In The Mood For California

Masha Korpacheva
  • 5.0 (9)
  • History
  • Updated Biweekly

This podcast is an invitation into the soul of Los Angeles—told through the stories of its iconic Old Hollywood homes, and also through the history, creativity, and art that pulsate within this city. Through intimate conversations with long-time residents, we journey into the feeling of place—what it means to truly live and create here. Whether you’re drawn by its past, dreaming of a visit, or quietly searching for where your next chapter might unfold, this is a mindful exploration of connection and belonging. www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com

  1. 1d ago

    Finding Your Voice In Hollywood

    Michael-Leon Wooley - Actor/Writer/Producer. He Costars opposite RuPaul in the Netflix series AJ & The Queen, as Louis, a blind diabetic Drag Queen and is also the voice of Louis, the high-strung jazz singing, trumpet playing alligator in Disney's Oscar nominated animated feature film, The Princess and the Frog. Other films are Dreamgirl’s, Premium Rush, Hotel Transylvania 1,2,3&4, Ghost Town, My Fathers’s Will. His Voice can be heard on Numerous cartoons TrollsTopia, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Madagascar: A Little Wild , OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes, Bravest Warriors, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero, Harvey Beaks, Breadwinners, Ugly Americans, all of the Hotel Transylavinia movies and more, and on Broadway as the voice of the man-eating plant Audrey 2 in Little Shop of Horror’s, also on Broadway in The Music Man, 5 Guy’s Named Moe, American Buffalo, Abby’s Song & House of Flowers. He has sung in venues around the world and made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2005 with the New York Pops. Today, Michael will share with us his connection to Los Angeles and what it means to build a creative life in a city shaped by dreams, artistry, and reinvention—from Broadway to Hollywood, from voice acting to screenwriting, and the journey of finding your own voice in an ever-evolving industry.

    39 min

  2. May 22

    Los Angeles as an Inherited Dream

    Jordan Ladd is an American actress born in Los Angeles, into a family woven into Hollywood history. The daughter of Cheryl Ladd and granddaughter of classic film star Alan Ladd, she grew up surrounded by storytelling, yet chose to shape her own artistic path. She began acting at a young age and gained recognition in films such as Never Been Kissed, Cabin Fever, and Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof. Her collaboration with director Eli Roth on Cabin Fever became a defining moment, establishing her as a memorable presence in modern horror. She has also worked with visionary filmmakers like David Lynch (Inland Empire), moving fluidly between independent, genre, and experimental cinema. Known for her emotional authenticity and understated presence, Ladd has built a career guided by curiosity, creative risk, and a lasting connection to the spirit of Los Angeles. Today, Jordan will share with us what it’s like to find your own voice in acting, even when the story you were born into is already so powerful. www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.korpacheva.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthemoodforcalifornia/ Twitter: @InTheMoodForCA

    42 min

  3. May 1

    Inside California: The Art of Immersion

    Jeff Hull is an Oakland-based American artist and producer known for creating large-scale participatory experiences that blend storytelling, performance, and real-world environments. He is the founder and director of Nonchalance, a studio focused on immersive experiences and “pervasive play,” developing projects such as The Jejune Institute (2008–2011) and Latitude Society. The Jejune Institute was later documented in the film The Institute (2013). Hull is also the creator of Oaklandish, a cultural street art and apparel project through which he produced over 100 public events, led community initiatives, and founded the Oakland Innovators Awards. In film and television, he has worked as a writer and producer, including serving as a consultant and executive producer on AMC’s Dispatches from Elsewhere, while also creating immersive podcasts and directing branding and entertainment projects. More recently, he created The Cortège (2025), an immersive theatrical experience in Los Angeles exploring transformation, loss, and collective experience. Today, Jeff will share with us what it truly means to create not just art, but experiences — how imagination becomes something we can step into, feel, and remember. He will take us into his journey, his process, and the deeper intention behind his work. www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.korpacheva.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthemoodforcalifornia/ Twitter: @InTheMoodForCA

    37 min

  4. Apr 10

    From the Fall of the Tsar to the Rise of Hollywood: The White Russian Émigrés in Los Angeles

    Andrew Miliukoff was born and raised in Los Angeles in a musical household, studying classical piano with his mother and rock guitar with his older brother. His parents were part of the White Russian community — émigrés who fled post-revolutionary Russia, loyal to the Tsar and devoted to preserving their traditions in exile. After graduating from Cal State LA, Andrew toured with Ray Charles before becoming a studio musician and later a film editor, working on projects for Budweiser, Mattel, and Ford. He founded Fireball Films, specializing in commercial editing and music scoring for clients such as McDonald’s, In-N-Out, Gwen Stefani, and the Pussycat Dolls, and has since directed and edited campaigns for Toyota, Zynga with Snoop Dogg, and various PSA projects. Based in Los Feliz, Andrew continues freelancing while running his own post-production suite. Passionate about creativity and exploration, he spends his free time traveling to far-flung places—Colombia, Mongolia, Bhutan, even North Korea—while continuing to compose and produce music. Today, Andrew will share what it felt like to grow up between two worlds — carrying the stories and values of his Russian heritage while finding his own path in Los Angeles. ----- www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.korpacheva.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthemoodforcalifornia/ Twitter: @InTheMoodForCA

