The Gap Minders: Recent Episodes
CloudCast
The show taking the lead on catalytic conversations spurring listeners to think critically about some of our world’s most pressing issues and be compelled to take action. We have plenty of gaps in America and right here in San Diego—educational, racial, wealth, health, literacy, and more. Welcome to The Gap Minders, the podcast taking on these GAPS—one conversation at a time.
To tackle these gaps and lift lives, United Way of San Diego County and the San Diego Council on Literacy have joined forces. The Gap Minders weekly episodes will inform, inspire, and illuminate the gaps and the solutions. Through insightful conversations with a range of notable and engaging guests, including education experts, political figures dedicated to improving our region, and influential changemakers passionate about equity for all children and families, we will make a difference.
Thank you for your time, attention, heart, and mind.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
"The Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, discusses various educational, racial, and literacy gaps in America, particularly in San Diego. The episode is recorded live at the San Diego County Fair, with guests sharing their love for books and fables. Christy McKee and Gina Hankey enjoy the fair and discuss their favorite fables. Stella Dylan, visiting from New York, talks about her love for books and her grandfather's involvement in education. Pippi Longstocking, a popular children's character, discusses the importance of books and literacy. The fair's theme exhibit hall highlights the importance of reading and literacy, with various activities and book displays.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
On this July 4th special, "The Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, discusses the various gaps in American society, including educational, racial, and economic disparities. In this episode, Richard Lederer, a word enthusiast and columnist, delves into the history of the United States, particularly the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He recounts the formation of the committee to draft the Declaration, the selection of Thomas Jefferson to write it, and the challenges faced by the Founding Fathers, including the omission of a passage on slavery. Lederer also highlights the importance of literacy and the free press in maintaining democracy.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
Jose Cruz hosts "The Gap Minders" podcast, focusing on addressing various societal gaps, including education, racial, wealth, health, and literacy. In this episode, he interviews Tre Braquet, the Chief Brand and Engagement Officer for Connect, a nonprofit innovation company in San Diego. Tre discusses his journey from Santa Cruz to San Diego State University, his transition from a pre-med student to a nonprofit professional, and his role at Connect, which includes event planning and community engagement. Connect, established in 1987, helps local companies grow through programs like Springboard and Cool Companies, and aims to be a connector for the San Diego innovation ecosystem.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
Jose Cruz hosts Kwofi Reed, CEO of San Diego Habitat for Humanity, on "The Gap Minders" podcast. Reed shares his journey from southeastern San Diego to Fisk University and Georgetown Law School, highlighting his passion for affordable housing. He discusses Habitat's mission to help low-income families achieve homeownership, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and corporate partnerships. Reed notes that Habitat's homeowners have a 99.8% success rate in mortgage payments. The organization, with a team of 15, also provides home repairs for veterans and seniors. Reed encourages young people to engage in social justice and housing initiatives.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
Jose Cruz hosts "The Gap Minders" podcast, focusing on addressing various societal gaps. Guest Jim Callaghan, CEO of Turn Behavioral Health Systems, discusses his journey from Orange County to Pennsylvania, his education at Cal State Long Beach, and his career in civil engineering and construction management. Callaghan transitioned to healthcare, leading Turn Behavioral Health Systems, which expanded from $60 million to $120 million in revenue and now employs 700 people across seven counties. He emphasizes the importance of mental health services, particularly for veterans and underserved communities, and the need for philanthropy and advocacy to sustain programs amid budget cuts.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
"The Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, features Richard Lederer, a linguist and author. Richard discusses his passion for language, his column in the Union-Tribune, and his 14-year tenure on "Away with Words". He highlights his unique approach to language, including etymology, word games, and humor. Richard shares his journey from Haverford College to Harvard Law School, his teaching career, and his current projects, such as emceeing the Healthy Aging event and his upcoming "A Feast of Words" show. He emphasizes the importance of showing up and seizing opportunities, as exemplified by his meeting with Jeff Light, which led to his current role at the Union-Tribune.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
Jose Cruz hosts "The Gap Minders" podcast, focusing on addressing various gaps in San Diego, including education, racial, and economic disparities. Guest Rafael Parra, executive director of RafaBids, discusses the lack of African American and Latino participation in city contracts, often due to the large scale of projects. RafaBids aims to bridge this gap by promoting smaller projects and leveraging AI to simplify the bidding process. Rafael emphasizes the importance of economic opportunities for minority communities and encourages young people to persist and utilize available tools like AI to succeed in government contracting.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
Jacqueline Reynoso, founder and CEO of Quisqueya, discusses her journey from National City to becoming a public policy advocate. She highlights her work on the binational trolley crossing project, which aims to extend the San Diego trolley into Tijuana, and her role in community development and economic growth. Reynoso emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement and bridging opportunities between different sectors. She also shares her transition to Quisqueya, a binational, bilingual consulting firm, and her current projects, including a binational rail study and urban greening initiatives. Reynoso encourages youth to get involved in their communities and stresses the value of community partnerships.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
Dr. Rebecca Mendiola, CEO and founder of Collective Impact Solutions, discusses her nonprofit's mission to bridge systems and communities, focusing on marginalized families and youth. She emphasizes the importance of systems change and transformation, working with school districts, city and county departments, and community-based organizations. Mendiola highlights her extensive experience in education and social work, including her role as an assistant superintendent. She shares success stories, such as a recent conference in Vista that brought together parents, educators, and community partners to co-design solutions. Mendiola stresses the need for leaders to trust the process and the importance of community involvement in achieving systemic change.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
Liz Bui, CEO of Yulex Brand Corporation, discusses her journey from a Vietnamese refugee to a patent lawyer and entrepreneur. She highlights the importance of education and role models, particularly for underrepresented groups. Yulex focuses on natural rubber alternatives to synthetic materials, addressing environmental concerns and health risks associated with synthetic products. Bui emphasizes the need for innovation and adaptation, sharing her experiences in biotech, pharma, and natural rubber production. She advocates for curiosity and continuous learning, particularly in STEM fields, to inspire future generations. Yulex's products, including natural rubber foam and spandex replacements, aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and improve sustainability.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
Jose Cruz hosts the "Gap Minders" podcast, focusing on addressing various gaps in society, including education, racial wealth, health, and literacy. In this episode, he interviews Bob Lehman, Executive Director of San Diego Arts Matters, about his journey from Indiana to San Diego, his work in the arts, and his role in advocating for arts funding and support. Lehman discusses the importance of collaboration among arts organizations, the need for self-sufficiency in nonprofits, and the impact of the arts on the local economy. He emphasizes the significance of marketing and community engagement in promoting the arts and fostering a thriving cultural ecosystem.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
The "Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, discusses the various educational, racial, wealth, health, and literacy gaps in America, particularly in San Diego. In this episode, Jose interviews Fred Buggs, a Regional Director from the California Department of Education, who oversees expanded learning programs in San Diego, Orange, and Imperial Counties. Fred emphasizes the importance of creating safe and quality after-school programs that address academic, physical, and recreational needs. He highlights the significant investment in expanded learning programs in California, with a $5 billion budget, and shares personal anecdotes about the impact of mentorship and community involvement.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
The "Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, discusses the work of Sarah Tuakli-Cooper, Executive Director of the Elementary Institute of Science (EIS). EIS, a 61-year-old organization, focuses on STEM education for children from grades 1 to 12, particularly in high-need communities. The program serves 11 schools in the Lincoln cluster, providing intensive science education for fourth and fifth graders and outreach for younger students. EIS also offers after-school programs, including a Girls Take Flight initiative for high school girls interested in drone piloting. The conversation highlights the importance of hands-on learning, community engagement, and the role of AI in education.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
GAPTIVISTS LIVE HERE
The "Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, discusses the various gaps in society, including educational, racial, wealth, health, and literacy disparities. In this episode, Jose interviews Margaux Stack-Babich, Director of Community Outreach at UCSD Morris Cancer Center. Margaux emphasizes the importance of health equity and addressing cancer disparities through data-driven outreach. Her team focuses on communities with higher rates of infection-related diseases and lower screening rates, particularly in underserved areas like the northern and eastern parts of San Diego County. They also stress the need for clear, accessible information to combat misinformation and improve health
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
The "Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, discusses the concept of the wealth gap, emphasizing that it is not a natural gap but a manufactured one. Cheryl Morrow argues that the wealth gap is a barrier created by historical and systemic issues, not a simple disparity in wealth. She advocates for self-reliance and entering industries where black people can outperform, as her father did. The conversation highlights the importance of redefining wealth beyond financial metrics and the need for a holistic approach to addressing these gaps. The episode aims to inspire listeners to become gaptivists, taking small steps towards closing these gaps.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
The "Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, discusses the San Diego Food Bank's efforts to address food insecurity. Casey Castillo, CEO, highlights the food bank's role in providing nutritious food, distributing over 50 million pounds last year, with 45% being fresh fruits and vegetables. The food bank serves over 400,000 people monthly, aiming to reach 800,000. They emphasize the importance of community involvement, virtual food drives, and connecting people to other resources. The conversation also touches on the role of youth in addressing societal issues and innovative solutions like virtual shopping and partnerships with delivery services.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Gap Minders. If you enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to learn more about our GAPtivist movement at www.TheGapMinders.org where we believe that regardless of age, anyone can be a GAPtivist for their community.
About The San Diego Council On Literacy
Since 1986, The San Diego Council On Literacy has been dedicated to the mission of "Literacy For All." Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations that provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
To learn more about The San Diego Council On Literacy, please visit www.literacysandiego.org
About LIFE: San Diego
Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE): San Diego is a privately funded program to venture test small scale new ideas for increasing literacy for young adults ranging from reading and math to science and media.
About Cloudcast Media
"The Gap Minders" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.
For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
This episode was produced by Shreyasi Mukund, Associate Producer and Brandon Joe, Senior Producer.
The Gap Minders is proudly reposting this excellent episode features a riveting discussion between Nancy Sasaki, the CEO of United Way of San Diego County, and Jose Cruz, CEO of the San Diego Council on Literacy. Throughout this episode, Nancy and Jose reflect on their journey during the collaboration on closing gaps, celebrating their milestones and reminiscing on their favorite moments.
The discussion covers a wide range of subjects, including the effects of dyslexia on learning and the difficulties in addressing juvenile mental health, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. They share their aspirations for the podcast's future, stressing the value of problem-solving conversations and encouraging cooperation across various agencies and organizations.
Additionally, Nancy and Jose discuss the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can affect problem-solving and communication. They convey their appreciation for the chance to interact with enthusiastic people committed to improving their areas of passion and expertise.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Nancy Sasaki and Jose Cruz. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Nancy and Jose remember notable conversations with influential figures in education, like Shirley Weber, Tony Thurmond, Cindy Martin, and Kelly Sam Ann Hurley.
* The hosts share their ambitions for the podcast's future, highlighting the need for groups to work together and explore solutions.
* Going forward, Nancy and Jose hope to keep talking about important topics, forming deep connections, and igniting change in the world.
* The answers to the warm-up questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Nancy and Jose, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Ryan Norr, the Owner of San Diego Audio Visual, the recording studio for each and every episode of The Gap Minders. Ryan has been there listening to each and every guest, so this is a very reflective episode on what he has heard through 121 prior episodes!
What we hear right out of the gate from this husband, father of two young children, and native San Diegan is his love for and appreciation of his family and the family business. Started in 1987 by his parents, Ryan talks about the passion for taking care of his family and continuing the legacy by running and growing San Diego Audio Visual. And, since this show is The Gap Minders, it's a great conversation to be having as starting and owning a small family business is one of the best ways to close the wealth gap in America.
Listeners will also hear a few words from Ryan as to what he has learned from sitting in on 100+ episodes and how he has new perspective on literacy. Really great to hear how parents can learn from this show and apply with their own children.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder, family business owner, and an important part of all our conversations. Thank you, Ryan, for your contributions and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Catharine Kaufman, an author, columnist, and educator. Listeners are treated to an oral charcuterie board of thoughts, discussion on healthy eating, books she's written and even bone health from "The Kitchen Shrink" (and recovering attorney!).
We hear right out of the gate through her voice that Catharine is uber-passionate about reading, writing, and helping everyone learn more about food and its healing powers. Whether it is foods that are good for bone health or hydration, Catharine serves up one antipasto after another! She also discusses her upcoming book "The Honeybee Sorcerer," co-written with San Diego's internationally renowned chef, the one and only Bernard Guillas.
An excellent and fun episode on filling in some knowledge gaps about food with Catharine. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The importance of serendipity in life
* Some thoughts on foods that might good or bad for bone health!
* The value of having an attitude of gratitude
* The "C" method for helping young adults become great writers in lieu of AI tools
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Catharine, for your contributions to helping humanity and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Sue Parks, the President and CEO of Orange County United Way. Parks has a long history with Orange County United Way, having served as a board member and a founding member of the Orange County United Way’s Women’s Philanthropy Fund. Prior to leading Orange County United Way, Parks was an executive at several Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies such as US West, Gateway, and Kinko's. She has also had experience as an entrepreneur for many years, bringing a very well rounded perspective to serving the needs of Orange County.
Under her leadership, the nonprofit organization has launched three key initiatives (United to End Homelessness, United for Financial Security, and United for Student Success), which tackle the Orange County community’s most critical issues and seek to provide long-term solutions that break cycles of inequity. Parks also spearheaded the organization's acquisition of 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC), an essential service that connects thousands of the community's most vulnerable residents with health and human service resources via a free, 24-hour emergency contact center (over 500,000 contacts last year alone).
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Sue. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The importance of taking a research-driven approach to identifying needs and solutions
* Focusing on prevention as a strategy when it comes to homelessness
* "Sparkpoint" and a collaboration with United Way of San Diego County
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Sue, for your contributions to helping humanity and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Kazeem Omidiji, theDirector of Community Relations at San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). Kazeem talks about how his journey from Nigeria to the US impacted his life. He remembers how the middle school library turned into a haven where he discovered a love for reading, grew knowledgeable about global flags, and adapted to his new surroundings. These formative encounters ignited a lifelong love of learning and a natural curiosity for the outside world.
In addition, Kazeem discusses his love for STEM fields and the need of encouraging people from marginalized backgrounds to seek jobs in science and engineering. He talks on the value of getting a head start and stresses how exposure to STEM subjects can transform lives. As part of his job at SDG&E, Kazeem describes how the company makes investments in community programs and NGOs in the area to make a difference, especially for low-income families and energy affordability.
In addition, Kazeem considers his trips to Nigeria, highlighting the cultural contrasts and the lessons he has taken away from them. He places a strong emphasis on the value of representation and mentoring in inspiring young people to seek careers in STEM, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through his professional and personal experiences, Kazeem emphasizes the need of mentorship in forming the next generation of STEM professionals and the necessity for improved communication regarding SDG&E's services to the community.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Kazeem. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Kazeem's transition from Nigeria to the US and how that has affected the trajectory of his life and career
* Kazeem's passion for STEM and why he values the importance of inspiring underrepresented communities
* Kazeem's commitment to his community and the importance of mentorship
* The importance of cultural differences and diversity
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Kazeem, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Dr. Maria Murray, Founder, President, and CEO of the Reading League. They discuss the mission and impact of The Reading League, a nonprofit focused on advancing the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction, commonly referred to as the science of reading.
Maria emphasizes the significance of this purpose and the need for educators and stakeholders to possess an understanding of good strategies for teaching reading. She draws attention to the substantial deficiency in teacher preparation that existed before the League was founded and describes the steps the organization is taking to close this gap with resources and training.
The topic of reading proficiency's wider ramifications is discussed, along with the importance of systemic change and parents' roles. Maria urges increased participation and awareness from all spheres of society in order to bolster this educational initiative. She also talks about the Reading League's initiatives to reduce the reading proficiency gap and guarantee improved results for all students by offering parents and teachers resources and training.
Maria's observations highlight that although there has been improvement, there is still a long way to go before good reading education is widely adopted. The Reading League is still leading the charge in this endeavor to improve reading instruction by utilizing community involvement and evidence-based methods.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Dr Murray. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The Reading League focuses on bridging the knowledge gap in literacy education, especially by training educators and stakeholders on the science of reading.
* The Reading League has grown significantly since its inception in 2015, now comprising 33 state chapters involved in national and state-level educational conversations.
* Dr. Murray stresses that the science of reading is not a temporary trend but a crucial, evidence-based approach that requires long-term commitment and systemic implementation.
* Overcoming resistance to change within the education system, particularly at the university level, is crucial for widespread adoption of effective reading instruction methods.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Dr. Murray, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In yet another excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by John Thill, an author, a learning and development specialist, and a literacy advocate.
When we say author, we mean storyteller. A story of love, family, California history and how families are made. "A California Love Story" starts in the 1920s with John's grandparents, future husband and wife Ray and Dora and their 205 letters back and forth from Wichita, KS to Oceanside, CA. What we hear from John is how the letters reflect the love between his grandparents, their hopes, their dreams and Ray's incredible optimism about California and Oceanside in particular. John was particularly moved by the promises made by his grandfather to his grandmother as to the life he would give her - and he followed through and ended up building a very succesful real estate company while also serving as Mayor of Oceanside. We also hear why John painstakingly typed out the letters on his IBM Selectric in 1986 as a book for his family. Not only was it inspiring, it was also partly how it handled the grief of losing his grandfather.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, John, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Gregory Smith, the Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District .
What a journey. The feeling that Gregory Smith must have when he visits any of the four colleges within the District. The feeling of once having been a community college student to now running four community colleges which serve over 90,000 San Diegans each year. Had it not been for the "entry point" to higher education he enjoyed, he likely would have never graced the campuses of Arizona State and USC.
We also learn from Gregory the difference in public perception between four-year universities and community colleges, with community colleges enjoying an upward trend. In general, perhaps because of access, affordability, and connection to workforce needs, the San Diego Community College District enjoys a strong public perception.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Gregory Smith. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* SDCCD has four colleges: City College, Mesa College, San Diego Miramar, and the College for Continuing Education, each offering different programs
* They became a living wage employer as of January 1, 2024
* His view that while community colleges have always been culturally responsive, he wants to expand the cultures they are responding to
* How humility informs their growth plans
* The growing list of four year degree programs offered by SDCCD, including new ones either coming or under development in cybersecurity, public safety administration, PT Assistant, and possibly nursing
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Gregory, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Allison Ohle, the Executive Director of the Diamond Educational Excellence Partnership (DEEP).
Listen to Ohle talk about the efforts her group is making to raise the literacy rates in San Diego Unified's elementary schools. The three primary goals of Deep, also known as the Diamond Educational Excellence Partnership, are to support families and community members in preparing young children for kindergarten, guarantee that reading instruction is delivered effectively in schools, and offer additional after-school programs to students who require extra assistance. Deep seeks to establish a thorough support system for literacy development by reducing obstacles for families, allowing parents to serve as their children's first instructors, and giving teachers the tools and training they need. Allison highlights the value of early language development and assists parents in coming up with plans to help their kids become proficient readers.
Allison draws attention to the achievements of Deep's programs, pointing out that partner schools do better than their peers in the same demographic. She credits the organization's strong community ties and data-driven approach for its success. Deep's work include recruiting community liaisons to cultivate ties with families, decodable books for individual practice, and teacher training and support.
Hear Allison discuss the importance and value of evidence-based approaches, community engagement, and the conviction that all families and educators are doing the best they can with the tools at their disposal.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Allison Ohle. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Deep San Diego focuses on improving literacy rates in elementary schools through community support, effective reading instruction, and additional out-of-school programming.
* The organization uses a data-driven approach and strong community partnerships to help their partner schools outperform their demographic peers.
* Key initiatives include training teachers, providing decodable books, and hiring community liaisons to build relationships with families.
* Allison Ohle emphasizes the importance of early language development and the collective effort of families, teachers, and the community in supporting children's literacy.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Allison, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by children's book author RaShonne Darling who published the book, The Curl Girls: Every Curl is Magic. RaShonne was inspired to teach her daughter Olivia to value her natural curls since she wanted straight hair. Four curly-haired superheroes in the story empower Olivia by revealing the magical powers hidden within her curls. RaShonne talks about how she wants the book to help kids embrace who they are and have confidence in themselves. She also shares her plans for more books and goods, like a line of paper dolls.
RaShonne also discusses her book's impending Spanish version, honoring her varied ethnic upbringing. She uses her own experiences as a multiracial child to highlight the value of representation and self-love. RaShonne emphasizes the value of volunteering and community involvement by sharing her experience juggling a full-time job, writing, and book promotion.
The episode concludes with RaShonne encouraging others to recognize and harness their unique abilities to make a positive impact. She reflects on the importance of representation in literature and how her book can help children feel seen and valued. RaShonne's dedication to creating empowering stories for children is evident, and she hopes to inspire others to fill gaps they see in their communities, just as she has done with her books.
