Culture & Storytelling Episodes

Living in Southern California in 2025 means navigating rapid tech change, intense culture clashes, and nonstop reinvention. Sound familiar? It’s exactly what was happening here 100 years ago. In this episode of SoCal Voices, ...

Southern California is bursting with creative energy — and for many, there’s a book inside just waiting to be written. But getting it published can be a huge challenge. Redlands author Tracy Wise experienced this as she worked to find a publisher for her debut novella, Madame Sorel’s Lodger. In thi…

In her book, Plus Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change , Los Angeles author and activist Mekdela Ejigu chronicles the body positivity movement through a collection of essays reflecting her journey as a ...

Is SoCal’s Inland Empire the land of the local news mirage? While news outlets cover the region, media observers say some elements of the IE’s local news coverage are a mirage, giving residents the illusion of vigorous local ...

Long before podcasting and FM radio, AM radio ruled. And in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the biggest dog on the porch was THE MIGHTY 690. The 50,000-watt station was heard throughout SoCal. And its top-40 format was popula...

If you have struggled with anxiety, you may find some inspiration in this episode featuring San Diego author Jessica Keith. Her debut memoir, Saying Inshallah with Chutzpah, is a humorous and poignant coming-of-age story abou...

The second episode in our series on Black History and Music spotlights The Center for African Diaspora Sacred Music and Musicians at California State University, Dominguez Hills. The Center is known as the preeminent site for...

As Black History Month 2024 gets under way in Southern California, the Riverside Philharmonic will present two special pieces in a performance on February 24: Negro Folk Symphony, by the late African American composer William...

Jackie Gutierrez is Founder of Women Kick Balls — an independent, one-woman multi-media company aiming to elevate the standard of soccer media. She’s living her dream as a journalist and content creator, interviewing professi...

The California Festival is a two-week state-wide celebration of new music from across the globe. Music directors of the LA Philharmonic, San Diego Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony envisioned this event featuring compos...

Mary Vensel White is President of the Orange County branch of the California Writer’s Club, an English and writing professor, an editor, and author. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Mary shares insights about her latest novel...

Actor, director and show creator Jeneen Robinson has been recognized as Best Woman Filmmaker at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival for her TV series, “I’m 13 Yo!” — a hip-hop coming-of-age comedy about the adventures o...

Mary Kennedy is an actor and comedian who has appeared in film, TV and stage roles. She played the “New Fiona” character in Season 7 of Showtime’s Shameless, and performs at some of LA’s most popular comedy clubs. When she’s ...

Melody C. Miller is the filmmaker behind the multi-award winning documentary “California’s Forgotten Children.” The film focuses on the complex issue of child sex trafficking through the lens of survivors. In this edition of ...

Courtney McKenna is an LA-based artist and marketer on a mission to help society shift into a healthier and happier collective. She’s passionate about helping entrepreneurs unlock their full potential and stand in their power...

Amani Roberts is a successful DJ, music producer, podcaster, educator, business pro and author of the book DJs Mean Business . In this edition of SoCal Voices, Amani speaks with host Angela Ross about blending art with savvy ...

A self-described “Urban Polymath,” Flobo Boyce has been entertaining audiences for over 15 years. He’s a comedian, author, master of ceremonies, DJ, and owner of the digital network Knew Amsterdam Entertainment. In this episo...

As a teenager, Rosalyn Carter gave birth to a baby girl who was soon adopted by another family. Both the baby and Rosalyn went on to live fulfilling lives apart from one another. Then, many years later, they reconnected. Thes...

Los Angeles has an ample supply of radio stations but historically only a few have been real standouts. One of them is LA staple KIIS-FM. On this edition of SoCal Voices, Paul Joseph or PJ as he’s known, shares how he got int...

In her book Trees Without Roots, author Ella Colic recounts the true story of her father and aunt who experienced life as refugees of the Bosnian war in the early 1990s. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Ella discusses the pow...

Music can instantly transport us to a specific place or special time in our lives. Many believe it also has the power to heal. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Master Speaker, Energy Sound Healer and Visionary Mark Romero sha...

Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson are super fans of television. They channel their passion for TV into a fun and informative podcast, The 80s TV Ladies! Susan and Sharon bring their joy, fun and wit to this edition of So...

This first installment in SoCal Voices’ “On the Road” series begins at one of the most iconic sites in Southern California, the Historic Mission Inn in Downtown Riverside. The story of the Mission Inn spans more than 100 year...

We close out this season of SoCal Voices with an interview featuring Shanti Hershenson, a 14-year-old southern California teenager who has written 15 books including You Won't Know Her Name , a novel-told-in-poetry about bull...