Podcasts about east los angeles

What happens when nonprofits stop centering funders and start centering relationships?In this week's episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia sits down with Jacob Adams, founder of Inner Spark Learning Lab, to unpack what he calls the “Disconnection Crisis” — a pattern showing up across education, philanthropy, and social impact work. Drawing from years of experience working with more than 40,000 Black and Brown young people in South Central and East Los Angeles, Jacob shares why so many traditional reform models fail to create lasting change and what becomes possible when organizations build systems rooted in trust, listening, and authentic community partnership.Together, they explore: ✨ Why transactional fundraising weakens long-term impact ✨ How disconnection shapes philanthropy and funding decisions ✨ What authentic community partnership really looks like ✨ Why relationship-centered leadership matters more than ever ✨ How nonprofits can stay mission-aligned while navigating funding pressuresThis thoughtful and inspiring conversation challenges conventional nonprofit narratives and offers a refreshing framework for leaders who want to deepen trust, strengthen impact, and rethink how meaningful change actually happens.

Irene Diaz is a singer-songwriter who has captivated L.A. and beyond with her powerful voice, which conveys the depth and soul of her background in East Los Angeles. A proud Chicana whose captivating vocals and soulful melodies have garnered critical acclaim, she is truly one of my favorite artists working today. From her debut album I Love You Madly to her appearance on Tiny Desk, she's helped usher in the modern 'Souldies' sound. Make sure you check out Anything for You and The Fool, and catch her on tour this summer at the Fools Only Summer Tour.

Life can change in an instant. One phone call, one betrayal, one painful season can leave everything you once depended on shattered. In those moments, many people wonder: “Where is God now?”In this deeply honest and hope-filled conversation, John Martin sits down with Pastor Dave Holland to share a testimony of heartbreak, restoration, and discovering the overwhelming grace of God.Dave opens up about growing up in East Los Angeles in a rough environment after his parents divorced when he was young. At sixteen years old, he encountered Jesus through a church youth group, beginning a lifelong journey of faith and ministry. God eventually called him into pastoral ministry, leading him across the country to plant churches and serve communities for over 25 years.But even after years of ministry, Dave found himself walking through one of the darkest seasons of his life.After decades of marriage, his wife unexpectedly left, and within months, Dave lost not only his marriage but also his ministry position, career, and home. Everything he had built seemed to collapse at once. He describes it as a season of devastating grief, confusion, and deep emotional pain.Yet it was there—in the middle of brokenness—that Dave encountered the grace of God in a way he never had before.He shares how God met him in his lowest moments, reminding him that no failure, sin, or heartbreak can separate us from His presence. Even when Dave wrestled with anger, shame, and temptation, God remained faithful. Through surrender and honesty before the Lord, healing slowly began to take place.Dave's message is simple but powerful:Jesus is still enough.Not religion.Not performance.Not perfection.Just Jesus.Throughout the conversation, Dave emphasizes that Christianity is not about pretending to have it all together. Churches are filled with imperfect people learning how to love God and love one another. Healing happens when we stop hiding, become honest about our struggles, and walk in authentic community.He encourages believers to:Stay grounded in God's Word.Get connected to a Bible-believing church.Find accountability and community through small groups.And most importantly—keep coming back to Jesus.Dave also speaks directly to those carrying guilt, shame, addiction, or past mistakes, reminding them that they are never too far gone for God's mercy. No matter how broken life may feel, God's grace reaches deeper still.Your failures do not define you.Your pain is not the end of your story.And God's love is bigger than your worst mistake.What's one area of your life where you need to stop hiding and invite Jesus into the healing process today?Contact Pastor Dave Holland:

The wonders of marketing, chalantness, and everyday lighting. Gabriel Fernandez (Levitation Room) Levitation Room - Equinox (PRE-ORDER)- https://shop.greenwayrecords.com/collections/frontpage/products/levitation-room-equinox-lp “East Los Angeles quartet Levitation Room's floaty, cosmic songs are always a trip. Since forming nearly a decade ago, they've self-produced dizzying, otherworldly music that's connected with fellow travelers in the hallucinogenic world of outré rock music. Led by singer and guitarist Julian Porte along with founding members Gabriel Fernandez (lead guitar) and Johnathan Martin (percussion), the band has enchanted live audiences at Desert Daze and on tour with like-minded groups Post Animal and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. The band's vivid sound has found them placed on popular playlists like Modern Psychedelia and the legendary superproducer's Danger Mouse Jukebox. Their 2015 debut, “Friends,” has surpassed 18 million streams. Joined by new member Kevin Perez (bass) in 2021, Levitation Room have continued to expand their colorful, unearthly sound, a process that has culminated with the vibrant new album Strange Weather. Collaborating with former Brian Jonestown Massacre keyboardist Rob Campanella, Jason Kick (Mild High Club), and Black Crowes' Joel Robinow, Levitation Room take a new step in their story and vision with Strange Weather. The record's lyrical narratives—about love in the park, life in the city, and the fact that “The world today is such an illusion”—are appropriately steeped in '60s sonics and a dreamy, lo-fi atmosphere. It's spacey, celestial guitar music for escaping into, and “it feels just like heaven.”” https://shop.greenwayrecords.com Levitation Room: Bandcamp: https://levitationroom.bandcamp.com Instagram: @levitation_room Website: https://levitation-room.com Merch: https://shop.greenwayrecords.com Records: https://shop.greenwayrecords.com The Vineyard: Instagram: @thevineyardpodcast Website: https://www.thevineyardpodcast.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thevineyardpodcast

Administrative Professionals Day 2026 is celebrated on Wednesday, April 22, to recognize the essential work of administrative staff, including secretaries, assistants, and support professionals. It is also celebrated all month in April. For our Administrative Professional Empowerment Series, Plan Dulce Hosts Michelle E.  Zuñiga, PhD, AICP (she/her/hers)  and Haydee Urita-Lopez (she/her/hers) interview Beatrice Pacheco (she/her/ella), Chief Clerk at the City of Los Angeles' Planning Department. Beatrice Pacheco is originally from East Los Angeles, California, and lived in the City of La Puente. In 1984 Beatrice joined the Army and she became an Administrative Specialist, she left for her first permanent duty station at Fort Red Cloud in Uijeongbu, South Korea.  After that tour of duty she was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington state where she married and remained until 1987.After her Army life she worked various clerical jobs at private companies and right before she joined the City of Los Angeles, she worked at one of the most rewarding jobs she'd had.  It was with a glue factory in the City of Industry and was only 10 minutes away from home.  This was a rewarding position because she learned how to purchase high dollar raw materials which were used to produce the glue sold to companies like Bear and Vista Paint.  She also learned how to manage large amounts of inventory and how to supervise a warehouse.  Knowing that she needed to provide for her son and herself, being a single parent, she decided to apply for the City of Los Angeles.  Beatrice applied for the City's entry level position of Clerk Typist in 2000 and was hired joining the LAPD City Attorney Liaison Unit. They took in misdemeanor cases and assisted the public with their case status.  She was promoted to Senior Administrative Clerk in 2001 with the Department of Building and Safety and then came to Planning on a promotion to Principal Clerk with the Records Management Unit of the Planning Department in 2007.  Beatrice is still with the Planning Department and was promoted to Chief Clerk in 2014 which is her current position. Beatrice considers herself fortunate enough to have a wonderful team in the Records unit and has created great relationships with their management staff and the office of the City Attorney's office.  This has been instrumental in her success as the Custodian of Records for the Department because she handles the Public Records Act Requests and Subpoenas that are served.  As she looks towards retirement in a couple of years, she is so proud of those that she has mentored and who have been promoted to other positions.  That has been one of her greatest accomplishments while working for the City of Los Angeles.--------------------------------------Plan Dulce is a podcast by members of the ⁠⁠Latinos and Planning Division⁠ of the American Planning Association⁠. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Want to recommend our next great guests and stay updated on the latest episodes? We want to hear from you! Follow, rate, and subscribe! Your support and feedback helps us continue to amplify insightful and inspiring stories from our wonderfully culturally and professionally diverse community.This episode was conceived, written, and produced by Haydee Urita-Lopez (she/her/hers), Michelle E. Zuñiga, PhD, AICP (she/her/hers) and co-produced by Vidal F. Márquez (he/him).Connect:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/plandulcepodcast/ Facebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/LatinosandPlanning/⁠Youtube:Subscribe to Plan Dulce on Youtube LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4294535/⁠X/ Twitter:⁠https://twitter.com/latinosplanapa?lang=en⁠

What starts as a childhood in East Los Angeles turns into a life shaped by gangs, prison, and violence. In this raw and unfiltered interview, a former Mexican Mafia member—Mundo—breaks down his journey from rebellion and low self-esteem to becoming deeply embedded in one of the most feared prison organizations in the United States. He shares firsthand stories about growing up in gang-infested neighborhoods, his first time in juvenile hall, and how prison culture transformed him. From brutal violence and survival tactics behind bars to the psychology of gang loyalty, identity, and fear—this is a rare inside look into a world few ever truly understand. In this episode: -Growing up in East LA and early influences -Why people really join gangs (it's not what you think) -First time in juvenile hall and adapting to survive -The moment everything changed: first homicide -Prison politics, race dynamics, and gang structure -The rise and influence of the Mexican Mafia -How violence becomes normalized behind bars -The reality of loyalty, fear, and identity in gang life This isn't glamorized. It's real. And it's a story about consequences. Go Support Mundo! Books: https://www.policeandfirepublishing.com/ YouTube: @convictsandcops Movie: https://www.amazon.com/Mundo-Vince-Romo/dp/B07MMP45GC This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: GLD! New customers get 40% Off with code MITCHELL at https://GLD.com Superpower! Head to https://superpower.com and use code CONNECT at checkout for $20 off your membership. Unlock your new health intelligence. 100+ biomarkers. Every year. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod BetterHelp! When life feels overwhelming, therapy can help. Sign up and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/connect Hims! To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/connect Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Mundo's Violent Life Begins 02:00 Introducing Ramon "Mundo" Mendoza 03:30 Why Mundo Wears a Mask & His Early Life 06:30 Growing Up in Boyle Heights and Gang Culture 09:00 Juvenile Hall and the Onset of Violence 13:00 Gang Identity and Early Violence 17:00 Life in Juvenile Hall: Survival and Respect 20:38 This Episode Is Sponsored By GLD 22:13 First Major Gang Beefs & Beatings 26:00 Mundo's First Homicide and Its Impact 31:00 Retaliation, Machine Guns & Escalation 37:34 This Episode Is Sponsored By Superpower 39:01 Going to Prison: The Start of a New Chapter 44:00 Early Days in Prison: Riots and Survival 51:00 Prison Politics: Gangs, Drugs & Race 56:00 Murder in Prison and Evasion of Justice 58:35 This Episode Is Sponsored By BetterHelp 59:14 Killing Inside: Desensitization & Prison Life 01:10:00 From Prison Violence to the Outside World 01:14:12 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims 01:15:44 Joining the Mexican Mafia: Becoming a Member 01:23:00 Life as a Made Member: Hits, Power & Respect 01:31:00 The Evolution and Expansion of La Eme 01:39:00 Organized Crime: Heroin, Money & Murder Inc. 01:47:00 Structure of Surenos & Influence Over California 01:54:00 La Eme, the Cartels, and National Influence 02:01:00 Collection, Power, and Street-Level Operations 02:07:00 The Murder Case That Changed Everything 02:15:00 Conversion, Remorse, and Turning Point 02:21:00 Leaving the Mafia & Finding a New Path 02:24:00 Becoming an Author & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom signed an emergency bill to rename the Cesar Chavez holiday “Farmworkers Day.” Will and David suggest we commemorate instead the East Los Angeles teacher who was the subject of the 1988 movie Stand and Deliver -- and was then driven from teaching by his own union. Representative Eric Swalwell earned a key campaign endorsement from the California Teachers Association -- a kind of Surgeon General's Warning for voters in the state's June primary. In other news: Tech's very bad week in court, and it's time for San Francisco to defund its corrupt “Defund the Police” campaign. Bonus tracks! Red State reporter Jen Van Laar on LAUSD's all-in-the-family negotiations with the state's largest teacher's union, and former Los Angeles Times religion reporter Bill Lobdell on the Catholic Church sex-abuse scandal, televangelists, Cesar Chavez, and California's public schools. Music by Metalachi. Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.org Follow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCA Show Notes Newsom signs law renaming Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day A Calculated Move : Jaime Escalante Prepares to Leave to Teach in Sacramento UTLA's response The USC professor at the center of the debate debacle A big weekend for Eric Swalwell F.B.I. Said to Dig Up Old Investigative Files on Democratic Lawmaker Swalwell campaign in the hot seat after accepting almost $15K from CCP-tied law firm: 'Stop playing footsie' Social media trials usher in Big Tech's latest moment of reckoning Top S.F. official who led Dream Keeper equity program charged with felonies: ‘abuse of power' Holed up: L.A. tries closing off manhole where people live, nearly sealing someone inside LA's Declining Homelessness Numbers: Real or Illusory? California introduces financial literacy course starting with class of 2030-31 'New Era': Landmark Policy to Expand Tribal Stewardship for At Least 7.5 Million Acres in California Jen Van Laar Literal bedfellows among teacher union activists and the district negotiating their pay package Bill Lobdell “Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America and Found Unexpected Peace” Newport Beach in the Rearview Mirror podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when the biggest problems in education—chronic absenteeism, failing grades, teacher burnout, and families leaving schools—aren't actually the core issues at all? In this episode of Teach Me, Teacher, I sit down with Jacob Adams, founder and executive director of Inner Spark Learning Lab, to explore what he calls the Disconnection Crisis in education. Check out their Inside Out Summit. March 19- 9:00-1:00 PT. Free virtual conference for folks who want to transform education from the inside out. For years, schools have chased outcomes—attendance rates, test scores, graduation numbers—while layering on interventions meant to fix them. But what if those outcomes are only symptoms of something deeper? Jacob argues that underneath many of the challenges educators face today is a growing sense of disconnection between students, families, educators, and the institutions meant to serve them. Drawing from nearly a decade of work with more than 40,000 Black and Brown young people in South Central and East Los Angeles, Jacob shares how his organization has focused not on scaling fast, but on going deep—rethinking learning environments from inside existing schools. The work centers on a simple but powerful idea: if students don't feel connected to their school, no intervention will stick. Throughout the conversation, we dig into why so many well-intentioned reforms fall short, what educators often miss when trying to improve student outcomes, and how shifting the focus from "fixing students" to redesigning the learning environment can transform the culture of a school. Jacob also challenges some of the dominant narratives in education reform, pushing us to ask whether we're even asking the right questions in the first place. Instead of focusing solely on performance metrics, what might happen if we prioritized relevance, relationships, and student voice? For educators feeling the strain of the current moment, this episode offers both a critique of the systems we work within and a hopeful look at what schools could become when connection moves to the center of the work. If we want schools to truly work for students, families, and teachers, the real question might not be how we fix outcomes—but how we rebuild connection. Listen in.

