The Skyway

Episode 21 - Jamie Kalanquin - Thistle & Stitch Owner - Apparel Entrepreneur - Highland Cow Lover

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0800

Today we sat down with Jamie Kalanquin to discuss the Thistle & Stitch origin story, post-fire support from the Ridge community, the purchase and build out of their storefront ON THE SKYWAY, and the journey that flannel and super special fabric fueled across the Midwest through the Scottish Highland games. Check out their etsy store or their homepage at www.thistleandstitch.com or drop by their storefront at 7668 Skyway, Paradise. If you are keen on Highland Cow adorned sweaters or carefully selected fabric bolts - look no further!

WELCOME to the Skyway Podcast an Interview style, family friendly podcast covering topics on the Paradise, Magalia, Concow Ridge and Chico area. Connecting the Ridge to the Valley with commute length podcasts between 35 - 40 mins(half on the drive up, half on the drive down) covering topics that will help you and your family get the most out of life in our area, enjoy the drive and stay safe out there.

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Episode Twenty - Livia and Wayne Kurtz - Grocery Outlet Owners - Engaged Community Members - Positive Vibe People

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0800

Wayne and Livia Kurtz join The Skyway Podcast to share their remarkable story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and community spirit in the Ridge area. From joining our community after the Camp Fire to creating beloved local businesses, their journey reflects a deep commitment to Paradise and its future. Tune in for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about hope, hard work, and finding purpose in the place you call home.

Welcome to the Skyway Podcast an Interview style, family friendly podcast covering topics on the Paradise, Magalia, Concow Ridge and Chico area. Connecting the Ridge to the Valley with commute length podcasts between 35 - 40 mins(half on the drive up, half on the drive down) covering topics that will help you and your family get the most out of life in our area, enjoy the drive and stay safe out there.

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Tubbs Construction 30 S

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Episode 19 - Lucas Blair - Owner Paradise Tribute Series - Pine and Flume Co. - Savvy Entrepreneur - Paradise Based Artist

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0800

Our first collaboration with another Paradise based business! Paradise Tribute Series and mastermind artist owner, Lucas Blair, join us on the podcast to discuss the healing power of fusing a keen artistic eye with branding the Ridge in all it's glory through the Pine and Flume Supply Co. Catch your host on social at the Paradise Tribute Series facebook or Insta page sporting the newly released Long Sleeve SPF 50 in Olive Green - which is where this collaboration allllllllll started.

The Paradise Tribute Series highlights local Ridge residents, business owners, Moms, and other do-gooders through social media based outreach while celebrating the rich community supporting the various apparel and locally made products Lucas makes at Pine and Flume Supply Co.(Head to Buffy's Gift Barn to purchase locally).

Thanks for all you do and for the epic collaboration Paradise Tribute Series!

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Episode 18 Calli-Jane West - Mother - Butte County Fire Safe Council - Author - Humble Awesomeness

Fri, 09 May 2025 09:00:00 -0800

Calli-Jane West of the Butte FireSafe Council joins us on the show today. She has a wealth of fire history knowledge and a passion to teach the importance of land stewardship to all, especially our children and our growing community. A timely episode, as fire season is around the corner in 2025, here are a bunch of links that Calli-Jane shared with me so you can dig deeper into the importance of being firewise in Butte County and beyond.

Grazing Festival https://buttefiresafe.net/grazing/

Youth Education https://buttefiresafe.net/education-programs/

Firewise USA Map of where folks may be in a community already or want to form one

https://buttefiresafe.net/firewise-usa/

Fire History - Calli-Jane is really excited for everyone to see the Concow/Yankee Hill story map which really has an integrated relationship with the Ridge communities via fire history and fuels.

