The land we love – and the democracy we build

The land we love – and the democracy we build

Author: Sophia Layne October 4, 2025 Duration: 30:05

Host Sophia Layne walks the Half Moon Bay, CA, blufftops with Barbara Dye — community leader, land trust advocate, and two-time Peace Corps volunteer. Barbara shares her journey from preserving thousands of acres in Southern California to stewarding open space on the Coastside, reflecting on the lessons she’s learned about conservation, civic engagement, and belonging.

Through supporting open space at Wavecrest to reimagining parks in El Granada, Barbara shows how local voices can shape the future of land, water, and community. Along the way, she connects her global experiences to protecting democracy — reminding us that stewarding nature is also about protecting democracy, resilience, and hope.

If you care about the environment, open space, or simply the power of community action, this conversation will inspire you to see trails and parks – and advocating for democracy – in a whole new light.


Sophia Layne hosts On Location-Coastside Edition, a podcast that digs into the complex fabric of community life where society, culture, and policy intersect. Each episode moves beyond abstract debate, grounding discussions in the tangible realities and unique character of coastal regions. The conversations explore how local decisions on education, environmental stewardship, and economic development are deeply woven into broader cultural narratives and news cycles. Sophia’s perspective is shaped by her direct experience in crafting public education policy at local and state levels, as well as her professional view from within the global biomedical field. This combination allows for a distinctive analysis of how communities can invest in themselves wisely and sustainably. The aim is to foster a more informed and interconnected dialogue, one that operates from a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity. By examining the threads that connect a school board meeting to international research, or a coastal preservation effort to statewide budgetary choices, this podcast offers a grounded yet expansive look at building a resilient future. It’s not about returning to an idealized past, but about thoughtfully navigating toward a more robust and equitable version of our shared world. Tune in for a series of thoughtful, on-the-ground explorations that make the connections between our daily lives and the larger systems around us both clear and compelling.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 15

On Location - Coastside Edition
Podcast Episodes
Walking together – across borders into belonging [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:50
In this episode, host Sophia Layne joins Kique Bazán at the Saturday morning food distribution event of the local nonprofit Ayudando Latinos a Soñar (ALAS) in Half Moon Bay. Kique shares his journey from Peru to Californ…
A knack for serendipity – and life on the farm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:46
Guest: Erin Tormey, Director of the Coastside Farmers Market, and Proprietor of Farm Fatales of Irish Ridge Ranch Host: Sophia Layne Location: Irish Ridge, Half Moon Bay🎧 Episode Summary:In this heartwarming and deeply i…
No Kings — and an experiment in moving forward to a better place [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:50
SummaryIn this episode, Sophia chats with folks at a recent public protest in Half Moon Bay, and in reflection, she shares some thoughts regarding the importance of civic engagement, emphasizing a need for accurate infor…