SideBar: Optimism in Action Welcomes Monterey County Supervisor Kate Daniels

SideBar: Optimism in Action is one of six finalists for the Monterey Weekly 2026 “Best Local Podcasts”. Go to www.montereynow.com by August 28th to participate.

MONTEREY, CA, UNITED STATES, August 17, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — SideBar: Optimism in Action podcast, a collaboration of KAZU 90.3 and Monterey College of Law, welcomes Monterey County Supervisor Kate Daniels. As a lifelong resident of District 5, Kate grew up with a family who believed in giving back to the community. After earning degrees from Sarah Lawrence College and Columbia University, she taught in New York, Los Angeles, and Mexico before returning home to Monterey County where she taught Women’s Studies at Monterey Peninsula College and ran the news publication, The Women’s International Perspective.

Kate has built her career at the intersection of community, environment, and public service. “I’m passionate about tackling the big challenges that matter most to our communities from securing reliable water solutions, to increasing access to affordable housing on the Monterey Peninsula, and improving our preparedness for fire and flood risks,” says Daniels.

Daniels previously served on the County Planning Commission, shaping policy on land use, housing, clean water, and coastal resilience. Her experience with Supervisor Mary Adams and with State Senator John Laird helped advance solutions for water supply, homelessness, and protecting the Big Sur coastline. As Supervisor, Kate continues her lifelong commitment to building resilient communities with a particular focus on housing, advancing environmental sustainability, and ensuring that Monterey County remains a place where families and businesses can thrive. She represents the County of Monterey on multiple regional boards, including Central Coast Community Energy, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, Transportation Agency of Monterey County, and the Local Agency Formation Commission. Daniel’s episode on SideBar: Optimism in Action goes live Tuesday, August 18, 2026 on www.kazu.org/sidebar.

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KAZU 90.3 radio and SideBarMedia are excited to collaborate to add SideBar: Optimism in Action podcast to KAZU’s digital programming on the station’s website (www.kazu.org/sidebar). SideBar: Optimism in Action is one of the six finalists for the Monterey Weekly 2026 “Best Local Podcasts”. Go to www.montereycountyweekly.com by August 28, 2026 to participate in the reader’s poll.

KAZU is the NPR affiliate station for Monterey, Salinas, and Santa Cruz. The SideBar: Optimism in Action podcast – sponsored by Monterey College of Law, a long-standing nonprofit sponsor of KAZU 90.3 radio – has become the first non-newscast, locally produced podcast featured on the KAZU website and mobile application.

SideBar: Optimism in Action is hosted by former law dean Mitch Winick and produced by David Eakin, a local theater composer, media consultant, and podcast producer. “The podcast features nonprofit leaders, advocates, and community members who represent extraordinary work that is improving the humanitarian, public policy, and charitable needs of our local, national, and global communities. Our focus this season is on the amazing individuals who are pursuing positive change during challenging times,” explained Winick.

New episodes of SideBar: Optimism in Action are published on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at www.kazu.org/sidebar. To learn more about the podcast, read our blog, and to preview and listen to more than 90 previous episodes, go to SideBarMedia at www.sidebarmedia.org. To learn more about Supervisor Kate Daniels, go to https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/board-of-supervisors/district-5-kate-daniels/home.

Mitchel Winick
SideBar Media
+1 831-241-8999
email us here

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