Spotlight on the Community

Neil O’Connell, Executive Director of the Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial, is joined by Trevor Wessman-Lavelle, Marketing and Communications Director for the Memorial, to discuss how the memorial preserves veterans’ stories and honors service across generations, including living veterans. They also describe the “Guardians of the Promise” Veterans Day celebration, educational visits for lo...

Rachael Martin, Founder and CEO of Wylde Horses, explains how a shortage of equine-assisted therapy in San Diego—highlighted by long local waitlists—led her family to build a nonprofit offering individualized services. She describes adaptive riding and horsemanship, complementary ranch activities, sponsorships, San Diego Regional Center support and the volunteers and planned expansion behind a pro...

Kerstin Lyman, Executive Director of the Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE) Foundation, Jordyn Hamilton, a FACE Foundation grantee, and Dexter the Dog discuss how emergency veterinary costs can force families to consider euthanasia for their pets—and how grants can help make life-saving veterinary treatment possible. They also explain FACE’s partnerships with veterinary clinics, its o...

Steve Bernstein, Founder and CEO of The Compounding Effect, explains how financial understanding, behavior, and the timing of money can help San Diegans build stability amid affordability pressures. He discusses California’s AB 2927 high-school financial education requirement, the role of trusted teachers in bringing money lessons home and how budgeting, consistent investing, cash-flow skills, and...

H. Puentes, Co-Founder and President & CEO of San Diego Squared, discusses how unequal access to professional networks can limit talented students’ paths into STEM careers—and how his organization builds those connections. He explains how the year-long Fellows program, executive mentorship, company visits, scholarships and entrepreneurship education help San Diego students access career opport...

Melissa Linares, senior accounting student at San Diego State University; Andrea Diaz Orozco, senior accounting student at San Diego State University; and Doug Wright, CEO of Mission Fed Credit Union, discuss how students prepare for accounting careers and why the field offers a range of opportunities. They share lessons from internships, SDSU networking and career resources, and using AI to learn...

Cheryl Morrow, President of California Curl, and Paris Wilson, SDSU chapter vice president of the San Diego Association of Black Journalists, discuss the nine principles of Grand Master Willie Morrow and how they guide self-mastery, entrepreneurship and personal growth. They explore precision, adaptability, honest communication, mentorship and the new podcast and audio experience bringing Morrow’s...

Scott Silverman, CEO of Confidential Recovery, discusses why addiction recovery often requires more than short-term treatment and how families can seek help when a loved one is struggling. Silverman examines fentanyl, relapse, and stigma, along with efforts to connect veterans and active-duty military with behavioral-health support through Confidential Recovery, the VA and the Veterans Navigation...

Chris Rubio, Artistic Director of Arms Wide Open; Patti Long, on-stage helper with Arms Wide Open; and Daniel Long, an Arms Wide Open actor, discuss how inclusive performing arts create opportunities for people with disabilities to perform, develop skills and belong. They describe the Rising Stars and Inspire programs, upcoming productions including The Addams Family and SpongeBob, plans for All S...

Matt Hebert, Director of the SDSU School of Art and Design; Jacqueline Marino, guest lecturer at SDSU and director of Quint Gallery; and Mary Gowen, MFA candidate at SDSU’s School of Art and Design, discuss how interdisciplinary arts education connects creative practice, students, and San Diego’s cultural community. They explore new approaches to painting, the Becoming Heirlooms exhibition, Gowen’...

Michael Castro, Director of Development at the Autism Society San Diego, discusses how the organization supports families after an autism diagnosis. Castro talks about Camp I Can, adaptive surf and aquatics, year-round social programs, and community partnerships that connect autistic people and families with resources across San Diego. Listen Where You Live! A bout Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  ...

Paige Wilhide, Chief Play Officer and Founder of Yes And Co., explains how applied improv and play can help workplace teams listen, adapt, and build more authentic connections. The conversation explores her Joy Riot community dance initiative, her work at Mission Fed Credit Union’s "Community Is Everything" symposium, and how San Diego business and nonprofit leaders can use “yes, and” to support c...

Paul Downey, Chief Advocacy Officer for the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation, discusses how San Diego can address senior isolation and rethink aging through stronger social connections and new “longevity clubs.” Downey chats about intergenerational engagement, AI-enabled elder fraud, Medicare enrollment resources, and the foundation’s "No Senior Alone" campaign. Listen Where You Live! A bout...

