Richard Handley on "The Hawks Are Not Dying," Activism, and the Power of Place

In this episode, I’m joined by Richard Handley, author of The Hawks Are Not Dying, a novel rooted in real events that helped shape modern Ojai, which could have easily looked very different.Set in the early 1980s, The Hawks Are Not Dying follows a man who finds purpose — and unexpected romance — while joining a scrappy coalition of activists determined to stop a shopping-center development from destroying the meadows he loves. Along the way, the story brings to life many of the real people who stood up to overdevelopment and helped protect Ojai from becoming another Southern California sprawl, threatened by freeways, gypsum and uranium mines, and unchecked growth.In our conversation, Richard reflects on the preservation battles that defined an era, the personalities who shaped Ojai’s environmental ethic, and how storytelling can carry civic memory forward. We also explore his work in Western Australia, where he developed education programs with Aboriginal communities — an experience that deepened his understanding of land, culture, and stewardship.We did not talk about Heath Ledger, barramundi fishing or the Great Barrier Reef.This episode is a meditation on activism, love of place, and the quiet heroism of people who say “no” when it matters most. Look for "Hawks" at Bart's Books, Poppies Art & Gift, as well as online at Amazon — https://www.amazon.com/Hawks-Are-Not-Dying/dp/B0FP8F23YG