Send us a textIn this episode, I sit down with D. Michael Hamner, FAIA, an architect, educator, and longtime community leader whose story starts in East Los Angeles and runs straight through Montebello and the University of Southern California. We talk about what it means to build a career that blends design, teaching, and service, while staying rooted in the communities that shaped you.Michael shares his journey as a professor at East Los Angeles College, where he has helped generations of students transfer into accredited architecture programs and build real careers in the field. We get into what makes architectural education work for students who do not follow a traditional path, plus why mentorship and standards matter in creative industries.We also talk about his professional work as a licensed architect and principal of a family run practice with his architect wife, along with his years of civic service in Monterey Park on the Design Review Board and Planning Commission. Michael breaks down how design decisions impact real neighborhoods, and what he has learned from decades of reviewing projects that shape a city's identity.And because this is MySGV, we get into basketball too. Michael has coached for decades across multiple levels, including years at Schurr High School, and he shares what coaching taught him about leadership, consistency, and building people, not just teams.________________Music CreditsIntroEuphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OGStingerScarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio LibraryOutroEuphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG__________________My SGV Podcast:Website: www.mysgv.netNewsletter: Beyond the MicPatreon: MySGV Podcastinfo@sgvmasterkey.com

Dr. John Prudhont (Dr. J.) is a seasoned financial executive, business broker, and educator with more than 40 years of experience across financial services, real estate, and mergers and acquisitions. Raised in East Los Angeles by middle-class parents, Dr. J. built his career from the ground up, holding leadership roles with major institutions including Norwest Mortgage, Lomas Mortgage USA, and 1st Nationwide Bank. He is the co-founder of multiple real estate, finance, and M&A firms and currently leads The Business Brokers Inc. in California and Nevada, advising main street to middle-market companies on exits, valuations, deal structure, and negotiations. And he currently serves Head of Strategic Alliances at Credit Suite Inc. Dr. J. also served as Treasurer of Nye County, Nevada, where he managed and grew a $130M+ public investment portfolio. An accomplished academic, he has taught economics and management at the university level. He holds a DBA in Financial Management, an MBA in Finance, and multiple real estate and business broker licenses. Dr. J. lives in Las Vegas with his wife and business partner, Eileen, and their family. During the show we discuss: What continues to draw Dr. J. back to financial services and his passion for business credit education The role business credit plays in helping companies qualify for cards, loans, and growth capital Why business credit still carries risk—and how to structure businesses properly to protect assets Common misconceptions about debt and why strategic leverage can accelerate business growth Overlooked structural elements that determine financing approval, limits, and terms Funding options many borrowers qualify for even when they believe they don't Where entrepreneurs can learn to properly set up business credit and access financing with confidence Resources: www.creditsuite.com/blueprint    

On the eve of the NFL playoffs, Mike Quigley announces he plans to run for mayor of Chicago while rooting for Green Bay to beat the Bears. Ben riffs. George and Alejandro Verdin—uncle and nephew—welcome Ben to Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles. Where they sit at a back table in the El Tepeyac Cafe and talk all things politics. Including the rise of L.A.'s Chicano movement, the ICE invasion, and who is the godfather of Hispanic politics in Los Angeles. Hint, it's not George, despite what Ben insists. Alejandro is a political consultant and founder of the Nineteen Sixty Campaigns. George is an immigration lawyer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textBakotunes welcomes Piero F. Giunti, creator and curator of "A Great Day in East L.A.: Celebrando the Eastside Sound" exhibition running now through August 23, 2026 at La Plaza de Culturas y Artes 501 N Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90012. Piero F. Giunti is also an award-winning photographer, filmmaker, musician and podcast host who's worked with Ice Cube, Public Enemy, Los Lobos, Becky G and many more. Get to know Piero, learn about the exhibition and make plans to visit! Episode contains music by Los Lobos, The Brat, Ozomatli, Rage Against The Machine, Lalo Guerrero, Cheech & Chong, wil.i.am and Taboo (Black Eyed Peas), The Bags, Thee Midniters, Tierra. *Recorded 12-20-25. Related Links:https://agreatdayineastla.org https://lapca.org/exhibition/a-great-day-in-east/https://pierofgiunti.portfoliobox.net/https://lapca.org/-----------------------Fair Use NoticeThis site and its episodes may contain copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Such material is made available for purposes including criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act. The material is presented for educational and informational purposes and is not intended to infringe upon the rights of the copyright holder. We make every effort to limit the use of copyrighted content to the amount reasonably necessary to achieve these purposes and to ensure that such use does not adversely affect the market value of the original work.For more information on fair use, please see Section 107 of the Copyright Act: https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107Support the showSponsored by Chain Cohn Clark - Kern County's leading accident, injury, and workers' compensation law firm. Subscribe to Bakotunes at all podcast outlets and follow our socials!Instagram / More LinksContact: mattomunoz@gmail.com

Join us today on AGT, as Jason and Jeff talk about their favorite Christmas moments including what whent down at Jeff's Holiday Party. Also, Timothy Chalamet, the Diddy doc, what's going on with Jason's show, The Lilith Fair, Jason's nickname in college, snobby people from East Los Angeles, Jeff fishes for compliments, and Nivine joins for some advice on present giving. Watch Jason's pilot here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvNqJKBNKIU&t=1327s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was March 1968, and East Los Angeles was ready to explode.The city didn't know it yet—hell, the country didn't know it—but a brown revolution was about to burst forth out of its high schools. Over the course of a single week, up to 22,000 Chicano students—most of them teenagers, some still clutching textbooks and brown paper lunch bags—stood up, turned their backs on the chalkboards, and walked out. Their message was clear: they were tired of being treated as second-class citizens in the school system.The East L.A. Walkouts, also known as the Chicano Blowouts, marked the first major youth-led protest of the Chicano Movement. The walkouts forced mainstream America to confront a question that had long been ignored: why were Mexican American students being denied an equal education? The Los Angeles public school system in the 1960s was a machine designed to break Chicanos into manageable labor. By the time you hit high school, you were already labeled: mechanic, secretary, janitor. You weren't supposed to dream—you were supposed to obey. In predominantly Chicano neighborhoods like Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, and East L.A., schools were overcrowded, underfunded, and soaked in neglect.Sixty percent—let me repeat that—sixty percent of Mexican American students dropped out before graduating. The ones who did make it out with a diploma often read at an eighth-grade level. The system wasn't broken; it was built that way. Vocational tracking was the scam of the century. The white kids were groomed for college; the brown ones got shuttled into auto shop or clerical courses. The message was clear: “You're not going anywhere.”BibliographyAcosta, Oscar Zeta. The Revolt of the Cockroach People. San Francisco: Straight Arrow Books, 1973.Acuña, Rodolfo F. Occupied America: A History of Chicanos. 8th ed. New York: Pearson, 2015.Esparza, Moctesuma, and Robert Connelly. Walkout: The True Story of the Historic 1968 Chicano Student Walkout in East L.A. Los Angeles: Moctesuma Esparza Productions, 2006.García, Mario T. Blowout! Sal Castro and the Chicano Struggle for Educational Justice. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2011.Muñoz, Carlos Jr. Youth, Identity, Power: The Chicano Movementlistener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Your Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

In this episode, you'll get valuable insights from the CEO of one of the few foundations in the US focused on nonprofit people, not nonprofit programs. Our guest is Maria Cabildo, CEO of The Durfee Foundation. Durfee funds “people and possibilities in Los Angeles county.” Maria served as President and CEO of the East LA Community Corporation for 16 years, where she was the recipient of multiple forms of Durfee support. She has also worked in government and other philanthropic organizations.We discuss Durfee's interlocking funding programs: their signature sabbatical award for nonprofit leaders; the Stanton Fellowship (an R&D opportunity to advance new ideas); Springboard (catalytic support for emerging organizations); and the Lark Awards (collective care and renewal for staff at community-based organizations).Maria also shares insights on why funders should recognize the genius and ingenuity in community-developed solutions to problems; staying grounded in the realities and relationships of grassroots communities as we become powerful professionals; and leading during crisis, and how funders can respond to crises by remaining consistent and stable, while being responsive and stepping-up support for nonprofits.Guest Bio:Maria Cabildo (she/her) is a lifelong Angelena. Born and raised in East Los Angeles. She has a long career in public service. She has held positions in the philanthropic, nonprofit, private, and government sectors, including co-founder and CEO of the East LA Community Corporation (ELACC) from 1999 – 2015. She received both a Durfee Foundation Sabbatical and Stanton fellowship while CEO of ELACC. She holds a bachelor's degree from Columbia University, a master's degree in Urban Planning from UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs, and a Certificate in Advanced Environmental Studies from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. She lives in Eagle Rock with her two adult children and their cats, Milk & Andaluza.Relevant Episodes:Thriving Wages for Community OrganizersNonprofit Staff Resilience and Well-Being in Turbulent TimesBreaking the Silence: Making Leadership Transitions Safe for NonprofitsResources Discussed:The Durfee FoundationSabbatical Program (Related: Creative Disruption Report on funding nonprofit sabbaticals)Stanton Fellowship (Related: What If: Insights from a Decade of Philanthropic R&D)Springboard FundLark AwardsOther organizations discussed:East L.A. Community CorporationNonprofit Sustainability InitiativeTrust-Based Philanthropy Project

René Camarillo is a Mexican-American craftsperson from East Los Angeles whose practice resists the hierarchies of the art world. Trained in apparel design at LA Trade Tech, fiber and material studies at Cal State LA, and textiles at RISD, Camarillo positions weaving and garment-making as acts of cultural inheritance, labor, and community survival rather than commodities of privilege. In this conversation, Camarillo reflects on rejecting the label of “artist,” his experience with exploitation in fashion and sweatshops, and the deep political stakes of textiles in shaping both history and everyday life. The dialogue explores craft versus fine art, sustainability, gentrification in Lincoln Heights and El Sereno, and the importance of teaching weaving, dyeing, and self-reliance through Grow Lincoln Heights and his brand Dust of Course. With a Fulbright in Japan to study indigo farming, Camarillo embodies a practice that is at once monastic, technical, and communal—insisting on fundamentals in a moment dominated by spectacle and commodification.

Today, we are airing  our Tamarindo Live recording at the Goddess Mercado Bazaar—a collective of artists and entrepreneurs dedicated to creativity, culture, and mutual support. We called this event “Latinas Supporting Latinas”  featuring the stories of two mission-driven entrepreneurs. You'll hear from Diana Diaz, the founder of The Goddess Mercado and The Queer Mercado Nonprofit Collective, where folks support each other and cultivate a sanctuary of inclusivity and celebration while promoting entrepreneurship as a vehicle to drive equity. You'll also hear from Aurora Anaya, the founder of Bloom Wild Bookshop, an LA based mobile bookstore that celebrates culture, ecology, and community through books and activations. Aurora is a proud member of the Goddess Mercado BazaarListeners should know that the Goddess Mercado Bazaar is on the historic Whittier Blvd, the cultural heart of East Los Angeles, known for lowriders and historical significance to the Chicano Movement. So you may hear some of the vibrancy of the historic blvd in the recording of this conversation. More about our Guests:Diana Diaz is a single mother born and raised in East Los Angeles, and she is the daughter of Mexican immigrants that introduced her to the world of street vending. These intersectionalities inspired her to create Mexichic Crafts, the first chicana luxury leather brand from East Los Angeles. Diana dared to dream big when she founded The Goddess Mercado and The Queer Mercado Nonprofit Collectives. Its mission is to create safe market spaces for youth to express themselves creatively, gain lucratively, and with the support of the local community and schools. In addition, her organization promotes entrepreneurship to help redress the inequities that underrepresented Latina women, youth, and the LGBTQ community face.Aurora Anaya is the founder of Bloom Wild Bookshop, an LA based mobile bookstore that celebrates culture, ecology, and community through books and activations. With over 20 years of experience curating festivals, public programs, and cultural events, she uplifts BIPOC voices and fosters spaces where literature and community empowerment meet. She is also a proud member of The Goddess Mercado Bazaar in Montebello, a Her work reimagines what a bookstore can be—transforming it into a catalyst for connection, culture, and collective joy.Bloom Wild BookshopIG: @BloomWildBookshop  BloomWildBookshop.comTamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval talking about politics, culture, and self-development. We're here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. Join us as we delve into discussions on race, gender, representation, and life! You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com Tamarindo's mission is to use laughter and conversation to inform, inspire and positively impact our community. Learn more at tamarindopodcast.com

Welcome to the Mediumship Sister's Podcast! Season 6, episode 12!Today on the podcast, Paige and Ciarra, welcome guests, Wendie Coulter, Dr. Llyod Costello and Cay Randal- May PHD from the National Organization for Medical Intuition, known as NOMI. We share about medical intuition, ongoing research and the mission to advance this skill into mainstream healthcare. Come join the evolution to advance professional Medical Intuition , become a supporter and learn more about NOMI*NOMI members day coming up September 28, 2025 https://www.nomimedicalintuition.org/missionAs a medical intuitive and professional member with NOMI, Paige wanted to share these amazing trail blazers who are advancing awareness and research of Medical Intuition into main stream healthcare. Medical intuition can be the missing piece in traditional healthcare, where intuitive's can access the whole person , seeing beyond into the body, mind, spirit and emotions and work hand and hand with physicians to treat the whole person and can be recognized as a stand alone treatment.Get to know our guests~*Wendie Colter, MCWC, CMIP, the president of NOMI, Wendie is the founder/CEO of The Practical Path®, Inc., presenting accredited certification programs in Medical Intuition for wellness professionals and the public. She is a Certified Medical Intuitive Practitioner, Master Certified Wellness Coach, and President of the National Organization for Medical Intuition (NOMI). She is an invited speaker at prominent integrative health and educational organizations. Her trailblazing research on Medical Intuition is published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. Wendie is the author of the multiple award-winning book, Essentials of Medical Intuition: A Visionary Path to Wellness (Watkins Publishing), endorsed by Dr. Bernie Siegel, Dr. Kenneth Pelletier, Dr. Larry Dossey, Dr. Shamini Jain, and others. In private practice for more than twenty years.https://www.thepracticalpath.com*Cay Randall-May PHD, Certified Medical Intuitive Certified Energy Healing Practitioner. Cay has served clients throughout the world as a medical intuitive and general intuitive consultant for many decades. A founding member of NOMI, I was certified as a medical intuitive by the American Board of Scientific Medical Intuition and noted for my accuracy by C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D. From early childhood I was mentored by my grandmother, an accomplished psychic. Over the years I added many additional courses of study in extended sensory perception, and have taught extensively. My academic background in comparative anatomy/physiology as well as energy medicine/spirituality adds scientific and metaphysical depth to my work.https://cayrandallmay.comLlyod Costello, MD, vice president of NOMI. Dr. Lloyd Costello is a Board Certified Family Practitioner in private practice in San Bernardino California. He received his medical degree at the University of California Davis and completed a residency program in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California San Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital. He also served as Director of Ambulatory Care at the White Memorial Family Practice Residency program in East Los Angeles. In addition, he earned a Master's Degree in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica. He has worked with traditional as well as non-traditional and indigenous healers and is in the process of becoming a Certified Medical Intuitive. He foresees the use of medical intuitives as an integral part of the health care team.https://www.youtube.com/@MediumshipSistersPodcast@themediumshipsisters Follow us on InstagramCiarra Saylor Douglas @ciarrasaylor_mediumship here https://www.ciarralovesart.com/shop-1 Mariana Lucker @star.aligned.alchemy www.staralignedalchemy.com Paige Sturgeon @thewildspiritpaige www.thewildspiritpaige.com www.redhillphotography.com recorded 9/3/25