RaShonne encourages others to acknowledge and use their special talents to have a positive influence as the episode comes to a close. She considers the value of representation in literature and the ways in which her book might provide kids a sense of belonging and recognition. RaShonne's commitment to telling children's stories that are uplifting is clear, and she believes that by doing so, her books will encourage people to close the gaps they observe in their communities.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with RaShonne Darling. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The story features curly-haired superheroes who reveal the magical powers of their curls. RaShonne plans to expand this concept with future books and related merchandise, such as a paper doll series, to further promote empowerment among children.
* RaShonne is working on a Spanish translation of her book, reflecting her diverse cultural background and aiming to reach and resonate with a broader audience, particularly the Spanish-speaking community.
* RaShonne emphasizes the importance of community involvement and volunteerism.
* RaShonne stresses the importance of filling gaps in communities and creating resources that help children feel seen, valued, and empowered.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, RaShonne, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
In yet another great episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Dr. Ellen Neufeldt, the President of CSU San Marcos, one of the top universities in the country for social mobility. To be more specific, Dr. Neufeldt leads a university ranked in the top 1% nationally in supporting students as they move up in life, change their own story arc, become role models for their families, all while lifting communities.
Speaking of social mobility, we hear from Dr. Neufeldt of her own upward ascent. Her Dad was first in his family to head to college and in only one generation, she now finds herself leading a university. Quite a story. No doubt why she loves leading a university with 16,000+ students, 70% of whom are students of color, 55% are first generation to college, and 80% stay in the community after graduation. Talk about the impact on lives, generations, and communities!
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Dr. Ellen Neufeldt. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The growing relationship with the city of Temecula, where they maintain a site
* The embrace of community engagement with the various regional Economic Development agencies
* The joy and importance of doing campus tours with third graders
* The true lifetime economic value of a college degree - 88% higher earnings!
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Dr. Neufeldt, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Carrie Scott, a longtime champion of literacy and the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the San Diego County on Literacy. And it all happened for Carrie somewhat serendipitously - she saw a sign looking for volunteers to help folks learn how to read and she decided to use the payphone and call them! The rest is history.
The conversation centered around the importance of education and literacy in San Diego, particularly in bridging gaps in education and addressing racial and wealth disparities. Heavily emphasized was the significance of literacy skills for adult learning and personal growth, and highlighted the need for workplaces to adapt to changing job requirements. They also shared personal anecdotes and success stories to underscore the impact of literacy education on individuals, while expressing concern about the ability of some learners to read and providing permission for help. Overall, the conversation emphasized the value of teaching literacy skills and fostering good reading habits. For Carrie, we learn it all began with "Hop on Pop" by Dr. Seuss!
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Carrie Scott. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- The importance of lifelong learning in the face of technological advancements like AI
- The important role the workplace can play in building foundational skills and adaptability
- Literacy has a direct impact on the ability to participate fully in life, including parenting, work, and healthcare
- Literacy challenges and the connection to mental health and personal growth
- The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Carrie, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Cheryl Morrow, a San Diego Community Activist, CEO of California Curls, and the Founder of the San Diego Monitor News Network. She talks about her varied pursuits and her opinions on social concerns. Three of Cheryl's podcasts are dedicated to dispelling falsehoods. She draws attention to the book "Imperial Leather," which examines the psychological and historical dimensions of oppression, with a focus on gender dynamics. Cheryl finds the book's explanations of how cultural standards have evolved to oppress women to be incredibly fascinating and instructive.
The significant linkages that exist between conversations about Afro hair and more general concerns of freedom and cultural expression are highlighted by Cheryl's talk. She describes how the Afro hairstyle evolved into a representation of greater social acceptance and individual independence once it was incorporated into military standards. Cheryl demonstrates how seemingly specialized cultural issues may have a global resonance and have unanticipated effects on a variety of populations.
When talking about her own path, Cheryl considers carrying on her parents' legacy and her changing position as a stakeholder in the community. In contrast to traditional activism, she characterizes her approach as solution-focused and emphasizes the role of the private sector in resolving public challenges. Cheryl thinks the private sector can frequently solve societal issues more quickly and effectively by eschewing the traps of self-interest and bureaucracy.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Cheryl Morrow. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The three podcasts that Cheryl Morrow hosts, all about Afro hair, focus on dispelling, and societal myths.
* Cheryl talks about the important book "Imperial Leather," which examines the psychological and historical aspects of oppression, especially as they relate to gender dynamics.
* Cheryl highlights the wider ramifications of conversations over Afro hair, emphasizing how acceptance of the Afro hairstyle represents more general themes of ethnic expression and independence.
* In order to address societal challenges more quickly and effectively, Cheryl advocates for the commercial sector to become involved. Her approach to activism is centered on collaboration and finding solutions.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Cheryl, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Adriana Brunner and Daniel Negi from My Point Credit Union. The vice president of community and business development, Adriana, talks about how important financial literacy is as a life skill and shares her passion for it. She talks about her Colombian origins and how her volunteer work shaped her dedication to improving the San Diego neighborhood. This view is echoed by Daniel, the Marketing and Business Development Officer, who emphasizes the credit union's nonprofit status and goal of reinvesting revenues back into the community.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Zach Hebert, a friend with a unique educational and personal journey. Zach has a very high IQ even though he struggles greatly with reading and was diagnosed with ADHD later in life. He describes how these difficulties had an impact on his education and caused him to repeatedly drop out of high school and college. Zach overcame these obstacles to pursue a non-traditional career path and found joy in creating his own position as an event planner at a grocery store. His narrative highlights the value of accepting one's capabilities and choosing a career path that fits one's interests and skills.
After that, the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) is brought up, and Zach discusses how AI and human intellect may work together. In order to emphasize the significance of keeping up with technological changes, he draws attention to the evolution of computer literacy into smartphone literacy and, more recently, AI literacy. Zach contends that since AI may improve human abilities, it should be viewed as a partner rather than an enemy. He busts myths around artificial intelligence, highlighting the fact that, despite its shortcomings, knowledge of and use of its advantages is essential for success in the future.
Zach's free courses, which seek to demystify AI and provide people useful skills, demonstrate his commitment to teaching others about the technology. He gives examples of how AI may be applied to jobs like creating excellent grant submissions, which can aid organizations in more effectively obtaining financing. In order to keep ahead of the curve, he urges listeners to embrace AI and look for educational opportunities. Zach's observations provide a progressive viewpoint on incorporating AI into day-to-day activities, demonstrating his dedication to assisting society in navigating the challenges of the digital era.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Zach Hebert. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The relationship between mental health issues and high intellect, pointing out that many people with high intelligence also experience mental health issues such as ADHD.
* How pace and deep thinking, which help him keep mental clarity and order his thoughts, are some of his personal coping techniques for dealing with ADHD and mental health.
* The importance of individualized education plans (IEPs) for kids facing particular difficulties, promoting more specialized teaching methods that take emotional and psychological requirements into account.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Zach, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Adriana Brunner and Daniel Nagey from MyPoint Credit Union. The vice president of community and business development, Adriana, talks about how important financial literacy is as a life skill and shares her passion for it. She talks about her Colombian origins and how her volunteer work shaped her dedication to improving the San Diego neighborhood. This view is echoed by Daniel, the Marketing and Business Development Officer, who emphasizes the credit union's nonprofit status and goal of reinvesting revenues back into the community.
The importance of financial education is discussed in detail, with a focus on underprivileged areas. Adriana draws attention to the difficulties faced by immigrants, including linguistic and cultural limitations that may make it difficult for them to comprehend the American financial system.
Adriana and Daniel talk about how minority communities have misconceptions about credit and how important it is to teach responsible credit usage in order to avoid debt accumulation. They use personal tales, such the widespread misconception regarding credit card payments, to highlight the gaps in financial literacy. The episode also covers the more general problem of financial literacy in schooling, pointing out that this important knowledge is frequently missing from schools, which can cause financial difficulties for young adults.
This episode discusses the importance of financial institutions putting education first before providing lending products. To enable community members to make educated financial decisions, MyPoint Credit Union makes sure that people are fully aware of what they are getting into. Both the hosts and visitors concur that, particularly in a multicultural city like San Diego, having easy access to financial resources and information is essential for promoting economic mobility and success.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Adriana Brunner and Daniel Nagey. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Emphasis on the nonprofit status of MyPoint Credit Union which allows them to reinvest profits back into the community, focusing on educational and supportive initiatives
* Specific obstacles faced by immigrants, such as understanding credit systems and financial products, and how MyPoint Credit Union addresses these through tailored programs
* The lack of financial literacy education in schools and the critical need for early financial education to prevent future financial issues
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Adri and Daniel, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Alex Mazloom, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Mind Treasures
The journey Alex took from Iran to create a special financial literacy program with spiritual underpinnings is covered in this episode. Despite Iran's lack of school libraries, Alex and his spouse were motivated to spread financial literacy. They combined financial education with spiritual Bahá'í teachings, putting an emphasis on wealth that goes beyond worldly belongings and character development. They educate youngsters life lessons like patience and punctuality through their curriculum, "ABCs of Wealth," which incorporates real-world events and sets up Google Classroom for interactive learning.
Children receive play money as part of the 12-week curriculum and learn how to save, invest, and create a budget. Take-home tasks let parents become involved, and success stories—like the kid who founded an investment club—showcase the program's effectiveness. Alex is dedicated to the program's goal even in the face of uncertain future plans; he puts all of his effort into its expansion while maintaining a detached attitude about its results. The episode emphasizes the long-lasting effects that financial literacy has on developing minds as well as its transforming ability when combined with spiritual principles.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Alex Mazloom. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Rather than a conventional approach, Mind Treasures derived their curriculum from spiritual writings, emphasizing character development alongside financial education.
* Those participating in Mind Treasures learn to set goals, prioritize spending, and understand the importance of saving through practical exercises and discussions.
* The program aims for a long-term impact, evident in success stories like Marquis, who continued applying financial principles into adolescence.
* Alex discusses the challenges of forecasting the future of Mind Treasures, acknowledging the fluidity of business plans and the importance of adapting to changing circumstances.
* Mazloom emphasizes detachment from specific outcomes, focusing instead on putting effort into the program and letting go of expectations.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Alex, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Chase Peckham, the Director of Community Outreach at the San Diego Financial Literacy Center.
Learn about Chase's experience and observations around financial literacy. He reflects on his early experiences of being read to by his parents and how he later discovered his talent for storytelling when reading to his own kids. He thinks back on the books that had a profound influence on his life, such as "Rocky" and "The Count of Monte Cristo," which gave him a passion for storylines with strong protagonists.
As he moves on to financial literacy, Chase opens up about his own financial hardships, including building up credit card debt at the beginning of his baseball career. He describes the turning point in his life when his parents declined to save him, which made him take charge of his money and make challenging lifestyle adjustments. Motivated by his personal experience, Chase pursues his career in financial education, stressing the value of awareness and decision-making in money management.
Chase offers insightful guidance for parents, urging candid discussions about money and responsibility with kids at an early age. He makes comparisons between managing finances and keeping up a healthy diet, emphasizing the significance of creating realistic budgets and sustainable lifestyle decisions. Chase's enthusiasm for equipping people with financial literacy is evident throughout the episode, providing guidance and helpful advice for overcoming the challenges associated with managing personal finances.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Chase Peckham. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Chase Peckham talks on the importance of financial literacy and shares his experience in this area as the director of community outreach at the San Diego Financial Literacy Center.
* Chase encourages parents and kids to have honest discussions about financial obligations at a young age, stressing the need of knowledge and decision-making in financial management.
* Chase's commitment to providing people with financial literacy is evident throughout the show, as she provides motivation and useful guidance for managing the difficulties of personal money.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Chase, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by William York, the CEO and president of San Diego Health Connect, and 211 San Diego/Community Information Exchange. Hear William talk about the different groups and how they help the community.
William emphasizes how crucial these groups are to meeting the needs of the community, particularly in regards to social services and health. In order to promote holistic wellness, he highlights how interrelated services are and how cooperation is essential.
William talks about his own experiences, such as how he came to join 211 San Diego during the 2007 wildfires and how his Catholic education shaped his curiosity and interest in religion. He talks about how his faith influences his job and his support for expanding resource accessibility.
William sees these organizations as being crucial to the successful coordination of services and accomplishment of favorable results for people in the future. He talks about how organizations should showcase their offerings to employees in order to improve comprehension and efficiency. Listen to this intriguing episode and hear about the important work that William and his organizations do in providing people with necessary services and fighting for systemic changes.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with William York. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Challenges faced by William's organizations, including resource limitations and eligibility issues for services.
* Personal experiences shared by William, including his journey to joining 211 San Diego during the 2007 wildfires and his background in Catholic education.
* Vision for the future of 211 San Diego, emphasizing its role in coordinating services, achieving positive outcomes, and advocating for systemic improvements.
* Emphasis on the interconnectedness of services and the need for collaboration to support holistic wellness in the community.
* Importance of agencies presenting their services to 211 San Diego staff to enhance understanding and effectiveness in connecting individuals with essential resources.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, William, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Ivy Stein, an Impact Manager at the United Way of San Diego County.
Learn about the importance of having a positive community effect, particularly in San Diego County where over one-third of households experience financial hardship. Ivy talks about the coalition that she oversees, emphasizing the significance of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in the area.
The discussion emphasizes how important it is to educate people with low and moderate incomes—who frequently ignore available financial aid—about tax credits. Ivy describes how the coalition grew to include over forty organizations and highlights how they all worked together to help people with their taxes, from awareness campaigns to actual tax preparation and help after filing.
In this episode, hear about the coalition's diverse range of organizations, including refugee services, and the vital role they play in helping disadvantaged communities.
Ivy offers intimate details about her motivation for working in community impact, which stems from her desire to change the world and make sure that people in need are the direct beneficiaries of her efforts. The episode ends with a preview of upcoming efforts that seek to further combine education and economic mobility programs in order to promote comprehensive community development.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Ivy Stein. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Raising awareness about tax credits, particularly the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), to support low and moderate-income individuals in San Diego County.
* The collaborative efforts of over 40 organizations within the coalition, spanning refugee services and community organizations, to provide comprehensive tax assistance and financial education.
* The significant impact of volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) programs in providing quality tax services and dispelled misconceptions about the free service's quality.
* Economic benefits of tax credits like EITC and Child Tax Credit in supporting families, fostering financial stability, and stimulating the local economy.
* Ivy's personal passion for community impact work and her dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of those in need, highlighting the importance of holistic community development initiatives.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Ivy, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Afira Devries, the president and CEO of the Monarch School Project. The Monarch School is the only public school in the US that serves only homeless pupils, offering kindergarten through high school education and support.
Afira talks about her experience working at the school, showing how it grew from a little one-room facility to being a pillar of support for kids without homes. She stresses how crucial it is to provide a secure and supportive atmosphere where kids can grow in confidence in their abilities and sense of belonging. In her discussion of the difficulties encountered by homeless students, Afira touches on the trauma of concealing their living circumstances in conventional educational settings.
She reveals that because of continuous housing uncertainty, many students stay for years, even though others may achieve stability and graduate from the institution. In order to meet the requirements of various age groups and academic levels while keeping an emphasis on trauma-informed and restorative practices, Afira describes how the school functions as three schools in one.
Throughout the entire episode, Afira's dedication to justice and equity, as well as her own experiences, drive her love for helping homeless children. She thanks the community for its support and the chance to speak up for her pupils' needs.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Afira DeVries. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The school's mission to provide education and nurture the development of unhoused children from kindergarten through high school and the importance of creating a safe and stable environment for unhoused students to grow
* The unique support services provided by the Monarch School, including the Butterfly Boutique for essential supplies, onsite health facilities, shower and laundry facilities, and a resource center for parents and caregivers
* The importance of creating age-appropriate interventions and fostering a sense of community and belonging for students and the importance of small victories and moments of peace for students experiencing trauma.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Afira, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Jim Chilton, the CEO and founder of the Society for Financial Awareness (SOFA). Jim talks about the goal of SOFA, which is to educate people about money all around the country through online seminars and events. In addition to explaining his own experience and the reasons he founded the organization, he highlights the significance of financial literacy and the necessity to address it from a young age.
Jim uses personal experiences and instances from his neighborhood to illustrate the shortcomings in financial education. He talks about how difficult it is for people to manage their money, particularly in light of social pressures and the widespread use of credit cards. Jim also talks about how eating fast food affects money and stresses the need of controlling spending patterns.
A discussion of Og Mandino's "The Greatest Salesman in the World" and biblical teachings, as well as Jim's own experiences and readings, are explored. He promotes a positive and supportive approach to financial education and emphasizes the significance of behavior change and accountability in reaching financial goals.
Jim's enthusiasm and drive for enabling people to take charge of their finances are evident throughout the entire show. He encourages listeners to prioritize financial wellbeing and develop an attitude of commitment rather than simple involvement by sharing insightful and useful suggestions.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Jim Chilton. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* SOFA's goal of providing financial education nationwide through workshops and virtual events
* The importance of early financial literacy
* Jim's personal motivations behind founding SOFA and addressing gaps in financial education within communities
* Challenges individuals face in managing finances, including credit card debt and societal pressures
* The value of adopting a mindset of commitment to achieve long-term financial stability
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Jim, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Carol Dedrich, the CEO of Girl Scouts San Diego, Carol Dedrich.
Hear about Carol and the organization's illustrious past and goals of empowering young women. The Girl Scouts, an organization founded by Julia Gordon Lowe to encourage girls and women to be self-sufficient, have a long history of developing strong people. The program's main objectives are to help young girls become resilient, increase their self-esteem, and develop leadership abilities. The curriculum also includes goal-setting, financial literacy, and public speaking, giving girls useful skills for navigating life.
The episode also showcases the Girl Scout alumni's outstanding accomplishments. Girl Scouts boast a wide range of accomplished women, ranging from CEOs and astronauts to well-known individuals in science and politics. The organization once included well-known people like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu's "The Book of Joy" serves as an inspiration for Carol Dedrich, who is driven to empower females.
Hear about the issue of accessibility and the Girl Scouts organization. Over 40% of Girl Scouts San Diego's membership comes from low-income households, demonstrating the organization's commitment to encouraging involvement from all backgrounds. To reach additional communities and increase their impact, they actively look for funds and volunteers.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Carol Dedrich. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The rich history of the Girl Scouts organization and their work in San Diego
* Different pillars of the Girl Scouts and programs they have to achieve these goals
* Some of the most well-known Girl Scouts
* How Girl Scouts is increasing accessibility to all communities within San Diego
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Carol, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
This excellent episode features a riveting discussion between Nancy Sasaki, the CEO of United Way of San Diego County, and Jose Cruz, CEO of the San Diego Council on Literacy. Throughout this episode, Nancy and Jose reflect on their journey over the past 100 episodes, celebrating their milestones and reminiscing on their favorite moments.
The discussion covers a wide range of subjects, including the effects of dyslexia on learning and the difficulties in addressing juvenile mental health, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. They share their aspirations for the podcast's future, stressing the value of problem-solving conversations and encouraging cooperation across various agencies and organizations.
Additionally, Nancy and Jose discuss the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can affect problem-solving and communication. They convey their appreciation for the chance to interact with enthusiastic people committed to improving their areas.
Nancy and Jose intend to keep examining important topics in leadership and education as they look ahead to the next 100 episodes, all the while attempting to forge deep connections and spur constructive change. Through their discussions, they hope to raise awareness of the difficulties that people and communities confront and to showcase creative solutions.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Nancy Sasaki and Jose Cruz. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Nancy and Jose remember notable conversations with influential figures in education, like Shirley Weber, Tony Thurmond, Cindy Martin, and Kelly Sam Ann Hurley.
* The hosts share their ambitions for the podcast's future, highlighting the need for groups to work together and explore solutions.
* Going forward, Nancy and Jose hope to keep talking about important topics, forming deep connections, and igniting change in the world.
* The answers to the warm-up questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Nancy and Jose, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this milestone 100th episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Tony Thurmond, the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the California Department of Education
Listen in as Thurmond discusses his own reading history, crediting his mother's influence and his own upbringing for his early passion with comic books and biographies. He emphasizes the value of taking in knowledge from a variety of narratives, particularly in light of Black History Month, and he gives special attention to characters that inspire us, such as Raphael Augustine and the NASA women featured in "Hidden Figures."
As the discussion progresses, Thurmond considers how important education has been in his life, having been influenced by mentors and growing up in a home where there was financial hardship. Thurmond then goes on to talk about California's educational initiatives, including its efforts to alleviate gaps through universal meal programs, preschool programs, and dyslexia screening. He places a strong emphasis on the use of evidence-based literacy instruction and the function of community schools in offering all-encompassing student support.
Thurmond ultimately promotes teamwork in order to guarantee that every student has access to a high-quality education and support services, highlighting the significance of efficient communication and collaboration between educators, decision-makers, and communities.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Tony Thurmond. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Tony Thurmond talks about the value of reading and relates his own reading experience, emphasizing his early exposure to biographies and comic books.
* The value of listening to other people's experiences and emphasizes the necessity of having access to a wide range of books, particularly during Black History Month.
