July 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

“Candid Conversations” TV Show Takes A Closer Look At Women’s Issues:

Parenting, health, careers, finance, and politics – that’s just some of the women’s issues topics featured on Santa Monica City TV’s new show called “Candid Conversations.”

Hosted by Sandra Siepak with co-hosts Dena Diamond and Becky Lantry, the weekly half hour talk show has been airing at 8:30 pm Fridays since Nov. 15 on local cable station Channel 16 (Time Warner Cable).

City TV manager Robin Gee says she approached the Santa Monica Commission on the Status of Women (COSW) earlier this year about partnering to create the show.

 “We do programming that reflects the interest of the community,” says Gee. “Because we are not a commercial channel we have the opportunity to do shows that don’t depend on ratings or sponsors. We have the opportunity to do things that we feel people in Santa Monica want to hear more about and learn more about.”

Last week was the taping of their eighth show. The topics included self-defense, violence, and tips on maintaining safety and awareness.

One of the guests was COSW commissioner Gauri Brienda-Ramnath.

She says women are natural champions for positive change.

“When you educate a woman on anything,” Brienda-Ramnath says, “you can guarantee that she is gong to be a spokesperson for that information if it worked effectively for her. For example, it can be as simple as finding a nice nail color that you love and down to something more pivotal like anything that is happening in the health world, breast cancer survivor, health issue. Whatever was required of that woman to go down that path to find a solution in her own way, she will be a natural educator to her community and that is something that has always intrigued me about the female energy – is that we are natural educators.”

Santa Monica Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks also made a guest appearance on last week’s set.

She discussed women’s safety issues, both online and offline.

As part of this segment, SMPD investigator Jennifer Sekera taught some simple personal defense maneuvers.

The partnership between the COSW and “Candid Conversations” has allowed for more relevant topics unique to Santa Monica.

Host Sandra Siepak says issues concerning local women are presented in a relaxed, conversational manner.

“We present great topics,” Siepak says. “We are every day women – we are not models or actors. We share the realism factor and we apply it to our role on the show. We offer our own everyday life scenarios, concerns, and real life issues we deal with on a regular basis and that really make a difference and resonates to audiences out there.”

Siepak has an entertainment journalism background. Gee approached her to be the main host; she also writes the weekly shows.

In 2009, co-host Becky Lantry was appointed to the COSW. She says she has worked as an advocate for children and women citywide.

“We employ a strategic aim,” Lantry says, “to frame around our concerns as women on what we want to know and what we want to hear – that is how I choose the guests.”

Second co-host Dena Diamond brings a unique perspective to the show.

“I have a different view because I am blind,” Diamond says, “and that was important for Robin to put me in there and offer a view from a community that we don’t necessarily hear from. Santa Monica is such a vast community of all ages. We try to touch on topics from children to seniors so that everyone can take something away from the show.”

The show is a collaborative effort, to boot. What appear to be professional set crewmembers are mostly Santa Monica College students enrolled in a television production course. Students must perform to their professional best in order to receive credit for their course.

Tune in Fridays at 8:30 pm to catch the remainder of season one, which will airs its final episode on Dec. 27.

For more information, visit www.smgov.net/departments/citytv.

in News
<>Related Posts

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...

SMPD Launch New Recruitment Website Amid High Vacancy Rates

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The site features multimedia content, including day-in-the-life videos and officer profiles, highlighting the impact of serving the community The Santa...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...

Promenade Restaurant Introduces Lunch Menu Set at $18 Per Person

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The fixed $18 price point targets commuters and those seeking a power lunch or a change of scenery The restaurant...

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...