SoCal Voices: Recent Episodes
Angela Ross
How exciting is it to listen to a podcast about your home? If you live in California, this show might pique your interest. Here at SoCal Voices, we take a deep dive into the beauty of the southern region of the state, as well as the inspiring stories of those living there. Each episode features candid conversations exploring news, culture, and politics that impact the people living in the region. See how these things affect your well-being, community, and financial capabilities. Discover the gems that make this place special. Southern California is home to unique art, rich history, and colorful culture anyone will surely fall in love with. Uncover the music originating from here, the mesmerizing tourist destinations worth visiting, and the tasty local delicacies to try. With so much to explore, this podcast may never run out of topics! Most importantly, this show serves as a source of inspiration for every SoCalifornian to positively impact their own communities. Tune in as we spotlight individuals who share how to take action and do something good for those around you. These range from high-profile people who lead in their chosen niche to everyday residents who have something meaningful to share. As we amplify the voices of encouraging people who open up about compelling real-life experiences and accomplishments, we also elevate your perspectives and mindset. Find out how to start a positive shift in your own life and what it takes to feel fulfilled. If you don’t know your purpose yet and feel stuck, these folks are here to help you escape that miserable situation. They leave you with powerful nuggets of wisdom for building a better you. The host of the show is former broadcast journalist Angela Ross, a Los Angeles native who currently resides in Riverside County. After leaving her job as a radio news anchor and reporter, she later transitioned to leading multiple award-winning media, public affairs, marketing communications, and public relations divisions in government and healthcare in the greater Los Angeles area. Knowing that her itch for journalism would never go away, Angela started SoCal Voices. This podcast allows her to satiate her thirst to talk to people from all walks of life while bringing inspiration and joy to her audience. As you listen to her insightful conversations with various guests, you also get a glimpse deep inside Angela’s mind and heart. Southern California is full of lovely things simply waiting to be uncovered. It’s time to delve into them and see what you still don’t know or notice. Now is your chance to redirect your life for the better with stories of hope from individuals you may never have heard. Let this podcast be your vehicle in this journey of seeing your part of the country - and your own life – like never before. Join Angela Ross today as she gives SoCal Voices their much-needed platform. Listen to the show at https://www.socalvoices.com/.
A recent episode of SoCal Voices explored how to better connect with loved ones living with dementia. This episode explores the world of in-home care, and whether it's the right choice for you and your aging loved one.
Susan Dost is president and CEO of Sheridan Care, a Southern California-based in-home care company. Our conversation centers on choosing the right in-home caregiver, how to pay for it, and the policy changes needed to make this care more accessible and affordable.
Resources
Visit Sheridan Care's website.
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Across Southern California, hundreds of thousands of people are caring for a loved one with dementia while juggling work, family, and everyday life, often with little support. Angela Fairhurst, Founder and CEO of Geri-Gadgets, is working to change that. In this episode of SoCal Voices, she shares her personal journey, practical resources, and the inspiration behind tools designed to help people living with dementia and their caregivers feel more connected, supported, and understood.
Resources
Visit the Geri-Gadgets website.
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In this episode of SoCal Voices we're exploring a powerful new framework for helping neurodiverse and marginalized children thrive -- not by trying to change who they are but by transforming the environments and relationships that surround them. In her book, Heart-Centered Connections: Seven Essential Skills for Helping Neurodiverse and Marginalized Children Thrive, Niki Elliott of the University of San Diego brings together educational neuroscience, nervous-system wellness, and decades of work with educators, parents, and caregivers. We talk about what it really takes to create spaces where every child can feel safe, seen, and able to reach their full potential.
Resources
Visit Niki Elliott's website.
Learn about the Heart-Centered Connections Practitioners Certificate.
Mindful Leaders Project.
SoCal Voices Bookshelf
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Conventional wisdom says that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are disengaged from society -- that they’ve checked out and don’t really care about reshaping the world around them. But an organization based in Los Angeles is actively and successfully challenging that narrative. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Haley Pollock, Director of Leadership & Mentorship at Legacy Youth Leadership, shares how the organization is developing and nurturing emerging leaders from all walks of life and creating positive community impact across Southern California and beyond. Get ready to be inspired and learn how you can help them with their mission to build better leaders and a better world.
Resources
Visit Legacy Youth Leadership's website.
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A college education isn’t the guarantee it once was. Rising tuition costs and growing uncertainty about whether a degree will lead to a stable, well-paying career are prompting many people to rethink what higher education should look like. If college is no longer the only path to success, what needs to change?
In this episode of SoCal Voices, educator and entrepreneur Kalista Combs explores how we can rethink learning, work, and family life by reshaping traditional approaches to workforce development, from skilled trades to AI. It’s a conversation about access, purpose, and creating better pathways forward.
Resources
Visit Kalista Combs' website.
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As host of the podcast Cocoon After Dark, LA’s Quincy Tessaverne platforms queer-centered conversations featuring Black and brown voices and serves as a safe space for SoCal’s queer community to tell their stories. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Quincy opens up about starting Cocoon After Dark, the critical community issues explored on the podcast, and the importance of creating safe spaces through storytelling.
ResourcesCocoon After Dark is available on Apple and Spotify.
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Southern California may be the land of dreams but like other parts of the country, the region has its share of law enforcement misconduct, including autopsy reports that hide the truth about people who die in police custody. In his book The Coroner’s Silence: Death Records and the Hidden Victims of Police Violence, UCLA Professor Terence Keel investigates how coroners and medical examiners omit key information about police actions — often attributing the death to a preexisting health condition or to the victim’s own actions. As a result, justice is denied to victims’ families and communities. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Professor Keel explains the systemic problems that allow this injustice to occur, and the structural and other changes needed to achieve real reform.
Resources
Visit Terence Keel’s website.
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Love to read? Check out SoCal Voices Bookshelf, Angela’s curated list of books set in dynamic Southern California.
Let’s connect:
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Connect with creator and host Angela Ross on LinkedIn.
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Thank you for listening. Support SoCal Voices Podcast. Your contributions help us continue bringing you quality content about navigating life in Southern California. It’s easy! Just click the link below:
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Keziyah Yisrael-Gayle, PhD, is an innovator working at the crossroads of science and community. She’s the founder of TollRAir, a biotech startup developing new treatments for lung inflammation caused by environmental toxins, an issue hitting some of Southern California’s most marginalized communities the hardest.
Her work recently earned second place and the People’s Choice Award at the SoCal OASIS Pitch Challenge in Riverside, along with funding to help scale her vision. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Keziyah shares her journey, her vision for healthier communities, and what it takes to build real solutions to Southern California’s toughest challenges.
Resources
Follow Keziyah Yisrael-Gayle, Ph.D. on LinkedIn
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Corporate buyouts and downsizing have reduced budgets and staff in newsrooms across SoCal, leaving community issues underreported and community members less informed. But some independent journalists are stepping up to fill the void, including Manny Sandoval, owner, editor, and publisher of Inland Empire Community News. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Sandoval talks about IECN's community impact, his approach to covering news in a changing media landscape, the personal circumstances that led him to journalism, the role of individual citizens in ensuring community issues receive coverage, and his long-term goals for Inland Empire Community News.
Resources
Inland Empire Community News
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If you feel like you're doing everything right and it still isn't enough to get ahead financially in Southern California, what you're about to hear may help. In this episode of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross sits down with personal finance expert Lissa Lumutenga, who has built a reputation for helping people think differently about money, wealth, and survival in systems that weren't designed with the middle class in mind. We're talking real strategies for thriving in one of the most expensive regions of the country, and what it actually takes to build financial stability in SoCal.
Resources
Visit Lissa Lumutenga's website.
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Southern California is famous for sunshine, beaches, and opportunity but it's also known for a harsh reality. For far too many people, housing here feels out of reach. In this episode of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross sits down with Emily Ramirez of the Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing. Ramirez breaks down why it's so expensive to build affordable housing in SoCal, where well-intended policy goes wrong, and what has to change so that Southern California is a place where people of modest means can afford to live.
Resources:
Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing
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SoCal is the epicenter of the entertainment industry and award season is in full swing. While many focus on the glamor and festivities, film and media historian Monica Sandler views the movie awards industry through a different lens.
In her forthcoming book, The Oscar Industry: Creative Labor, Cultural Production, and the Awards System in Media Industry, Sandler looks at how the Academy Awards have built and sustained Hollywood's class, gender and racial hierarchies. As award season takes shape, Sandler's insight into the history and development of movie awards season will broaden your perspective about this Hollywood tradition and what comes next.
Visit Monica Sandler's website
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Krystle Hickman is a community scientist, photographer, National Geographic Explorer and one of the few Black women working in the conservation space. In her book The ABC’s of California’s Native Bees, she’s helping the non-scientists among us develop a greater appreciation for the important role native bees play in keeping our food systems strong, our landscapes more resilient and our own health as humans in SoCal more secure. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Hickman shares insights about her journey into conservation, the sometimes challenging experience of writing her book, and improvements she'd like to see in environmental policy to help us all co-exist more harmoniously with nature.
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A year ago, Shiloh Strong launched Ashes to Films, a nonprofit organization to help members of the creative community impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires rebuild their lives. I sat down with him and filmmaker Eric Dyson, whose heartening documentary, Altadena: The Heart, The Art. The Soul, was showcased at the recent Ashes to Films festival. They share how, in just one year, Ashes to Films has gone from idea to impact, proving recovery is about more than rebuilding structures. It’s also about rebuilding the spirit. In this episode of SoCal Voices, you’ll hear what they’ve accomplished, who they’ve lifted up, and why their work matters now more than ever.
Shiloh Strong and Ashes to Films.
Eric Dyson.
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Southern Californians know a thing or two about chasing sunshine and big dreams, and there’s no better example of that spirit than the man who created the happiest place on earth.
In this episode of SoCal Voices, you’ll hear from Dr. Disneyland, also known as Jeff Barnes, the author, speaker, and founder of The Wisdom of Walt. He shares how exploring Walt Disney’s life reshaped his own journey.
He unpacks what it really means to build your own reality and why those “wild” ideas you’re afraid to say out loud might be exactly what puts your world on a whole new path.
