In this episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar, Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome Andrea Carter, a Coachella Valley marketing and PR powerhouse with a fascinating life story. Andrea shares insider tales from coordinating A-list celebrities at the Palm Springs International Film Festival to co-founding the record-breaking Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament for St. Jude. She reflects on her small-town Minnesota roots, her unexpected reunion with her biological family, and her journey in local philanthropy. From singing with Patrick Evans to managing Joan Rivers and Mariah Carey’s memorable appearances, Andrea offers a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply human look at a life well-lived behind the spotlight. Don't miss this candid conversation at the corner booth of Skip Paige's Little Bar. Presented by the McCallum Theatre.

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Takeaways:

• Andrea helped grow the Warburton into St. Jude’s top U.S. fundraiser, raising $35+ million.
• The event’s formula: big-name celebrities, unique music shows, and community passion.
• Not all celebrity guests go smoothly—Cheech & Chong’s appearance was infamously “crude.”
• Her PR career included handling Joan Rivers, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, and more.
• Grew up in a town of 500 in Minnesota with only 26 kids in her graduating class.
• Was adopted, later reunited with birth parents and found three full-blood brothers.
• Her music passion never left—she recently won "Singing with the Desert Stars."
• Believes deeply in giving back to the community, especially through nonprofit work.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #McCallumTheatre #AndreaCarter #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValley #PalmSpringsFilmFestival #WarburtonGolfTournament #StJude #Philanthropy #CelebrityStories #DesertCharities #PodcastGuest #BehindTheScenes #AdoptionStory #MinnesotaRoots #DesertStars #SingingCompetition

In this episode, Patrick Evans and Randy Florence welcome Laurilie Jackson, a seasoned media professional and professor, who shares her inspiring journey from Canadian roots to becoming a prominent figure in Coachella Valley journalism to Big Conversations, Little Bar. Laurilie recounts her early experiences in broadcasting, including her internships at CNN and Entertainment Tonight, and discusses the impact of her teaching at College of the Desert. The conversation touches on the evolution of media, the importance of local journalism, and the challenges faced by students today in navigating misinformation. With a focus on storytelling and the future of journalism, Laurilie emphasizes the need for critical thinking in media consumption. Listeners will gain insight into the dynamic world of broadcasting and the power of education in shaping the next generation of journalists.

Takeaways:

• Laurilie Jackson shares her journey from Canada to Coachella Valley.

• The importance of internships in shaping a media career.

• Local journalism plays a crucial role in community engagement.

• Teaching media literacy is essential for combating misinformation.

• The evolution of technology impacts how news is consumed.

• Laurilie emphasizes building students’ confidence in their abilities.

• The Coachella Valley sees significant growth and development in media.

• Collaboration in storytelling can lead to impactful journalism.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #McCallumTheatre #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #LaurilieJackson #media #education #journalism #broadcasting #storytelling #localnews #medialiteracy #confidencebuilding #CoachellaValley #internships #technology #misinformation #criticalthinking #studentsuccess #creativeindustry #radio #television #podcasting #communityengagement

In this episode, the hosts Patrick Evans and Randy Florence delve into the fascinating world of cinematography with accomplished cinematographer Alan Gitlin. With a career spanning decades, Gitlin shares his experiences working on iconic films, including Star Trek Generations and Titanic. He discusses his journey from his early days in Hollywood to his production and mentoring role with Palm Springs Women in Film and Television. Listeners gain insights into the intricacies of filmmaking, the creative process behind storytelling, and the importance of mentorship in the industry. Join Patrick and Randy as they explore Gitlin's remarkable career and his contributions to the local film community.

Takeaways:

• Alan Gitlin has extensive experience in cinematography, working on major films and series.

• He emphasizes the importance of mentorship in the film industry.

• Gitlin's involvement with Palm Springs Women in Film and Television has focused on empowering aspiring filmmakers.

• The editing process is crucial for storytelling and audience engagement.

• Gitlin shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from his time on set.

• He highlights the unique culture and talent present in the Coachella Valley film community.

• The importance of collaboration among different departments in film production is vital for success.

• Gitlin’s work has been recognized in various awards circuits, showcasing his talent and dedication.

#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #PSWIFT #McCallumTheatre #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #Cinematography #Filmmaking #AlanGitlin #Hollywood #FilmIndustry #FilmMentorship #StarTrek #Editing #WomenInFilm #PalmSpringsFilm #FilmCommunity #Storytelling #IndieFilm