should be treated as essential infrastructure, with regular sand replenishment planned and funded like road maintenance.
• Decades of development and limited replenishment have contributed to coastal erosion, putting beaches, walkways, rail lines, and nearby utilities at risk.
• Federal funding cuts and added administrative requirements are straining county programs that help low-income residents access health care and food assistance.
• Foley says Orange County can build more reliable revenue by developing underused county-owned properties.
• She supports moving away from routine herbicide spraying toward organic, non-chemical approaches to weed abatement.
• The county audit of homelessness contracts found that some measures tracked activity—such as how many people providers contacted—rather than outcomes like employment.
• Foley says performance standards have since been added to county service contracts, and at least one contractor was not renewed for failing to meet them.
• She describes procurement reforms intended to improve competitive bidding, oversight, and safeguards against misuse of public funds.
• Foley frames public safety as more than a campaign slogan, pointing to staffing, pay, training, equipment, fentanyl prevention, and human-trafficking enforcement.
• She says California’s new nitrous oxide laws aim to curb sales that can put young people and communities at risk.

#VitaminOC #OrangeCounty #OCPolitics #KatrinaFoley #OCSupervisor #District5 #OCBoardOfSupervisors #Election2026 #CaliforniaPolitics #LocalPolitics #LocalElections #VoteEarly #TurnInYourBallot #CivicEngagement #PoliticalPodcast #SouthOC #DanaPoint #CapoBeach #CoastalErosion #SaveOurBeaches #MediCal #FoodInsecurity #PublicSafety #FentanylAwareness #OCNews

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This episode explores a pivotal moment for Newport Beach with Dr. Andy Gerken, an orthopedic surgeon and District 6 candidate who says the city’s decisions today will shape its future for years to come. In conversation with Joanna Weiss and Whitney Gomez, Gerken explains why he entered the race, shares his concerns about development and civic space, and discusses local debates over housing, public projects, traffic, airport policy, transparency, and residents’ voices in government. He also reflects on how his medical career and decades of community involvement shaped his approach to leadership and public service. The conversation works by connecting big local policy debates to the everyday places, experiences, and choices Newport Beach residents care about.

Takeaways:

Dr. Andy Gerken says a lifelong connection to Newport Beach shapes his commitment to preserving the city’s character.

He believes good leadership means bringing people together and keeping ego from getting in the way of the work.

His experience as a surgeon taught him to question inefficient systems and redesign them around people’s needs.

Gerken argues that listening to residents is essential to making sound decisions and building trust.

He warns that costly, permanent projects can limit a city’s ability to address future needs.

He sees public participation and the right to vote as foundations of legitimate local government.

Gerken says conversations with residents show that concerns about overdevelopment are central to the campaign.

He distinguishes responsible development from building simply for the sake of growth.

His community involvement—from youth sports to local service—has informed his perspective on what residents value.

He argues that decisions about housing, public spaces, and infrastructure will shape Newport Beach for years to come.

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In this episode of Vitamin OC, New York Times bestselling biographer and Newport Beach City Council candidate Walter Stahr discusses his new book, William Howard Taft: A Great American Life. He explains how Taft’s career spanned the presidency and the Supreme Court, addresses the enduring bathtub caricature, and describes the research behind his biography, including his earlier work on John Jay, William Henry Seward, and Salmon P. Chase. Stahr also talks about his decision to run for Newport Beach City Council and outlines the local issues at stake, including the future of Newport Beach's beloved central park, the airport agreement, housing, proposed term-limit and transparency measures, and legal challenges involving ballot measures. The conversation offers an overview of Stahr’s historical work and his views on the decisions facing Newport Beach.

Click below to see a picture of President Taft's bathtub (which is mentioned in the episode):

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/popular-lore-claims-that-william-howard-taft-got-stuck-in-a-bathtub-new-research-sheds-light-on-the-legends-forgotten-origins-180988386/

Takeaways:

• Walter Stahr’s biography of William Howard Taft draws on five years of research.
• Taft is the only person to have served as both U.S. president and Chief Justice.
• Stahr argues that Taft’s public image is often reduced to the bathtub story.
• Taft’s career included decades of public service before and after his presidency.
• Stahr’s previous biographies include books on John Jay, William Henry Seward, and Salmon P. Chase.
• Stahr discusses Taft’s approach to presidential power and constitutional limits.
• Stahr is running for Newport Beach City Council in District 3.
• He raises concerns about the city’s plans for the city's central park.
• The conversation covers the airport agreement and its potential effects on nearby neighborhoods.
• Stahr discusses housing, proposed term-limit and transparency measures, ballot access, and related legal challenges.

