Podcasts about Balboa Park

A man has been banned from Balboa Park, accused of unprovoked attacks on strangers. Arson is suspected in a fire at a boarded-up home long known as a nuisance house in the South Bay. One year after the passing of San Diegan and basketball legend Bill Walton, San Diego Sports Innovators announced it was expanding mentorship programs in his name.   What You Need To Know To Start Your Wednesday.  

Leland Conway on how much more nickel and diming can San Diegans take - plus, wasn't the park supposed to be free from the state's declaration in 1870?

Fewer cuts to the police department, but those to library hours remain in San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria's final budget proposal. And, speaking of budget cuts, Gov. Gavin Newsom's also proposing some belt-tightening — this time, ending Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented people. Advocates say asylum-seekers are not being given due process at the border, including a disabled Mongolian man who's been in custody more than two months. Voice of San Diego's Scott Lewis is back on the podcast breaking down the latest legal fight in the La Jolla succession effort. Then, hear about what's new at this year's Fringe Festival. Finally, children in the foster care system and their families can visit one Balboa Park museum for free for the next three weeks.

Options abound for paid parking systems in Balboa Park meant to help the city's budget shortfall. And San Diego County is also looking for budget solutions, this time toward its reserve. Also, part one of a two-part story looking at the Trump Administration's fixation on birthrates. Then, an East County school is helping kids eat healthy away from school by sending food home with them on the bus. And relief is here for tens of thousands of Anthem-Blue Cross customers unable to access Scripps Health due to a contract dispute.

Chris Nho, Director of Community Partnerships of the MathHappens Foundation, explains the importance of math literacy; the Foundation's community outreach efforts; and its collaboration with the Fleet Center in Balboa Park.About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 19 years.  "Spotlight" 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.   About Mission Fed Credit Union A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Lisa Marcolongo and Keshia Javis-Jones, Advisory Committee Members for the San Diego GI Film Festival, describe the films and events that will be featured at the May 7-9 festival. Film screenings at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park will be followed by discussions with filmmakers, actors, directors and the like.About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 19 years.  "Spotlight" 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.   About Mission Fed Credit Union A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Veterans Affairs' nurses unions rally at VA San Diego against the planned layoff of 80,000 VA workers. Then, South Bay leaders are again appealing to the federal government for help with sewage pollution. Voice of San Diego's Scott Lewis is back talking trash again as San Diego city leaders rile homeowners with their proposed garbage collection fee. And a new KPBS Explores Hidden San Diego takes you to Balboa Park to find medicinal trees.

On Sunday, March 31st, 1985, a group of young Black men drove back to southeastern San Diego after visiting Balboa Park. It was just after 6:00 PM and the sun was retreating into the horizon. As a truck driven by 23-year-old Sagon Penn pulled into a driveway on a quiet street in Encanto, they were followed by two police cars. What happened next would leave one officer dead, another officer and a civilian ride along severely injured, a young man in a years long legal limbo and a city reeling. On the 40th anniversary of the incident, I have author Peter Houlahan in the studio with me. His book, “Reap the Whirlwind: Violence, Race, Justice and the story of Sagon Penn,” is a fascinating deep dive into the case, the compelling figures who drove the story and the impact it all had on San Diego and beyond. SHOW NOTES 10News Story: New book revisits the impact the story of Sagon Penn has had on communities of color in San Diego You can find book from Counterpoint Press here: Reap the Whirlwind Reap the Whirlwind - Violence, Race, Justice, and the Story of Sagon Pennby Peter Houlahan Book DescriptionThe bestselling author of Norco ’80 returns with a riveting story of mid-1980s San Diego that placed one young Black man at the center of a whirlwind of crime and punishment that profoundly altered Southern California CREDITS Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego. Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor Bella Ross, social media producer Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer. Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County. Become a Member: Voice Member BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of *Get to Know Me*, Bizzy Balboa sits down with the multi-talented **C13**, a genre-blending artist whose sound fuses R&B, hip-hop, and Afro-Latin rhythms. Born in San Diego and raised in Belize City, C13 draws inspiration from legends like Michael Jackson, Outkast, and Doja Cat, blending early 2000s nostalgia with reggaeton, hip-hop, and Punta Rock. Bizzy and C13 dive deep into her life, music, and future—discussing her journey, upbringing, and the moments that shaped her artistry. From recording her first songs at just four years old—thanks to her sound engineer father—to discovering her passion through writing, C13's path is one of resilience and fearless creativity. With performances across Balboa Park, San Diego's club scene, a Connecticut bar, and live band sets, she's making her mark while pushing sonic boundaries. Plus, we'll be breaking down three of her tracks—**"Go Crazy," "West Coast," and "Tequila"**—giving listeners an exclusive look into the sounds and stories behind her music. As she sets her sights on leaving the corporate world behind to pursue music and business full-time, C13 is carving her own lane in the industry. >>> C13 LINKS: https://linktr.ee/its.c13

San Diego has gone from 11 to eight immigration judges since President Donald Trump took office. Immigration judges around the country have either resigned or been fired thanks to actions by the Department of Government Efficiency. Meanwhile the Trump administration wants to take away DACA recipient's access to Affordable Care Act health insurance. The proposed change has been creating confusion among some DACA recipients. And the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park has a new exhibit dedicated to “Doctor Who,” the longest running sci-fi TV series.

Join Ben Chasteen for the Weirdest News in History!

Send us a textDave's wife makes a new friend on their coast-to-coast flight while he sits next to the perfect passenger-an empty seat. The new Persian friend makes some San Diego recommendations, including the Lafayette Hotel.  Just dazzling!Dave enjoys the cool, perfect weather in San Diego, again visiting Balboa Park. Highly recommended. The Bucks discuss the first four questions from the NYT article, The 36 Questions That Lead to Love.  Read the article and tell us what you think or tell us how you'd answer the first four questions we discussed. View our YouTube clip on this here.We have some interesting episodes coming up so hang around and find out what they are. Del recommends the book, The Water Room by Christopher Fowler. A book about two 70-year-old guys? Who's gonna read that?Dave gives thumbs-up and high fives to Mikey Madison for her Oscar-winning performance in Anora. Dave dittos that for Kieran Culkin in A Real Pain. A touching performance.This week's bonus track is an R.E.M. classic.Give us your thoughts: BUCKSTWOOLD@GMAIL.COM Find Two Old Bucks on Facebook and YouTubeLeave a Voice message - click HEREWHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Send us a textIt is time to bring back an old favorite . . . Spit or Swallow.  This week, we do the cheeseburger edition. We will be having cheeseburgers in paradise this week as we taste and rate fast food burgers.@tugayspodtugayspod@yahoo.com#lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtqia+ #sandiego #gaysandiego #gaycommedy #spitorswallow #cheeseburger Gay San Diego comedy LGBT LGBTQ LGBTQIA+@tugayspod tugayspod@yahoo.com#lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtqia+ #sandiego #gaysandiego #gaycommedyGay San Diego comedy LGBT LGBTQ LGBTQIA+Producers: Nick Stone & Andy Smith

Why doesn't Balboa Ave take you to Balboa Park ? Why does a hospital elevator always skip Floor Two when other elevators in the same hospital go to Floor Two? Bob discusses a variety of peculiar features in the city of San Diego.   Click on your podcasting platform below to subscribe to The Bob […]

Why doesn't Balboa Ave take you to Balboa Park ? Why does a hospital elevator always skip Floor Two when other elevators in the same hospital go to Floor Two? Bob discusses a variety of peculiar features in the city of San Diego.   Click on your podcasting platform below to subscribe to The Bob […]

This episode is Sponsored by:Apple for Architects with Neal Pann, Architecthttps://appleforarchitects.com/This episode is with architect Jennifer Luce, FAIA of Luce et Studio. Follow the link to the blog to see Images and Text!https://inmawomanarchitect.blogspot.com/2025/01/museums-interview-with-jennifer-luce.htmlJennifer Luce, FAIA of Luce et Studiohttps://www.lucestudio.com/Jennifer Luce is a licensed Architect practicing in California and New York. With a Bachelor of Architecture from Carleton University in 1984, she received the A. Dunton Alumni Award of Distinction, and is a member of the Alumni Council at the Design School. In 1994, Jennifer earned her Master of Design Studies from Harvard University and is now a member of the Alumni Council and HAA Alumni Board. In 2016, the American Institute of Architects recognized Jennifer's outstanding contribution to the field and elevated her to the College of Fellows.Jennifer is passionate about research, process, and materials, and maintains a strong presence in the international architectural community. She serves on a variety of advisory boards for cultural institutions and presently co-chairs both the AIA California Monterey Design Conference and the San Diego Civic Center Revitalization Citizens' Committee.Jennifer established her eponymous multi-disciplinary architectural practice, LUCE et studio, in 1990. Now with over three decades of award-winning project experience, LUCE focuses on civic and cultural buildings, creative workspaces, restaurants, and urban design interventions. LUCE et studio has completed projects for the San Diego Public Library, San Diego Museum of Art, the New Children's Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, and most recently the $55 million renovation and expansion of the Mingei International Museum at Balboa Park.Link to MGHarchitect: MIchele Grace Hottel, Architect website for scheduling and podcast sponsorship opportunities:https://www.mgharchitect.com/

What if history as we know it is a carefully crafted illusion? In The Old World Marathon, we dive deep into the jaw-dropping mysteries of the past, exposing a forgotten civilization far more advanced than we're told. From the awe-inspiring architecture of Balboa Park to the explosive tales of the Great Chicago Fire and the rapid "reconstruction" of Alexandra Palace, this episode connects the dots between name changes, suspicious fires, and impossible timelines. Were these breathtaking structures truly built by horse-and-wagon societies, or do they reveal the secrets of a hidden, erased world? Prepare for a marathon journey through centuries of deception, where the mainstream narrative unravels and a new truth emerges. Discover how ancient masterpieces, from ornate courthouses to massive palaces, were destroyed, renamed, and covered up to fit a manufactured history. With every twist and revelation, Old World Marathon will challenge everything you thought you knew and leave you questioning the very foundations of our timeline. Thank you all for your support of this channel! Every Subscriber, every Like, All Comments are huge in helping spread this research to new people every single week. Every Badge Member and every Patreon Member help keep this channel running. I appreciate all of the support and I can't wait for every Saturday to expose even more information to the world. And we are just getting started! ---- TO BECOME A BADGE MEMBER & HELP GROW THIS CHANNEL ---- HERE IS THE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Za5DiASIbqT8fuhiDBU6Q/join Join this channel to get access to perks! TOP EPISODES PLAYLIST: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsFQI9PYz0b27yHR3V7di34AoFxT5NXWc LINK TO RUMBLE CHANNEL: Rumble: https://rumble.com/v2q03po-his-story-not-ours-pt-5.html LINK TO TIKTOK CHANNEL: https://www.tiktok.com/@themylunchbreak LINKS: BECOME A SPONSOR OF MY LUNCH BREAK: Shout-Outs For the next Month's Episodes! Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyLunchBreak X: https://twitter.com/MYLUNCHBREAK_ LINK TO RUMBLE CHANNEL: Rumble: https://rumble.com/v2q03po-his-story-not-ours-pt-5.html We are also on TikTok, Spotify & Instagram T-shirts: https://my-lunch-break.myspreadshop.com/tartaria+my+lunch+break-A644da062cabffc5328538705?productType=111&sellable=yrpy4VgZADuvGXd0Gj02-111-22&appearance=2 Flat Earth Sun, Moon & Zodiac App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flat-earth-sun-moon-zodiac/id1440996640 This is all in my own opinion. Entertaining as always, and of course, you are free to believe whatever you want. I do not claim to know any of this to be 100% true. It is all based on my personal research and simply sharing what I find with you all. Thank you for your support. My Lunch Break Disclaimer: The content on My Lunch Break is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in the videos are those of the creators and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or institution. I strive to present accurate and well-researched information, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and exercise critical thinking. Theories discussed on this channel may be speculative, controversial, or unverified. My Lunch Break is not a substitute for professional advice, and I do not provide legal, medical, financial, or any other type of advice. Consult with qualified experts for such matters. Viewers should be aware that information and opinions may change over time, and my content may become outdated. We are not responsible for any consequences resulting from reliance on our content. By using this channel, you agree to the terms and conditions of this disclaimer. We reserve the right to change, modify, or remove content at any time. My Lunch Break disclaims any liability for actions taken based on the information provided on our channel.

