America’s Test Kitchen hosts Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison will make their LA debut appearance (along with their latest cookbook) at PBS SoCal’s upcoming Weds., Sept. 24 event “Go Inside America’s Test Kitchen with Julia and Bridget.”

After 25 years on set, Julia and Bridget will share time-tested techniques, favorite recipes and tools, as well as kitchen essentials—LIVE on stage with select audience members getting to participate in technique demonstrations and win exciting prizes.

Taking place at the Skirball Cultural Center’s Herscher Hall (2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., LA, CA 90049), the exclusive event will allow local fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with two of the culinary world’s best. Attendees can choose between two ticketing options as listed below which only require a donation to PBS to attend. More information on the event and ticketing options can be found at www.pbssocal.org/atk.

AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN Comes to Los Angeles on September 24

Join Hosts Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster for a LIVE,

Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Test Kitchen in Action!

Pictured L to R: Beloved AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN

Hosts and Chefs Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster.

(Image courtesy of America’s Test Kitchen)


pbssocal.org/atk



Select programming will also be available to stream on PBS.org
and the free PBS App.

Members of PBS SoCal get extended access with PBS Passport.


Los Angeles, Calif. – August 14, 2025 – PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS organization, announced today an exciting event partnership with America's favorite cooking show – America’s Test Kitchen. Taking place Weds., Sept. 24 at the Skirball Cultural Center’s Herscher Hall (2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., LA, CA 90049) the exclusive event will allow local fans the opportunity to join beloved chefs and America’s Test Kitchen hosts Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison for a 90-minute deep dive into the heart of the show. After 25 years on set, Julia and Bridget will make their PBS SoCal LA debut appearance at the event entitled “Go Inside America’s Test Kitchen with Julia and Bridget,” sharing their best stories, time-tested techniques, favorite tools, and kitchen essentials—LIVE on stage. Guests can choose between two ticketing options as listed below which only require a donation to attend. More information on the event can be found at www.pbssocal.org/atk.


The AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN event “Go Inside America’s Test Kitchen with Julia and Bridget” gives long-time fans and newbies a behind-the-scenes look at how recipes are developed, products and ingredients tested and the science that makes cooking both delicious and foolproof. Chefs Bridget and Julia will share what they’ve learned after 25 years on set including techniques and tips, favorite recipes and what they can’t live without in their own kitchens. From recipe development to product and ingredient testing, to the science behind cooking, for the event that features ideas and inspiration with two of the culinary world’s best. Select audience members will get to participate on stage for technique demonstrations and trivia featuring exciting prizes.



Ticketing Options:

$90 – General Admission -- Program begins at 7:00 PM

General Admission seating in the theatre

Your choice of cookbook (one per order):

The Complete America’s Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2021–2026

Baking for Two

Access to the cash bar in the lobby

Access to PBS SoCal’s most popular member benefit: PBS Passport



$150 – Exclusive Experience (Limited to 50 guests!) -- Exclusive ‘Meet & Greet’ begins at 6:00 PM

VIP seating closer to the stage

Meet & Greet Reception with Julia & Bridget (6:00–7:00 PM)

Complimentary beer & wine + light hors d'oeuvres

Personalized signed copy of Baking for Two

Access to PBS SoCal’s most popular member benefit: PBS Passport



For 25 years, AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN has been a trusted staple in home kitchens across the country, combining scientific precision with a love of great food. Since its debut in 2001, the show has brought viewers behind the scenes of the test kitchen, where recipes are tested, perfected, and made accessible to cooks of all skill levels. Airing on public broadcasting stations nationwide, AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN has built a legacy rooted in curiosity, culinary expertise and an unwavering commitment to teaching. Over the years, it has evolved from a TV program into a beloved brand that includes cookbooks, magazines, podcasts, and digital content — all designed to help people cook with confidence. As the show celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025, it continues to honor the values that made it a public broadcasting favorite: education, reliability, and a deep respect for the home cook.



Viewers can tune in to the latest season of AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN on PBS SoCal's broadcast channel, PBS SoCal Plus Thursdays at 11 a.m. PT and again on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. PT. The new season of AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN will premiere on Thurs., Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. PT.



