Welcome to Willoughby Hills!

Hi! I’m Heath.

I’m a TV/video producer and director, a podcaster, and a writer.

I spent 15 years working for the legendary PBS shows This Old House and Ask This Old House. I traveled to all 50 states with that job, was nominated for 10 Emmy awards (winning twice), and got to hang out in some amazing workshops all around the world (including Nick Offerman’s famed one in Los Angeles).

When the pandemic struck, I was suddenly without a job and without a creative outlet. Like many people, I started a podcast (mine was about how the pandemic affected the entertainment and media industries). I also began writing.

This newsletter began life as an extension of my podcast (and was known as Quarantine Creatives). It has recently changed names to Willoughby Hills. I write about our evolving relationship to community, the natural world, our built environments, nostalgia, our health, and the food we grow and eat.

I post updates when I have something important to say or when I have the free time to write (which is becoming less often these days).

My goal is to make the newsletter and podcast as accessible as possible and thus try to keep as much content in front of the paywall as possible. However, for my most engaged readers, I also offer a Willoughby Hills membership. Members receive early access to the podcast plus biweekly video posts that explore the world around us in more detail.

What People Are Saying

Nick Offerman @Nick_Offerman

I highly recommend this Sunday perspicacity from aspiring non-specialist @HeathRacela 🍅 🌽 (TRIGGER WARNING: I am mentioned) https://t.co/K9q4RxbsUd

Heath Racela @HeathRacela

Just a few chapters in to reading Wendell Berry, I'm already rethinking how our food is grown and purchased, public transit, and leadership. Today's newsletter is inspired by @Berry_Center, @Nick_Offerman, @wutrain , @mattgrocoff, & my great-grandfather. https://t.co/j2Bb0mwIYe

DAME Magazine @damemagazine

Thank you so much @HeathRacela for including @ACShilton's (dare we say prescient) piece in your newsletter, which was a great read. damemagazine.com/2019/08/19/the…

Heath Racela @HeathRacela

Today's newsletter explores where and how we've worked over the last two years, and what it means for houses, neighborhoods, and lifestyles. Inspired by tweets, writing, & ideas from @mkarolian, @audrawilliams, @TaylorLorenz, @ad_mastro, & @ScottCarty. https://t.co/CsPz4BanZF

Addison Del Mastro @ad_mastro

This is a really great read!

Heath Racela @HeathRacela

We preserve historic Main Streets, but aren't roadside restaurants and big box stores part of our cultural history too? New newsletter inspired by @ad_mastro & @mornayphf looking at @ToysRUs, @McDonalds, @KowloonSaugus, and HoJo. https://t.co/lBO3HqF83a

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Musings on our ever evolving relationships to work, home, community, culture, food, the environment, and more.

People

Heath Racela

@heathracela

I make lots of things: food, wood stuff, TV shows, podcasts... Used to make Ask This Old House. Won some Emmys. I write and podcast about home, history, urbanism, retail, self-sufficiency, where food comes from, and more.