OC Insight Episodes
Creative Communities and the Creative Economy
Throughout Southern California and in pockets across the nation, there are neighborhoods and communites that enjoy both a rich arts scene as well as a vibrant business sector engaged in creative work. Many say that these "creative communities" as they're called, not only improve quality of life, but also help communities weather tough economic times.
Panelists: Samuel Hoi, president of Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. Pat Wayne, director of programs and education with Arts Orange County. Christopher Lynch, vice president for business and economic development at the Irvine Chamber of Commerce. Host: Roger Cooper.
California's Foster Care System
It's a population that we often overlook -- the nearly 80-thousand children and teens in the state's foster-care system. While most will eventually be reunited with a parent, some will remain wards of the court -- without a home and unadopted -- all the way until they reach 18. How do these young people make their way in life? And how can we help them on their road to adulthood?
Panelists: Cal Winslow, who serves as CEO and President of the Orangewood Children's Foundation. Marla Jo Fisher, a columnist with the Orange County Register. Markus McQueen, a law student who grew up in the foster care system and was a "Guardian Scholar" at California State University, Fullerton. Host: Roger Cooper.
Confronting End-of-Life Issues
Talking about death is difficult for most families. But whether we speak about it or not, there will be important decisions and plans to be made, wishes to be followed, and emotions to brace for. Should extraordinary measures be taken to prolong life? What about the expense? How many of us realize the final months of life can account for up to half of our nation's medical expenses? Can we confront our own mortality?
Panelists: Dr. James Mayo, a physician with Kaiser Permanente. Jane Glenn Haas, a newspaper columnist, author, and founder of WomenSage. Dr. Paul Levesque, associate professor and chair of comparative religion at California State University, Fullerton. Host: Roger Cooper.
Illegal Immigration
There are few hot-button issues hotter than that of illegal immigration. At times, the public discourse is so loud and impassioned that the facts can be lost. What are the facts - and what is the best way forward?
Panelists: Scott Baugh, chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County; Alexandro José Gradilla, assistant professor and chair of Chicana and Chicano Studies at California State University, Fullerton; Frank Barbaro, chairman of the Democratic Party of Orange County. Host: Roger Cooper.
The Megachurches of Orange County
While megachurches exist in other parts of the country, some of the biggest of these massive congregations are right here in Orange County. What gave rise to megachurches like the Crystal Cathedral and Saddleback Valley Community Church? And what is their impact on life here?
Panelists: Richard Flory, director of research for the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California; Gwen Driscoll, former senior journalist for The Orange County Register; Ben Hubbard, professor emeritus of comparative religion at California State University, Fullerton. Host: Roger Cooper.
Transportation in the Southland
Across Southern California, we all have had frustrations with getting from "point A" to "point B." From freeways to bus lines to railways, the Southland has a mix of both success stories and frustrations. Where do we lead the way, and where do we fall behind? What's the state of mass-transit? And what are the needed projects for the future?
Panelists: Art Leahy, CEO of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Curt Pringle, chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority; Will Kempton, CEO of the Orange County Transportation Authority. Host: Roger Cooper.
The Impact of the Military on Orange County
Most people know of a service member stationed here at home or overseas, or a veteran who fought in a past conflict. What you may not know is just what a profound impact the military and its members have had on Orange County as a region.
Panelists: Patrick Gough, retired colonel with the U.S. Marine Corps; Jared Rubin, Assistant Professor of Economics at California State University, Fullerton. Bruce Moore, President of Power Paragon, a division of L-3 Communications. Host: Roger Cooper.
Orange County's Tourism & Entertainment Industry
Say "Orange County" and people begin to think of a place you go for theme parks, great beaches and big league baseball. How did the county become such a desirable destination? And what's the impact of being home to Disneyland and so much more?
Panelists: Robert Alvarado, Vice President for Marketing and Ticket Sales for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Elaine Lewinnek, Assistant Professor of American Studies at California State University, Fullerton; Gary Sherwin, President & CEO of Visit Newport Beach. Host: Roger Cooper.
Agenda for the New Governor
Jerry Brown is, once again, this state's governor. Ironically, he is facing some of the same issues he faced when he was first governor some 30 years ago. His biggest challenge is California's ongoing and massive revenue shortfall. What should -- indeed, what can -- Jerry Brown do?
Panelists: Jon Fleischman, President of Fleischman Consulting Group; Raphael Sonenshein, Chair of Politics, Administration, and Justice at California State University, Fullerton; Eric Bauman, Chair of the Los Angeles Democratic Party and Senior Advisor to California Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez. Host: Roger Cooper.
Going Green in Orange County
Threats to our natural environment have increasingly forced us to "think green" and search for ways to sustain our way of life. "Sustainability" is the new environmental buzz word. Why does it matter? And what role will each of us need to play?