Resources
thewisdomofwalt.com
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Southern California is filled with overachievers. Without some balance and healthy practices, the relentless drive to accomplish more can leave us feeling like we're running on fumes. Licensed marriage and family therapist Laurel van der Toorn of Los Angeles specializes in helping high achieving professionals overcome burnout and improve their mental well-being. In this episode of SoCal Voices, she shares how burnout sneaks into the bodies and minds of high performers and what it really takes to heal. From simple mindset shifts to redefining success beyond achievement, this conversation might help you find the balance you need to thrive without losing your edge.
Resources
Laurel Therapy Collective
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Since booking his first gig in 2004, LA voice actor Kyle Chapple has built a career across video games, animation, and commercials but he didn't reach those milestones on talent alone. His journey has also been about grit, risk, and belief in self. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Chapple talks about everything it took for him to achieve his dreams and why it was so important for him to go all in. If you’re grinding toward a goal and wondering whether to stay the course or walk away, Chapple’s journey may be just the inspiration you need.
Resources
Learn more about Kyle Chapple.
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The Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” included funding cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP. These cuts mean Southern Californians dealing with food insecurity may need to turn to local food banks in increasing numbers to put food on the table. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Rachel Bonilla of Feeding America Riverside-San Bernardino, explains how her organization is preparing for the potential increased demand, and how Southern Californians can come together to help meet the growing need.
Resources
Feeding America Riverside-San Bernardino
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Serving as an effective state legislator in 2025 requires “next level” commitment and courage, as California finds itself targeted by what some political observers describe as the Trump administration’s retribution campaign. Despite this challenging political environment, State Assemblymember Corey Jackson of SoCal’s 60th assembly district is focused on leading with purpose and clarity. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Jackson shares how staying focused on what matters most builds resilience and serves as an act of resistance. He breaks down how Southern Californians can stay informed, stay hopeful, and take meaningful action when democracy feels under attack.
Resources
Official Website - Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson
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The end of federal funding for public broadcasting has many Southern Californians wondering what's next for public media. In this episode of SoCal Voices host Angela Ross sits down with Connie Leyva, executive director of the Inland Empire's public radio and TV station, KVCR. Leyva shares insight about the uncertain public media landscape, her determination to stay focused on KVCR’s core mission, and how listeners can help ensure public broadcasting thrives in Inland Southern California.
Resources
KVCR.org
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Laura C. Chávez-Moreno is an assistant professor at UCLA and author of How Schools Make Race. Her research digs deep into the ways schools don’t just reflect race—they actually produce it. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Dr. Chávez-Moreno talks about what that means in practice, and why teaching about race matters as much as teaching about math. She also shares her thoughts on the policy, community, and personal actions necessary to help classrooms become spaces for building a more equitable future.
Resources: How Schools Make Race is available at booksellers including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Ask for it at your local public library.
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In a time when inclusion efforts are under pressure and immigrant communities are too often misrepresented, Dr. Lola Adeyemo is leading with courage, clarity, and heart. As founder of Immigrants in Corporate, she empowers first-gen and immigrant professionals to thrive by building meaningful careers, connecting to mentors, and creating communities of belonging inside and outside the workplace.
In this episode of SoCal Voices, Dr. Lola shares how Southern California’s unique diversity offers both challenges and opportunities, and why community, allyship, and storytelling are key to navigating today’s climate. Whether you’re an immigrant professional finding your place, or a SoCal native who wants to build stronger bridges of understanding, this episode will remind you that resilience grows when we stand together, and that thriving in SoCal means no one has to do it alone.
Resources: Immigrants in Corporate
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Living in Southern California in 2025 means navigating rapid tech change, intense culture clashes, and nonstop reinvention. Sound familiar? It’s exactly what was happening here 100 years ago.
In this episode of SoCal Voices, Tom Lutz, author of 1925: A Literary Encyclopedia takes us inside a year when Hollywood exploded, LA’s religious and political scene turned into a spectacle, and new voices reshaped American culture. Lutz reminds us of forgotten stories that explain why SoCal feels the way it does today, and helps us make sense of living here now.
Resources
Learn more about Tom Lutz and get his book.
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San Diegan Jeff Seckendorf defies expectations in the most inspiring ways. At age 70, he’s a competitive cyclist and a dedicated scuba coach, proving that age is not a limit, but a frontier.
In a culture obsessed with youth, he’s charting a different course, one rooted in strength, resilience, and deep connection to body and breath. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Sekendorf talks about breaking stereotypes around aging, the mindset that fuels endurance, and what it means to find power because of your age, not in spite of it.
This conversation might just change the way you think about getting older.
Resources
Visit Jeff's website
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We all know how tough it can be to keep up with fast-moving tech—and few things are evolving faster than artificial intelligence. AI can feel overwhelming, even intimidating, and fears about AI replacing some jobs is real.
In this episode of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross sits down with USC professor and Your Brand Amplified podcast host Anika Jackson to explore how AI is reshaping the digital landscape. Jackson breaks it down in a way that’s clear, real, and surprisingly hopeful.
Jackson explains that Southern California is uniquely positioned to lead in the AI evolution and whether you’re a worker or business owner, AI can be liberator instead of a threat.
Resources
Your Brand Amplified
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We hear a lot about how to be a better employee — but what if it’s the boss who needs the real advice? Jeff Matlow, CEO of The Best Leadership Company, coaches Fortune 500 executives on how to lead with impact — not just hold a title. From improving workplace culture to boosting the bottom line, his strategies help leaders at every level step up and stand out.
Whether you’re a seasoned exec or stepping into your first big leadership role, this episode of SoCal Voices is for you. Matlow breaks down common leadership pitfalls — and shares simple, powerful steps you can take today to shift from being “the boss” to becoming the kind of leader people want to follow.
Resources
Visit Jeff Matlow’s website
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Dr. Lauren Guerra is a dedicated lecturer in Chicana/Chicano & Central American Studies at UCLA and the heart behind Gold Hoops & God, a podcast that uplifts and empowers Millennial Latinas to embrace their purpose with confidence and faith. On this episode of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross speaks with Dr. G about her upbringing in Los Angeles and how it shaped both her academic mission and her spiritual calling. She also shares powerful thoughts on the recent protests against ICE raids and offers guidance on how to stay rooted in faith and hope as our country faces turbulent times.
Resources:
Gold Hoops & God Podcast
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The rich legacy of Negro League Baseball was front and center at Moreno Valley's Woodland Park on May 31 during the Community Softball Game organized by James Harris, founder of the African American History presentation series, UnVeiled: History in Focus. SoCal Voices was on hand to cheer for the players, meet members of the community, and give away a Negro League Baseball Bomber Jacket.
In this inspiring episode, SoCal Voices host Angela Ross sits down with Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera to reflect on the power of community-driven events and their deeper cultural significance. Recorded live at the celebration honoring the Negro Leagues, Mayor Cabrera shares why it's vital to preserve and spotlight history—especially stories rooted in resilience, equity, and social justice.
From discussing Moreno Valley’s role as one of California’s most diverse cities to envisioning its growth over the next five years, the mayor outlines a future rich with opportunity, inclusive development, and civic pride. The Mayor also talks about SoCal’s unmatched diversity, the iconic “M” mountain, and what makes Moreno Valley feel like home.
Events like Moreno Valley’s Community Softball Game honor the past and inspire the future. By remembering the struggles and triumphs of those who came before us, we strengthen the cultural fabric of our cities and empower the next generation to lead with awareness, pride, and purpose.
RESOURCES:
Learn more about how this event got started! Check out the April 10 SoCal Voices Podcast episode featuring Negro League Community Softball Game organizer James Harris.
Celebrate the legacy of Negro League Baseball throughout the year with the Black Baseball Greats Collection by visionary artist Kelly Jackson, owner of Skillz Recognize Skillz Clothing Brand & Print Shop. You will find unique, original apparel and prints that pay tribute to the great legacy of Negro League Baseball players.
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As a teenager, Kim Valentine found herself without a home. Today, she’s the founder and president of Operation Helping Hands SoCal, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the unhoused rebuild their lives. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Valentine opens up about her journey from surviving the streets to creating change—and calls on all of us to replace our judgement of homeless people with empathy and action. Her story reminds us that when compassion meets commitment, healing is possible and lives can be transformed. After hearing her story, you might see SoCal’s homeless differently and become a more effective advocate for this vulnerable population.
Resources
Operation Helping Hands SoCal
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For many Southern Californians, the January wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena are like distant memories, but for those directly impacted, the devastation remains a daily reality. Recovery can be difficult and painfully slow.
Los Angeles filmmaker, writer, and photographer Shiloh Strong lost his home in a 2009 wildfire and struggled to get his life back on track. He rediscovered his sense of purpose when he picked up a camera again. Today, he’s working to help fellow creatives impacted by the LA fires regain their footing.
In this second installment of SoCal Voices’ series on the aftermath of the LA Fires, host Angela Ross speaks with Strong about Ashes to Films, his nonprofit initiative and film festival aimed at helping filmmakers and other creatives rebuild their lives.
Resources
Ashes to Films
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Southern California is bursting with creative energy — and for many, there’s a book inside just waiting to be written. But getting it published can be a huge challenge. Redlands author Tracy Wise experienced this as she worked to find a publisher for her debut novella, Madame Sorel’s Lodger. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Wise describes her journey from writing the book to finding her publishing home at Type 18 Books. If you've ever felt that urge to tell your story — that book burning inside you — don’t miss this conversation. Tracy’s story might just be the spark that gets you from dream to published reality.
Resources
Get the book: Madame Sorel’s Lodger
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Have you thought about leaving corporate life to pursue your passion? In this episode of SoCal Voices you’ll meet a woman who experienced a major life-changing moment that led her to pivot from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, and she never looked back.
As founder of Women Podcasters Network and the Women Podcasters Awards, Jennifer Henczel has built a successful and fulfilling mission-driven organization providing resources and tools that elevate and celebrate independent women podcasters. SoCal Voices won Best Regional Podcast in Henczel’s inaugural Women Podcasters Awards and is a sponsor in the 2025 Women Podcasters Awards.
You don’t have to be a podcaster to be inspired by Henczel’s story. If you’ve been thinking about saying goodbye to corporate life to pursue your passion, check out this episode. Henczel’s journey might inspire your next move!
Resources
Learn more about the Women Podcasters Awards.