Some experiences shape you early, whether you're ready for them or not. For Monica Guardian, a defining childhood moment became the quiet force behind a lifetime of service. With over two decades of experience in public service, nonprofit leadership, and healthcare, she has developed programs that empower youth, strengthen families, and protect seniors—all rooted in a deep conviction that community care saves lives.This episode shows what happens when resilience is paired with action. Monica didn't just pursue a career—she built a purpose. Her story reveals how empathy, persistence, and vision can turn personal trials into a legacy of leadership and impact.In this episode of Amiga, Handle Your Shit, Monica Guardian opens up about growing up in East Los Angeles, co-founding a youth nonprofit as a teenager, and rising through the ranks of city government to manage multimillion-dollar community programs. She shares her international work on cyber safety, her leadership in healthcare, and the lessons she's learned about resilience, mentorship, and multiplying leaders.Monica opens up about starting a youth-led nonprofit as a teenager, running multimillion-dollar programs for the City of Los Angeles, and now shaping senior care as an executive in the healthcare sector. Her story is one of courage, service, and leadership rooted in empathy.Tune in to episode 246 of Amiga Handle Your Shit if you've ever questioned whether you have the strength to keep going. This episode will remind you: not only can you rise, you can transform hardship into impact for generations to come.Episode Takeaways:Monica's East LA upbringing and the family foundation that shaped her values (02:57)How the murder of her brother fueled her lifelong commitment to community service (05:16)Founding the East Los Angeles Youth Leadership Council as a teenager (08:12)What she learned about persistence while securing $63,000 in funding as a teen activist (09:37)Lessons in empathy, leadership, and public service from her time in city government (13:55)Her international work on cyber safety in Uruguay (24:06)Why building other leaders—not just leading—is the true test of leadership (31:10)How she blends family, career, and service while raising five children in a blended household (37:12)Monica's perspective on funding challenges in the nonprofit and health sectors (42:34)Her two powerful tips for every Amiga to “handle her shit”: show up for yourself daily and use the to-do list as your compass (45:47)Connect with Monica Guardian:LinkedInLet's Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInJackie Tapia Arbonne's websiteBook: The AMIGA Way: Release Cultural Limiting Beliefs to Transform Your Life Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Today marks the 55th anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium March, a movement of Chicano anti-war activists that built a broad-based coalition of Mexican-American groups to organize opposition to the Vietnam War. Led by activists from local colleges and members of the Brown Berets, a group with roots in the high school student movement that staged walkouts in 1968, the coalition peaked with an August 29, 1970 march in East Los Angeles that drew 30,000 demonstrators. The march was described by scholar Lorena Oropeza as "one of the largest assemblages of Mexican Americans ever." It was the largest anti-war action taken by any single ethnic group in the USA. It was second in size only to the massive U.S. immigration reform protests of 2006.  Your Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

It is the Summer of 2025, a time like no other in Los Angeles, California. There is drama on the streets, especially in Latino neighborhoods, where masked men jump out of unmarked cars and grab people who look like they might not have citizenship papers. It is at this time that the Latino Theatre Company has decided to mount their famous play, AUGUST 29, originally premiered in 1990, about a crisis and a killing in 1970 in East Los Angeles, a mostly Mexican American - Chicano area. Listen to Evelina Fernandez, founding member of the Latino Theatre Company now celebrating their 40th year, who knows the history of abuse toward Latinos in Los Angeles and cities across the USA, and can give first person tales of the back story of the play, AUGUST 29. The theatrical work created long ago inspires us to contemplate where we are as a society in 2025..AUGUST 29's last performances at the Los Angeles Theatre Center (LATC) in downtown, Los Angeles are August 22, 23, and 24. Performances will be held in other venues throughout September. It is being produced in partnership with the students of the Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy. CONTACT: LATC Ticket Office for performance information, (213) 489-0994FREE ADMISSIONThe Los Angeles Theatre Center - Theater 1Friday, August 22 - 8:00PMSaturday, August 23 - 8:00PMSunday, August 24 - 4:00PMhttps://www.latinotheaterco.org/august29Box Office: (213) 489-0994, tickets@thelatc.org514 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013Plan Your Visit: DIRECTIONS & PARKING East Los Angeles CollegeAugust 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM (Sold Out)S2 Recital Hallhttps://www.latinotheaterco.org/august29Box Office: (213) 489-0994, tickets@thelatc.org1301 Avenida Cesar ChavezMonterey Park, CA 91754Mt. San Antonio CollegeSeptember 18, 2025 at 7:00 PMSeptember 19, 2025 at 7:00 PMSophia B. Clarke Theaterhttps://www.latinotheaterco.org/august29Box Office: (213) 489-0994, tickets@thelatc.org1100 N. Grand Ave.,Walnut, CA 91789

THE VIBEwith Kelly Cardenas presents TABOO - BLACK EYED PEASJimmy Gomez, pka "Taboo Nawasha," is a multifaceted entertainer, best known as a founding member of the global sensation Black Eyed Peas. Born in East Los Angeles, Taboo rose from humble beginnings to worldwide fame, excelling as a dancer, actor, author, and philanthropist.He met bandmates will.i.am and apl.de.ap in 1992, forming The Black Eyed Peas in 1995. The group skyrocketed to superstardom with the hit "Where is the Love?" from their 2003 breakout album Elephunk, followed by albums; Monkey Business and The E.N.D., featuring chart-toppers such as "Boom Boom Pow" and "I Gotta Feeling." In 2011, they performed at the Super Bowl XLV halftime show, making Taboo the first Native/Mexican-American to headline the iconic event. To date, the Grammy-winning group has sold over 65 million albums worldwide.In addition to his music career, Taboo has showcased his acting talent in various roles. In feature films he has appeared as Guillermo in Jamesy Boy, Vega in Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li and has had cameos in Blue's Big City Adventure, Be Cool, and What to Expect When You're Expecting. On television, he played Zap in Instant Def. He voiced the character Wagaq in Netflix's Native American animated series Spirit Rangers, and most recently lent his voice to the character Quickatoo in the 2024 Dora the Explorer reboot.Taboo's journey includes beating cancer in 2014 and subsequently serving on the Biden Cancer Initiative board. As an advocate for Indigenous and underserved communities, he played a key role in the 2016 Standing Rock protests in opposition to a pipeline that would threaten the Sioux reservation. He continues to inspire indigenous communities through advocacy and storytelling.Recently, he co-authored Werewolf by Night for Marvel Comics, contributing to the company's first Indigenous Voices initiative. In Spring 2024, he released a children's book called A Kids Book About Identity, which explores the different parts of identity. Taboo is committed to developing inclusive programming with an Indigenous perspective that inspires everyone to be proud of who they are, and where they come from.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7nHRpX42tM&pp=ygURZWFzdCBsYSB3aWxsIGkgYW0%3Dhttps://www.youtube.com/@TabooLabhttps://aiptcomics.com/2025/07/06/aipt-comics-podcast-336-taboo-comics-and-kicks/ A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORSINCHSTONES PLAYBOOKhttps://a.co/d/hil3nloSUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER⁠https://thevibebykellycardenas.substack.com?r=4nn6y5&utm_medium=ios⁠BUY THE VIBE BOOK ⁠⁠https://a.co/d/6tgAJ4c⁠⁠ BUY BLING ⁠⁠https://shop.kellycardenas.com/products/kelly-cardenas-salon-bling⁠⁠ CARDENAS LAW GROUPhttps://www.cardenaslawgroup.com/THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD ON THE PLANEThttps://www.lulusmexicanfood.com/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - BROOKLYN CARDENAS ⁠⁠https://www.brooklyncardenas.com/⁠⁠

Chris is covering the three members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Arson/Explosives Detail that were killed Friday morning in an explosion at a training facility in East Los Angeles, California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday vowed to fight the "illegal" move by President Donald Trump's administration to cancel some $4 billion in federal grants for the state's ambitious but much-delayed high-speed rail project and much more. It's all on KFIAM-640

President Donald Trump has signed into law the first major legislation regulating the crypto industry. Despite concerns over national security and consumer protection, the president says the law will strengthen assets like the dollar and help ensure U.S. dominance in the global crypto sector.Trump is formally suing Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal for libel. He's also responding to questions about an alleged letter to Jeffrey Epstein, as the Justice Department moves to release more related files.A multi-agency investigation is underway after a deadly explosion at a sheriff's training facility in East Los Angeles killed three deputies. The blast occurred around 7:30 Friday morning. One person remains hospitalized.

In this episode we continue our conversation with Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer about the Broadway musical: Real Women Have Curves. Ana García (Broadway newcomer Tatianna Córdoba) dreams of flying away. But when her family's East Los Angeles garment business receives a make-or-break order for 200 dresses, Ana finds herself juggling her own ambitions, her mother Carmen's (Tony Award nominee Justina Machado) expectations, and a community of women all trying to make it work against the odds.  REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL features a Tony-nominated score by Grammy® Award–winning songwriter Joy Huerta (Jesse & Joy) and Benjamin Velez (Kiss My Aztec), a book by Lisa Loomer (Girl, Interrupted) with Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls), music supervision by Nadia DiGiallonardo (Waitress), and choreography and direction by Tony® winner Sergio Trujillo (Ain't Too Proud). Based on the play by Josefina López that inspired the iconic hit HBO film, critics have lauded CURVES as “entertaining and empowering” (NY Daily News), and “a laugh-out-loud musical comedy with a massive dose of heart.” (The Washington Post). This episode features the songs “Daydream” performed by Florencia Cuenca and “Adios Andrés” performed by Justina Machado and the Original Broadway Company of Real Women Have Curves. Connect with Benjamin Velez: Website: https://www.benjaminvelez.com/ Instagram: @benjaminvelezmusic Connect with Lisa Loomer: Instagram: @lisalromano Connect with New York Theatre Barn: Twitter: @nytheatrebarn Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn  Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn nytheatrebarn.org  Pauls's personal instagram: @paulsmacs Teresa's personal instagram: @terijoyeaux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features a conversation with Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer about the Broadway musical: Real Women Have Curves. Ana García (Broadway newcomer Tatianna Córdoba) dreams of flying away. But when her family's East Los Angeles garment business receives a make-or-break order for 200 dresses, Ana finds herself juggling her own ambitions, her mother Carmen's (Tony Award nominee Justina Machado) expectations, and a community of women all trying to make it work against the odds.  REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL features a Tony-nominated score by Grammy® Award–winning songwriter Joy Huerta (Jesse & Joy) and Benjamin Velez (Kiss My Aztec), a book by Lisa Loomer (Girl, Interrupted) with Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls), music supervision by Nadia DiGiallonardo (Waitress), and choreography and direction by Tony® winner Sergio Trujillo (Ain't Too Proud). Based on the play by Josefina López that inspired the iconic hit HBO film, critics have lauded CURVES as “entertaining and empowering” (NY Daily News), and “a laugh-out-loud musical comedy with a massive dose of heart.” (The Washington Post). This episode features the songs “Make It Work” performed by Florencia Cuenca, Jennifer Sanchez, Carla Jimenez, Aline Mayagoitia, Sandra Valls and Shelby Acosta, “Jugglin” performed by the Original Broadway Cast of Real Women Have Curves, as well as “Flying Away” performed by Tatiana Cordoba. Connect with Benjamin Velez: Website: https://www.benjaminvelez.com/ Instagram: @benjaminvelezmusic Connect with Lisa Loomer: Instagram: @lisalromano Connect with New York Theatre Barn: Twitter: @nytheatrebarn Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn  Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn nytheatrebarn.org  Pauls's personal instagram: @paulsmacs Teresa's personal instagram: @terijoyeaux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the episode, “A Lived Experience Dialogue: Facing Our Pasts, Reinventing Our Futures with Tom Woodrow and Mike Panasitti (S6, E7),” I sit with two success stories of people who have suffered with forms of mental illness who have come out on the other side. Part 1:When Tom Woodrow was 17, his life took a sharp turn. During a road trip with friends, Tom experienced his first manic episode, and subsequently ended up in a psychiatric hospital-misdiagnosed with depression and subjected to electroshock therapy. After years of struggling, and after nearly losing his life in India during a volunteer trip, he met two counselors from a mental health charity, who taught him to manage moods, avoid triggers, and stay well with skills that have kept him stable for 20 years. Today he helps others who also live with bipolar disorder, understanding how overwhelming it can be. He offers support programs that help people manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.To learn more about Tom, follow him at: Instagram: @bipolarwithyouPart 2:Mike Panasitti was born in East Los Angeles in 1969 and is a graduate of UC Berkeley and a former patient of California's Department of State Hospitals.  From 2015 to 2018 he was a prisoner at New Folsom, a maximum security prison near Sacramento.  Mike is now an exhibiting artist, as well as a poet and prose writer whose publishing credits include poems in Matter, creative non-fiction in WALL Literary Journal, and over 40 short stories posted on Reedsy Prompts.  He currently lives in the city of Santa Ana and is enrolled as a student of creative writing at Saddleback College.  Mike shares how he become acquainted with the mental health industrial complex and bravely reveals what he's learned from prolonged institutionalization. Envisioning a new path, Mike is committe3d to making his dreams come true as a professional artist and writer. To learn more about Mike, follow him at:Instagram: @mikepanasittiDon't forget to subscribe to the Not As Crazy As You Think YouTube channel @SicilianoJenAnd please visit my website at: www.jengaitasiciliano.comConnect: Instagram: @ jengaitaLinkedIn: @ jensicilianoTwitter: @ jsicilianoBluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/jengaita.bsky.socialSend us a text

