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Ever wonder how we might bridge the seemingly unbridgeable divides in our society? David Frank's journey from East Coast political science graduate to Humboldt County media advocate offers a roadmap worth exploring.

Growing up in a household where defending your opinions and understanding opposing perspectives was expected at the dinner table, Frank developed skills that would serve him throughout life. "My parents always expected us to be able to converse intelligently and defend our opinions and then kind of pivot to understand people that disagreed with us," he explains. This foundation in civil discourse shaped his approach to media and community engagement.

After arriving in Humboldt County in 2004 as a caregiver for a friend, Frank quickly put down roots, bartending at Plaza Grill and Abruzzi for over a decade before joining Internews, an international media nonprofit. His passion for policy analysis and community dialogue led him to host shows on KMUD and Access Humboldt, including "You Are Here" and "Redwood Wonk," where he explores local manifestations of national issues.

What makes Frank's perspective particularly valuable is his commitment to being a bridge-builder. As a former delegate to the California Democratic Party, he positioned himself as an observer of the schism between establishment and progressive wings, using his media platform to share insights with the community. Rather than stoking division, he focuses on creating spaces where people can listen to each other and work toward solutions.

Frank identifies three critical issues facing Humboldt County: healthcare access, climate-related concerns (including wildfire and insurance challenges), and broadband connectivity in rural areas. He advocates for community forums that bring together academics, policymakers, and residents to address these challenges collaboratively. "We can solve problems locally, we address problems locally, we lead by example as citizens here in our own community," he asserts.

Ready to join the conversation about building a more connected community? Follow Frank's shows and initiatives as he continues his mission to fight "the good fight" through civil discourse and community engagement. The path to healing our divisions might just start with a conversation in your own backyard.

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About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean.

We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%!

Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt!

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Step into the extraordinary life journey of Brett McFarland, a musician whose path from Midwest farming to Humboldt County outlaw country is nothing short of cinematic. This deeply moving conversation reveals how Brett's search for a fresh start brought him to Northern California's emerald triangle, where he established himself as an organic farmer before becoming entangled in the cannabis cultivation that defined the region.

When federal agents built a conspiracy case against him based largely on hearsay, Brett found himself serving nearly four years in prison—a crucible that would transform him forever. The raw vulnerability with which he shares his incarceration experience is breathtaking, particularly as he describes discovering a Hawaiian forgiveness prayer that helped him release the bitterness threatening to consume him: "I'm sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you."

Music became Brett's salvation behind bars, playing on battered guitars for fellow inmates, creating moments of connection amid dehumanizing circumstances. Yet his return to society brought new challenges, as post-prison trauma strained his marriage to the breaking point. In a moment of profound honesty, Brent reveals how therapy helped him recognize his hypervigilant state and ultimately save his relationship.

The conversation's most powerful revelation comes when Brent describes finally overcoming his fear of "not being good enough" to embrace music publicly. After seeing Willie Nelson perform in 2023, something clicked: "Not next year, today." The floodgates opened—from opening for blues legend Earl Thomas to recording in Nashville, his authentic outlaw country sound quickly gaining global recognition.

His performance of "How We Do It In Humboldt" captures the spirit of a community that embraces outsiders and second chances, written by someone who has lived its highest highs and lowest lows. Don't miss Brett's upcoming shows in Sebastopol and Trinity Center, with hints of a special Eureka Theater performance coming soon.

Support the show

About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean.

We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%!

Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt!

Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text

Forget everything you thought you knew about rural healthcare. In this eye-opening conversation, Michael Keleman, CEO of Providence Health Serving Humboldt, shatters the "medical desert" stereotype by revealing how metropolitan-level medical care exists in this coastal Northern California community.

Having worked for healthcare giants including Stanford, Kaiser Permanente, and Sutter Health, Keleman brings a unique perspective to Providence's operations in Humboldt County. With surprising candor, he shares how the community performs robotic thoracic surgeries, offers comprehensive oncology services, and provides advanced trauma care—all services you might expect only in major urban centers.

The conversation explores the rich history of St. Joseph Hospital, which began in 1912 when twelve Sisters arrived from France with a simple but revolutionary mission: "Go out into communities, find like-minded individuals who share in your values, find a problem and solve it." That outreach-focused foundation continues to shape Providence's approach today.

What truly distinguishes Humboldt's healthcare landscape, according to Keleman, is the unprecedented collaboration among providers. Unlike the competitive environments he experienced elsewhere, here competitors regularly come together to address community health challenges collectively. This "Humboldt way" extends to physician recruitment, with initiatives like "Home in Humboldt" bringing together the Coast Guard, Cal Poly, and local healthcare systems to attract medical talent.

Perhaps most revealing is Keleman's personal discovery of Humboldt's unique community bonds. Despite being relatively new to the area, he articulates a profound insight: "Humboldt's the first place I've ever lived where I understand the concept of community... I've never really understood the depth of a relationship until I moved here."

Ready to challenge your assumptions about what's possible in rural healthcare? Listen now and discover why this CEO believes the future of medicine might be found not in crowded urban centers, but in collaborative communities like Humboldt County.

Support the show

About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean.

We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%!

Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt!

Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!