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A community softball game commemorating the iconic legacy of Negro League Baseball is happening Saturday, May 31, 1pm - 4pm, at Woodland Park in Moreno Valley. The game is being organized by returning SoCal Voices Podcast guest James Harris, known to many in the Inland Empire as author of the children’s book Corey’s Courtroom, emcee for a number of major local events, and presenter of the African American History series, Unveiled. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Harris talks about what inspires his community involvement, his vision for the upcoming community softball game, and how you can participate if you’d like to play, or just come out and enjoy a fun, uplifting and informative afternoon!
Resources for the Negro League Community Softball Game in Moreno Valley: This event is open to the entire community! Come enjoy the fun and learn about the history and legacy of Negro League Baseball:
Players, sign up here. No experience required to play.
Not playing? No problem, but you still need to register to attend. Register at this Eventbrite link today!
On game day, May 31, stop by the SoCal Voices table to say hello to SoCal Voices Creator & Host, Angela Ross, and enter the SoCal Voices Negro League Baseball Bomber Jacket Giveaway! No purchase necessary to enter, must be present to win.
Looking for some cool t-shirts and hoodies honoring Black Baseball heroes of the past? Check out artist and Riverside native Kelly Jackson’s apparel,Skillz Clothing-Skillz Rekognize Skillz.
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As Founder of the California Society of Extraordinary Women, Shirley Coates is the powerhouse behind this Riverside-based nonprofit that’s changing girls’ lives and helping them thrive. Her Ignite Leadership & STEM Academyhelps student participants see themselves in ways they may not have considered before, as extraordinary leaders, inspiring them to reach levels of educational, professional and financial achievement beyond their expectations. If you are interested in women’s empowerment and don’t know Shirley Coates, you should. In this episode of SoCal Voices, you will meet a remarkable woman whose vision and mission are positively impacting the lives of girls and women in STEM and beyond.
Resources
The California Society of Extraordinary Women
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Foster adoption in Los Angeles County is, in a word, unpredictable. The process goes smoothly for some but for others it can be difficult, presenting political, legal and personal challenges that test patience and resolve. In his memoir A Family, Maybe: Two Dads, Two Babies, and the Court Cases that Brought Us Together, author Lane Igoudin chronicles the journey he and his husband, Jon, faced as they embarked on the rocky path to adopt two girls as a gay, interracial couple in the early 2000s. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Igoudin shares how the goal to become a family — while ultimately successful — was sometimes marked by pain and powerlessness, and he offers tips to prospective foster adoptive parents on how to successfully navigate a child welfare system that doesn’t always seem to operate in the best interests of the children it is designed to serve.
Resources
A Family, Maybe: Two Dads, Two Babies, and the Court Cases that Brought Us Together
https://laneigoudin.com/
Social media: @laneigoudin
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In January, the Palisades and Eaton fires killed at least 29 people and destroyed or damaged 18,000 structures valued at nearly $300 billion dollars. In the weeks since the fires, people who lost homes have been navigating displacement, insurance, government agencies and predatory developers, all while trying to decide whether to stay and rebuild or sell and leave. Southern California Journalist Michelle Zacarias has been speaking with people affected by the Eaton fire that tore through Altadena.
In this episode of SoCal Voices — the first in a series on the aftermath of the LA fires — Zacarias shares her observations of a SoCal community grateful for help received in the immediate aftermath of the fires and worried about some of the longer term impacts of the disaster.
Resources
Help people impacted by the LA Fires.
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Okay SoCal Fam. We’re going to estate planning class today. If you have avoided or delayed getting an estate plan, you’re not alone. Most of us don’t like thinking about the end of our lives or what’s going to happen with our property after we die. But it’s a reality we must face. If you have dependents and own a house, car, retirement accounts or other assets, neglecting estate planning can wreak havoc on your loved ones after you pass away, landing them in probate court, costing them privacy, time and money. It could also mean that the property you leave behind is distributed to someone other than your preferred recipients. In this episode of SoCal Voices, estate planning coordinator Oscar Vasquez shares insights on the importance of getting an estate plan and his “done-with-you” software solution that could help.
Resources
Free Estate Planning Guide
Get your estate planning questions answered 24/7. Call 805-909-4689.
Special Offer The first ten SoCal Voices listeners to purchase an estate plan through EstateDocPrep.com using the discount code VOICES will receive a $1,000 discount.
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Annie Korzen is an 86-year-old actor and comedian who had a recurring role playing the obnoxious Doris Klompus on the hit TV sitcom Seinfeld. Today, Korzen is a social media sensation, sharing pearls of wisdom with nearly half-a-million followers of all ages. She’s the author of The Book of Annie: Humor, Heart, and Chutzpah from an Accidental Influencer. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Korzen talks about her mission to help change people’s minds about what it is to be “old” and what she loves most about life in Southern California.
Resources
Get the book - The Book of Annie: Humor, Heart, and Chutzpah from an Accidental Influencer
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In her book, Plus Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change, Los Angeles author and activist Mekdela Ejigu chronicles the body positivity movement through a collection of essays reflecting her journey as a target of fatphobia and its intersectionality with other ways people are marginalized in our society. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Ejigu shares the experiences that led her to write Plus Size. She also provides insight on the state of the body positivity movement, and offers tips on how we all can be less judgmental about people’s body types and allow folks, whatever their shape and size, to simply live their lives.
Episode ResourcesGet the book - Plus Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change
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Is SoCal’s Inland Empire the land of the local news mirage? While news outlets cover the region, media observers say some elements of the IE’s local news coverage are a mirage, giving residents the illusion of vigorous local journalism when in fact, that coverage is absent. Thomas Corrigan is a communications professor at Cal State University San Bernardino and coordinator of the university’s Local Journalism Partnership Initiative. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Corrigan talks about his work examining news coverage in the Inland Empire, and the changes he believes are needed to ensure quality journalism thrives in the region.
Episode Resources
Inland Empire MediaWatch
Local Journalism Partnerships
Inland Empire Journalism Innovation Hub + Fund
Thomas Corrigan
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Southern California’s vibrance and abundance bely the fact that a number of our neighbors don’t have enough food to eat. Led by CEO Carolyn Fajardo, Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino, the region’s largest food bank, works daily to meet the food needs of the community. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Fajardo talks about the work Feeding America is doing to ensure Inland Empire residents without enough food receive the help they need during the holidays and beyond.
Resources:
Help support Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino
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Alarming statistics reveal that Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Dana Sherrod, co-founder and executive director of the California Coalition for Black Birth Justice, helps us understand why this is happening, and what can be done to address these disparities and improve birth outcomes for more Black families.
Resources:
California Coalition for Black Birth Justice
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Forty-million adults under 30 are eligible to vote in the November election. About eight million of them are first-time voters and they’re registering to vote in record numbers. While many young people between 18 - 30 say they intend to vote, some also say they are disillusioned by the binary nature of contemporary U.S. politics. How will young voters’ frustrations with the current system impact their vote in November? In this final installment of SoCal Voices’ young voter series, 19-year-old first-time voter Jamari Davis talks about the influences on his political views, the two-party system, and the presidential candidates.
Resources
Get everything you need to vote here!
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People under 30 are registering to vote in record numbers. The uptick is attributed in part to “the switch” when President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. Endorsements from Taylor Swift and other celebrities have also inspired many young people to register to vote, prompting predictions that young voters will have a major impact on the outcome of the election this fall.
With young millennials and Gen Z comprising one of the largest voting blocs in this election, what issues are they concerned about and how will they vote? In this second installment of SoCal Voices young voter series, 20-year-old college senior Dana Hart talks about his political influences, how he plans to approach his voting decisions this November, and the importance of discussing political issues without harming others.
Resources
Get everything you need to vote here!
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The 2024 Presidential Election is under way and since President Joe Biden left the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic party’s nominee, young voters have responded to her candidacy with record breaking voter registrations, campaign volunteer signups and donations. Gen Z and young millennials make up one of the largest voting blocs this election cycle and could impact the results if they vote — and if they don’t. So what issues are young voters concerned about and how will they vote? In the first installment of SoCal Voices young voter series, 31-year-old civil rights attorney Sarah Carthen Watson talks about the issues she’s most concerned about in this election, how she plans to vote, and the fundamental changes she believes are needed to make America a more just, equitable and livable society for us all.
Resources
Get everything you need to vote here!
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SPECIAL NOTE: SoCal Voices is a nominee for Best Regional Podcast in the Women in Podcasting Awards! It’s a people’s choice style award so to win the category, SoCal Voices needs to receive the most votes. Help SoCal Voices win:
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Community development is essential to how all the elements of where we live fit together and impact how we experience our communities. Eric Nelson is a 20-year community development expert who has impacted the lives of thousands of Southern Californians through his work in residential and commercial developments. He is Vice Chair of the Planning Commission at the City of Dana Point, a past President of the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California and Vice President of Community Development at Trumark Homes. He brings all of this experience and his SoCal “native son” perspective to his work. On this episode of SoCal Voices, Eric talks about the importance of community development to our overall quality of life. He also talks about his favorite project — the innovative Covina Bowl development — that captures the essence of community development and community preservation. He also shares his 10-year vision for the future of community development in SoCal.
Resources
Learn more about Eric Nelson
Visit trumarkhomes.com
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For more than 30 years, Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles has been helping former prisoners and ex-gang members redirect their lives to become productive, contributing members of the community. A human services agency offering legal, mental health, and education services and more, Homeboy Industries makes second chances possible by combining practical services and hope with an unconventional approach to meeting the bottom line. Tom Vozzo, Homeboy Industries’ CEO, has led the organization for nearly 12 years with a leadership style that matches the name of his book: The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Vozzo, a self-described compassionate capitalist, shares how leading the Homeboy way is making a positive impact on the organization and continuing a long tradition of transforming lives.
Resources
Get the book
Visit Homeboy Industries
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When she was 17 years old, San Diego author Jennifer Gasner was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia or FA, a rare progressive neuromuscular disease. The impact of FA varies from person to person, but generally causes difficulty walking, a loss of coordination and impaired speech. Initially, Jennifer was shocked and in denial about her diagnosis and, at times, used alcohol as a way to cope, but ultimately decided to live her life with joy. She chronicles her journey in her book, My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis. On this episode of SoCal Voices, Jennifer shares how she’s living her life with determination, humor and a positive attitude.
