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PODCAST

Big Conversations, Little Bar

Mutual Broadcasting System LLC

Hosted by Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, get up close and personal with fascinating people who live in and visit the Coachella Valley and have made an impact on the region"s economy, culture and global appeal as a leading tourism destination. The series is now in its sixth season and has just launched its third year of production as it reaches the 100th episode mark in the first quarter of 2025! Many thanks to our outstanding listeners from throughout the Golden State, North America and around

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All Episodes

01:04:00

Stephanie Czajkowski, Actress | From Starships to...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/10/27

Season 9 of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence debuts with actress Stephanie Czajkowski, whose turn as a Vulcan on Star Trek: Picard sparked a fandom embrace as fierce as her resilience. She opens up about discovering multiple cancers, the grit, humor, and partnership that carried her through surgery, chemo, radiation, and life after. We talk Coachella Valley roots, a lip-sync win that brought her into the community, and why being present beats chasing perfection

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54:50

Brian Ellis | Gatekeeper of Glamour Shares Palm...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/10/20

Legendary maître d’ Brian Ellis pulls back the velvet rope on five decades at Melvyn’s and the Ingleside Inn, where stars, moguls, and locals mixed like martinis as he opens up on this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence from the corner booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert.. From overbooked New Year’s Eves to Sinatra’s rehearsal dinner, Ellis recounts how front-of-house finesse, unflappable charm, and a well-timed “wave” could turn chaos into

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01:01:00

Brad Fuhr, Media Entrepreneur | Local Radio,...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/10/13

From the corner booth at Skip’s Little Bar, this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar explores modern radio, community impact, and the power of local voices. Our guest Brad Fuhr charts a path from teenage on-air shifts to rebuilding KGAY 106.5 as a public-benefit station, acquiring MeTV 103.1, and keeping nostalgia fresh with today’s tools. Patrick Evans and Randy Florence unpack voice tracking and AI, the ethics of synthetic newscasts, and why investing in real personalities still matters

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53:50

Teddy Grouya, AmDocs Festival | From Statecraft to...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/10/06

This episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence dives into how passion, persistence, and service shape a life in film and community. Our guest Teddy Grouya—founder of the AmDocs Film Festival—traces a path from UCLA film studies and foreign-exchange days in Denmark to a State Department posting in Australia, then back to Hollywood and ultimately to creating a globally respected documentary and animation showcase. He explains how AmDocs curates 200+ films, hosts

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58:00

Lou Schachter, Writer | True Crime, Travel, and...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/09/29

At Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert, narrative nonfiction writer and true crime sleuth Lou Schachter unpacks why crimes captivate us—and how travel fuels his reporting on Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence. He traces a personal origin story to his grandfather’s 1933 Los Angeles murder, a saga tangled with Bugsy Siegel and a corrupt DA, now chronicled at LustForPower.com. Lou also dives into two Coachella Valley capers: the 1995 “friends helping friends”

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59:50

Dr. Patrick St. Pierre | From Battlefield Discipline...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/09/22

What do Ranger School grit, cutting-edge robotics, and Burgundy wine have in common? This lively episode of Big Conversations, Litte Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence traces an extraordinary journey from West Point and the DMZ to the operating room and, now, the tasting room. Our guest, Dr. Patrick St. Pierre, an Eisenhower Medical Center orthopedic surgeon and Level 4 sommelier—explains how military discipline shaped his calm in high-stakes surgeries and why staying cool matters when

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50:30

Gary Levingston | From Church Pew to Primetime:...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/09/15

Recorded at the famed corner booth of Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert, this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar hosted by Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, follows a remarkable journey from church greeter to reality-TV standout. Guest Gary Levingston shares how a chance encounter at Southwest Church led to casting for the senior-edition dating franchise, the sequestered Malibu mansion experience, and the unexpected brotherhood that formed among contestants on The Golden Bachelor, and

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56:50

Lee Mills, Artistic Director | From Montana to...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/09/08

This episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence spotlights a dynamic leader shaping the desert’s classical scene. As artistic director for Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic, our guest Lee Mills explains how a tiny team brings the world’s great orchestras to the McCallum Theatre within a narrow January to April window—often booking seasons as far out as 2028. Expect a blockbuster lineup: Chicago Symphony; a Los Angeles Philharmonic visit during a milestone

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57:50

Lola Kent, Event Planner | Inside Desert Glam: Event...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/09/01

From New York steakhouse soirées to Coachella Valley showstoppers, event planner Lola Kent brings a decade-plus of creative fire to the corner booth on this week’s episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence. She shares how a chance ceremony paired her with officiant Randy, sparking 60+ weddings built on listening, storytelling, and short-but-soulful vows. Lola recalls transforming airplane hangars at the Palm Springs Air Museum into “Norm’s Beach,” complete with

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45:00

David Church, Author | Uncovering Thomas Edison’s...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/08/25