The San Diego City Council will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 10, to select their next president. In other news, a mother is suing the City of San Diego after a high-speed chase by police ended in the deaths of her sons. Plus, the Botanical Building in Balboa Park reopened on Dec. 6. Reporter Katie Anastas takes us inside the renovated building.

Search for drivers involved in death of jogger. State regulators being asked to reconsider SDG&E's latest rate proposal.  Balboa Park's December Nights begins tonight. 

Some middle school parents in the Sweet Unified School District are breathing a collective sigh of relief after a gun brought to school on Monday was recovered before it was used. In recent weeks, flu cases have been increasing in San Diego County as more people gather indoors. San Diego's largest annual event, December Nights, returns to Balboa Park this weekend.   What You Need To Know To Start Your Wednesday. 

On Today in San Diego, experts are warning consumers about QR code fraud and to keep an eye on packages they never ordered. And Balboa Park's Botanical Building is reopening to the public next week after finishing phase 1 of its revitalization project. Plus, NBC 7's Angelica Campos has your First Alert Forecast. 

Today on the podcast is Juan Gonzalez!  Fresh off of a win at NXR in a time of 14:34 for the 5k, Juan comes on the podcast to share his story and ambitions for the rest of the season.  Juan is undoubtedly the greatest high school runner in the history of Nebraska.  Juan is a 3xState XC Champion, the 3200 & 1600m State Champion, and the Record Holder. He placed 3rd at NXR Heartland, and won this year. Last year at the Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships, Juan placed 10th in the country. He's run 1:53 in the 800m, 4:08 in the 1600m, 8:47 in the 3200m, and 14:33 in the 5k.   Juan is crystal clear about his goals and wants to win a title at Balboa Park this year. Juan represents the Midwest region and will look to add to their long legacy of winners.  You can catch Juan race the FL Midwest Regional on November 30 and then two weeks later on December 14 for a chance at history at the FL Cross Country National Championships.  In today's conversation, Juan goes through his historic season thus far, being the best to ever do it in Nebraska history, his ambitions for Foot Locker 2024, what he wants his legacy in the sport to be, and so much more.  Listen to this conversation to hear from one of the greatest to ever do it.  Tap into the Juan Gonzalez Special.   If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!  S H O W N O T E S -REGISTER FOR FOOT LOCKER REGIONALS: http://footlockercc.com   -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -My Newsletter: https://therunningeffect.substack.com

Election Day is no longer just a one-day event. With just 6 days to the election, more than half a million people in San Diego have cast their ballots. An awful investigation underway in Tierrasanta where a man's burned body was found in a camper van. The City of San Diego is working to preserve Balboa Park, and are calling for a new operator of "The Village Grill" there. It's been closed since 2017. NBC 7's Marianne Kushi has what you need to know to start your Wednesday.

San Diego Police say they plan to do more patrols in Balboa Park after a suspicious package was found in front of the House of Israel over the weekend. Two new treatment centers are now open for people struggling with opioid addiction in San Diego County. Plus, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer drew in 15,000 people this year, which is considered on of the country's most successful fundraisers. Here's NBC 7's Marianne Kushi with the top stories of the day.

SB 9 allows homeowners to split their lots in two and sell off their excess land. After a slow start, the law is starting to produce results in San Diego. And, San Diego launched an online dashboard this week that aims to increase transparency and accountability around its climate action goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. Plus, Balboa Park's Japanese Friendship Garden has a new exhibition that's perfect for Halloween.

The kid the nation is sleeping on arrives on the podcast today. His name is Jack Bowen. And this guy just ran 14:41 to beat a STAR-STUDDED field at the Nike Twilight XC Meet. Jack holds PRs of 1:55 (800m), 4:09 (1600m), 4:10 (Mile), 8:56 (3200m), and 14:40 (5k XC). He was a part of the Nike Indoor Nationals championship-winning team in the 4x800m, was 5th in the Mile at the same meet, and is a 2x Runner-Up Tennessee D2-AA State Championship. In today's conversation, Jack takes me through his recent remarkable results, his recent progression, what his training looks like, his win at the Nike Twighlight XC Festival, his ambitions for Foot Locker, his committing to UNC, and so much more. You can catch Jack race the FL South Regional on November 30 for a chance at qualifying for glory at Balboa Park two weeks later. Tap into the Jack Bowen Special.   If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -REGISTER FOR FOOT LOCKER REGIONALS: http://footlockercc.com   -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -My Newsletter: https://therunningeffect.substack.com

We would ride hobby horses around Balboa Park a couple times to see this show. In the Annie-to-Endgame scale, this show is as challenging as the Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). West Coast premiere By Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen Directed by Gordon Greenberg Celebrate Halloween with a new side-splitting adventure based on Bram Stoker's classic tale that's sure to induce blood-curdling screams—of laughter! Famed vampire hunter Jean Van Helsing and her motley crew chase Count Dracula around the English countryside in a madcap race to save his innocent victims. Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen return to The Old Globe following their wildly popular Ebenezer Scrooge's BIG San Diego Christmas Show! and Crime and Punishment, A Comedy. Filled with their signature imaginative staging, irreverent farce, and special effects, this hilarious scarefest is the perfect way to get spooky this season!

Today, we revisit Southern California's Balboa Park... for the final time? In Clip 12 we expose Balboa Park's historical narratives to the world. Showing that there are keys that are connected world wide. Burning the buildings down right infront of our faces for decades, without anyone ever understanding what was going on. I don't believe this is the case anymore now that we have millions of people aware and understanding what to look for. Lets take this research even further today and remind everyone what happened here. Thank you all for your support of this channel! Every Subscriber, every Like, All Comments are huge in helping spread this research to new people every single week. Every Badge Member and every Patreon Member help keep this channel running. I appreciate all of the support and I can't wait for every Saturday to expose even more information to the world. And we are just getting started! ---- TO BECOME A BADGE MEMBER & HELP GROW THIS CHANNEL ---- HERE IS THE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Za5DiASIbqT8fuhiDBU6Q/join Join this channel to get access to perks! TOP EPISODES PLAYLIST: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsFQI9PYz0b27yHR3V7di34AoFxT5NXWc LINK TO RUMBLE CHANNEL: Rumble: https://rumble.com/v2q03po-his-story-not-ours-pt-5.html LINK TO TIKTOK CHANNEL: https://www.tiktok.com/@themylunchbreak I couldn't be more thankful for all of your support. I am having a lot of fun sharing this information with you all! I hope you all have a great rest of your day! LINKS: BECOME A SPONSOR OF MY LUNCH BREAK: Shout-Outs For the next Month's Episodes! Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyLunchBreak X: https://twitter.com/MYLUNCHBREAK_ LINK TO RUMBLE CHANNEL: Rumble: https://rumble.com/v2q03po-his-story-not-ours-pt-5.html We are also on TikTok, Spotify & Instagram T-shirts: https://my-lunch-break.myspreadshop.com/tartaria+my+lunch+break-A644da062cabffc5328538705?productType=111&sellable=yrpy4VgZADuvGXd0Gj02-111-22&appearance=2 Flat Earth Sun, Moon & Zodiac App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flat-earth-sun-moon-zodiac/id1440996640 This is all in my own opinion. Entertaining as always, and of course, you are free to believe whatever you want. I do not claim to know any of this to be 100% true. This is entertainment. It is all based on my personal research and simply sharing what I find with you all. Thank you for your support. I am having a lot of fun sharing all of this information with you all and seeing this channel and our community grow every single day. My Lunch Break Disclaimer: The content on My Lunch Break is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in the videos are those of the creators and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or institution. I strive to present accurate and well-researched information, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and exercise critical thinking. Theories discussed on this channel may be speculative, controversial, or unverified. My Lunch Break is not a substitute for professional advice, and I do not provide legal, medical, financial, or any other type of advice. Consult with qualified experts for such matters. Viewers should be aware that information and opinions may change over time, and my content may become outdated. We are not responsible for any consequences resulting from reliance on our content. By using this channel, you agree to the terms and conditions of this disclaimer. We reserve the right to change, modify, or remove content at any time. My Lunch Break disclaims any liability for actions taken based on the information provided on our channel.

Read the full stories here. Woods Of Terror opens largest expansion; IAAPA's Quarterly Outlook Survey; Knott's Scary Farm opens two new mazes; Dark Nights at Hersheypark creates a well-balanced Halloween Experience for all ages; The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park returns September 27th; Midnight Terror Haunted House's 10th anniversary; Cannabis Maze debuting at Fear at the Farm; Busch Gardens Williamsburg's new chaperone policy following a large fight and stabbing the first two weekends of Howl-O-Scream; The Dent Schoolhouse's chaperone policy; Movie Park Germany adds "A Quiet Place: Stay Quiet, Stay Alive"; Costume trend predictions for the 2024 Halloween season.

A recent audit reveals significant challenges in California's community college transfer process. In other news, solar energy advocates will be in court to challenge new state regulations for installing battery storage. Plus, we hear from the man behind the Haunted Trail in Balboa Park.

As prosecutors in San Diego plan a crackdown on wage theft, they're targeting employers that withhold overtime pay. In other news, San Diegans got their first look at a sculpture in Balboa Park that symbolizes how San Diego and Tijuana became this year's World Design Capital. Plus, our KPBS border reporter got to join a tryout for the youth academy for San Diego's new Major League Soccer team.

