Talking Local: The Think Local First Podcast

In our very first episode of Talking Local, Think Local First board members Ryan Buckholdt and Anthony Guajardo sit down with Brian Upton from Santa Cruz Vibes to unpack the spirit — and strategy — behind this year’s Think Local for the Holidays campaign.

We talk about why “local” isn’t just a December slogan, but a year-round muscle that keeps our community strong. Then we hit the streets, visiting beloved Santa Cruz shops and makers to hear directly from the people who pour themselves into this county every single day. What do the holidays mean to them? How do they stay rooted in community values even in the busiest season of the year? And why does choosing local — in small, consistent ways — matter more than ever?

This episode is part storytelling, part celebration, and part reminder: our local economy is made of real people, real families, and real dreams. When we choose them, we all rise.

Welcome to Talking Local. Let’s kick this thing off the right way.