SEDONA LIFE with Stephen Hanks: Red Rock Country's Radio Magazine on Mellow Mountain Radio

On this 37th and final episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks (on KAZM/Mellow Mountain Radio on 106.5 FM and 780 AM), the focus is on three distinctive touring companies in the Sedona and Verde Valley areas. Stephen welcomes special in-studio guests Michael Peach, Senior Interpretive Guide Trainer at Pink Jeep Tours; Andrea Christelle, Co-Founder of Sedona Philosophy; and Joshua Bartosh, Owner of Spirit of the Past based in Cottonwood, AZ. Listen to a compelling conversation about the evolution of these outstanding businesses and all the details about their unique and popular tours. Special thanks to banner designer Dick Fisher of e-MergeOnlineMarketing.

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks (on KAZM/Mellow Mountain Radio 10-11 am PST on 106.5 FM and 780 AM), the focus is on the upcoming historical musical production "The Dead Quilters Society" at the Sedona Heritage Museum, featuring special guests Scriptwriter Dev Ross, Composer/Music Director Shondra Jepperson, and Actor Gail Edwards. This show tells the tale of five legendary Sedona women--with music. Dev and Shondra talk about their long creative relationship and the process for producing this new show, while Gail talks about her character in the show and about her experiences working with the legendary Frank Sinatra and the late TV star Bob Saget.Special thanks to banner designer Dick Fisher of e-MergeOnlineMarketing.

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks (on KAZM/Mellow Mountain Radio 10-11 am PST on 106.5 FM and 780 AM, the focus is on the development of the Sedona United Methodist Church and its new congregation. I'll be talking spirituality and social justice with special guest Pastor Elizabeth LeMaster, who brought along Susan Turner, who was the first new person to join the church and is also VP of Community Programs and Services for Accord Hospice, which is a partner of the church.Special thanks to banner designer Dick Fisher of e-MergeOnlineMarketing.

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks, the focus is on health, nutrition, diet strategies, and wellness. Stephen's special guest is his favorite New Yorker, his Registered Dietitian Daughter Jean Hanks Uyeki. Dad and daughter had a terrific conversation during which Jean offered her professional advice and guidance on how to improve one’s health and longevity through smart nutrition, exercise, healthy food preparation, and more.Special thanks to the sponsor for the month of September LaserGirl Skincare and Anita Marcus (Skincare Superhero), and to banner designer Dick Fisher of e-MergeOnlineMarketing.

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks, the focus is on the upcoming Emerson Theater Collaborative production of Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning play DRIVING MISS DAISY at the Village of Oak Creek's Verde Valley School in early October. Stephen's special in-studio guests are Camilla Ross, Director of this production, and President & Producer of the Emerson Theater Collaborative, and Actor Joan Westmoreland, who is playing the part of “Miss Daisy.” Insightful conversation on the social and political themes of the play and the motivations of Camilla and Joan to stage this production. Special thanks to my sponsor for the month of September LaserGirl Skincare and Anita Marcus (Skincare Superhero), and to my banner designer Dick Fisher of e-MergeOnlineMarketing.

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks, the focus is on the fascinating Verde Valley-area STEP Program, co-sponsored by the Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance (NAZCCA) and the Sedona Public Library which encourages local residents to donate old tools that can be borrowed by follow residents. Stephen's special in-studio guests are two principal volunteers in the program: Peggy Chaikin, Board Member, Keep Sedona Beautiful & Volunteer, NAZCCA, and Dr. Francis Julia Riemer, Co-Founder/Board Member, NAZCCA.Special thanks to my sponsor for the month of September LaserGirl Skincare and Anita Marcus (Skincare Superhero), and to my banner designer Dick Fisher of e-MergeOnlineMarketing.

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks, the focus is on the various operations of the Sedona International Film Festival (SIFF). Stephen is joined by his special in-studio guests Executive Director Patrick Schweiss (celebrating his 20th Year as SIFF's guru) and Operations Manager Reba Stone. Great conversation about many aspects of the Film Festival's operation, exciting upcoming films and events, and the host even got in his pitch to potential advertisers for the 31st Annual Film Festival Event Program (February 22-March 2).Special thanks to my sponsor for the month of September LaserGirl Skincare and Anita Marcus (Skincare Superhero), and to my banner designer Dick Fisher of e-MergeOnlineMarketing.