Tens of thousands of kids are heading back to school today. San Diego is looking for volunteers to bring the Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park back to life. Some Olympian stars will make an appearance in San Diego County. Here's NBC 7's Marianne Kushi with the top stories of the day.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The city of San Diego wants to reopen the historic Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park. It's currently soliciting requests for proposals for the lease and renovation of the amphitheater. Starlight saw its last production in 2010. Plus, Sharp health care workers started unionizing last June but still don't have a contract. They rallied in front of Sharp's headquarters last week, demanding better pay and addressing what they say are staffing shortages. And Olympians from San Diego County are bringing back a slew of medals.

In the first half, Jeremiah Horstman joined host Connie Willis (info) to discuss the recent and numerous UFO sightings around Arizona. He spoke about an array of lights that his father-in-law filmed while on the highway between Sedona and Cottonwood. According to various other witnesses, this cluster surrounded a triangular craft that moved smoothly and swiftly to the east before suddenly disappearing, leaving the smaller lights behind. Horstman admitted this was just one example of the many mysterious phenomena in the Southwest. He shared his firsthand experience observing glowing orbs in the Sycamore Basin while on a UFO-sighting tour. That night he saw 17 Blackhawk helicopters in formation through a pair of night-vision goggles. "Suddenly, off to the left of those [helicopters]… we see this large, pulsing, amber ball of light come up," he said. "It looked electrical — it was pulsing or arcing in a very electrical way, very bright." He saw this orb rise to the height of the helicopters, two of which surrounded it in a holding pattern before another illuminated ball rose from the basin below.After investigating further and speaking with shadowy, sometimes threatening figures, Horstman now believes these lights are off-world technology piloted by humans. He claimed private contractors have built tunnels under the desert basin, conducting research and development using alien intelligence. Another source he met corroborated this theory. This person told him of a dangerous confrontation with strangers who later drove away into "a cliff wall that had a door open in it," Horstman relayed. "He said he looked in their eyes… and they didn't look human." These hair-raising encounters and otherworldly sights are a part of everyday life in Horstman's part of Arizona. "In the Sedona area, seeing distant lights in the sky or a light moving through the trees is more or less a dime-a-dozen sighting," he admitted. Towards the end of the segment, he shared how he once wished to see a "structured craft" up close. Just two weeks later, he spotted a metallic, peanut-shaped UFO from a relatively short distance.View some of Horstman's photos here.-------------------------------The second half featured Open Lines, where listeners called in to discuss a variety of topics. Caller Wayne talked about a peanut-shaped UFO, similar to the one Horstman spotted, featured on the television program Beyond Skinwalker Ranch. Bluey from Utah shared his encounter with a cryptid while traveling through the Flagstaff region of Arizona. This creature was running at an incredible speed parallel to the road, he said. The fleeting figure disappeared into a tunnel like the one Horstman described in the Sycamore Basin.Bud out of Phoenix called in to discuss a man from Florida who was able to isolate gravitational fields and move huge stones. Bud posited that this ability, if harnessed, may lead to a new and more efficient method of flight. John from Los Angeles spoke of his experience seeing orbs resembling the ones discussed in the first half of the show. He described them as having an appearance "like tadpoles."First-time caller Randy from Alabama talked about the time he witnessed a craft floating over the woods. The round UFO moved slowly and had the height of a multi-story building. Randy described walking towards it, despite his friends' fears that it would "zap" him. Scott from Eugene, Oregon also shared his experience seeing a UFO, this one over Balboa Park in San Diego. The craft moved erratically and appeared to be piloted by shadowy figures looking out of its large windows.

A lot of traffic is expected around Balboa Park and Downtown San Diego, as the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is taking place this morning. San Diegans are heading to the Mexican Consulate in Downtown to cast their ballots for Mexico's Presidential Election. UC San Diego's academic workers, who are part of the UAW Union, plan to walk off the job tomorrow. Here's NBC 7's Jackie Crea with the top stories of the day.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, we go back in to Balboa Park, San Diego California. Where we find a building that has been restricted to the public for over 80 years. What could have been hidden in this building that they did not want us to see? How many times do the buildings change names? And why do they do this? We dive deeper into the old world and find more flaws in the historical, mainstream narrative... And much more... TO BECOME A BADGE MEMBER --- HERE IS THE LINK Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Za5DiASIbqT8fuhiDBU6Q/join I couldn't be more thankful for all of your upport. I am having a lot of fun sharing this information with you all! I hope you all have a great rest of your day! LINKS: BECOME A SPONSOR OF MY LUNCH BREAK: Shout-Outs For the next Month's Episodes! Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyLunchBreak X: https://twitter.com/MYLUNCHBREAK_ Rumble: https://rumble.com/v2q03po-his-story-not-ours-pt-5.html T-shirts: https://my-lunch-break.myspreadshop.com/tartaria+my+lunch+break-A644da062cabffc5328538705?productType=111&sellable=yrpy4VgZADuvGXd0Gj02-111-22&appearance=2 Flat Earth Sun, Moon & Zodiac App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flat-earth-sun-moon-zodiac/id1440996640 This is all in my own opinion. As always, and of course, you are free to believe whatever you want. I do not claim to know any of this to be 100% true. It is all based on my personal research and simply sharing what I find with you all. Thank you for your support. My Lunch Break Disclaimer: The content on My Lunch Break is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in the videos are those of the creators and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or institution. I strive to present accurate and well-researched information, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and exercise critical thinking. Theories discussed on this channel may be speculative, controversial, or unverified. My Lunch Break is not a substitute for professional advice, and I do not provide legal, medical, financial, or any other type of advice. Consult with qualified experts for such matters. Viewers should be aware that information and opinions may change over time, and my content may become outdated. We are not responsible for any consequences resulting from reliance on our content. By using this channel, you agree to the terms and conditions of this disclaimer. We reserve the right to change, modify, or remove content at any time. My Lunch Break disclaims any liability for actions taken based on the information provided on our channel.

Today, we fly out to Balboa Park, San Diego California and dive into it's narrative! We see incredible buildings that don't fit in to our mainstream history's timeline. We visit the San Diego Zoo as well as find something extremely off about Huntington Beach, California...and much..much more... TO BECOME A BADGE MEMBER --- HERE IS THE LINK Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Za5DiASIbqT8fuhiDBU6Q/join I couldn't be more thankful for all of your upport. I am having a lot of fun sharing this information with you all! I hope you all have a great rest of your day! LINKS: BECOME A SPONSOR OF MY LUNCH BREAK: Shout-Outs For the next Month's Episodes! Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyLunchBreak X: https://twitter.com/MYLUNCHBREAK_ Rumble: https://rumble.com/v2q03po-his-story-not-ours-pt-5.html T-shirts: https://my-lunch-break.myspreadshop.com/tartaria+my+lunch+break-A644da062cabffc5328538705?productType=111&sellable=yrpy4VgZADuvGXd0Gj02-111-22&appearance=2 Flat Earth Sun, Moon & Zodiac App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flat-earth-sun-moon-zodiac/id1440996640 This is all in my own opinion. As always, and of course, you are free to believe whatever you want. I do not claim to know any of this to be 100% true. It is all based on my personal research and simply sharing what I find with you all. Thank you for your support. My Lunch Break Disclaimer: The content on My Lunch Break is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in the videos are those of the creators and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or institution. I strive to present accurate and well-researched information, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and exercise critical thinking. Theories discussed on this channel may be speculative, controversial, or unverified. My Lunch Break is not a substitute for professional advice, and I do not provide legal, medical, financial, or any other type of advice. Consult with qualified experts for such matters. Viewers should be aware that information and opinions may change over time, and my content may become outdated. We are not responsible for any consequences resulting from reliance on our content. By using this channel, you agree to the terms and conditions of this disclaimer. We reserve the right to change, modify, or remove content at any time. My Lunch Break disclaims any liability for actions taken based on the information provided on our channel.

It's that time of year when gardens explode in a palette of colors. After another year of historic rainfalls, mother nature might be painting with more hues than usual. The blooms we often hear about are the “super blooms” on public land, like the Antelope Valley or Lake Elsinore. But flowers don't discriminate where they grow. Today on AirTalk, we're talking about the best gardens in SoCal, from the public to the private, Descanso Gardens to San Diego's Balboa Park. We want to hear from you. What is your favorite garden to visit? Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

 Welcome back, friends! We've missed you. In this first episode of season 2, host Grant Oliphant and Micah Parzen, CEO of the Museum of Us, delve into efforts to preserve historic border wall murals in partnership with Friends of Friendship Park. Amidst the introspection triggered by George Floyd's murder, they discuss the Museum's transformative journey toward greater inclusion in the museum. This includes rebranding the museum and forging a meaningful partnership with the Kumeyaay Nation, all aimed at honoring the diverse histories of the San Diego region. Micah sheds light on Balboa Park's complex past, revealing a community-driven effort to recount its true history.  Plus, we're excited to introduce our new co-host, Crystal Page, who brings fresh insights to our discussions about the interview, meaning Grant won't have to converse with himself anymore.  About Micah Parzen:Micah Parzen is a nonprofit leader, attorney, and anthropologist, who is always searching for ways of partnering with others to create transformative organizational change. He has served as CEO of the Museum of Us (formerly the San Diego Museum of Man) since 2010, where he and his team are focused on developing better and better practices in what an anti-racist and decolonial museum can look like, along with how those practices can create a positive ripple effect in the museum field and beyond.Micah currently serves as the President of the Board of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, a collaboration of 28 arts & culture institutions in Balboa Park, which sits on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Kumeyaay Nation.Show Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess Karesky The Stop & Talk Theme song created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical GrooveRecorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening.

Don't let the name Zwicklbier scare you, it's just an unfiltered Pilsner!  If you ask Jeff from Ballast Point all the "turbidity" it where the flavor is at...find out for yourself and what San Diego spot in Balboa Park this beer was named after is all about.

Broadcast on Serenade Radio on 14th March, 2024 Name Artist Album Year Comments Swanee Lyn Larsen San Sylmar - The Music Tour [Musical Contrasts CD] 1996 4-73 Wurlitzer, Nethercutt Collection, Sylmar, CA Somebody Loves Me William Davies Music From The Movies [MSS reissue download] 1986 3-7 Compton, Regal Cinema, Henley-on-Thames (1971 to 1986); ex-Ritz, Tunbridge Wells Maybe Everett Nourse Memories Of The Fabulous Fox [Doric DO 1404] 4-36 Wurlitzer, Fox Theatre, San Francisco, CA; album released 1973 Clap Yo' Hands Donna Parker Then And Now [E-1523CD] 1987 4-42 Wurlitzer, Paramount Music Palace, Indianapolis; originally 4-22 Crawford Special, Paramount Oakland I Got Rhythm George Blackmore I've Got Music [Columbia SCX 6212] 1968 4-50 Compton+Melotone, Guildhall, Southampton But Not For Me David Reese Demo: Bella Roma Pizza, Martinez, CA 1973-10-07 1973 3-18 Wurlitzer Hybrid, Bella Roma Pizza, Martinez, CA; recorded by Tim Kirkpatrick It Ain't Necessarily So Lyn Larsen Concert: Pasadena City College 1992-05-16 1992 3-23 Wurlitzer, Sexton Auditorium, City College, Pasadena, CA Promenade (Walking The Dog) David Peckham For The Fun Of It: San Diego's Spreckels Outdoor Pipe Organ [SOS 7 CD] 2001 4-63 Skinner, Spreckels Organ Pavillion, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA (I've Got) Beginner's Luck Jelani Eddington Aan Het Theaterorgel In Voorburg [NOF CD35] 2005 3-11 Standaart, Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, Voorburg; former VARA studio A Foggy Day (In London Town) Ashley Miller The Famous Radio City Music Hall Organ [Sony Special Products A23627] 1960 4-58 Wurlitzer, Radio City Music Hall, NYC, NY Fascinating Rhythm Rex Koury Yours Sincerely [NCR 12-994] 1971 4-22 Wurlitzer, Old Town Music Hall, El Segundo, CA Liza Jim Roseveare Tribute [Cambria CD-1040] 1971 4-37 Kimball, Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles ; Largest made; rec live October 1971

If you need to get a good workout in, we suggest taking Producer Jessica's son Walt out to the zoo for a day! She took him over the weekend and it turned into a several mile hike around Balboa Park, and that was before they even got into the zoo! 