On this episode I sit down with East Los Angeles based band Ear Ringers

Send us a textToday's discussion is with a very special person- Father Greg Boyle, an American Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries, which is the largest gang rehabilitation and reentry program in the world.In Father Greg's own words, he says it has been the privilege of his life, for more than 30 years, to have been taught everything of value by gang members and that he stands in awe of what many of the disadvantaged, powerless, voiceless, and marginalized have had to carry in their lives.Father Greg founded Homeboy Industries nearly 40 years ago at the Dolores Mission Parish in Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles. His work has received the highest recognition - in 2014, former President Obama named Father Greg as a Champion of Change, and President Joe Biden recently awarded him the Congressional Medal of Freedom, a testament to the profound impact he has had on so many people's lives.Homeboy Industries is built upon two foundational principles that are directly responsible for infusing such a deep sense of love, hope, compassion, and kinship throughout the organization:Everyone is unshakeably good, there are no exceptions.We all belong to each other, and there are no exceptions.Father Greg believes that no bullet can pierce these truths, and that when gang members know this truth, they begin to inhabit it and develop the compassion and tenderness needed to transform not only their own lives, but the lives of all members of Homeboy Industries.In our conversation today, Greg shares life lessons he has learned through his work, but also how this work has changed his life for the better and given him the purpose and hope needed to continue his efforts every day.We also dive into his most recent book, "Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times." I hope as many listeners as possible get their hands on a copy of this book.Connect with Homeboy Industries: WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeLinkedInContact Homeboy Industries here.Father Greg's 2012 Ted TalkLinks to Father Greg's other books: Tattoos on the HeartThe Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant TendernessBarking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship

Los Lobos' 1990 album The Neighborhood showcases their signature blend of rock, blues, and Latin influences through the lense and ears of East Los Angeles. While it didn't achieve the commercial success of La Bamba, the album captures Los Lobos' musical versatility and deep-rooted cultural influences. The band shifts from Texas blues and roots rock to old school rock 'n roll and acoustic balladry with the ease of seasoned players, with lead singer/guitarist David Hidalgo guiding the band all the way. At times the reliance on traditional blues structures can stifle the endlessly creative band by locking them into particular styles and arrangements, whereas tracks written outside the format flourish thanks to the skilled band.   Songs In This Episode Intro - Down On The Riverbed 19:17 - I Walk Alone 24:25 - The Giving Tree 26:25 - Georgia Slop 43:37 - Be Still Outro - The Neighborhood   Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon. Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

I'm joined here with fabb_999 on this episode reviewing "American Me" directed and produced by Edward James Olmos who shows us a life of a man who's spent half his life in the prison system, trying to reclaim himnself in society after he gets out. It's a very masculine but truly humbling film. Olmos did a great job showing us that he can not only act, but direct as well. I was impressed with the shots he used in the film, some that I pondered as to why he would use it and I understood why. He's a creative indivisual and gave us something DIFFERENT to look at. Faby and I talk about about film, it's explosive cast of characters, the iconic one-liners, it's controversies, the elements of theater displayed into the film, the way lighting is used to make things look realistic, how a film like this still resonates to this day spreading its message beyond East Los Angeles, beyond Folsom State, beyond California period. It's a powerful film by Olmos and a story of this kind needed to be told. It's important that even in filmmaking, we need to be a melting pot of sorts of sharing stories that created a culture that is still powerful to today's societal means.Four out of four tokes.#americanme #edwardjamesolmos

Chef Babette Davis, born and raised in East Los Angeles, is a force of nature who's turned adversity into triumph. As the founder of the wildly popular vegan restaurant Stuff I Eat in Inglewood, California, she's known for her soul food platters and vibrant health. At 73, Chef Babette is a fitness icon with legions of followers—whether she's working out, cooking, or running stairs around Los Angeles. Stay with us for an insightful conversation with the one and only Chef Babette—always authentic, always funny, always inspiring! Podcast sponsors:  - Book your Application Call: www.fitvegancoaching.com - Vedge Vegan Collagen: vedgenutrition.com – use code S4G for 30% off your order. - https://www.vedgenutrition.com/   “The human body is incredibly intelligent and responds to the love you give it or not. If I don't get my ass up in the morning and go work out, nobody is gonna do that for me. I don't care that I'm 72. I'm on no medication. I can stand up, put my shoe and my sock on, and balance myself through the entire process. If you're an older person, move and nourish yourself. Do it for you. We have been misled and misguided by people that don't know what the hell they're talking about. Along with all of the barbecue and the ribs and potato salad and coleslaw, and everybody's sitting back piling up all this food at one sitting and wondering why they feel like crap afterwards.” -  Chef Babette Davis   What we discuss in this episode: - How Chef Babette became vegan and how it transformed her health. - How timing when she eats certain foods has proven beneficial for her. - How the books Fit for Life and Mucusless Diet Healing System changed her life. - Why she does a juice cleanse three times a year. - Her journey from catering in a parking lot to opening her incredibly successful restaurant, Stuff I Eat. - How a predominantly meat-eating community was convinced to try plant-based dishes, leading to a thriving restaurant with a loyal following of regulars. - Lifestyle choices that maintain her health and advice on how others can achieve their best selves and longevity. - Her exciting show, Peeled. - The dishes she recommends for thriving like she does.   Resources: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefbabette/ - Chef Babette's book: Cash In On Cashews: 50 plus Desserts using One Nut - https://www.amazon.com/Cash-Cashews-plus-Desserts-using/dp/0692094717   ★☆★ Click the link below to support the ADD SOY Act! ★☆★ https://switch4good.org/add-soy-act/ ★☆★ Share the website and get your resources here ★☆★ https://kidsandmilk.org/ ★☆★ Send us a voice message and ask a question. We want to hear from you! ★☆★ https://switch4good.org/podcast/ ★☆★ Dairy-Free Swaps Guide: Easy Anti-Inflammatory Meals, Recipes, and Tips ★☆★ https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide ★☆★SUPPORT SWITCH4GOOD★☆★ https://switch4good.org/support-us/ ★☆★ JOIN OUR PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP ★☆★  https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat ★☆★ SWITCH4GOOD WEBSITE ★☆★ https://switch4good.org/ ★☆★ ONLINE STORE ★☆★ https://shop.switch4good.org/shop/ ★☆★ FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM ★☆★ https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/ ★☆★ LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ★☆★ https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/ ★☆★ FOLLOW US ON TWITTER ★☆★ https://twitter.com/Switch4GoodOrg ★☆★ AMAZON STORE ★☆★ https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good ★☆★ DOWNLOAD THE ABILLION APP ★☆★ https://app.abillion.com/users/switch4good

Rainn Wilson sits down with Rabbi Susan Goldberg to explore the enduring wisdom of Jewish tradition and its relevance to modern challenges. They discuss the dynamic nature of belief in God, the universal values that transcend religious boundaries, and practical ways to bring these spiritual virtues into our daily lives. Rabbi Susan shares the powerful concept of tikkun olam—repairing the world through action and intent—and reveals how Shabbat fosters a sacred space for joy, gratitude, and love. Whether you're navigating the wilderness of life or seeking courage in despair, this episode offers profound insights for living with compassion, faith, and purpose. Rabbi Susan Goldberg is a visionary spiritual leader and founder of Nefesh, a vibrant Jewish community in East Los Angeles rooted in universal values like compassion, courage, and faith. Through Nefesh, she blends ancient Jewish wisdom with modern practices, fostering a space where individuals and families can connect, grow, and live out their deepest values in meaningful and practical ways. Thank you to our sponsors! Airbnb: http://airbnb.com/host Aura (promo code: SOULBOOM): https://auraframes.com Fetzer Institute: https://fetzer.org/ MERCH OUT NOW! https://soulboomstore.myshopify.com/ 'Soul Definition' Mug: http://bit.ly/3ZnFyhp God-Shaped Hole Mug: https://bit.ly/GodShapedHoleMug Sign up for our newsletter! https://soulboom.substack.com SUBSCRIBE to Soul Boom!! https://bit.ly/Subscribe2SoulBoom Watch our Clips: https://bit.ly/SoulBoomCLIPS Watch WISDOM DUMP: https://bit.ly/WISDOMDUMP Follow us! Instagram: http://instagram.com/soulboom TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@soulboom Sponsor Soul Boom: partnerships@voicingchange.media Work with Soul Boom: business@soulboom.com Send Fan Creations, Questions, Comments: hello@soulboom.com Produced by: Kartik Chainani Executive Produced by: Ford Bowers, Samah Tokmachi Companion Arts Production Supervisor: Mike O'Brien Voicing Change Media Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat