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3b1ee57224cf423f843a44d582a658dd

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Episode 17 - Meg Smaker - Documentarian - World Traveler - Creator of The UnRedacted(Jihad Rehab) Documentary

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0800

Meg Smaker sits down to discuss The UnRedacted - a feature length documentary about four men who were once Jihadists, now in rehabilitation. The UnRedacted(Jihad Rehab) is showing at the Pageant Theatre on March 28th, 29th, and 30th 2025. As this film has been outright cancelled, the Pageant is the ONLY place you can see this film(until its triumphant return to mainstream), so get your tickets ASAP.

The film is powerful, the Pageant is a wonderful venue, and Meg is a representative of Butte County out there changing the world in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenge. Get to the Pageant to check out this film, you will be glad you did!

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Episode 16 - April Kelly - Owner of Nic's in Paradise - Sommelier - Flavor Maestro - Big Smiler

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0800

April Kelly of Nic's in Paradise joins us on the show with a tale of travels abroad, her favorite recipe on the menu, bringing her extensive experience back home, and then she served me an amazing meal - all of which was awesome. Come see for yourself and get to know the person driving community building through delicious delicatessen on the Skyway.

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Episode 15 - Ev Duran - UTB Studios - Inspirational Character - Emmy Winner - Movie Buff

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0800

We are kicking off 2025 with an episode recorded in late 2024, with a super fun character that crafts amazing stories, videos, and content that captivates viewers the world over! Ev Duran joins us and tells us a little bit about his epic career(thus far) and shares a few laughs as we move from his origin story towards the future of UTB Studios. Enjoy!

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Episode 14 - Doug Speicher - Real Estate Agent - Social Media Character - Family Man

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Dough Speicher joins us on the show today, a format that compliments his epic social media presence. We discuss his relationship based approach to helping his clients purchase and sell real estate, how he builds trust through authentic humor, and of course - our shared understanding of the importance of being a Father and a Family Man.

Check out his real estate website at www.realspeicher.com or search him out on Facebook or Instagram.

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Episode Thirteen - Natalia Skuba - Copper Artist - Jewelry - Owner of the Copper Oasis - Brave Singer

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Natalia joins the podcast to discuss the origin story of her jewelry and copper art business, the Copper Oasis. We cover her inspirations, where her jewelry and custom pieces can be purchased(thecopperoasis.etsy.com) as well as her art being sold at local shops - shout out to Bidwell Supply, which opens their second location in downtown Chico on November 23rd, 2024 - Natalia will have her jewelry in their new location as well as at local craft faire's around Butte County in 2025. Heads up, there might be a heartwarming daddy-daughter story in this episode as well.

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Episode Twelve - Nichole Farley - Explore Butte County Executive Director - Coffee Lover - Adventurous Butte County Representative

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Nichole Farley from Explore Butte County sits down to discuss her passion for our area, the amenities that we may take for granted, and a bunch of resources that she and her team have assembled to answer the question "What is there to do in Butte County?" - and the CRUSH IT!

Super fun to record, even more fun to listen to, Nichole and her team do a wonderful job of representing our area, outside of our area. Check out explorebuttecounty.com and see what I mean!

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Episode Eleven - Kelly Gordon - Paradise High School Co-Principal, Paradise Rotary Co-President, Career in Education

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0800

After a wonderful welcome into Paradise High School, Kelly Gordon and I discuss her career in education, the good work that is being done at Paradise High School, the integration of technology into the classroom, and of course - KINDNESS. Kelly is well known for her patient kindness and leadership through passionate authenticity. This was one of those episodes that felt effortless and could have stretched on as long as the tape could record us, luckily this format limits us chatty, passionate types to one commute!

Thank you, Kelly, for an awesome interview - enjoy listeners!

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Episode Ten - Jason Hastain of The Playdium - Family Arcade Owner - Giving Youngsters Something Fun To Do

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Cue the "Working for the Weekend" montage and slap your quarter down for the next play on your favorite arcade game - The Playdium is here to bring youngsters in Butte County the same wholesome arcade experience the Gen X'ers remember(or don't). Jason Hastain, half of the mastermind partnership behind the Family Arcade center in Paradise, sits down to discuss a few of the challenges of opening the business, some of reasons he persisted, and some of the epic games and activities that await your next family outing, birthday bash, soccer team party, or Friday Night Out with your friends! My family loves our visits to the Playdium, this episode is dedicated to that - enjoy your commute and drive safely.