* California's initiatives to reduce educational inequalities include expanded preschool programs, free meal programs, and dyslexia screening.
* Techniques for enhancing literacy include teacher professional development, evidence-based training, and community schools offering comprehensive support.
* The significance of efficient communication and cooperation between educators, legislators, and community members in guaranteeing that every kid has access to high-quality instruction and assistance.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Tony, for your contributions in San Diego, throughout California, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Dr. Eduardo Reyes, the Superintendent of the Chula Vista Elementary School District. Dr. Eduardo Reyes offers insightful commentary on educational leadership, community involvement, and the critical role that literacy plays in influencing students' futures throughout the whole program.
Listen as Dr. Reyes highlights how education is changing and how kids are receiving more active and interesting learning opportunities. The importance of giving every child the chance to realize their potential is another topic covered in this episode. Dr. Reyes commends the Chula Vista district for its dedication to providing teachers with the greatest resources possible and supporting their efforts. In order to promote student success, he emphasizes the value of community engagement and recognizes the collaboration between parents, teachers, and the district.
The emphasis on literacy is also discussed, and Dr. Reyes mentions the district's objective of having all third graders read at 100% proficiency. The episode looks at issues that today's children must deal with, such as different family dynamics and outside forces that are out of the school's control. Dr. Reyes highlights the need of cultivating a sincere love for reading and integrating literacy and reading skills throughout the day.
The episode also discusses how reading can transport people to different eras, places, and experiences in their imaginations. Dr. Reyes emphasizes the ability of books to impact lives and pushes for a change in perspective so that reading is seen as an adventure and a joyful activity.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Dr. Eduardo Reyes. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Community engagement is recognized as a vital aspect of student success, emphasizing the collaboration between parents, educators, and the district.
* Challenges faced by students, including diverse family dynamics and external factors, are acknowledged, with an emphasis on the school's role in providing a secure and welcoming environment.
* The need to embed reading and literacy skills throughout the day, advocating for a genuine love for reading among students.
* The transformative power of books is highlighted, with Dr. Reyes encouraging a shift towards viewing reading as a source of joy and exploration rather than a chore.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Dr. Reyes, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Dr. Ricky Shabazz, the president of San Diego City College.
Listen as Dr. Shabazz talks about how artificial intelligence (AI) is affecting education, especially when it comes to content correctness and sentence form. This episode also discusses the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching critical thinking, as well as the difficulties experienced by community college students, such as plagiarism and fake news.
Hear Dr. Shabazz discuss the significance of attending to students' basic needs, which include access to affordable housing and mental health services. Initiatives at San Diego City College, such as a farm, a food bank, and integrated mental health programs in subjects like math, are highlighted by Dr. Shabazz.
Listen as Dr. Shabazz highlights the importance of community colleges, dispelling misconceptions and emphasizing their function in offering affordable, superior education. Dr. Shabazz highlights the open admission rules and varied programs of community colleges as reasons why potential students should visit and enroll there. Dr. Shabazz recognizes the critical role community colleges play in preparing a wide range of students for successful futures and urges support for California community colleges.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Dr. Ricky Shabazz. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Dr. Ricky Shabazz discusses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education, focusing on sentence structure and content accuracy.
* Dr. Shabazz shares personal anecdotes, emphasizing the transformative power of education and his journey from a first-generation college student to the president of San Diego City College.
* The discussion challenges myths about community colleges, emphasizing their world-class education, personalized attention, and smaller class sizes.
* The episode highlights the success of community college transfer students, noting their higher GPAs compared to freshmen entering four-year universities.
* A call to action encourages prospective students to visit and enroll in community colleges, emphasizing their open admission policies and diverse programs.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Dr. Shabazz, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Dr. Lydia Burgos, the Principal of J. Calvin Lauderbach Elementary. Take a listen as Dr. Burgos talks about how she went from wanting to be a teacher at a young age to being a principal throughout a 16-year career in education.
Dr. Burgos' current school, Lauderbach Elementary offers a 50/50 bilingual curriculum and is a dual immersion school. She highlights the difficulties encountered, including a large proportion of English language learners and the requirement for substantial support as a result of poor socioeconomic level. Lydia talks about the methods employed, such as small-group instruction and tutoring after school.
Learn about some of Dr. Burgos's methods for teaching, which include having grade-level teams examine individual student data, deal with interventions, and guarantee that every kid advances academically. She also discusses the scaffolding and assistance that emergent bilingual students require, placing a strong emphasis on language competence evaluations. In particular, Lydia observes notable progress in oral practice among emerging bilingual pupils.
Lydia also talks about the district-level programs that helped them succeed. She credits a committed staff focusing on the needs of the students, a student-centered approach, and high-impact language tactics for their achievement.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Dr. Lydia Burgos. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The importance of books in Dr Burgos's childhood and some about her favorites.
* Dr. Burgos' role as a principal and her recent activities focusing on analyzing student data and planning interventions.
* Challenges faced during the pandemic, particularly in teaching writing online, leading to a renewed focus on supporting students in reading and writing.
* Strategies used at Lauderbach, including after-school tutoring and small-group instruction, to support students in literacy and math.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Dr. Burgos, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Sonia Teder-Moore, the Children's Outreach and Event Coordinator at Warwick's Bookstore in La Jolla.
Sonia highlights the value of independent bookshops in creating thriving communities by sharing her visit to Warwicks, the oldest family-run bookstore in the United States. The show also discusses Warwicks' participation in programs like as Read Across America, in which they work with United Way to advance reading.
The discussion then shifts to Sonia's efforts to connect writers with young readers by inviting authors to schools. Additionally, this episode emphasizes the value of smaller bookstores in the neighborhood and promotes patronizing small companies rather than ones with a wider audience.
As you listen, While highlighting the difficulties of reading promotion in the digital age, Sonia also underscores the value of fostering a reading culture within families. She talks about her own experiences, such as a workshop she led on "how to grow a reader," which highlights the value of reading areas and family time spent together.
This episode offers a fun look into the world of literary events and bookish encounters by jokingly exploring famous authors who have visited Warwicks, such as Salman Rushdie and Brian Selznick. This is a fascinating and perceptive episode since Sonia's love of books and dedication to encouraging a love of reading are evident throughout.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Sonia Teder-Moore. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Sonia Teder-Moore's varied career history, which includes working as a de facto librarian at an elementary school in La Jolla and her current position at Warwicks as an events coordinator and children's bookseller
* The rich history of Warwicks, emphasizing its 125th anniversary in 2021 and its position as the country's oldest continually family-run bookstore
* Helpful advice on how families may foster a love of reading in their children
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Sonia, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Austin Martin, the CEO of "Rhymes with Reason." Rhymes with Reason is an online application created to use song lyrics to teach vocabulary and improve literacy in pupils. Austin explains that while the app is the main focus, they also do workshops, build curricula, and engage in other activities to make it a whole programming experience. Schools, after-school activities, and educational institutions are among the intended audiences.
With a nationwide reach, Rhymes with Reason has been adopted in about 300 schools nationwide. Listen to Austin talk about their marketing tactics, which include promoting to educational institutions and holding online conferences.
This episode explores the program's approach, which teaches vocabulary by using lyrics from well-known songs. Through activities such as inference, definition, and context clues, students study vocabulary within the framework of a song, increasing their level of involvement and comprehension. English language arts, science, history, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and health are just a few of the topics covered in the program. Austin also talks on the benefits that educators and students have noted, highlighting the rise in student participation and their greater use of the program outside of the classroom.
Learn about the deficiencies in education and resources, as well as the program's efforts to close this resource gap in schools, especially in large, urban regions. With the help of artists, sports teams, and corporate sponsors, Austin hopes to reach 50,000 children in 10–20 locations and build a vibrant community around the program.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Austin Martin. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Austin highlights a significant gap in educational resources, particularly in urban areas, emphasizing the need to provide students and educators with impactful programs like Rhymes with Reason.
* Rhymes with Reason is more than just an app, offering workshops, curriculum development, and various activities, creating a comprehensive programmatic experience. The program has reached around 300 schools nationwide, primarily targeting schools, after-school programs, and educational institutions.
* The app introduces vocabulary through popular song lyrics, engaging students in exercises like inference, definition, and context clues across various subjects.
* Austin's vision extends to reaching 50,000 students in urban settings, partnering with various entities to create an engaging ecosystem that maximizes the potential impact of the Rhymes with Reason program.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Austin, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Walter Ritter, the Executive Director of Write Out Loud, a unique theater company in San Diego.
Hear a discussion on the organization's strategy, which emphasizes the power of storytelling by having readers read aloud from literature to a range of audiences. Hear Walter discuss the worth he places on different books, and even hear him say he would be willing to sell a special book to raise money for his foundation.
Write Out Loud got its start in 2007 with the idea of "story concerts," in which performers interpret the writings of writers to bring them to life. Walter also emphasizes the value of establishing a connection with the topic by discussing the difficulties and rewards of telling various stories. This episode explores a number of Write Out Loud's community outreach initiatives, such as their work with independent living groups, senior citizens, and the National Endowment for the Arts' Big Read initiative. Walter brings up the Read, Imagine, Create program, which encourages kids to use their imaginations to artistically respond to books.
Hear more about Write Out Loud's struggles and the literary gaps they are trying to fill. Walter worries about the possible effects of people's decreased interest in reading for pleasure.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Walter Ritter. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* How Write Out Loud is a unique theater company that emphasizes the transforming power of narrative by reading books aloud to a variety of audiences.
* Walter's interest in Kamishibai, a Japanese storytelling method, and his recent transformation into Kamishibai for Kids' owner and operator.
* Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition for high school students, organized by Write Out Loud. The tournament is held at multiple levels, ranging from county to state to national.
* Walter's worries about the waning popularity of leisure reading and its possible effects on democracy highlight how crucial it is to promote an informed and involved populace.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Walter, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined by an extraordinary guest, Ruth J. Colvin, who at 107 years old is not only the founder of Literacy Volunteers of America, but also a Presidential Medal of Freedom Honoree. Ruth tells the story of her amazing journey from Syracuse, New York, to becoming a worldwide literacy advocate.
As Ruth discusses her many years of expertise running literacy initiatives and her role as the organization's founder, listen in. Learn about her 62-country travels and her encounters with four US presidents, including Jimmy Carter, who bestowed upon her an honor. The topic of Ruth's shift from a family-oriented life to an academic one later in life—and her award-winning doctorate from Syracuse University—is discussed.
Ruth talks about her current endeavors, which include a book on world religions that compares and contrasts them, as a lifelong student. She talks about how she handles aging, keeping things in perspective, and offers guidance on perseverance, positivity, and never giving up. Ruth's constant commitment to embracing life and learning at any age is also covered in this episode.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Ruth J. Colvin. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The amazing journey of Ruth J. Colvin in advocating for global literacy.
* Ruth recently published a booklet defending the value of cursive writing, discussing its fall in the United States and its effect on reading historical documents.
* Ruth talks about her experiences meeting four US presidents and being recognized for her global contributions to literacy.
* Ruth, who had previously lived a family-centered life, received an honorary degree from Syracuse University, highlighting the value of perseverance and continuing learning.
* Ruth talks about her book on women who play golf and her distinct, focused method of putting practice, and her love of the game.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Ruth, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Dr. Alberto Ochoa, a professor at the San Diego State University College of Education.
As he discusses his early years in Mexico City, Dr. Ochoa emphasizes the tactical significance of building literacy in one's own tongue as a basis for learning a second language. This episode also touches on the background of equality in education history, highlighting the efforts made in the wake of the historic 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling to eradicate previous forms of discrimination.
The idea of reclassification for English language learners is a major theme in this episode, and Dr. Ochoa emphasizes the need of striking a balance between academic language proficiency and social language fluency. The difficulties of achieving literacy in a primary language are examined, with a focus on the vital roles that good leadership, teacher preparation, and resource allocation have in ensuring the delivery of successful education.
Learn about the difficulties that kids experience in the classroom, including the need for a more fluid and integrated approach to addressing educational hurdles, systemic disconnects between educational stages, and resource gaps. Listen in as Dr. Ochoa offers a thorough analysis of the complex educational system and the continuous work needed to establish a more just and productive learning environment.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Dr. Alberto Ochoa. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The strategic importance of developing literacy in the first language for English learners as a foundation for acquiring a second language.
* The historical context of equity in education
* The concept of reclassification for English learners and the need for a balance between social language fluency and academic language proficiency.
* Challenges in attaining primary language literacy such as focus on teacher training, effective leadership, and resource allocation as crucial factors.
* Systemic issues in the education system, including resource gaps, disconnects between different education stages, and the need for a more interconnected approach to address students' educational challenges.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Dr. Ochoa, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy is joined in the studio by Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley, the founder of the Dyslexia Training Institute.
Learn about the symptoms of dyslexia, which can range from early rhyme difficulties to spelling difficulties as you get older. Early detection and intervention are extremely important, according to Dr. Sandman-Hurley. In addition, this episode covers how parents can support their dyslexic children in the public school system, emphasizing the need of knowledge and readiness.
Within the dyslexia community, the Dyslexia Training Institute provides online courses as an organized literacy strategy. Additionally, the institute runs simulations to shed light on what it's like to have dyslexia.
Listen in as Nancy and Dr. Sandman-Hurley discuss the stigma behind dyslexia and how some people are afraid to talk about it out of embarrassment. Dr. Sandman-Hurley emphasizes the need of diagnosing dyslexia and informing people about it, stressing that with the right care, it shouldn't be a barrier to success.
The episode delves deeper into Dr. Sandman-Hurley's individual experience and the advocacy work done by the institute, including her position as an expert witness for California legislation pertaining to dyslexia. In response to common misconceptions regarding dyslexia, Dr. Sandman-Hurley emphasizes that the condition is actually a phonological processing problem rather than a visual impairment.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The origins of the Dyslexia Training Institute
* Common symptoms of dyslexia
* The role of parents of children with dyslexia including, advocating for special education services by requesting evaluations in writing and being prepared to navigate the public school system's challenges
* Services and courses offered by the institute to help those with dyslexia
* The institute's advocacy efforts, including a role in dyslexia-related legislation in California, aiming to raise awareness and support for individuals with dyslexia
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Dr. Sandman-Hurley, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy is joined in the studio by Dr. Shakerra Carter, the Vice President of Student Services at the San Diego College of Continuing Education. The San Diego College of Continuing Education, is the non-credit division of the San Diego Community College District and operates on seven campuses.
Hear Dr. Carter emphasize the institution's emphasis on free education, providing a variety of programs to assist a wide spectrum of learners, from welding to ESL. Serving almost 40,000 students, placing a strong emphasis on career education pathways, and offering a sizable ESL program for students who are immigrants or refugees are all part of the college's goal.
Hear Dr. Carter emphasize the importance of higher education in retraining and equipping the populace, especially those from low-income backgrounds, for prosperous jobs. In addition, this episode discusses how accessible the classes are, stressing that anyone living in California is welcome to attend for free. Listeners are encouraged by Dr. Carter to investigate a range of classes, from short-term courses to options for lifelong learning such as photography or culinary arts.
The college's open-entry, open-exit approach is also discussed as it accommodates diverse schedules and acknowledges the difficulties many students have in attending classes on a regular basis. Dr. Carter talks about her own experience, emphasizing how education helped her family break the cycle of poverty.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Dr. Shakerra Carter. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* San Diego College of Continuing Education's commitment to free education, career pathways, and supporting low-income community members.
* Initiatives like food pantries, housing options, and childcare support address students' basic needs and contribute to a holistic educational experience.
* Dr. Carter's personal journey highlights the transformative impact of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering social and economic mobility.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Shana Hazan, the Vice President of the San Diego Unified School Board, President of Hazan Strategies, and Vice Chair of the California Children & Families Commission.
Listen in as Shana shares insights into her work on the school board, expressing the commitment of the board members to transform the educational system for better student outcomes. She discusses the challenges faced by the system, acknowledging a disconnect between the dedication of educators and the actual outcomes for students. Shana emphasizes the importance of investing resources strategically to address systemic issues and achieve measurable change.
The conversation also delves into Shana's passion for literacy and her efforts to bring about positive change in reading instruction. She talks about the challenges of changing deep-seated beliefs among educators and the importance of collaboration with community partners.
This episode further explores Shana's involvement in building stronger communities through her business, Hazan Strategies. She draws connections between issues faced by children and older adults, emphasizing the potential for similar solutions.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Shana Hazan. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The transformative impact of hugs on mood.
* The imperative for genuine commitment to equity, advocating for meaningful actions and strategic resource investments to address systemic issues.
* Shana's passion for transforming literacy education is explored, focusing on the challenges of changing deep-seated beliefs among educators and the importance of collaboration with community partners.
* The significance of engaging community members, including retirees, in initiatives to improve literacy outcomes and build stronger, healthier communities.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Shana, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Andrew Strong, the Director of the Office of Equity and Racial Justice for the County of San Diego. The Office of Equity and Racial Justice aims to provide a compelling exploration of the challenges and aspirations in fostering diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Listen as Strong discusses the complexities of equity and racial justice, emphasizing the need to create environments where individuals genuinely feel a sense of belonging. The episode underscores the difficulties of cultural change within government structures, acknowledging the resistance faced when challenging established norms and thought patterns among leadership.
Hear about the tangible impact of Strong's office, spotlighting several external programs. The conversation also touches upon the importance of engaging and educating the youth on topics of diversity and racial justice, with ongoing initiatives like youth academies aiming to instill awareness and understanding.
Strong's passion for equity, rooted in personal experiences and family history, becomes a driving force behind his commitment to creating a better future. The long-term vision presented in the episode revolves around embedding equity into the very fabric of institutional cultures over the next five years. Ultimately, this episode provides valuable insights into the intricacies of effecting meaningful change within government structures, stressing the importance of sustained efforts and community engagement for lasting impact.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Andrew. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Equity and racial justice are focused on changing outcomes and mitigating historical harms caused by systemic racism.
* Creating spaces where individuals authentically feel they belong is crucial in diversity and inclusion.
* Transforming institutional culture requires patience and persistence, facing resistance from entrenched leaders in the challenges of cultural change in government.
* External programs for social equity, like a social equity program for commercial cannabis, address historical disparities in marginalized communities.
* Youth engagement and education initiatives, such as youth academies, aim to engage and educate the younger generation on the importance of diversity, equity, and racial justice.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Andrew, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Leane Marchese, the Executive Director of Life Science Cares. The mission of Life Science Cares is to connect the life science industry with the community and combat poverty through education, economic opportunity, and basic needs support. The organization focuses on engaging corporate partners like Illumina, Anaptys, and others, uniting them to provide financial contributions and encouraging meaningful volunteer engagement.
Listen as Leane details the diverse volunteer activities, from mentoring and tutoring to hosting events and contributing to community needs. She further highlights the challenges faced by students, such as reading difficulties, and stresses the importance of family influence on literacy.
Leane envisions Life Science Cares expanding its reach, attracting more resources from the community, and measuring its impact on generational wealth. This episode also touches on the resource gap in education, and Leane expresses her desire to see deeper penetration into life science companies, scaling nonprofit programs, and creating a positive change in the community.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Leane. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The goal of Life Science Cares to combat poverty with support for education, economic, and other basics through life science industry partnerships
* The organization addresses issues faced in the community by encouraging mentorship, tutoring, community events, and other volunteer activities
* Leane discusses her future vision and impact measurement in which she envisions measuring impact on generational wealth and expanding outreach in the community.
* Challenges in San Diego including concerns about the high cost of living in San Diego, especially for struggling families and young individuals.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Leane, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Johnny Garcia, the Impact Manager at United Way of San Diego County. At 26 years old with a degree in criminal justice and a minor in leadership development from San Diego State University, Johnny reflects on the challenges and disparities he witnessed in his community.
Listen as Johnny discusses his transformative experience at Millennium Tech Middle School, which changed his environment, friendships, and outlook on life. His passion for community policing and rehabilitation stems from his parents' work, and he shares a touching story about his mom's belief in his potential, expressed in a letter before her passing.
Hear about Johnny's role at United Way, particularly in the "Steam to Careers" initiative, focusing on career readiness in Southeast San Diego and Escondido. He describes impactful visits to companies like Illumina and Solar Turbines, where students gain exposure to various career paths. Johnny emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap and instilling belief in young people, drawing from his personal experiences.
This episode also delves into challenges faced by students, including reading difficulties and educational growth, and Johnny highlights the role of tangible achievements, like scholarships, in gaining parental support and also emphasizes the significance of giving students a solid foundation to stand upon and strive for greatness.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Johnny Garcia. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Johnny's personal journey from growing up in Southeast San Diego to becoming an advocate for education and community impact.
* The pivotal role Millennium Tech Middle School played in changing Johnny's life, shaping his mindset, and introducing him to STEM fields, ultimately inspiring his passion for community policing and rehabilitation.
* Johnny's current focus on career readiness programs in Southeast San Diego and Escondido in his role at United Way of San Diego County.