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks (on KAZM/Mellow Mountain Radio), the host is joined by Dick Fisher, Chief Social Officer of his own business e-Merge Online Marketing. Dick tells Sedona Life listeners, area business owners, and entrepreneurs how they can master their social media marketing strategy, as well how to manage their online reputation. Stephen and Dick also discuss the popular Sedona Referrals Club, based in the Village of Oak Creek, a business networking group for which Dick is the current President.Special thanks to my August shows sponsor the Sedona Heritage Museum. Banner design by Dick Fisher.

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks (on KAZM/Mellow Mountain Radio) the focus is on the radio station operation though which I've hosted this show since early February 2024. My special guests are Chuck Helstein, the Owner, General Manager, and Programming Director of 106.5 FM and 780 AM in Sedona, AZ, and Ryan Thompson, the Producer of all the sponsored shows like mine AND the jack-of-all-trades at the station. Chuck and Ryan discuss the transformation of the KAZM into Mellow Mountain Radio since they took over the station last December, as well as their long friendship, and their continued plans for growing the operation.Special thanks to my August shows sponsor the Sedona Heritage Museum and my banner designer Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing.

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks (on KAZM/Mellow Mountain Radio) the focus is on "Friends" who protect and preserve our local Sedona/Verde Valley environment in Arizona. My in-studio guests are Friends of the Forest President Jerry Checchia and VP Melissa Pontikes, and Friends of the Verde River Board President Jeanne Swarthout.Special thanks to my August shows sponsor the Sedona Heritage Museum and my banner designer Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing.

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks: Red Rock Country's Radio Magazine (KAZM/Mellow Mountain Radio), Stephen's passion for Major League Baseball and NFL Football collide. With so many Diamondbacks and Cardinals fans in Sedona and the Verde Valley, it's the time of year to assess the Dbacks' chances to be a Wild Card team and the ponder whether the Cardinals can make the NFL Playoffs. Special guests are Alex Weiner (baseball) and Tyler Drake (football), both writers and editors with ArizonaSports.com. Special thanks to my August shows sponsor Sedona Heritage Museum and to Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing for banner design.

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks: Red Rock Country's Radio Magazine (KAZM/Mellow Mountain Radio), Stephen's special guest is Nate Meyers, Executive Director of the Sedona Heritage Museum, Nate is a great caretaker of Sedona's colorful history. He reveals how he became passionate about history and curating small museums, tells some wonderful stories about the development of the city of Sedona, offers info on the Museum's upcoming programs, and explains the inside story of how and why the McDonald's arches in West Sedona are TURQUOISE.Special thanks to the Sedona Heritage Museum for sponsoring all the shows in August, as well as to my banner designer Dick Fisher, e-MergeOnlineMarketing

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks: Red Rock Country's Radio Magazine (KAZM/Mellow Mountain Radio) the focus is on photography, specifically conservation-centric creatives from the Verde Valley-area. Special guests are photographer Dawn Kish from Flagstaff and photographer printer Richard Jackson from Flagstaff--who have documented in photos and on film the hidden treasure of the Southwest known as Glen Canyon in Utah. This epic landscape is under a giant reservoir called Lake Powell. The lake is at its lowest water level since the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. Kish went on an adventure to explore this canyon with an old Crown Graphic 4×5 camera, which from 1950-1963 documented Glen Canyon pre-dam from an incredible photographer, Tad Nichols. Kish's film "Tad's Emerging World" was a big hit at the 2024 Sedona International Film Festival.Special thanks to my sponsor for the July shows and banner designer Dick Fisher of e-MergeOnlineMarketing

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks on KAZM/Mellow Mountain Radio 106.5 FM & 780, Stephen's in-studio guests are husband and wife ultramarathon runners Joe Clapper and Michele Harmon, who between the two of them have been competing in these gruelling races for 40 years--and finishing first in many of them--all over the world, including around the Verde Valley. What's really special about having them as guests on this week's show is that they are Stephen's next-door neighbors in the Village of Oak Creek (near Sedona). Special thanks to the sponsor for the July shows and banner designer Dick Fisher of e-MergeOnlineMarketing.

On this episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks on KAZM 106.5 FM & 780 AM/Mellow Mountain Radio, we're again talking about MUSIC. My special in-studio guest is Koz Mraz, an award-winning Surround Sound composer and producer who has been leading outstanding presentations at the Sedona International Film Festival's Mary D. Fisher Theater of classic pop and rock albums and concerts--from artists such as The Beatles, Elton John, Queen, and Pink Floyd--that were recorded in Surround Sound. Koz will be telling listeners everything about the history and process of surround sound recordings and what audiences can expect when they attend his shows.Special thanks to my July show sponsor and banner designer Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing.

