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Behind the ornate Victorian facades of Old Town Eureka lies a shadow world of untold stories—tales of remarkable women who wielded significant economic power yet remain absent from our history books. Local historian Lynette Mullen stumbled upon this hidden narrative during the pandemic while researching an empty parking lot on Eureka's waterfront, uncovering the story of a chambermaid named Virginia Jeffrey that would forever change her understanding of our community's foundations.

What began as casual research evolved into a passionate quest to document how women working in Eureka's "necessary evil"—its red light district—literally helped build the city we know today. These women, erased from historical record despite their contributions, financed iconic buildings that still stand. As Mullen explains with palpable enthusiasm, Eureka made a strategic decision in the 1800s to tacitly permit these establishments while other towns like Ferndale drove them out. By the early 1900s, when Eureka faced financial troubles, the city implemented an unofficial tax system on brothels, even issuing business licenses for women to legally sell cigars and candy within otherwise illegal establishments.

Mullen brings these stories to life through her walking tours, "The Lower Levels" and "The Wicked Waterfront," guiding visitors through the physical spaces where this history unfolded—from the site of the former Scandia Hotel to the blocks between C and D Streets that constituted Eureka's own version of the Barbary Coast. Her research extends beyond the women themselves to colorful characters like "Coffee Jack" Connor, an infamous crimp who tricked sailors into debt and indentured servitude, operating right from what is now Old Town.

Experience Eureka with new eyes by exploring the history beneath your feet. Book a tour at thelowerlevels.com and discover how our understanding of who built this community has been incomplete without these remarkable stories of resilience, entrepreneurship, and survival against incredible odds.

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About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean.

We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%!

Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt!

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Larry Goldberg's life story reads like an adventure novel, spanning from protest movements in 1970s New York to pioneering renewable energy and internet infrastructure in Humboldt County. This wide-ranging conversation reveals how a philosophy major from Queens found himself sailing a square-rigger through the Caribbean, studying at Jerusalem's Holocaust museum, and eventually transforming Northern California's energy landscape.

At just 20 years old, Goldberg crewed on the ship used in the movie "Hawaii," sailing through the West Indies during the early days of reggae music before joining what he affectionately calls a "hippie ship" bound for Grenada. These formative adventures sparked a lifelong pattern of seeking meaningful challenges and embracing change—a philosophy he articulates as "Do what you can with what you've got, where you are, in the time you have."

After completing his MBA at Humboldt State with a focus on alternative energy (one of the earliest such programs on the West Coast), Goldberg established Northern California's first municipal solar utility in 1979. When Reagan-era policy changes eliminated crucial tax credits, he pivoted to energy efficiency work across eight counties before founding North Coast Internet in 1994—Humboldt's first internet service provider. His subsequent tech support business grew to serve CompUSA nationwide before the dot-com crash forced another reinvention.

Throughout these professional evolutions, Goldberg's commitment to community service remained constant. His 30-year involvement with the Redwood Alliance helped successfully decommission Humboldt Bay's nuclear power plant, while his 29 years in Rotary International (where he recently became president of Southwest Rotary) exemplify the organization's motto: "Service above self."

Today, Goldberg continues his solar energy work as a consultant with Six Rivers Solar while pursuing his passion for documenting local music through video recordings of regional festivals—a project he shares annually at his "Best of the Fests" gathering. His story demonstrates how adaptability, service, and finding joy in collaborative projects creates a life of purpose and impact.

Want to discover how your passion can become your purpose? Join us for this inspiring conversation with one of Humboldt County's most innovative community leaders.

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About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean.

We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%!

Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt!

Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text

What if the secret to fatherhood isn't found in parenting books but in knowing who you are and what you truly value? Scott Hammond, author of "Everyday Dad," joins Pete Ciotti on The Grit Podcast to explore how intentional parenting transforms both fathers and children.

This candid conversation cuts through parenting platitudes to address the real challenges modern dads face. Between demanding jobs, financial pressures, and technology competing for children's attention, many fathers feel the system is rigged against meaningful family connection. Yet Hammond offers a revolutionary perspective: these challenges can become opportunities for growth when approached with what he calls "maverick grit."

The discussion weaves through powerful insights about breaking generational cycles, speaking life into your children, and finding balance without compromise. Hammond vulnerably shares how he healed an estrangement with one of his children through authentic empathy rather than quick fixes. Pete reflects on discovering that some of his most meaningful connections with his teenage son happen in unexpected moments—like during a round of golf neither had initially prioritized.

Both men challenge the cultural narrative that success means accumulating possessions rather than nurturing relationships. "Show me your schedule or your checkbook," Hammond suggests, "and I'll show you your priorities." This practical wisdom grounds the conversation in actionable steps rather than abstract ideals.