In this captivating episode, local author and playwright David Church takes listeners on a fascinating journey through history, imagination, and creativity. Best known for his Edison Trilogy of novels, Church reveals how Thomas Edison’s little-known experiments with a “spirit box” sparked his fictional adventures into the supernatural and beyond. He shares with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence on Big Conversations, Little Bar the meticulous research that grounded his novels in historical truth while

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56:50

Danny Labin | JFED Desert CEO | Global Impact and...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/08/18

In this powerful episode, the hosts welcome Danny Labin, CEO of the Jewish Federation of the Desert, for a conversation spanning his global experiences and local commitments. From producing Sesame Street in over 25 countries to navigating life in Lithuania and leading major philanthropic efforts in Israel, Labin’s journey reflects a life dedicated to education, cultural understanding, and community service. He shares gripping first-hand accounts of being in Israel during missile attacks, the complex

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54:30

Yvonne Beil | Exploring New Horizons for Local Arts &...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/08/11

In this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar, Yvonne Bell, the newly appointed CEO of the McCallum Theatre, shares her insights on leading the iconic desert venue. Discussing her transition from Development to CEO, Bell reveals plans for an expanded season and new programming aimed at engaging a broader audience. She highlights upcoming Broadway shows, dance performances, and the exciting integration of jazz and cabaret series. Bell also reflects on her unique career journey and the challenges

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56:20

Steven Ciceron, Actor | Reflecting on Psychology...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/08/04

In this lively episode, actor Steven Ciceron joins Patrick Evans and Randy Florence at Skip Paige’s Little Bar to share his journey from clinical psychologist to working actor. With over 50% audition success and roles across film, television, and theater, Ciceron discusses the discipline and humility that fuel his craft. He dives into his passion for horror, balancing dark characters with a naturally affable personality, and how his psychology background enhances his performances. The conversation

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51:50

Mary Ann Halpin | Fear, Fame, and Flashbacks:...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/07/28

In this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar, Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome acclaimed photographer, author, artist, and actress Mary Ann Halpin for a heartfelt and often hilarious chat. From her beginnings in Chicago to her transformative work behind the camera in Los Angeles, Mary Ann shares how life’s twists—like infertility—led to her groundbreaking photo books, including Pregnant Goddesshood and the Fearless Women series. The trio dives into her viral Super Bowl commercial

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54:50

Tom Kirk, CVAG | Innovative Solutions for...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/07/14

In this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar, Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome Tom Kirk, the Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG). They dive into the pivotal role of CVAG in regional planning, focusing on transportation developments like CV Link and traffic signal synchronization initiatives. Tom shares insights on the challenges faced when aligning multiple cities and stakeholders, as well as the importance of addressing air quality issues in the

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58:50

Andrea Carter, Marketing Maven | Where Hollywood...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/07/07

In this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar, Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome Andrea Carter, a Coachella Valley marketing and PR powerhouse with a fascinating life story. Andrea shares insider tales from coordinating A-list celebrities at the Palm Springs International Film Festival to co-founding the record-breaking Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament for St. Jude. She reflects on her small-town Minnesota roots, her unexpected reunion with her biological family, and her journey in

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59:50

Laurilie Jackson, Journalist & Educator | Exploring...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/06/30

In this episode, Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome Laurilie Jackson, a seasoned media professional and professor, who shares her inspiring journey from Canadian roots to becoming a prominent figure in Coachella Valley journalism to Big Conversations, Little Bar. Laurilie recounts her early experiences in broadcasting, including her internships at CNN and Entertainment Tonight, and discusses the impact of her teaching at College of the Desert. The conversation touches on the evolution of

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59:50

Alan Gitlin | Exploring Cinematography and...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/06/23

In this episode, the hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence delve into the fascinating world of cinematography with accomplished cinematographer Alan Gitlin. With a career spanning decades, Gitlin shares his experiences working on iconic films, including Star Trek Generations and Titanic. He discusses his journey from his early days in Hollywood to his production and mentoring role with Palm Springs Women in Film and Television. Listeners gain insights into the intricacies of filmmaking, the

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01:02:00

Frank Furino | The Colorful Life and Stories of a...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/06/09

In this captivating episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar, join hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence as they sit down with Frank Furino, a media and entertainment veteran with an extraordinary history. From his early days in the bustling newsrooms of ABC to his adventures in Hollywood, Frank shares his remarkable journey, including his chance encounters with famous figures like Howard Cosell and Sammy Davis Jr. You’ll be enthralled by tales of his transition from broadcasting to writing for

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01:06:00

Del Shores, Producer/Director/Writer | Stage & Screen...

Big Conversations, Little Bar ·

2025/06/02

In this enjoyable episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar, Patrick Evans and Randy Florence sit down with playwright, producer, director and actor Del Shores to discuss his remarkable journey through the world of theatre and film. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his iconic work Sordid Lives, Del shares personal stories about his upbringing in the Southern Baptist church and how it shaped his artistic voice. The conversation dives into his experiences with community, faith, and acceptance,

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134 results

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