    41 min

  5. Mar 20

    In the Mood for Tustin

    Kim Krizan is an American writer, actress, and educator best known for originating the story and characters in the Before trilogy with her writing on Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004), the latter earning her Academy Award and Writers Guild nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay. She first emerged from the independent film scene in Austin, appearing in Slacker, Dazed and Confused, and Waking Life. Beyond film, Krizan is the author of Original Sins and Spy in the House of Anaïs Nin, where she explores identity, creativity, and the inner lives of women through both writing and archival research. Based in Los Angeles, she teaches screenwriting and creative writing, and continues to mentor writers through her online class, The Magic Hour, fostering a deeply intuitive and human approach to storytelling. Kim will share what it was like growing up in Tustin—a place with quiet roots and a deep sense of history—and how Southern California, with its unique blend of landscapes, cultures, and imagination, shaped her early sense of storytelling and her creative voice. https://www.patreon.com/cw/kimkrizan www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.korpacheva.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthemoodforcalifornia/ Twitter: @InTheMoodForCA

    38 min

  6. Feb 27

    La Jolla: The Jewel and the Hollow

    Shelley Callahan is a strategic marketing executive and growth-focused brand builder with over 20 years of experience transforming B2B brands across life sciences, healthcare, technology, and financial services. As Senior Director of Marketing Operations at Maravai, she leads the digital and technology roadmap that powers scalable growth across multiple brands. Previously, she drove major marketing transformations at Enlyte and Advanced Particle Therapy, helping launch multimillion-dollar solutions and global initiatives in collaboration with leading healthcare institutions. With an MBA and a passion for building high-performing teams, Shelley combines data-driven strategy, creative storytelling, and empathetic leadership to inspire trust, accelerate growth, and elevate brands to category leadership. Today, Shelley invites us into her world, sharing both her inspiring marketing approach and what it feels like to call La Jolla home—the energy, the charm, and the unique spirit of this coastal haven. ----- www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.korpacheva.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthemoodforcalifornia/ Twitter: @InTheMoodForCA

    39 min

  7. Feb 6

    Carmel-by-the-Sea: The Village That Heals

    Barry Shimelfarb is Founder of Carmel Retreats and Steward of Cuddle Doon. In 2019, as a single father raising twin boys, Barry was diagnosed with advanced cancer. Multiple surgeries and radiation left him weak, unable to swallow, and facing a grim prognosis. During this time, the family’s historic Carmel cottage became his refuge. Planting lavender, walking the shoreline, and resting beneath the ancient oak trees became rituals of hope. Supported by his community, Barry found strength not only to endure but to heal. Two years later, his doctors declared him cancer-free. Out of gratitude, Barry transformed the cottage into a sanctuary for others. Today, Cuddle Doon welcomes guests who are navigating illness, grief, burnout, or simply seeking renewal. Known as the “Lost Cottage of Carmel,” it carries the legacy of its builder, Eliza Yocum, a pioneering educator and spiritual thinker whose home became a gathering place for artists and seekers in the 1920s. Barry sees himself as the cottage’s steward, carrying forward its history of restoration and inspiration. Through Carmel Retreats, he offers deeply personal, boutique stays and initiatives like Postcards of Healing, gifting free retreats during gaps in the calendar to those in need. Barry’s Mission: “My purpose is simple: to help others thrive. Healing isn’t just about medicine. It’s about place, community, and feeling truly cared for.” Today, Barry will share his story and give us a glimpse into what it’s like to live in Carmel-by-the-Sea—its vibe and its inspiration! Website: https://www.carmelretreats.com/ Postcards for Healing: https://www.carmelretreats.com/postcards Instagram @Carmel.Retreats, https://www.instagram.com/carmel.retreats/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/carmelretreats ----- www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.korpacheva.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthemoodforcalifornia/ Twitter: @InTheMoodForCA

    41 min

  8. Jan 16

    Valencia: The Heart of the Santa Clarita Valley

    Hamlet Ayvazian is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner, Guided Imagery Facilitator, Life Coach, and Teacher, specializing in fears, phobias, anxiety, pain management, ADD/ADHD, PTSD, tinnitus, habits, and addictions. A Certified Handwriting Analyst and Honors graduate of the Nationally Accredited Hypnosis Motivation Institute, Hamlet combines Western psychology with Eastern wisdom to help people transform their lives. His lifelong fascination with human behavior drives his work, guiding others toward clarity, healing, and personal empowerment. Today, Hamlet will take us on a journey through his life in Valencia and the experiences that shape his life and work. ----- www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.korpacheva.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthemoodforcalifornia/ Twitter: @InTheMoodForCA

    39 min
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About

This podcast is an invitation into the soul of Los Angeles—told through the stories of its iconic Old Hollywood homes, and also through the history, creativity, and art that pulsate within this city. Through intimate conversations with long-time residents, we journey into the feeling of place—what it means to truly live and create here. Whether you’re drawn by its past, dreaming of a visit, or quietly searching for where your next chapter might unfold, this is a mindful exploration of connection and belonging. www.inthemoodforcalifornia.com

Information

  • Creator
    Masha Korpacheva
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    116
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022, Maria Korpacheva, In The Mood For California
  • Show Website
    In The Mood For California