* Johnny's vision for the future, aiming to expand and evolve career readiness programs at United Way. Emphasizing the power of providing hope as a solid foundation for students to endure challenges and strive for greatness.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Johnny, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by H. Puentes, the co-founder President and CEO of San Diego Squared. Puentes started as a management consultant after grad school and worked with a tech company on a university-related project. Burnt out from constant travel, Puentes took a two-year break, during which he worked with a fraternity and found a passion for guiding young men. Later, he joined Connect, where he led community external affairs and initiated the Connect All program, the region's first diversity-focused startup accelerator.
Hear Puentes emphasize his commitment to supporting underrepresented communities and discuss the challenges of authentically engaging with them. The episode also delves into San Diego Squared's mission of increasing diversity in STEM-driven companies through partnerships, programs, and financial support for high school and college students. The organization focuses on building a strong community through events like the Latino Leaders in STEM dinner, connecting ERG leaders, and fostering relationships within the industry.
Puentes also elaborates on the talent development programs offered by San Diego Squared, starting with the Fellows Program for high school students, providing mentorship, and scholarships. Listen in as Puentes emphasizes the importance of human connections, stating that it's not just about throwing money at diversity in STEM but building relationships that tether individuals to the industry.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with H. Puentes. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* H. Puentes shares his diverse career journey, from being a management consultant to his impactful role in the fraternity and later initiating the Connect All program at Connect
* H. Puentes' passion for guiding young men, emphasizing the need for more guidance and support for this demographic.
* San Diego Squared's mission to increase diversity in STEM-driven companies through partnerships, programs, and financial support for high school and college students.
* San Diego Squared's focus on building a strong community through events like the Latino Leaders in STEM dinner, connecting ERG leaders, and fostering relationships within the STEM industry.
* The importance of human connections in diversifying STEM, stating that meaningful relationships and industry connections are crucial for individuals to see themselves in the field.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, H. Puentes, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In an episode which features a turn of the tables, Nancy L. Sasaki interviews her co-host, the inimitable Jose Cruz, the CEO of the San Diego Council on Literacy, a model urban literacy coalition. He has 38 years of experience in the literacy field and is known for his accomplishments in supporting collaborative literacy efforts on national, statewide, regional, and local levels. He was the recipient of the 2003 San Diego Union-Tribune, “Educator of the Year” award. In 2014, he was recognized by The Union-Tribune as the Civic Leader of the Year through the Latino Champions Awards. In the following year, he was named to the San Diego High School, “Wall of Honor.” Cruz is also a past-president of the San Diego Lions Club. He is a native San Diegan, a graduate of the University of Southern California, and a proud product of the San Diego Community College District.
Having developed an early passion for reading through sports books, Jose longs for the day when kids would line up for the book mobile! Until that day arrives, he is focised on resources for children, families, and adults by way of book distribution and support for the Council's 35 affiliated members. And, given the state of literacy, there is no rest for Jose and the team. Fortunately, Jose thinks there is a revolution taking place on all elements of the literacy challenge in America - from teacher training and family support to access to books and finances.
You'll really enjoy this incredible episode which amplifies the excellent work of the San Diego Council on Literacy. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* There are many resource gaps which impact literacy, from books and family finances to health care and absenteeism
* The strong correlation between adult literacy and childhood literacy
* The impact and cost of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program
* The adult literacy challenge in San Diego, estimated at 20%
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Jose, for your contributions in San Diego, your leadership of the San Diego County on Literacy, and for joining us on The Gap Minders, the very show for which you are the Founding Co-Host!
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Jasmine LeFlore, the co-founder and executive director of Greater Than Tech. Greater Than Tech is a nonprofit dedicated to fostering the next generation of innovative tech leaders, particularly focusing on girls and underserved youth by teaching them STEM and entrepreneurship.
Hear about LeFlore's personal journey into aerospace engineering, from her childhood fascination with airplanes to the lack of diversity in her field. She emphasizes the importance of representation and the need for young girls to see themselves in STEM careers.
The episode also touches on Greater Than Tech's unique approach to STEM education, combining technology skills with entrepreneurship to encourage real-world problem-solving. The organization aims to inspire underrepresented youth to pursue STEM careers or acquire skills in emerging technologies independently.
Listen in as LeFlore discusses her vision for the organization, hoping to see more underrepresented youth choosing STEM careers. This episode concludes with a glimpse into the potential future of projects developed by Greater Than Tech participants, hinting at exciting upcoming initiatives.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Jasmine LeFlore. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Greater than Tech's mission to empower girls and underserved youth by intertwining STEM education with entrepreneurship.
* LeFlore's personal journey into aerospace engineering, emphasizing the importance of representation for underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
* Greater Than Tech's unique approach involves teaching real-world problem-solving skills, inspiring students to view themselves not only as engineers but also as entrepreneurs and decision-makers.
* The organization aims to see its students pursue STEM careers or alternative education paths, fostering a vision where emerging technologies empower underrepresented youth to create opportunities for themselves and others.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Jasmine, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Charles are joined in the studio by Moises Baron, the President and CEO of the San Diego Center for Children.The center provides a wide range of mental health and educational services to children and youth with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, spanning ages from 4 to 22, and includes support for families.
Hear Moises talks about his nine-year tenure at the center and the upcoming plans for his retirement, emphasizing the positive changes that have occurred during his leadership. He also shares his perspective on the challenges of leading an organization with such a long legacy and the need for transformation to adapt to the changing landscape of pediatric mental health.
This episode also delves into the evolving landscape of children's mental health, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased divorce rates, information overload, and the effects of social media on young minds. There is a recognition of a pediatric mental health crisis, which predates the pandemic and the associated challenges in accessing care. This episode also touches on the significance of fun and play in childhood development and the need for holistic approaches that include arts, physical education, and recreational activities. The San Diego Center for Children's approach focuses on prevention, early intervention, and a continuum of care tailored to individual needs.
Listen in as Moises discusses the importance of early identification, early intervention, and improving access to care for children. He emphasizes the need for a strategic, integrated approach to address these challenges effectively, mentioning the state's investment of $4.2 billion in child and youth mental health. The shortage of mental health providers in San Diego is highlighted, along with the necessity to invest in workforce development to ensure that children receive the care they need.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Moises Baron. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* the presence of a pediatric mental health crisis, which predates the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors like increased divorce rates, information overload, and the impact of social media have all contributed
* The shortage in mental health providers is a barrier to providing adequate care for children with mental health issues and thus there is a need for investing in workforce development
* The importance of open conversations about mental health, especially in schools. Destigmatizing mental health discussions can help children feel more comfortable seeking help when they are struggling.
* the importance of strategic planning to ensure that the influx of resources and investments in pediatric mental health leads to sustainable and effective change.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Moises, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Charles, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by author Matt Quirk. Some recent highlights in Matt's career include "The Night Agent," which was adapted into a Netflix TV show, and "Inside Threat," a thriller set in the White House during a crisis.
Hear Matthew discuss the intensity of writing and how it compares to a "real job." Matthew expresses his passion for writing, despite the challenges it presents, and how it started with his background in reading and journalism. He highlights the influence of his parents, especially his mother, who was an English teacher.
Listen in as Matthew shares his research process for writing new books, and he emphasizes the fun but challenging aspect of balancing research and actual writing. He talks about the sources of inspiration for his books, which often come from real-life experiences in Washington, D.C. and San Diego, where he met people who inspired his characters and stories.
Matthew discusses the challenge of avoiding partisan politics in his books, ensuring they have a broader appeal and address universal themes instead. He also talks about his outlining process and the creative challenges he faces during the writing journey. They discuss his experiences at the San Diego Festival of Books and how he views his audience, which includes both men and women, despite the genre's expectations.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Matt Quirk. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Matthew Quirk's writing journey, from his background in journalism to the inspiration behind his political thrillers.
* The balance between research and storytelling in his books, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining a captivating narrative.
* The unpredictability of a writing career and the excitement of navigating its highs and lows.
* An anecdote about a childhood letter to author Michael Crichton, highlighting Matthew's early passion for storytelling.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Matt, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In an episode which features a turn of the tables, Jose Cruz interviews his co-host, the one and only Nancy Sasaki, the CEO of the United Way of San Diego County. Nancy, who has spent her entire career in the non-profit world, has been leading United Way San Diego for just over five years. During these five years, Nancy has managed to find new ways to serve San Diego, particularly communities which have not seen the level of investment needed to generate life changing outcomes.
One major, multi-partner initiative recently created and led by United Way is the "STEAM-to-Careers" program to expose high school students from Escondido and Lincoln High to the various career pathways in the world of STEAM. Often misunderstood and pigeonholed as careers only for those strong in math and engineering, STEAM-to-Careers is opening the aperture and showing students that there are many paths to enjoyable STEAM careers.
And how does the program work? In collaboration with several partners, including Fleet Science Center, Paving Great Futures, San Diego Workforce Partnership, Junior Achievement, Escondido Compact, and SAY San Diego, STEAM-to-Careers is a 10-week rotational program with engineering, financial literacy, healthcare, and multi-media intensives. Students also participate in field trips to see STEAM in action by way of visiting companies such as Solar Turbines, Rady Children's Hospital, SDG&E, and Illumina. A very cool program built upon knowledge acquistion and knowledge application.
You'll really enjoy this incredible episode which amplifies the excellent work of United Way of San Diego County. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The impetus for creating STEAM-to-Careers was the recognition that 60% of jobs in San Diego County require post-secondary education
* The lack of awareness and access to STEAM in underserved communities is large and without programs like STEAM-to-Careers, many young adults will be challenged in finding many of the best high-paying jobs in the future
* Nancy's thoughts on the importance of reading at grade level by 3rd grade
* Ideas for helping students pay for college once they get excited about a STEAM career
* Upcoming opportunities with United Way, including the holiday drive for STEAM kits
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Nancy, for your contributions in San Diego, your leadership of the United Way of San Diego County, and for joining us on The Gap Minders, the very show for which you are the Founding Co-Host!
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In an episode touching upon an issue so broad and little understood, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Derek Danizger, the President of OPR Communications. But it is not this title which brought Derek to the show. It's the title called, :Father, autistic child."
Derek, a life long storyteller, with dreams of being Spielberg, or a sportscaster, and who became a successful public relations expert, has gone on and told his greatest story ever. He recently wrote a book, inspired by his son, "I'm Autistic and I'm Awesome."
Listen as Derek shares his perspective as a parent of a child with "special abilities, not disabilities" and how he has learned to interact, respond, react, and thrive with his son. Written for kids, parents, family members, therapists, and teachers, Derek's book is a touching and much needed book for all of us to learn from.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Derek Danzigerl. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Neurodiversity is quite broad and it's important to recognize and know how to respond.
* 1 in 22 California children are neurodiverse (around one in every classroom)
* Classroom teachers can benefit from training on teaching strategies for neurodiverse students
* The therapeutic impact of animals and with his son, horses in particular
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Derek, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Alicia are joined in the studio by Dr. Ben Maxwell, the Division Chief of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Rady Children's Hospital. Rady Children's Hospital is the largest children's hospital in California and plays a crucial role in addressing pediatric mental health.
Hear Dr. Maxwell highlight the significant increase in psychiatric emergencies in recent years, with the hospital seeing over 4,700 cases in the last fiscal year, emphasizing the urgent need for mental health support for children and adolescents. This episode also delves into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health, emphasizing that it exacerbated existing challenges such as social disconnection, stress, and uncertainty.
Listen as Dr. Maxwell emphasizes the importance of community collaboration and partnerships with organizations like UC San Diego, San Diego Center for Children, and others to address the crisis effectively. He also discusses efforts to train pediatricians to identify and address mental health concerns in children early on and the need to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. This episode also touches on the importance of social connection and community in promoting mental well-being and how everyone can contribute to building a more connected and supportive society.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Dr. Maxwell. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The youth mental health crisis and its significant impact on pediatric care at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego.
* How the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing mental health challenges among children and adolescents, emphasizing the need for community support.
* Collaboration with various organizations and training programs for pediatricians are essential strategies to address the crisis effectively.
* Stigma surrounding mental health issues is gradually diminishing, but there is still much work to be done to ensure early intervention and support.
* The importance of social connections and community in promoting mental well-being is highlighted, with an emphasis on everyone's role in building a more connected and supportive society.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Ben, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Alicia, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Cathryn Nacario, CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, covers San Diego and Imperial Country and has three main pillars: support, education, and advocacy for individuals affected by mental health concerns. The organization is peer-led, with staff members having lived experiences with mental health issues, co-occurring disorders, or being caregivers.
Listen in as the hosts and Cathryn underscore the importance of normalizing discussions about mental health, emphasizing that mental health is an integral part of overall well-being. The stigma surrounding mental health is still powerful, and the delay in seeking treatment due to this stigma is highlighted – an average of 11 to 13 years before individuals seek help. This episode also touches on the subjective nature of mental health concerns, where what's considered "bad" varies from person to person. The importance of seeking treatment, whether through therapy, medication, or holistic approaches, is stressed, as treatment varies for each individual.
Hear Nacario discuss NAMI's efforts to break the stigma around mental health through programs like "In Our Own Voice," where individuals with lived experience share their stories. Cathryn also touches on the challenges of accessing mental health care, including affordability, workforce shortages, and difficulties in finding suitable providers. Telehealth and group therapy are identified as potential solutions to improve accessibility.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Cathryn. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The importance of normalizing conversations about mental health.
* The enduring stigma surrounding mental health and the substantial delay in seeking treatment as well as NAMI's efforts to combat the stigma
* Challenges in accessing mental health care, including affordability and workforce shortages, are discussed, with a nod to the potential of telehealth and group therapy.
* NAMI's work extends to addressing homelessness linked to mental illness, operating independent living homes, and providing essential services to unhoused individuals.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Cathryn, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In yet another outstanding episode, Nancy and a guest co-host, Charles Parisi, enjoyed a broad conversation with Najla Ibrahim, the Director of Health & Wellness for Somali Family Service. Helping the many refugees from Somalia and other countries is embedded deeply in her soul, all inspired by her personal journey. Having to leave war-torn Somalia 30 years ago when she was a toddler, Najla, a graduate of both UCSD and SDSU, shares with listeners the story of the family walking to Kenya to escape the civil war, the painful separation from her Dad upon arriving in Kenya, the family reuniification in Nairobi, the stop in NYC, and then the final arrival at their first apartment in America in San Diego. A story of hope, home, and now help to the many families coming to San Diego.
From their two locations in City Heights and El Cajon City, Somali Family Service helps refugees integrate into the community with a focus on economic development, community engagement, youth programs, and health and wellness. Since 2000, thousands of families have been served, paving the path to bright futures, the creation of homes, the launching of businesses, and the education of children. Well done, we say!
You'll also hear Najla discuss the "collectivist" mindset by which everyone helps everyone and gives San Diego good marks on being a collectivist city. A discussion also ensues as to how collectivism paid large dividends during the pandemic and continues to pay in the delivery of mental health services. On this note, Somali Family Service learned how to pivot and grow in order to meet the demand from their community.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Najla. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Ther broad, comprehensive perspective on wellness and how it informs their programs
* A new program to address youth substance abuse involving youth ambassadors
* A program built with UCSD Extension to rapidly reskill community health workers
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Najla for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Walter Philips, the CEO of San Diego Youth Services. San Diego Youth Services was founded in 1970 by John Whittemier and his wife. John, a graduate student of the Master's in Social Work program, saw the need to provide shelter to homeless youth in San Diego and opened his own home as the city's first runaway and homeless shelter. Over the years, San Diego Youth Services has expanded significantly, now offering over 30 programs with 250 staff members, addressing the needs of vulnerable youth in the community.
Hear Walter discuss the importance of trauma-informed care, emphasizing its integration into every aspect of their work. They recognize that many of the youth they serve have experienced trauma and tailor their services accordingly. Mental health support has become a central component of their programs, with psychiatry services and a team of licensed clinicians.
Listen in as Walter emphasizes the importance of collaboration and how San Diego Youth Services works closely with local politicians, nonprofits, and organizations like United Way to advocate for youth homelessness and secure funding. Walter also touches upon the need for unified efforts and capacity building in the field of mental health services. Walter acknowledges the shortage of mental health clinicians and emphasizes their commitment to training and bringing in young therapists and counselors to bridge the gap.
This episode also discusses the invisibility of youth homelessness, as many young people are not readily seen on the streets due to couch-surfing or hiding to avoid exploitation. Walter explains that youth homelessness often involves mental health crises, substance abuse, and educational challenges. He emphasizes the urgency of addressing youth homelessness to prevent them from falling victim to human trafficking. Walter encourages individuals to become educated about existing programs, volunteer, and donate, stressing that even small contributions can make a difference. He advises against hasty actions and suggests learning about specific needs and challenges before taking action.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Walter. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* San Diego Youth Services' origins and its expansion over the years to serve a wide range of needs for vulnerable youth.
* The importance of programs in schools to prevent youth homelessness and mental health issues.
* How trauma-informed care is integrated into the organization's services to address the mental health needs of youth.
* Efforts to raise awareness and collaborate with other organizations and advocates to address youth homelessness and mental health.
* Walter Philips' journey to becoming the CEO and inspiring success stories of youth who have benefited from San Diego Youth Services.
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Walter, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Tamara Craver, the CEO of Reality Changers.
Reality Changers is an organization dedicated to helping first-generation students become first-generation college graduates. Listen as Tamara explains that they primarily work with students starting in the 8th grade who often have lower GPAs. Their goal is to provide support, mentorship, and resources to help these students improve their academic performance and prepare for college.
Hear Tamara share the great success that Reality Changers has had, with their over 3500 graduates from the program. Tamara also discusses the challenges faced by these first-generation students, including language barriers and the need for additional academic support. She emphasizes the impact of positive role models and support systems on these students' achievements and explains that they Reality Changers provides a supportive environment with activities, tutoring, homework assistance, and even meals.
Listen to Tamara discuss the vision for Reality Changers and expressing her desire to expand and reach more students while making the organization unnecessary by ensuring equal access to education for all. Tamara shares her experience of participating in the event despite her fear of heights and encourages others to step out of their comfort zones for a good cause.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Tamara. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The mission and goals of Reality Changers as well as their hopes for the future
* The programs and services offered by Reality Changers
* Trends in interest among students who are participating in Reality Changers
* Awareness and fundraising efforts of Reality Changers
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Tamara, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode's great conversation, Nancy and Jose are joined by Ed Becerra, the Founder of Education Begins In The Home, a non-profit started in 2015 to improve latino literacy by providing free books to familes. Eight years later, they have provided free books to over 54,000 children! Fueled by a belief that opening a book changes lives. To say the least, Ed is a man of passion and commitment.
Known as the "Book Man of North County" for his many community activities from Oceanside to Escondido, Ed's passion for books began at young age with comic books and an early book presented by a teacher - "Kidnapped" by Robert Louis Stevenson! In 2016, Education Begins In The Home became a program of Empowering Latino Futures, a non-profit with many programs suporting Latino literacy and authors, helping Ed to further amplify his mission.
During this episode, you'll hear Nancy, Jose, and Ed discuss the clients served by Education Begins In The Home, the types of books they need, as well as the organizations, including the San Diego Council on Literacy, supporting Education Begins In The Home.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Ed Becerra. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The need for bi-lingual books
* Ed's view that bi-lingual books are the future!
* Their contributory role with the Latino Family & Book Festival at Mira Costa College
* Their support of the International Latino Book Awards
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Ed, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode's great conversation, Nancy and Jose are joined by Sara Boquin, the CEO of the nationally renowned Barrio Logan College Institute. BLCI has created a college readiness model that has positive, proven outcomes in enrolling students in college and helping them be successful while there. To date, 100% of BLCI students enroll in college. A statistic like that is almost impossible to achieve given the social and economic resources impacting our students and their communities. Yet, BLCI has continued to defy the impossible and provide every child with access to higher education, not limited by culture or status, resulting in a thriving community and a better world.
And where does this passion come from for Sara? At the age of three, Sara’s parents decided to move her family back to their home country, Honduras, Central America. They lived in San Pedro Sula for over six years, where she and her sister further developed their native language, absorbed the culture, and learned the realities of life in a third world country. Upon their return to California, her family moved to Riverside where her parents still reside. Sara found her passion for Latin America’s rich history and literature as an undergraduate at the University of California, San Diego. Graduating from UCSD was not easy and she leaned on support programs and friends available to her. This is why she believes in supporting students in their educational path–she is grateful for those who supported her and believes in paying it forward and has dedicated her career to working with educational equity programs.
During this episode, you'll hear Nancy, Jose, and Sara discuss the entire supportive ecosystem that is BLCI to help shape all of their students for success in college and life. From tutoring and cultural immersion to field trips and college prep, BLCI is a holistic model with a singular focus on the ascent of students.
