The Public Record: Recent Episodes
Ken Alan
The Public Record Podcast: In-Depth Interviews with Business, Government and Academic Leaders in the Coachella Valley
On this episode, "Boy Is That Dumb!” we unpack the worst marketing and customer service blunders from businesses and non-profits—so you can laugh, learn, and use their mistakes as your competitive edge. My special guest host is Ralph Squillace.
How to get your Food Service Product into Alternative Sales Channels. My guest is consultant Mike Levinson from FSOctopus.com who also discusses what it takes to get your product into Costco. CaliBiz is hosted by Ken Alan.
We’ve been told child labor laws protect minors from wage exploitation, danger, and lost education — but what if that’s all a myth? This podcast dismantles the familiar narrative, exposing how modern labor restrictions serve special interests, not minors, by keeping teens away from safe, productive jobs, exposing them to many dangers in school, exploited for unpaid work, and stalling their independence, earnings, and growth. My guest is Dr. Jeffrey Miron, a senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies in Harvard's economics department. He is also director of economic policy studies at the Cato Institute.
In a marketplace where most products and services are virtually indistinguishable, competition often comes down to price. But smart businesses know there’s a better way. In this master class, CaliBiz Podcast host Ken Alan reveals how to gain a competitive edge by identifying and removing the hidden barriers that prevent customers from saying “yes”—barriers your competitors likely overlook. These insights aren’t just for sales; they also apply to HR recruitment and purchasing workflows.
On this edition of the CaliBiz Podcast we’ll meet some of the people who work and volunteer at the Inland Empire Lighthouse of the Blind. Host, Ken Alan.
My guest is Jeany Zepeda, Director of Children Family Services for San Bernardino County. We'll learn what Child Protective Services (officially known as "Children Family Services") does -- and doesn't do. Hosted by Ken Alan
On this episode we explore how adults who didn't finish high school can still earn a real high school diploma -- not the GED -- plus earn a certificate in an "in demand" field -- all at no cost. Our guest is Ally Cisneros from the San Bernardino City Library. Listeners should be aware this program is statewide. Host Ken Alan.
Homeschooling is forecast to serve 10% of students by 2030 and offers an alternative educational environment where families can create a learning experience tailored to the individual needs of their children. It offers a chance to step away from traditional school structures, which may include rigid policies or disciplinary practices that they feel might not be in the best interest of their child’s well-being. This approach can foster a more personalized, supportive, and nurturing educational experience. Our guest is Will Estrada, Senior Counsel for the Home School Legal Defense Association (hslda.org). Ken Alan Hosts
In today's episode, we dive into the world of self-insurance and explore how 831(b) plans are providing businesses with a powerful alternative. With business insurance premiums skyrocketing after numerous national disasters and many traditional insurers pulling out of the market, many businesses are left vulnerable and unprotected. Learn how 831(b) plans can offer a strategic solution to mitigate risks and ensure long-term financial security, even when traditional coverage is no longer an option. Our guest is Van Carlson from SRA 831b Admin. Hosted by Ken Alan.
My Guest is Ryan Gestwicki, Fleet Sales Director from MITRAev who shares how small businesses can profit from transitioning to electric utility vehicles and add a new revenue stream from hosting EV charging stations. Hosted by Ken Alan.
Adolescence is a myth created in the early 20th Century but today's teens are kept in a perpetual state of childhood, long after their bodies and minds are ready to make the leap to adulthood. This is a "must hear" podcast for parents, educators and legislators. My guest is Dr. Robert Epstein, author of "Teen 2.0: Saving Our Children and Families from the Torment of Adolescence." The CaliBiz Podcast is by Ken Alan.
On this episode, CaliBiz Host Ken Alan reports on new laws going into effect in 2025 and beyond that affect business & education. Also an in-depth look on how students can cope with school cell phone bans.
It's a well-kept secret that teens can finish high school AND earn an associates degree by their 18th birthday. Dr. Dina Humble, Vice President of Instruction for San Bernardino Valley College is our guest. Hosted by Ken Alan
Natasha Kia explains the geneis of her protein bar that includes a full serving of vegetables -- yes! vegetables that tast good (like a chocolate brownie, in fact).
On this episode John McCarthy, President of the Inland Empire Chapter of the American Advertising Federation talks about how ad professionals, individual business oweners and students can get learn more about advertising. Visit: https://www.inlandempireaaf.com
My guest is Jim Patrick, Southern California Communications Director for the California High Speed Rail Project. With no new freeways planned for California, myriad problems with air travel, teens being locked out of driving until age 18 and our chronic housing crisis, efficient train transportion is absolutely essential for California's economy. California's High Speed Rail Project is more than just a fast connection between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
On the 20th Anniversary of The Grand Paw, guest Jennifer Hamilton talks about the pioneering effort to establish a Pet Resort and Doggie Day Care Center in the Coachella Valley. Host: Ken Alan
Part 2 of our interview with Economist Dr. Christopher Thornberg. On this episode we discuss the state of our tranportation systems.
Renown Economist, Dr. Christopher Thornberg, found of Beacon Economics, discusses the state of housing with Public Record Managing Editor, Ken Alan. Part 1 of a 2 part episode.
