Personal Resilience & Transformation Episodes

Across Southern California, hundreds of thousands of people are caring for a loved one with dementia while juggling work, family, and everyday life, often with little support. Angela Fairhurst, Founder and CEO of Geri-Gadgets, is working to change that. In this episode of SoCal Voices, she shares her personal journey, practical resources, and the inspiration behind tools designed to help people living with dementia and their caregivers feel more connected, supported, and understood. Resources...

In this episode of SoCal Voices we're exploring a powerful new framework for helping neurodiverse and marginalized children thrive -- not by trying to change who they are but by transforming the environments and relationships that surround them. In her book, Heart-Centered Connections: Seven Essential Skills for Helping Neurodiverse and Marginalized Children Thrive, Niki Elliott of the University of San Diego brings together educational neuroscience, nervous-system wellness, and decades of work ...

Conventional wisdom says that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are disengaged from society -- that they’ve checked out and don’t really care about reshaping the world around them. But an organization based in Los Angeles is actively and successfully challenging that narrative. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Haley Pollock, Director of Leadership & Mentorship at Legacy Youth Leadership, shares how the organization is developing and nurturing emerging leaders from all walks of life and creating positive commu...

If you feel like you're doing everything right and it still isn't enough to get ahead financially in Southern California, what you're about to hear may help. In this episode of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross sits down with personal finance expert Lissa Lumutenga, who has built a reputation for helping people think differently about money, wealth, and survival in systems that weren't designed with the middle class in mind. We're talking real strategies for thriving in one of the most expensive re...

A year ago, Shiloh Strong launched Ashes to Films - a nonprofit organization to help members of the creative community impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires rebuild their lives. I sat down with him and filmmaker Eric Dyson, whose heartening documentary, Altadena: The Heart, The Art. The Soul, was showcased at the recent Ashes to Films festival. They share how, in just one year, Ashes to Films has gone from idea to impact, proving recovery is about more than rebuilding structures. It’s also a...

Southern Californians know a thing or two about chasing sunshine and big dreams, and there’s no better example of that spirit than the man who created the happiest place on earth. In this episode of SoCal Voices, you’ll hear from Dr. Disneyland, also known as Jeff Barnes, the author, speaker, and founder of The Wisdom of Walt. He shares how exploring Walt Disney’s life reshaped his own journey. He unpacks what it really means to build your own reality and why those “wild” ideas you’re afra...

Southern California is filled with overachievers. Without some balance and healthy practices, the relentless drive to accomplish more can leave us feeling like we're running on fumes. Licensed marriage and family therapist Laurel van der Toorn of Los Angeles specializes in helping high achieving professionals overcome burnout and improve their mental well-being. In this episode of SoCal Voices, she shares how burnout sneaks into the bodies and minds of high performers and what it really takes to...

Since booking his first gig in 2004, LA voice actor Kyle Chapple has built a career across video games, animation, and commercials but he didn't reach those milestones on talent alone. His journey has also been about grit, risk, and belief in self. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Chapple talks about everything it took for him to achieve his dreams and why it was so important for him to go all in. If you’re grinding toward a goal and wondering whether to stay the course or walk away, Chapple’s j...

San Diegan Jeff Seckendorf defies expectations in the most inspiring ways. At age 70, he’s a competitive cyclist and a dedicated scuba coach, proving that age is not a limit, but a frontier. In a culture obsessed with youth, he’s charting a different course, one rooted in strength, resilience, and deep connection to body and breath. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Sekendorf talks about breaking stereotypes around aging, the mindset that fuels endurance, and what it means to find power becaus...

As a teenager, Kim Valentine found herself without a home. Today, she’s the founder and president of Operation Helping Hands SoCal, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the unhoused rebuild their lives. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Valentine opens up about her journey from surviving the streets to creating change—and calls on all of us to replace our judgement of homeless people with empathy and action. Her story reminds us that when compassion meets commitment, healing is possible and lives can...

Foster adoption in Los Angeles County is, in a word, unpredictable. The process goes smoothly for some but for others it can be difficult, presenting political, legal and personal challenges that test patience and resolve. In his memoir A Family, Maybe: Two Dads, Two Babies, and the Court Cases that Brought Us Together, author Lane Igoudin chronicles the journey he and his husband, Jon, faced as they embarked on the rocky path to adopt two girls as a gay, interracial couple in the early 2000s. I...