Resources:
Visit Jennifer’s website: https://jennifergasner.com/
Get the book at Amazon, Books a Million, Barnes & Nobel or Warwick’s
Follow Jennifer Gasner:
Instagram: @jennygwriter
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Born in China and raised in Los Angeles, certified life coach, podcaster, speaker and author Lucy Liu is a self-described ex-overachiever and recovering perfectionist who is thriving in Irvine. On this episode of SoCal Voices, she shares how she mastered the art of slowing down and how she helps women business owners, creatives, coaches and influencers transform their lives, boost their income, have a greater positive impact and have more fun. Her experience and tips for living well may inspire you to live a more centered, fulfilling life.
Resources
https://www.lucyliucoaching.com/
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Long before podcasting and FM radio, AM radio ruled. And in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the biggest dog on the porch was THE MIGHTY 690. The 50,000-watt station was heard throughout SoCal. And its top-40 format was popular with teenagers and young adults. The story of the station — and a real-life contest it ran in the summer of 1981 — has been fictionalized in a fun new novel, The Mighty 690 by Alexander Hamilton Cherin. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Cherin shares why he took a fictional rather than fact-based approach to this story, how the radio station thrived in a time when Southern California was struggling to find its identity, the impact the radio station had on his youth, and his predictions about Southern California’s future media landscape.
Resources
https://alexandercherin.com/
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Tamaira “Miss T” Sandifer is having a strong impact on young people from SoCal and beyond as she helps youth develop critical life skills through exposure to the arts. She has developed some of Hollywood’s most sought-after young dancers, including the 2016 winner of “So You Think You Can Dance,” the 2018 “World of Dance” stars, and more. Her graduates have worked with artists like Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Usher. Listen as Miss Tee talks about her inspiring journey from humble beginnings to becoming Founder & CEO of Studio T Arts & Entertainment, and her mission to help young creatives find their path to success.
Resources
https://www.studiotarts.org/
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
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Studies and surveys have shown that children start life with similar levels of confidence and self-esteem, but as girls become pre-teens, their confidence and self-esteem decline. LaTina McGhee-Simmons, a teacher at Virginia Primrose Elementary School in Fontana, aims to change that dynamic. She facilitates a mentoring program — the 20/20 Club — for upper elementary school girls to boost their confidence and self-esteem. In this episode of SoCal Voices, LaTina and four of the club members — 4th grader Emily Zavala, and 5th graders Maya Carranza, Sophia Castellon and Monse Perez, — share how the club is boosting the girls’ sense of self-worth and value, and strengthening their belief in themselves and their abilities.
Resourceswww.daughtersofpromiseconfidence.com
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If you have struggled with anxiety, you may find some inspiration in this episode featuring San Diego author Jessica Keith. Her debut memoir, Saying Inshallah with Chutzpah, is a humorous and poignant coming-of-age story about her unorthodox path navigating an inter-faith/cross-cultural landscape in her professional and personal life, and finding the resilience to persevere. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Jessica shares how writing the book impacted her mental health, and how facing her anxiety helped propel her to reach her goals.
Resources
Get the book:
Saying Inshallah with Chutzpah
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The mother-daughter relationship has been described as many things - special, complicated, loving, perplexing and more. For many people, it can be one of the most rewarding relationships in their lives. For others, the bond may be broken, especially if mother or daughter feels unseen and unheard. In this episode of SoCal Voices, therapist Hilary Mae shares how she helps mothers and daughters across the country see their relationship through a new lens ad make a more meaningful connection.
Resources
https://www.hilarymae.com/
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Do you have the pink “donor dot” on your driver’s license? Do you know why you should? April is Donate Life Month and there’s an organization in southern California that’s dedicated to saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. That organization, OneLegacy,serves more than 200 hospitals, 10 transplant centers, a diverse population of 20 million donors and families across SoCal and waiting recipients across the country. In this episode of SoCal Voices, One Legacy’s Public Education and Community Development Specialist, Christy Bethel, discusses the organization’s mission and its life-saving impact.
Resources
onelegacy.org
OneLegacy Donate Life Run/Walk 2024
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Schelo Doirin Collier is all about helping Black women become strong investors. Her organization, Black Women Invest, started as a small social media group and has grown into a national community of more than 14,000, including chapters in Southern California. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Schelo talks about Black Women Invest’s holistic approach to financial wellness, and how the organization empowers Black women — whether new or seasoned investors — to secure their financial futures and build generational wealth with confidence.
Resources
Information and registration for Black Women Invest Conference, Abundance Unleashedin Temecula, April 12 - 14, 2024.
Follow Schelo D. Collier on Instagram @blackwomeninvest_
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Her Sisters Keeper Foundation provides a safe space for women in SoCal’s Inland Empire to recover from major setbacks or simply reset from the daily stress in their lives. In this episode of SoCal Voices, founder and executive director Kimberly Wallen shares the experiences that led her to create her organization and how she helps empower women to live their best lives.
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The killing of George Floyd at the hands of police focused the world’s attention on the problem of police abuse and misconduct in ways that few other cases have. In the US, the murder of Floyd renewed calls for police reform and led to calls to abolish policing as we know it. Maintain the status quo, some said, and policing will continue to cause more harm than good. Others worry that dismantling the police will lead to anarchy. What can be done in the realm of “public safety” so that everyone is in fact “safe?” That question is addressed in Reimagining Safety, a documentary film by Los Angeles filmmaker, author and conflict resolution facilitator, Matthew Solomon. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Matthew talks about the indirect route that led him to create Reimagining Safety, his DIY approach to making the film, the social justice community’s response to the documentary, and his vision for a brighter, safer future.
Resourceswww.ReimaginingSafetyMovie.com
Amazon (watch, leave a rating, and share):https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CVFNZ45B/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
Tubi (watch, like, and share):https://tubitv.com/movies/100015643/reimagining-safety
Healing Justice Lineages (book referenced in the episode).
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The 2024 Presidential Primary is underway in California and voters are navigating a range of issues as they make decisions on candidates and propositions. From debates about the age of the likely presidential candidates to the war in Gaza, voters have a lot to consider. How will they vote? In this episode of SoCal Voices, Keri Then, Area 5 Trustee for the Riverside Community College District, returns to the podcast to offer some insight on some of the current issues voters are considering, and shares her thoughts on how to have quality political discussions and what voters can do to ensure they are well informed with accurate information prior to voting.
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The second episode in our series on Black History and Music spotlights The Center for African Diaspora Sacred Music and Musicians at California State University, Dominguez Hills. The Center is known as the preeminent site for the study and preservation of music of the African Diaspora. In this episode of SoCal Voices the center’s director, ethnomusicologist Oghenevwarho Gabriel Ojakovo, shares what inspired him to study music in its social and cultural contexts, helps us understand the intersection of the African Diaspora and Sacred Music, and describes what visitors can learn and experience when visiting the center.
Resources
- Center for African Diaspora Sacred Music and Musicians
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As Black History Month 2024 gets under way in Southern California, the Riverside Philharmonic will present two special pieces in a performance on February 24: Negro Folk Symphony, by the late African American composer William Dawson, and Concerto Cinematique, by Los Angeles composer and violinist Chris Woods. In this episode of SoCalVoices, Chris shares his perspective on a range of topics including his journey with the violin, how classical and jazz music inform his creative expression, the importance of practicing, and his experience composing Concerto Cinematique.
Resources
- Feb. 24 Riverside Philharmonic Black History Month Concert Tickets
- Follow Chris Woods on Instagram @chriswoodsviolin
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Conventional wisdom says that your personal wealth often has to come at the cost of your personal values — that you have to sell out. Financial advisor Marie Thomasson of Modern Assets says it is possible for your investments to align with your personal values, even if you identify as a political progressive. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Marie shares how she landed in the world of financial advising, who the investment system truly serves, how to find socially conscious financial institutions and investments, and how you should approach your finances if you’re under 30, mid-career, or approaching or in retirement.
Resources
- Self-Help Federal Credit Union
- Mighty Deposits - helps you find a bank or credit union that's values aligned
- Modern Assets - Marie Thomasson’s website
- Money AMA - Calendar link to Marie Thomasson’s next “Money AMAs”
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In a marked change from the racial reckoning that occurred in 2020, some have declared that DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) is dead. Is it? Where exactly are we with DEI initiatives? In this episode of SoCal Voices, Jonathan Dumas, an organizational psychologist, leadership and career coach, and host of the podcast Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, pushes back on the notion that DEI is finished, and shares his insights about his own experience helping companies and individuals do the work that’s needed to fulfill the true intention and purpose of DEI, ensuring that all people in the workplace — and in life — are seen, heard, and valued.
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Jackie Gutierrez is Founder of Women Kick Balls — an independent, one-woman multi-media company aiming to elevate the standard of soccer media. She’s living her dream as a journalist and content creator, interviewing professional players from the National Women’s Soccer League and the US Women’s National Team. Somehow, she also finds time to provide media and marketing services to soccer organizations and athletes. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Jackie talks about her passion for soccer, how she pursued her dream without a real role model, the obstacles she overcame to reach her goals, and the advice she has for young people trying to turn their dreams into reality.
Resources
Women Kick Balls, https://womenkickballs.com/
Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Dial 988
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/
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The California Festival is a two-week state-wide celebration of new music from across the globe. Music directors of the LA Philharmonic, San Diego Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony envisioned this event featuring compositions from compelling and forward-looking composers. On November 19, the Inland Empire will be represented at one of the festival’s concerts by none other than the Riverside Philharmonic. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Riverside Philharmonic conductor Tomasz Golka discuss the inspiration behind his musical career, and the Riverside Philharmonic’s upcoming performance in The California Festival: A Celebration of New Music.
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Susan Partovi’s colleagues call her “The Skid Row Doctor.” She’s a leading expert on street medicine who has treated hundreds of the most underserved patients in Los Angeles — substance users, and people experiencing homelessness and severe mental illness. On this episode of SoCal Voices, Dr. Partovi opens up about her unique approach to providing healthcare to some of southern California’s most vulnerable people. Hear Dr. Partovi describe why she pursued medicine as a career, the circumstances that led her to focus on street medicine, and the decision to document some of her experiences with patients in her new book, Renegade MD: A Doctor’s Stories from the Streets (available January 30, 2024).