About Julia and Bridget
Julia Collin Davison is an executive editorial director for America’s Test Kitchen. She is also co-host of America’s Test Kitchen and Cook’s Country and is an original cast member of both shows, which are two of the highest-rated instructional cooking shows on television. Julia also is host of Julia at Home, which premiered on Pluto TV in November 2021. Julia began working as a test cook for Cook’s Illustrated in 1999 and led recipe development for America’s Test Kitchen cookbooks for more than a decade. Julia has been a guest on Good Morning America, Live with Kelly & Ryan, The Today Show, Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family, and The Tamron Hall Show. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1996. She received an Augie Award from the Culinary Institute of America and was inducted into the prestigious Disciples d’Escoffier culinary society in 2018.


Bridget Lancaster is an executive editorial director for America’s Test Kitchen.
She’s known to millions of fans as a co-host of America’s Test Kitchen and Cook’s Country, which both air on public television. Bridget began working as a test cook for Cook’s Illustrated in 1998; she was also part of the launch team for Cook’s Country magazine and led the magazine’s recipe development. Bridget is the lead instructor for America’s Test Kitchen Online Cooking School and has created hundreds of instructional videos. In her earlier career she cooked in restaurant kitchens in the South and the Northeast, concentrating on pastry. She was inducted into the prestigious Disciples d’Escoffier culinary society in 2018.

The regional event “Go Inside America’s Test Kitchen with Julia and Bridget” is supported in part by the Skirball Cultural Center.



“Go Inside America’s Test Kitchen with Julia and Bridget” is a ticketed event. Tickets are non-refundable. PBS SoCal is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and a portion of donations may be tax-deductible.



For more information, follow us on social at @pbssocal



About PBS SoCal

PBS SoCal uses the power of public media for good, strengthening the civic fabric of Southern California and providing our community with an essential connection to a wider world. As a local, donor/member-supported non-profit organization, PBS SoCal is available to stream on the PBS app and the PBS Kids App and reaches nearly 19M viewers across 7 Broadcast channels — including 2 primary channels, PBS SoCal and PBS SoCal Plus and 5 digital subchannels. With a commitment to make content available anytime and anywhere for free, PBS SoCal offers programming that reflects the diversity of Southern California and showcases the full schedule of beloved and trusted PBS content spanning Education, News, Environment and Arts & Culture. PBS SoCal also sparks the sharing of ideas at in-person cultural events and community conversations as well as prepares children for kindergarten and beyond by bringing bilingual, hands-on learning experiences to the community for free.



About America’s Test Kitchen

The mission of America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) is to empower and inspire confidence, community, and creativity in the kitchen. Founded in 1992, the company is the leading multimedia cooking resource serving millions of fans with TV shows (America’s Test Kitchen, Cook’s Country, and America’s Test

Kitchen: The Next Generation), magazines (Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country), award-winning cookbooks, a podcast (Proof), FAST channels, short-form video series, and the ATK Essential Membership subscription for digital content. Located in a state-of-the-art, 15,000-square-foot test kitchen in Boston’s Seaport District, ATK has earned the trust of home cooks and culinary experts alike thanks to its one-of-a-kind processes and best-in-class techniques. Fifty full-time (admittedly very meticulous) test cooks, editors, and product testers spend their days tweaking every variable to find the very best recipes, equipment, ingredients, and techniques. Learn more at AmericasTestKitchen.com/.

Joining Janeane 9/17 at 9:30am - Dr Ayoub Bouguettaya, a social scientist at Cedars-Sinai, working out of the Program of Internet, Health and Society.

Dr Ayoub Bouguettaya is a project scientist at Cedars-Sinai, working out of the Program of Internet, Health and Society.
He is a social/health psychologist, and a former assistant professor from the University of Birmingham UK.

He has also worked in two Australian government departments, including the Department of health and the census. His research focuses on the intersection of tech and psychology. His research in top journals like Nature Human Behavior and Science Advances has recently gained him the Early Career Scholar award from the top body for psychologists, the American Psychological Association.



*Note: all views are the sole responsibility of Ayoub Bouguettaya and do not reflect Cedars-Sinai's views, official or unofficial.

LISTEN to today's show 

Dr Ayoub Bouguettaya's Lectures on Tap - Sunday Sept 14th at 6pm!

Lectures on Tap - "Brain Rot & Connection: Surviving the Social Internet"

The following is from the Lectures on Tap website:

Do you ever feel "brain rot" from endless scrolling? The internet promised a connected world but often leaves us feeling more alone. In this interactive lecture, social psychologist Dr. Ayoub Bouguettaya will explore how the digital world became both a curse and a cure for our social lives.

Join us as we reveal the hidden costs of being constantly plugged in, unpacking research on the internet's effects on friendship, romance, and community. We’ll discuss why our digital lives can harm mental health, despite the abundance of online connections.