The July 6, 2024 episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks (on KAZM/Mellow Mountain Radio) features a compelling conversation with Nikki Check, one of the two Democrats competing for Arizona's District 3/Yavapai County Supervisor in the upcoming July 30 primary, an area that includes Sedona, the Village of Oak Creek, Cottonwood, Jerome, and more. We had an in-depth discussion about why she's running, what she's feels are the most important issues, and we even fit in some chat about her recent past in the local wine industry.Special thanks to my show sponsor the month of July and my social media banner designer Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing.

The June 29 episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks, Red Rock Country's Radio Magazine on KAZM 106.5 FM and 780 AM/Mellow Mountain Radio was all about how small businesses can improve and secure their computer operations and internet technology. My special guest is Aaron Munro, VP of Business Development, for the Flagstaff-based TeamLogic IT franchise that services a large section of Northern Arizona. Aaron and I discuss everything from security breaches to new technology integration. Special thanks to my show sponsor for all the shows in June, Karen Cole, Agent at State Farm Insurance in Camp Verde.Banner design by Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing.

My special guests on this June 22 episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks, Red Rock Country's Radio Magazine on KAZM 106.5 FM and 780 AM/Mellow Mountain Radio are two individuals heading local organizations doing really good works in our community for residents dealing with food insecurity. Cathleen Healy-Baiza has been the executive director for the Sedona Community Food Bank since 2015 and Ben Burke has been the Executive Director of Manzanita Outreach since 2018. This is a fascinating conversation about all the ways these leaders and their groups combat hunger among families, children, and seniors in the Sedona/Verde Valley area.Special thanks to my show sponsor for all the shows in June, Karen Cole, Agent at State Farm Insurance in Camp Verde.Banner design by Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing.

This June 15, 2024 episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks, Red Rock Country's Radio Magazine on KAZM 106.5 FM and 780 AM/Mellow Mountain Radio is all about archaeology of the indigenous peoples and tribes of the Verde Valley. Special guests are from the Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum, including Executive Director Monica Buckle, Board President Ed Goodwin, and Volunteer Docent Betty Goodwin. This is a fascinating conversation about all the museum's programs and exhibits and their mission of conservation, preservation, and education. Special thanks to my show sponsor for all the shows in June, Karen Cole, Agent at State Farm Insurance in Camp Verde.Banner design by Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing

Given that there are three golf courses (two 18-holes and one 9-hole) within 5-10 minutes of my home in the Village of Oak Creek, In fact, the VOC could be considered the "Golf Capital of the Sedona Area." So I felt it kinda made sense for Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks to do a show about the grand game of GOLF. So my guests on this episode on KAZM 106.5 FM and 780 AM/Mellow Mountain Radio will be the golf pros at those three courses: Heather Risk, the Head Golf Pro at Oakcreek Country Club (which I can walk to from my place); Micah Filice, Head Golf Pro at Sedona Golf Resort; and Willie Darke, the Director of Golf at Canyon Mesa Country Club. Listeners will learn about these beautiful courses, tips on improving one's game, and the best equipment and sportswear for playing in the Sedona area, and more! Special thanks to my show sponsor for all the shows in June, Karen Cole, Agent at State Farm Insurance in Camp Verde.Banner design by Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing

My first special guest for June on Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks on KAZM 106.5 FM & 780 AM/Mellow Mountain Radio is the Sedona Monthly Magazine May Cover Personality, Anita Marcus, the Founder and Owner of LaserGirl Skincare Superhero in Sedona, Flagstaff, and Prescott, AZ. LaserGirl will tell us how she became one of the leading skincare experts in the Verde Valley and the myriad non-surgical treatments she employs to help her clients (like me!) achieve healthy, attractive, and younger-looking skin.Special thanks to my sponsor for all the June shows: Karen Cole of State Farm Insurance in Camp Verde.Banner Design by Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing

