Santa Clarita Voices

In this episode of Santa Clarita Voices, the City’s official podcast, Santa Clarita City Manager Ken Striplin sits down with Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Captain Brandon Barclay for a wide-ranging conversation on public safety, leadership and community connection. The episode explores growing concerns surrounding unsafe e-bike and e-motorcycle usage, the dangers of red-light runners and the efforts being made to keep Santa Clarita streets safe.
Beyond enforcement and traffic safety, Captain Barclay also shares insight into the strong morale and teamwork within the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, as well as his personal background, leadership philosophy and life outside the badge.
For more information, please visit SantaClarita.gov.

This on-location episode takes viewers through the Barnyard alongside the City’s first-ever Animal Care Specialist, Rachael Komulainen. Filmed throughout multiple animal areas, this episode offers a dynamic, visual look at the care, history and personalities of the animals that have made Hart Park a beloved destination for generations of families.
Unlike traditional episodes, this episode of Santa Clarita Voices places a strong emphasis on video storytelling, allowing viewers to experience the Barnyard firsthand, from alpacas and tortoises to horses, pigs and the historic Hart Park bison. Throughout the tour, Komulainen shares insights into daily animal care, visitor interaction, volunteer opportunities and the partnerships that help support the Barnyard’s continued operation.
Santa Clarita Voices features conversations with City leaders, staff and community members, offering an inside look at the projects, places and stories that shape Santa Clarita. Episodes are available with video on Spotify and the City’s YouTube channel, as well as audio on Apple Podcasts. Be sure to subscribe so you can be notified when a new episode is released!
For more information, please visit SantaClarita.gov.

This episode takes listeners and viewers on a ride into the world of professional mountain bike riding with guest Spencer Rathkamp, a pro rider from Santa Clarita, known for his incredible skills, dedication to the sport and passion for inspiring the next generation of riders.
Rathkamp joins host Santa Clarita City Manager, Ken Striplin, along with the City’s Director of Neighborhood Services, Jerrid McKenna, to talk about his career as a professional mountain bike rider and his support for the City’s upcoming and highly anticipated Haskell Canyon Bike Park. This state-of-the-art project, currently under construction, will provide a premier destination for local riders of all ages and skill levels to practice and enjoy the thrill of mountain biking close to home. In this episode, Rathkamp also shares what it’s like to live life on two wheels as a professional athlete and why projects like the Haskell Canyon Bike Park are vital for the mountain biking community. Additionally, McKenna gives a closer look at what the new bike park will have in store for these eager riders.
Santa Clarita Voices features interviews with a new guest or multiple guests each episode and covers a wide range of topics, from City insights, current projects and more. With a new episode released each month, listeners and viewers can expect a fresh and intuitive perspective on what makes Santa Clarita an extraordinary place to live, work and play.
For more information, please visit SantaClarita.gov.

In November 2015, Xanthe made City and internet history when she passionately addressed the Santa Clarita City Council, urging the return of the McRib to local McDonald’s restaurants. Her heartfelt plea, which touched on Thanksgiving family traditions revolving around the infamous barbeque sandwich, alluding to it being similar to a “Christmas without snow,” instantly went viral across the internet, sparking conversation virally, throughout Santa Clarita and beyond.
Ten years later, City Manager Ken Striplin sits down virtually with Xanthe to catch up on what life has been like since that unforgettable moment. In this episode of Santa Clarita Voices, Ken and Xanthe revisit her famous time in the Santa Clarita City Council Chambers and reflect on the reaction she received from her Council debut. Podcast subscribers will also hear about Xanthe’s creative pursuits, life updates and whether the McRib still plays a role in her holiday traditions.
For more information, please visit SantaClarita.gov.

Filmed on location at the Tesoro helispot, County of Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief, Pat Sprengel, joins Santa Clarita Voices to discuss the effective strategies and advanced tactics used to protect the open space and neighborhoods across the City of Santa Clarita. This episode highlights County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s cutting-edge wildfire response systems and is packed with incredible footage of their helicopter performing live water drops and the process they undergo to refill its tank using a specialized snorkel system.
Host Santa Clarita City Manager Ken Striplin and Assistant Fire Chief Pat Sprengel share an in-depth conversation about crucial wildfire preparedness information for residents, along with insights into how County of Los Angeles Fire Department crews prepare, deploy and protect neighborhoods across the City. Santa Clarita is no stranger to the dangers of wildfires, and with summer and wildfire season fast approaching, this information is more valuable than ever.
For more information, please visit SantaClarita.gov.