Topa Talk

Perhaps he’s cried wolf before, but we assure you that this isn’t clickbait - Cody quits Topa Talk, wrapping up the season and his time as a co-host next month.Stephanie waxes poetically about the power of Lizzo and stops by a dress shop on a whim to try on wedding gowns - it’s all happening so fast! We turn to you to ask who you think would make a great cohost with Stephanie and send your nominations in for our upcoming Topa Talkies Awards - Cody’s not afraid to get messy one last time before he drops the mic.

(Chorus)Ooh yeah. Mmmm.Mmmmhmmm.(Verse 1)Everybody!Mmmm.Oh.Make it feel alright.Mmmm.Mary’s back!(Chorus)Ooh yeah.Mmmm.Mmmmhmmm.So just dance for me.

It’s Topa Talk’s final Halloween episode of the year and the vibes have never been spookier as our hosts challenge each other on phobias - plus, listen to play a game where we guess a classic killer based on their Housewives tagline.Cover your ears, Tim Burton, Steph and Cody have hot takes on your work! How good is Beetlejuice, really? After paying respects at the graveyard of dead Ojai legendary haunts (looking at you, Cafe Emporium and Casa De Lago) we share all the details on Halloween Happenings in Ojai and Ventura, so grab a pencil and get ready to fill your spooky social schedule this weekend!

Ranking our favorite Witches of Ojai and playing “Halloween Would You Rather”, things get spooky in this episode as our hosts are challenged with grizzly ultimatums such as - Who gives out better candy for Trick or Treating? Betsy or Anson?Apple Air Tags may be more sinister than you realize as Stephanie heeds her warning and Cody gets into a fender bender on Ojai Avenue in front of Beacon Coffee! Pop in a breath mint and apply a second coat of that organic deodorant (you need it) in this stinky, silly, and spooktacular episode.

It’s week two of Topa Talk’s Halloween Month and Stephanie is the ghost host doing the absolute most offering FOUR sinister games for you and Cody to play.The duo debates the difference between inspiration vs downright copycatting and where we should all draw the line. Goblins and ghoulies can all get along when we stop comparing ourselves to each other and focus on what’s truly important… which classic horror slasher could get it?!

Stephanie has a piece of advice for local coffee shop patrons as she observes a lack of etiquette. A single person at a 4-person table? Save room for the rest of us! Halloweentime is in full swing which brings Cody back from the dead just in time to play a spooky game for Steph and the listeners - plus, real life horror confronts Cody when he meets a ghoul of a child. Stephanie has a few ideas for a new restaurant on Ojai Avenue, offering cuisine style and even naming the joint. Restauranteurs, listen up! Grab your pickleballs and enter if you dare - this creepy crawly Halloween episode of Topa Talk will leave you on the edge of your seat (if you can even find a place to sit!)

Stephanie has mentioned that this has been the best summer ever, and that was even before she landed a diamond ring, a new kitten and threw an alien hoedown - what a weekend! The bride-to-be is tempted to step behind the deli counter of Rainbow Bridge while grabbing a quick lunch as a fight breaks out right in front of the curried tofu.Cody is simply here to react this episode, how could he compete with the topics Steph is bringing to the mic? Our girl is in her era, and she has a lot to say. Dragon-themed smut novels? She finally has his attention.

Hey girl boss mama! I haven’t talked to you since highschool but I remember what a fun-loving girlie you were and think you’d be great on my team if you’re looking to make big bucks and own your own small business!Screen your DMs and lock your doors - it’s all Multi Level Marketing and Pyramid Schemes on this episode featuring other topics such as favorite sex positions, voicemail swag, diet pills, and surd situations, on god. Steph gives a lesson on denim, Cody gives a lesson on sniper blows, and you learn a lesson on trusting meal replacement shakes!

