The Redwood Empire Podcast

The Redwood Empire Podcast
Podcast Description
Join Phil from Redwood Empire Media for casual conversations with interesting people throughout Northern California. Each episode features a new guest sharing their story, experiences, and perspectives with Phil's relaxed interview style.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Explores themes of community reconnection, resilience in challenging times, and the complexities of technology's role in society, with episodes discussing initiatives like Homeboy Industries for gang rehabilitation and the implications of AI on personal relationships.

Join Phil from Redwood Empire Media for casual conversations with interesting people throughout Northern California. Each episode features a new guest sharing their story, experiences, and perspectives with Phil’s relaxed interview style.
Join Phil from the Redwood Empire podcast with friend Michelle Miller, a former teacher turned magazine publisher transforming local communities. After 25 years in education, Michelle made a bold COVID-era career pivot to launch West and East Petaluma Living magazines through Best Version Media. This conversation explores her journey from personal crisis to professional reinvention, Petaluma's unique character, and hyper-local media's power in building stronger communities. Michelle shares candid stories about overcoming depression, finding her 'Plan B,' and discovering her life word: 'brave.'
Guest: Michelle Miller
Former educator turned magazine publisher who spent 25 years teaching in Sonoma County before launching West and East Petaluma Living magazines through Best Version Media. Montgomery High School alumna, deeply rooted in Petaluma community, serves on Petaluma Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Committee and member of Petaluma Polka Dots networking group.
Chapters
00:00 – Reconnecting Old Friends: Phil introduces Michelle Miller, former Montgomery High classmate, now publisher of Petaluma Living magazines
01:30 – East vs West Petaluma Divide: Geographic divisions, zip codes, and friendly rivalry between town sides
03:00 – Teaching Through Crisis: 25-year teaching career, COVID struggles, remote learning challenges
08:00 – Rock Bottom and Recovery: COVID illness, depression, divorce, deciding to 'rock Plan B'
15:00 – Discovering Best Version Media: Serendipitous Craigslist find leading to career change
22:00 – Economics of Local Business: Supporting local businesses, community money circulation
35:00 – Growing Up in Sonoma County: 1980s Santa Rosa memories, Montgomery High, area changes after fires
45:00 – Magazine's Mission: Celebrating local businesses, highlighting community members, positive approach
55:00 – From Fear to Brave: Personal mantras, life word 'brave,' facing daily business fears
65:00 – Generational Differences: Gen X independence vs modern helicopter parenting
75:00 – Community Connections: Local networking importance, chamber involvement
Business Mentions
**Best Version Media** – National magazine company with 250+ local publications
Website: https://bestversionmedia.com/
**West Petaluma Living** – Community magazine covering west Petaluma
Website: https://bestversionmedia.com/publications/west-petaluma-living/
**East Petaluma Living** – Community magazine covering east Petaluma
Website: https://bestversionmedia.com/publications/east-petaluma-living/
**Exchange Bank** – Community bank serving Northern California since 1890
Website: https://www.exchangebank.com/
**Petaluma Chamber of Commerce** – Local business organization
Website: https://petalumachamber.com/
Key Quotes
> ”Plan A got blown out of the water… So I need to fucking rock Plan B.”
> ”My word for life is brave, because I sit in fear so often and you know what brave is? Looking fear in the eyes and still taking steps forward.”
> ”You are enough. I'm enough of a friend, I'm enough of a daughter, I am so enough for me, and I'm so enough for my kids.”
> ”Think globally, act locally – when you think of your business, a local business with a rich local community, think locally and act locally.”
Call-to-Actions
**NEWSLETTER:** Sign up for West or East Petaluma Living magazine
**SOCIAL:** Follow the Redwood Empire podcast for more Sonoma County stories
**PRODUCT:** Support local Petaluma businesses featured in Michelle's magazines

Disclaimer
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