KZYX&Z’s Be More Now Features Archetypal Astrologer David Nicol

Tune into KZYX&Z’s Be More Now program at 7pm on Thursday April 2 when host Blake More and Mendocino County local, David Nicols, discuss archetypal astrology and coherent group fields and how these tools can be used to catalyze large-scale positive transformation. Author of Subtle Activism: The Inner Dimension of Social and Planetary Transformation (SUNY Press), Nicol offers insight into how we can understand and meet our world’s challenges and insights through the quantifiable language of astrology.  

David Nicol, Ph.D. is a leading scholar-practitioner at the intersection of personal and collective transformation, with a particular focus on the power of coherent group fields to catalyze large-scale change. He is the author of Subtle Activism: The Inner Dimension of Social and Planetary Transformation (SUNY Press), the first comprehensive study demonstrating how collective meditation and prayer can measurably influence social outcomes.

He has taught on Subtle Activism at the California Institute of Integral Studies and the Shift Network, published essays in journals such as Kosmos, Tikkun, and Reality Sandwich, and currently writes Geistic Musings: Essays at the Intersection of Consciousness and Culture on Substack.

Alongside this work, David maintains an active astrology practice that emphasizes direct, embodied engagement with archetypal forces, moving beyond purely interpretive or informational approaches.

Integrating his background in integral philosophy, astrology, and collective transformation, his work explores how coherent group fields can serve as intentional conduits for archetypal intelligence—supporting both individual healing and systemic cultural evolution.

More information on David Nicole at: https://www.earthrising.one/

KZYX&Z’s Be More Now Features Sprangs &Sprungs of Spring

Tune into KZYX&Z’s Be More Now program at 7pm on Thursday March 5 when host Blake More celebrates the upcoming Spring Equinox with a mix of poetry, music and reflection.

The show highlights the voices of our county, with Mendocino County poets and musicians welcoming spring’s sprouts, twists and turns.

The show features the voices of poets:
Devreaux Baker
Tonijean Bernbaum
Arthur L. Wood
Terri Glass
Riantee Rand
Kirk Lumpkin
Theresa Whitehill
Blake More

So grateful to the generosity of these poets for sending in their poems!  

Introducing Mendocino County’s 2025-28 Youth Poet Laureates Aubrey Mchone and Irie Wagar

Ukiah, CA | February 1, 2026 – California Poets in the Schools (CalPoets) announces Mendocino county’s third Youth Poet Laureates – Aubrey Mchone of Point Arena High School and Irie Wager of Ukiah High School. 

Mendocino county follows the lead of the nation, the state and sister counties (Alameda, Los Angeles, Sonoma and Ventura) in acknowledging a student who has achieved excellence in poetry, allowing them to be a leader for the county in raising the profile of poetry and developing its audience. 

Both candidates were selected from a qualified pool of applicants by a panel of judges. The judging panel included distinguished poets and teachers from throughout the county and Aubrey Mchone and Irie Wagar were so strong that the committee decided to grant the award to both of them.

Aubrey Rose Mchone, a Junior at Point Arena High School, described by her peers and close friends as a ‘bubbly personality’ is ecstatic to be awarded this momentous opportunity. Growing up she sought that one of the only ways she could truly express her innate emotion and pain was through poetry. Writing down feeling in a systematic structure to give the nameless a name. So it’s not just a thought but a physical format by which she can share. In doing so, Aubrey found that through sharing her performative poetry she can inspire those who resonate with her words to write down their own thoughts. Not just as a means of expression to share with others, but also a therapeutic release in which people can write down the struggles that plague them day to day.

Aubrey says, “I have always wanted to help other people. It is my “purpose” in life. I plan to go into the medical field to help others, and am doing what I can now to help my community. I hope to aid as many people as I can in finding a voice in which they can express themselves. As, it’s imperative to instill the imaginative process in thought to lead to tangible change. Audre Lorde’s Essay ‘Poetry is Not a Luxury’ punctuates this very topic. I believe for a society and its people to meet positive growth, the creative process and the innate imagination must be present. To ultimately allow for new ideas that can translate to a new means to help others. I wish to continue this installation of new found thought to better our community”. 