Armando Contreras is the National president and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy Inc. The organization has 55 affiliates, 53 of which are here in the United States and two are in Canada. Armando grew up in East Los Angeles and then attended college at the University of Southern California where he obtained a degree in Business Administration. Later he secured a Master's degree in Divinity from the University of San Francisco.   Armando has worked both in the for profit world as well as for and with several nonprofit organizations. He tells us about all his life adventures including being a cancer survivor now for ten years.   Mr. Contreras and I have a great discussion about his vision for UCP which this year is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Along the way, UCP expanded services beyond just working with persons with Cerebral Palsy. As he explains, the same kinds of services required by people with CP also apply to persons with Downs and Autism.   I hope what Armando discusses with me inspires you as much as it did me. Please let me know what you think.     About the Guest:   Armando A. Contreras is the President and CEO of the Washington, D.C. and Vienna, Virginia-based United Cerebral Palsy Inc., one of the nation's leading health associations providing vital services and advocating for the inclusion of people living with neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome via its 55 affiliates (53 in the U.S. and two in Canada).   A native of Los Angeles, Armando's professional career includes having served as CEO of UCP of Central Arizona, President and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (AZHCC), Director of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, and Executive Director of the Council on Small Business under former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano.   He was featured in Activator Magazine's March 2021 issue (“A Servant Leader's Faithful Journey”). In November 2016, Arizona Business Magazine recognized him as a top CEO in the nonprofit health sector. In 2015, Armando was named one of the most Influential Minority Business Leaders in Arizona. He was also the featured CEO in the December 2013 issue of Arizona Business Magazine, and the Phoenix Business Journal awarded him a Champions in Diversity award in 2012. Armando was a special guest on The Hill newspaper's virtual Disability Summit, featuring policymakers, business and nonprofit leaders discussing ways to increase employment across the disability community.   Armando attended the Harvard School of Business Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program. In May 2001, he was honored to meet with President George W. Bush to discuss faith-based and community initiatives during a White House gathering on the topic.   Today, Armando serves on the Board of SourceAmerica. He is a former member of the Bishop's Finance Committee of the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, and he recently completed a term serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Kino Border Initiative, a binational organization that promotes U.S.-Mexico border and immigration policies that affirm the dignity of the human person.   Armando earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Southern California and a master's degree in theology from the University of San Francisco. He also received certificates from the Indiana University School of Philanthropy and Harvard University.   He and his wife, Norma Contreras, live in Phoenix, where they are active in the community, particularly contributing their time and talents to faith-based social justice issues. The couple has three adult children and a grandson with another grandson on the way.       About the Host:   Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.   Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards.   https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/   accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/   https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/       Thanks for listening!   Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!   Subscribe to the podcast   If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset .   Leave us an Apple Podcasts review   Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.       Transcription Notes:   Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us.   Michael Hingson ** 01:21 Welcome to another edition of unstoppable mindset where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet, and I won't go through all that again, it's inclusion because that means we include disabilities. Diversity typically doesn't, but the unexpected is what we get to deal with a lot as well. It's all fun, and we're glad that you're able to be here with us, wherever you happen to be. Our guest today is Armando Contreras, who is the president of United Cerebral Palsy, Inc, and I'm really anxious to hear more about that keeps keeps him, and I think a lot of us busy, and there's a lot of good stories and very relevant things to talk about regarding that. So let's get to it, Armando, I want to thank you and really appreciate you being here. Michael,   Armando Contreras ** 02:06 it's such a pleasure, and really it's an honor that I can be here on your show. So thank you for the kind invitation. Well, you   Michael Hingson ** 02:15 are. You're certainly most welcome, and Armando is one of those people who came to us again because of Sheldon Lewis here at accessibe, and he's he's keeping us busy, which is a good thing, and he's probably working on getting Armando to use accessibe, unless you already are with UCP. I haven't checked the website lately. Well, we   Armando Contreras ** 02:33 have. So we've already put in that, I believe, a plugin, and some of our affiliates are actually using accessibe as well,   Michael Hingson ** 02:43 which is cool, and it does a lot to help, which is, of course, what it's all about. Because accessibe, using AI, is able to do a lot of the work with the AI widget, not all, but a lot that needs to be done. So it's really great that you guys are using it, and I appreciate that and thank you for it, or on behalf of all of us at accessibe, yeah,   Armando Contreras ** 03:04 you're welcome. Well,   Michael Hingson ** 03:06 why don't we start as I love to do at the beginning? Why don't tell us a little bit about kind of the early Armando growing up and all that sort of stuff? Yes, so might as well,   Armando Contreras ** 03:18 yeah, the early Armando, growing up, was in East Los Angeles, in East LA so my father had a disability for most of his life. He had a he was in a car accident, and the doctors had said he would never work again. And right about that time when he had that car accident. I was born. I was the first, the oldest of three and my brother Louis and my sister Elizabeth. So life really changed for him, because he was middle class entrepreneur in Mexico, while he was American citizen. Then when he married my mom, then they moved over to Los Angeles, and eventually East Los Angeles, and that's where I grew up. I grew up pretty much in, you can say, in poverty. And while we were in a neighborhood called in Barrio, it's just a neighborhood of of, really, for the most part, a lot of good people. Our neighbors were fantastic, and we knew each other. So that was kind of like the beginning of many years of really, you know, experiencing disabilities with my dad and seeing what he had gone through. And it was a it was a tough, really. It was a tough. It was tough growing up, let me put it to you that way, for for many reasons. So then later, I got involved with the Catholic Church, Saint Lucy. Catholic Church in Los Angeles or a small town called City terrace, and that kind of that really changed a lot for me, as far as getting involved with community issues, getting involved in helping people, getting involved in connecting with the kind of the local issues that were happening in the city of Los Angeles, because those priests, those Catholic priests, were very involved in that, in ministries, and they went outside of the ministries to help community members, regardless if they were Catholic or not, what. And prior to that, I got involved as a musician. So I was a trumpet player, and I played trumpet at St Lucy's church for about 23 years. But then that that did something, something of sort of a miracle for me, because when I applied after going to a junior college in Los Angeles College, and then I applied to a dream university, USC, so the University of Southern California, and I think one of the big reasons that I got in was because of my community involvement, so that that led to a full scholarship, and that was quite the blessing for me, because there was no way that that we can afford me going to a private university. So, you know, that's kind of like, in the nutshell, my my upbringing, otherwise I would be here three days, you know,   Michael Hingson ** 06:30 yeah, what year? What years were you at USC,   Armando Contreras ** 06:34 I was there. I was there in 8085 through 87 ish, around that time? Yeah, around that that time? Yeah, I graduated in 87   Michael Hingson ** 06:46 that's that's much beyond my favorite USC football game, which was, how was it? I think Notre Dame was leading SC 24 to nothing at the end of the first half. You know, the game, I can tell by the end, it was 55 to 24 USC, which is the way it should be.   Armando Contreras ** 07:07 You know, SC had his great moments, and sc has had their challenging moments. Has Yeah. So, you know, last year, it could have been a better year for us. But, you know, we look to the future. And like I always say, don't fight on. So fight on   Michael Hingson ** 07:23 is right. My wife did her graduate work at SC I've never been to a football game there or anywhere, and one of these days, I'd love to go, but she just passed away in November of 2022 we were married for 40 years, but I've already been an SC fan before I married her, and one of my favorite SC stories is that the day we got married, we arrived at the church, and it was supposed to be a wedding that would pack the church. A lot of people wanted to come and see us get together, but the wedding was supposed to start at four o'clock, and like the church was less than half full on about 412 suddenly the doors opened, and this whole crowd came in, and the wedding went forward, only about 15 minutes late. Later, we tried to find out what it was that kept people away for so long. And what we heard was everyone was in their cars waiting for the end of the USC Notre Dame game. And since SC one, it was that God clearly was on our side.   Armando Contreras ** 08:25 I love that. Yeah, it's a great story. And my my sister, condolences for loss.   Michael Hingson ** 08:31 Well, thank you. You know she her body was just slowing down. She was in a wheelchair her whole life, and just in 2022, things were kind of catching up. And as I say, the spirit tends to move ahead of the body sometimes, and that's what happened. But she's watching somewhere, and if I misbehave, I'll hear about it. I'm not at all worried I'm going to try to be a good kid. But that's great that she did go to USC, and you said something else. I think that's really interesting to me, and that is that where you grew up, people were very nice and very friendly. And I think that is so often true, and a lot of times people stray into some of these areas and they think it's going to be horrible, and they they look for the worst, and they find it because they're not looking for the best. They're not looking to try to find friendly people and and it's so unfortunate that too many, too many times, we don't really look for the best in people. And unfortunately, then it comes out.   Armando Contreras ** 09:34 Well, you know, I I could only say great things about East LA and the barrio that I, that I grew up in, were there elements in there? Of course, sure you were, we were about a block away from from the gang activity, and you just had a choice, right? And thanks to my parents that were super strict, they didn't, they didn't allow me to make those kind of choices when I was younger. You know. To join the gangs, but that element was in front of you, you know, and some of them, some of the folks I still know today, some of them that were in gangs and stuff, now they've settled down. They have families, but I just have to say that there was a sense of community there where I grew up, even, even, or despite the elements that were around us. So yes, do I hear the negativity when they somebody mentions East Los Angeles? Yes, but I could, I have to say that even though we grew up in poverty and even though there was a lot of challenges for us as a family, I I really cherish the neighbors that were there. When I remember that the kind of those gatherings, we had nothing. So there was no we played, you know, with just a regular basketball or something. There was no communication via a cell phone or anything like that. Yeah. So, you know, I have only good things to say. And part of my upbringing there today, I realized that wow, I was I was working on a strategic plan without even knowing what a strategic plan was back in the day. Yeah.   Michael Hingson ** 11:17 Do you think that today it's harder, or there's more of that kind of activity, or is it just that people are now having their attention drawn more to it, and again, still, I think all too often deal with it in such a negative way. But do you think it's worse than it was?   Armando Contreras ** 11:36 I mean, if we're talking about, if we're talking about gang activity. I mean that still, I think, is just as prominent that today, unfortunately, than what it was this as it was back. You know, when I grew up in the night, in the 60s, I believe that leaders, community leaders, our representatives, really have to invest into communities, invest in education, invest in in jobs, right? Because people, naturally, some of them, will start looking for a way of making a living, and they may choose a different route. In addition to that, gangs and they become a family. So, you know, parents do need to, you know, also be aware of what their kids are doing, and support them and and nurture them and show them love, right? And because, if you really get to the bottom of it, and you start speaking to a gang member, she or he, there's underlining problems, and maybe comes from family. You know, there could be so many things that are happening, but I truly have a vision that that someday there's going to be more funds invested into communities like East Los Angeles, because a lot of great people come out of there, and I'm not talking about myself, but there's just a lot of good people, good hearted people, that really like to help their neighbor and others. When   Michael Hingson ** 13:10 I was selling in New York, when still living in California, and would go back and spend days at a time, I stayed at a particular hotel in midtown Manhattan, Near Time Square, and if I went out at night, every so often, somebody would come up and he would say, I'm one of the guardian angels. You're familiar with them? Yes. And he said, I'm with guardian angels. I want to walk with you. And I said, you know, you don't need to. And he said, I want to. And I didn't mind, but what I always felt and and experienced was if I treated people right, if I treated people like people, if I was I was treated like someone, and I didn't really need to fear any of the other kinds of things. Now, I'm sure there were crazies around, but in general, I really do think that if we would be a little bit more open to just accepting and not fear so much those things that we don't understand, or those kinds of communities that we're not as knowledgeable about, and I'm not so much thinking of the gangs, but just all the other communities, like East LA and watts and so on, we would be a whole lot better off, and we would learn to get along with people better.   Armando Contreras ** 14:31 I totally agree with that. I think it's building relationships, right, and getting to help and getting to know, you know, folks from different ethnicities, people with different abilities, right? It all comes together. Here is that, knowing them, respecting them, listening for understanding, and then building a friendship, right? And collaborating together. Um. For the betterment of humanity. That's what I believe, where it's at, and everybody has an opportunity to do that.   Michael Hingson ** 15:08 Yeah, and I just think that we, we, we somehow also need to get the politics out of providing the funds. And I don't know, it's just people have locked themselves into some very hard political decisions sometimes that that don't help the process at all.   Armando Contreras ** 15:26 Yeah? Michael, so yes, yes. Part of it is yes, taking out the politics, but the other part of it is bringing in the politics right? Is letting our our representatives, our public officials, and on the local level, on the municipality level, state level, on the federal level, to bring them in and know what the issues are, because we're all part of the fabric of society. Yeah, all somehow we do give, and we do contribute, and I don't, I don't care what ethnicity, what religion you are, if you if you have a disability, if you don't have a disability, we're all part of the society, and I believe that our representatives really need to know that and how we contribute in a very big way.   Michael Hingson ** 16:16 I think the biggest part is they need to be open to listening to hear that some do, some don't. And I am a firm believer in the fact that over time, all the issues that we need to deal with will get dealt with.   Armando Contreras ** 16:30 I believe so too, and I think those that those that don't listen to communities, for whatever reason it is that eventually somebody in their family or them may end up in that situation themselves, and then, you know, they'll begin to have that lived experience. But while they've had a chance to make a difference, and if they ignore it, then there was a window of opportunity for them to do something.   Michael Hingson ** 17:01 Yeah, well, and, and if they choose to ignore that again, I believe that things will will happen to deal with that, whatever it is, and hopefully it it doesn't a negative, horrible thing that has to happen to make them realize it. But I think in some cases, that has been what has occurred. But I have a lot of faith in the human race. Yes, so do I. Well, so you, what was your degree in from USC?   Armando Contreras ** 17:29 It was in business administration.   Michael Hingson ** 17:32 Ah. And did you go to any football games?   Armando Contreras ** 17:35 I did, yeah, good   Michael Hingson ** 17:36 for you. My wife did too. Yeah.   Armando Contreras ** 17:38 And, and most recently, most recently, I've gone to the last two USC UCLA games. So last year, it was great. It was fantastic. We were at the Rose Bowl at, you know, in UCLA territory this year, not so good. We were so good, not so good. We were at home at the Coliseum. And, you know, it didn't, it didn't work at a while, but it was a fun game. I   Michael Hingson ** 18:04 don't know, what do you think of the coach?   Armando Contreras ** 18:07 Um, I think that he's good, and I think that he will continue to be successful this year, this next year. I think it will be better this year. Yeah, I think so. And they got this young, this young man that showed up at the at the bowl game. I'm trying to remember Miller. I think it was Miller, and it was his name, and he showed up. He was a he, he did a fantastic job. And I do see a great future for him at USC and perhaps in in the in the NFL.   Michael Hingson ** 18:40 Well, it'll be fun. I know they got a new defensive coordinator and that they needed, so we'll, we'll see how it goes. But we won't bore everyone with football and our likes, but it's nevertheless, it's part of the world. So there you go, but then you went on to the University of San Francisco, right?   Armando Contreras ** 19:01 I did. So that was a few years later, and I graduated, I believe, in 2004 and I it was, it was something that drew me, and it was an opportunity for me to get a degree in Theology at a Jesuit university. So at that time, I was working for a faith based Catholic organization, a national organization called the National Catholic council for Hispanic ministry. And what we looked at overall in the United States were the issues of upper mobility for Hispanic Catholics for immigrants, or for our sisters and brothers that are immigrants, the issues that are happening with Hispanic families, education was a huge thing. You know, how do we how do we move, you know, our children that from, you know, grammar school to. Catholic high schools and perhaps Catholic universities were, yeah, unfortunate. Unfortunately, I have to say, is that there's not a whole lot of access, and we're the backbone of the Catholic Church, right? Because it's so expensive. So those were the things that that we were part of, and one of the opportunities that came about was attending the University of San Francisco and and I received, you know, I earned a degree in theology, master's degree, yes,   Michael Hingson ** 20:32 well, let's go back a little bit. So you graduated from SC then what did you do?   Armando Contreras ** 20:37 Well, then I had several jobs after that. I worked for a nonprofit in Los Angeles that helped people get jobs. And then after that, I believe, I went into a construction company as a contract administrator. I was here for maybe a year and a half or so, and then I went on for whatever reason I was interested in real estate. So then I worked for a corporation that did mortgage loans. And in that I met a gentleman who had his own real estate company, and then we decided to start our own real estate company. So I did that for about seven, seven years, and then I I got hired to work with this nonprofit, the National Catholic council that I just mentioned a little bit ago. I was there for about 10 and a half years. So I had I had a chance to travel around the nation and to meet with Hispanic Catholic leaders, lay leaders. I got to meet with religious orders of men and women from Jesuits, Franciscans, many other different orders. So it was, it was really a insightful time for me in those 10 and a half years about our church. And then after that, we moved from Los Angeles to Phoenix. And shortly after that, I got hired. Let's see here. I'm trying to remember the I got hired by governor Janet Napolitano, but I was her small business advocate, and in about 11 months, I moved into being a deputy director of a one of her departments, the Arizona register of contractors, and soon after that, I was on her cabinet. So I was honored to serve under Janet Napolitano when she moved to Washington, DC, because President Barack Obama appointed her as Secretary of Homeland Security. Then I moved on to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, here Arizona, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. And then about a year later, then that's where I had folks come to me and said, there's an organization here that is the United Cerebral Palsy association of central Arizona. And I said, Well, I'm going to maybe put the word out and see who might be interested in that position, which was a CEO position. And then they said, No, we're looking for somebody like you. So to make a long story short, I got hired. And that was really a beginning of of a lot of things. I got hired not because I had the clinical background, or the researcher background, or that I had been involved with disabilities. I got hired so then I can take take that organization to another level, where they wanted to increase the revenues, they wanted to increase their brand awareness. They wanted to make sure that we had stronger collaborations in the community in Arizona, in in Phoenix, and that's why I got hired, to make sure that we enhance that to benefit the children and adults that we were serving.   Michael Hingson ** 24:05 Well. So what do you think about the differences since you've been in a position to have done both working in the for profit corporate kind of world, as opposed to working in the the nonprofit sector? That's,   Armando Contreras ** 24:21 that's Michael. That's a really interesting question, because there are similarities,   Michael Hingson ** 24:27 I know, and I've done the same thing. I've worked for both as well. Well,   Armando Contreras ** 24:31 look, you know, I'm working for a nonprofit, and those that are going to be listening to this, that are CEOs are working in development for both for profits and nonprofits. There's not a whole there's not a big difference there. Because we strive to be sustainable, like a for profit. We strive to look at years to come, because we want to be around and help people in the next 1015, 75, Years which we we're celebrating this year, our 75th anniversary. So part of our responsibility as a leader, as a president and CEO, is really looking beyond the years that you're going to be there. You can, you can serve for one year, 10 years, 20 years, 30 years. But really the i i truly believe that the test is, once you leave, will that organization continue to survive because of what you put together? So to answer your question, a lot of similarities between a for profit and a non profit. However, at the end of the day, the mission for us is to not make a profit, but to be sustainable so we can continue our life saving work   Michael Hingson ** 25:49 and for not, not for profits. Nonprofits generally tend to work more in an arena where they're trying to make a social difference. And although they're they're still selling products. The products are different. They're oftentimes less tangible, although a lot of the services that that they provide, like UCB, UCP provides and so on, end up being very tangible, but still there's there's an intangibility, but still, I agree with you that the reality is that they're very similar. Development is extremely similar to what a for profit company does. And in reality, when you're in development, you're in sales, and when you're in sales, you're in development, it's just that people have come up with two words for the same thing, but they're so similar in what you ultimately are trying to get from them, and ultimately, how you present to people who you want to be your customers or your donors, is so much the same as well.   Armando Contreras ** 27:00 Yeah, I agree with you, Michael, so in development, because I also have a background in fundraising, it's aligning with the folks that have the same vision and that would want to contribute for an impact that's happening in society. So with United Cerebral Palsy and our affiliates are providing direct services to children and adults with cerebral palsy and many other conditions. So there are people that are very, very generous, but I have to say that in the world of philanthropy now, donors are becoming a lot more informed, and they want to make sure that the dollar that they're going to donate, that it's going to go a long way. Yeah, so obviously they're looking at at administrative costs versus your program program costs, right? And that's a good thing. I encourage the philanthropic community to do that, to do their research and to pick those nonprofits in the United States or maybe around the world that are really making a huge impact. Michael, we we serve 100 and approximately 155,000 children and adults on an annual basis, and this is our affiliates that are working day in and day out to provide those services, vital services, life saving services, and services that maybe other organizations don't or people don't want to do. So those are the things that that people that are going to invest their return is really what's happening in the lives of 1000s and hundreds of 1000s of people. Many,   Michael Hingson ** 28:45 many years ago, I remember watching a little bit of a telethon. It was actually on Channel 13 out here, kcop, and it was back in what had to be the early to mid 80s, I think, and it was a telethon put on by the Society for the Prevention of blindness, which I don't even know whether they're around anymore, but at the end of the telethon, they had raised, I think, like $200,000 it was a local, Just independent television station doing it. But what we learned was that 95% of the cost of the telethon went to pay for it, and that the organization only ended up with about 5% of that $200,000 which is, of course, a real problem.   