Stephanie feels concerned after Cody’s recent botox, worrying that this could be the gateway to the slippery slope of plastic surgery causing Cody to challenge Steph on where the line should be drawn on body modification in an open conversation. With a Lizzo concert coming up, Stephanie and Cody discuss live music and the pros and cons of hearing your favorite musicians in the flesh. A trash man pees next to Stephanie while she works and Cody has his sights set on Shia LaBeouf’s nose in this episode featuring a special Bravo Minute with Steph taking the wheel! Partner of this Episode:year(s) written by Cory Soto Reading at Timbre Books6:30pm on August 26th

After her pottery sale at Topa, Stephanie and friends stop by another local haunt where the bartender has a chip on her shoulder and offers shockingly questionable service.With the closure of Ojai’s Casa De Lago and the craving for more local-style businesses, Cody ventures up the hill to a mysterious community called Oak View, riddled with lifted trucks and attempted franchises of familiar Ojai restaurants.Stephanie peeks inside your medicine cabinet, Cody gets a concussion during recording and both hosts discuss what they’re truly “bad” at (please hold your submissions on this topic, feedback is not necessary) in this episode coming to you from Ojai’s very own Upside Down!

We all generally fear similar things in this life, yet we each have individual phobias. Stephanie and Cody discuss their own irrational fears and determine which common phobias they would consider irrational as well. Clowns and needles, anyone? Sounds like a party!Cody escapes to Palm Springs only to find himself drowning in multiple Bachelorette parties at the gay club. Will he gatekeep the situation or roll with the punches?Community Corner: Stephanie hints at the next installment of Future of Ojai with a killer interview under our belts and another soon to come.Partners of this episode:EarthTonics Botanical SkincareUse discount code TOPATALK10https://earthtonicsskincare.com/Kaylie Crane Fitnesshttps://www.kayliecranefitness.com/Instagram: kayliecranefitness

Cody recaps his annual Catalina vacation that involves terror, turmoil, being banned from a restaurant and a novelty shirt three sizes too small.Coming back from a different kind of trip, Stephanie shares her new journey into microdosing - will this be the trick to beat anxiety and encourage productivity? A Virgo like her can only wish! Community Corner: As two local businesses close down (how many times will we have to repeat this topic until our community is unrecognizable?) our hosts ponder what should replace Casa De Lago Ojai - Plus, sources share chilling and disturbing hints as to why another local establishment shut it’s doors.Partner of this episode:Kaylie Crane Fitnesskayliecranefitness.com@kayliecranefitness on Instagram

Stephanie recounts the astounding turnout at Stand Up Ojai’s March for Reproductive Rights where over 400 of the town’s finest - including our hosts - gathered to have their voices heard in a time where action matters most.Afterward, the Deer Lodge throws Cody a birthday party of epic proportions where the community dressed to the nines, the Lodge whipped up a feast to remember, and the DJ (along with the open bar) leads to a dance move so risky it causes Cody to spend his first week of his 31st year in crutches.Community Corner: Stephanie serves up information on The Cottages in Ojai and the outcome of the recent City Council meeting while Cody focuses on how locally beloved baker Kate announces her departure from The Dutchess. Was the incredible baker and celebrated restaurant’s pairing too good to last? How will this adjustment affect Cody’s favorite sangwich in town?! Fire up the MRI machine and do your best to not engage with counter-protesters, this week’s episode is a junk drawer full of hot takes.

To celebrate season 4 episode 20, the Sespe Creek Collective dispensary provides goodie bags to our hosts which consequently leads to conversations in this episode that are thought provoking, absurd and more irreverent than ever.With a new abandoned Bowling Alley project being proposed to include man-made beaches, Steph and Cody offer their unsolicited (but honestly super rad) input. Are you listening, Caravan Outpost? We have an idea.Someone take the shovel from him: Cody continues to dig a deeper hole throughout the episode as Stephanie prompts him for hot takes and controversial opinions. Will you cringe or nod along? Skip your Happy Hour cocktail and unwind with THC during this highly off the rails episode!Partner of this episode:Sespe Creek Collective Sespe.org

