Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact

In this episode of Carlsbad People, Purpose, and Impact , host Bret Schanzenbach sits down with Ash L., founder of Green Madness and owner of MOOYAH Burgers, Fries, and Shakes in Carlsbad. Ash shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Egypt and England, to traveling to nearly 90 countries, to launching a successful corporate career before pivoting into the restaurant industry. Starting as a...

In this episode of Carlsbad People, Purpose, and Impact, host Bret Schanzenbach sits down with Carlsbad Police Chief Christie Calderwood. From her unexpected career shift from aspiring English teacher to law enforcement leader, Christie shares her inspiring journey through the ranks—from officer to chief. They discuss community partnerships, proactive event security, crisis negotiation, mental hea...

In this episode of Carlsbad People, Purpose, and Impact , Bret Schanzenbach sits down with Dr. Yvonne Scarlett, founder of Red Lotus Wellness Center. Dr. Scarlett shares her extraordinary path—from corporate travel and engineering to real estate and finally holistic medicine—driven by her own battle with chronic migraines and autoimmune issues. She reveals how acupuncture and Chinese medicine tran...

In this episode of Carlsbad People, Purpose, and Impact , host Bret Schanzenbach sits down with Nick McCoy , former pro baseball player turned financial advisor at Stifel Financial. Nick shares his journey from Little League in San Diego to being drafted by the New York Yankees, grinding through the minor leagues, and later scouting internationally for the Los Angeles Angels—all while earning his...

In this episode of Carlsbad People, Purpose, and Impact , host Bret Schanzenbach sits down with Dale Stein , CEO and partner at i-NETT, to unpack a lifetime of entrepreneurship, innovation, and service. From childhood, Dale demonstrated an entrepreneurial spark—turning odd jobs into stepping stones toward a business mindset. By age 15, he was already running his town’s milk delivery route, and tha...

In this episode of Carlsbad People, Purpose and Impact , host Bret Schanzenbach , President and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, sits down with Galina Marcus , founder and CEO of the San Diego Art Directory , to explore her journey from Moscow to San Diego and her mission to elevate the region’s art scene. Galena shares her backstory, growing up in cosmopolitan Moscow and moving to the U.S...

In this episode, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce CEO Bret Schanzenbach sits down with Lisa Carroll, president of Number Crunching, Inc., to explore her unique career path and specialized expertise in uncovering financial deception. Lisa shares her journey from humble beginnings in accounts payable and receivable to becoming a sought-after Certified Fraud Examiner. Initially recognized for her knack f...

Ever wondered how the digital marketing landscape is transforming with the rise of AI? Or how video content is reshaping client engagement? In episode 154 of Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact, I sit down with Gwen Beren, the brilliant mind behind Illuminus Marketing. This episode is a treasure trove of insights as Gwen shares her fascinating journey from corporate burnout to entrepreneurial su...

Ever wondered how a career in industrial engineering can lead to a thriving podcast empire? Or how breaking into Apple's supply chain can take over two years of relentless dedication? Join me, Bret Schanzenbach, as I chat with Jim Miller, the mastermind behind Bold Leadership Stories Media. From his roots at Cal Poly to navigating the world of technical sales with giants like 3M and Hewlett Packar...

Ever wondered how a life-threatening wildfire could inspire a thriving business? In episode 152 of the Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact podcast, I sit down with Rachel Arbuckle, the remarkable owner of 2000 Paces Photo Organizing. From her childhood as a Navy brat, through her service as a neuropsychiatric technician, to her entrepreneurial journey, Rachel shares her fascinating story and the...

What role did women's clubs play in shaping modern society? How did the Women's Club of Carlsbad leave an indelible mark on their community over the last century? Dive into episode 151 of the Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact podcast, where I, Bret Schanzenbach, have the pleasure of chatting with Kae Gernandt and Edith Broyles from the Women's Club of Carlsbad. We're celebrating the club's ric...

Ever thought about ditching your routine for an adventure halfway across the globe? In episode 150 of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact, host Bret Schanzenbach chats with Ian Scott and Kathy Steffen about the transformative power of travel. Ian, President and Chief Architect of Discovery at Quest Voyager, recounts his journey from an electrical engineer in the UK to a travel industry leader. Me...