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Terrance Stone is a southern Californian committed to steering young people away from the life that cost him much of his precious youth. He spends his time helping students discover their personal worth and true-life purpose as Founder and CEO of Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy, an organization the state of California recognized as Non-Profit of the Year in 2022. In this episode of SoCal Voices, he shares how he went from gang member to CEO and how he helps young people realize their talents and live their best lives.
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Mary Vensel White is President of the Orange County branch of the California Writer’s Club, an English and writing professor, an editor, and author. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Mary shares insights about her latest novel, Things to See in Arizona, a teen coming-of-age story about the adventures of Tuesday and Cristian as they make their way through this unique teen coming-of-age story.
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In her book, The Struggle for the People’s King: How Politics Transforms the Memory of the Civil Rights Movement, Hajar Yazdiha, an assistant professor of sociology at USC, outlines how decades-long efforts to sanitize the civil rights movement perpetuate injustice and threaten America’s multicultural democracy. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Professor Yazdiha discusses her book, and the life experiences that fuel her passion to help bring about positive changes in society.
Actor, director and show creator Jeneen Robinson has been recognized as Best Woman Filmmaker at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival for her TV series, “I’m 13 Yo!” — a hip-hop coming-of-age comedy about the adventures of a 13-year-old boy who constantly tests the patience of his mother. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Jeneen shares inspiring insights about her artistic journey.
Mary Kennedy is an actor and comedian who has appeared in film, TV and stage roles. She played the “New Fiona” character in Season 7 of Showtime’s Shameless, and performs at some of LA’s most popular comedy clubs. When she’s not performing, she coaches and teaches young actors and comics. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Mary discusses what led her to comedy, her experience working on Shameless, her thoughts on the actor/writer strike and her future project “bucket list.”
Twillea Evans-Carthen has a servant’s heart. She is University Ombuds Officer at Cal State San Bernardino, an active member of a number of community organizations, and serves on the board for the Inland Ivy Foundation and League of Women Voters San Bernardino. She is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and much more. Well-known in SoCal’s Inland Empire for lifting people up and getting things done, Twillea is living her best life through service. In this edition of SoCal Voices, she shares what inspires her to serve and what drives her to help others.
With over a decade of teaching experience, educator LaTina McGhee-Simmons saw that many girls in her classroom lacked confidence. She launched Daughters of Promise — a program that helps instill a greater sense of value, resilience and purpose in young girls. In this edition of SoCal Voices, LaTina discusses the impact her program has on participants and how their positive transformation impacts her life.
Melody C. Miller is the filmmaker behind the multi-award winning documentary “California’s Forgotten Children.” The film focuses on the complex issue of child sex trafficking through the lens of survivors. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Melody discusses what inspired her to make the film, what people should and shouldn’t do if they suspect someone is being trafficked, and the ongoing work needed to help protect children from exploitation.
Kimberle Smith Austin is a business growth, communications and lifestyle strategist who helps corporations and businesses experience life at the next level. She is a sought-after speaker and coach, and author of Millions of Possibilities: Taking Your Ideas from Inspiration to Monetization. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Kimberle shares her thoughts on the real meaning of success and how to achieve true balance in our lives.
Bibi Pirayesh is an educational therapist based in Los Angeles. For 15 years her work has focused on helping children, families, and schools better understand the unique needs of kids with learning disabilities. More recently, her work has shifted toward the fight for the learning rights of kids in LA, where children's educational experiences are directly linked to their socio-economic status.
On this edition of SoCal Voices, Bibi shares her views on learning disability as a social justice issue and outlines the changes needed to better-serve our children.
Kevin Roth is firmly rooted in American folk music history. As a singer-songwriter and dulcimer player, he rose to international fame in the 1970s and 1980s recording albums and collaborating with other folk artists, including the legendary folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary. He was riding high on success when his life changed dramatically. Diagnosed with melanoma, he had to figure out a way to not just survive but thrive. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Kevin discusses his journey from musician to cancer survivor to author and life coach, and his new book Between the Notes: Practical Ways to Find Your Inner Grove and Dance to the Beat that Makes Your Heart Sing.
As part of Earth Month activities this April, cities across the nation can show how water-wise they are by participating in the Wyland Foundation’s National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Wyland Foundation President Steve Creech provides details about the Mayor’s Challenge and and how water conservation efforts are key to keeping the environment clean and safe.
Courtney McKenna is an LA-based artist and marketer on a mission to help society shift into a healthier and happier collective. She’s passionate about helping entrepreneurs unlock their full potential and stand in their power. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Courtney shares how she channeled all the fears and challenges she faced while pursuing her goals in marketing and music. Her story may help inspire others to overcome fear and pursue dreams.
Amani Roberts is a successful DJ, music producer, podcaster, educator, business pro and author of the book DJs Mean Business. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Amani speaks with host Angela Ross about blending art with savvy business strategy, the life experiences that inspired him, the hard work required to reach goals, the importance of having mentors and supporters, and the importance of paying it forward.
A self-described “Urban Polymath,” Flobo Boyce has been entertaining audiences for over 15 years. He’s a comedian, author, master of ceremonies, DJ, and owner of the digital network Knew Amsterdam Entertainment. In this episode of SoCal Voices, you’ll hear Flobo share his wit and wisdom and how he persevered through challenges to accomplish many entrepreneurial pursuits.
As a teenager, Rosalyn Carter gave birth to a baby girl who was soon adopted by another family. Both the baby and Rosalyn went on to live fulfilling lives apart from one another. Then, many years later, they reconnected. These days the mother-daughter duo host the I Found Her podcast which chronicles their reunification journey and serves as inspiration to many.
From its broadcast center on March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, the American Forces Network (AFN) ensures that “a touch of home” reaches US military personnel stationed overseas. The service provides radio and television news, entertainment and sports programming as well as critical worldwide, regional and local command information to US service members across the globe. In this special “On the Road” edition of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross speaks with AFN sports programming specialist Jason Stevenson about AFN’s mission, the expertise required to work in this unique facility and what the future holds for this essential service.
Los Angeles has an ample supply of radio stations but historically only a few have been real standouts. One of them is LA staple KIIS-FM. On this edition of SoCal Voices, Paul Joseph or PJ as he’s known, shares how he got into radio, how he started working with the great Rick Dees, and what he believes the radio industry needs to do to stay viable in the future.
In her book Trees Without Roots, author Ella Colic recounts the true story of her father and aunt who experienced life as refugees of the Bosnian war in the early 1990s. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Ella discusses the powerful and emotional journey she faced while writing the book, the impact of her relatives’ story on her life today, and how her own trip to Bosnia inspires her course of study and future career.
In this edition of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross chats with Clinton Galloway, author of Anatomy of a Hustle: Cable Comes to South Central LA and What Did you Think was Going to Happen? — books that detail his experiences try to establish the first Black-owned cable franchise in the country and the government corruption that he says stopped it.
Midterm election day is just around the corner and as voters go to the polls, they have economic inflation, voter suppression, reduced access to abortion and candidate conduct on their minds. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Kim Moffat returns to discuss the upcoming elections, and the work she’s doing with We’re The People, a voter outreach and advocacy organization that aims to increase voter turnout nationwide and specifically among 18 - 24 year olds.
Music can instantly transport us to a specific place or special time in our lives. Many believe it also has the power to heal. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Master Speaker, Energy Sound Healer and Visionary Mark Romero shares his experience with high-vibration healing music and how listening to it can shift you into a greater sense of awareness and well-being.
Jocelyn Harris is Founder and CEO of Connections, Inc. Her organization helps bring joy to struggling low-income families in San Bernardino County. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Jocelyn shares how Connections makes a meaningful difference in the lives of people who need a helping hand.
jollyconnectionsinc.com
Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson are super fans of television. They channel their passion for TV into a fun and informative podcast, The 80s TV Ladies! Susan and Sharon bring their joy, fun and wit to this edition of SoCal Voices, as they describe their love for 80s TV, with a special focus on the female-driven shows of this fabulous era.
(Photo credit of Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson goes to Keida Mascaro)
LA County elected leaders and government officials have received well-deserved praise this year for returning Bruce’s Beach, prime coastal land in the city of Manhattan Beach, to the descendants of Charles and Willa Bruce. This comes nearly 100 years after the Bruce’s endured anti-Black harassment, and the Manhattan Beach city council unjustly condemned and seized the land through eminent domain, depriving Charles and Willa of their livelihood and the opportunity to pass down generational wealth. While it took government action to get justice for the Bruce family, it was a local activist that spearheaded the effort. In this edition of SoCal Voices, activist Kavon Ward discusses the circumstances that led her to seek justice for Bruce’s Beach, the challenges and threats she endured, the importance of voting, and the work she’s doing to help others find justice.
This first installment in SoCal Voices’ “On the Road” series begins at one of the most iconic sites in Southern California, the Historic Mission Inn in Downtown Riverside.
The story of the Mission Inn spans more than 100 years including 30 years of construction and powerful stories about the people who worked for founder Frank Miller and made the hotel the icon that it is today. In this edition of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross speaks with Mission Inn Foundation Executive Director Jarod Hoogland.
SoCalVoices #MissionInn #Riverside #SouthernCalifornia #Historic
We close out this season of SoCal Voices with an interview featuring Shanti Hershenson, a 14-year-old southern California teenager who has written 15 books including You Won't Know Her Name, a novel-told-in-poetry about bullying in middle school. Want some Sci-Fi? Dystopia? She has that and more. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Shanti talks about what inspired her to become a writer, her super-charged workflow, how she stays on track, and what she’s working on next. Listen and be inspired by Shanti’s energy, enthusiasm, commitment, and drive to create.
We’ll be back with new episodes on International Podcast Day, September 30! In the meantime, keep up with the podcast and your host Angela Ross on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook @socalvoices.
Claudia Clark is an expatriate activist, historian and author of Dear Barack: The Extraordinary Partnership of Barack Obama and Angela Merkel. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Claudia discusses the inspiration behind her book about two of the world’s most influential leaders, and her struggles to get published. She also shares her views on current events through the lens of an American living in Berlin.
In this mid-term primary election season, voters have a lot on their minds, including the possible overturning of Roe v Wade, the war in Ukraine and public safety, following back-to-back-to-back mass shootings. How are voters feeling? Will they vote? What will they decide? In this special edition of SoCal Voices, Kim Moffat, host of the “Here’s What’s Happening” and “My America” podcasts talks, about the work she does to help get out the vote, and shares her thoughts on how recent events may influence the mid-term elections.