Whether you're a new father figuring out where to start, a seasoned dad navigating the teenage years, or someone simply interested in the intersection of parenting and personal growth, this episode offers both inspiration and practical guidance for the journey.

The conversation closes with a powerful reminder that reverberates beyond parenting: what if your best years aren't behind you, but still ahead? For fathers ready to approach parenting with intentionality, courage, and presence, this possibility isn't just hopeful rhetoric—it's an invitation to transformation.

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About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean.

We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%!

Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt!

Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

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John Ash's remarkable journey unfolds like a masterclass in reinvention. Born in Vallejo during WWII while his father served overseas, John's early years in Detroit's golden era—when Motown was thriving and the city bustled with over two million people—laid the foundation for his adaptable spirit.

When directionless after high school, John's photography hobby became his professional gateway when the Navy recognized his talent. As a combat photographer during Vietnam, he captured aerial reconnaissance from aircraft carriers, witnessing the heart-stopping drama of fighter jets landing on deck at night. This unique vantage point—being part of history while documenting it—seems to have instilled in him a lifelong ability to both participate in and shape the communities around him.

The conversation reveals how pivotal moments redirected his life course. While organizing concerts with then-unknown bands like Pink Floyd as a student leader at San Diego State, John lived communally with fellow campus influencers. Yet his true calling emerged during a Ford Foundation experiment studying student leaders, where a Berkeley professor's architectural insights triggered what John calls an "epiphany" about his future. Boston Architectural College followed, launching a distinguished career that would eventually bring him to Humboldt County following a 6.2 earthquake in 1992.

Perhaps most inspiring is John's physical transformation—quitting a two-pack-a-day cigarette habit at 38 and progressively building from short runs to completing the Canadian Ironman triathlon. This same determination fueled community initiatives like founding the Explore North Coast Kayak Association, introducing locals to hidden natural treasures in their own backyard.

From designing the Sequoia Park Skywalk that transformed zoo attendance from 40,000 to 180,000 visitors, to writing his psychological thriller novel "The Road to Oracle," John embodies continuous growth. When asked about his desired legacy, his answer is profoundly simple: "That he spent his whole life learning how to love." Subscribe now to hear more stories of remarkable community members shaping Humboldt County's past, present and future.

Support the show

About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean.

We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%!

Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt!

Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

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From climbing rocks in the Mojave Desert to studying salamanders 300 feet up in redwood canopies, Jim Campbell-Spickler's journey as a wildlife biologist reads like an adventure novel come to life.

After moving from Barstow to Humboldt in 1994 to pursue his wildlife degree, he found himself captivated by the rainforest environment that contrasted sharply with his desert upbringing. "In the first 45 days I lived here, I experienced more rain than I had in my entire life," he laughs. Yet this dramatic environmental shift sparked a lifelong passion for Humboldt's ecosystems.

His research on the wandering salamander - a tiny amphibian that lives high in redwood canopies without needing standing water to reproduce - established him as a canopy ecology specialist. This expertise led him to measure Hyperion, the world's tallest tree at over 380 feet, and to document wildlife worldwide as a scientific consultant for BBC and National Geographic productions. His climbing skills opened doors to remote locations few people ever access.

Perhaps most fascinating is his work with raptors, particularly bald eagles. "We take the young eaglets down when they're six to eight weeks old, put bands on their legs, collect samples, and get them back in the nest before mom or dad returns," he explains. Some species prove more challenging than others - peregrine falcons are known to "stoop" researchers, dive-bombing them when least expected.

Today, Campbell-Spickler serves as Director of Sequoia Park Zoo, where the innovative Skywalk attraction has transformed visitor numbers from 40,000 to 180,000 annually. This ADA-accessible walkway, suspended 100 feet above the ground among redwood canopies, offers experiences found nowhere else. "During windy days, some tree tops will arc in a three-meter radius," he shares, highlighting the dynamic nature of this unique installation.

Ready for an extraordinary adventure? Visit redwoodzoo.org to discover upcoming events, meet new animals including a young bear and spider monkeys, and experience the magic of Humboldt's redwoods from a whole new perspective.

Support the show

About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean.

We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%!

Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt!

Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text

What does it mean to truly see a place? To capture its essence through a lens while maintaining the human connection behind the camera? In this heartfelt conversation with Jose Quesada, we explore the remarkable journey of Humboldt County's most dedicated visual documentarian.

Born to Guatemalan parents (the first "gringo" in his family, as he likes to say), Jose's path led him from Catholic school in Southern California to hitchhiking across America at 19, eventually landing in Humboldt County where he spent his first night on a bench at College of the Redwoods. Little did he know this would begin a lifelong love affair with the region he would later capture so beautifully through his camera.