Bucks celebrate first US soft [sort of soft] landing on moon in decades. Keep up the good work. Did it cause the aT&T cellular NETWORK OUTAGE?  Del actually takes the wrong bus but lives to tel about it.Dave visits his son in San Diego and enjoys Balboa Park and the Zoo. Highly recommended.Bucks unravel Leap Year mysteries.  Thanks to Pope Gregory.Dave finds he cannot see in the dark.Loads of feedback on last week's interview of Julia and the Unissued Diplomas Project.This week's bonus track is dedicated to moon landing to come.Give us your thoughts: BUCKSTWOOLD@GMAIL.COM Find us on XTwitter: @twooldbucks1Leave a Voice message - click HEREWHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

The military has confirmed five Marines are dead after their helicopter crashed in a remote area near Pine Valley late Tuesday night. Governor Newsom has requested a major disaster declaration from President Biden to help San Diego recover from the recent storms. The temporary shelter in Balboa Park for flood victims is closing today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, host Victoria Guido talks with Jessica Wallace, the CEO of Flok22, an innovative app designed to enhance real-time social networking. Victoria delves into Jessica's unique journey from her roots as a hairdresser to becoming a tech entrepreneur. They explore how Jessica's personal experiences and challenges, including being a military wife and navigating life post-divorce with three children, fueled her drive to create Flok22. Jessica's desire to connect people in real-time, especially in the post-COVID era, led to the birth of this groundbreaking app. Victoria and Jessica discuss their mutual passion for music, revealing how their hobbies provide a creative outlet from the demanding world of startups. Jessica shares her aspirations to return to playing the drums, a skill inspired by her family's musical background, and her journey in learning the instrument during the pandemic. On technology and entrepreneurship, Jessica dives into the challenges and triumphs of developing and marketing Flok22. She reflects on the importance of networking, particularly in the startup community, and how her app addresses the inefficiencies and awkwardness often encountered at networking events. Victoria and Jessica discuss the evolution of Flok22, emphasizing its focus on enhancing in-person connections and its pivot towards a more event-centric approach, as well as the future of networking, the potential of Flok22, and their shared enthusiasm for making meaningful connections, both professionally and musically. Flok22 (https://flok22.com/) Follow Flok22 on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/flok22?mibextid=ZbWKwL), Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/company/flok22/), or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/flok22app/). Follow Jessica Wallace on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-wallace-b9526361/). Follow thoughtbot on X (https://twitter.com/thoughtbot) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/150727/). Become a Sponsor (https://thoughtbot.com/sponsorship) of Giant Robots! Transcript: VICTORIA: This is the Giant Robots Smashing Into Other Giant Robots podcast, where we explore the design, development, and business of great products. I'm your host, Victoria Guido. And with me today is Jessica Wallace, CEO of Flok22, the app that helps you make friends and grow your network in real-time situations. Jessica, thank you for joining us. JESSICA: Thank you for having me. VICTORIA: Yeah. Well, just to get us started and warm up here, Jessica, is there any new skill or any skill you've come back to to practice more recently to kind of take your mind off of all the founder stuff that's happening? JESSICA: Yeah. It's been a busy past two months of events and things like that. So, I've kind of been taking a little bit of downtime. I am hoping to start practicing the drums. I play those, and I haven't been doing that in a while. They've been kind of staring me down, so... VICTORIA: So, were you a drummer before? Were you in a band, or? JESSICA: No, never was in a band. Actually, my dad and my uncle were drummers in a band. And as a kid, I would kind of pick up the drumsticks. And I remember my uncle kind of saying like, "Hey, is that Jessica down there?" Because I would sound like I was playing [laughs] something. Yeah, it took me a while to get into it. But during COVID, I picked it up and started practicing. VICTORIA: I love that. So, do you have a whole drum set at home, or do you have one of those, like, electric? JESSICA: I have both. I have the electric one, which I think I'm going to kind of get out and mess with. But I have an actual full drum set. It's like a TAMA light blue little set. VICTORIA: That's so fun. I like playing the drums, but I never made the leap to actually own my own drum set. So, whenever my friends have it, though, I can play, like, maybe one or two beats on [laughs] it. Nothing that impressive, but yeah, it's a lot of fun. JESSICA: Do you play any other instruments? VICTORIA: Yeah, I've always...I played piano when I was younger, and then clarinet and bass guitar through, like, middle school and high school. I did have a band in college. We played two shows, and they were both at my house, which was a lot of fun. JESSICA: [laughs] VICTORIA: I had kind of stopped playing music, and then when COVID happened, it was like, well [laughs], I guess I need to find another hobby again. So, I picked up piano again. And now I've been playing keyboard and trying to sing at the same time, which has been entertaining for everyone in my household, so...[laughs] JESSICA: Very cool. Too bad we didn't, like, catch up during COVID time. We could have started a band. VICTORIA: Yes. Yeah. I'm trying to think of a way to get more disciplined about practicing, actually, because that's...I know people who practice for, like, three hours a day every day. And I'm just like, how do you make yourself sit there for that long [laughs]? JESSICA: That's definitely been the challenge with me. And then, of course, being in a startup, and then, you know, that kind of got put on the backburner, but I hope to pick it up. VICTORIA: Yeah, right? So, we met at San Diego Startup Week, which was a fantastic event here in San Diego; a different location every night and, different speakers, and all of these really interesting people to meet. So, why don't you tell me a little bit about what brought you to San Diego Startup Week? JESSICA: Well, first things first is being a startup here in San Diego, so that made me go. And I knew it's very important, the more I'm realizing, to build your network and connect with people, and especially just within the community, getting yourself out there to be known, talking to other companies, even just showing your support to other startups. It's such an important thing to do. VICTORIA: And your app, Flok22, specifically, solves some problems people might have with going to an event like that and trying to make friends and network with people. So, can you tell me a little bit more about the initial problem you had when you just came up with the idea for the app? JESSICA: So, the initial problem was kind of around COVID time when everything opened back up. And there was this plethora of meetup apps that everybody was on trying to make these connections. And I would start to go out with friends, and as I'm looking around, it was that weird, awkward time where you couldn't talk to anybody you didn't come with. And I would literally see people, including my friends, swiping on matching apps while they were sitting at the table, but nobody was talking to one another. And that's when I realized we needed something that was more venue-based, where it was like, hey, I'm here. I'm out. Let me see who's available to connect. And that's where the concept came about. And then, during a lot of these networking events, I started to realize the same thing. It was people trying to network, and we're still doing the old-school name tags and signing our name on a paper. And it would just be so much more easier to have everybody on that one platform to connect with a little bit more effective and efficiently. VICTORIA: And so, how long has it been since you had this idea and you've been in this journey with Flok22? JESSICA: Well, it's been a little over two years. Right around COVID is when I got the idea. I was a hairdresser for, like, 20-plus years and wasn't working and at home with my three kids. And the idea just was kind of pricking at me. And it took me a while to try and figure out, you know, how can I do this? How can I, with no funds, you know, newly divorced, three kids, how am I going to start an app? And I just kept pushing on trying to connect with the right people and build a product. VICTORIA: I love that. What inspired you? Like, you had this idea for an app. And you're like, you know what? I'm going to make it work. Like, what kept you going? What made you think this is a thing I can put my time and energy into and be successful? JESSICA: You know, there's a lot of factors. I feel like it's just one of those things where you kind of just...you know how you just get that instinct and idea, and you're like, I just can't let it go? And I remember hitting a low point because I had tried to call different development teams. I had tried to do it on my own. And I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. And I was literally walking on a treadmill, and a friend gave me this YouTube thing to listen to, and it was Les Brown. And he was talking about if you were on your deathbed, you know, these ideas and these dreams, they're just staring you with angry eyes because they came to you for life. And it, like, hit me, like, very intensely to where I was like, I have to do this. I can't just look back in my life and be like, I had this idea. I know somebody's going to do it because everybody would be like, "This is a great idea." So, it's just a matter of you just got to keep going. VICTORIA: Well, I'm glad that you're working on this because I can totally relate to that experience of, you know, for me, I came from Washington, D.C., and moved to San Diego. When I was in D.C., I had spent years in the meetup community and organizing meetups. And so, it got to the point where anytime I went to a meetup, I would know at least one person there. And now coming to San Diego, like, starting it all over again, was very daunting. And, like, walking into...what was it? San Diego tech event where there's, like, 100 people in this beautiful Balboa Park location and just being so nervous [laughs]. I'm like, who do I talk to? Like, how do I get started? And you immediately think I should just leave and go home [laughs]. But let me get a glass of Chardonnay and go over to the craft makers table and make some art and then I'll, like, feel a little bit better. So yeah, I'm curious, like, so you had this great idea. Like, you knew you wanted to put your effort into it. As you started going through the process of figuring out how to get started or how to find that market fit, was there anything that surprised you in your early stages that made you pivot into a new direction? JESSICA: Well, I would say just, like, hearing your story, so many of us have been in that boat. I used to be a military wife, so I was always picking up and moving. And the older we get, it's hard to build and start up your network again. And I see a lot of people posting on Facebook or, you know, Instagram, and they're, like, putting their profile out there trying to make friends. So, there's definitely a need for it. Originally, I wanted it more for the social aspect, which was coffee shops, bars, restaurants, being able to just check in and see who's there that is open to connect. One thing we did kind of start to realize is a lot of people, even though they want to make those connections, people are still nervous to claim that they're trying to, like, make a friend. So, the biggest thing that we learned in the product-market fit was people were more inclined to use it for networking. They felt a little bit more secure and safer that way. So, I would say that would be a thing that we kind of picked up on. VICTORIA: Yeah, that makes sense. Because when I'm going to networking, like, of course, I would love to find leads for people who need consulting work from thoughtbot or software development or platform engineering. But if you go in with that intention, it's disingenuous, and it's not very effective. Whereas if you go into a networking event with the intention to make friends and just to learn about people and to find common interest, it's, like, indirectly aiming at your target is the best way to actually get there [laughs]. So, it makes sense. And so, you pivoted into more events and networking. Has there been anything that you've found about that experience or that group of people that's surprised you, or? JESSICA: I do feel like the social side will pick up on it. I just think it's going to take a little bit more time. But with the networking, I wasn't really doing any of that until I got into this startup. So, I didn't even see the need for it until I got in there. And then here I am, you know, going to a table, trying to find my name tag, and everything's still very much old school when it comes to that. And so, that was what surprised me is just was, like, this would be perfect. Everybody's trying to exchange their LinkedIns. Everybody is trying to find the right person. And sometimes you get stuck in a conversation with somebody for 20 minutes, and it's some sales guy from who knows where, and you're just like, uh, I'm not really looking for that. You know what I mean? Great to connect, but got to go. So, it's so much better to just find the right people that you're looking for and network more efficiently. VICTORIA: Yeah, I don't know if this is that exact experience, but what I've kind of heard from other founders is sometimes you go to a networking event, and maybe you're looking for, like, mentors or people to help you or your own [inaudible 10:09]. And then there's more people trying to sell things to you [laughs] than there are, like, those actual people you're looking for who would help you. So, that's really interesting. So, now you've started to kind of really get involved in the networking. And I'm curious: how many events have you gone to so far this year? Do you have a rough estimate? JESSICA: I'm, like, trying to think. It's, like, such a blur because I really have been going to so many. And also, I've been a part of the SDAC E-track, which is the Angel Conference, San Diego Angel Conference that's coming up. So, we're hoping to get accepted in that. I'm going to say, at least this month, probably 12, I would suspect. VICTORIA: Wait, 12 this month? JESSICA: I think so, yeah. And some of them have been little ones. Like, I've done some happy hour events. There's these really cool, like, social happy hour events I've been trying to kind of partner up with. So, definitely some smaller ones, and then some bigger ones, and then including my E-track. So, that's kind of the calculation I have. VICTORIA: Wow, I mean, there's only been 15 days so far this month, so 13 events that's quite a lot [laughs]. I hope you do get some time to rest and play the drums later this month. But that's really exciting. So, I'm curious: as a founder, obviously, you have an event space networking app. But have you found other benefits from growing your network as an early-stage founder? JESSICA: Definitely. The biggest impact is connecting with these people. And whether you read that book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," they say, you know, "Poor people look for work, and rich people build networks." And it's true because I'm noticing that for myself. You get around these people, and most of the time, they really do want to help, or you just need to have the ask, you know, ask what you're looking for. And they're more than willing to set you up with other people to get partnerships. I ended up meeting somebody at the MIC Conference, which was in Vegas last month. And they connected me with somebody who now we are going to be partnering with them to have our app be used at their conference. So, it's as simple as that, just once you're in front of them and you get that more personal touch, and then they kind of refer you to other people. VICTORIA: Oh, that's great. And how does your app compare to the existing apps that are out there for networking at events or for managing attendees at events? JESSICA: Well, currently, there's not anything that's doing it in real-time. There is some conference events they have, like Cvent, Whova app. Personally, to me, it was just there's so much going on. You have the event, you know, vendors. You have the schedule. You have so much going on. And for us, our main thing is just connecting you to the right person. So, it's a more simplistic version of just being able to simply check in, see the profiles of the people that are there, see what it is that you're looking for, and know that you want to connect with them. Also, the other feature that we have is allowing you to see anybody that you may