For the May 25 episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks on KAZM 106.5 FM & 780 AM/Mellow Mountain Radio the topic is "Inside the Sedona City Council." My special in-studio guests are Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow, Vice Mayor Holli Ploog and Council Member Kathy Kinsella. We're talking about a variety of issues and programs that the Council has recently been tackling and we'll get some insight into plans for Sedona moving forward. This will NOT be a campaign discussion about my three guests being candidates for their same positions in the 2024 election.Special thanks to my show sponsor Damian Bruno and Danielle Giann of Sedona Village Real Estate Group with Coldwell Banker Realty.Banner design by Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing

This May 18 episode of Sedona Life with Stephen Hanks on KAZM 106.5 FM & 780 AM/Mellow Mountain Radio (from 9-10 am PST) is about hiking the trails of Sedona and the Verde Valley area. My special in-studio guests are trekkers from the Sedona Westerners Hiking Club--President Terri Petrescu and PR Officer Sara Stiffler. This show should be of value to Sedona locals and potential visitors who want to learn about the coolest hiking trails in Red Rock Country. Special thanks to my May show sponsors Damian Bruno and Danielle Giann of Sedona Village Real Estate Group at Coldwell Banker.Banner design by Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing

For this week's episode of SEDONA LIFE with Stephen Hanks (on Mellow Mountain Radio/KAZM 106.5 & 780 AM), the focus is on Sedona and Verde Valley real estate professionals and their good works in the community. Stephen chats with husband and wife team Damian Bruno and Danielle Giann of Sedona Village Real Estate Group with Coldwell Banker Realty about the intricacies of buying and selling homes in the area, as well as their work organizing the Annual Village of Oak Creek Community BBQ happening the afternoon they are appearing on Sedona Life. Thanks to Damian and Danielle for being the show's sponsor from March to May 2024. Banner design by Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing.

For this week's episode of SEDONA LIFE with Stephen Hanks (on Mellow Mountain Radio/KAZM 106.5 & 780 AM), the focus is on book authors in Sedona. Stephen chats with two fellow local writers about their compelling projects. Kirstyn Lazur is not only a dancer, dance instructor, and teacher of English to foreign students, she is the author of the intensely personal autobiography "I Was Cursed in Connecticut." Timothy Perry (pen name Tim Parise) has not only written fiction and non-fiction books about an eclectic mix of subjects, but he's also a reporter for the Sedona Red Rock News.Thanks to my show sponsor for the rest of May, Damian Bruno and Danielle Giann Sedona Village Real Estate Group with Coldwell Banker Realty. Banner design by Dick Fisher of E-MergeOnlineMarketing.

For this week's episode of SEDONA LIFE with Stephen Hanks (on Mellow Mountain Radio/KAZM 106.5 & 780 AM), the focus is on Singer/Songwriters in Sedona and the Verde Valley area. Stephen welcomes his in-studio guests: Vicky Oldham, the composer of the show's theme song "On the Road to Sedona," which Vicky plays on guitar in-studio. Stephen's other special guest is composer, performer, and vocal coach Shondra Jepperson, who has been a fixture on the Sedona music scene for more than 20 years. Shondra will fill listeners in on her new projects. The sponsor for this episode is Damian and Danielle’s Sedona Village Real Estate Group with Coldwell Banker Realty.

For this week's episode of SEDONA LIFE with Stephen Hanks (on Mellow Mountain Radio/KAZM 106.5 & 780 AM), the focus is on public education in the Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District (SOCUSD). Stephen welcomes his in-studio guests: Tom Swaninger, SOCUSD Superintendent and Heather Isom, Principal of Sedona Red Rock Junior and Senior High School to discuss various aspects of the educational system in the Sedona area and how both of these educational leaders navigated their first year on the job. The sponsor for this episode is Damian and Danielle’s Sedona Village Real Estate Group with Coldwell Banker Realty.

For this week's episode of SEDONA LIFE with Stephen Hanks (on Mellow Mountain Radio/KAZM 106.5 & 780 AM), the focus is on Classical and Orchestra Music among the Red Rocks as Stephen interviews his special guests from the Sedona Symphony: Artistic Director/Conductor Janna Hymes and Board President Sue Buffum, who discuss the recent changes in the Symphony's operation, upcoming concerts at the Sedona Performing Arts Center, and plans for future growth. The sponsor for this episode is Damian and Danielle’s Sedona Village Real Estate Group with Coldwell Banker Realty.