Irie Wagar is also honored to accept this incredible position as Mendocino County Youth Poet Laureate. Irie has a strong passion for the arts, writing her heart away while participating in too many plays to count and always striving to do her absolute best work. She loves the creative process, and even when it gets to be too much, she has preserved and made beautiful art. As a 17-year-old senior, at Ukiah High School Irie has found a plethora of older voices to look up to, two of which being her drama teacher, Chris Douthit and her creative writing teacher, Michael Riedell. Irie chooses to surround herself by nature, finding beauty in every insect, hungry for the unique.

Irie says, “I believe poetry can be found anywhere, from a dirty subway to the top of Mount Fuji, in the depths of the soil and in the hearts of others. I don’t turn away from artistic possibilities. I believe my work is honest and emotional because I prioritize making sure my art comes from the deepest place in my heart. It’s the kind of art that makes me a better person. I cannot express how ecstatic and proud of myself I am. It is such an honor to be chosen as the Youth Poet Laureate of Mendocino County.”

Current Poet Laureate of Point Arena and long-time poet teacher with California Poets in the Schools, Blake More is coordinating the Mendocino County Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) program as part of a national and statewide project with support from California Poets the Schools, Urban Word NYC, the Arts Council of Mendocino County and the Mendocino County Office of Education.

When asked about the purpose of the YPL project, More says:  “I am so lucky to be living my soul purpose, because as a lifelong artist and poet, I believe I, like all creators, have a duty to share our love of craft with the next generations. It is how we keep our art fresh as well as continue the legacy of self-expression. This is an incredible project, and now in its third iteration, I am very excited to help Aubrey and Irie get their amazing voices out into the world. It is my honor to guide them through their upcoming journey as Mendocino County’s third and fourth Youth Poet Laureates.” 

Aubrey & Irie’s term as Mendocino County’s Youth Poet Laureates begin February 1, 2026 and continues through June 2028. Within that time, both youth poets are committed to conduct at least five public appearances/readings/workshops – ideally one within each supervisorial district, virtual or otherwise. Each will receive assistance in publishing a collection of her poems.

Schools and community organizations are encouraged to contact Irie and Aubrey (through Blake More, at California Poets in the Schools – blake@arenatechcenter.org) if you are interested in hosting one or both of them at a public event – which we encourage you to do.

The Mendocino County program is organized by California Poets in the Schools and supported by the Bill Graham Supporting Foundation, with additional in-kind support from the Arts Council of Mendocino County and Mendocino County Office of Education.

Stay tuned for a virtual poetry reading to celebrate Aubrey and Irie’s appointment as the Third and Fourth Mendocino Youth Poet Laureates. 

About California Poets in the Schools   
California Poets in the Schools, a non-profit founded in 1964, is one of the nation’s largest literary Artists-in-the-Schools programs.  Over one hundred trained, professional Poet-Teachers deliver poetry sessions throughout California to students in K-12 classrooms and a variety of other venues, such as children’s homes, juvenile halls and hospitals. Students are empowered to express their creativity, imagination, and intellectual curiosity through writing, performing and publishing their own poetry. 

CalPoets has inspired over one million students in sixty thousand classrooms to create six million poems. Many of the young people reached through our programs are low-income, rural or second language learners. Student poetry is published in an annual, juried statewide anthology. High-school students from many counties are coached by our Poet-Teachers to compete in tiered Poetry Out Loud competitions from the classroom to the national level. Poet-Teachers gather at yearly symposia for ongoing professional development and community building.

For immediate information, please contact: 
Blake More, Mendocino
County Area Coordinator
California Poets in the School
blake@arenatechcenter.org

KZYX&Z’s Be More Now Features Shapes & Shades of Love

Tune into KZYX&Z’s Be More Now program at 7pm on Thursday February 5 when host Blake More celebrates the “Love Month” with a mix of poetry, music and other amorous bon mots. Not just romance and roses, you will hear Mendocino County poets reflect on love in all its shapes and shades

The show features the voices of poets:
Devreaux Baker
Tonijean Bernbaum
Terri Glass
Kirk Lumpkin
Karin Uphoff
Amanda Cruise
Theresa Whitehill
Chris Olander 
Kristan Larsen 
Snake Family
Maureen Eppstein
Scott Miller
Karen Lewis
Christopher Torres
Blake More

So grateful to the generosity of these poets for sending in their poems!  

KZYX&Z’s Be More Now Features New Years Poetry, Music & other Creative Beginnings

Tune into KZYX&Z’s Be More Now program at 7pm on Thursday January 1 when host Blake More celebrates the first day of 2026 with a mix of poetry, music and other audio expressions. Tune in and ring in the new year with some regional poets reflecting on shedding skin, finding inspiration and embracing change.  