You'll also hear Sara discuss the significant growth of BLCI over the last 10 years including five different school sites from Chula Vista to El Cajon as well as the process by which students and parents learn about BLCI and gain acceptance to the program. Sara also spends some time discussing her vision for providing their model to an even larger group of students across the County.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Sara Boquin. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* BLCI serves students from 3rd grade through 12th grade
* Younger students focus on proficiency, identify, and confidence
* High schoolers focus on college readiness and prep
* Most students have their financial needs met for college by way of financial aid and scholarships
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Sara, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this special episode celebrating books, Nancy and Jose are joined by Dorcy Rose, the Manager of Events & Programming, and Fiona Leung, the Director of Events, for the San Diego Union- Tribune. Dorcy and Fiona joined the show to discuss the upcoming Festival of Books on August 19th at the University of San Diego.
During the episode you'll hear about the over 80 local and national authors appearing live and virtually at the Festival of Books. Constructed as a hybrid experience with live, prerecorded on demand, and live streaming presentations, the Festival of Books is chock full of activities for book lovers, literacy champions, families, and children! Dorcy and Fiona also reveal that the one and only Bernie Taupin, the songwriting partner to Elton John, will be at the Festival!
Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The event is FREE! Registration is recommended
* The line-up of authors is inclusive and reflects all voices
* KPBS will reveal this years "One Book, One San Diego" choice
* Hours are 10am - 4pm
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from two leaders from the San Diego Union-Tribune, a true gap minder. Thank you, Dorcy and Fiona, for celebrating books and literacy, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In another excellent episode focused on food insecurity, Nancy and Jose are joined by Vince Hall, the Chief Government Relations Officer for Feeding America. As Chief Government Relations Officer, Vince Hall leads the development and execution of Feeding America’s public policy, legislative and advocacy strategies to empower communities and improve food security. He helps lead efforts to end hunger by advocating for policy changes, supporting advocacy capacity across the network, increasing neighbor enrollment in public benefits and building partnerships that amplify our collective voice.Vince has extensive nonprofit and public sector management experience. Prior to joining Feeding America, he served as the CEO of Feeding San Diego, the leading hunger-relief and food rescue organization in San Diego County.
During this episode, you'll hear Nancy, Jose, and Vince discuss "The Food Line" as the core focus of Feeding America, with its efforts and programs built around Serving The Line, Shortening The Line, and Ending The Line. And how large are their efforts? With over 200 local food bank members of the national network, additionally connected to over 60,000 local organizations, the vast ecosystem of Feeding America delivers over 5.5 billion meals to over 40 million of our neighbors in America!
You'll also hear Vince discuss the many reasons why he is positive on the food hunger battle, ranging from their food interception programs at every step in the food chain from farms to restaurants, to their efforts to expand summer EBT programs to alleviate child hunger during the summer months when schools are closed. Not to mention the 3 million volunteers around the country making a difference on the front lines to alleviate food insecurity.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Vince Hall. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The challenges to food banks brought on by food and fuel inflation, as well as labor costs
* The most severe food gaps are children and "race and place" segments
* 70% of SNAP recipients are children, seniors, and those with disabilities
* New national food and nutrition program passed in a recent omnibus spending bill
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Vince, for your contributions both nationally and in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Jen Nation, the Executive Director of Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center.
Hear Jen talk about the importance of maintaining good health and environmental stewardship. Jen shares how the organization's programs, such as Cooking for Salud and Kitchenistas, have had a positive impact on the community. Cooking for Salud is an eight-week program teaching healthy eating habits, and Kitchenistas are graduates who become health advocates, spreading their knowledge and skills throughout the community. Hear the guests discuss discuss Olive Wood Gardens' events, including the Seedling Soiree, where chefs and kitchenistas come together to share healthy recipes, and the Day of Play, a free community event to promote wellness.
The podcast also highlights the close partnerships with various organizations in National City, such as A Reason to Survive, Mundo Gardens, and Environmental Health Coalition, to address community issues and work towards policy changes.
Hear the guests discuss discuss Olivewood Gardens' events, including the Seedling Soiree, where chefs and kitchenistas come together to share healthy recipes, and the Day of Play, a free community event to promote wellness. Overall, listen in on a conversation emphasizing the importance of community engagement, environmental sustainability, and nutritious food choices in creating a healthier and more equitable society
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Jen Nation. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The mission and goals of Olivewood Gardens as well as their facilities
* The food and environmental awareness programs offerred by Olivewood Gardens
* The importance of volunteers and how those interested can get involved
* Organizations that Olivewood Gardens collaborates with
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Jen, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this important episode on hunger, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Casey Castillo, the CEO of The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Casey, who has been with this essential social impact organization since 2008, led the team last year to the distribution of over 44 million pounds of food and service to 400,000 people per month in San Diego County.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Casey Castillo. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The importance of the collaboration with over 500 local partners
* The impact of the cuts to the CalFresh program, as well as how successful it was
* How food inflation is creating real challenges
* Feeding hungry students over weekends now includes books!
* Some residents will feed their pets over themeselves, so pet food is also a good donation item
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Casey, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this eye and ear opening episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Anahid Brakke, the President & CEO of the San Diego Hunger Coalition.
Hunger isn't visible. That one point from Anahid is powerful. And it's a point that helps drive the mission of the San Diego Hunger Coalition.
Started in 1974 by concerned citizens, the San Diego Hunger Coalition serves as behind-the-scenes backbone organization supporting many partners in their collaborative seeking systemic changes to the world of hunger. Whether it is the CalFresh / SNAP program, Hunger Free Kids, Hunger Free San Diego, or its collaborations with the Food Bank, Feeding San Diego, San Ysidro Health, or True Care, the San Diego Hunger Coalition works with trusted, on the ground local partners to alleviate hunger in our community. In a typical year, 300+ organizations come "to the table" to leverage the know how and experience of the San Diego Hunger Coalition.
Hear Anahid share what she thinks about the difference between food security and nutritional security, the ins and outs of food subsidies in America, as well as data sharing among its collaborative partners. We even learn about an excellent documentary called "A Place At The Table" addressing the food subsidy eocosystem.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Anahid Brakke. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The importance of recognizing that hunger isn't visible like homelessness
* Nutritional security means three HEALTHY meals per day
* Programs for hunger must be accessible and deal with technology, transportation, language, hours of operation, and the nature of one's work environment in order to be effective
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Anahid, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Vino Pajanor, the CEO of Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego.
Hear Vino discuss a book that impacted him heavily which was, Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography, "The Story of My Experiments with Truth." This read taught him about the evolving nature of truth and inspiring his work. Vino then shares his journey at Catholic Charities, a 103-year-old organization that provides care and hope to those in need. He explains their mission to address various community needs, such as homelessness, immigrant and refugee support, and programs for seniors.
Hear Vino share what he believes is the importance of Catholic Charities being present in neighborhoods and partnering with local parishes to serve everyone regardless of their beliefs. He also talks about their efforts to redesign their operations, including establishing multiple food pantries and a centralized warehouse to distribute food. Vino mentions their plans to engage retired individuals through programs like Foster Grandparents, and he emphasizes the importance of building trust with pastors and working within the structure of the Catholic Church.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Vino Pajanor. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The rich history behind Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego
* The many programs and services offered by the organization
* The idea and importance of the "safety nets" created by the organization
* Future plans for the organization
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Vino, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Sean Spear, President and CEO at Community HousingWorks. Hear Sean discuss childhood memories of memorizing and reciting literature and his background and experience in acting classes and how it helped him with presentations.
The Community HousingWorks focuses on providing affordable housing and resident services. These services include education programs for children, financial counseling, and health and well-being support for seniors and individuals with special needs.
Hear Nancy and Jose mention their visits to Community HousingWorks locations and their impressions of the organization's commitment to improving residents' quality of life. Sean explains the organization's approach to community development and its emphasis on creating a stable home environment for residents to pursue their long-term goals.
Sean discusses the challenges faced during the pandemic and how Community HousingWorks adapted its programs and provided support to residents, including emergency rental assistance and food distribution. Sean highlights the importance of resident services and collaboration with other community providers to address the specific needs of residents.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Sean Spear. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* What makes Community HousingWorks special
* The services offered by Community HousingWorks and some of the challenges they face
* The long-term impact and goals of Community HousingWorks (buckets)
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Sean, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Stacey Roberts, the Founder of Stacey Roberts Entertains Kids.
Throughout his career, Stacey has had several mentors who have steered him toward the place he is now. Hear Stacey talk about the impact that each one of these people had on his life. Each one of these people instilled in him lessons in the importance of self-respect, adaptability, perseverance, and determination.
When Stacey moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, he realized that he struggled with reading. This is how he got involved with literacy in education. Taking his own personal struggles and experiences, he began to think about how he could help others and give back to his community.
This is how Stacey created Reggie Raposaurus. Reggie represents the core values of Stacey Roberts Entertains Kids. He aims to show kids the value of their character and imagination while getting kids excited about books, reading, and education.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Stacey Roberts. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Stacey's childhood growing up in San Diego and LA
* How Stacey's experiences with reading have shaped his career
* Some of the most impactful people and experiences of Stacey's career
* The creation and evolution of Reggie Raposaurus
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Stacey, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Jessica Baron, the Founder, and Executive Director of Guitars and Ukes In The Classroom. Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom is a non-profit organization that aims to blend different areas of education with music.
One of the missions of Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom is to bring music and the ability to play music to everyone. Recognizing that music is so important in holding life experiences together, Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom support, inspire, equip, prepare, and coach anyone working in education or in home and hospital learning, also in pediatric wards with the ability to share music and music education.
Hear Jessica talk about the new curriculum models that Guitars and Ukes in the classroom are helping to develop in order to better serve kids in special needs programs. They do this in order to help bridge the gap in educational needs and learning strategies for all students, helping those in their programs navigate any educational struggles or difficulties they may have.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Jessica Baron. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Why Jessica thinks music is so important
* The goals and programs of Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom
* Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom and interdisciplinary education
* The value of blending music into traditional curriculum
* The answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Jessica, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Emily Moberly, the Founder, and CEO of Traveling Stories. Traveling Stories is a non-profit organization that aims to spread the passion for reading to children not only in San Diego but also all over the world.
Emily grew up loving books. Even before she could read, she always wanted to stay up later to keep reading. When Emily went to teach English in Honduras after she graduated college, she was shocked to learn that many other kids did not have this same positive association and passion for reading as they had really only read textbooks. This experience became the catalyst for the creation of Traveling Stories.
Since the pandemic, Traveling Stories has been pivoting its strategy. Where they used to have a more in-person focus with popup storytime at farmer's markets, they have now shifted to a more virtual approach where kids can meet weekly with reading mentors. They also have several new programs like their Walk for LIteracy and internship program to help bring the value of reading to all.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Emily Moberly. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* How Emily became so passionate about reading
* The story behind Traveling Stories
* Current and future goals of Traveling Stories
* The answer to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Emily, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In yet another stellar episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Todd Tibbits, the President and CEO of the YMCA of San Diego County. With 31 years of service to the YMCA, Todd became the CEO in 2021, joining what he referred to as the "jackpot" of YMCAs. We learn a great deal from Todd, from the formation of the YMCA in 1844 in London, England, to the evolution of the YMCA here in San Diego.
In Todd's typically atypical day as the CEO, he gets to oversee a YMCA system which provides everything from "gym and swim" community centers and summer camps to youth and family services. But what might surprise many about the YMCA is their role in youth homelessness, evidenced by the Lincoln Apartments in Escondido, food distribution, tutoring, and many other social services. How does it all tie together? Todd shares that the YMCA is about well being for all, equitable opportuities, and positive youth development.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Ed, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Ed Hidalgo, the Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer at the Cajon Valley Union School District. As a part of his position, Ed's main responsibility is to help other districts integrate career development frameworks similar to the one pioneered by the Cajon Valley Union School District (CVUSD). CVUSD created its framework based on a theory of change and action that focused on career-focused learning beginning in early grades instead of only focusing on older students.
CVUSD recognized the importance of exposing young children to career paths. Based on all the interactions that children have with adults who have jobs, integrating a career development curriculum will give kids the ability to communicate and connect with adults while also learning more about themselves and the people they could become. Kids who have their experiences are more confident in themselves and more aware of the opportunities they have to succeed.
Ed was inspired by his own struggles with learning at school. These struggles led him to believe that he was destined to be unsuccessful. These struggles that he had as a child and young adult have a huge impact on the work he does now. Data shows that kids in the career development program are more engaged in school and confident about themselves.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Ed Hidalgo. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Why career development is important, the benefits that it has in young children
* How career development, self-confidence, and literacy are connected
* What does CVUSD's career development education model look like
* Ed's own struggles with education and how that fueled him for his work now
* The answer to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Ed, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Nora Briggs, the Executive Director of the Dollywood Foundation. The Dollywood Foundation is a non-profit organization that was created by Dolly Parton. One of the programs that the foundation runs is called the imagination library which aims to spread the love of reading to kids under the age of five.
Inspired by her father who couldn't read, Dolly Parton created the imagination library as a way to allow children to grow up in homes filled with books. She recognized that education is an equalizer for opportunities and that reading is the key to creating lifelong learners. Counties with the program can through matched donations join the program which makes all children under the age of 5 eligible for monthly books.
Hear Nora speak about the Imagination Library and its importance to the community and to herself. After multiple career changes, she settled at the Dolly Parton Foundation because she wanted to make her passion for reading her job and make the world a better place. She is excited about all the work she has done since she joined as well as everything the foundation has planned.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Nora Briggs. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The Dollywood Foundation and the Imagination Library
* What it is like to work with Dolly Parton
* The positive impact that the Imagination Library has on children and fmailies
* Nora's call-to-action for communities
* The answer to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Nora, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Reem Zubaidi, the co-facilitator of the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition. Made up of 12 member organizations serving a variety of refugee communities, the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition aims to address gaps for refugees and new immigrants.
Hear Reem talk about some of the biggest gaps in refugee communities like lack of health services, lack of trust between refugee patients and health providers, and the language and cultural barriers that hinder daily life. The coalition aims to address these issues with community health workers who, due to their experiences as members of the refugee and immigrant communities, are able to reach more people and become advocates for others within their community.
Reem was inspired by her grandparents who were refugees as well as the inequalities that she saw for those around her. While she initially wanted to work in environmental journalism, she realized that a lot of environmental issues were heavily connected with and most strongly affecting refugee communities. Reem recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for these issues and continues to actively work on improving conditions and providing services.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Reem Zubaidi. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The gaps that the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition aims to close
* How language and culture misunderstandings make it hard for refugees when navigating the healthcare system
* How Reem got involved with the Coalition
* What the Coalition is currently working on and Reems wishlist for the future of the Coalition
* The answer to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Reem, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Sitara Sethi, the CEO of the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities. Starting in 1986, the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities has always worked towards helping those with developmental disabilities. In the past 10 years, they have shifted more towards a nonprofit model to help grow services for those with developmental disabilities.
What exactly is a developmental disability? Sitara defines it as any physical or intellectual disability that affects the development of a person starting from birth or during childhood. The FDD aims to help this community by giving out funding (grants) to organizations and serving the regional center for developmental disabilities. These services are anything from rent aid, sports leagues, family activities and support programs, employment help, and more.
Some of the biggest gaps that Sitara has seen since beginning her work with the foundation are access to services and housing. Many people in San Diego are living with developmental disabilities and struggle to be able to secure and afford housing that accommodates their needs. They are working to actively identify and aid those with disabilities who are struggling with these situations.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Sitara Sethi. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The work and goals of the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities
* The gaps that Sitara sees and how she wants to close them
* Sitara's most impactful book
* How Sitara thinks that people in the community can help
* The answer to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Sitara, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Monica Emery, the Executive Director at the Center for World Music. The Center for World Music is an organization that aims to bring musicians to audiences, reaching as many people of all backgrounds as possible. They recognize that there are many musicians in the community who are masters of their craft and who can share their culture and talents through their music.
Monica and the Center for World Music recognize that there is a gap between the diversity in our local community and the diversity in the music education curriculum. Music education now focuses mainly on Western traditions but would be even more impactful and beneficial if it reflected the diversity of students.
Hear Monica talk about the benefits of a diverse musical education. Music can be used to learn about culture and history from different parts of the world. music is about expression, values, and community, not only just career and performance.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Monica Emery. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* How Monica got involved in the Center for World Music
* The importance of music in education
* The challenges that the Center for World Music and Musicians face
* The most memorable story Monica has read
* The answer to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Monica, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by James Halliday, the Executive Director of A Reason To Survive (ARTS). This organization aims to use a connection to the arts to foster creativity, resilience, and trust to strengthen the community and the individuals within it. Through ARTS, James has realized the importance of meeting the needs of young people and respecting their voices.
After spending time overseas immersing himself in international cultures and working in journalism in Eastern Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East, as well as system building in high education James returned to San Diego. Wanting to make the biggest impact with his work, he refocused on education and youth development. ARTS was one of the organizations that James found and was where James felt like he was meeting his "destiny."
One of his focuses upon returning to San Diego was to build a strong network. His background in creating systems really benefitted him when it came to bringing a group of people together to accomplish a mission.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with James Halliday. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* James' early career and how he found ARTS
* The importance of networks
* James' most impactful book
* The impact of ARTS and the biggest challenges that they see in young people
* How to improve learning for young people and allowing young people to create change
* The answer to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, James, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Dr. Emily Schindler, the Director of Education at the Comic-Con Museum. Opening in the summer of 2021, the Comic-Con Museum aims to bring the magic of Comic-Con to the San Diego community throughout the year.
Hear Matt talk about the importance of the arts and creative youth development. While traditional arts education focuses on arts exposure, integration, and education, creative youth development uses arts education to engage children and foster social and emotional development as well as other aspects of positive youth development.
How exactly did Emily get involved with Comic-Con? From being a volunteer teacher in Ecuador to working in the Education Research Lab at UCI, all throughout her career, Emily has worked in education. Working at the Comic-Con museum was the perfect way for her to blend her experience of working with children, with her experience of building things, and her experience of centering stories through media.
Through her work at the Comic-Con museum, Emily aims to close the gap between the literacy that people use daily and the way literacy is defined in education. Comic-Con is a literacy community, focusing on reading, writing, speaking, and many other critical communication skills. Emily believes that the learning done at the Comic-Con museum will help focus learning in the service of meaning in addition to learning for skill development.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Dr. Emily Schindler. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* Emily's education in college and beyond
* How comics contribute to literacy and education and the benefits of the Comic-Con model
* What Comic-Con contributes to the San Diego community
* Emily's favorite childhood memories connected to literacy
* The answer to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Emily, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Matt D'Arrigo, the Director of Creative Youth Development at the Clare Rose Foundation. The Clare Rose Foundation is a small family foundation that focuses on building up leaders and other non-profits in the community.
Hear Matt talk about the importance of the arts and creative youth development. While traditional arts education focuses on arts exposure, integration, and education, creative youth development uses arts education to engage children and foster social and emotional development as well as other aspects of positive youth development.
The arts are also extremely helpful as we as a community tackle the mental health crisis. Youth today need a place to feel accepted and belong. Creative Youth Development tackles this issue by bringing funding into the community, creating a network, providing services, and connecting youth with positive adult mentors.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Matt D'Arrigo. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* How Matt got involved with the Clare Rose Foundation
* The importance of the arts and artists in the community
* The current mental health crisis and the gaps it is creating
* The value of the transition to trust-based philanthropy
* Answers to the rapid-fire questions
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Matt, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Charles Parisi, the CEO of Cloudcast Media. Charles is an entrepreneur and change-maker who is constantly working to close the gaps in our community. Hear him talk about the "power of yes" and the importance that it has as a catalyst for innovation.
Through their poducation series, Cloudcast Media has been working to help integrate podcast learning into education. Students inherently are not met with the same challenges as adults as they face challenges head-on and don't have the same knowledge of limitations, creating unlimited potential. Through student-run podcasts, this project aims to cultivate important life skills like collaboration, communication, leadership, entrepreneurship, discipline, and more while allowing students to explore unique subjects.
In fact, San Diego has become a leader in podcast education through the efforts of Charles and Cloudcast Media. They have built audio curriculums, created education models, and advocated for the embracing of podcasts in education. Charles believes that with the emergence of new technology, it is of the utmost importance that we allow education to evolve too.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Charles Parisi. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The importance of saying "yes"
* The power of children
* "Poducation" and what it teaches to students
* Technology and the evolution of education
* The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Charles, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Don Wells, the CEO of Just in Time For Foster Youth. Don is a remarkable person who has had remarkable careers in many fields from teaching to marketing to journalism and now non-profits. But, what has stayed true for him and driven him is his life purpose of making a positive impact in the lives of others.
Just in Time For Foster Youth is a local non-profit organization that serves people ages 18-26 who were in the foster care system at any point during their childhood in any city for any length of time. Don likens the struggles of youth aging out of the system to trying to fly an airplane while building it. Just in Time helps young people by providing resources, creating a connection to the community, and creating a larger support system.