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Episode Nine - Bob Fitzgerald - Owner Concours Elite, Local Legend, Philanthropist

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Today we bring some positivity to the podcast in the form of the great Bob Fitzgerald - plenty of laughs, lots of smiles, and maybe a few happy tears. Enjoy this conversation to learn more about the legacy Bob has created through his fundraisers, car shows, and toy drives.

As with each guest, this fella is something special. We are all a little bit better when we have been smiling and laughing with our buddy, Bob. Enjoy sharing in his bright glow, even though he has a little bit of a sniffle and a stuffy nose!

Vote for Concours Elite for Best of Chico here https://bestofchico.newsreview.com/

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Episode Eight - Lauren de Terra - Butte Fire Safe Council, World Traveler, New Paradise Homeowner

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Lauren joins the show to discuss topics that include Firewise Neighborhoods, moving to Paradise, the joys of working with children through the Ready Raccoon program, and of course - her puppy dog.

Check out her program at https://buttefiresafe.net/

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Episode Six Part 2 - Don Criswell - Paradise Ridge Historian, Gold Nugget Museum, Do-Gooder

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 09:30:00 -0800

Don Criswell, longtime Ridge resident and local historian talks about growing up on the Ridge, the phases of development that he lived there for, his experience with the Camp Fire as well as several other fires in Butte County, and so much more. Don and I spoke at length about the importance of understanding the phases of development the Ridge has experienced in order to learn from the past and continue to stay connected surrounding communities in the future.

In Part 2, Don brings it home with some words of wisdom before he jets out the door to go "do good" somewhere that no one will ever know about, except those receiving his thoughtful support. A model for community engagement and the type of character I have come to appreciate for his genuine authenticity, Don was a wonderful guest!

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Episode Six Part 1 - Don Criswell - Paradise Ridge Historian, Gold Nugget Museum, Do-Gooder

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0800

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Episode Five - Evolve Longevity and Wellness - Ryan Millard and Functional Neurology in Butte County

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Ryan Millard, owner of Evolve Longevity and Performance talks about his journey into discovering his passion of Functional Neurology and Performance Enhancement. Some call it "body voodoo". Ryan has an amazing skillset that directly addresses the neurological connection to health and wellness that may be a tremendous asset to your health and wellness team. Check him out at https://evolvefitchico.com/#/

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Episode Four - The Hatchet House - Andrea and Arianna Mathiopolous - Chico Entrepreneur Sisters with Grit

Wed, 29 May 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Andrea and Arianna sit down with us at the Hatchet House in their new(ish) location and talk about being supported by the community, watching friendships form in their space, and what it takes to take care of themselves while they take care of their thriving family friendly axe throwing and activity center.

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Episode Three - Mothers on the Ridge - Staci Galla on growing from a Facebook Group to a Mothers Movement

Wed, 15 May 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Staci Galla welcomes us into the Mothers on the Ridge location on Pearson Road in Paradise, the next step in realizing the formation of a group of supportive Mothers taking care of each other and the community on The Ridge.

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Episode Two - Business on the Ridge with Mark Thorpe, Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce

Tue, 14 May 2024 09:00:00 -0800

On Episode Two we sit down with Mark Thorpe from the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce. He is a neat guy and a great disc golfer, I hope you enjoy his optimistic and captivating perspectives on how to support business in Butte County and on the Paradise Ridge.

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Episode One - Why have a Skyway Podcast? - with guest Stephen Chollet, Mentalist, Emmy Winning Story Teller

Mon, 13 May 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Our First Episode!!!

Stephen Chollet helps us introduce the show in his own curious way and helps keep me on track as we weave through topics that help demonstrate the value we hope to create through this podcast.

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