have missed when you leave. So, you can kind of easily filter through those profiles and decide who to reach out to. I mean, similar to maybe, like, a meetup, but it's more just on demand. There quite hasn't been anything that's doing it right instantaneously. VICTORIA: Yeah, and I can agree. I've used some of those apps before. And what I've noticed there's just not a ton of activity or user activity on the day of. And I'm curious to see...I really want to try out Flok, too. I know I'm like [laughs], I haven't had a chance to actually get in there yet, but it is on my to-do list. So, I'm curious, you know, as someone who didn't have a background in technology or building applications, like, how did you go about getting up to speed and finding the people you needed to help you actually build the app? JESSICA: Yeah, I mean, being a hairstylist, I was not tech at all. So, it's pretty interesting that here I am, you know, in this app development world. The main thing was just getting out there. I knew I had already been on so many apps just, whether it was some of the dating apps, meetup apps, so I knew how they operated and what I was looking for as a customer that I wanted to fix. Most of the time, it was heavily with all these pictures, and prompts, and things like that, and I would get bored of setting it up. It would take me, like, you know, 30-plus minutes. Not to mention, I call it, like, adding people to your cart. It's just very impersonal. You got so many people just piling people to their cart. You might talk to them for a little bit, then stop. And I think people are just kind of getting over it. It's time-consuming. It's a lot of time and planning, and sometimes you plan something and then...even with the girls meeting a friend, it's like they plan something for Thursday, and somebody cancels, and then you're SOL, you know? VICTORIA: Oh yeah. So, you had experience with using different apps for, like, networking or meeting people and making friends, and you saw that there was this gap. And then, how did you go to actually building the app? And were there any lessons that you learned in that process? JESSICA: That was my experience and why I was doing that. The main thing I did after that was I started hitting up events to find and recruit. That was how I started finding...I met my co-founder through a mutual friend. She's been wonderful. She's, like, complete opposite of me. She's, like, the business-organized one. Like, hey, we need an LLC. We need this. We need that. I'm more just the idea and brains and kind of behind the scenes. Then I started going to some tech events, met our UI UX designer, Laura, who's been fantastic. So, that would be my advice to people. If you're looking to build and you're trying to find the right people, of course, LinkedIn could be a good spot. Y Combinator could be a good spot. For me, I think going out there and actually making the personal connections and meeting the people and ask them and find what you're looking for. VICTORIA: And you could now even use Flok22 to find your early founder team [laughs]. JESSICA: Exactly. See? VICTORIA: That's awesome. MID-ROLL AD: Are your engineers spending too much time on DevOps and maintenance issues when you need them on new features? We know maintaining your own servers can be costly and that it's easy for spending creep to sneak in when your team isn't looking. By delegating server management, maintenance, and security to thoughtbot and our network of service partners, you can get 24x7 support from our team of experts, all for less than the cost of one in-house engineer. Save time and money with our DevOps and Maintenance service. Find out more at: tbot.io/devops. VICTORIA: So, you went out, and you just met people, and you had this compelling vision of what you wanted to build and were able to recruit them onto your team. Was there anything...you know, you've been at this for two years now. Through the development process, was there anything you learned about what to do or what not to do in how you engage with your designers and developers? JESSICA: You know, it's like, we dove out there, like, headfirst. And then there was a period of time where we needed to pause and re-calibrate, and that was due to the fact that you have to be very diligent in looking for development if you're outsourcing. If you know a CTO or you have somebody in-house that, you know, you're working with, you may not have the problems that we ran into. But with outsourcing, there's still very much a gray area. And we ended up getting a product that was not really functional and had a lot of issues, which caused a huge setback for us. It was a great, you know, lesson learned if that. But you have to be really particular on who you're finding. I would suggest heavily on finding somebody that is a referral from somebody that you know, as a matter of fact, that they use. Because nowadays, there's times that they can almost, like, fake what they have. I mean, they might have references. They'll put stuff up on their website showcasing products that they did, and those aren't even products that they did. So, we ran into a huge deal with that. But it made us take a step back. We re-honed in on our user persona, had our UI UX designer redesign everything, and came back out here again. VICTORIA: Yes, because people will let you pay them to build anything [laughs]. JESSICA: Oh yeah. VICTORIA: But it may not be exactly what you wanted. And what you said, going with someone who is a referral, going with someone who, I think, clearly demonstrates that they need to understand the underlying issue, as opposed to just being willing to take whatever requirements you have and build it. That's a big differentiator for companies. And it can be frustrating because I think, you know, for thoughtbot, sometimes people come to us, and they're like, "We already have the designs. We already know what we want. You just build it for us." And we [inaudible 19:21], like, coach them around that. Like, are you sure? Like, let's look at your market validation, and let's look at your product fit. And, you know, let's go back and make sure that we're all aligned and that you're actually getting value out of something, and showing you the results on a regular basis, as opposed to it'll be done in three months, and you just wait until then. Sometimes, that can be $150,000 later, and, at the end, you're not actually getting a product that you really wanted. JESSICA: Exactly. And like I said, there's still a big, gray area in that where, you know, you can be given a product, and it's not even barely working, or it looks like garbage. And you're kind of stuck because trying to go after these people to get your money back it's most likely not going to happen. And then you just lost out on all that money you put into that product. So, it can be very frustrating for people. I hope to eventually kind of shed light on that and maybe help people along the way, so they don't fall trap to those type of kind of scammers that are out there for development. And I'm sure you, being CTO, you've seen a lot of that [chuckles]. VICTORIA: Yeah, that's something we work really hard to kind of coach clients around and figure out to make sure because we don't want to end in that situation where our founder feels like we built something for them that doesn't work or doesn't look great, or what they're happy with [chuckles]. So yeah, I think it's very common. It happens to a lot of people. But I'm happy that you didn't get discouraged and you said, you know what? We can go for round two. Let's take what we learned and put it into the next version of the app. And one of my favorite phrases from doing this podcast that I've heard is, "If the first product you build if you're proud of it, you didn't do it fast enough" [laughs]. So, like, usually, the first thing you build is not pretty, but you had to push through and build something. And that's the first application you've ever built. So, how did you feel about the second time going around? What did you do differently to be happier with and prouder of the product version that you put out there? JESSICA: Yeah, I like that phrase, too, and sometimes I'm the same. It's kind of like, you know, fail fast and get out there. But the second build was definitely so much more smoother and better. But, actually, we are in transition to a newer, bigger development team because there's still some things that we're just not completely set on. And I do think that moving along to this next development team, there's a more better fit. And then, we also received a grant from AWS to build a better back-end infrastructure, so when we do scale up, and there is more people on there, that it can withhold that capacity. So, I'm definitely happy with it right now. And I know that getting it out there—and you know this, too—is just getting it out there with all the users, you know, there may be some different feedback coming in and out. We plan on, you know, making any changes necessary if need be, and just kind of always making it a little better each time. VICTORIA: Is that the AWS Activate program? JESSICA: It's not the Activate, but it's just we're actually working with a company, and it was AWS. They had filled everything out for us, you know, they want to help startups getting out into the app world because, again, if we're making money, they're making money, too, with it being on their servers. So, it's kind of a win-win. And we can store all of that data and be able to scale up properly. VICTORIA: Absolutely, yeah. And so, for those who don't know, the AWS Activate program, you can apply for up to $100,000 in free credits, and other cloud providers have similar programs where you can get free money [chuckles]. But, no, that's really cool that you're a part of that. So, what challenges do you see on the horizon for Flok22? JESSICA: Of course, I hope there's going to be none, but we know in this entrepreneurial world, it's always there. I think, you know, the hard part are always going to be kind of those situations where maybe people aren't using the app properly or things of that sort happening. Other app companies have dealt with that. It's like, you could be out somewhere, and a situation happens. So, that's kind of the only thing that I would be worried about is just ensuring the safety of all of our users, making sure that everybody is understanding. And I guess when that time comes and if there are things that, you know, come at you, it's just a matter of handling it. So, I hope it's not anything too heavy, but I guess we'll see. VICTORIA: Yeah. Well, I appreciate you having that concern early on. Because I do feel like sometimes people create apps for networking and collaboration without thinking about the safety of their users. And it's more common from founders who have never been in a situation where they're unsafe [laughs]. So, like, maybe from your unique perspective, you, like, know that that is an issue that you might need to solve or that will come up, and having a plan for it makes sense. JESSICA: We definitely have a plan for it. I mean, a lot of people don't realize with these apps that are out there, there's actually been a pretty high increase in, like, sex trafficking and different things. And most people don't know that because they're not the ones going in there and doing the market research. So, our main thing is getting people out there to meet in public places, which is much safer. You're not, you know, getting lured and unsure if that's even the person who that they say they are, or you're going to someone's house or on a hike. It just makes it for a much safer environment. And then we're working on some other added features where, you know, you can kind of validate the people just to ensure that. VICTORIA: Yeah, that makes sense. And what is the wind in your sails? What keeps you going and keeps you excited about working on this? JESSICA: It's my passion. It's kind of like now; this has been my baby for a couple of years. So, of course, my family is always number one. I have three kids, a rat, two dogs, and a lizard. I adore my family, but I just have a passion for this. And I know that it's just a matter of time before this becomes a thing. And so, I just push myself on the daily trying to figure out the solutions and just keep moving forward with it. VICTORIA: And what does success look like in six months, or even beyond that, in five years? JESSICA: I think, for us, it will just be getting that heavy adoption of users, getting known out here in San Diego or in other parts. We plan on trying to hit more of the major cities where you got a lot of newcomers coming in and traveling, whether that's Chicago, New York, Miami, Vegas. As we get that adoption, just growing as a company and see where it goes from there. VICTORIA: That's great. Yeah, I look forward to when I can go to a conference and just identify who are all the rock climbers in the room, and I can go bug and talk about [laughs], like, climbing with. I love that. JESSICA: And, two, going to these conferences, also, not only your...you get to connect with the people that are there, but it's the people in the surrounding city, too. It's like a lot of people leave the conference, and they want to go to a bar or a coffee shop. And the fact that you have the option or opportunity to connect with the people who are there as well is a win-win. VICTORIA: I love that, yeah. And do you have any questions for me about thoughtbot, or the podcast, or anything like that? JESSICA: For me, you being, like, a CTO, I know you've maybe...have you seen apps like this become successful? I would love your take on kind of getting out there in the market for something like this because we are at that stage where we're trying to hit the market pretty heavily. We're hitting college campuses, you know, bigger conferences, trying to get that adoption in small clusters for it to be, you know, fun and usable for users. But I would love your take on that. VICTORIA: Yeah, and, actually, I'm a managing director. Our CTO is Joe Ferris, who's currently my acting dev director for my team. But from my experience, you know, there might be a lot of competing apps who try to aim for similar things. But if you're very closely understanding your users and their needs and focusing on solving their problems, then you will find your niche, and you'll be able to be successful and grow that from there. So, if you have a strong vision for what the problem is and you're willing to actually listen to your users and pivot based off of that, that will set you up to be successful. Yeah, and I've talked about this with other friends who are really into networking and meeting up with people. And there continues to be this gap of, like, how people communicate and how we actually connect. So, I think you're on the right track [chuckles], and you're doing a lot of great things. And I think the only other advice I would say is what you've already kind of pointed out is to make sure you're not burning out early on and that you're taking that time and space to be with your family and to do your hobbies, and having a strong rest ethic as you do a work ethic and making sure you're still a whole person. And you'll make better decisions if you're giving your brain a little bit of downtime. JESSICA: Definitely. I so agree with you. That's very important to have that balance. And we just hope that we can fill that gap when it comes to the networking. So, I hope that everyone can give it a try and see what they think. VICTORIA: I love that, yeah. Is there anything else that you would like to promote? JESSICA: I mean, honestly, this is not so much about me. I'm really passionate about this app and networking and connecting people together and getting it, so it's just more easy for everybody to connect out in person without wasting that time and energy. Just be out doing you and meet the right people. That's what Flok22 is all about. VICTORIA: I love that. And we'll have to get together and play some music. I'll tell you the two songs I have memorized on piano right now are Kiss from a Rose by Seal and Someone Like You by Adele, so...[laughs] JESSICA: Oooh. VICTORIA: But we do have a bit of a girls' band going in San Diego, so we'll connect on that, too [laughs]. JESSICA: Yeah, we'll have to link up. Add some drums to your... VICTORIA: We don't have a drummer, so that's perfect, yeah [laughs]. JESSICA: See? It's networking at its best [laughs]. VICTORIA: Yes, yeah. I love it. Well, thank you so much for joining us today. I really appreciate hearing your story. You can subscribe to the show and find notes along with a complete transcript for this episode at giantrobots.fm. If you have questions or comments, email us at hosts@giantrobots.fm. And you can find me on Twitter @victori_ousg. This podcast is brought to you by thoughtbot and produced and edited by Mandy Moore. Thanks for listening. See you next time. AD: Did you know thoughtbot has a referral program? If you introduce us to someone looking for a design or development partner, we will compensate you if they decide to work with us. More info on our website at: tbot.io/referral. Or you can email us at referrals@thoughtbot.com with any questions.