The conversation takes us back to the late 1970s and early 80s when federal funding created vibrant youth recreation programs throughout the county. Jose and I reminisce about our days working with young people at Camp Kim 2 in Willow Creek, where we witnessed firsthand how these programs built community and changed lives. Jose's career evolved from early childhood education to workforce development to a 30-year stint with the county before health challenges pushed him toward his true calling.

For nearly six years, Jose's photographs have graced an entire page in the Times Standard every Saturday, documenting everything from protests to celebrations, from stunning landscapes to intimate human moments. His work has appeared in publications like the New York Times, but his heart remains deeply connected to showing Humboldt County to itself. As he puts it: "I want to be known as the guy that documented Humboldt County. He saw it. He helped us see it."

Through riveting stories about having SWAT team guns pointed at him and capturing Highway 101 protests from atop his ladder, Jose reveals the creative spirit that drives his photography – finding perspectives others miss, seeing beyond the obvious, and maintaining an open, curious mind. His journey reminds us that sometimes the most powerful stories are told not through words, but through the compassionate eye of someone who truly sees the community they love.

Support the show

About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean.

We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%!

Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt!

Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text

From the scorching heat of Red Bluff to the cool, misty forests of Humboldt County, Elle Penner's life journey unfolds like a well-composed jazz standard—full of unexpected turns yet beautifully cohesive. As she sits across from Scott Hammond in her tie-dye dress shirt, Elle radiates the kind of authentic warmth that defines both her professional and artistic lives.

"I love that I get to work hard at things that I feel good about," Elle reflects, capturing the essence of her dual passions. By day, she serves as an adoption social worker, helping families navigate the complex emotional terrain of welcoming new members and honoring each person's unique story. This fulfilling career emerged from her undergraduate fascination with refugee communities and international relations at UC San Diego, where she spent weekends helping families from Burundi acclimate to American life.

The musical countermelody to Elle's social work began in childhood, harmonizing with her siblings Devin and Brianna in what she jokingly calls their "Von Trapp family band." Though this musical thread temporarily faded into the background during her college years and early career, it reemerged magnificently when her brother moved to Humboldt for graduate school. Through a serendipitous "momager moment" at a local gym, the Penner siblings connected with Zach Zwerdling, who recognized their exceptional talent and helped launch several musical projects.

Now fronting the jazz ensemble Young and Lovely, Elle brings both classic standards and reimagined contemporary hits to venues throughout the county. Whether performing at Fieldbrook Winery, the Botanical Gardens, or the upcoming Jersey Scoops Lolita Block Party, her mesmerizing vocals create spaces where community members connect through music. Additionally, her work with Humboldt Musicians for Peace demonstrates her commitment to using art as a vehicle for positive social change.

When asked what she hopes to be remembered for, Elle's answer speaks volumes: "That Elle got us thinking about how we treat anyone we meet." This simple yet profound aspiration underlies everything she does—creating spaces where families feel supported through life's transitions and where audiences experience the transformative power of music. Subscribe now to hear our full conversation with one of Humboldt County's most captivating voices, both on and off the stage.

Support the show

About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean.

We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%!

Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt!

Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!

Send us a text

The journey from trailer park to radiation oncology doesn't follow a conventional path, but Dr. Join Luh's remarkable story proves that passion and perseverance can lead to extraordinary destinations. Born in California but raised primarily in Galveston, Texas after his parents' separation, Dr. Luh shares how his early experiences—including watching his single mother work at a medical center while attending night school—sparked his interest in medicine.

What follows is a fascinating exploration of medical evolution, as Dr. Luh takes us through his education at Texas A&M, his internal medicine training, and ultimately his discovery of radiation oncology. He vividly describes the technological transformation of cancer treatment—from the days of drawing treatment fields on X-ray films with wax pencils to today's sophisticated AI-assisted planning systems that allow for precise "dose painting" of radiation. This technological revolution has fundamentally changed patient outcomes by enabling higher tumor doses without damaging surrounding healthy tissues.

Beyond the medicine, Dr. Luh offers a compelling perspective on practicing in rural Humboldt County, where he's built a life and career spanning nearly two decades. He challenges common misconceptions about rural healthcare, noting that Humboldt had advanced technology like IMRT and PET-CT scanning before some university medical centers. His enthusiasm for the region's extraordinary quality of life—where one can "go fishing, play golf, go surfing, and mountain bike all in one day"—makes a powerful case for rural medicine as not just a career choice, but a lifestyle upgrade.

Considering a move to somewhere with cleaner air, less traffic, and world-class natural beauty? Dr. Luh's story might just convince you that sometimes the most rewarding professional opportunities are found outside major metropolitan areas. Listen now to discover how this radiation oncologist found his perfect match in California's spectacular North Coast.

Support the show

About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean.

We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%!

Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt!

Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!