WELCOME. The Avocado Jungle is a source for current events, politics, arts and culture on the web. Editor In Chief David P. Kronmiller, along with a talented staff and guests, bring you news, commentary, analysis, interviews, humor, music, art and more.
Our deeper mission is to seek truth in understanding, offering current events, arts and culture as paths to that understanding. We value and promote creative thought, intelligent dialogue, elevated debate, and informed action.
If you see something that interests you on the site, please take the time to leave a thoughtful comment. Thanks for visiting.
Jungle Writers David P. Kronmiller, Editor-In-Chief
Notes from the Jungle
Matthew Tullman, Current Events Editor
On current events.
Joyce Chen
Blogging from New York.
Tharuna Devchand
Blogging from South Africa.
J Lampinen
Our resident comic strip, Congo & Steve
Joanna Lord
Blogging on life, art and spirituality.
Jeremy Olsen
Director of Development emeritus and occasional commentator.
Dan Rickabus
On things musical.
Nicky Schildkraut
On poetry.
Plus guest writers and past staff, including Zach Fehst, Amy Reynolds, Aaron Vaccaro, Jae Day, Sarah Jawaid, Scott Martin, and Bronson Picket.
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Staff
The residents of the Avocado Jungle
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 David P. Kronmiller, Editor-In-Chief
David P. Kronmiller
Editor-In-Chief
David P. Kronmiller is the Editor in Chief of the Avocado Jungle, a regular contributor to CNN’s iReport, an independent producer, writer and director with his latest project “and Boris” now online and gaining a great deal of attention.
David got into politics in 2008 officially by blogging in support of now President Barack Obama – covering the election extensively for both his website, The Avocado Jungle, and CNN’s iReport. He volunteers with the group WeChangeLA – often lending his eye behind the camera for their events.
He was raised for some of his youth in the Amazon Jungle while his parents were missionaries, he attended the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema/Television’s Production Program, rising to the top of his program and worked for several years at Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Digital Authoring Center at the ground level of the DVD Industry. He is currently one of the 6 million without day jobs and is looking for permanent work – he hopes that barring the job market opening up that this site, The Avocado Jungle and he and his wife’s producing of “and Boris” will turn into legitimate sources of income.
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Matthew Tullman
Current Events Editor
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TBA
Arts and Culture Editor
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TBA
Technical Director
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Casey Fowler
Podcast Producer
Audio Engineer
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 Joyce chen, blogger
Joyce Chen
Blogger
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Joyce is a proud Angelino with a penchant for anything scrumptious and undiscovered, be it the newest hole-in-the-wall sushi joint or the latest flavors and trends from local music, film and artistic talents. She has written for Los Angeles Magazine, the Los Angeles Daily News, Citysearch Los Angeles, THEPOPFIX.com and Saturday Night Magazine, and is the current editor-in-chief of USC’s Daily Trojan, as well as the publisher for Bamboo Offshoot, USC’s only Asian Pacific American student publication. Joyce loves writing about all things uncategorized, uncertain, and otherwise indescribable (think: innovative music genres and trends in start-up nonprofit organizations ), though she’s still figuring out how to structure this love into coherent stories. When asked what she is searching for, Joyce says she is constantly on the lookout for that elusive intersection of truth and human compassion.
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 Tharuna Devchand, blogger
Tharuna Devchand
Blogger
Writer
At 23, Tharuna is currently in the twilight zone between being a student (legal studies and media) and entering the real world. She lives in South Africa and When she is not playing writer, filmmaker and stand up comedian, she enjoys playing with her guitar, watching movies and spending time with her family, friends and pets. When asked what she is searching for, Tharuna answers, “A purpose, stability and employment.”
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 Joanna Lord, blogger
Joanna Lord
Blogger
Writer
Joanna Lord is an actress born and raised in Los Angeles, where she spent most of her youth attending various Pentecostal churches. Born into a family of fundamentalist Pentecostals, Joanna inherited an interest in religious philosophy particularly from her father who studied theology while constructing detailed curriculums for the study of the Bible, and continues to be fascinated by its elements.
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Dan Rickabus
Arts & Culture blogger — music
Audio Engineer
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Nicky Schildkraut
Arts & Culture blogger — poetry
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 John "J" Lampinen.
John “J” Lampinen
Comic Strip Writer (Congo and Steve)
Voiceover Artist
J’s creative side began in music as he tried to become a rock star on the guitar. When he needed money, he moved into audio post production for television. Still striving to be creative, he is now a self-described “wanna-be animation writer.” When asked what he is searching for, J replies, “A gig that gives me the opportunity to make people laugh, even though I have less emotion than a Vulcan.” He adds, “If I had a soul it would be tormented.”
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 J Day, Voiceover Artist and past Blogger
Jae Day
Voiceover Artist
past Blogger
Jae does her best to roll with life and even then it knocks her on her ass now and then. She tries to write candidly and cohesively of the mess called “thoughts that happens between my ears”. Most the rest of the time she spends swinging a wrench or pushing buttons in a theatre somewhere in New York City. Jae says she is searching for the joy in all the little things in life… and always a good pairing of wine and cheese.
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Aubrey Earle
Voiceover Artist
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Will Reeve
Voiceover Artist
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Laura Butt
Voiceover Artist
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Past inhabitants
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 Sarah Jawaid, blogger
Sarah Jawaid
past Blogger
Sarah is a budding urban planner and environmentalist residing in the Washington, DC.Growing up in Southern California, Sarah was influenced by factors that effect the built environment: suburban sprawl, traffic, and auto-oriented development. Using the knowledge acquired in LA and her current research on national transportation policy, Sarah hopes to contribute towards a sustainable and eco-conscious future. When asked what she is searching for, Sarah says truth, simplicity, and compassion.
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 Scott Martin, blogger
Scott Martin
past Blogger
Scott Martin runs the conservative blog site Conservatism Today and contributed his thoughtful perspective to the Avocado Jungle for a short time. He’s also the blurriest one here.
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 Jeremy Olsen, Director of Development
Jeremy Olsen
occasional contributor
past Director of Development, 2008-2010
Jeremy coordinated people and resources to help build the site and pursue David’s creative vision. He still occasionally contributes a blog entry, an interview, or something musical. He says he is searching for the perfect meal, for the perfect groove, and for each day with his family to be best he can make it.
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 Bronson Picket, blogger
Bronson Pickett
past Blogger
Bronson Pickett was part of The Avocado Jungle since its inception and shared a strong, thoughful conservative perspective on the Avocado Jungle.
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This week in the Jungle we are searching for the truth about wealthy—what it means to be wealthy, how that differs around the world, and if and when wealthy people deserve to be treated differently than everyone else. Last week: poverty. Next week: big government.
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