But there is a path forward. Dr. Bouguettaya will provide evidence-based strategies to reclaim your social life in the digital age and build genuine real-world connections.

Don’t miss this chance to learn from Dr. Ayoub Bouguettaya, a leading researcher on social health and the internet’s impact on our lives!

Joining Janeane Wednesday 9/17 at 9:00am - Dr. Marcelle Hayashida, associate vice chancellor for wellness, health and counseling services at UC Irvine and Dr. Frances S. Diaz, Psy.D. UC Irvine Counseling Center

Dr. Marcelle Hayashida and Dr. Frances S. Diaz, Psy.D will talk about a recent announcement - The University of California, Irvine has received the 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award from Insight Into Academia, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The national award commends institutions for programs and initiatives that significantly advance the core values of inclusion and belonging.

LISTEN to today's show

Campus is among 71 nationwide to be honored by Insight Into Academia magazine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOTE TO EDITORS: PHOTO AVAILABLE AT
https://news.uci.edu/2025/08/05/uc-irvine-receives-2025-excellence-in-mental-health-and-well-being-award/

Contact: Sheri Ledbetter
949-230-8962
ledbetts@uci.edu

UC Irvine receives 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award

Campus is among 71 nationwide to be honored by Insight Into Academia magazine

Irvine, Calif., Aug. 5, 2025 — The University of California, Irvine has received the 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award from Insight Into Academia, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The national award commends institutions for programs and initiatives that significantly advance the core values of inclusion and belonging.

UC Irvine will be featured, along with 70 other honorees, in the September 2025 issue of the magazine.

“Receiving this recognition is very affirming,” said Marcelle Hayashida, associate vice chancellor for wellness, health and counseling services at UC Irvine. “This presents us with a moment to celebrate the hard work of all our campus partners, communicate our commitment to others, and renew our mission to promote well-being throughout the entire campus.”

Insight Into Academia honored UC Irvine for its extensive support structures for faculty, staff and students, as well as for its Comprehensive Wellbeing Initiative. The campus was also selected for its peer programs for students, basic needs fulfillment and counseling services, in addition to training faculty and staff to discern and respond to mental health challenges.

“We know that institutions are not always recognized for their dedication to their mental health and well-being services and support for their students and employees,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Academia. “We are proud to honor these colleges and universities as role models for other institutions of higher education.”

UC Irvine was one of the few campuses in the U.S. to adopt the Okanagan Charter and become an official Health Promoting University in 2021. Shortly afterward, the school launched the Comprehensive Wellbeing Initiative. It focuses on four areas: diversity, equity and inclusion; the natural and built environment; sustainability; and the culture of well-being – crucial to implementing wellness as an institutional value.

“With a culture of well-being as one of its key pillars, the Comprehensive Wellbeing Initiative emphasizes the link between a healthy campus and a flourishing student body and workforce,” Hayashida said.

For more information about the 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award, visit https://insightintoacademia.com.

About Insight Into Academia: Insight Into Academia magazine is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education today. It’s the leader in recognizing inclusive excellence in higher education through its many prestigious awards and in advancing best practices in inclusive excellence and belonging through its website and print magazine.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

Media access: Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus studio with a Comrex IP audio codec to interview UC Irvine faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UC Irvine news, visit news.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at https://news.uci.edu/media-resources.

September 10, 2025 UC Irvine poll: Californians support stricter tech regulations for children Statewide survey reveals backing for school smartphone restrictions, social media bans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOTE TO EDITORS: PHOTO AVAILABLE
https://news.uci.edu/2025/09/10/uc-irvine-poll-californians-support-stricter-tech-regulations-for-children/

Contact: Mimi Ko Cruz
714-932-8589
mkcruz@uci.edu

UC Irvine poll: Californians support stricter tech regulations for children

Statewide survey reveals backing for school smartphone restrictions, social media bans 2,143 California adults were surveyed
82 percent support the Phone-Free Schools Act, which requires public schools to restrict student smartphone use during school hours.
73 percent support a social media ban for children under 16


Irvine, Calif., Sept. 10, 2025 — A new poll of 2,143 California adults conducted by University of California, Irvine researchers reveals overwhelming bipartisan support for stricter regulations on children's use of digital technology, including school smartphone restrictions and social media age limits.

“There are very few issues with this level of bipartisan support in today’s polarized policy environment, but the message from parents and other adults in our poll was clear and crossed party lines. Adults are worried about the impacts of smartphones and social media on children’s learning and mental health,” said the survey’s authors, Kelli Dickerson, research scientist and lead investigator of the study; Gillian Hayes, the Kleist Professor of informatics; and Candice Odgers, Chancellor’s Professor of psychology.