When the Ojai Valley News reports the exterior demolition of The Oaks on Ojai Ave, locals have a lot to say about the new El Roblar Hotel poised to take it’s place and our hosts provide plenty of hot takes.In an attempt to pull more people to the dance floor, Stephanie requests crowd-pleasers with a wedding DJ over the weekend who gives the people absolutely nothing but attitude.Relaxing on a camping trip, Cody receives a shocking text message stating that there has been a terrible boating accident - but is someone just pulling his leg?Put your phone down while driving and take out a loan for your dad’s Tommy Bahama shirt, this episode is the escape you may need this week.Partners of this episode:Breathe Ojai Use discount code TOPATALK breatheojai.comEarthTonics Use discount code TOPATALK10earthtonicsskincare.com

Bop: Sharing hot takes and insights on local news and current eventsFlop: Pretending to quit your podcast and forgetting to tell everyone that it was a jokeStephanie and Cody discuss the aftermath of an Instagram joke gone awry after Cody falsely hints that he’s quit Topa Talk.Returning from a weekend of celebrations, Stephanie highlights the (throw)ups and downs of her wedding weekend in San Francisco and perhaps for his own good: Cody loses his phone after a wild night out.Whether you’re in the hour long In n Out Drive Thru line or cruising up the coast for the 3rd time this month, don’t miss this episode! Partners of this episode:Life Elements TOPATALK20 at checkout for 20% off entire orderlifeelements.com Thrive Wellness WorkshopTopaTalk10 for 10% off a workshop!trivewellnessworkshop.com

It’s all fun and games when our hosts challenge each other in honor of Pride!Steph quizzes Cody on queer herstory (What year did the Stonewall Riot take place? What show had television’s first lesbian wedding?) and Cody asks Stephanie to determine if various places & things are gay or not (Spoiler: the 101 South is a flaming homosexual, obviously)On a serious note, Stephanie debates who will be her new Topa Talk cohost as Cody’s time comes to an end - more details on his departure within the episode. From Texas banning dangerous things to protect the children (Wait, not guns? Drag queens? Seriously, Texas?) to hot takes on Bar Mitzvah music, this episode is chaotic just how you lil goobers like it! Happy Pride!This week’s episode partner:Ventura SpiritsDiscount Code: TopaTalk10venturaspirits.com

Downtown Ojai has tourists, the East End has orchards, Mira Monte has fast food and Meiners Oaks has… a rat problem.Other than discussing this enclave of rodent magic within our dear valley, Stephanie and Cody dive into other pressing topics such as Pride Month (is everyone queer now?!) small town social experiments in Kansas and MTV’s Jersey Shore.Plus, Stephanie tries the new Italian Deli in town, Cody extends an invite to a local celebrity for dinner and both hosts are actually just fine not talking about Stranger Things in this episode that requires NO introduction. Partners of this episode:Topa Topa Brewing Cotopatopa.beerLife Elementslifeelements.comDiscount Code: TopaTalk20

Hot girls everywhere, rejoice! Stephanie has a great tip for having the best summer of your life…and it just requires eyebrow dye! Cody is glad to be taking a load off after a week of narcissistic nightmares (headlines about himself that don’t exist, wow!) to focus on something much lighter - his weekly 60 second recap of Real Housewives.So what are you waiting for? Swap houses with your neighbor for a complete overhaul, switch wives with a stranger and offer your car to MTV to transform it into a novelty disaster on this week’s Topa Talk!(The world is heavy, and it keeps feeling heavier. Exhale and relax with us for an hour or so if it feels right for you, we hope to give you a quick break from it all. We love you Goobs. - Steph and Cody)Partners of this episode:Ventura Spirits Discount Code: topatalk10venturaspirits.com EarthTonics Botanical SkincareDiscount Code: topatalk10earthtonicsskincare.com

Codypendency (noun): excessive emotional or psychological reliance on Cody, and/or Cody’s reliance on you - and fruit. Move over travelers, Stephanie is now picking a new fight… with people who get ready for their day in the morning! Plus, she has a proposal for the museum, however, she thinks it would be a good idea if they slept on it.From Memorial Day to the grooming habits of Cavepeople, our hosts worry about the heaviness of the world on another afternoon - today is all about escapism and a good laugh, don’t take it too seriously! Partners of this episode:Life Elements Promo code: TopaTalk20lifeelements.comThrive Wellness Workshopsthrivewellnessworkshop.com