The show features the voices of poets:
Devreaux Baker 
Kit Bliss Jones
Toni Burnbaum
Melissa Eleftherion 
Larry Felson
Martin Hickel 
Karen Lewis 
Kirk Lumpkin 
Blake More
Chris Olander 
Susan Wooldridge 
Elizabeth Vrenios 

So grateful to them for sending in their poems!  

KZYX&Z’s Be More Now Features Holiday Poetry & other Festive Meanderings

Tune into KZYX&Z’s Be More Now program at 7pm on Thursday December 4 when host Blake More celebrates Holiday Poetry and Other Festive Meanderings on Be More Now.

You will hear the voices of Mendocino County locals, as well as youth, theatrical readings of famous works and other surprises — shifting us into the spirit of the season with a wonderful mix of poets who answered the call for “seasonal poetry” on Facebook and beyond. 

One Candle, released by Nymphya on November 14th, but it was born across two Winter Solstices: written on Solstice Eve to capture the night’s magic, and recorded the following Solstice Eve to enhance that same energy. You can find it on Spotify here.

The show originally airs on KZYX&Z 90.7FM Philo, 88.1FM Fort Bragg, and 91.5FM Willits, as well as streams on the web www.kzyx.org.    

KZYX&Z’s Be More Now Features Sherry Glaser & Juan Wulff

Tune into KZYX&Z’s Be More Now program at 7pm on Thursday November 6 when host Blake More speaks with Sherry Glaser and Juan Wulff about the Mendocino County premier of their original play “Life and Death: A Love Story” at the Mendocino Little Theater on Monday, November 17.

They will be talking about inspiration, necessity, and the bravery of meeting what is eventually coming for all of us. You can also listen live on the web at kzyx.org.

Information on tickets, etc can be found here.

The show originally airs on KZYX&Z 90.7FM Philo, 88.1FM Fort Bragg, and 91.5FM Willits, as well as streams on the web www.kzyx.org.                                       

KZYX&Z’s Be More Now Features Eric and Karen Wilder

Tune into KZYX&Z’s Be More Now program at 7pm on Thursday October 2 (or catch the recording on spotify) when host Blake More will be speaking with Native Arts Expo Founders Eric and Karen Wilder, two Coast Pomo Natives who are dedicated to uplifting indigenous artists and creating cultural exchange through art.

They’ll be talking about art, native American culture, the upcoming Native Artts Expo and how to align with more care, clarity and heart in all we do.

Eric Wilder (Kashia Band of Pomo Indians) grew up on the Kashaya Reservation near Stewarts Point and is the grandson of Kashaya Spiritual Leader Essie Parrish. Immersed in cultural traditions from an early age, he learned ceremonial songs, plant uses, and family responsibilities, serving as a fire tender, feather dancer, Big Head Dancer, and eventually a Headman for his family.

Eric’s passion for art led him into the video game industry as an animator, storyboard artist, and concept designer, before returning home to apply his skills to cultural and language preservation. He has served as Tribal Secretary and Chairman, created educational resources for his community, and shared Kashaya knowledge through lectures, storytelling, and graphic design.  Today, Eric continues his work as an artist, educator, and community leader, guided by his grandmother’s teaching: “Each one of you has a talent, don’t hide it—bring it out for everyone to see, especially the young ones.”

Karen Wilder (Manchester-Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians) grew up on the Manchester-Point Arena Rancheria and has always carried a deep appreciation for the arts. While her career began in organizational and management roles—including work with the California Rural Indian Health Board, launching the Garcia River Casino, and helping establish the Tribal Head Start program—those experiences became the foundation for her later work supporting community projects and events like the Native Arts Expo, which she co-coordinates with her husband, Eric Wilder.

Karen earned her B.A. in Native American Studies from UC Davis, grounding her work in cultural understanding and community perspective. Her professional path reflects a commitment to building systems and opportunities that strengthen Indigenous communities, whether through health, education, or the arts. Today, Karen runs her own design business, where she blends creativity with strategy to help small businesses, and artists shine online. 

Visit Eric Wilder’s website

Visit the Native Expo website

The show originally airs on KZYX&Z 90.7FM Philo, 88.1FM Fort Bragg, and 91.5FM Willits, as well as streams on the web www.kzyx.org.