A search continues off the coast of Somalia for two Navy Seals lost at sea since last Thursday. We have more on what happened and the possible San Diego connection. In other news, updated guidance from the California Department of Public Health no longer requires people to isolate if they have COVID, but are asymptomatic. Plus, San Diego officials marked an important milestone Wednesday in the years-long restoration of the Botanical Building in Balboa Park.

A century-long tradition that started as a bird hunt now helps track valuable bird sightings. The Christmas Bird Count put on by the National Audubon Society covers the country and the next birding events are being held in Oceanside Friday. In other news, some people on whale watching cruises have been treated to dramatic views of killer whales hunting off the San Diego coast. Plus, the Worldbeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park has been sharing music, art, dance and Black culture since 1995 and this week it's hosting a week of events celebrating Kwanzaa.

On this episode, host Tiffany Owens Reed chats with Jennifer Gaughran. Gaughran is a resident of San Diego, California, and outside of her full-time job in marketing, she runs the Strong Towns Toastmasters group, where folks interested in cities and public speaking gather every week online to refine their speaking skills, while talking about various urban issues and Strong Towns concepts. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn more about Strong Towns Toastmasters. Check out Gaughran's adventure story podcast for children, The Adventures of Red Knight. Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram). Check out the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, and Old Town. Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

Multiple people died in a rollover crash early Thanksgiving morning, blocking most lanes on the 94 East. A number of local organizations are providing Thanksgiving meals to hundreds of San Diegans. Father Joe's Villages' Annual Turkey Trot is kicking off this morning in Balboa Park.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, the focus is on RubyConf, the upcoming conference dedicated to the Ruby programming language. They start by talking about the origin and evolution of RubyConf, highlighting its growth in attendance and its impact on the Ruby community. Chelsea details how the conference has adapted to the digital format due to the COVID-19 pandemic but points out the value of in-person connections. They are looking forward to the Community Day event, which will feature various activities to encourage community interaction and an acknowledgment of scholarships that would help more people attend. The event will offer various programming options, workshops, and talks to cater to newcomers and seasoned professionals. There will also be some level of hands-on learning through hacking activities. The conference aims to be inclusive, offering opportunities for mentorship and growth, regardless of one's career stage. Towards the end, the discussion shifts to Ruby Central, the organizing body behind RubyConf and RailsConf. Chelsea and Allison describe multiple avenues for community engagement, ranging from board membership to open-source contributions. They also encourage donations and corporate sponsorships. Don't miss your chance to register for RubyConf and engage with the fantastic Ruby community! RubyConf (https://rubyconf.org/) Follow RubyConf on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/ruby-central-inc/), X (https://twitter.com/rubyconf), YouTube (), or Mastodon (https://ruby.social/@rubyconf). Learn Academy (https://learnacademy.org/) Follow Learn Academy on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LEARNSD/), X (https://twitter.com/SDLEARN), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/school/sd-learn/), or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sdlearn/). Follow Chelsea Kaufman on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelskaufman/) or X (https://twitter.com/ChelsKaufman). Follow Allison McMillan on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/apmcmillan/) or X (https://twitter.com/allie_p). Visit her website at daydreamsinruby.com (https://daydreamsinruby.com/). Follow thoughtbot on X (https://twitter.com/thoughtbot) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/150727/). Become a Sponsor (https://thoughtbot.com/sponsorship) of Giant Robots! Transcript: VICTORIA: This is the Giant Robots Smashing Into Other Giant Robots podcast, where we explore the design, development, and business of great products. I'm your host, Victoria Guido. And with me today is Allison McMillan and Chelsea Kaufman, Board Directors, and RubyConf '23 Co-chairs. Thank you for joining me. ALLISON: Hi, thanks for having us. CHELSEA: Thanks for having us. VICTORIA: Yes, I'm glad that you were able to make time to come on the show today. I understand, Allison, that you've been having very full weeks with family over the last month. Do you want to tell us a little bit more about that? ALLISON: Yeah, it's...we have just ended what I call the gauntlet of Jewish holidays. But, basically, there are four Jewish holidays starting with Rosh Hashanah, which many folks know that's the Jewish New Year. But what a lot of folks don't know is that there are actually four holidays that are all in a row, each about a week apart. And you do different celebratory things for each of them. And so, it's been really amazing and fun, and lots of, like, sharing our home with others and meals and seeing lots of people. But it is also exhausting. And they basically all fell on weekends this year, which was nice from sort of a scheduling perspective but was exhausting in the fact that I basically have not had a weekend in over a month. So, it was wonderful and tiring. And I am, I guess, both happy and sad that they're over now. VICTORIA: Yeah, that does sound like a lot of quality family time, which has its pros and cons [laughs], right? So, after going through that, do you feel more rested? Or what do you feel like you need to do in order to recuperate and return to your normal energy levels after having every weekend full after that? ALLISON: Oh, that's a great question. I've been looking at my calendar to be like, I should take a day off. I should take a break. I'm working for myself and [inaudible 02:02] entrepreneur consultant. So, I do have the flexibility to do so, but it is hard to look at my calendar and be like, yes, I will take this day off because I deserve it. But, ideally, I would take a day or multiple days off. VICTORIA: Yes. And some of us are lucky enough to have a reason to travel for work purposes and to sneak in a little vacation and be productive [laughs] in our companies. So, I'm curious, Chelsea, if you can tell me a little bit about the option for people to come to San Diego in November and take a restful vacation by the beach and learn a little bit more about Ruby. CHELSEA: Yeah, so RubyConf will be in San Diego this year. As a native San-dieagan, I am a bit biased, but November is a beautiful time to be in San Diego. And we're going to be at the Town and Country, which feels a little bit like we're going to be in a, like, Palm Springs resort. They just went through a major renovation. And there's these really awesome, like, lounge areas with fire pits and just places for people to gather, which really kind of aligns itself with some of the stuff that we're planning because we're really trying to focus in on just connecting Rubyists together. So, to me, it feels like the perfect place because I think San Diego is, one, we're a little bit more low key, a little chill. And it's a great place to just gather and connect and share with people that have, you know, similar interests. VICTORIA: Yes, I live in San Diego now, but I was from Washington, D.C., And I would come and visit my family in San Diego once a year. And they would always go on about how great it is and how beautiful, and everyone is so happy and chill. And I was like, sure, whatever. And then we [chuckles] had the opportunity to move here, and now I'm one of those people who says that [laughs]. Like, it's great, especially in November. Everywhere else is getting a little cold and fall. And San Diego has a little bit of fall, but it's still 75 degrees out. I forget what that is in Celsius. But yes, I'm also super excited. CHELSEA: We have, like, fake fall activities that you can go do. Like, Allison, when you're talking about doing all the family activities and things like that, you know, this is when we start thinking about, oh, we need to go to, like, the pumpkin patch and apple picking and do all these things, but it's not cold or, like, fall weather at all. So, you want to get all, like, bundled up in your cute fall clothes or, like, put my kids and bundle them up in cute things. But then they're, like, sweating and trying to do [laughs] all these funny activities. But I think that there's so many beautiful things to do here that we, like, try and do these, like, fall activities. But then we just end up at the beach and play in the sand [laughs]. VICTORIA: Yeah, I will go out in, like, shorts and a T-shirt because it's that kind of weather. And my neighbors will be wearing full puffy jackets and [laughs], like, long pants and a hat. And they're like, "You're not from around here, are you?" [laughs]. It's like, you guys are silly. But it's fun. Yeah, there's seasons, I think, you know, in November...I made a list of suggested activities for my team members since thoughtbot is sponsoring RubyConf this year. And we're going to have a couple of speakers at the event. And we'll have other thoughtboters available at our booth for people to come up and chat with us. So, I'm really thrilled to be hosting everyone. And I made a list of, like, activities, and most of them were about where to see cool animals [laughs]. I was like, of course, there's the zoo, which is the obvious one, but then there's baby leopard sharks, and there's a season for them. I think they will still be around in November; I'm curious if you know, Chelsea, actually. And then there's, like, the safari parks, and whale watching, and the sea lions at La Jolla and, like, just a bunch of cool animals to see that I think it makes San Diego really special. CHELSEA: I agree. The zoo, the safari park are great places to just hang out and see some really cool exhibits. Balboa Park, the museums there are amazing. Liberty Station is one of my favorite places to go; that it's an old historic naval training center that's been converted into an arts and culture area. So, they have, like, little shops. They have...there's museums. There's brew pubs. There's coffee shops. And then there's beautiful, like, grassy areas, and right by the water, it's one of my favorite places to just go and hang out. ALLISON: This is great. I've done zero research on San Diego so far. So, just, like, I'm writing notes of what things to do and see while I'm there. CHELSEA: Yeah, I know the San Diego Ruby group is trying to put together some, like, local events and things that people can gather and do together. I know that there was a talk about doing a taco crawl. I think if I say that on the podcast, it might actually push them to do it because there are some amazing tacos in San Diego to be had. VICTORIA: Yes, I love that taco crawl. I'll reach out to them because I'll help put something like that together. I'm writing a blog post right now about all of these things and about all the other kind of events that are coming up in San Diego this fall. Great location, great time of year to be here. Tell me a little bit more about RubyConf specifically. And what are you all trying to do different this year than in past events? ALLISON: There are a bunch of things that we're doing differently. Our goal this year with this RubyConf is really to sort of focus on more ways to bring the community together. I think in the last little bit so much excitement around Ruby and Ruby Central and just sort of the community in general. It's a hard time in tech. I think people need to be sort of choosier about sort of what they attend and why they're attending something. And so, we really wanted to help