For this week's episode of SEDONA LIFE with Stephen Hanks (on Mellow Mountain Radio/KAZM 106.5 & 780 AM), the focus is on the problematic gun culture in America and Arizona and firearm safety in Sedona. During the first half of the show, Stephen's offers his views on America's lack of gun control and gun safety legislation, including a 2022 takedown of the 2nd Amendment from current Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. The second half of the show features a conversation with Firearm Safety Instructor and Personal Fitness Trainer Larry Betz, from the Village of Oak Creek. The sponsor for this episode is Damian and Danielle’s Sedona Village Real Estate Group with Coldwell Banker Realty.

On this week's episode of SEDONA LIFE on Mellow Mountain Radio/KAZM 106.5 & 780 AM, Stephen celebrates the beginning of the 2024 Major League Baseball Season by discussing his life-long passion with Steve Gilbert, Arizona Diamondbacks reporter for MLB.com. Stephen and Steve talk about the 2024 prospects for the defending National League Champions and some other big-picture baseball topics. Stephen's sponsor for this episode is Damian and Danielle’s Sedona Village Real Estate Group with Coldwell Banker Realty.

On this week's episode of SEDONA LIFE on Mellow Mountain Radio/KAZM 106.5 FM and 780 AM, Stephen talks about local theater in Sedona with three extremely accomplished and talented women in the performing arts. Special guests are: Camillia Ross, President and Producer of the Emerson Thater Collaborative; Director/Screenwriter Dev Ross; and Actor/Writer/Director Mindy Mendelsohn talking about the upcoming production of the Lisa Cron play 2.5 MINUTE RIDE being staged March 22-24 at the Verde Valley School's Brady Hall in the Village of Oak Creek. Stephen's sponsors for this episode are Damian and Danielle’s Sedona Village Real Estate Group with Coldwell Banker Realty and OMNI Pro Management, Sedona’s Premier Short-Term Rental Company, owned by Brady & Athena Shimek.

Stephen finally gets to talk POLITICS, specifically Arizona Politics, with Special Guest Jonathan Nez, former President of the Navajo Nation, who is running for the 2024 Democratic Nomination for Congress in Arizona District 2 and face off against Republican Congressman Eli Crane. Also joining the discussion LIVE in-studio are members of the Board of the Democrats of the Red Rocks--DORR President Ellen Ferreira and Holly Ploog, who is also Sedona Vice-Mayor and Member of the Sedona City Council. Stephen's sponsors for this episode are Damian and Danielle’s Sedona Village Real Estate Group with Coldwell Banker Realty and OMNI Pro Management, Sedona’s Premier Short-Term Rental Company, owned by Brady & Athena Shimek.

March appears to be "Festival" Month in Sedona this year so Stephen's guest for this episode of SEDONA LIFE are Actor/Concert Performer Lucie Arnaz (daughter of the iconic Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz), who will be performing her Cabaret Concert show "I Got the Job: Songs from My Musical Past" on March 2nd at the Sedona Performing Arts Center as part of the 30th Anniversary Sedona International Film Festival. Stephen's other guest is Heather Sheree Sanders, Producer/Director of the Sedona Yoga Festival. taking place in Sedona from March 14-17. Stephen's sponsors for this episode are Damian and Danielle’s Sedona Village Real Estate Group with Coldwell Banker Realty and OMNI Pro Management, Sedona’s Premier Short-Term Rental Company, owned by Brady & Athena Shimek.

Stephen's guests for this episode of SEDONA LIFE are three members of the Sedona Referrals Club (SRC), a business networking group which has been meeting in the Verde Valley area for 31 years. Joining Stephen (who is currently the SRC President) in the studio are Club VP Karen Cole of State Farm Insurance in Camp Verde; Club Referrals Master Cindy Crossett of Crossett Financial Services based in Cottonwood; and Dick Fisher, a recently joined member who runs e-Merge Online Marketing in Sedona. In this lively discussion, the group discusses how the SRC works and offer information about their own businesses.

Stephen's guest for this episode of SEDONA LIFE is Patrick Schweiss, the Executive Director of the Sedona International Film Festival. In this lively conversation, Patrick and Stephen discuss the fascinating history of the annual Film Fest in Sedona, AZ, and all the terrific films and events that will highlight the 30th Anniversary Festival from February 24-March 3. This episode of SEDONA LIFE is sponsored by the Sedona Referrals Club.

Stephen's guest for his premier episode is Chuck Helstein, Owner, GM and Program Director of Mellow Mountain Radio, which recently purchased KAZM 106.7 FM and 780 AM in Sedona, AZ. Chuck discusses with the Stephen why he bought the radio stations and the challenges in changing formats, defining the audience, marketing, and more.