The Leather Apron Club: Reviving Franklin’s Spirit of Civil Discourse in Ojai

In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, I sit down with Randy Roth, founder of the Leather Apron Club — a twice-monthly gathering of Ojai locals committed to keeping the art of conversation alive. Modeled after Benjamin Franklin’s original “Junto” society of the 1730s, the Leather Apron Club has been meeting for the past eight years to exchange ideas on politics, environmental issues, foreign affairs, and cultural trends.What makes the club remarkable isn’t just the breadth of topics, but the breadth of viewpoints. Members are chosen to reflect a wide spectrum of political and personal perspectives, and the goal isn’t persuasion — it’s understanding. As Roth explains, the Leather Apron Club is about creating a space where differences can be heard respectfully, where ideas can be tested, sharpened, and sometimes even transformed in the spirit of camaraderie and friendship.The club also shares recommendations for books, films, articles, and other cultural touchstones, weaving together a community of curiosity and respectful debate. We did not talk about fly-tying knots, Amelia Earhart or molybdenum mining processes.In an age where shouting matches often replace dialogue, Randy Roth’s Leather Apron Club stands as a local model for how civil discourse can flourish — and why it matters now more than ever.