folks connect with each other, help folks get to know other people, help folks sort of reconnect to ways that they love Ruby and the Ruby community and being a Ruby programmer. So, one of the things that we're doing differently is we have a three-day conference. And the way that that sort of broken down is the first day is a Community Day. And the first day is comprised of the workshops, as well as sort of this Hack Day, where people can bring their own projects. We're going to have people there that folks can hack with, sort of open-source projects that folks can work on, all sorts of different stuff. So that people can really sort of get to know one another, work with one another, work with people that they might, you know, admire or have followed in the community for a while, and have that sort of really special experience that doesn't feel as conference-y, right? It feels a little bit more sort of organic in terms of the way that the day will flow and, the options that people have, and sort of what that day looks like. And then following that, we have two days of sort of RubConf with talks and speakers, et cetera. And I'll let Chelsea add anything to Community Day and then also jump into some of the sort of new and different things we're doing at RubyConf. CHELSEA: I agree with Allison in that we've really wanted to focus in on the connection side of things. But I think coming out of the last few years, out of even the last year that's been tough in the industry, just finding ways for people to connect, support, lift up each other, I think that that was something we really wanted to do. And we didn't want it to just be about going and seeing speakers. We wanted to find more ways for people to learn from each other, to connect. And so we added in quite a few of these community connection points. So, on that first day, there's a lot of community aspects to it. We have a lot of learning happening with our workshops and also working on projects, hacking together, showing off what you're working on, connecting with people in the community. It's going to be really focused in on everyone's own skills and talents and coming together and supporting each other in where we're at in our careers, in our learning. And then, the next couple of days will look a little bit familiar in the way that it is structured with some new aspects kind of woven in. We'll have our Community Room, where we're bringing different community groups together so that people can learn more about what is going on in the community, how they can support, how they can connect. And in addition to seeing and learning about some of the new things happening in the Ruby community, we'll also have our Career Pathways room again, which will be a place for people to support their own careers. And that room was really set up so that it wasn't just about early career, but also about folks in their mid and senior careers, and finding the advice, finding the resources, finding the mentorship that they might need in whatever stage of their career that they're at, and figuring out how we can together as a community grow as a whole. VICTORIA: I really appreciate the focus on community. And, for me, as managing director at thoughtbot, in deciding to invest in which conferences we want to attend and sponsor, we find more value in groups that are trying to bring people together around a common passion and purpose versus a particular product. But I'd like to hear from each of you if you can tell me, what does the community mean to you? And I'm looking for, like, a personal story on how you've benefited or how you've engaged with the Ruby community in the past. And what makes you motivated as CEOs and founders of your own companies [laughs] to spend all this time organizing a conference? ALLISON: Many, many, many years ago, I did a Rails Girls workshop. It was actually my first introduction into the tech community, into programming in general. And, for me, really, I did Rails Girls. I did not actually expect to like programming. But I was sort of launching a startup, and I wanted to learn more about tech and blah, blah, blah. And at the end of the day, I was, like, so energized and so excited about what I had built and what I had done. The Ruby community in D.C., who I always think is just a group of really special individuals, was so supportive, was so wonderful, was so, like, "Here's where we co-work on Wednesdays. Come to this coffee shop. Here's how you can keep learning," just was so encouraging. You know, I went to the local Ruby meetup sort of really not knowing anything. And they were excited about, you know, newbies being there and asking questions and, you know, really sort of getting to know folks who are just starting out in their programming journey. And really, through that, I mean, I went to my first RubyConf as a scholar. Was strongly encouraged to do a lightning talk, did a lightning talk. That's how I, you know, sort of ended up having a whole bunch of informational interviews and having conversations with folks. And really, that's how I got my first real job in tech. And so, you know, I want people that are coming into the industry now to have that same support, to have those same opportunities, to have that same encouragement. And, for me, sort of planning RubyConf, planning these conferences, being a part of Ruby Central is really me giving back to the community that has gotten me to where I am today, right? And it's amazing, also, to just...I'm still in touch with the people that were at my table, sort of guiding and mentoring at that first Rails Girls session or the people who I met at the first-ever Ruby meetup that I went to. I still talk to them. I'm still in touch with them. We still get together. I still ask them for, you know, advice and guidance sometimes. And sometimes, they ask me, at this point, for advice and guidance, which is fun. But yeah, it just means so much to me that I have really been able to get to where I'm at because of the support and encouragement of the community. CHELSEA: I have a similar story. I guess over, gosh, over a decade ago, I also went to my first RailsBridge and got introduced to the community there at RailsBridge. And, you know, at the time, I wasn't in tech. I was in the theater. I come from the performing arts. I had spent a very long time executive leadership in the theater. And I got introduced to this community that was so warm and welcoming to people wanting to learn and grow. And I was so interested in how communities are built and how people connect together that I started getting more and more involved in the Ruby community here in San Diego. And just like Allison was saying about the welcoming and warmth that she felt from the D.C. community, I felt the same way here in San Diego. Before that, you know, I had spent so many years being the only woman in a room. I had been in an industry that made me feel like my voice was not always heard. And when I walked into this room, I felt like I mattered. I felt like people wanted to hear what I had to say. And they wanted to learn from my experiences. And in 2014, San Diego hosted RubyConf here. And at that point, my business partner and I launched our business, LEARN Academy, and it's still running strong today. But it was about creating that on-ramp for people and a launchpad into this industry where they could make a difference and they could have their voice heard. And they could be a part of a conversation, even if they hadn't been a part of that community for many, many years, that their background mattered, that their growth mattered. And helping people find their voice at a table is something that is so important to me that I love being able to bring that into the planning of this conference, into a lot of the work that I've done with Ruby Central, with LEARN academy. And really just helping people understand that just because you don't have the traditional background, maybe you didn't start programming at the age of two, you can have a different background and a different path and still provide so much value. And I think that that is the thing that I wanted to continue to be a part of and to make sure was a part of the conversation, that we need so many different types of people at the table. And I want to make sure that our community is responsive to that, that it's inclusive to that, that it's equitable as best we can, and just allows people to share their own experiences. And so, you know, I feel like, for me, we're, you know, almost at our 10-year mark at LEARN academy and that we were launching the company at RubyConf in 2014. To have it here again this year is so special to me. I remember being at the conference many years ago; you know, we spend a lot of time helping companies figure out how to work with early-career developers and to create those pipelines for them so that there's career growth for them. And, you know, I remember sitting around the table and just saying, "Hey, who wants an internship? Who wants to, you know, help these early-career developers?" And everyone raised their hand, and we found some of our very first partners at that conference. And it's always been such a warm and welcoming community that has allowed me to feel like I have a voice and then allows me to help other people find theirs. VICTORIA: Wow, thank you both for sharing that. I totally relate to that feeling of a welcoming community and just getting the sense that, like, wow, everyone who does Ruby is really nice [laughs]. And I think that you know, for me, same as Allison, starting in D.C., there were quite a few people who were involved in Women Who Code who were running Ruby meetups. And that's where I met Valerie Woolard, who I think is also coming to San Diego for RubyConf. I'm excited to see her again. And it's interesting for me coming from that perspective and hearing that from both of you because I've also heard a viewpoint on Ruby community as being highly opinionated and causing certain amounts of consternation. So, I'm curious if you have any comments on that. If not, otherwise, I'm grateful that there are people working to bring that better community in the community that I'm more familiar with more to the forefront and making it more inclusive and open for everyone. So, to, like, bring the question all the way back, it's like [chuckles], do you have any comments on, like, if there's a tendency for Rubyists to be really highly opinionated? Or what else can we do to make it more open and inclusive for people to join the community? CHELSEA: I mean, I think that people are going to be opinionated about something that they care a lot about. And I think that the thing that I've noticed in the Ruby community is people love this language. They love programming in this language, and I think that there's something very powerful about that. And it does, you know, lend itself to people [laughs] having very strong opinions about what they think needs to be out there. And, to me, it's not a matter of, like, whether we have strong opinions or not. It has more to do with whether we're listening or not. But I think it's really important for those of us who are leading to be the listeners, and that we should be there to make sure that there is space for people to be heard, whether their opinion is loud or not. And I think that there are people that are going to be louder than others; that is going to be true no matter where we go. But I think that as long as there is intention around making sure that we are listening to even the quietest voices and that we are creating space for the quietest voices, that's where we're going to find more collaboration. But if we're only going out there and saying, "This is the way it needs to be," and we're not willing to listen to anything else, then I think that growth will stop happening because we need to listen to everyone. We need to be able to create some kind of place for people to come together and share ideas; you know, you don't get the perspectives of all these amazing people in the industry. So, that's why I feel like, you know, I've been on the board at Ruby Central for about a year now, and the biggest thing that I feel like I can contribute is to simply listen. If I can help in any way of filtering ideas or