Big Conversations, Little Bar

Hosted by Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, get up close and personal with fascinating people who live in and visit the Coachella Valley and have made an impact on the region's economy, culture and global appeal as a leading tourism destination. Many thanks to our outstanding listeners from throughout the Golden State, North America and around the world. And, a very special note of gratitude to our friends Skip Paige and Kate Spates for hosting us at Little Bar in Palm Desert, CA, and to the fine staff at the McCallum Theatre, without whose segment sponsorship this program would not be made possible to bring you every single week. Please support these enterprises as doing so helps support our ability to deliver hours of entertainment each month to our loyal followers.

Big Conversations, Little Bar is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 158 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Big Conversations, Little Bar, a business show with 158 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #154

  Cheryl Bentyne, Musical Artist | Jazz Harmonies, Grammy Memories, and New Beginnings

  Sep 21, 202649 min

  From singing with her father's dance band at fourteen to spending 44 years with The Manhattan Transfer , Cheryl Bentyne has stories worth pulling up a stool for. She joins Patrick Evans and guest co-host Fred Bronson , music journalist for Billboard , on Big Conversations, Little Bar to revisit the audition that changed her life, the precision behind Birdland , and the thrill of performing with Ella Fitzgerald . Cheryl shares memories of Grammy wins, international success, and the musical trust that kept four voices together. She also explores her love of the Great American Songbook, the freedom of solo recordings, and her preference for live audiences . Then the conversation takes an unexpected turn: transforming vintage lamps into art. It's a look at a life still finding fresh ways to create, onstage and off. Takeaways : Cheryl started performing with her father's band at fourteen. One audition launched 44 years with The Manhattan Transfer. “Birdland” remained challenging throughout decades of live performances. Singing with Ella Fitzgerald became a cherished career highlight. Four voices required precision, discipline, and mutual trust. Solo recordings offered freedom in song selection and interpretation. Live audiences provide the energy Cheryl loves most. Vintage lamps became canvases for her next creative chapter. #BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #FredBronson #MusicJounalist #BillboardMagazine #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #CherylBentyne #TheManhattanTransfer #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #VocalJazz #Birdland #GreatAmericanSongbook #EllaFitzgerald #GrammyAwards #JazzVocals #PalmSprings #LampArt

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  Episode #153

  Tom Snyder, CEO, Animal Samaritans | Saving Pets, Supporting People, Strengthening Community

  Sep 14, 202656 min

  Animal welfare, affordability, creativity, and community service converge in a lively conversation with Tom Snyder, CEO of Animal Samaritans . He explains to host Patrick Evans why overcrowded shelters, rising veterinary costs, and pet “petflation” are putting families under pressure, while outlining financial assistance, free spay-and-neuter programs, rescue efforts, specialty veterinary care, and the organization’s plans for expansion. Guest co-host Terry Ray brings humor and personal experience, including how Animal Samaritans helped his late mother’s dog through a serious medical scare. The conversation also reveals Snyder’s unexpected creative past as a playwright, actor, teacher, surfer, and aspiring novelist. Along the way, Patrick, Terry, and Tom explore adoption challenges, responsible pet ownership, nonprofit fundraising, the emotional demands of rescue work, and the powerful bond people share with animals throughout the Coachella Valley community today and beyond. Takeaways: Rising veterinary costs are straining pet-owning families. Financial assistance helps keep pets with their owners. Free spay and neuter programs reduce shelter overcrowding. Animal Samaritans offers extensive specialty veterinary services. Rescue partnerships save thousands of at-risk animals. Successful adoptions require thoughtful matches between pets and families. Nonprofit leadership demands compassion and difficult financial decisions. Snyder’s creative life includes theater, teaching, and writing. #BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #TerryRay #BentTheatre #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #TomSnyder #AnimalSamaritans #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #AnimalRescue #PetAdoption #PetWelfare #VeterinaryCare #SpayAndNeuter #NonprofitLeadership #PalmDesert #PetCare #CommunityImpact

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  Episode #152

  Luke Yankee, Playwright & Producer | Broadway Memories, Family Legacy, and New Chapters

  Sep 7, 202657 min

  Playwright, director, actor, professor, and producer Luke Yankee joins the corner booth for a lively journey through a remarkable theatrical life . He shares memories of growing up as the son of acclaimed actress Eileen Heckart, where family friends included Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Ethel Merman, Mary Tyler Moore, and other entertainment legends . Yankee reflects on finding his own creative voice, directing his parents, learning from Broadway great Hal Prince, teaching emerging playwrights, and developing works including Marilyn, Mom & Me . He also previews upcoming directing projects, explains how collaboration and criticism strengthen his writing, and delivers unforgettable backstage stories involving missed entrances, bold auditions, and even a wandering cow . The episode also marks an emotional transition as Randy Florence says farewell after three and a half memorable years together onstage. Takeaways : Growing up surrounded by Broadway shaped Yankee’s creative path. Eileen Heckart offered demanding lessons in acting. Paul Newman shared memorable advice with young Luke. Writing eventually became Yankee’s strongest creative calling. Directing his parents created unforgettable family moments. Great writers learn when criticism improves their work. Theater mishaps often become the best backstage stories. Randy Florence closes a memorable three-and-a-half-year chapter. #BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #SkipPaige #CoachellaValley #LukeYankee #Playwright #InterviewPodcast #MutualBroadcastingSystem #EileenHeckart #Broadway #Theater #TheatreDirector #Playwriting #PalmSprings #MarilynMomAndMe #PerformingArts #BehindTheScenes #EntertainmentPodcast

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  Episode #13

  Big Conversations Hits 150 Episodes of Stories, Laughter, Legacy | Guest Host: Bruce Fessier

  Apr 6, 20261h 10mS2026

  <p>On this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, the tables turn as legendary Coachella Valley journalist Bruce Fessier steps in as guest host to celebrate the podcast’s 150th episode milestone. What follows is a lively, heartfelt, and often hilarious look back at three years of unforgettable conversations, iconic guests, and behind-the-scenes moments that defined the show. From celebrity encounters and emotional interviews to unexpected revelations and laugh-out-loud stories, the hosts, guest episode host and executive producer John McMullen on what makes the podcast unique—authentic, unscripted dialogue with fascinating people. They revisit stan...

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  Episode #12

  Baratunde Thurston, Media Entrepreneur | Balancing Technology, Humanity, and the Future Together

  Mar 31, 20261 hourS2026

  <p>On this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, Patrick sits down solo with media entrepreneur and digital thinker Baratunde Thurston for a wide-ranging, deeply human conversation about technology, identity, and community. Randy is away due to a family loss on this episode. The discussion takes on an intimate tone as Baratunde shares his perspective on artificial intelligence, warning not of machines taking over—but of humans becoming too machine-like. He explores how we can live well with technology while preserving meaning, connection, and democracy. The conversation also dives into his upbringing in Washington, D...

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