Armando Contreras ** 29:39 It is so like I mentioned before, is that today you're having more informed donors, right, that are looking at that ratio, right? Yeah, how much of their dollar is going to go to actual services, right? Versus cost for putting on a. For putting like you mentioned, a telethon today, there's not a whole lot of telethons going on. Have a million channels, but back in the day, I remember the channels 13, 574, and maybe 11 nine. Yeah, 11 nine. So there was a few more today. What do you have? 234, 100, and then more and all of that. There's other ways that I certainly believe that that can be as impactful and less expensive than the telethons. But sure, you bring up a really good point, is that if you're going to, if you're a donor, if you're a philanthropist, if you really want to have your money change people's lives, they have to do some homework. Yeah, they have to look at that nonprofit and to make sure that 90% of your dollars not going into it, and 90% is not going into it, administrative expenses. It   Michael Hingson ** 30:55 may well be that that 90% works or maybe a little bit less. You're spending a little bit more money on administration, if you can justify it, to say, but look out of that we are able to reach more people and thus get more money. But I do think it's, it's a it's a tight rope.   Armando Contreras ** 31:20 Yeah, I definitely agree with that, that you have to be strategic when you're out fundraising and your your case statement really has to be where it's so compelling that and then showing the data and and and bringing children and adults to tell their story, right of how their lives have been changed. Those are the storytelling is really part, one part, or a major part, of development and fundraising.   Michael Hingson ** 31:56 Well, tell us a little bit about UCP, the history and so on, if you would to inform more people about it.   Armando Contreras ** 32:02 Well, one, you know, I'm, I'm so excited to share with everybody that we're celebrating our 75th anniversary, right? Uh, 75 years of providing vital services, right? 75 years of having our direct service professionals, the folks that are working at home, under the home community based services. We have we have pre Ks, the different therapies that are out there. We have group homes, we have transportation, we have employment. There's so many things that we're bringing to the community. But it started in 1949 right? It started with concerned citizens and concerned parents, that they felt that in that time, which was a totally different world for people with disabilities, that they felt that something more had to happen, that no more can society or the doctors or people in authority can say, would your kids have to go to an institution no matter if they had Down syndrome? Well, maybe autism wasn't. Were so prevalent back then, maybe not as prevalent, but cerebral palsy, spinal bifid, all of that that their kids suddenly were taken away from their home.   Michael Hingson ** 33:22 Well, my parents were told by our doctors that they should send me to a home when it was discovered I was blind, and my parents rejected that, which was very fortunate, but   Armando Contreras ** 33:32 yeah, and good for your parents. And that's how it started, right? I think, I think a lot of nonprofits started in that way, but back in 1949 that's when a group of parents got together and said, we have to do something more right. Then today, we've evolved where we're in the disability world, there's greater access than there was before, there's more inclusion than there was before, right? We're trying at least that used because UCP national and our affiliates, we're trying to help people be more independent, if it's through legislation, research, therapies, everything that we're trying to do. And we're very we're very centric to those issues that are out there, and we're trying to make a huge difference. So what I'm looking at is, I'm looking at another 75 years and that United Cerebral Palsy. One we're trying to in here. Four goals. One is brand awareness. Also let folks know about our 75th year anniversary. But one of the bigger things Michael that is the challenge for us is that United Cerebral Palsy serves children and adults with cerebral palsy and other conditions, so we're trying to bring that message out. And figuring out, how can we let the community know that if your child has Down syndrome autism, that we are there providing vital services for for them as well. The next goal is development, or what we just spoke about, connecting with the philanthropic community, because we, while a lot of our affiliates rely on government funding and reimbursement, I believe that there's another level that we have to engage with, and that's the philanthropic community right. There are millions and millions of dollars. Michael, I go to this to a an event called the heckling event in Orlando, I've been going there for now five years, and those professionals that are working with Planned Giving, some of them will come to me and say that their clients don't know where to give their money to. That's why we're present there, and that's why other profits are there too, as well. Is that we need to educate the community that that you can actually invest in something that's going to bring back this return of investment, but more of a humanity return, and something that's going to be great for society. The other goal that we have is advocacy. So we're known throughout the federal government, the Biden administration, as well as the Trump administration community, communicated with us, especially during COVID So we had communications with the White House. We still do. We're engaged at the Congress and Senate level with various representatives and senators to make sure that they create legislation that's going to be beneficial for our for the for the disability community, and that we don't ever go back to the institutions that that would be their only option. Unfortunately, Michael, today, there's still institutions that exist, not as many as before, but there's still institution the last goal we have is to grow our footprint, not only nationally, but but internationally. So we're having discussions locally, in places that were not present, to grow our footprint, to see how we can collaborate. We're also having, I'm having conversations with people on the global level, like the International cerebral palsy society, like aacpdm, the Academy for cerebral palsy. I've been invited twice, once, well, I got invited last year to the International Congress on cerebral palsy in Mexico City, I got invited again. I was their president, and I gave a speech. And I got invited again this year, in March, I'll be in medida Yucatan at an international congress again, and that brings a lot of awareness for us, brand awareness, and the main thing is really collaboration. So I kind of touched upon some of the some of the goals, Michael, and some of the things that important things and vital things that our affiliates are doing. So if there's, if there's something else that you want me to elaborate, I'd be glad, more than glad to do. So how are   Michael Hingson ** 38:19 you working toward creating more and better brand awareness to the general population?   Armando Contreras ** 38:27 Well, one of the things that we're doing, given that we have this window of opportunity that we're celebrating our 75th year, and that begins in that started in February, and we'll go all the way through January 31 is that one, we have a lot of partners out there that are doing things like you're doing access to be right, that invited me on this program. And that's one of the beautiful things that in social media, it's not it's not very expensive for us to be out there. So we're using the media vehicles such as LinkedIn, Facebook and the others that are out there. And we're also using YouTube to spread the message out there. So we're we're also sharing the stories of our affiliates and their accomplishments and the people that are being served, the parents and their children, so they can share those great stories that sometimes are miracle stories because of the people that are serving them and providing quality services, care and love. So that's one vehicle. The other one is that I I was on 26 I traveled to 26 locations last year, so I'm also providing that message out there. And then within our affiliate network, they're also doing marketing, and they're doing. Brand awareness as well. So it's a whole it's really this whole core nation that we want, not only the nation, no, but globally. Let the people know who is you at UCP and United Cerebral Palsy,   Michael Hingson ** 40:16 what caused UCP to add in as part of the services that are provided, services for people with downs and autism, as opposed to just UCP   Armando Contreras ** 40:32 or UCP. Yeah, so if I go back to when I was at the local United Cerebral Palsy the UC central Arizona. It just happened to be that the programs, the same programs that were provided for children and adults with cerebral palsy, also were beneficial to other conditions. I'm not a researcher, but when there's a breakthrough in cerebral palsy or in autism or in a different condition, they try to see if that same breakthrough will help people with different conditions. What we do know is that the therapies that are being offered to children and adults with cerebral palsy, those same types of therapies are also impactful to other conditions. So what was happening is that, then parents started to to, I guess, the word went out, and what we have across the board in the United States is that we have a high percentage of non cerebral palsy clients, or we'll call them family members, that are are getting services because that's much needed. One Michael is like respite, like respite care. You know any, any family can use that rest, that respite care, no matter what the condition is. So if you're offering that, then you can offer it to the disability community, a broad range of of people that have various conditions,   Michael Hingson ** 42:13 which makes perfect sense, because a lot of the care that needs to be provided is very similar. Well, or is the same? Yes, well, you know, you, I understand, had a an involvement with cancer, and you survived that. How has that affected you and in your attitude? Because, clearly, you're a very sensitive person and very much involved in community and family and helping people. But what, what was the whole situation with you in cancer?   Armando Contreras ** 42:42 You know, I think it's that. I think that's, it's the experience that all people go through when they first hear that you have cancer, right? First thought is, are you going to survive? You know, the first, first thing that comes to you is that it's, it's terminal, right? You're not going to get through it. You know this when you hear news like that, and you know, maybe it's the same as parents hearing that their child has cerebral palsy or disability, you know, you just, you just, it's a scary moment. It's a scary time. So what? Yeah, it was a difficult time for me and for my family, especially, I think my family knowing that I had transitional carcinoma, high grade, and it was a it was a tumor in my bladder that was nine and a half centimeters. I haven't really talked about it a lot, but it's been 10 years. So February, when I had seen that as a suggestion, like you want to talk about that, my first thought was, No, I think I'm going to skip it. But a few seconds later, I said, maybe it's time for me to share with the community, because it's been 10 years since I was diagnosed so and I'll try to make this short, I got diagnosed huge tumor. They had asked me if I wanted that tumor to be taken out, otherwise I could die. And I said, of course. So they took out the tumor. I had a brilliant surgeon that did that. And then after that, they basically said to me that if I don't, if I don't do radical surgery, taking out my bladder, taking out some lymph nodes, my prostate, that I wouldn't live very long, that I had really, like a 35% chance or less to live. So I had said that I wanted to put a pause on this rush, and that perhaps there's an option out there, perhaps there was another way, because I knew that billions of dollars have been raised for cancer. And maybe because this is a whole new journey for me, that the cure was somewhere out there. Well, after going to five different doctors for second opinions, they all said the same to me, that I only had one choice, and that choice radical surgery. And even after that, even after that, I was still I was confused, I was scared, but I was still. There was a pause that I felt that maybe there was something out there. So thanks to my sister, she really saved my life. She connected me with the scientists that she was researching, and that scientist said, you know, I only, I've only done lab studies on this particular oil called frankincense oil. I haven't done any clinical studies, and today, Michael, there's still no clinical studies on frankincense oil. So I started doing that three months after they they took the tumor out. I had 20 more tumors come back in my bladder. But they were small. They were lesions. So I just asked them to scrape, scrape them. The doctors were furious with me. I get it. I mean, that was, that was a protocol. I totally get it, you know. But something, people say that I had a lot of courage. I'm not sure if it was, like just something, it could have been something was telling you. I mean, I definitely there was a lot of prayer during that time. Yeah, a lot of prayer happening at that time. I just couldn't see myself dying, and I didn't want that to happen. So just to kind of, like, kind of close on this is that when those 20 tumors came back, they scraped them. They were supposed to be a lot more coming back, or it was going to invade my body. Three months later, I had nothing, absolutely nothing. Three months after that, I had six lesions come back, and that was March of 2015, so it's been nine years since the last reoccurrence. It's been 10 years since I was diagnosed, and I get checked very often. Once a year in the beginning, I would go in and get checked every three months. So it's been quite the miracle. But I have to say, this is that one I changed. I had changed my diet at the time for about four and a half years, I was strictly doing a lot of juicing, no sugar, a lot of prayer, a lot of family love, a lot of support. I did the frankincense oil. So I think in a comprehensive way, that helped me, and that gave me another option. And I'm very grateful for that, and I'm very grateful that every day I wake up and I say to God, thank you for sparing me. But on the advocacy side, Michael, I just didn't leave it there. I've had conversations with with the with the University of Arizona, with the Arizona State University, with Cancer Centers of America, with St Joseph's Hospital, with my alma mater, USC, and the last conversation I had was with Georgetown University, and these were top CEOs. And I was sharing my documentation, because I have it all there. But sadly, I have to say that they're not interested. They're not interested in a cure, and I'll continue to pursue it when the opportunity continues on, but it's only my story, and I didn't want to leave it where. Well, Lord, thank you so much. You know it never came back, so thank you. No, I have a responsibility to figure out some ways, somehow, that my my story, can turn into a clinical study, and that someday, and maybe not in my my time, that there's going to be an option for millions of people that will contract cancers. So that's my story in a nutshell. Thank you for asking.   Michael Hingson ** 49:04 So what did the frankincense oil actually do? I assume that you feel it was a very significant part of your ability to deal with it.   Armando Contreras ** 49:12 Yeah, it's a good question, because medically, I can't tell you, because we haven't done right? Yeah, we haven't done clinical studies. And I've been, I've been asking these universities and these hospitals and these cancer firms, you know that are out there, and said, Why don't we do the clinical studies so you can so you can see exactly what it did. I can't tell you that what it did. The only thing I can tell you is that is that as they, as they as they took samples of the cancerous tumors. So you had the big tumor, and then the 20 small tumors, and then you had the six lesions that, according to the scientists, dr, dr Lynn, HK Lynn, what he did see is that the cancer cells were becoming less aggressive. And at the end, some of the cancer cells actually turn into good cells. Now, you know, people can believe that or not. I'm I'm okay with that. Sure, only thing I'm saying, Michael is that there should be, there should be clinical studies on this, because I believe it would save hundreds of 1000s of lives. What was it? We don't know. Was it the combination? Is it the combination of me juicing on a daily basis for four and a half years? Was it that, as a Catholic, you know, I was going through all the different sacraments, prayers and healing masses? So I believe there was a holistic healing process. And then my family that was supporting me during a very difficult time,   Michael Hingson ** 50:49 sounds to me like it's time to write a book.   Armando Contreras ** 50:54 I've I've been asked many times, and I think when I think, when, when I feel that, that when I'm ready for that, that, yeah, that's that will happen.   Michael Hingson ** 51:03 Yes, you've got to, you've got to feel ready and feel that it's the right time. But that might be one way to bring visibility to it. Yes, well, you know, you you value family a lot. I understand that there are music connections in your family, has music always been a part of your life or   Armando Contreras ** 51:24 or, yeah, I think I think so. I think that. Well, I know so, because when I was the trumpet player, young trumpet player at St Lucy's Catholic Church, a few years later, my lovely wife, Norma, joined the choir. I didn't know she was married, but she joined the choir. And you know, we have this thing that she doesn't agree with me, but I say, hey, when I when I met you, when I seen you, was love at first sight. And and I said, but not for you. It took a while. And she says, no, no, but so So music, I was playing trumpet, normal was singing. And then later we got married, and then we had our first child. Was Andrea, Andrea Michelle, our daughter, our beautiful daughter, who's with child today, her and her husband, Fabian. So she knew that in our home there was a lot of music happening, and if it was church or at home. And then our second child, Armando, Michael, he started catching on a little bit, but we started to notice that he started to sing and sing right in tune. And then we said, hey, maybe there's something here. So his first recital in Los Angeles, he's saying pop by the Sailor Man and over the rainbow. And he did pretty good. So later he joined as a as a young child, you know, five years old, he joined the choir at St Lucy's. And then we moved. We moved from, we moved from Los Angeles over to Phoenix, Arizona, which was a great blessing being here. And we then were exploring how we can continue to support his talent. And he joined the Grammy Award winning Phoenix boys choir, and that's where he began to sing. Got to meet some wonderful people. They had wonderful directors there, and had a great experience. That experience led him to fall in love with the classics. Oh, there he began to be part of some of the local, local opera performances. So to make a long story short, Norma, my wife and I supported him. He went to the Cleveland Institute of Music, from there in vocals, and then from there, he went to the University of Missouri in Kansas City for his masters. And today he's a professional opera singer. He's a baritone. So it's it's been amazing. All our kids are amazing. I also have to mention that our youngest Andrew, Matthew. He went to Gonzaga University and then graduated from Lewis and Clark in clinical psychology. He's worked with a lot of kids with disabilities. He's a drummer and he's a guitar player. So yes, music is a big part of our family.   Michael Hingson ** 54:28 Well, it is getting to be that time of the year that Gonzaga will become visible again as we get back down to march madness. I actually, I actually had the pleasure of going up there once to speak and and I hadn't really known a lot about Gonzaga at the time, and they were the ones who told me, however, one always said, Where is Gonzaga? You know what? What kind of a place is it? And so I've kept up with it ever since, but it is kind of funny that their basketball team is good. Yeah.   Armando Contreras ** 54:59 Yeah, it's a, it's a beautiful place. It's a great Jesuit university. We, I, you know, he had a great experience. This is Andrew. He had a great experience out there. So, yes, I totally agree. Yeah, we had a chance to go out to Bob, trying to remember the city here. Spokane, yeah, yeah, yeah. Spokane, various times with him,   Michael Hingson ** 55:25 that's pretty cool. Well, so is he professionally doing music now? No, so,   Armando Contreras ** 55:30 So Andrew, our youngest, he's professionally now a clinical psychologist. Ah, yeah, now and now. Armando, Michael, he is a professional opera singer, right? And that's what he does. So, you know, his, his, one of his dreams, is going to be singing at the Metropolitan Ooh, we do see that perhaps happening within a year or two, because they he'll be, right? He'll be auditioning for that, probably very soon, and he's very young. He's just 34 years old.   Michael Hingson ** 56:03 So that'd be super What would you like people to know about the disability community in general, when we think about disabilities, you know, when there's so many prejudices, what would you like people to know and in terms of disabilities and how to maybe change attitudes, yeah,   Armando Contreras ** 56:23 well, they're definitely part of the fabric of society, and we, nobody, not me, or anybody else in in any organization, can speak for them. We need to allow for them and give them that opportunity and space to voice their concerns, to voice whatever joy they have, to voice things that we need to hear in our community. We have to provide while we're here in the United States, and there's been laws that have been enacted, enacted that laws now have to be updated. We have antiquated laws that do not even pay people with disabilities even minimum wage, right? So, so that we really have to be conscious of a community that is part of our society. We need to engage. Furthermore, we have to collaborate. We need them as public, public officials. They need to run for office, right? Some of them do. They have to be part of the decision making, decisions that are being made from all levels of government, all levels of corporation, all levels of nonprofits. And that's the way, that's the way I really see it. Is that, and we also have to have breakthroughs in research, right? What are some of the things that that we can do so we can those lives can be more that they would have more of a more access, right? That even if you go to certain states in the United States that I've been, there's not even accessibility for wheelchairs. And just speak about the airlines, right? How, how and why are people thinking in those corporations that a person that has a disability can easily go into their bathrooms. There's no way, right flying, especially if it's a long flight. So no, there's, there's been some great things Michael that have, that have evolved and happened through a collaboration of a lot of advocates, and a lot of them are self advocates, but we still have a long way to go.   Michael Hingson ** 59:08 Yeah, and I think that's absolutely true. So what is UCP Inc doing to celebrate its 75th anniversary? What kinds of plans do you have and where do you go from here?   Armando Contreras ** 59:19 Well, we do have a an annual conference coming up in Orlando, and this year in April. So that's a good thing for us, you know. But the bigger thing for us is to celebrate is really bringing that education, bringing that awareness of what we're doing, not only in here in the United States, but we also have affiliates in Canada. So as we celebrate, part of our celebration is educating the society about exactly what we do and please, you know, knock on our door for for help. So that's that's really part of it. The other part of it is acknowledge. Gene, the folks that started UCP back in 1949 right? Like the, like the golden sins, and also the housemans and many others that that have helped us get through the 75 years.   Michael Hingson ** 1:00:18 Yeah, well, it's, a great milestone to be able to celebrate 75 years, and I am sure that you, with your background, is very concerned about making sure that there is great sustainability for the future, which is really important and cool that you're thinking about that, because it's something that always needs to be with us in whatever we're doing. That's a good thing. Any kind of last thoughts that you have that you want to convey to people who are listening or watching us.   Armando Contreras ** 1:00:51 Yes, one is first, I want to share my gratitude for inviting me, Michael. And then second, please reach out to us the disability community. Please find us@ucp.org we may be in your backyard. If there are organizations out there that want to become an affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy, please reach out to us as well. We are here. We want to continue to be here for the next 75 years, so that our community can be part and be an inclusive part of our society. That we can bring that help, bring that independence, but we can continue to see those miracles, that children that we're told, and families that were told that they would never walk. I've seen them walk, and were physicians that said to a mom and dad that their child would never move or never speak, and I've seen them hug their parents and tell them that they love them, right? And we want to continue to make those miracles happen through therapies, through early detection, through early intervention, all these forms of of of a reach that we have through United Cerebral Palsy in the United States and Canada and and watched for us in the near future as we begin to go global, and that's really a vision that that I have. But and also, again, is that it's important to know that we know that I know that, Michael, you know that is that everybody is a fabric at society, some way, somehow, no matter their abilities. And that's really important, important message for people to know.   Michael Hingson ** 1:02:43 I agree. Well, I want to thank you for being here with us and conveying all this information, and I hope people will take it to heart and that they'll support UCP and and reach out and learn more about the organization and that you are doing, and will continue to do a lot to just help people in general, with disabilities, which is cool. I appreciate that, and I want to thank Go ahead. No, no.   Armando Contreras ** 1:03:10 I just wanted to thank and I also want to thank accessibe, right? That's how we got here. So I really thank them for what they're doing and providing. I love their model that they have. They have a for profit, a for profit model. However, the services that they, that they provide for nonprofits, are free, and that's that's amazing. So we're really happy with the services, the access services for websites, the accessibility that they're providing for people in the disability community to have that access. Well,   Michael Hingson ** 1:03:48 thank you, and we're excited about the time ahead and and I think that's that's a good thing, and we'll all work to make it happen. Well, I want to thank everyone who was listening and watching today. We really appreciate it. I hope that you'll give us a five star rating wherever you're observing our podcast. We value that. Love it. If you'd reach out to me, give me your thoughts, your opinions and Armando for you and for all of our guests, our listeners and so on today, if you know of anyone else who ought to be a guest on unstoppable mindset, please let us know. Provide introductions. We're always looking for guests. You can reach out to me directly at Michael H, i@accessibe.com that's m, I, C, H, A, E, L, H, I at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, I, B, e.com, or go to our podcast page, www dot Michael hinkson.com/podcast, and Michael Hinkson is spelled M, I C, H, A, E, L, H, I N, G, S o, n.com/podcast, so we really do value all the thoughts and and information and suggestions that people provide. Yeah, as I think I've mentioned to many of you before, I also do travel and speak, especially after September 11, 2001 if anyone needs a speaker, please reach out. You can get me easiest at speaker at Michael hingson.com but however you do it, you've got all sorts of ways to reach out to me. Love to hear from you. And you know, once again, Armando, I want to thank you very much for being here, and thank you for all of your time today.   Armando Contreras ** 1:05:24 Michael, thank you many blessings to you and your family, and many blessings to everybody out there who is going to listen to this podcast interview.   Michael Hingson ** 1:05:39 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com . AccessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for Listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.

