Episodes

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 SoCal Voices, Melody discusses what inspired her to make the film, what people should and shouldn’t do if they suspect someone is being trafficked, and the ongoing work needed to help protect children from exploitation.

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.

Bibi Pirayesh is an educational therapist based in Los Angeles. For 15 years her work has focused on helping children, families, and schools better understand the unique needs of kids with learning disabilities. More recently, her work has shifted toward the fight for the learning rights of kids in LA, where children's educational experiences are directly linked to their socio-economic status. On this edition of SoCal Voices, Bibi shares her views on learning disability as a social justice is...

Kevin Roth is firmly rooted in American folk music history. As a singer-songwriter and dulcimer player, he rose to international fame in the 1970s and 1980s recording albums and collaborating with other folk artists, including the legendary folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary. He was riding high on success when his life changed dramatically. Diagnosed with melanoma, he had to figure out a way to not just survive but thrive. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Kevin discusses his journey from musician to c...

As part of Earth Month activities this April, cities across the nation can show how water-wise they are by participating in the Wyland Foundation’s National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Wyland Foundation President Steve Creech provides details about the Mayor’s Challenge and how water conservation efforts are key to keeping the environment clean and safe.

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. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Courtney shares how she channeled all the fears and challenges she faced while pursuing her goals in marketing and music. Her story may help inspire others to overcome fear and pursue dreams.

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 business strategy, the life experiences that inspired him, the hard work required to reach goals, the importance of having mentors and supporters, and the importance of paying it forward.

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 episode of SoCal Voices, you’ll hear Flobo share his wit and wisdom and how he persevered through challenges to accomplish many entrepreneurial pursuits.

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. These days the mother-daughter duo host the I Found Her podcast which chronicles their reunification journey and serves as inspiration to many.

From its broadcast center on March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, the American Forces Network (AFN) ensures that “a touch of home” reaches US military personnel stationed overseas. The service provides radio and television news, entertainment and sports programming as well as critical worldwide, regional and local command information to US service members across the globe. In this special “On the Road” edition of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross speaks with AFN sports programming specialist Jason ...

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 into radio, how he started working with the great Rick Dees, and what he believes the radio industry needs to do to stay viable in the future.

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 powerful and emotional journey she faced while writing the book, the impact of her relatives’ story on her life today, and how her own trip to Bosnia inspires her course of study and future career.

In this edition of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross chats with Clinton Galloway, author of Anatomy of a Hustle: Cable Comes to South Central LA and What Did you Think was Going to Happen? — books that detail his experiences trying to establish the first Black-owned cable franchise in the country and the government corruption that he says stopped it.

Midterm election day is just around the corner and as voters go to the polls, they have economic inflation, voter suppression, reduced access to abortion and candidate conduct on their minds. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Kim Moffat returns to discuss the upcoming elections, and the work she’s doing with We’re The People, a voter outreach and advocacy organization that aims to increase voter turnout nationwide and specifically among 18 - 24 year olds.

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 shares his experience with high-vibration healing music and how listening to it can shift you into a greater sense of awareness and well-being.

Jocelyn Harris is Founder and CEO of Connections, Inc. Her organization helps bring joy to struggling low-income families in San Bernardino County. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Jocelyn shares how Connections makes a meaningful difference in the lives of people who need a helping hand. jollyconnectionsinc.com

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 SoCal Voices, as they describe their love for 80s TV, with a special focus on the female-driven shows of this fabulous era. (Photo credit of Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson goes to Keida Mascaro)

LA County elected leaders and government officials have received well-deserved praise this year for returning Bruce’s Beach, prime coastal land in the city of Manhattan Beach, to the descendants of Charles and Willa Bruce. This comes nearly 100 years after the Bruce’s endured anti-Black harassment, and the Manhattan Beach city council unjustly condemned and seized the land through eminent domain, depriving Charles and Willa of their livelihood and the opportunity to pass down generational wealth...

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 years including 30 years of construction and powerful stories about the people who worked for founder Frank Miller and made the hotel the icon that it is today. In this edition of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross speaks with Mission Inn Foundation Executive Director Jarod Hoogl...

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 bullying in middle school. Want some Sci-Fi? Dystopia? She has that and more. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Shanti talks about what inspired her to become a writer, her super-charged workflow, how she stays on track, and what she’s working on next. Listen and be inspired by Sh...

Claudia Clark is an expatriate activist, historian and author of Dear Barack: The Extraordinary Partnership of Barack Obama and Angela Merkel. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Claudia discusses the inspiration behind her book about two of the world’s most influential leaders, and her struggles to get published. She also shares her views on current events through the lens of an American living in Berlin.

In this mid-term primary election season, voters have a lot on their minds, including the possible overturning of Roe v Wade, the war in Ukraine and public safety, following back-to-back-to-back mass shootings. How are voters feeling? Will they vote? What will they decide? In this special edition of SoCal Voices, Kim Moffat, host of the “Here’s What’s Happening” and “My America” podcasts, talks about the work she does to help get out the vote, and shares her thoughts on how recent events may inf...

In his award-winning book, Alabama Grandson: A Black, Gay Minister’s Passage Out of Hiding, Cedrick Bridgeforth chronicles the many years he spent shielding his truth from the world, the pain he experienced when his secret was exposed and how he found his way to self-acceptance. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Bridgeforth talks about his life and faith, his experience writing Alabama Grandson, and how he came to embrace all of who he is - and how his story might help others struggling to live f...

Are you ready to transition from employee to entrepreneur? There are many matters to consider before you take that leap. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Bert Wright, entrepreneur and #1 Amazon best-selling author of the book Say Y.E.S.! Going from Employee to Entrepreneur in 5 Steps, discusses his journey through entrepreneurship and outlines what you need to know to make an informed decision about becoming an entrepreneur.