Fairy Tales from Brazil by EELLS, Elsie Spicer: Recent Episodes
A Storytelling Podcast by Kim
We all have stories to tell. For over 25 years, director and dramaturg Kim Maxwell has been using her unique style of coaching to mine all kinds of amazing, inspiring, hilarious, heartbreaking stories from her students, the diverse residents of Ventura County. The Townies Podcast features these live original stories, written and performed by your friends. Your neighbors. By strangers with whom you have a lot more in common than you thought. Welcome to the neighborhood.
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast and Episode 33, our very special season finale.
As we say goodbye to Season 1 and embark on the “Big What's Next” for Season 2, first and foremost we just want to say thank you all for making this first year and a half even better than we could have possibly imagined.
We are so grateful for all the storytellers who lent us their words and for all the listeners who took those words beyond the four walls of Kim Maxwell Studio. Thank you to our Songwriters and Guest Performers for contributing their amazing music and hilarious Townie Tidbits.
So, in celebration of what has been and what will come, in this episode we thought we’d have some of the spectacularly talented, tasteful and well-dressed Townies production crew talk about what Season 1 has meant to them.
We can’t wait to bring you even more stories from our amazing 805 in Season 2 of The Townies Podcast, returning in February 2019.
If there’s a particular story that you’d like to hear again but you can’t remember where you heard it, head on over to TheTowniesPodcast.org/Season1 for a list of names and pieces in alphabetical order.
This episode features the following music by the following talented artists: ‘Fifty-Fifty’ – Julie Christensen & Scott Wilk ‘Man on the Moon’ – Felix Penny ‘Beautiful Tree’ – Rain Perry ‘Is It Really Love’ – Tom Lennon ‘Swamp Hop’ – Ken Eros & Jeff Evans ‘Turtle Island’ – Perla Batalla
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years. Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA. Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: A homegrown-kind of storytelling podcast featuring the incredible joys and woes of your friends and neighbors.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
The Vessel written & performed by Judy Fisk Lucas
Quien Soy written & performed by Arturo (translation & transcript available at thetowniespodcast.org/translate)
Musical Interlude: Heavy Load by Twin Trip (Felix Penny)
A Moment of Choice written & performed by Theodora Holt
We’re Men, Remember? written & performed by Luke Hamann & Jem Ruf
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years. Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA. Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: A homegrown-kind of storytelling podcast featuring the incredible joys and woes of your friends and neighbors.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“Nell Smith Surf Report" tidbit written & performed by Sarah Hartigan
Dede written & performed by Jem Ruf
A Blooming Rosa Roja written & performed by Rosita López
Gloss written & performed by Ilis Geronimo
Musical Interlude: Happy Home by Ken Eros
F*&$K Thomas written & performed by Vanessa Frank
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years. Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA. Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: A homegrown-kind of storytelling podcast featuring the incredible joys and woes of your friends and neighbors.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“ConGRADulations" tidbit performed by Peter Bellwood, written by Lily Brown
Saying Hello written & performed by Fabio Lauretta
More of A Me Problem written & performed by Georgia Schreiner
Musical Interlude: Bored of Education by John Slade
I Wonder written & performed by Evan Stowell
For That Weird Girl In The Back written & performed by Sarahi Noyola
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: A homegrown-kind of storytelling podcast featuring the incredible joys and woes of your friends and neighbors.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“OjA?" tidbit written & performed by Sarah Hartigan
A Torch Song For Marla written & performed by Ryan Beaghler
Frankenstein written & performed by Emily Kuhn
Musical Interlude: Bedlam Bo Peep by Maheekats
Trudy Is A Problem written & performed by Trudy Frohlich
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: A homegrown-kind of storytelling podcast featuring the incredible joys and woes of your friends and neighbors.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“Gophers" tidbit written & performed by Jim Lashly
Sufferin' Succotash written & performed by Doug Green
Trying Not To Grab Moss written & performed by Simone Berkovitz
Musical Interlude: Wildflowers by Shelby Figueroa from the album Highwire
Thirty written & performed by Sarah Hartigan
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This Episode Features: Bunker Hill to Bird Lady written and performed by Kathleen Hellwitz Musical Interlude: Sweet Reality by Alan Thornhill Approval written & performed by Kathleen Hellwitz
In this special episode, we feature two pieces by the beloved, long-time Townie Kathleen Hellwitz. Also known as Front Row Lady for her propensity to sit in the front row of nearly every theater performance in this small town, near-octogenarian Kathleen is known in our town for her generosity, kindness and well-timed sass. Weaving her two pieces together are snippets of an interview with Kathleen in which she discusses her growth into her own voice, her first time on stage and a run-in with movie star Omar Sharif.
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“Persimmon Season" tidbit written & performed by Sarah Hartigan
Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag written & performed by Doug Knott
Body Love Train written & performed by Sierra Hoskinds
Musical Interlude: Out of the Labyrinth by Perla Batalla from the album Heaven and Earth: The Mestiza Voyage
Dear Rennie Marie written & performed by Ren D’Angelo
Normal written & performed by Elaine Unzicker
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" tidbit performed by Lily Brown, written by contributors to the Ojai Valley News
Christmas Eve written & performed by Tara Jeffery
Eldest Daughter written & performed by Angelina Martin
Musical Interlude: Break Free from the album The Love Still Shows written & performed by Donna Lynn Caskey
Daisy and the Song of Flowing Waters written & performed by Myoko Partlow
Revolución written & performed by Saul Gordillo II
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“Person A" tidbit written & performed by Sarah Hartigan
99 written & performed by Georgia Schreiner
That Guy written & performed by Andrew Berkovitz
Musical Interlude: Face Up written & performed by Ted Lennon
Habits written & performed by Megan Bergkvist
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“Shelf Road Report" tidbit written & performed by Dennis Rice
Eternally Broken Heart written & performed by Jeanette Stampfli
The Widow Woman of Santa Ynez written & performed by Susanna Joslyn Johansen
Musical Interlude: Dancing Ground performed by Christine Tavares, written by John Morell
Espie The Best written & performed by Catalina Solis
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast, a storytelling podcast featuring the incredible joys and woes of your friends and neighbors.