How do experiences from different generations influence leadership styles in the church? Friends, in this bonus interview by Amy Ayala, I get the privilege to have a conversation with someone who is not only a wonderful teacher and preacher, but also my father, Pastor Pancho Juarez. My dad has had a very unique journey as an immigrant and a pastor in the United States. He has gone through many challenges and triumphs while leading a church in East Los Angeles, The Ark Montebello.  We discuss the importance of cultural identity, and also reflect on the sacrifices made in ministry. One of the highlights of our conversation is when we get to discuss the generational legacy of faith and resilience that my dad has modeled as the leader in our family. We also touch on the impact that our shared experiences have had on our leadership styles and community-building efforts.  Our goal is to encourage future generations of leaders, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds, to embrace their unique stories and continue their calling with tenacity and faith. Key Topics: The unique journey of immigrant pastors in the U.S. Challenges and triumphs of church leadership The importance of cultural identity in ministry Generational legacy of faith and resilience Impact of experiences on leadership styles Encouragement for future generations of leaders Friends, we want you to embrace your unique story and continue your calling with unwavering faith and resilience. Let us know where you're at on your remarkable journey of faith by tagging Pastor Pancho @thearkmontebello and me @biancaolthoff. Love you, B RESOURCES/LINKS Guest Pancho Juarez The Ark Montebello  Quote Embracing cultural identity to build stronger communities. Takeaways Pastor Bianca attributes her leadership qualities to her father's sacrifices. The journey of immigrant pastors is filled with challenges but also immense rewards. Cultural identity plays a significant role in their ministry approach. The importance of resilience and grit in church planting is emphasized. Ministry is a privilege that comes with both joy and pain. The cost of ministry includes personal sacrifices and emotional challenges. Encouragement for future leaders to embrace their unique backgrounds. The significance of community building in a thriving church environment. The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship and legacy. Faith and the Holy Spirit empower them to overcome obstacles. ⋇ Convoy of Hope - Empowering Women and Girls Together Donate here ⋇ Bianca's new book Grit Don't Quit: Developing Resilience And Faith When Giving Up Isn't An Option ⋇ The Grit Don't Quit Bible Study is now available. ⋇ We are so grateful to our sponsors! ⋇ Subscribe to We're Going There on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss out on any of the great topics and conversations. Don't forget to leave a loving review! Apple Spotify ⋇ Visit biancaolthoff.com/resources to learn more about books and other resources from Bianca. ⋇ Want to stay connected, join the community today. ⋇ WGT email: podcast@inthenameoflove.org ⋇ Music by: Brad Tsushima, Instagram: @bradtsushima, email: bradtsushima94@aol.com, Spotify: “R.A.D.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, this episode of the Savvy Ladies Power the Ask podcast focuses on the often-overlooked issue of financial abuse. We rarely hear about it, but it's a devastating reality for many — and often intertwined with physical and emotional abuse.Join us as we welcome back Mayra Alejandra Garcia of Debt-Free Latina, a certified financial coach who achieved financial independence overcoming $21,000 in debt. Get ready for a candid conversation about:Understanding Financial Abuse: Learn to recognize the red flags and subtle signs of financial abuse, whether you're married or in a committed partnership.Finding Support: Discover how to break free from the cycle of abuse, seek help from professionals, and regain control of your financial life.Empowerment Through Financial Literacy: Understand why financial knowledge is crucial for women, providing the confidence and tools to ask for what we need and deserve.If you or someone you know is experiencing financial abuse, you're not alone. Savvy Ladies is here to help, offering resources and support to empower you on your journey to financial freedom.About Mayra Alejandra García:Mayra Alejandra García was born and grew up in East Los Angeles, CA. She moved to Laveen, AZ, a Phoenix suburb, with her husband and two children and started living the American dream, including getting into debt. By 2010, her family had credit card debt, student loans, two car loans and a house they couldn't afford. Mayra got serious and developed a budget and strategic plan. They sold their house and moved into a small apartment, and within 17 months they had paid everything off. They were then able to purchase their current home with a 20% down payment and a 15-year mortgage. With hard work and by following a budget, Mayra transformed her life from significant debt to financial expertise. Living debt-free has increased their net worth and given them financial independence. In 2017, Mayra was able to leave her career in media and train as a certified financial coach. She's been teaching determined individuals and families how to organize their finances and become debt free with practical strategies ever since.Important Links:Savvy LadiesPrecious Williams' LinkedInLisa Zeiderman's LinkedInMayra Alejandra García LinkedIn