The study found that 82 percent of Californians support the Phone-Free Schools Act, which requires public schools to adopt policies to restrict student smartphone use during school hours by July 2026. Support crossed party lines, with 84 percent of Republicans, 81 percent of Democrats, and 80 percent of Independents backing the measure.

Other findings include: 73 percent of Californians surveyed support banning social media for children under 16, with supporters citing youth safety, well-being and the need to encourage more offline activities.
While support for a social media ban was high, many Californians may not fully realize which platforms a ban may affect. For example, nearly half of Californians did not consider YouTube a form of social media, despite it being the most widely used platform among youth.
61 percent favor allowing generative AI in schools with clear guardrails. However, fewer than half of Californians expressed moderate to complete trust in local, state or federal government, or in technology companies, to make decisions about children and artificial intelligence.

“This research reveals a clear mandate from California families for stronger digital safeguards for children,” Dickerson said. “However, the findings also highlight critical challenges ahead – from confusion about what platforms would actually be regulated to a troubling lack of trust in any institution to effectively oversee these technologies. Policymakers need to address these gaps if they want regulations that are both effective and enforceable.”

The poll revealed some variation in support based on demographics. Parents of minors showed slightly less support for school smartphone restrictions (74 percent) compared to non-parents (87 percent), and support increased with education and income levels. However, backing for social media age restrictions remained consistent across all demographic groups.

The majority (88 percent) of those who supported school smartphone restrictions cited reducing classroom distractions as the main reason driving their support. For social media age restrictions, over 70 percent of supporters cited concerns about excessive technology use and encouraged offline activities, improving mental health and reducing exposure to harmful content.

Those who opposed school smartphone restrictions primarily cited the need to maintain parent-child communication, with 81 percent of opponents wanting to ensure children can reach parents during emergencies. Most opponents (71 percent) of social media age restrictions believed that parents should decide whether their child uses social media.

The research comes as California continues to lead national conversations about technology regulation. The Phone-Free Schools Act is set to take effect in 2026, and legislative discussions continue about social media age verification and AI oversight in educational settings.

While the study found broad support across the political spectrum for regulation, Hayes said it also uncovered a significant trust deficit in who should be charged with regulatory oversight.

“Young people spend much of their time in digital spaces not designed for them, and there’s growing recognition of the need for stronger safeguards,” Hayes said. “However, effective regulation will require not only clearer communication and transparency but also trusted institutions to lead these efforts in partnership with caregivers, educators and young people.”

The study was produced by CERES (Connecting the EdTech Research EcoSystem) and UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology.

About CERES: The CERES network is advancing dynamic, collaborative, and innovative research with real-world impact. CERES leverages strategic partnerships and cutting-edge methodologies to drive meaningful solutions that improve outcomes for children. CERES uses technology-driven solutions to ensure all children, regardless of socioeconomic background, have the resources and support they need to thrive. Learn more at ceres.uci.edu.



About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.



Media access: Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus studio with a Comrex IP audio codec to interview UC Irvine faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UC Irvine news, visit news.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at https://news.uci.edu/media-resources.

Coming up 9/10 at 9:00am on KUCI - Michelle Brouwer Director of Programming, Irvine Barclay Theatre talks about her role in the upcoming 35th season. Irvine Barclay Theatre Celebrates 35th Season with Grammy Winners, Notable Dance Companies, Speakers & Renowned Artists

LISTEN to today's show featuring Michelle Brouwer

Michelle Brouwer Director of Programming, Irvine Barclay Theatre joins host Janeane Bernstein to talk about the exciting new season of performances at the Barclay

About Michelle Brouwer 
As the Director of Programming at Irvine Barclay Theatre, Michelle Brouwer has elevated and expanded the breadth of programming at the boutique performing arts venue, which is known for providing intimate experiences with top tier artists. Since joining Irvine Barclay Theatre nearly eight years ago, Michelle has successfully managed numerous projects in various roles, all of which have led to increased revenue through sponsorships, ticket sales, rentals and more. 

In her current position, Michelle i
dentifies suitable shows for the IBT Presents season, develops and manages supporting budgets, carries projects through contract negotiation to settlement, and interfaces with artistic and production advances to the final presentation. She also oversees a team that runs the Barclay’s facility rentals program, which annually contracts 60 external rental clients and 20 university departments. 