In his award-winning book, Alabama Grandson: A Black, Gay Minister’s Passage Out of Hiding, Cedrick Bridgeforth chronicles the many years he spent shielding his truth from the world, the pain he experienced when his secret was exposed and how he found his way to self-acceptance. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Bridgeforth talks about his life and faith, his experience writing Alabama Grandson, and how he came to embrace all of who he is - and how his story might help others struggling to live fuller, more authentic lives.
Are you ready to transition from employee to entrepreneur? There are many matters to consider before you take that leap. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Bert Wright, entrepreneur and #1 Amazon best-selling author of the book Say Y.E.S.! Going from Employee to Entrepreneur in 5 Steps, discusses his journey through entrepreneurship and outlines what you need to know to make an informed decision about becoming an entrepreneur.
Is China really the economic behemoth we hear about in the media? What are the real long- and short-term impacts of China’s role in the global economy? In this edition of SoCal Voices, author and China Unraveled podcast host Jason Szeftel shares his perspective on China’s role in the global economy, and what China’s future could mean for the economies of the US and southern California.
https://www.chinaunraveled.com/
Alicia Montgomery is CEO of the Center for Powerful Public Schools, a Los Angeles-based organization that helps educators create and sustain powerful public schools that prepare every student for college, career, and life. In this episode of SoCal Voices, hear how Ms. Montgomery and her team work to address the needs of students working to thrive in a system that was not designed for their success.
One of southern California’s most unique and authentic voices belongs to a former DJ who got her start in radio as a teenager. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Jewel, host of the Old School Jewels podcast, discusses how she became interested in radio, how her personal life experiences inform her podcast topics, the challenges of raising her grandchildren, and how her faith sustains her.
Are you dealing with imposter syndrome? That nagging, anxious feeling that you don’t have what it takes and don’t belong in the spaces you occupy? Maybe a workplace bully shattered your confidence and you’re unsure how to get it back. In this edition of SoCal Voices, author, coach and hypnotherapist Michele Molitor shares how she regained her confidence after being bullied at a previous job and how she helps others beat imposter syndrome.
The Inland Empire Black Worker Center (IEBWC) serves as a resource to help address Black unemployment and under employment. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Community Organizer Dominique Dean shares the principles that guide IEBWC’s approach to helping workers learn about all the services available to help them carve a path toward higher-wage jobs in the water industry.
Riverside’s Gail B. Smith started working for Pacific Telephone/Pacific Bell (known today as AT&T) in the 1970s. When she was hired, she was Riverside’s first African American woman splicer and installer for the phone company — jobs that were held primarily by Caucasian men. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Ms. Smith discusses her experience being the first person like her in her workplace, the “nice nasties” she experienced from some of her co-workers, the support she received from others, and how staying focused on her goals helped her thrive.
Kathy Murphy is an author, singer, inspirational speaker, surfer, mother and certified health and life coach who believes in faith and trust over fear. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Kathy discusses her coaching business, The Rising Tide, and how she helps empower people who lead to overcome challenges and see their lives in a whole new way.
Resources:
https://wearerisingtides.com
Instagram: @wearerisingtides.com
Verious Smith, III is a man on a mission. He’s a web developer by trade, podcaster and founder of Startempire Wire that aims to foster and build the startup culture in the Inland Empire. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Smith shares what led him to launch his project and his vision for the Inland Empire’s startup ecosystem.
startempirewire.com
Novelist, essayist and short story teller Keenan Norris’ new coming-of-age novel, The Confession of Copeland Cane is being hailed as “simply genius,” “potent” and “engaging.” In this edition of SoCal Voices, Norris, a SoCal native who teaches American Literature and Creative Writing at San Jose State University, discusses his latest work and what inspired his writing career. Norris also shares his perspective on the creative process and what he wishes his students would ask him more often.
www.keenannorris.com
www.unnamedpress.com
Josh Giles is the super successful head coach of the Corona-Centennial High School’s boys basketball team. As coach of the Huskies, Giles’ long list of honors includes being named the 2020-21 Cal-Hi Sports Coach of the Year. He’s also known for his dedication to helping students become champions on and off the court. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Coach Giles shares how he came to basketball and the experiences that helped shaped his coaching philosophy.
Resources:
coronacentennialboysbball.com
The John M Pfau Library on the campus of Cal State University San Bernardino holds a digital archive honoring inland southern California’s Black history. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Assistant Professor of History Marc Robinson shares how “The Bridges that Carried Us Over” project came to be and his role in helping to preserve African American history in the Inland Empire.
Resources:
https://www.instagram.com/ieblackhistory/
https://www.facebook.com/IEBlackHistorybit.ly/bridges-project
A new business publication in the Inland Empire — IE Business Edge — promises content that is informative and actionable. The brains behind this new magazine brings years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience to this latest enterprise. In this episode of SoCal Voices, publisher Norm Pelzer discusses why he launched IE Business Edge, the challenges he overcame to get the magazine off the ground, and what he believes the publication can do for business owners. He also offers advice to anyone seeking to launch a new venture.
Resources:
https://www.iebusinessedge.com
https://www.instagram.com/iebusinessedge/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/normpelzer/
In this “Ask Me Anything” episode, the tables are turned as SoCal Voices host Angela Ross answers questions posed by KGGI and KOST radio personality Evelyn Erives on Black History Month and more!
socalvoices #socal #california #podcast #lifestyle #workforce #ad #chamberofcommerce #InlandEmpire #news #media #community #economy
Dianne Callahan is an award-winning communication professional and non-profit executive who lives what many would describe as a charmed life, but she has experienced challenges, including three bouts with cancer. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Dianne talks about her life and expertise as a negativity disrupter and how she inspires people to live joyful lives.
Resources:
www.catalystcoaching.biz
https://www.lightheartedlife.org
Anthony Victoria is a journalist, community organizer and communications advisor who has spent years focusing on local civic and environment justice. Recently, Anthony’s newly launched outlet, The Frontline Observer, received a grant from The Listening Post Collective. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Anthony discusses how the grant will help him chronicle social and environmental justice issues in the Inland Empire and help improve lives along the way.
Resources:
Twitter: @eyeofthebarrio
Instagram: frontlineobserver
When you think of a pilot or certified flight instructor, chances are, thanks to your social conditioning, you don’t think of a petite 26-year-old African American woman. Free your mind and meet pilot and certified flight instructor Lauren Harris of Moreno Valley. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Lauren discusses what pulled her into the world of aviation, what she loves most about flying, and how she hopes to inspire others to take the controls and fly.
Brief summary of show:
Feeding America Riverside-San Bernardino CEO Stephanie Otero returns to SoCal Voices to share how you can be a real holiday hero by helping people dealing with food insecurity.
Resources
Instagram: @feedingamericaie
Facebook: @feedingamericaie
Twitter: @feedingie
Website: www.feedingie.org
Juleen Erives is a young woman who wants to be limitless, and she’s well on her way! She was one of The Press Enterprise Newspaper’s “25 Most Remarkable Teens,” she has given SUE Talks (Successful Unstoppable Empowering Women Changing the Face of Business) and she raised over $64,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through her “Mission CANcer-vive” campaign. Today, as a college freshman, she continues to pursue her passion for helping others. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Juleen discusses what inspires her, how she stays optimistic in these challenging times, and what she hopes to accomplish in the future.
Resources:
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society https://www.lls.org
Instagram: @juleenerives
Sylvia Melena is founder and CEO of Melena Consulting Group, a San Diego-based leadership and management consulting and training company. She is also the award-winning author of Supportive Accountability: How to Inspire People and Improve Performance. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Sylvia shares her thoughts on how leaders can achieve greater trust and accountability in their companies and what employees can do to maintain a greater sense of life balance wherever and however they work.
Resources:
Website: https://leadershipstrength.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylviamelena/
On this edition of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross speaks with Mike Dunne, founder of Equine Empowered Therapy (EET). Throughout the southern California region, EET helps veterans dealing with trauma experience the healing nature of horses. Mike shares why he started EET, how the program works, the joy he experiences seeing veterans lives changed for the better, and how people can help support EET’s mission.
Resources:
Website: www.equineempoweredtherapy.com
Instagram: @EquineEmpoweredTherapy
Facebook: @EquineEmpoweredTherapy
To the people who know and work with him, Carl Dameron is a dynamic, hard-driving, award-winning advertising and public relations expert with more than 30 years of success helping organizations and people throughout California meet their goals. He is also a cancer survivor. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Carl shares the story of starting and growing his company, how he dealt with his cancer diagnosis and offers sage advice for anyone facing a challenge.
Website: dameroncommunications.com
Instagram: @carldameron
Twitter: @carldameron
Award-winning television journalist Thalia Hayden is host of NBC Palm Springs’ Midday News, a motivational speaker, media expert and best-selling author. She has also struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Thalia discusses her new book Local Celeb: Addict to Anchor, and how she came to face some hard truths about her life, learned to ask for help and achieved sobriety and happiness.
Instagram: @thalia_hayden
Website: thaliahayden.com
Resources
National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration SAMHSA
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Carrie Madrid knows first hand what it is like to be diagnosed with breast cancer and the many challenges that follow. While dealing with her own diagnosis through “laughter, lipgloss and hard work,” she established The CARE Project, a nonprofit based in Riverside. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Carrie discusses how The CARE Project is fulfilling its mission: emotionally and financially supporting male and female breast cancer patients.
Resources:
Website: https://thecareprojectinc.org
Podcast Handle with Care: https://thecareprojectinc.org/podcasts/
New book: “Handle With Care: Your Breast Cancer Support Group in a Book”
Facebook: @thecareprojectinc
Instagram: @thecareprojectinc
Oliver Petty is changing lives with an inspiring message that shows what’s possible when hard work, dedication and determination collide. He is a sought-after speaker who delivers a soul-shaking message that challenges the status quo. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Oliver shares how he’s empowering people of all ages to release their creativity and passion to lead more fulfilling and successful lives.
www.oliverpetty.com
Instagram: @omrnegative
Cecilia Clark knows what it is like to be a very young child trying to make sense of a world where you’re removed from a home with familiar faces then dropped off at a house filled with strangers. Deeply impacted by her foster care experience, Cecilia, in her teens, started the Made for You project, which helps foster kids know they are worthy and loved. In this edition of SoCal Voices Cecilia discusses her foster care experience, the changes she feels are needed in the foster care system, and how the community can help Made for You continue to thrive for years to come.