Guest: Randol Contreras is an Associate Professor of Sociology, Media, and Cultural Studies at the University of California, Riverside. His research focuses on the intersection of history, social structure, and biography, which sheds light on how crime emerges and influences the behavior and meanings of people.  He is the author of the award-winning book The Stickup Kids: Race, Drugs, Violence, and the American Dream; and his most recent, The Marvelous Ones: Drugs, Gang Violence, and Resistance in East Los Angeles. The post A History of Gang Wars in East Los Angeles appeared first on KPFA.

In this episode of Tamarindo, we sit down with Giselle Carrillo, an educator, surfer, and founder of Los Courage Camps, an initiative aimed at creating equity in the surfing community. Giselle shares her personal journey from growing up in East Los Angeles to discovering surfing later in life, and how it transformed her sense of courage and purpose. We discuss how Los Courage Camps offers free surf lessons to children from underserved communities, helping them build confidence, leadership, and self-advocacy skills. Tune in as Giselle talks about the powerful connection between the ocean and personal growth, and her mission to make surfing accessible for all. We mention GLAAD's Dímelo series that you can watch right now: https://youtu.be/btzuD0FMTVk?si=VY3uLE8XLcjlOT9P Tamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval talking about politics, culture, and self-development. We're here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. Join us as we delve into discussions on race, gender, representation, and life! You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval are executive producers of Tamarindo podcast with production support by Karina Riveroll of Sonoro Media. Jeff Ricards produced our theme song. If you want to support our work, please rate and review our show here.  SUPPORT OUR SHOW Contribute to the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tamarindopodcast1 Follow Tamarindo on instagram @tamarindopodcast and on twitter at @tamarindocast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the Power of the Ask podcast features Mayra Alejandra García, certified Financial Coach and founder of Debt Free Latina, a website dedicated to empowering and motivating families to gain control of their money, bid farewell to debt, and watch their net worth soar. Mayra shares her inspiring journey from being $21,000 in debt to becoming financially free in just 17 months and her passion for working to help other families find the same freedom.Growing up in a bicultural, bilingual household in East LA helped shape Mayra's outlook on finances. She learned from her father the critical difference between offering a hand up and a hand out and emphasizes the importance of helping family without enabling dependency. What she didn't learn was how to talk about money and to plan and budget for spending. That, Mayra notes, was the hardest lesson. When she found herself stressed about significant debt in 2010, she didn't know where to start. So she grabbed the tools she had – a piece of paper and pen – and wrote every debt out. In the next 17 months, using Mayra's rudimentary budget, the family paid off its debt and was able to move from a small apartment to a new home. Since then, her family has remained debt free. In 2017, she followed her heart to become a certified financial coach, offering her own cash flow plan sheet, one-on-one coaching and financial literacy resources on her website, DebtFreeLatina.com.The website was a passion project for Mayra. When she couldn't find the resources she needed online, she decided to create them herself, starting a blog about budgeting, empowering and motivating families to become debt-free and build wealth. “I know the struggle,” she shares. “I know that people may feel lost in that position, and that's where I love to help. My debt-free lifestyle enables me to focus my passion on helping other families.”But it's not just about a budget. Mayra concludes by explaining that it all comes down to having a written plan with a goal and specific ways to reach it. Start with small steps, she shares, like saving or cutting out impulse buying. While she says it will take hard work and time, the financial freedom is worth the effort.  About Mayra Alejandra García:Mayra Alejandra García was born and grew up in East Los Angeles, CA. She moved to Laveen, AZ, a Phoenix suburb, with her husband and two children and started living the American dream, including getting into debt. By 2010, her family had credit card debt, student loans, two car loans and a house they couldn't afford. Mayra got serious and developed a budget and strategic plan. They sold their house and moved into a small apartment, and within 17 months they had paid everything off. They were then able to purchase their current home with a 20% down payment and a 15-year mortgage. With hard work and by following a budget, Mayra transformed her life from significant debt to financial expertise. Living debt-free has increased their net worth and given them financial independence. In 2017, Mayra was able to leave her career in media and train as a certified financial coach. She's been teaching determined individuals and families how to organize their finances and become debt free with practical strategies ever since.Important Links:Savvy LadiesPrecious Williams' LinkedInLisa Zeiderman's LinkedInMayra Alejandra García LinkedIn

When Ellie Hidalgo served as a pastoral associate at Dolores Mission Church in East Los Angeles, the priest asked her to lead Liturgy of the Word and Communion services on Thursdays to give him a day off. “I would often use stories of people acting with courage, loving their neighbor, serving as good Samaritans and living out Gospel values,” she says, reflecting on the homiletic approach she developed over 12 years. “Storytelling builds community. It builds identity.” Inspired by St. Phoebe—a pioneering woman deacon esteemed and commended by St. Paul to serve the early Christian community in Greece and Rome, and whose feast day is Sept. 3—Ellie joins “Preach” host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., to discuss St. Phoebe's ministry and its impact on contemporary debates within the Catholic Church regarding women's ordination to the diaconate, a live topic in the ongoing Synod on Synodality. As co-director of Discerning Deacons, Ellie offers practical strategies for expanding lay preaching opportunities. She encourages clergy to invite women to preside at Liturgy of the Word and Communion services, share testimonies during homilies and participate in parish faith-sharing groups to bring diverse perspectives from the pews—especially those of women—into their homilies. Get this week's Scripture readings and a transcript of Ellie's homily Get daily Scripture reflections and support “Preach” by becoming a digital subscriber to America Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Sojourner Truth, a deep dive into the August 29th 1970 Chicano Moratorium, where tens of thousands of Chicanos and their supporters took to the streets in East Los Angeles to protest the war in Vietnam and the oppression of Chicano people. Similar marches took place in several other states, but the one in EastLos was by far the largest. Police attached peaceful marchers, many were injured, and 3 were left dead. We are also marking the anniversary of Mexico's independence from Spain which is celebrated on September 16th. Our guest is Bill Gallegos, a veteran Chicano liberation activist and author.

Today on Sojourner Truth, a deep dive into the August 29th 1970 Chicano Moratorium, where tens of thousands of Chicanos and their supporters took to the streets in East Los Angeles to protest the war in Vietnam and the oppression of Chicano people. Similar marches took place in several other states, but the one in EastLos was by far the largest. Police attached peaceful marchers, many were injured, and 3 were left dead. We are also marking the anniversary of Mexico's independence from Spain which is celebrated on September 16th. Our guest is Bill Gallegos, a veteran Chicano liberation activist and author.

“BLAST 69” of the DOUBLE VISION CREWDuring the 1983 to 1987 Los Angeles graffiti era, the first 5 bonafide LA graffiti bombers emerged:1. Mr. 151 - RIP 2. Sine - RIP 3. Geo - RIP 4. Silver - RIP 5. BLAST 69Blast 69 is the last living member of this historic group of legendary bombers. He was active when Radiotron and The LA Bomb Squad were making their mark in the Crown Hill, Pico-Union, and Belmont areas.**THE FIRST** - Blast 69 was the first writer to focus on getting up in East Los Angeles, alongside Boyle Heights ally MC FORCE. **THE FIRST** - To get up with a female writing partner, SECRET. **THE FIRST** - To paint on and put up the first classic burner titled “Madonna” on the MAIN WALL at the BELMONT TUNNEL in 1985 with his Double Vision writing partner, PRESTO.He also gave the notorious CHAKA his nickname.In his FIRST EVER INTERVIEW, long thought dead and forgotten, BLAST 69 has re-emerged to share one of the most historic and entertaining episodes to date.BLAST 69 has stepped onto the classic burners stage!! Classic Burners features legendary graffiti writers from around the globe. Hosted by Los Angeles graffiti legend: SKILL ONE

On this episode, Brenda and Delsy discuss the current state of the economy, focusing on inflation and its impact on daily life, while sharing practical tips for managing finances. We also chat with Felipe Esparza, a Mexican-American stand-up comedian and actor known for his comedy rooted in his East Los Angeles upbringing. Felipe joins us to talk about his podcast, Nace Una Leyenda: Chespirito, which explores the life and legacy of Chespirito, from his early work with Viruta y Capulina to becoming a top TV show in Mexico and a symbol of Latin identity across the continent. Link to pod: Nace Una Leyenda: Chespirito on Apple Podcasts Follow Traveler Charly: https://www.instagram.com/travelercharly/?hl=en Article referenced: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/impact-bidens-economic-agenda-may-be-felt-long-after-his-presidency-2024-07-22/ Tamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval talking about politics, culture, and self-development. We're here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. Join us as we delve into discussions on race, gender, representation, and life! You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval are executive producers of Tamarindo podcast with production support by Karina Riveroll of Sonoro Media. Clivia Torres edits our YouTube episodes. Jeff Ricards produced our theme song. If you want to support our work, please rate and review our show here.  SUPPORT OUR SHOW Contribute to the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tamarindopodcast1 Follow Tamarindo on instagram @tamarindopodcast and on twitter at @tamarindocast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard interviews his cousin Paulie Navarro about the trials and tribulations of growing up together in a broken home and in gang life while recalling their childhood memories in East Los Angeles.

Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo's AB 1950 would mandate a historical report, compensation options, and a memorial to honor uprooted residentsLos Angeles, CA – Today, Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo unveiled Assembly Bill (AB) 1950, the Chavez Ravine Accountability Act, which aims to address the historical injustice faced by those living in the Chavez Ravine in Los Angeles, a predominately Latino community. Authored by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo and sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, AB 1950 would acknowledge and rectify the displacement of these communities in the 1950s, offering a path toward historical accountability, reparative measures, and a permanent memorial honoring their legacy.“AB 1950, the Chavez Ravine Accountability Act aims to correct an injustice that displaced families and has lingered in the shadows of Los Angeles Eastside history for far too long. Amid the 1950s, the vibrant community of Chavez Ravine, home to mostly Mexican-American families, as well as Italian-American and Chinese-American, saw an upheaval as families were uprooted and displaced in the name of progress. Families were promised a return to better housing, but instead, they were left destitute,” said Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles).  “For generations, Chavez Ravine stood as a beacon of hope and resilience, embodying the dreams and aspirations of families who built their lives within its embrace. With this legislation, we are addressing the past, giving voice to this injustice, acknowledging the pain of those displaced, offering reparative measures, and ensuring that we honor and remember the legacy of the Chavez Ravine community."Chavez Ravine was named after Julian Chavez, a rancher who served as assistant mayor, city councilmember, and, eventually, as one of L.A. County's first supervisors in the mid-1800s. Chavez Ravine as we currently know it, was established in the early 1900s, encompassed approximately 315 acres, and had three main neighborhoods — Palo Verde, La Loma, and Bishop. By the 1950s, this area was home to generations of predominantly Mexican Americans.Residents, many of whom were working-class families, built a strong sense of community, with local businesses, churches, and social organizations thriving in the area. In the 1950s, the City of Los Angeles initiated plans to acquire land in Chavez Ravine under the guise of building public housing. However, it ultimately abandoned these plans and instead sold the land to a private developer who built Dodger Stadium on the site. This displacement forced more than 1,800 families from their homes and businesses, scattering a close-knit community and leaving a lasting impact on their lives and livelihoods."AB 1950 is about confronting a historical injustice and ensuring Angelenos understand the true story of Chavez Ravine," said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, one of the bill's sponsors. "Only by acknowledging the past can we work towards a more just and equitable future for all communities in Los Angeles."“The unjust seizure of land from the longtime residents of these three communities in the Chavez Ravine neighborhood is a chapter in our city's history that we cannot rewrite,” said Alfred Fraijo, Jr., Latino community leader. “Our homes are central to our livelihood and sense of being—and often the most important asset in the building of generational wealth. Belated as it may be, we hope this legislation will begin a larger conversation about how to restore justice to all those who bear the scars of social, racial, and economic discrimination, and create an opportunity for healing and reconciliation for all Angelenos.”Specifically, if enacted into law, AB 1950 would result in:Historical Accountability: Mandates a comprehensive report detailing events surrounding the land acquisition and displacement, and makes it publicly available to foster transparency and education about this pivotal moment in Los Angeles' history.Reparative Measures: Proposes various forms of compensation, including offering City-owned real estate comparable to the original Chavez Ravine landowners or providing fair market value compensation adjusted for inflation. It also creates pathways for displaced non-landowning residents to receive relocation assistance, healthcare access, employment support, educational opportunities, and other forms of compensation deemed appropriate by a newly established Task Force.Permanent Memorial: Requires the construction of a memorial on Chavez Ravine or adjoining property to honor the displaced residents and their legacy.It is important to note AB 1950 focuses solely on the displaced community of Chavez Ravine and does not involve the Los Angeles Dodgers or Dodger Stadium.The measure will be heard in the Assembly's Judiciary Committee. The text of the measure can be found at: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1950###About Assemblywoman Wendy CarrilloAssemblywoman Carrillo was elected to serve in the State Assembly in December 2017. She represents the 52nd Assembly District, which includes East Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, and South Glendale. She serves on the Assembly Committees on Appropriations, Emergency Management, Health, Labor and Employment, and the Joint Committee on Climate Change Policies. She also serves as the Chair of the Select Committee on Latina Inequities, Vice Chair of the Legislative Progressive Caucus, Commissioner for the California Film Commission, Commissioner for the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, and Member of the California Cultural and Historical Endowment Board.About Insurance Commissioner Ricardo LaraUsing every tool at his disposal, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara's goal is to safeguard the integrity of the state's insurance market composed of consumers, drivers, homeowners, and businesses. He is focused on addressing decades-long neglected issues and taking on powerful, entrenched special interests to make insurance more available, which in turn will lead to greater affordability.Led by Commissioner Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace, safeguarding all of the state's consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner's direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory. The Department oversees insurance company solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud.

When she was nine years old, Xiomara Torres fled the civil war in her home country of El Salvador and came to the U.S. As a child, she adjusted to her new life in East Los Angeles before she was removed from her family and put into foster care—where she spent six years of her life moving from home to home. Now, she's the subject of a local play in Oregon titled, "Judge Torres." In this edition of “How I Made It,” Judge Torres shares how she overcame the hurdles of the foster system and made her way to the Oregon Circuit Court.This episode originally aired in 2019.

Scholar Randol Contreras joins Kate Wolf and Eric Newman to discuss his new book  The Marvelous Ones: Drugs, Gang Violence, and Resistance in East Los Angeles. The book is a study of the history and present lives of veterans of the legendary Maravilla gang that long dominated the scene in East Los Angeles before a bitter rivalry with the La Eme during the 1990s and early 2000s that had Maravillas scrambling for their lives in the streets and in prison. Though centered around the experience of that epic gang rivalry, The Marvelous Ones is also an examination of how masculinity, race, and cultural identity are shaped and reshaped within the context of organized crime inside state institutions and in the everyday lives of those living in Los Angeles. It is also a story about what it means to matter and to be remembered as a man, as a husband, as a father, and as a Maravilla amid the roiling waters of political, social, and historical change. Also, poet Victoria Chang, whose latest collection is With My Back to the World, returns to recommend an anthology of poetry entitled You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World edited by the current Poet Laureate of the United States, Ada Limon.

On this week's Urban Valor, we meet Danny Rivera, a former Navy Chief Petty Officer with roots in East Los Angeles. Following in his families footsteps, Danny joined the Navy. He began his Naval Career as a Sonar Technician on the USS Cochrane (DDG-21), stationed at Pearl Harbor, where he honed his skills in sophisticated naval technology and tactics. Danny speaks on navigating storms, conflict, and warfare at sea.Danny's transition from the life of the Navy to civilian existence was a struggle to his mental health. This is something all too familiar to many veterans who find themselves battling to adjust to life after their service. 

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