Just in Time also tries to hire foster youth into their organization as employees as they can, through their experiences in the system, provide a unique perspective on what is needed and what programs can be used to fill gaps in the system.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Don Wells. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The mission of Just in Time For Foster Youth
* The positive impact of Just in Time For Foster Youth
* How Just in Time For Foster Youth adapted to the pandemic
* Some of the many programs that Just in Time For Foster Youth provides
* How Don got involved with his many careers and how his childhood influenced him
* The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Don, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Dr. Teresa Smith, the CEO and Founder of Dreams for Change. Since her childhood, Teresa has always been interested in human behavior. She knew she was not interested in becoming a counselor or therapist so naturally, she began working in nonprofits.
Dreams For Change is a local nonprofit that works to fill gaps in the community wherever they arise. Teresa and Dreams For Change's approach to problem-solving have always been hands-on, working to fix problems as they appear and innovate solutions to help others. One of their most prominent efforts is with homelessness. During the recession, Teresa recognized a new group of people was now losing their homes; those who had lost their jobs and sources of income. As many of these people found that shelters were not the right environment for them, they turned to living in their cars. This is where the idea of the Safe Parking program was born. Since then, the efforts to help those in poverty have expanded to mobile soup kitchens and food trucks as well as free help in filing taxes.
An excellent episode on change-making with Teresa Siles. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:* The gap-filling efforts of Dreams For Change * The history of the Safe Parking projects and how they have evolved * What "health physics" is * Teresa's work in providing free tax help * What has changed in terms of the homelessness problem * The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
An excellent interview from a hard-working and innovative gap minder. Thank you, Teresa, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Teresa Siles, the President and Partner at Nuffer, Smith, Tucker. Teresa has worked at Nuffer, Smith, Tucker since the beginning of her career, rising through the ranks to become president. Through her experience, she has learned a lot about how to help steer a firm through drastic changes and blazing new paths forward.
Nuffer, Smith, Tucker has devised a program to get involved in the community and involve more firm members in their philanthropic focus. They want to better themselves, their partners, and the world around them. This program has a three-pronged approach, including the umbrella program, annual plans to get involved, and support for individual employees in their efforts to give back. One of the main areas of focus that many employees noted as being important was literacy due to the impact that it has on all areas of life for people of all ages.
An excellent episode on change-making with Teresa Siles. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The impact of the pandemic on Nuffer, Smith, Tucker
* Thinking about the next generation of employees
* How Nuffer, Smith, Tucker aims to give back to the community
* The importance of literacy
* The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
An excellent interview from a hard-working leader and gap minder. Thank you, Teresa, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Rachael Orose, the Executive Director of Words Alive. From a young age, Rachael has always been surrounded by books. Through her work with numerous nonprofits aimed at book distribution, she noticed a gap between families, time to read, and access to books.
This is where Words Alive comes in. Through book clubs, read-alouds, connecting play to reading, and more, Words Alive aims to connect children, teens, and families to reading. They believe they can turn people into readers by inspiring a love for reading. Words Alive has partnerships with organizations and schools throughout San Diego in order to help ingrain a love of reading throughout the lives of children.
An excellent episode on reading with Rachael Orose. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The importance of reading
* Why volunteers are so important to Words Alive
* How reading is connected to a passion for learning
* The science behind Words Alive
* The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
An excellent interview from a dedicated and driven gap minder. Thank you, Rachael, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Monica Ball, the Board President of Uplift San Diego. As a community member, Monica is extremely passionate about creating change and improving the lives of those around her by filling gaps. Through UPLIFT San Diego (which stands for Urban People Living in Faith and Trust), Monica has been able to help countless families.
Why you might ask, is housing stability so important for students? Through her time working with UPLIFT San Diego, Monica has found a heavy correlation between housing stability and school achievement. Housing stability provides students with the extra support they need to thrive in the learning environment. Monica aims to provide families with school-age children aid through eviction prevention, employment help, rental assistance, financial assistance, and more.
An excellent episode on education and homelessness with Monica Ball. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* The importance of housing stability for school-aged children
* The connection between homelessness and school performance
* What is needed to help homeless families in the community
* How the UPLIFT San Diego program aims to curb the issue
* The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
An excellent interview from a gap minder who dedicates every ounce of her work to helping children in our community achieve. Thank you, Monica, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Cindy Dunlevy, the Coordinator of the Everyone Can Read at the San Diego County Office of Education. Beginning as a kindergarten teacher, Cindy has been working with young children for years. She has brought her passion for reading to thousands of children through her program Everyone Can Read.
How does this program help kids? Schools with this program are able to give extra help to kids in first, second, and third grade through one-on-one reading time with volunteer tutors. Whether it is a child just under grade level in their reading ability or a child who needs to build some confidence, having one-on-one time can help provide extra support for the teachers and students involved.
An excellent episode on education and reading with Cindy Dunlevy. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
* How Cindy got involved with the San Diego County Office of Education
* The benefits of developing strong reading skills, especially for children
* How to encourage students to become passionate about reading
* How to get involved with the Everyone Can Read program
* The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
An excellent interview from a gap minder who is constantly working to improve the lives of even the youngest members of our community. Thank you, Cindy, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this very special episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Katie Ruiz, an incredible artist and author who finds that creation is healing. Whether it is her work in painting or fiber sculpture, she finds solace and comfort. She is most well known for her blanket series in which she portrays couples standing or lying under colorful Mexican blankets. Geometric patterns and bright colors are reiterated throughout her work. She is also known for her activism work with refugees, The Pompom Project and children’s book, Brian The Wildflower.
And how did she find her journey and the inspiration for much of her work? From real life losses, absent the ability to process what she was feeling. From the loss of her grandmother to the divorce of her parents to the loss of her first love in a tragic accident, Katie discovered the power of creation in all forms as a way to process grief. Just a wonderful and timely conversation.
Thank you, Katie, for your contributions to art, literacy, children, the processing of life's losses, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Khea and Cynthia Pollard, the mother-daughter owner duo of Cafe X: By Any Beans Necessary. Both Khea and Cynthia live their lives with an emphasis on the importance of giving back to the community. Their passion is driven by their pride in their identity as black women and the legacy of changemakers in their community who came before them.
Cafe X: By Any Beans Necessary is so much more than a coffee shop. It was designed as a co-operative to give others the opportunity to share in the ownership of the business. This particular co-op focuses on pushing boundaries and filling gaps in the community. Particularly they have a focus on providing opportunities for youth in the community. They frequently work with young people in their business as well as serve as mentors. As a business, they recognize the passion in the young people of today and their refusal to settle while pushing boundaries.
An excellent episode on community and improvement with Khea and Cynthia Pollard. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- The history of Cafe X both from Khea and Cynthia's separate and unique lived experience
- The reason behind the co-op and the goals they have for their work within the community
- What drives Khea and Cynthia in their mission
- The important and benefits of the non profit model for creating change
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A thought provoking interview from excellent gap minders who are constantly working to improve the lives of everyone in the community. Thank you, Khea and Cynthia, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Neville Billimoria, the Senior Vice President of Membership & Community Relations at Mission Federal Credit Union. Since moving to the United States from India at the age of 14, Neville has had to juggle his eastern and western identities. This idea that different parts of someones lived experience contribute to their whole identity is something that Neville has taken and applied to his professional life. Working at Mission Fed, he is known for having a balance between the financial and business and spiritual side of his life.
As a not for profit organization Mission Federal Credit Union aims to meet the financial needs of the consumers whether they be the owners or businesses. Part of their work focuses on financial literacy and education to help their consumers access and achieve their version of the "American Dream." While credit unions focus on both financial performance and social purpose, Neville primarily focuses on community engagement strategies to help underestimated people.As a gap minder, Neville aims not to "mind the gap" but rather, "mine the gap" by recognizing opportunities and filling those needs to uplift everyone.
An excellent episode on community and improvement with Neville Billimoria. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- The balance between different identities (whether it be eastern and western or business and wellness)
- Goals of the Mission Federal Credit Union as a not for profit organization and how they aim to fulfill social purpose through community relations
- Changes of perspective due to the pandemic especially in relation to physical and mental wellness
- The value of living an authentic life
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A thought provoking interview from an excellent gap minder who is lifting others in the community every single day. Thank you, Neville, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Elizabeth Schott, the CEO of Accessity, a 30 year old organization which provides much needed capital to both start-up and established businesses. The CEO for nine years, Elizabeth leads a team with an incredible mission to open doors of financial opportunity to those historically with less access to capital and business support - entrepreneurs of color, women, immigrant, and low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs - so they can build a prosperous business and livelihood for themselves and their families, while also strengthening our communities.
And since you can't spell Accessity without the word access, just what kind of access does Accessity provide? Everything from knowledge, know how and training to mentoring, financial support services and, of course, capital! Whether the need is a loan for $300 or $100,000, Accessity, a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution, has funded over $60 million since inception, representing over 2,000 businesses!
An excellent episode on financing and small business entrepreneurship with Elizabeth Schott. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- Why character based lending is an integral part of funding from Accessity
- The systemic barriers - which still exist - for many when looking to start a business
- The social equity component to the mission of Accessity
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A great interview from an excellent gap minder who is lifting businesses every single day. Thank you, Elizabeth, for your contributions in helping build the fabric of the small business community in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this outstanding episode, the first of 2023, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Sidd Vivek, the President & CEO of Junior Achievement of San Diego County, a position he has held since January 2019. Sidd, a Boston native, leads an organization which works in very innovative ways to prepare our youth for economic independence and an entrepreneurial mindset. Sidd and the team he leads, along with its corporate partners and participating schools, are passionate about helping young people become fluent in a language called money!
And how does Junior Acheivement address financial literacy? By building innovative, immersive and engaging "mini-cities" for students to truly learn the world of work, jobs and careers, and economics. All supported by classroom curriculum. Whether it is 5th graders spending a day at the McGrath Family JA BizTown, the Mission Fed JA Finance Park, or families enrolling their children in Saturday programs or summer camps, Junior Achievement is having a real impact on financial fluency and an appreciation for career readiness, economics, money, and how money works!
An excellent episode on financial literacy with Sidd Vivek. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- Biz Town supports over 20,000 5th graders each year
- FinancePark is utilized by middle school and high school students
- They now offer a "direct-to-consumer" model for families wanting to enroll their children into JA programs if not available through school
- The importance of teaching how money actually works as so many do not understand the principles
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly fun and informative interview from an excellent financial literacy gap minder. Thank you, Sidd, for your contributions to helping prepare our youth for solid financial futures, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this multi-faceted episode discussing leadership, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Janine Mason, the Founder of Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego. With respect to leadership development in the non-profit space, Fieldstone is a bellwether in providing a continuum of programs and services to strengthen the nonprofit community by developing executive leadership, increasing agency capacity, and sustaining a collaborative and vibrant network in San Diego. At the forefront is Janine, recognized as a convener, connector and cheerleader, who has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 30 years.
Janine shares many aspects of the Fieldstone programs, from their Reading Groups, focused on books of leadership, to their Learning Groups, where leadership transition and organizational sustainability are discussed by peers. In total, Fieldstone offers ten different programs and an abundance of resources for non-profits.
We also hear that while leadership excellence is always the goal in transferring knowledge from one generation to the next, Janine does point out that young leaders are dealing with a different set of challenges - all the more reason for conversation, communication and connections with peers and mentors.
A rather great episode on leadership with Janine Mason. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- Couple of key books on leadership mentioned from her Reading Group
- The immense challenges in the non-profit sector as many long-time leaders pursue retirement
- The power of a CEO sabbatical as provided by the Clare Rose Sabbatical Program
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly thought provoking and informative interview from an excellent knowledge capital and leadership-focused gap minder. Thank you, Janine, for your contributions to helping make San Diego a better social impact community, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Greg Anglea, the CEO of Interfaith Community Services, which started in 1979 to empower people in need to stabilize and improve their lives through comprehensive programs, in partnership with diverse faith communities and people of compassion. Greg, who joined Interfaith in 2006 and became CEO in 2014, leads this unique organization in delivering services to over 20,000 annually, with services ranging from food and substance-abuse treatment to vocational training and homelessness.
We learn from Greg that his path to making the world a better place was heavily influenced by his mother, who was an adult literacy teacher and a Methodist Minister. Her passion for creating change and social justice made a very early and lasting impact on Greg. No doubt his Mom, who passed away 10 years ago, would be proud of the leader and change agent he has become.
And what are some of the changes he is trying to make happen for North County citizens in need? First and foremost is safety and security, which is increasingly difficult given the lack of shelters and transitional housing, which Greg points out are very much needed for 18-24 month periods of stability. Helping residents eradicate the hold of drugs and alcohol over their lives is also an important element of Interfaith. Greg makes a very important point with respect to substance abuse - the declining cost of drugs is exacerbating the problem, with a special mention that fentanyl has clearly become the drug of choice.
Quite an excellent episode and conversation on homelessness and other challenges met daily by Interfaith. Here are some other takeaways from the interview with Greg Anglea:
- His initial interest in working internationally on global challenges
- The data-informed #1 reason for homelessness
- "Homeless in San Diego" podcast started by Interfaith involves guests who have been homeless
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly informative, educational, and impactful interview from an excellent gap minder. Thank you, Greg, for your contributions to helping make San Diego a better community, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this absolutely eye-opening episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Daphne Russell, a 28 year former teacher and author of the 2018 book "Read or Die" as well as the Founder and Director of Reading Saves Lives. Having failed at retirement, Daphne is completely focused on building a model to take any student to a promising future by way of reading! Her view is that it is easy to turn any student into a successful reader by giving them agency, autonomy - and the RIGHT books!
Driven by a customer service mindset (with the student as the customer), combined with the right books, Daphne believes we can get all students to self-actualize by reading, if and only if we stop forcing the same book on all students with varied interests and reading capacity.
So, how does she lift reading outcomes? By having books of various levels - all vetted by children - available for the student to choose. Her only guidance is to know the vocabulary in the book chosen! By knowing the vocabulary, confidence and competence grows!
What else do we learn from Daphne in this excellent episode:
- Meet the students where they are!
- The vocabulary connection to reading success
- The customer service mindset in action
- The negative impact of having books chosen for students instead of vice versa
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly informative episode with an innovative gap minder. Thank you, Daphne Russell, for working daily to help students read to live, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode, a broad ranging discussion takes place between our two hosts - two friends, two colleagues and two impactful leaders on literacy - Nancy Sasaki, the CEO of the United Way of San Diego County, and Jose Cruz, the CEO of the San Diego Council On Literacy. Nancy and Jose, who are so very instrumental in helping lead the charge for a more literate San Diego, speak about everything from literacy strategies and data informed decision making to community engagement and collaborative partnerships. The two gap minders, with their passion obvious to listeners, also spend time discussing various ongoing initiatives as well as a few potential new ones for San Diego.
Whether it is more Free Little Libraries or perhaps Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (coming to California in mid-2023), Nancy and Jose are excited about what is to come for students in San Diego. And, as they point out, we need more resources than ever before to overcome the learning and literacy challenges brought on by the pandemic.
Thank you, Nancy and Jose, for your leadership, your love of literacy, your passion for service, and for bringing The Gap Minders to life!
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this excellent episode touching upon the healthcare challenges in delivering services to urban, suburban and rural areas, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Christian Wallis, the CEO of the Grossmont Healthcare District, which started in 1952, with Grossmont Hospital having opened in 1955. Christian, the CEO since May 2021, brings a long and deep reservoir of expertise to Grossmont, including 20 years as a Naval Officer. In fact, Christian credits the Navy for much of his leadership and management style. He makes a point of mentioning his "raised by Chiefs" perspective in how he learned the importance of listening to and learning from his Senior and Master Chiefs - an informed and deferential style of leadership which has served him well in leading civilian enterprises. No doubt it is serving the citizens of the Grossmont Healthcare District well, a District covering 500,000 souls and 750 square miles, from urban La Mesa to suburban Alpine to the rural mountain areas of East San Diego County.
It is the diversity of the region served which creates the lens by which Christian sees the challenges, whether it is access to general medicine, childcare, testing kit availability, or more significant healthcare needs requiring citizens to come down the mountain into Grossmont Hospital (now operated by Sharp through a public-private partnership since 1991).
We also learned quite a bit about the strategic mindset driving Christian's long-term views as he thinks about the pipeline which must get built between the middle schools and high schools and healthcare job opportunities. He points out that we know we need and will always need more respiratory therapists, nurses, certified nurse assistants, and surgical techs, so it is essential that we build the career pathways for students interested in these critical professions.
Quite an excellent episode and conversation on healthcare. Here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Christian Wallis:
- The importance of the working relationship between his lean organization and the many community partners in delivering services
- A discussion on the social determinants of health care outcomes
- Excellent leadership advice from his military experience
- The trade-offs being made by many citizens when it comes to accessing and paying for healthcare, whether it is insurance through work, deductible levels, premiums, and various other competing needs
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly informative, educational, and impactful interview from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Christian, for your contributions to helping make 500,000 San Diegans a better community, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this absolutely incredible episode touching upon so many gaps and issues, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Nick Macchione, the Agency Director for the Health & Human Services Agency. In leading HHS and its $3 billion budget and 8,000 employees, we learn that Nick, an immigrant from Italy, leads from where he started in life. His immigrant family, hard-working yet also in need of public assistance, shaped how he thinks, leads and provides services. In fact, the arc of his life was imprinted by the very workers providing assistance to his family - he knew he wanted to do what they were doing - helping families in need.
Amazingly enough, the young man touched by public service, and after 30 years of serving the needs of the people, Nick now leads an agency serving over 1.2 million citizens of San Diego County - one third of the residents. From food and housing to many other services necessary to thrive, HHS is there day in and day out. And one of the most innovative models in the country, founded here in San Diego by Nick and his team in 2008, is "Live Well San Diego." With the goal being quite intentionally audacious - to see that every human is safe, healthy and thriving - Live Well San Diego has the support of over 500 organizations in making the goal a reality. Nick is passionate about every human reaching their full potential.
From his vantage point, Nick sees it all and this conversation with Nancy and Jose is very wide ranging and a must listen for leaders and public health professionals. From homelessness and innovation to literacy and fentanyl, this episode has it all. And, when asked what is the one gap he would really like to tackle with some innovation, his answer was fast and forceful: POVERTY. He sees it as the driver of so many issues and challenges for individuals, families and society.
Layers and layers to this conversation, though, are what makes this special - it's all in here. Quite the episode and here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Nick Macchione:
- He is inspired by the level of coopetition in San Diego, with collaborative innovation being the driving force for why San Diego is so special
- The key to delivering services is to make connections "where they're at" and to connect, build trust and then link residents to services
- The excellent innovation during the pandemic, from the convention center utilization to telehealth
- 20% of San Diego County residents are dealing with mental health challenges
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly uplifting, educational, and impactful interview from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Nick Macchione, for your contributions to helping making San Diego a better community with thriving humans, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In yet another excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Dr. William Tseng, the Assistant Area Medical Director for Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Tseng currently serves as a practicing board certified internal medicine physician, President of Professional Staff, and is a physician ambassador to the corporate community. Dr. Tseng is a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine, American College of Physicians, and the American Medical Association. Dr. Tseng serves as a Trustee for the California Medical Association and on the executive board of the San Diego Medical Society. Dr. Tseng enjoys balancing his time between patient care, hospital accreditation and patient safety, while continuing to Oversee physician education and Kaiser Permanente’s Diversity Council.
What we learn from this devout Padres fan (he won't watch games so as to not jinx them!), is a must-listen master class for those serving on the front lines for closing gaps of any kind. Not just health care, mind you, but closing gaps across the board.
And what is it that Dr. Tseng offers up for all gap minders? Let's start with his platform view that every population has gaps, whether it is flu vaccination in the African-American community, colon cancer screening in the Latino community, or hepatitis in the Asian community. Every community has gaps and the key to changing gaps isn't presenting facts, it isn't about data, but it is about listening and understanding the cultural reasons behind the gap or a reluctance behind a recommended course of action.
His advice to all interested in closing gaps is to first work on changing the culture. And the best way to do that is to listen well, build a relationship based on trust, and never be judgmental. To this point, he believes that physicians are getting much better at understanding culture in order to get the impact from their intent.
We also learn how he found his way to medicine and public health - and his struggle during medical school with the eternal question...."am I making a difference." Here are a few other key takeaways from this conversation with Dr. Tseng:
- The magical power of listening for gap minders!
- His passion for advocacy, including his involvement with seat belt laws
- Understanding that when physicians propose advice such as "exercise and eat well" we
might be making recommendations not attainable to the person for environmental
reasons - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
Thank you, Dr. William Tseng, for your passion for healthcare advocacy, your sound advice on being closing gaps, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this very enjoyable episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Veronica Dela Rosa, the Executive Vice President of Operations for San Ysidro Health, an essential healthcare backbone serving San Diego since 1969. Now serving San Diego from the border to the south, Campo to the east and Oceanside to the north, San Ysidro's over 2000 employees deliver top tier healthcare from 27 different locations.