Instagram: @made_for_you_project
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madeforyouprojects
Storyteller, filmmaker, writer and composer James Grisom hails from Lynwood. A recent graduate of USC’s film school, he’s already making his mark, writing and directing short films and documentaries that tell poignant, personal stories and shed light on cultural and social issues that shape our lives. In this episode of SoCal Voices, James talks about what inspired his move into film and music and offers sage advice for anyone aspiring to become a filmmaker.
https://www.jamesagrisom.com/
Instagram: @james.grisom
In this episode of SoCal Voices, a past guest on the podcast, Steve Jacobs, turns the tables to interview SoCal Voices founder and host, Angela Ross. Angela fields questions about her career, the state of media and what she enjoys most about hosting SoCal Voices.
www.socalvoices.com
Instagram and Facebook: @socalvoices
For a brief moment, it appeared that the pandemic’s severe impact on the restaurant industry would ease. As southern Californians began getting vaccinated against the deadly virus, infections, hospitalizations and deaths declined, and there was talk of a return to indoor dining. That moment didn’t last. Thanks to the Delta variant and — public health experts say — too few people getting vaccinated, it’s going to take a bit longer for LA’s restaurant industry to rebound. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Los Angeles Times restaurant critic Bill Addison talks about the impact of the pandemic on LA’s restaurants and what needs to happen to shelter the industry from future devastation.
Resources:
Instagram: @bill_addison
What does the future of inland SoCal’s economy look like? Is it all about warehousing or are other opportunities on the horizon? In this episode of SoCal Voices, Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce president Edward Ornelas discusses what’s next for the Inland Empire’s economy and names the IE cities he believes are uniquely poised to thrive when the pandemic ends.
Resources
Social Media: @IERCC
Website: https://www.iechamber.org
In this edition of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross has a fun conversation with radio veteran, founder and CEO of “This is Funner,” Chris Donovan and his lovely wife, the ever-popular morning show co-host at 99.1 KGGI and weekend host on KOST 103.5, Evelyn Erives. Chris and Evelyn talk about how they met, their radio careers, podcasting, the importance of family and how they support their local community.
Resources:
Social MediaChris Donovan: @Chris_Donovan, @ThisIsFunner
@EvelynErives
Most people don’t know what it’s like to be President of the Community College campus where they once walked the halls as a student, but Dr. Mark Sanchez knows exactly how that feels. He is President of Southwestern Community College in San Diego, and his leadership style is challenging the status quo. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Dr. Sanchez describes how he and his team lead with intention, and work to foster an environment where students from all walks of life can thrive on campus and beyond.
As the pandemic appears to wind down and people begin living their ‘post-pandemic’ lives, record numbers of employees are quitting their jobs. Last week’s episode, “Back to the Office?” looked at the implications of these resignations. In this episode, “Back to the Office, Part II,” Miriana Gonzalez discusses what it has been like to navigate the pandemic as Deputy Director of Human Resources for the City of Riverside. She shares what she learned about herself during this period, and how the City may adapt to post-pandemic changes in the workplace.
The US labor department recently reported that 4 million people quit their jobs in one month. It’s the highest number of resignations in two decades, and it’s happening as companies are requiring employees to return to the office after a year of working from home.
In this edition of SoCal Voices, San Diego Workforce Partnership Senior Economist Daniel Enemark, discusses what’s driving this “Great Resignation,” and it’s potential impact on employers and southern California’s workers. Later in the episode, he discusses the important racial equity work the Partnership is doing in San Diego.
www.workforce.org
www.workforce.org/race
Maxie Blasini is a health coach who knows that real quality health care has to be about more than treating illness and being accessible only when someone is sick. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Maxie discusses the experiences that informed her choices to improve her own health, how she serves her clients as a health coach, and her vision for how health care can be reconfigured to better serve people in more meaningful, substantive ways.
The Listening Post Collective offers resources, tools, peer-to-peer support and a shared learning space for journalists, newsroom leaders and community groups looking to revitalize their local news and information ecosystems. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Quinn Mays discusses what drew her to The Listening Post Collective’s efforts in Inland southern California, how self-representation is changing media and communities, and her hopes for what the initiative can accomplish in the region.
Additional Resources
Website: listeningpostcollective.org
Facebook: facebook.com/listeningpostcollective/
Instagram: instagram.com/listeningpostcollective/
When she first started writing, no one suspected that Celeste Barclay was penning what she calls “R-rated historical romance novels.” She didn’t tell anyone what she was doing. But the teacher turned author knows what she’s doing. Yes, her novels, “bring the steam,” but Celeste also brings a well-honed knowledge of European history, and her life experience as a woman of English and Moroccan heritage. Hear Celeste describe her unconventional path to becoming an author who has reached both financial and personal fulfillment pursuing her passion.
Additional Resources
Website: www.celestebarclay.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Celeste-Barclay/e/B07C7N2FHQ%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Facebook and Instagram: @celestebarclayauthor
In a special election on November 2, voters in the city of Moreno Valley’s second district will choose their next representative on the city council. Keri Then — a past Commissioner on the Riverside County Commission on Women and a former Chair and two-term appointee to the Moreno Valley Unified School District Measure M Citizens Bond Oversight Committee — is a candidate for this council seat. On this edition of SoCal Voices, Then discusses her candidacy and vision for Riverside County’s second largest city.
Additional Resources
- Website: https://www.keriformoval.com
- Email: keriformoval@gmail.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/keriformoval
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keriformoval/
Support SoCal Voices. Visit https://www.patreon.com/socalvoices
Follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @SoCalVoices
Send comments, questions and topic suggestions to: contactus@socalvoices.com
The rising majority in southern California and across the nation is more racially diverse than ever. This group’s impact on society is becoming more evident every day. That’s a long overdue change for some but for others, the growth in numbers and power of people of color is perceived as a threat and continues to feed the racial divide. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Alex Jun, a professor at Azusa Pacific University and co-author of books about white cultural dominance, discusses the implication of this shift in demographics in the fight against racism.
Additional Resources
Books co-authored by Alex Jun available on Amazon:
- White Jesus: The Architecture of Racism in Religion and Education
- White Out: Understanding White Privilege and Dominance in the Modern Age
Support SoCal Voices. Visit www.socalvoices.com/patreon
Follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @SoCalVoices
Send comments, questions and topic suggestions to: contactus@socalvoices.com
Rachel Shemirani is a leader with heart. As Senior Vice President for Barons Market in San Diego, Rachel has worked hard to help create a community-oriented company that leaves a positive impact on workers and patrons. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Rachel discusses her history with Barons, and how her leadership style and the company’s values have contributed to the market’s success.
Additional Resources
baronsmarket.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baronsmarket/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baronsmarket/
Call to action:
Support SoCal Voices. Visit www.socalvoices.com/patreon
Follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Clubhouse at @SoCalVoices
Send comments, questions and topic suggestions to: contactus@socalvoices.com
With the guilty verdict in the Derrick Chauvin trial now behind us, what’s next in the push for equity and justice? Corey Jackson, founder and director of the Center Against Racism and Trauma (CART), and Janice Rooths of Anti-Racist Riverside discuss where we go from here in the continuing fight for equity and justice locally and across the USA.
Additional Resources
https://www.destroyracism.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareCART/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecart/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wearecart
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPXtRql9r-jgZXzokvQSvFg
Email: CART@destroyracism.org
Support SoCal Voices. Visit www.socalvoices.com/patreon
As Executive Director of Inlandia Institute, Cati Porter oversees a special gem in southern California’s Inland Empire. An advocate and supporter of literary arts, Inlandia publishes books and programs that deepen people’s awareness, understanding and appreciation of inland southern California. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Cati discusses her journey into the literary world, Inlandia’s history and growth and what the future holds for the organization.
Additional Resources
- Website: www.inlandiainstitute.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Inlandia/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inlandia_institute/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/InlandiaInst
Support SoCal Voices at patreon.com/socalvoices
Follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!To contact Angela Ross, email: contactus@socalvoices.com. Visit SoCalVoices.com for more info.
In this episode of SoCal Voices, Angela Ross chats with singer and DJ Myra Washington. Originally from Port Arthur, TX, Myra followed her dreams to come to Los Angeles and pursue a music career. It wasn’t always easy but her tenacity paid off and continues to help her thrive through the pandemic.
Additional Resources
- Myra's Twitter: https://twitter.com/shesingsanddj?lang=en
- Myra's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shesingsanddj/?hl=en
- Myra's Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MyraWashingtonSinger
- Support SoCal Voices at patreon.com/socalvoices
- Follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!To contact Angela Ross, email: contactus@socalvoices.com. Visit SoCalVoices.com for more info.
In the final installment of her series on local, self-published, African American authors, Angela Ross speaks with James Otis Harris, author of Corey’s Courtroom. The book is a series of fun stories helping kids resolve conflict, maintain friendships and develop problem-solving skills.
Additional Resources
Amazon.com:
https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Adventures-Coreys-Courtroom-Harris/dp/0979927307
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/coreys_courtroom13/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Coreys-Courtroom-107152220961794/posts/
Get EARLY ACCESS to episodes and more by supporting SoCal Voices on Patreon. For more info, visit Patreon.com/SoCalVoices.
Follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!To contact Angela Ross, email: contactus@socalvoices.com. Visit SoCalVoices.com for more in
In the third installment of SoCal Voices’ local African American author series, we meet James Coats, a poet with a deep, abiding love and message to share. Learn more about his work and perspective and what’s coming next for this talented and promising poet.
Additional Resources
https://www.facebook.com/BigGameJamesC
https://www.instagram.com/mrlovingwords/
liftourvoiceseducation@gmail.com
Follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!To contact Angela Ross, email: contactus@socalvoices.com. Visit SoCalVoices.com for more info.
The second installment in Angela’s series on local African American self-published authors features Monica Woodruff. She brings her lived experience, including her roles in law enforcement and counseling to her writing and shares an inspiring story about the power of saying “no” and “enough,” and focusing on the importance of self-care.