A "must-hear" for every working adult -- job scams are everywhere from "ghost jobs" and employment scams to real jobs that will cost you money. The Public Record presents a Halloween Special on the real horrors of job search. With host Ken Alan.
"Must-Hear" Highlights form the 2023 Coachella Valley Economic Summit with Commentary by The Public Record's Managing Editor, Ken Alan.
Monica Robles, Founder of Asociacion de Emprendedors offering business tools and support in Spanish for establishment of your micro-enterprise throughout Southern California. Host: Ken Alan, Managing Editor, The Public Record
Featured at the World Literacy Summit, StoryTime International, created by Hello Computer, Inc. is a revolutionary app to inspire children all over the world to be passionate about reading and writing. Providing dynamic story content that never tells the same story twice and app features that inspire literacy despite geographic location or internet access, this unique, “edutainment” style app helps early readers read and is the perfect digital solution for parents and teachers to offer endless, dynamic stories in and out of the classroom. Co-hosted by Ken Alan, Managing Editor, The Public Record and the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership's Laura James.
As your business grows, you may want to consider hiring a Certified Public Accountant. CPAs can also help navigate the tax implications of side gigs, employee benefits and retirement plans. Pedro Rincon, a partner at the CPA Osborne Rincon in La Quinta is the guest. Hosted by Public Record Managing Editor, Ken Alan.
CV Water Counts is a non-profit collaborative for the six water agencies in the Coachella Valley. Guests Lorraine Garcia (CVWD) and Zochitl Pena (DWA) share conservation tips and provide an update on the drought.
Rebecca Rizzo of Rizzo Strategic Solutions talks about a new kind of marketing agency that leverages networking contacts to build “emotional equity” for your brand. Hosted by Ken Alan, Managing Editor.
Public Speaking ranks near the top of life’s most stressful situations. Nationally-known presentation coach and master presenter Matt Moran offers advice on making presentations. Host, The Public Record Managing Editor, Ken Alan.
This episode presents a digest of “Which Chamber Should I Join?” - A Roundup of Coachella Valley Chambers of Commerce that recently appeared in the Public Record’s weekly print edition. Hear tips on how to select a chamber and how to maximize the value of your membership. The episode concludes with best practices for voice messaging scripting. This special edition hosted by Managing Editor, Ken Alan.
With graduation season on the horizon, it's not too early to start thinking "out of the box" about gifts that graduates will really appreciate. Host Ken Alan offers 12 inspiring ideas.
How businesses and employees can expand their networking opportunities through the Greater Palm Springs CVB with guest Davis Meyer, Director of Partnership. Hosted by The Public Record Managing Editor, Ken Alan.
“The Business of Magic” - Guests Connor McDonald And Kenshin Amagi, two young magicians who recently appeared on “Penn & Teller’s Fool Us,” a magic competition television series currently on the CW Network, talk about making a career in the performing arts. Topics include L.A.'s Magic Castle's Junior Society Academy and merging your passion into your mainstream career. Host: Public Record Managing Editor, Ken Alan. Contact guests at ConnorAndKenshin@gmail.com.
The Public Record Podcast Host discusses how to spend less time while getting more interviews through streamlining your job search workflow and focusing your efforts on the proven path of career networking. This podcast is based on the article of same title written for LinkedIn.
TPR Managing Editor Ken Alan offers 7 Tips and New Year's Resolutions for Business Leaders along with a Roundup of Major California Labor Law Changes for 2023.
Guest Rob Wheeler from The Center, Palm Springs talks about the wide variety of services they offer to the LGBTQ community with a special focus on youth programs. Host Ken Alan.
One in 6 children, age 2-8 years, has a mental, behavioral or developmental disorder. Child mental health is the topic with guest Debbie Manners, CEO of Sycamores. Hosted by Ken Alan.
Thinking about dropping out of high school? Have you already dropped out and want to complete your education? Dr. Marcus Wood from Desert Sands Unified School District and Philip Salas from College of the Desert cover the world of options for students of all ages. Hosted by Ken Alan.
Joy Silver, Chief Strategy Officer of CHOC (Community Housing Strategies Corporation) is the guest with host Ken Alan, Managing Editor of The Public Record.
Scott White, CEO of Visit Greater Palm Spinrgs, the Coachella Valley’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, gives updates on tourism and Palm Springs International Airport. Hosted by Ken Alan.
The Palm Springs Coachella Valley offers an infinite variety of venues and experiences for meetings of all kinds. Explore the options with guest Visit Greater Palm Springs' Carolina Viazcan. (This is a companion podcast to the 2-part article published in The Public Record on April 19 & April 22, 2022). Hosted by Managing Editor Ken Alan.
The teacher shortage has reached a crisis level, both Nationally as well as here in California. There's also a critical shortage of substitute teachers. Desert Sands USD Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services Joseph Hyde, Ed.D. walks us through the credentialing process, then Podcast Host Ken Alan talks about the costs.
Managing Editor Ken Alan scores the top job boards on essential search criteria to learn why this method of job search delivers such poor results compared to Networking contacts.