Panelists: Hasan Ikhrata, executive director of the Southern California Association of Governments; John Bock, director of the Center for Sustainability at Cal State Fullerton; Chris Bugbee, OC Insight contributor.
The Future of California Public Higher Education
Year after year, we seem to hear the same story: California's once-revered public higher education system is now chronically underfunded. Students and their parents balk at higher fees. And enrollment cut-backs shut the door to higher education to more and more potential students. Where do we go from here? What is the long-term answer?
Panelists: Steve Boilard, director of higher education in the California Legislative Analyst¹s Office; Dawn Person, professor of educational leadership at Cal State Fullerton; Hans Johnson, director of research and senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California.
The Vietnamese Experience in Orange County
It doesn't take long for a newcomer to Orange County to notice the size and vibrancy of its Vietnamese community. The community's mark on business, politics, and culture has been significant and has reshaped the county over the past 30 years.
Panelists: Tam Nguyen, president of the Vietnamese-American Chamber of Commerce; Linh Nguyen of Nguoi Veit Daily News; Ysa Le, executive director of Vietnamese-American Arts and Letters Association.
The Future of Public Secondary Education
Across Orange County, public education has been hit hard by budget cuts as this state tries to makeup for massive shortfalls in revenue. The arrival of the recession has meant even more cuts in school spending, leading to larger class sizes, dropped programs and teacher layoffs. While California voters say educating our children is a priority, are we instead in danger of leaving our children behind?
Panelists: Bill Habermehl, Superintendent of Schools for the Orange County Department of Education; Kathy Marvin, 8th-grade science teacher at Sierra Vista Middle School in Irvine; Mark Ellis, associate professor and chair of secondary education at California State University, Fullerton.
Preserving OC's Past
Uncovering our region's history and bringing it to life can enrich us as citizens and help illuminate our future. Here in Orange County, a variety of fascinating and critically important efforts are now underway.
Panelists: Mark Denny, director of Orange County Parks; Jean Pasco, director of the Orange County Archives; Stan Oftelie, author and former head of the Orange County Transportation Authority.
The Changing Face of HIV/AIDS
Have you noticed that we don't seem to hear much about HIV and AIDS anymore? What happened? HIV/AIDS certainly hasn't gone away. Has the public tuned out because of fatigue, or lost interest in the mistaken assumption that new treatments mean HIV/AIDS is no longer a problem? HIV is still here and still spreading, and into groups that may surprise you.
Panelists: Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, past chair of Orange County AIDS Services Foundation whose medical practice specializes in the treatment of HIV patients; Sarah Kasman,director of Shanti Orange County; Tom Peterson, development specialist with the Riverside County Department of Mental Health and member of the board of directors of AIDS Action.
The Impending Nursing Crisis
In just a few years, California will only have 35% of the nurses it will need... and it only gets worse — much worse — from there. The state already ranks last in nurses per capita. Is this nursing shortage putting you and your family's healthcare at risk? How did we get here, how do we fix it?
The Orange County Media Evolution
With more and more people having iPhones in hand, posting "tweets" online, and expecting news instantly and for free, the media business is changing — fast. Is the morning newspaper waiting in the driveway on its way toward extinction? And as information sources and vehicles converge, what does the future look like?
Is California Governable?
From taxpayer rebukes at the ballot box to protests surrounding state budget cuts; from culture wars to complaints of failed leadership; from near-constant amending of the constitution to talk of spliting the state in two... it all begs the question: Is California Governable?
The New Face of Retirement
This episode looks at the new challenges facing Orange County's aging population. In the next decade, the number of seniors will double as the baby boomers age. But these seniors are not going gradually into the sunset. They're increasingly active and they want to age in place. Their challenge is planning for a safe, healthy and economically viable retirement, particularly in this challenging fiscal environment.
Running on Empty: The So Cal Water Crisis
This episode explores the ongoing water crisis in Orange County, Southern California and beyond. Record dry conditions persist and both development and populations are growing at the same time as water supplies are threatened. But what can we, as individuals and communities, do to conserve water and become part of the solution?
The Real OC
The episode explodes the myths about Orange County made popular in shows like The Real Housewives of Orange County and The OC. Contrary to the perception of Orange County as a wealthy enclave of beautiful people living and playing in a resort setting, the county is demographically diverse and rich in a variety of cultures, with dramatically changing demographics and landscapes.
The Youth Vote
This episode explores youth involvement in the political process, especially in the 2008 presidential election, new technology that young people use to communicate and non traditional sources that influence their political opinions and reactions. The episode also discusses polls and their impacts.
Illegal Immigration
This episode features discussions regarding illegal immigration in Orange County and its impact on education and other public services.
The Cost of Living in OC
The episode features discussions regarding the financial struggles of re-entry students and low wage earners in Orange County.
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