As Executive Vice President of Operations for San Ysidro Health, Veronica leads the organization with key oversight of Clinic Operations, Information Technology, Population Health and Performance Excellence, Compliance, Human Resources, and Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.
Veronica has a special place in her heart for San Ysidro Health. In the summer of 1984 and while still in high school, she entered the organization as a volunteer. Thereafter, she was hired as a receptionist, and for the next 11 years her continual growth and development ensued as she prepared to become a healthcare leader and executive. After 20 years as an executive at Kaiser Permanente, Veronica returned to San Ysidro and now, as one of the top leaders, she is a catalyst for understanding, relating to and serving communities by building trust on a daily basis. From babies and teens to families and seniors, San Ysidro has adopted a holistic approach to improving wellness, with the social determinants of outcomes never out of mind.
A very important episode. Here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Veronica Dela Rosa.
- How San Ysidro Health is adopting telehealth on a broader basis
- Innovative ideas such as group appointments for mental health services to better address supply / demand imbalances which exist
- How their internal medicine residency program has been important to their ability to serve
- The importance of health education, including their community-infused cookbooks
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
Thank you, Veronica De La Rosa, for your passion for healthcare access, equity, recognition of the gaps which exist, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode of The Gap Minders, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by the public face of San Diego's flagship newspaper, Luis Cruz. As the Community and Public Relations Director, Luis knows the ins and outs of San Diego perhaps better than anyone. Newspapers, at their core, are all about community and Luis lives and breathes this ethos on a daily basis. His excellence after 30+ years in journalism was recently acknowledged by being given the Governor's Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, reflecting a life of impact.
And where did it all begin? His wonderful story of ascent started simple and humble. A foundation from his father, with a 6th grade education, and his mother, with a 3rd grade education, and his three brothers. A bond built by the sharing of a one room apartment in San Francisco. A truly beautiful story of a family that understood hard work, love and family. It is this foundation which launched Luis and his career, purpose, and empathy.
You will be touched by a particular emotional moment when Luis discusses speaking Spanish with his parents in this new world called America, when not speaking Spanish was on his mind. A very special moment on The Gap Minders.
A very special episode. Thank you, Luis Cruz, for being the epitome of a gap minder and for representing The San Diego Union-Tribune as a community leader.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this very enjoyable episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by a very impressive leader of an incredibly important organization, Gloria Corral, the President & CEO of PIQE (Parent Institute for Quality Education). Her passion for K-12 and higher education spans more than 25 years and includes work at the U.S. Department of Education, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Her expertise in education policy focused on Dual Language Learners, along with her extensive knowledge of system integration is both from developing policy and implementing programs that have been informed by years of working with state departments of education, local and state non-profits, advocacy organizations and large school districts. Corral previously served as the Assistant Executive Director at First 5 San Diego where she led San Diego County’s Quality Early Learning efforts along with other key initiatives for children 0-5 and their families. She worked in early learning for 15 years in policy, program and advocacy and continues her wok in the educational equity journey through family engagement and empowerment. A life of achievement and purpose.
And where did it all begin? What is the foundation and the source of her passion? Gloria tells is it her mother, a teacher in Mexico, and her Dad, the eldest son of twelve children, who led his life with a sense of responsibility for others. Gloria, whose education started in Mexico, shares her trepidations on her first day of school in America -- the beginning of her love of reading. And one of her first books she remembers well is The Ramona Series. Striking to her was Ramona, the mischievous girl - a bit of a cultural shock! But the most impactful book, read when she around 13, was Gone With The Wind. It was her first glimpse of a strong woman with tenacity. This book was important to Gloria as it also made much more tangible her understanding of slavery in American history.
We also learn of the important role and impactful programs developed by PIQE and their embrace of family and parents as an essential element for lifting the lives of children. Now operating in 13 states and Mexico City, PIQE exists to make sure parents have the skills and resources necessary to do what every parent truly wants to do and needs to do for their children.
A very insightful episode. Here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Gloria Corral.
- How PIQE was able to pivot and power up families through the pandemic
- The creation of digital literacy services to assist families lacking in both technology and
technology proficiency - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
From Tijuana to San Diego, a wonderful interview from a phenomenal gap minder and leader. Thank you, Gloria Corral, for your passion for literacy, culture, parenting, lifting lives, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this very enjoyable episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by a passionate champion of women, children and an advocate for health - Idara Inwek Ogunsaju, the CEO of the Antorge Group. Fused from the first names of her parents, Antorge is an organization focused on building self-confidence in women and helping organizations build and foster a confidence of culture. And where does Idara's skills and confidence come from you might be wondering? A life that brought her from Nigeria - fueled by a desire at age nine to be in healthcare - to healthcare management positions at Kaiser, running various departments from neurology to rheumatology. Quite the journey!
Idara also discusses her involvement in important San Diego organizations, including LEAD San Diego, whose Board she has Chaired (Nancy and Jose are also LEAD alums!) and her current position as the Board Chair for the San Diego Council on Literacy. We even learn that Idara discovered as a result of her involvement with SDCOL that her parents also served on literacy Boards in Nigeria. Talk about coming full circle! When it comes to books and literacy, we feel a real passion. Particularly powerful was how she described the most impactful books ever - Tom Thumb and Thumbelina. Why were they so impactful? Because she OWNED them! A gift from her Dad, she treasured that they were hers.
A truly special episode. Here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Idara Inwek Ogunsaju:
- Her thoughts on health literacy
- Idara's perspective on self-confidence building in women
- A gap she cares about: maternal health and survival rates
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
From Nigeria to San Diego, an impactful interview from a phenomenal gap minder and role model. Thank you, Idara, for your passion for literacy, lifting the self-confidence of women, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this very special episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by a true gap minder, Shane Harris, the CEO of S. Harris Communications and the Founder of the People's Association of Justice Advocates. A man who works tirelessly, shaped by his own very challenging life experiences, to give a hand-up to citizens with real needs, while also being a catalyst for societal change. And, when we say a challenging life, we mean it. Shane lost both his mother and father at a very young age and spent 13 years in the foster care system, including Polinsky, San Pasqual Academy and many foster homes. We hear Shane discuss something very important for all of us to think about when it comes to foster youth: reading and other fundamentals take a back seat to survival. But with the mindset of "pain as power" to elevate, Shane has created a life of impact. One book in particular fueled his passion and hope for the life he was building: Barack Obama's The Audacity of Hope.
Impact and hope. Fueled by an endemic creativity, Shane has used his passion, pastoral foundation, and purpose to address issues from foster care and criminal justice reform to senior services and inflationary gas prices. When seniors were challenged with home essentials during the pandemic, Shane created SHOT (Senior Health Outreach Taskforce). 1500 seniors received regular deliveries of home essentials and food. Rising gas prices? Shane created "Gas Me Up" and gave away over $50,000 in gas by taking over entire gas stations. Shane Harris is the epitome of a gap minder and a true social impact entrepreneur.
A truly special episode. Here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Shane Harris:
- His advice to foster youth: believe in your life!
- His view that the people he helps are also his mentors (a great guiding principle for all)
- Other issues he is working on, including guaranteed income for foster youth aging out,
Family Finding Services for the homeless, and the voting rights and voting access. - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly uplifting and impactful interview from a phenomenal gap minder who has successfully navigated significant gaps. Thank you, Shane Harris, for your passion and innovation in closing gaps, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode, one framed by a story of ascent and access, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Dr. James Cruz, the Chief Medical Officer of the Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, a position which puts him front and center in providing high-quality and accessible healthcare to many Californians. Whether it is Medicare or Medicaid eligible residents, Blue Shield serves all while focusing on healthcare inequality and the gaps that exist within the state and San Diego. This is the access story that is endemic to the Blue Shield mission.
But what about Dr. Cruz's mission and ethos? It is fueled by his incredible ascent. The son of a migrant farm worker from California's Central Valley has become the Chief Medical Officer of one of the preeminent health care providers in America. The son who experienced the work of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers - learning first-hand about dignity and respect. The son who saw his Dad take flight by joining the Air Force and taking his family off the farm to allow his children to climb. The son who remembers vividly his Golden Book encyclopedias at age three and the intellectual curiosity stimulated by the pictures, not the words! The son who always knew he would have a career in healthcare. And how did he know this? Informed by his experiences of traveling to Tijuana for dental care and healthcare - where Spanish was spoken. Informed by experience - this is Dr. James Cruz.
Quite the episode and here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Dr. James Cruz:
- His well-informed view that social needs drive healthcare outcomes
- The importance of mental health care and services being integrated into healthcare
- How the Dennis the Menace joke book given to him by his father made him a better doctor
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly uplifting, educational, and impactful interview from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Dr. James Cruz, for your passionate and experience-informed approach to healthcare for Californians, healthy citizens and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this absolutely incredible and timely episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Dr. Pradeep Gidwani, a leader with such broad impact on early childhood development in San Diego that it seems somewhat of an injustice to say that he is the Medical Director for both Healthy Development Services and First Steps, two life changing programs funded by First 5 San Diego.
Where do we begin with an episode that could be audio-curriculum for every parent, doctor, and human in the world? Let's start with an incredible program called "Reach Out And Read" which has delivered one million books in San Diego alone through the offices of pediatricians. Started in Boston by Dr. Barry Zuckerman, Pradeep and his colleagues, including the involvement of the American Academy of Pediatrics, are the local chapter for this national program. In discussing this program, we learn of Dr. Gidwani's deep passion for reading, but not just for the literacy impact. We hear about why being read to is so important for the social emotional development of children, as well as the smile it brings to an empowered parent!
The layers of the conversation, though, are what makes this a special listen. Stress, biochemistry, nurture economics, word rich environments, self-kindness, and post-traumatic growth - it's all in here.
Quite the episode and here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Dr. Pradeep Gidwani:
- The biochemistry of stress and the role of oxytocin in working through it positively
- The connection between stress and trauma
- The role of volunteerism for relationships and mentorships
- A concept called a "culture of one" and the need for self-kindness
- An important reflection on post-traumatic growth
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly uplifting, educational, and impactful interview from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Dr. Pradeep Gidwani, for your contributions to the world of early childhood development, literacy, healthy children and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this important episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by one of San Diego's true leaders, Peter Callstrom, the CEO of the San Diego Workforce Partnership, an organization which lives and breathes the world of work and the world of opportunities on a daily basis. We learn of the interesting arc of Peter's life from his early readings of Steinback classics to his lifelong work dedicated to "human services" as he calls it. Nice turn of a phrase, we'd say!
And how does he serve humans? With intentional and impactful programs, partnerships and community collaborations to close gaps and provide the tools, resources, and encouragement his fellow humans need to live a great life. Well done, we'd say, as Peter and his team are laser focused on not just the here and now but also dwell in the future to determine where we're going together.
And what is particularly on the laser focus list right now? Early education to help schools build an immersive, experiential, career pathway mindset from the get go for young students. Sounds like a smart strategy.
Here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Peter:
- Behavioral health careers are a red-light issue right now due to demand for services
- A $100 million front-end investment might be in order to jump start a program to train
behavioral health professionals for San Diego - We are facing an opportunity youth crisis right now, with youth disconnection a major
issue - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly great conversation from a wonderful gap minder. Thank you, Peter Callstrom, for being passionate about gaps, your passion for humans, and for joining us for an episode of The Gap Minders!
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
What a great Episode #25! In this wonderful episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by one of California's and San Diego's leaders, Toni Atkins, the President pro tempore of the California State Senate. We learn so much about Toni in this episode, including her humble beginnings in southwestern Virginia, the daughter of a miner and a seamstress, living in a home without running water but overflowing with love and a passion for reading. To hear her share that one of her most prized possessions is her Mom's library card tells us all we need to know about her deeply rooted connection to books, reading, libraries and the value of a public education. Quite an incredible story from Toni.
We also learn that her leadership on issues is very much about her lived experiences and why she fights so hard on poverty, health care, childcare, affordable housing and libraries, to name a few of her purposeful legislative initiatives. Listeners also hear about an amazing new program from California - the catalyst being the one and only Dolly Parton - called Imagination Library! This $68 million program will send a book monthly to 2.3 million students from ages 0-5! Talk about a smart investment into our collective futures!
Here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Toni:
- Affordable housing was 30 years in the making and it is going to take time to dig out
- Affordable housing isn't just a humanitarian issue, it is an economic issue for every
business - Libraries are not just about books, but essential access points for broadband, computers,
and community centers - Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program has distributed over 183 million books!
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly great conversation from a wonderful gap minder. Thank you, Toni Atkins, for being passionate about literacy, gaps, your willingness to serve, and for joining us for the 25th episode of The Gap Minders!
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this fun, thoughtful, and great episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by one of San Diego's leaders, Raul Campillo, the Councilmember for District 7, a diverse district spanning from the 5 to the 125! Born and raised in Calexico, Raul learned at a young age the importance of morality, family, the immigrant experience, and small business. He went on to apply all of these principles as he grew from a 5th grade teacher in Las Vegas, became a lawyer at a top firm and ultimately to arriving at his passion for public service. We hear from Raul the importance of reading and his strategy for helping his 5th grade students progress in their reading levels: build trust and push them!
Building trust has served Raul well as he leads and governs today always mindful of his true north: remember who you serve. Stay engaged with the community, listen well and serve those who elected you to the role is how he leads.
Here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Raul:
- The homeless challenge in San Diego and his view on how we're doing
- The shocked feeling he had when he read "Number Of The Stars"
- His passion for compassion, fueled by the loss of his brother to an opioid overdose
- The time Ted Kennedy stayed at his parent's home!
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly fun and important conversation from a wonderful gap minder. Thank you, Raul Campillo, for being passionate about literacy, gaps, willingness to serve, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this fun episode which covers terrain from the beaches of Alabama to the neighborhoods of San Diego, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Misty Jones, the passionate leader of the 37 branches of the San Diego Public Library. Misty has been the City Librarian for eight years and was on point during what turned out to be major transformational moment for libraries - the pandemic. We learn first hand from Misty how the San Diego Libraries did a hard pivot in learning what the community needed and how best to deliver the services.
And what was the one of the key things learned during the pandemic? Misty shares the digital divide which exists in San Diego and how much the libraries are relied upon by so many for wifi, email, and communication with family. And, of course, books, which they still managed to accomplish with curbside delivery. A truly amazing story of rising to the occasion to serve the public. All of this is why Misty feels she has the best job in the world, "helping people become better."
We also learn that Misty loved to read and fondly remembers being in her room in Alabama and teaching herself to ready using "book records" for Judy Blume and other authors.
Here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Misty:
- The San Diego Library is working on a new Master Plan to address gaps among the
libraries - The "Read San Diego" literacy program is national acclaimed
- The nine-year old downtown library was an impactful renaissance moment for San Diego
- "Literacy is a library's jam"
- "All y'all" is a cool southern saying!
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly fun and important conversation from a wonderful gap minder. Thank you, Misty Jones, for being passionate about literacy, gaps, digital divides and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this incredible episode which you'll want to enjoy while being outdoors or visiting the Zoo, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Georgeanne Irvine, the unparalleled author and Director of Publishing for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Also joining Georgeanne was her amazingly bright intern, Malia Chin (expect great things from this young woman!). What comes through loud and clear from Georgeanne, a San Diego native and 44 year veteran of the San Diego Zoo, is her palpable passion and excitement for animals, wildlife and the need for children to feel a deep and direct connection to wildlife.
And how does she help foster this connection with children? Storytelling, naturally! Georgeanne shares with us the many amazing books the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press has published, each one focused on one specific animal to create a real connection.
Whether it is Floyd the Flamingo or Karen the orangutan undergoing open heart surgery, Georgeanne is intentional in publishing inspirational books which will foster empathy and even courage as children tackle their own health challenges. Truly impactful work from Georgeanne and the team at the San Diego Zoo.
Here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Georgeanne:
- The Wildlife Alliance Press has intentionally not gone digital - hardcover books only!
- To tell the story well of a particular animal, photos are essential from the very beginning
as children engage with storytelling much better with photos - The abundance of wildlife in San Diego is amazing and should be appreciated
- The mission of the San Diego Zoo is to help foster a world where all lives thrive and one
where we co-exist much better with wildlife - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly fun and important conversation from a peerless gap minder. Thank you, Georgeanne Irvine, for creating connections between children and wildlife, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this incredibly fun, thought provoking and visionary episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Mark Stuart, the President & CEO of one of the most important community organizations - the San Diego Foundation. Mark, the son of preachers and teachers, shares his journey to San Diego and enlightens all with the story of how his opportunity to "pet a panda" brought him to the San Diego Zoo from Philadephia, and ultimately to the San Diego Foundation! We also learn that Mark feels he is doing the same job he's been doing since his Freshman year in college when he joined the phone-a-thon fundraising team. And that job is noble, purposeful, and in his words - "joyful" - in that he gets to raise funding for programs he knows are changing lives.
Under his leadership, the San Diego Foundation has a new strategic plan, vision, and mission, all predicated on becoming deeper and better listeners to diverse voices in the community, the voices that are not the usual suspects for grants, but voices who know where real need is overlooked. Mark is a man with a motto of "keep running" and one who lives his life with the hope of achieving a tombstone which reads "he left the world a better place."
What else do we learn from this impactful leader? One of the ways he intends on leaving San Diego a better place is through affordable housing. Not with the usual model but with innovative thinking from Europe and beyond - proven models with different angles of attack to solve the problem. The commitment? $100 million fund, $10 million directly from the San Diego Foundation.
Here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Mark Stuart:
- The entire purpose of the San Diego Foundation is building equitable and resilient
communities - He thinks deeply about workforce, workforce, workforce
- His reading of Kurt Vonnegut's "Piano Player" no doubt informs his thinking about
workforce - He wishes he had learned to speak Spanish!
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly insightful conversation from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Mark Stuart, for your contributions to San Diego and for fighting every single day to build equity, resilience and opportunity to San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this incredibly insightful episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Dr. Paul Gothold, the Superintendent of the San Diego County Office of Education - the de facto leader for one of the largest educational regions in the United States. The son of two music educators, he resisted the call to education until a fateful call to become a water polo coach for which he gave up a well-paying job as an investment counselor. Thus began a career focused on lifting students for whom the system is stacked against. From a substitute teacher in Los Angeles for probationary youth to Superintendent, Paul is all about knocking down hurdles and the labeling of students which serve to discourage instead of encourage.
Fueled by a passion and mindset that education is "social mobility" with success best achieved through high expectations, the elimination of resource gaps and an environment where students can thrive, Paul is leading SDCOE with these principles in mind. And if students are to thrive, then schools need to deliver not just academics, but love, support and a true sense of belonging for each and every student. Only 62% of San Diego students say they feel a sense of belonging to their school - a number which Paul feels needs to be 100%.
What else do we learn from this innovative thinker? That he is not too keen and a bit skeptical on the rush to "social emotional learning" since they often come from a deficit perspective framed around "let me fix you." From buzzword to billion-dollar cottage industry, Paul is very much about strengths, not deficits. And how does he feel about "achievement gaps"? Not much! He says that discussions of achievement gaps are a displacement of responsibility to the students instead of focusing on the access, opportunity and resource gaps which rob the opportunity for achievement. Quite the powerful thought.
Here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Dr. Paul Gothold:
- The importance of embracing the whole student in preparing them for life
- His views on the hurdles put in from of some students, AP classes being an example
- The need for humility and vulnerability as educators design ideas for improvement
- Why reducing poverty and the need for free and reduced lunch is an important metric
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly insightful conversation from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Dr. Paul Gothold, for your contributions to the world of education and for fighting every single day to give all students a shot at a great life, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this enlightening episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Kimberly Giardina, the Director of Child Welfare Services for the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. Kim, a San Diego native, with 22 years of service to children in need, with three years as the Director, has seen the wholesale reimagining of the services of the Agency, with a focus on prevention by way of creating "family safety networks" to avoid foster home placements. The results? In the last 10 years, children residing in foster homes has declined from 7,000 to around 2,000.
And what has been the inspiration for Kimberly's passion? Well, it was divorced parents at a young age, which led to being raised by a single Mom (an immigrant from Brazil), often needing support services from the County. Kimberly has truly come full circle and is now in a position to help the children of San Diego. Her remembering of "always having people around" to help her is reflected in her view that her office needs to give kids "the right opportunities" and assure family support.
Quite the informative episode and here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Kimberly Giardina:
- Only 2.5% of abuse allegations result in a removal from the home
- 60% of children removed get returned to families
- Partnerships with the San Diego County Office of Education are critical for educational
support services for foster youth - Large sibling group placement remains a major challenge for her agency
- A major gap exists in foster homes for special needs and LGBTQ children, as well as
children with behavioral health issues - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly uplifting, energizing and impactful interview from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Kimberly Giardina, for your contributions to the world of children, social impact, making the world a better place, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this absolute knockout, tour-de-force of an episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by the legendary leader, visionary and man of impact, the one and only Michael Brunker. A live well lived took him from Detroit, Michigan to San Diego in 1980 and it's safe to say that San Diego is far better off for his presence. From his days of coaching for the Detroit Pistons and SDSU Basketball to his leadership at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA and now his work with the Ken Blanchard Institute, the common denominator is his commitment to youth and providing them with foundational life skills.