I was in class on Monday, December 4th when we all got news of a small brush fire near Saint Thomas Aquinas College, only 11 miles from our class and my studio. There was no way to know what the combination of thirsty chaparral climate, Santa Ana winds, dry, drought-ridden topsoil and devastating rains would bring.
The pieces in this episode were all written amidst the chaos and destruction of all things Thomas.
In sharing these stories we hope that you will find connection and understanding where you may have felt alone.
And to our fellow Townies in Houston, Puerto Rico, Santa María and elsewhere still struggling in the aftermath of severe natural disasters -- we stand with you in grief, loss and solidarity.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
Invocation written & performed by Jemi Reis McDonald
Fear written & performed by Jeanette Berkovitz
Musical Interlude: Ambulance Song written & performed by Rain Perry
Into The Broken Heart written & performed by Karin Dron
Benediction written & performed by Jemi Reis McDonald
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“The Free Section" tidbit written & performed by Sarah Hartigan
Kiddy Pool written & performed by Angelina Martin
Crushin' It written & performed by Morgan Flannery
Musical Interlude: Fifty-Fifty performed by Julie Christensen, Written by Julie Christensen & Scott Wilk
Olé written & performed by Lisa Williams
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“Stupid Book Club Pt. III" tidbit written & performed by JB White
Splenectomy written & performed by Amanda Lezra
The Gray written & performed by Kelley O'Mara
Musical Interlude: High Wire by Shelby Figueroa
The People I Come From written & performed by Caroline Allen
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" Tidbit performed by Lily Brown
Love written & performed by Robert MacNeal
What We're After written & performed by Seamus Morrison
Musical Interlude: So This Is Love performed by Perla Batalla, written by Ken Eros & Kelly McCann Eros
An Itsy Bitsy Prayer written & performed by Kathleen Hellwitz
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This Episode Features: Just Out In Jax Parts 1 & 2 written and performed by Doug Green Musical Interlude: Believe by Sarah Hawley
In this special episode, Townie Doug Green shows off two very important segments of his developing one-man show. Just Out In Jax Parts 1 & 2 were written and performed separately, chronicling an important night in Doug's life... they will now be heard together for the first time. Bookending the two pieces is an interview with Doug in which he discusses LGBTQIA issues, social justice and the evolution of the one-man show over years of taking Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class.
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“Prospect" Tidbit performed by Sarah Hartigan
Delicious Easy Recipes written & performed by Stella Slaughter
Theodor written & performed by Journey Zephyr
The Townies Block Party LIVE Commercial performed by Kim Maxwell with musical accompaniment by Tom Lennon
Musical Interlude: The Whole Enchilada by Jodi Brandt
Pumpkin Spice Predicament written & performed by Gloria Miele
So Bad written & performed by Lily Brown
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome to a very special episode of The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This week's Townie Tidbit, titled Miss Upchurch, was written by an amazing Ojai Townie, John Slade, and performed by another amazing Ojai Townie, Malcolm McDowell. John passed away on July 7th. A victim of a hit and run driver, leaving our town -- bereft.
John was a master teacher and he was always a student and he took my class in 2012. Unfortunately it was before we started recording for The Townies Podcast. SO -- in truly hometown, homespun, neighborly style, Malcolm stepped in to honor the wonderful words of the late, great, loving-husband, father and friend John Slade.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“Miss Upchurch" Tidbit written by John Slade, performed by Malcolm McDowell
elise written & performed by Jemi Reis McDonald
Alrighty Then written & performed by Julia Denney Hamann
Musical Interlude # 1: When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd written by Walt Whitman, adapted & performed by John Slade
Denim Jacket written & performed by Katie Rae Newcomer
Elaine written & performed by Trudy Frolich
Musical Interlude # 2: The Water Is Wide by Perla Batalla
The Townies Podcast family bids you adieu, with all our love.
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
“Courage" Tidbit performed by Sarah Hartigan
Boss of Me written & performed by Quinne Venokur
Circle of Life written & performed by Megan Bergkvist
Musical Interlude: Airborne by Rain Perry
Three Legged Cat written & performed by Daron Hope
Color written & performed by Eve Sengstaken
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House
Welcome back to The Townies Podcast: Something like a mix between The Moth and Prairie Home Companion... if Lake Wobegon were real.
This Episode Features (in order of appearance):
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down Pt. 2 Tidbit written & performed by Townie Lily Brown
Illuminati Confirmed written & performed by Woodrow Brown
Opossums Are Awesome written & performed by Garland Scarlett
Wes written & performed by Stella Slaughter
Musical Interlude: Man On The Moon by Felix Penny
Customer Care written & performed by Tara Jeffery
Wow Baby Wow written & performed by Lily Brown, Morgan Flannery and Noah Lashly with Asa Learmonth
A hometown kind-of-storytelling podcast featuring the original stories of the Ventura County residents who have been in Kim Maxwell's writing & performance class over the last 25 years.
Some of her students are professionals, some have never been on a stage before. All stories were written, performed and recorded at Kim Maxwell Studio in Ojai, CA.
Created by Kim Maxwell Co-Produced by Lily Brown, Ken Eros & Asa Learmonth Studio Engineering & Mixing by Eros Creative & Sound Theme Song Written & Performed by Rain Perry Recorded & Mixed by Martin Young Mastered by Mark Hallman at The Congress House