Additional Resources
https://www.facebook.com/mjoyinc/
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Monica+woodruff&ref=nb_sb_noss
Follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!To contact Angela Ross, email: contactus@socalvoices.com. Visit SoCalVoices.com for more info.
Angela kicks off her series on local African American self-published authors with a fun interview with Dwayne Shigg, author of the book EncourageMINTS for Tough Times. Sometimes you need a breath mint; sometimes you need an encourageMINT. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Shigg discusses how his book helps you “go through” so you can “get to.”
Additional Resources
https://www.facebook.com/dwayne.shigg/
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dwayne+shigg&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
Follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!To contact Angela Ross, email: contactus@socalvoices.com. Visit SoCalVoices.com for more info.
Live music performances? There is almost no such thing during the pandemic. If music lovers have missed attending concerts, musicians have missed performing even more. On this edition of SoCal Voices, electric violinist and vocalist Ginny Luke discusses the future of live music.
Additional Resources
www.ginny-luke.com
@ginnyluke on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube
Follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!To contact Angela Ross, email: contactus@socalvoices.com. Visit SoCalVoices.com for more info.
As the pandemic continues to claim lives in southern California, many families find themselves scrambling to pay for funeral and burial services. This sudden, unexpected need can leave grieving families more vulnerable to aggressive up-selling and overspending for these services, or force them to rely on others for monetary donations that may not over all costs. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Bishop Jon Harris discusses the importance of purchasing funeral and burial services before they are needed.
Additional Resources
FEP Consultants, 951-218-0299
Follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!To contact Angela Ross, email: contactus@socalvoices.com. Visit SoCalVoices.com for more info.
Throughout her career, award-winning singer, songwriter, musician and producer Sheree Brown has collaborated with multiple artists including Patrice Rushen, Zhane and Syreeta Wright. Her latest work, a music and literary project entitled Messages From the Spirit: The Collective, features a stellar collection of uplifting songs including her hit, Take A Walk with Love. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Sheree discusses how the project came together, and the affirmation and confidence she hopes it inspires.
Additional Resources
realshereebrown.com
expansionrecords.com
dustygroove.com
cbibbs.com
Don't forget to follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!To contact Angela Ross, email: contactus@socalvoices.com. Visit SoCalVoices.com for more info.
For over a decade, Greg Lee served as the City of Riverside’s economic development manager. For 13 years he served as the City’s Technology Ombudsman where, among other things, he spearheaded several of the City’s technology initiatives. He hosted a weekly radio show and podcast called “Explore Riverside Weekly,” that highlighted all the things that make Riverside a great place to live work and play. Then, in September 2015, a medical diagnosis took Greg and his then fiancé on a major detour. On this edition of SoCal Voices, Greg and Gina share a compelling story about love, patience, determination and faith.
To view the full interview transcript, visit SoCalVoices.com/episodes/16.
Don't forget to follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!To contact Angela Ross, email: contactus@socalvoices.com. Visit SoCalVoices.com for more info.
In San Bernardino and Riverside counties, over 400,000 people experience food insecurity. One in four children in the Inland Empire is food insecure and the pandemic has only made things worse. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Feeding America Riverside| San Bernardino CEO Stephanie Otero discusses how her organization helps feed people in need and what we all can do to help alleviate hunger.
Additional Resources:www.feedingamericaie.org
951-359-4757
Upcoming Events: https://www.feedingamericaie.org/events
Don't forget to follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!To contact Angela Ross, email: contactus@socalvoices.com.
Visit SoCalVoices.com for more info.
Rima Nashashibi is the founder and president of the Orange County based nonprofit GlobalHope 365, dedicated to ending harmful practices toward women and girls such as Child Marriage and Sex Trafficking. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Nashashibi discusses the factors that contribute to these abuses and what can be done to help end them.
Additional Resources
- For help text: Be Free to 23733
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888
- CA Coalition to End Child Marriage Digital Letter-Writing Campaign - CA and Other States: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/end-child-marriage-in-the-state-of-california/
Don't forget to follow SoCal Voices on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!To contact Angela Ross, email: contactus@socalvoices.com. Visit SoCalVoices.com for more info.
Noble Drakoln is a crowdfunding and capital raising consultant who knows his way around trading, commodities, crypto coin and more. In his late teens, he was homeless, but his strong interest in commodities and futures and a little help from someone who shared his vision set him on a path to become a best-selling author, managing director of Drakoln Capital, and a sought-after radio and television financial commentator on Bloomberg and Fox Business News. On this edition of SoCal Voices, Drakoln discusses his life and ways to get started on the path to wealth building.
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- Email: contactus@socalvoices.com
Additional show resourcesWebsite: http://drakolncapitalpartners.com/
In this edition of SoCal Voices, San Bernardino native Brandon Watts, a first year law student at Howard University, shares his thoughts about the January 6 insurrection, double standards in policing, and whether equity can be achieved in America.
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The storming of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 showed the glaring and undeniable difference between how Black people and white people are treated by law enforcement. The good news? Acts like these only pushes seekers of justice, fairness and equity to work even harder and be more committed to move this nation closer to truly living up to the ideals of this country. Hear my thoughts about the insurrection and what needs to happen next.
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- Email: contactus@socalvoices.com
For Black people dealing with the generational trauma of systemic racism, 2020 has added a hefty dose of uncertainty, anxiety and stress to daily living, all of which can take a heavy toll on overall health and well-being. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Sibongile West, Chairwoman and Founding Member of Breathe Again with TM, discusses a new initiative in Los Angeles that aims to help Black Americans reduce anxiety and manage stress using the simple and proven technique of Transcendental Meditation.
- Follow SoCal Voices on Instagram and Twitter at @SoCalVoices
- Visit SoCal Voices at www.socalvoices.com
- Email: contactus@socalvoices.com
Additional Resources:
- Website: https://www.breatheagain--tm.com
- Email: breatheagainwithtm@tm.org
What do you do when you can’t find a children’s book about the city you love? Write it yourself! Hear Mark Cloud, author of Hello Riverside, Good Night Scranton and Fun at the Office discuss his books, love of family and community and the advice he has for anyone who believes they have a story to tell.
Follow SoCal Voices on Instagram and Twitter at @SoCalVoices
Visit SoCal Voices at www.socalvoices.com
Email: contactus@socalvoices.com
Additional Resources:
Find Hello Riverside! and other books by Mark Cloud here.
View the official Chachabacha Books website at www.chachabacha.com
Dr. Leita Harris has been helping patients in southern California’s Inland Empire since 1990. In 2015 she launched Nurturing You, Women’s Health and Wellness, a holistic approach to addressing menopause and other conditions related to changes in hormonal balance, much to the relief of patients who had almost given up on feeling well. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Dr. Harris discusses what led her to become a doctor, why she launched Nurturing You, and how her patients have responded to the care she provides.
Follow SoCal Voices on Instagram and Twitter at @SoCalVoices
Visit SoCal Voices at www.socalvoices.com
Email: contactus@socalvoices.com
Additional Resources:
Nurturing You Women’s Health & Wellness, https://www.nurturingyou.com
Inland Empire-based photographer/videographer Steve Jacobs talks about the recent death of a close friend and his father, both from suicide. An eight-year Air Force veteran, Steve discusses how their deaths affected him, and how these events are making him reach out to friends and family more often just to check in.
- Follow SoCal Voices on Instagram and Twitter at @SoCalVoices
- Email: contactus@socalvoices.com
Additional Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/index.html
- https://afsp.org/suicide-prevention-resources
Pomona College mathematics professor Edray Goins brings an energy and enthusiasm to his craft that is truly inspiring. In this episode of SoCal Voices, he describes his unshakable self-confidence and determination to do the work beyond what was expected, and how that helped propel him through his math journey. Math “nerds” will appreciate hearing him describe what sparked his interest in science and math, and the story behind the math equation that bears his name. All listeners will benefit from his advice about relentlessly pursuing what brings you joy.
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- Web: www.socalvoices.com
- Email: contactus@socalvoices.com
State Senator Holly Mitchell of Los Angeles is a candidate for the 2nd District seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. She is known for her strong record of success in fighting for equity and social justice, and possesses an authenticity rarely seen in political leadership. On this edition of SoCal Voices, Senator Mitchell discusses her candidacy and what she hopes to accomplish if elected.
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- Web: www.socalvoices.com
- Email: contactus@socalvoices.com
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors recently adopted a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. It aims to address long-standing disparities in housing, employment, criminal justice and more. On this edition of So Cal Voices, activist Grayson Bell shares his thoughts on whether the Board’s action can make a real and meaningful difference in people’s lives.
- Follow us on Twitter @socalvoices and Instagram @socalvoices
- Web: www.socalvoices.com
- Email: contactus@socalvoices.com
Additional Resources
- Blu Education Foundation: Bluedfoundation.org
- C.O.P.E./ReTHINKPublicSafety SB Coalition: https://bit.ly/2IR3ogQ
- The Sun Bernardino Sun article: https://bit.ly/3m3XBmk
As Chair of the Popular Music Department at USC, four-time Grammy nominee Patrice Rushen navigates music, teaching, campus policies and politics. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Patrice discusses how the pandemic has changed her approach to teaching, and what she believes is the path forward for today’s music students.
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- Web: www.socalvoices.com
- Email: contactus@socalvoices.com
Having one family member with coronavirus can cause major disruption to the daily routine. Imagine what that disruption is like if the entire household is stricken with the virus. Musician and teacher John Brannon of San Bernardino doesn’t have to imagine - because it happened to him and his family. Hear his story on this edition of SoCal Voices. NOTE: This episode of SoCal Voices was recorded before the President of the United States tested positive for COVID-19.
- Join the SoCal Voices mailing list at contactus@socalvoices.com
- Twitter: @socalvoices
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- Web: www.socalvoices.com
The murder of George Floyd while in police custody sparked protests against police brutality and renewed calls for social justice. While a number of major corporations publicly decried Floyd’s murder and recommitted to diversity and inclusion, other businesses remained silent. In this edition of SoCal Voices with Angela Ross, Rootwize CEO and Anti-Racist Riverside co-founder Janice Rooths outlines which path is best for business.
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Join host Angela Ross for candid conversations exploring news, culture and politics that impact southern Californians.