The Public Record's Managing Editor, Ken Alan, explores existing and proposed alternative transportation systems -- focusing on buses and trains -- and examines how these might overcome the growing gridlock on I-10. He also takes a deep dive on the Riverside County Transportation Committee's proposed Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Rail Corridor Service Project.
How do you Pay for College? Financial Aid expert Tina Steele (www.thefafsaguru.com) leads us through the maze of FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), Student Loans and Scholarships. Hosted by The Public Record's Managing Editor Ken Alan, who offers some other tips for parents and students on strategies to prepare for college expenses.
Municibid.Com CEO Greg Berry joins The Public Record Podcast Host Ken Alan to talk about his online auction site for surplus government equipment.
Yale professor Dr. Becca Levy joins TPR Podcast Host Ken Alan to talk about ageism in the workplace and to preview her upcoming book "Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and Well You Live."
Kardina CEO Christan Hiscock believes that the financial services industry should not be solely focused on dollars, but on helping people truly get to the heart of their financial goals.
Entrepreneur Ray Blakney is the CEO of Live Lingua, a renowned online language learning platform. An award-winning, Filipino-American entrepreneur, speaker, and podcaster, Ray builds and helps others build 6- and 7-figure businesses on a bootstrap budget using SEO.
Emmy Award-Winning Broadcaster and Author Janet Zappala talks about her new children’s book “Guapo’s Giant Heart,” based on real animals living at Coachella Valley Horse Rescue. Janet shares advice for aspiring authors. Hosted by The Public Record’s Managing Editor, Ken Alan.
Kevin Bibo, Director of College and Career Readiness for Desert Sands Unified School District talks about how today’s high schools are preparing students for college and career success. Hosted by Managing Editor, Ken Alan.
Dezart Performs’ Michael Saw & Clark Dugger talk about the challenges and opportunities facing local live theater companies. The pandemic, changes in labor law requiring freelancers to be classified as W2 employees, and pressures of being an equity (unionized) theater are discussed with host, Public Record Managing Editor Ken Alan.
The Public Record Managing Editor Ken Alan discusses how "value adds" can help businesses distinguish themselves in the marketplace with unique selling propositions.
In this one-on-one podcast, The Public Record Managing Editor Ken Alan discusses how the growing mental health crisis of loneliness might be addressed by businesses by turning "Social Connection" into a unique selling proposition.
Shelia Thornton, CEO of One Future Coachella Valley talks about 16 Years of empowering students to earn a college degree to enter today's high skill Coachella Valley workforce. Hosted by Public Record Managing Editor Ken Alan and Laura James, Vice President of Innovation at Coachella Valley Economic Partnership.
CVEP's VP of Innovation, Laura James, co-hosts this episode, featuring three startup Entrepreneurs from the Palm Springs iHub. Hosted by Ken Alan, Managing Editor of The Public Record.
Levi Vincent from Palm Springs Film and Multi Emmy Award-winning Filmmaker Shane Stanley (shanestanley.net) talk about what the Palm Springs Coachella Valley offers to movie and photo producers.
Filmmaker Steven Richardson talks about his journey from post-production at the Discovery Channel to leading the Coachella Valley's top video production agency, now celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Hosted by The Public Record Managing Editor Ken Alan.
On this episode, Kimberly Krause of Konnections Certification Inc. shares a new business model: "Connecting our business community with our next generation via networking." Host, The Public Record Managing Editor, Ken Alan
The World Health Organization's Global Report on Ageism says "It is time to say 'no' to ageism." In this Special Edition of The Public Record Podcast, Host Ken Alan talks with Ashton Applewhite whose TED Talk "Let's End Ageism" has been viewed by more than 1.5 million people on YouTube.
Ken Alan, Managing Editor of The Public Record takes us along as he donates blood with Phlebotomist Sarah Miller. And Lifestream Bloodbank CEO Dr. Rick Axelrod explains why the Post-Covid Blood Shortage has increased the need for donations.
The COVID Pandemic turned our economy upside down and businesses are trying to sort through the tax fallout. If your business isn’t taking advantage of the advice and counsel of an accounting professional we’ll learn the why and when of hiring a CPA on this edition of The Public Record Podcast.
Jan Harnik, Palm Desert Mayor Pro-Tem & Joe Wallace, CEO of Coachella Valley Economic Partnership talk about why the Palm Springs Coachella Valley isn't your grandparent’s retirement community any more. We’ll find out why young entrepreneurs have discovered this economic oasis in Southern California on this edition of The Public Record Podcast.
This week on The Public Record Podcast, Realtor Kevin Rochlitz, Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage helps “peel back the layers” of the Coachella Valley’s unusual real estate marketplace. Presented as a public service of The Public Record with Managing Editor Ken Alan.
Tamara Sullivan and Marisa Rivera took a leap of faith to open a new skincare destination on El Paseo in the middle of a global pandemic. SkinCeuticals SkinLab by the Cosmetic Surgery Institute (CSI for short) in Palm Desert joins existing locations in California and Texas offering holistic, cutting edge, doctor-validated services in the desert’s most famous upscale shopping district. You won’t want to miss this edition of The Public Record Podcast.