Overseeing the master calendar of the 750-seat theater venue and its auxiliary spaces, the scope of her work includes the production of special events, conventionally staged performances, and unique celebrations. In addition to overseeing the programming at Irvine Barclay Theatre, Michelle has served as a Volunteer Chair for National Philanthropy Day Orange County since 2023. She is also an avid reader, yoga enthusiast and dedicated mom to two sons.

Irvine Barclay Theatre Celebrates 35th Season with Grammy Winners, Notable Dance Companies, Speakers & Renowned Artists

Irvine, CA, August 26, 2025 – Irvine Barclay Theatre, one of Orange County’s top performing arts venues, will kick off its 35th season of bringing top-tier artists to Southern California with a Barclay Block Party, a community celebration of the arts on Sunday, Sept. 28 from 1pm to 2:30pm. 

The free event, held in the plaza in front of Irvine Barclay Theatre, will offer fun for the whole family, including face painting, a caricature artist, a marionette puppet show, music and dance performances, and culminating in a free performance by Phat Cat Swinger at 3pm in the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Known for its intimate setting that provides unique experiences and personal interactions with Grammy winning and other acclaimed performers, Irvine Barclay Theatre presents renowned artists in a wide range of genres, from jazz, classical, folk, pop, and global music, to comedy, dance, theater, captivating speakers, and more. 

Tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now, with more shows to be announced.

.

Casting Director Valerie McCaffrey and Lorenzo Lamas, actor/film producer and WCTF spokesperson, share details about World Children’s Transplant Fund (WCTF) and their up-coming Hearts of Gold Dinner honoring, Mr. Mark Wittcoff, Chairman KW Commercial Beverly Hills Los Angeles, CA

The World Children’s Transplant Fund Hosts the Hearts of Gold Dinner

Honoring, Mr. Mark Wittcoff, Chairman KW Commercial
Beverly Hills

Los Angeles, CA

LISTEN to today's show with Valerie McCaffrey and Lorenzo Lamas

What: The World Children’s Transplant Fund (WCTF), and its Founder and Board Chairman, Mark Kroeker, are pleased to host the Hearts of Gold Dinner, celebrating Hearts of Gold Award Recipient Mr. Mark Wittcoff in recognition of his exemplary life of philanthropy and concern for children of our world.



When/Where: September 18, 2025

5:00 PM PST: Cocktail reception and red carpet

6:00 PM PST: dinner and program


Within the elegant showroom housing Galpin Ford’s collection of legendary cars and vehicles. Galpin Auto Sports 15600 Roscoe Blvd Van Nuys, CA 91406


Who: The dinner will be hosted by, mistress of Ceremonies, Ms. Araksya Karapetyan, well known KTTV Los Angeles News Anchor. Presenting the award will be Mark Kroeker, former LAPD Deputy Chief and Founder/Chairman of the WCTF. In attendance will be members of the WCTF Board including Former Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine. Join Fiona Dourif, star of NBC’s The Pitt, film star Eric Roberts, along with WCTF spokesman Lorenzo Lamas,

Quotes:

Mark Kroeker, Former LAPD Deputy Chief and Founder of the WCTF stated:

“For more than 35 years the World Children's Transplant Fund has been eagerly assisting to improve the opportunities for children to have lifesaving organ transplants by training surgeons and teams, providing technology where needed and supporting organ donor awareness around the world including right here in the USA."


Interviews and for more information: To request an interview with the WCTF Chairman, or other related parties, please contact Marilee Dahl at 949-842-2286, or Mark Kroker at mark.kroeker@wctf.org or 202-394-0259.


Who:

The World Children’s Transplant Fund (WCTF): Since it was launched 35 years ago, the WCTF has been helping children and transplant surgeons around the world, in such countries as Argentina, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Uzbekistan, Armenia. Poland and right here in the USA. Hundreds of children are alive today because of the relentless efforts of the WCTF. For more information, or to make a contribution visit World Children's Transplant Fund

World Children's Transplant Fund


About Mark Wittcoff
Mr. Mark Wittcoff: Mark’s journey began in 1989 when he volunteered as Vice President
and Treasurer of The World Children’s Transplant Fund at just 25. Today, he is the General Partner at KW Commercial Landmark, a real estate firm affiliated with Keller Williams Beverly Hills. His passion for improving communities extends beyond his professional work, as

Mark is the founder and trustee of the Wittcoff Foundation, supporting education, healthcare, climate initiatives, and partnerships aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

Joining Janeane September 3rd at 9:30am - Paula Saunders talks about her newest book, Starting From Here Live on KUCI 88.9fm

LISTEN to today's show
featuring Paula Saunders

A Midwestern girl balances her dreams of becoming a dancer with the complications of growing up on her own, far from her working-class family, in this unforgettable, deeply affecting portrait of a young woman striving for greatness from the author of The Distance Home.