A mindset that "it's tough to be young today" inspires his work to help young adults sort through the myriad of choices and questions and provide them with "bonafide answers." His work with the Ken Blanchard Institute, brought on to reimagine their leadership training programs and deliver them to middle school and high school students is just one shining example of intentional and purposeful shaping of the world by Michael. Part and parcel of this is his discussion of what we can all do with our "head, heart, hands and habits" daily to make the world better. We also learn about impactful ideas such as "points of power" and the "four-way test" used by the San Diego Rotary in guiding their work. Michael also shares the impact of one book in particular, given to him by Melvin Franklin of The Temptations, that had a huge impact and informs his work to this day...."The Prophet" by Khalil Gibran.
Quite the episode and here are some other amazing takeaways from the interview with Michael Brunker:
- The two songs which he thinks still fit today's world for youth
- His thoughts on leadership styles and his view of a gap minder (great!)
- This man of Motown picked favorite band that threw Nancy and Jose for a loop!
- The best spots in town for brussel sprouts!
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly uplifting, energizing and impactful interview from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Michael Brunker, for your contributions to the world of social impact, making the world a better place, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this impactful episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Pat Libby, the President of Pat Libby Consulting, a management consulting firm, and the Founding Director of the renowned University of San Diego Non-Profit Institute. Pat's footprint on San Diego's social impact organizations - from training and education to leadership and executive search - is vast and immense. Her passion for social impact through well led organizations has been her purpose for many years. In honor of her incredible work, each year an exceptional executive working in the field of non-profit and philanthropy receives the Libby Award from The Non-Profit Institute.
And where does some of this passion and purpose come from? Pat attributes it to her family (several social workers), her spirituality, and the values of her Jewish faith, namely a focus on righteousness and repairing the world. Having served over 1000 organizations, trained over 3300 Board members, staff and community leaders, developed an academic research center, and created a Nonprofit Best Practice Library of hundreds of free management resources, Pat has made the world a better place!
Some amazing takeaways from the interview with Pat Libby:
- As a student of social welfare state theory, she points out that America trails many
countries in spending on social welfare programs - Her book "The Empowered Citizens Guide" lays out the 10 steps to getting laws written to
support a cause - Her advice to citizens is to "know your issue" as you don't need to be a vet to own a dog,
but you should know your dog better than the vet does! - An unexpected answer to the favorite band question!
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly impactful interview from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Pat Libby, for your contributions to the world of social impact, making the world a better place, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In yet another great episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Migell Acosta, the San Diego County Library Director. When one talks about literacy, library immediately comes to mind and the leader of San Diego's growing hub of physical and digital community services shares his view that being Director is an opportunity to experiment by trying and growing new services for San Diego. And how are the experiments going with 33 libraries? Quite well! From books, digital books and free little libraries to music and events, Migell is increasing accessibility and free programming at a fast clip. And, we even learn that the San Diego County Library system now offers a high school diploma through their Library High School!
And where does some the passion for books and libraries come from? Probably back to the 11 year old Migell who discovered Lord of the Rings and was amazed by the ability of words to create a different world, not real, but very much a real world to him! As it he puts it now, the library is a universe of stories, so he encourages all to read!
Some amazing takeaways from the interview with Migell Acosta:
- Many new services including financial literacy and reading instruction are available
- Great technology is present in all libraries, including wifi, laptops and computers
- The library offers a high school diploma at LibraryHighSchool.org, usually serving adults
age 18+ - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly fascinating interview from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Migell Acosta, for your contributions to San Diego. making books and services available to the community, promoting literacy and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this incredible and globetrotting episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by Simona Valanciute, the incredible CEO of San Diego Oasis. The leader of this hidden gem of an organization shares her passion for improving the lives of seniors and children, representing in her mind the two most important generations, reflecting wisdom and knowledge on one end and promise and curiosity on the other end. Whether it is her work with eleven school districts or bridging the "digital divide" for seniors, Simona shares her personal interest in systems change and the importance of being patient in making the right long-term investments in what works and not the distraction of the short-term fix.
And where does some of this passion and mindset come from? She does share with affection her excellent foundation with an outstanding and free education in her native Lituania where all had access to academics, multiple learned languages and music and arts. We even get an excellent bit of history of the Soviet Union from the perspective of three generations, including Simona seeing the end of the Soviet Union. Well worth a listen!
What else worth listening to is Simona's passionate discussion of a book which stumped our hosts..."The Three Comrades" by Erich Maria Remarque. Simona was so excited that she had brought an unknown book to the show!
Some amazing takeaways from the interview with Simona Valanciute:
- Three keys for healthy aging as practiced by San Diego Oasis: stimulate your mind,
stimulate your body and have a meaningful daily purpose - The importance of understanding the diversity of needs in different communities in order
to deliver the right services - A provocative question as it relates to America and its celebration of youth..."does nobody
love their grandmother?" - A "gapminder" is someone with the intellectual vision to see gaps and one who cares
enough to act - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly fascinating interview from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Simona Valanciute, for your contributions to America, seniors, young children, the community, literacy, books, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this wonderful episode, Nancy and Jose are joined by Ruben Navarrette, a Washington Post syndicated journalist for the last 21 years, with columns appearing weekly in 150 newspapers reaching nearly 90 million Americans. Ruben is also the host of the podcast "Ruben In The Center." Having started in the middle of the State of California in small town Sanger, we learn of Ruben's journey to Harvard and ending at the center of the road in discussing American politics, culture, and society. Having written over 3,000 columns, 1500 editorials and over three millions words, Ruben has become an iconic storyteller.
His passion for a career in writing started with the nudge and confidence provide by his 9th Grade teacher, Miss Janet Mayberry. While he loved English and English Literature, it was her words that provided the spark. And this spark was further fanned by a book which Ruben says changed his life - "Hunger of Memory" - by Richard Rodriquez. Ruben even wrote his own book "A Darker Shade of Crimson" to reflect on his time at Harvard as a latino.
Some amazing takeaways from the interview with Ruben Navarrette:
- Storytelling is about capturing imagination, not feeding information
- Great writing should come from deep thinking and Ruben spends 20% of his time reading
and listening to podcasts before pen goes to paper; time to think is essential and great
thought should be informed by diversity of mediums - This great observer of America is deeply concerned about Americans "seceding from
each other" - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly fascinating interview from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Ruben Navarrette, for your contributions to America, culture, society, the community, literacy, books, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this fun episode, Nancy and Jose are joined by Jennifer Coburn, the best-selling author of "We'll Always Have Paris" and "Cradle Of The Reich." Whether it is writing about a trip to twelve cities with her daughter or learning about oppression by understanding the oppressor, Jennifer approaches her writing with "immense fascination and curiosity."
When she first started reading, including her middle school favorite from Judy Blume, Jennifer felt that reading provided her with a key to unlocked doors, a passport to new worlds and a magnifying glass to better understand.
And what wisdom does she have for emergent writers? Three tips! One, enroll in a writing class. Two, be open to feedback. Three, don't compare someone else's finished novel to your first draft!
Some amazing takeaways from the interview with Jennifer Coburn:
- "Let your kids see you read" is one her best tips for instilling reading behavior
- Try snuggle reading in bed with your children
- Use unconventional approaches if your children do not immediately like reading...but get it
done! - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly fun interview from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Jennifer Coburn, for your contributions to the community, literacy, books, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this fun episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by the Owner of Libelula Books & Co., Jesi Gutierrez. We hear the passion from this lover of books, art and the fusion of the two as a way to expand appreciation for literacy and comprehension.
Jesi, a resident of Barrio Logan, who lost her job as an arts & literacy elementary school teacher during the pandemic, used the opportunity to push forward on a 10-year dream to open a different kind of bookstore. The manifestation of a long running "what would you put there?" game for years with her partner as they walked by an empty store, Libelula has become part bookstore, part community center, part tutoring center and "a place to be" for the incredible Barrio Logan neighborhood.
Some amazing takeaways from the interview with Jesi Gutierrez:
- Art is storytelling, so fusing art and reading is a powerful way to drive literacy
- There is a large demand for Spanish language books as they fly off the shelves!
- On Libelula's block, there are 30 female owned businesses!
- The "every other month" book club is an innovative idea, born from Jesi's challenges with
dyslexia...no need to rush, take your time! - How Libelula addresses a gap called "not having a book store" in a neighborhood
- Jesi's intentional focus on diversity in authorship to feel welcoming for all
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly fun interview from a phenomenal gap minder. Thank you, Jesi Gutierrez, for your contributions to the community, literacy, books, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by the man who is likely the longest running podcaster in the country, the one and only Drew Schlosberg, the host of the "Spotlight on the Community Show" since 2007 and the CEO of Xtra Weekly, a newspaper-centered literacy program. A community leader for so many years in San Diego including with the San Diego Union Tribune, Drew has always been passionate about literacy, including serving as the President of the Greater San Diego Reading Association.
We learn that the arc of Drew's life and love for reading bridges sports and newspapers. As an avid sports fan growing up, he wanted to read about sports, sports and more sports! And he found his fill by reading all of the sports columns in Los Angeles, which was the catalyst for a career in journalism, commencing as a sports journalist!
Some amazing takeaways from the interview with Drew Schlosberg:
- "if you can't read, ballgame over"
- We must greatly expand access to books at home, school and libraries
- The powerful possession mindset of book when a young person say this is "my book"
- The importance of allowing young readers to read what they enjoy
- The need for PSAs and billboards everywhere on the importance of reading as we did
with the campaign to end smoking - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly fun interview from a legendary gap minder. Thank you, Drew Schlosberg, for your contributions to the community, literacy, books, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by international educational ambassador, former Teacher of the Year, and the current CEO of The Children's Initiative, Sandra McBrayer. From a less than confident first-time teacher to teaching the world about teaching, Sandra shares the story of her Founding of The Monarch School to her current work on improving the lives of children in San Diego and California.
And how does she improve lives? By deeply understanding the challenges that many families and children face, particularly in communities lacking resources, time and money to nudge their children forward. Sandra chats about the absolute essentiality of having books, magazines or comic books in homes and the need to read to children - a surrogate or friend if the parent is not able to do it. She also talks about the patience and persistence it takes to become an excellent teacher. Truer words have never been spoken!
Some amazing takeaways from the interview with Sandra McBrayer:
- Some families have to choose milk or rent over buying a book and we must address this
to increase literacy - How to properly use data in determining which communities need support and how
best to support them - The importance of diving into a story with an immersive mindset when reading
- How time is a luxury for some, but not all, when it comes to reading to children and how
we must think about we create more time for parents - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A very special interview with an international asset and local icon, Sandra McBrayer. Thank you, Sandra, for your tireless contributions to the children, families, literacy. and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this whirlwind of episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio for an around the world conversation with Chad Stewart, the author and creative mind behind one of the most awarded adventure fiction series for children, the "Britfield" series. With the third book coming out in August 2022, Britfield is well on its way to becoming a multi-media franchise, with a play and movies on the horizon.
We learn that Britfield was actually not the first book written by Chad. During 6th grade, we get a glimpse of where it all began. His teacher, Miss Dyckman, required all students to write a book and Chad penned "James Bond, Eat Your Heart Out"! It was this creative assignment, along with James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which acted as the catalysts for what became his ultimate passion.
Some amazing takeaways from the interview with Chad Stewart:
- His passion for partnering with schools, including using middle school students to provide
feedback on his manuscripts - The purpose of the Britfield Institute to promote creativity on the classroom, literacy and
a love of reading, and writing workshops for schools through free resources and creative
exercises for schools - His philosophy, inspired by an Emerson quote, that we can all learn from everyone
- The power of doodling as a creative force as a doodle was the genesis of Britfield
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly fun interview from a very intentional gap minder. Thank you, Chad Stewart, for your contributions to literacy and books and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio for a fun conversation with Lisa Steinke, the co-author with Liz Fenton of seven different successful fiction novels and the co-host of the hit podcast "We Fight So You Don't Have To." We learn all about the process by which Lisa and Liz manage to write together, whether chapter by chapter or by an outline if it is a suspense thriller. A very special relationship is what makes it all work!
Listen as Lisa shares her early passion for reading, instilled from her Mom and Dad and her early inspiration for writing, the iconic Judy Blume, which Lisa enjoyed in second grade! Lisa also shares the comfort she feels from books and the warmth they bring as they conjure up the feelings of having visited book stores and libraries with her Dad. Even when she isn't reading all the books she owns, she collects and collects, fully understanding that while she may not get to them all, just having the books on her shelves resonates deeply.
Some amazing takeaways from the interview with Lisa Steinke:
- Her concern about a central issue - why some schools have lots of books and some have sparse shelves
- The importance of early reading and how she read while pregnant to her child!
- The changes in the world of book publishing post-Covid
- Jose and Nancy may have a new volunteer!
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly great interview from two purposeful gap minders. Thank you, Lisa (and Liz) for your contributions to literacy and books and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio for a great conversation with two passionate literacy advocates: John Corcoran, the author of "The Teacher Who Couldn't Read" as well as the Founder of the John Corcoran Foundation, and Nick Nanton, the 22-time Emmy Award winning director and producer. John and Nick are also partners on the soon to be released documentary, "The Truth About Reading."
Listen as John tells his powerful story of learning to read at age 48 and how he enlisted the storytelling skills of Nick in creating their new documentary. You'll also hear Nick discuss their three goals for the documentary: present a fair and balanced presentation on illiteracy, create a discussion about the need to try new methods while maintaining successful methods, and to help find the resources for families, students and adults struggling with the time and the money to improve.
Some amazing takeaways from the interview with John Corcoran and Nick Nanton:
- "You cannot succeed" unless one can read, write and spell
- The importance of being truthful and not blameful in improving literacy in America
- The importance of improved teacher training to deliver better reading instruction
- If America helps more citizens read, it will "fill a hole in its soul"
- Improving literacy will take courageous political leadership
- The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!
A truly great interview from two purposeful gap minders. Thank you, John and Nick for joining us on The Gap Minders and for being the literacy champions that you are.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio for a great conversation with Dr. Carlos Cortez, the Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, the 7th largest community college district in the United States. Chosen by the Board of Trustees after a national search, Dr. Cortez brings a life of educational excellence, as a student at Georgetown, NYU and USC, as a Principal, as a Professor, as a President and CEO and now as Chancellor.
With a lifelong focus on diversity, equity and inclusivity, Dr. Cortez brings to his work an intense focus on the basic needs of students, the need to serve an ever changing mix of students with varying needs and gaps, and the power of collaboration with local partners to address student needs.
Some amazing takeaways from the interview with Dr. Cortez:
- When addressing gaps, it is important to use data and trends to inform the actions
required and the need to pivot to address new student groups, including migrants from
various countries - The greater relevance of "1984" today compared to when he first read it
- How he is exploring a revolutionary idea to have the SD Community College District use
land to address housing insecurity for students and employees by building affordable
housing - The lack of funding at the community college level vs K-12 and four-year college state
expenditures - Why he feels the biggest challenge as a leader is managing change
- His passion for doing more for foster youth and the importance of every child having a
family - The answers to the Rapid Fire questions! (An inspired choice for favorite band!)
A truly great interview from a purposeful gap minder. Thank you, Carlos for joining us on The Gap Minders and for being the literacy and education champion that you are.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined by an incredible educational leader, Cindy Marten, the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. In a career spanning 32 years, Cindy has seen every facet, perspective and opportunity to lift lives and close gaps as a teacher, literacy specialist, Vice Principal, Principal, Superintendent at San Diego Unified and now as the Deputy Secretary under President Biden.
And what was it that inspired Cindy to know at age 5 that her pathway was teaching? Her brother Charlie, who is developmentally challenged. Staying true to her calling, including the fulfillment of the pinky promise with her kindergarten best friend to go to college together and become teachers, Cindy embraced the "be prepared and present" family mindset as each opportunity and challenge presented itself over the years.
Some amazing takeaways from this whirlwind, master class of an episode:
- See "gaps" as assets, not just liabilities and let the light shine through those gaps
- The science of learning lays out five key principles, all of which must be addressed to help
all students learn and grow - Demography and zip code should never be destiny
- "Literacy is much more than reading and writing"
- Literacy is "being able to read the word and the world and make sense of it"
Some very impactful and insightful thoughts. Thank you, Cindy, for joining us on The Gap Minders and for being the literacy and education champion that you are.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined by Nora Vargas, the Vice Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Nora, a first-generation immigrant, is the first Latina and first woman of color to serve as County Supervisor in the 171-year history of the County of San Diego. She is currently serving a second term as Vice-Chair of the Board.
Nora shares her love of books such as "In The Time Of The Butterflies" and "Barbara Jordan: A Self-Portrait" and the tremendous influence they had on her life. With her Dad's influence, Nora learned that books were a way to have an adventure with no need for money at all! It is through this love of literacy and learning that Nora knows first-hand how literacy can lift lives. This passion drives her fight for justice, equity, and educational opportunities for her 600,000+ residents. Whether it is her empowerment of Latina leadership and Boys & Men of Color or her tireless efforts for "The Little Free Libraries," Nora is a proud "gap minder." In her words, "promoting literacy and access to books" is just one of many ways to "help our communities get out of cycles of poverty."
Thank you, Nora, for your passionate leadership and your all-in championing of literacy, learning and the launching of lives to higher and higher levels.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined by Jeff Light, the Publisher & Editor of the Pulitzer-prize winning The San Diego Union Tribune. Jeff, who entered the world of journalism for his love of writing, shares his thoughts on while there have been sea changes in the world of journalism since he started in 1982, the essence of journalism and the principles of the Union-Tribune have remained stable: truthful, unbiased and inclusive. We also learn key insights from Jeff on the importance of community and storytelling and the perils to both if we overserve the digital consumers of journalism. Very powerful thought.
An equally powerful thought is Jeff's embrace of books and journalism as symbiotic partners in literacy and the reason why he is passionate about the Union-Tribune's annual Book Festival. As Jeff says, the "power of reading and literature as a powerful force" is important to both San Diego and the Union-Tribune.
When Jeff is asked about a gap we might want to address in America, he responds with a deeply important answer: access and standing and shares his thoughts as to how we address many gaps by improving access to all. And you'll also hear a clarion call from Jeff: "it's important for America - and the world - that people who read step forward and remain influential and powerful in the stewardship of our country."
Thank you, Jeff, for your stewardship of our hometown paper - The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions, want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
In this episode, Nancy and Jose enjoy an incredible, all around the world of words conversation with the living legend and tour-de-force, the one and only Richard Lederer. In addition to authoring 55 books, he is also the co-founding host of "A Way With Words" on PBS and a columnist for the San Diego Union Tribune, with "Lederer on Language" appearing weekly.
Whether it is palindromes, oxymorons, double sound puns or the history of the Canterbury Tales, what jumps into your ear from this episode is Richard's love of words and language, the very foundation of literacy. We even learn that reading might also be the foundation of longevity as Richard revealed new research demonstrating that reading thirty minutes daily lengthens one's life! Yet another reason to read!
Since this show is about addressing gaps, when asked about a gap we might want to address in America, Richard provided an interesting and powerful thought provoking answer: he wishes more Americans spoke second and third languages.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
Welcome to the very first episode of The Gap Minders. Trust us, there is no better human, leader and book lover for the very first episode than the one and only Dr. Shirley Weber, the California Secretary of State!
In this episode, our co-hosts, Nany Sasaki, the CEO of the United Way of San Diego County, and Jose Cruz, the CEO of the San Diego Council on Literacy, have a funny, enjoyable, insightful and impactful conversation with Dr. Weber. From her family's travels from the Jim Crow south to the heights of academic and professional accomplishment, Dr. Weber discusses the powerful role that reading has played in her life. Dr. Weber also shares that her success and love of reading is a result of the very high expectations from her family, community and Mrs. Johnson, her "old school, no excuses" teacher. Dr. Weber also hits on a gap that she finds tragic - the expectations gap.
We also listen to Dr. Weber beautifully discuss the very first book that truly had a deep impact on her personal and professional focus - Roots by Alex Haley, which she read while attending UCLA.
You'll also enjoy Dr. Weber's Rapid Fire round! And what is her favorite band? Last TV show binge watched? You'll have to listen!
If you have any questions, want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
Welcome to The Gap Minders! In this pilot episode, listen to our co-hosts, Nancy Sasaki, the CEO of the United Way of San Diego County, and Jose Cruz, the CEO of the San Diego Council on Literacy, discuss the purpose for The Gap Minders and the great guests who will be joining the show.
You'll even learn a bit more about Nancy and Jose as they ask each other some fun questions during "Rapid Fire"!
If you have any questions, want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.