creating connections with people because I've been putting my ear to the ground and saying, "Okay, these people are talking about this, and we're expanding here." And we just want to make sure that we're doing the best we can at being open to all different kinds of ideas and not closing anyone off. Maybe your opinion is really strong. It doesn't mean that we should shut you down. It just means that we need to make sure that there's space for other people, too. And I think that that's the part that, you know, as someone who has always been a bit of an introvert, a bit of a wallflower, I understand how hard it is to get my voice out there. And so, I often fight for the quiet people. I think in every language and any space where it's a craft, it's something that we're creating, people get really passionate about it. And that's going to happen. And I think there's something powerful in that because there's going to be change that happens from that. But if we're not doing our part in the listening and making sure that there isn't just one voice, that there's a collective voice, that's the part that I felt so powerful when I joined the community so many years ago was that, even though I had, you know, months of experience, my questions mattered. And as long as we hold on to that, the community will continue to grow. But those of us at Ruby Central and some of the other organizations, if we're creating space to allow people to question, allow people to speak their opinions and listen, then I think that the industry, the community will just continue to thrive because of that. But we have to be open, and we have to be compassionate when we're doing our listening. ALLISON: Yeah, I agree with all of that. And I would just add in safe places, in a way that we're creating sort of safe structures and safe places for folks to communicate. MID-ROLL AD: Are your engineers spending too much time on DevOps and maintenance issues when you need them on new features? We know maintaining your own servers can be costly and that it's easy for spending creep to sneak in when your team isn't looking. By delegating server management, maintenance, and security to thoughtbot and our network of service partners, you can get 24x7 support from our team of experts, all for less than the cost of one in-house engineer. Save time and money with our DevOps and Maintenance service. Find out more at: tbot.io/devops. VICTORIA: What, if you could tell me, what does Ruby really have going for it? Like what makes Ruby a good choice for tech founders or for new companies would make someone decide they want to build with Ruby? ALLISON: First, it's a little bit about just sort of the ease of the language to jump into and to understand, right? There's a lot that you can get done very quickly with Ruby and Rails. And in addition to sort of individuals being able to work in it, there's a whole community of resources, and support, and podcasts, and tutorials, and all sorts of stuff. I know that as an engineering leader at any company, when engineers are coming to me with, like, the desire to use a new language or try something new, part of what I look at is, if I'm going to hire, like, what would hiring look like? What does it look like for engineers to have to ramp up in this area? How long does that take? What resources are available? What sort of community am I pulling from and looking at? And that's both community in terms of sort of technical experience, expertise, years, et cetera, but also non-technical skills, right? What does the community look like in terms of some of those ideals around communication, collaboration, just sort of general pieces like that? And so, I think that, given sort of the strength of open source, strength of community, community contributions, ways to contribute, etcetera, I think that's one of the reasons that it still makes Ruby a really strong choice for folks to build in and to work with. VICTORIA: What type of people, what personas do you think will be the most interested in attending RubyConf? Is it all just going to be, like, senior or super Ruby developers, or what? CHELSEA: Oh, I don't think so. I mean, this RubyConf, in particular, is great for anyone on a learning journey. We've worked really hard to make sure there's a good breadth of programming for different folks in different stages of their careers. I think that, you know, those of you that are maybe earlier on there, this is a great opportunity to meet people who are maybe even a step or two ahead of you. I think that the best mentorship that you can find is someone who is only maybe a year ahead of you because they're going to recognize where you're at and help you along the way. And I think that there's a lot of opportunities here for that. I think that with our Community Day, the hacking that's going to be involved, like, maybe, as a new developer, you wouldn't be able to come in and, like, get your hands really dirty. But you'll get to sit next to somebody who has been through all the different stages and get to watch, and explore, and learn. I think that making those connections could be really great for anyone's career. I think that our mid-level developers, folks that are our management, there's great resources for them to connect with other developers in similar stages. There's great workshops. Because of our focus on the community, I think that it's going to be a place where you can really connect with other Rubyists. And so, if you are at a stage in your career that you want to figure out what that next spring is, where that next ladder step is, this is a good place to see all the different options because you're going to be surrounded by people in all different stages of their careers. And what we've, I think, said now quite a few times is so many people there are just so excited to help people continue that growth. And so, I think that no matter what stage you're in, you're going to find people there that are excited to help you along the way. That being said, I think for our more senior, more advanced, our executive leadership, this is going to be a great place to, one, meet some really great talent, and, two, I think, learn from other folks in the industry of, like, where people are at, what we're struggling with, and how we're changing and doing things differently. So, I really do think there's going to be a little bit of everything for people. And what I love about that is really that it gets to the core and heart of the Ruby community because we're so excited about new folks coming in that that growth continues, that you have folks like Allison who started out as a scholar and want to give back. And then because we have folks at all those different stages, you can find people that are, you know, maybe a step or two ahead of you that are going to be able to help bring you up to that next level. So, I think it's an exciting opportunity for people to really meet new people, learn some new things, maybe find a little bit of encouragement, empowerment on where you're going to go next on your career. VICTORIA: Yeah, absolutely. And it reminds me of an article I read while I was at RailsConf earlier this year about why we do conferences and what's the whole point. And, you know, for me, all of those things are true, like, all those values. As an executive, I'm going to meet a lot of great talent. I'm going to connect with other companies. I'm just going to get to show up and say hi to people and ask them questions in a way that's very informal. And that's so valuable to have that. I think where I was going to go next with this was with Ruby Central, which I believe organizes both RailsConf and RubyConf. (And you can correct me if I'm wrong on that.) I'm curious if there are anything else you want to talk about with, like how the community can engage in support and how other companies could get involved with the community and show their support. CHELSEA: I think that there's quite a few different ways for folks to get involved. We are currently recruiting board members. We just finished a round just now. But I know that in our planning, that we're likely going to bring on at least one, maybe two more, in the next six months. So, I definitely...for folks in the community that want to get involved, that is a really great place to really get involved with Ruby Central. We also have a really strong open-source community. And we're working, oh gosh, with quite a few different companies now that are really helping to support our open-source efforts. And those are also good ways to get involved. You know, we do plan both RailsConf and RubyConf. RailsConf will be in the spring again. And, you know, it takes a village to put on a conference like this and that, you know, we also look for programming committee members to help us shape the program of the conferences. So, if you are interested in any of that, that's also another great way to get involved in the community. We have an amazing programming committee that's helped us with RubyConf. And I'm excited to see what we do next with RailsConf. And I think that you know if you're one that's going to the conference and are saying, "Man, I wish that they would do this," or "I wish I could see that," come and talk to us because that's the best way for us to learn, that we want to hear all of those pieces. But don't be surprised if we then send you an email and say, "Hey, you want to be on our programming committee with us?" ALLISON: I'll add that we also, through our website, we take donations. So, if you want to help monetarily, there's the option to do that on the website. And if you're a company, I mean, we're always looking for conference sponsorships. But if your company also is interested in getting involved in sort of more of a corporate sense of sponsoring or supporting Ruby Central, we are always open to those conversations. You can send an email to contact@rubycentral.org. VICTORIA: That's great. I have a fun question about the conference because I'm leading the event with thoughtbot since I live here. And I'm thinking about some fun swag to give away. Rank your preferences on what kind of swag you'd like to see at the thoughtbot sponsor booth: a thoughtbot-branded surfboard or, a boogie board, a bucket hat, or a pickleball paddle. Any of those interesting for you? ALLISON: Wait, when you say surfboard, like, how am I going to get a surfboard back to D.C.? [laughter] VICTORIA: Okay. I think it's, like, kind of funny because if you win it, it's like, well, what do you do? [laughter] You got to shake it back. That sounds like maybe a boogie board. CHELSEA: Yeah, I'm down for a boogie board. VICTORIA: Thank you so [laughs] much for entertaining me on that one. Is there anything else that you would like to promote today? ALLISON: We would love to see everybody at RubyConf. You can register. Check out the program speakers, et cetera, at rubyconf.org. You can learn more about Ruby Central at rubycentral.org. Those are, I think, the two things that we'd love to make sure everybody knows about. CHELSEA: And if you're here in San Diego, come say hello. VICTORIA: Yes, I have met up with a few random people from the internet [laughs] who have said like, "I'm in San Diego. Who should I say hi [inaudible 34:02]?" I was like, "Me, me, me," [laughter]. So, yes, I'm very happy to meet up for drinks. Chelsea, you and I will have to get together sometime soon before the conference. And I'm super excited for RubyConf. And thank you both so much for being here today. ALLISON: Thanks for having us. CHELSEA: Thank you. VICTORIA: You can subscribe to the show and find notes along with a complete transcript for this episode at giantrobots.fm. If you have questions or comments, email us at hosts@giantsrobots.fm. And you can find me on Twitter @victori_ousg. This podcast is brought to you by thoughtbot and produced and edited by Mandy Moore. Thanks for listening. See you next time. AD: Did you know thoughtbot has a referral program? If you introduce us to someone looking for a design or development partner, we will compensate you if they decide to work with us. More info on our website at tbot.io/referral. Or you can email us at referrals@thoughtbot.com with any questions. Special Guests: Allison McMillan and Chelsea Kaufman.