She could look in the mirror and see it all happening, everything she’d dreamed of, the potential everyone had seen in her blossoming right in front of her eyes, as if her spirit and flesh were merging, being born as one into light.

More than anything, René wants to be a dancer. Eve, her mother, supports René despite the overwhelming financial burden and increasing tension her training places on the family. But one thing is clear: René’s dreams are never going to come true in Rapid City, South Dakota, circa 1973.

Setting in motion a journey that will transform her from the inside out, René is sent to train alongside stick-thin, sculpted girls in Phoenix, then on to Denver and beyond, encountering along the way a dazzling sequence of eccentric and sometimes dangerous characters: creepy dads, mean girls, predatory radio announcers, kindly ex-opera singers, sham teachers, and avaricious cult leaders. Through it all, René pushes herself, doing everything she can to excel at her art while at the same time finding her way through the trials of adolescence.

But leaving home is not the same as escaping it. And try as she might, René can’t quite shake the aching she has for someone to love and accept her just the way she is, dancer or not, successful or not, perfect or imperfect.

Lyrical and incisive, Starting from Here is a story of facing the many challenges and terrors of girlhood, of reaching for something that exceeds your grasp, of the enduring contradictions of familial love, of right steps and wrong turns, and of somehow finding your way from wherever you are to wherever you need to go.


Advance praise for Starting From Here

“The sharp physicality of Paula Saunders’s writing hooked me; it was utterly engrossing to feel chills, hunger, and lust through the body of this young dancer – and as a mother it was bracing to remember that getting lost is how we find ourselves.”— MIRANDA JULY, New York Times bestselling author of 'All Fours'



“[Paula] Saunders skillfully illuminates how time heals certain wounds while deepening others, and her depiction of aging is viscerally affecting. . . . The Distance Home becomes a mediation on the violence of American ambition—and a powerful call for self-examination.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Saunders’ debut is an exquisite, searing portrait of family and of people coping with whatever life throws at them while trying to keep close to one another. . . . The Distance Home will leave readers eager for more from this extraordinarily talented author.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Tender, searing, and unforgettable, The Distance Home is a profoundly American story spanning decades—a tale of haves and have-nots, of how our ideas of winning and losing, success and failure, lead us inevitably into various problems with empathy and caring for one another. It’s a portrait of beauty and brutality in which the author’s compassionate narration allows us to sympathize, in turn, with everyone involved.”

— The Center For Fiction, Longlisted for the 2018 First Novel Prize


“Penetrating and insightful . . . This debut wonderfully depicts the entire lifespan of a singular family.”

—Publishers Weekly

About Paula Saunders
Paula Saunders grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota. She is a graduate of the Syracuse University creative writing program, and was awarded a postgraduate Albert Schweitzer Fellowship at the State University of New York at Albany, under Schweitzer chair Toni Morrison. Her first book, The Distance Home, was longlisted for the Center for Fiction 2018 First Novel Prize and named as one of The Best Books of 2018 by REAL SIMPLE. She lives in California with her husband. They have two grown daughters.

Coming up 9/3 - 9:00am - Sam Hayes talks about his directorial debut POOLS about the chaotic life of Kennedy, a rebellious college student who has one day to get her life together or face expulsion

LISTEN to today's show 
featuring Sam Hayes.

SYNOPSIS

POOLS dives into the chaotic life of Kennedy, a rebellious college student who has one day to get her life together or face expulsion. Rather than conform, she recruits a misfit crew for a spontaneous night of pool hopping through the lavish backyards of her college town. What starts as an adrenaline-fueled escape turns into something deeper as Kennedy confronts grief, identity, and the lingering impact of her father's death. It's messy, it's emotional, and it's the ride of her life.

Watch the TRAILER



Directed by:
Sam Hayes


Starring:
Odessa A'zion (Hellraiser, Grand Army)
Mason Gooding (Scream VI, Scream)
Ariel Winter (Modern Family)
Tyler Alvarez (American Vandal, Orange is the New Black)
Francesca Noel (R#J, Goosebumps)
Michael Vlamis (Crossword, Rosewell New Mexico)
Suzanne Cryer (Silicon Valley)



Running Time:

99 Minutes