Annie Korzen is an 86-year-old actor and comedian who had a recurring role playing the obnoxious Doris Klompus on the hit TV sitcom Seinfeld. Today, Korzen is a social media sensation, sharing pearls of wisdom with nearly half-a-million followers of all ages. She’s the author of The Book of Annie: Humor, Heart, and Chutzpah from an Accidental Influencer. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Korzen talks about her mission to help change people’s minds about what it is to be “old” and what she loves m...

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 target of fatphobia and its intersectionality with other ways people are marginalized in our society. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Ejigu shares the experiences that led her to write Plus Size. She also provides insight on the state of the body positivity movement, and off...

For more than 30 years, Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles has been helping former prisoners and ex-gang members redirect their lives to become productive, contributing members of the community. A human services agency offering legal, mental health, and education services and more, Homeboy Industries makes second chances possible by combining practical services and hope with an unconventional approach to meeting the bottom line. Tom Vozzo, Homeboy Industries’ CEO, has led the organization for nea...

When she was 17 years old, San Diego author Jennifer Gasner was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia or FA, a rare progressive neuromuscular disease. The impact of FA varies from person to person, but generally causes difficulty walking, a loss of coordination and impaired speech. Initially, Jennifer was shocked and in denial about her diagnosis and, at times, used alcohol as a way to cope, but ultimately decided to live her life with joy. She chronicles her journey in her book, My Unexpected Life...

Born in China and raised in Los Angeles, certified life coach, podcaster, speaker and author Lucy Liu is a self-described ex-overachiever and recovering perfectionist who is thriving in Irvine. On this episode of SoCal Voices, she shares how she mastered the art of slowing down and how she helps women business owners, creatives, coaches and influencers transform their lives, boost their income, have a greater positive impact and have more fun. Her experience and tips for living well may inspire ...

Tamaira “Miss Tee” Sandifer is having a strong impact on young people from SoCal and beyond as she helps youth develop critical life skills through exposure to the arts. She has developed some of Hollywood’s most sought-after young dancers, including the 2016 winner of “So You Think You Can Dance,” the 2018 “World of Dance” stars, and more. Her graduates have worked with artists like Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Usher. Listen as Miss Tee talks about her inspiring journey from humble begi...

Studies and surveys have shown that children start life with similar levels of confidence and self-esteem, but as girls become pre-teens, their confidence and self-esteem decline. LaTina McGhee-Simmons, a teacher at Virginia Primrose Elementary School in Fontana, aims to change that dynamic. She facilitates a mentoring program — the 20/20 Club — for upper elementary school girls to boost their confidence and self-esteem. In this episode of SoCal Voices, LaTina and four of the club members — 4th ...

The mother-daughter relationship has been described as many things - special, complicated, loving, perplexing and more. For many people, it can be one of the most rewarding relationships in their lives. For others, the bond may be broken, especially if mother or daughter feels unseen and unheard. In this episode of SoCal Voices, therapist Hilary Mae shares how she helps mothers and daughters across the country see their relationship through a new lens and make a more meaningful connection. Re...

Her Sisters Keeper Foundation provides a safe space for women in SoCal’s Inland Empire to recover from major setbacks or simply reset from the daily stress in their lives. In this episode of SoCal Voices, founder and executive director Kimberly Wallen shares the experiences that led her to create her organization and how she helps empower women to live their best lives. Like the episode? Share it on social media and tag @socalvoices Enjoy the show? Leave a 5-Star review on Apple P...

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 professional players from the National Women’s Soccer League and the US Women’s National Team. Somehow, she also finds time to provide media and marketing services to soccer organizations and athletes. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Jackie talks about her passion for soccer, how s...

Terrance Stone is a southern Californian committed to steering young people away from the life that cost him much of his precious youth. He spends his time helping students discover their personal worth and true-life purpose as Founder and CEO of Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy, an organization the state of California recognized as Non-Profit of the Year in 2022. In this episode of SoCal Voices, he shares how he went from gang member to CEO and how he helps young people realize their ...

With over a decade of teaching experience, educator LaTina McGhee-Simmons saw that many girls in her classroom lacked confidence. She launched Daughters of Promise — a program that helps instill a greater sense of value, resilience and purpose in young girls. In this edition of SoCal Voices, LaTina discusses the impact her program has on participants and how their positive transformation impacts her life.

Kimberle Smith Austin is a business growth, communications and lifestyle strategist who helps corporations and businesses experience life at the next level. She is a sought-after speaker and coach, and author of Millions of Possibilities: Taking Your Ideas from Inspiration to Monetization. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Kimberle shares her thoughts on the real meaning of success and how to achieve true balance in our lives.