Dr. Brian Levy, Director of Jazz Studies and Associate Professor at San Diego State University’s School of Music and Dance; Luke Little, junior bassist in SDSU’s jazz program; and Gilbert Castellanos, faculty Artist in Residence at SDSU’s School of Music and Dance, discuss how SDSU is cultivating the next generation of musicians and strengthening San Diego’s jazz scene. They explore the program’s...

Dr. Moises Salinas Fleitman, Executive Director of Remember Us The Holocaust (RUTH), and "Celebrity Co-host"  James Zanewicz, CEO of Connect, chat about the urgent effort to preserve Holocaust memory in San Diego through a two-year exhibit at the San Diego Central Library, with the goal of establishing a permanent Holocaust museum. Salinas Fleitman explains how survivor testimonies, personal artif...

Shayna Foreman, Interim Executive Director of Living Coast Discovery Center, and "Celebrity Co-host"  James Zanewicz, CEO of Connect, discuss how a “hidden gem” on San Diego Bay is expanding access to coastal nature through conservation, education, and community-focused programming. They explore the center’s Farm to Bay fundraiser, the new Urban Oasis exhibit, long-standing partnerships with Chula...

Stephen Brotebeck, Director of the School of Theater, Television, and Film at San Diego State University and Courtney Corey, Director of The Wild Party and Lecturer in the School of Theater, Television, and Film at San Diego State University, are joined by "Celebrity Co-host" James Zanewicz, CEO of Connect, to discuss how SDSU’s theater, television, and film programs are shaping culturally relevan...

Emily Young, Vice President of Programs at The Prebys Foundation, is joined by "Celebrity Co-host" James Zanewicz, CEO of Connect, to examine how strategic philanthropy is reshaping San Diego’s future through investments in public health, medical research and a vibrant arts and creative economy. They explore the region’s long-running Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis and the foundation-funded res...

Liz Bradshaw, Director of Artistic Programming for ArtPower at UC San Diego, is joined by "Celebrity Co-host" James Zanewicz, CEO of Connect, to discuss how ArtPower’s 23rd season uses the theme “Follow Curiosity and Find Connection” to engage students and the wider San Diego community through the performing arts. They explore how ArtPower leverages venues such as the Epstein Family Amphitheater,...

Ed Abetya, Associate Dean of Student and Community Outreach at UC San Diego's Division of Extended Studies, and Rebecca Smith, Lead Instructor at UC San Diego's Division of Extended Studies and President of W2 San Diego, discuss how lifelong learning and purpose-driven work can help San Diegans over 50 stay relevant and connected in a rapidly changing world. Drawing on local data and examples, the...

Christina Pineda, Courage to Call Program Manager at TURN Behavioral Health Services, and Jim Callahan, CEO of TURN Behavioral Health Services, discuss how the Courage to Call program connects San Diego’s active-duty service members, veterans, and their families to housing, mental health, and basic needs support regardless of discharge status. They explain the shift from county-funded to privately...

Melissa Peterman, Executive Director of Townspeople, and Jack Borja, a participant in Townspeople’s shared housing program, discuss how viewing housing as healthcare and expanding shared housing options offers a practical path out of homelessness for San Diegans. They detail the Shared Housing Collaborative, partnerships with organizations like Father Joe’s Villages and the City of Vista, landlord...

Katrina Oprisko, Board Member of Business for Good and Owner of Earthwell Refill, discusses how purpose-driven microbusinesses across San Diego are banding together to advocate for community issues like homelessness, immigrant support, and environmental justice. She explains how Business for Good’s membership network, Prebys Foundation grant, and partnerships with universities, K–12 schools, and c...

Malia Henry, Manager of Youth Social Responsibility (YSR) and Military Families for 365 Connect, discusses how YSR Connect is closing the leadership and opportunity gap for military-affiliated teens through tailored programming in San Diego. Henry explains the program’s leadership, applied skill, and volunteer components, shares Department of Defense findings on how frequent moves limit teens’ acc...

Hunter Christian, Executive Director of Villa de Vida, discusses San Diego’s shortage of affordable housing for adults with developmental disabilities. Christian talks about how the Poway community helps residents live independently.  She explains how donated land, tax credits, county funding, project-based vouchers, and resident support made 54 apartments possible—and why an 18,000-person waiting...