Stahr says he is running for Newport Beach City Council to:

• Oppose the city’s proposed plans for the city's central park.
• Support greater transparency and accountability in city government.
• Give residents a chance to vote on local ballot measures, including proposed term limits.

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Has the national conversion about election integrity made you wonder about what really happens to your ballot after you send it in? Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page joins Joanna Weiss and Whitney Gomez for a timely, nonpartisan look inside the election process. They discuss everything from ballot security and paper-ballot audits to voting deadlines, signature checks, and local election disputes. Discover the safeguards behind Orange County’s elections, why voting early helps, and how the people administering elections work to keep the process accessible, accurate, and transparent.

If you are interested in learning more, please attend the open house that the OC Registrar of Voters is hosting on Tuesday, October 6 from 4-7pm. For more information:

https://ocvote.gov/feeds/getNewsletter.php/?id=275

Takeaways:

Orange County elections use layered safeguards, including secure drop boxes, two-person ballot pickups, and documented chain of custody.

Paper ballots provide a physical record that can be checked through audits.

Election equipment and software are tested before and after use to help verify accurate results.

Manual tallies and risk-limiting audits provide additional checks on vote totals.

Election deadlines help protect the many steps required to prepare ballots and voter information on time.

The county registrar administers elections but must follow state law and respect the roles of other election officials.

Election observers can watch key processes, including ballot handling and audits.

Voters whose signatures are challenged have a chance to confirm their ballot and update their signature on file.

Voting early gives election officials more time to process ballots before Election Day results are reported.

Local election workers and staff are community members who help make elections accessible, accurate, and transparent.

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Joanna Weiss and Whitney Gomez look back on Season 2 of Vitamin OC, revisiting conversations about journalism, political courage, immigration, public health, technology, volunteering, local elections, and the growing threat of political incivility. They reflect on guests including Jeff Perlman, Pastor Paul Capetz, Michael Moodian, and other community leaders who explored how national policies affect everyday life in Orange County. The episode also looks ahead to Season 3, with a focus on voter education, ballot propositions, local candidates, voting rights, and protecting free and fair elections. More than a season retrospective, this conversation is a call to stay informed, get involved, and help strengthen democracy in the months ahead.

New York Times Autocracy Index (referenced in episode):

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/08/20/opinion/trump-election-interference-democracy.html?unlocked_article_code=1.AFE.VocJ.Lxt2zVRODBr4&smid=url-share

Takeaways:

• Democracy depends on active participation, not just holding political opinions.
• Local volunteering and campaigns help build the civic skills needed to protect democracy nationally.
• Democratic erosion can happen gradually through changes to voting, courts, speech, data, and institutions.
• Political disagreement should not automatically destroy long-standing relationships or community ties.
• Public policies often affect vulnerable people most severely, especially in health care, immigration, and voting.
• Effective civic leaders often begin by noticing a problem and deciding to address it themselves.
• Independent journalism, reliable information, and digital security are essential parts of civic life.
• Community engagement can grow from a conversation or meet-and-greet into volunteering, canvassing, or donating.
• Voters should learn about both the candidates and the propositions on their ballots before November.
• Season 3 will focus on election education, voting rights, local candidates, and protecting free and fair elections.

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Unlock the power of energy healing and subconscious change with Kristen Perlmutter, Reiki and Hypnosis Wellness Practitioner. If you’re curious about how Reiki and hypnotherapy can support anxiety, sleep, or emotional balance, this episode offers a clear and practical introduction to both practices. Kristen shares her journey from art history to energy healing, along with how these modalities show up in real life. You’ll learn what Reiki and hypnotherapy are, how sessions typically work, and why more people are exploring them as part of their wellness routines.

Find Kristen on Instagram:

@Kristenperlmutter

Takeaways:

Kristen explains how Reiki and hypnotherapy can create real shifts in emotional and physical well-being.

She shares that personal experience with energy work was key to believing in its impact.

The podcast emphasizes that hypnotherapy works by reaching the subconscious, where deeper patterns live.

Kristen describes Reiki as a practice rooted in energy balance and subtle healing.

The conversation highlights how her path from art history to wellness shaped her perspective as a healer.

She explains that healing work often becomes more effective when people feel safe, open, and receptive.

The episode touches on the chakra system and how it fits into her approach to energy healing.

Kristen talks about protecting your own energy as an important part of being a practitioner.

The podcast shows how holistic healing can complement everyday wellness routines.

Overall, the episode presents Reiki and hypnotherapy as practical tools for support, balance, and personal growth.

Keywords:

#EnergyHealing #HolisticWellness #MindBodyBalance #ReikiHealing #Hypnotherapy #SubconsciousHealing #WellnessPodcast #SelfHealingJourney #AlternativeHealing #EmotionalBalance

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