Ever wondered how a musician's journey from a small town led to a thriving business in the heart of San Diego? In episode 149 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact," I sit down with the dynamic Chris Swimley, owner of Machine Print Shop, to uncover his incredible story. From the highs of record deals to the lows of band breakups, Chris's tale is one of resilience and reinvention. Join us as Ch...

How do you balance career ambitions with family life? What role does networking play in business success? Join me as I dive into these questions and more with Laura Bashore, franchise owner of Team Referral Network San Diego, on this episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact. Laura's journey from Clovis to San Diego is nothing short of inspiring. With a rich background in career coaching an...

Are you ready to dive into the unknown and explore the world of impactful conversations? Welcome to Episode 147 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact," where we unravel stories that matter. This week, we have a special guest, Stephanie Issa, joining us to illuminate her journey and share her insights. What happens when passion meets purpose? How does one navigate the challenges of making a real...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to transform a spontaneous idea into a thriving business? Or how a passion for art can turn a simple donut into a masterpiece? In episode 146 of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact, I chat with the delightful Renee Bexiga, owner of Get N Go Donuts, who spills the beans on her unique journey from college student to donut entrepreneur. Renee's story is as sweet...

What drives a man to leap from a stable corporate career into the world of motivational speaking? How do personal struggles transform into powerful narratives that inspire change? In episode 145 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact," I sit down with the remarkable Devin Hughes, Chief Inspiration Officer at Devin Hughes Enterprises. Devin unveils his compelling journey from a challenging child...

How is the Carlsbad Educational Foundation reshaping the future of education? What innovative projects are transforming classrooms today? Join me as I sit down with Laura Pitts, the dynamic CEO of the Carlsbad Educational Foundation, to explore these questions and more. In this episode of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact," Laura shares her inspiring journey from Ann Arbor, Michigan, through h...

Have you ever wondered how a chance encounter at a Christmas party could change the course of your career? Or how a former dressmaker from New York found his calling in financial advising amidst a market crash? In this episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact, I had the pleasure of chatting with Andrew Lippman, who shares his fascinating journey from the bustling streets of New York to the...

Ever wondered how a simple cake can transform a child's life? In episode 142 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact," I dive into this heartwarming topic with the incredible Cari Yuen, San Diego County ambassador for Cake For Kids. From her roots in Hawaii to a dynamic career in Silicon Valley with tech giants like Boeing and Amazon, Cari's journey is nothing short of inspiring. But it's her cu...

Have you ever wondered how a childhood interest in finance can transform into a lifelong passion for helping families with special needs? Join me, as I sit down with the remarkable Lily Fallah from Guide My Finances. In this episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact, we explore Lily's fascinating journey from her Southern California roots to becoming a Chartered Special Needs Consultant. Lil...

What does it take to navigate the ever-evolving world of media and marketing? How does one transition from casting extras in Hollywood to leading marketing at a cutting-edge production studio? Join me as I dive into these questions and more in episode 140 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact." This week, I chat with the dynamic Mary Burt-Godwin, Director of Marketing at Loft 100 Studios. Mary'...

Ever wondered how to transform a team from dysfunctional to dynamic? Or what it feels like to leap from a corporate career into entrepreneurship, akin to skydiving? Join me on this exciting episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact, as I sit down with the inspiring Jani Jackson, founder of Develop Your Team. Jani takes us through her fascinating journey from studying English Literature at Ca...

Ever wondered how cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing the fitness world? Or how a life-changing event can steer someone into a new career path? In Episode 138 of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact, I dive into these fascinating topics with Samir Satwah and Ben McCoy, co-owners of the Smart Fit Method in Carlsbad. Samir shares his compelling journey from IT to health coaching after brain s...

Welcome to Episode 137 of the "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact" podcast! Ever wondered how a paramedic turned stay-at-home dad could revolutionize plastic recycling? Join me as I sit down with the visionary founder of Plastic Beach, Matthew Clough. Matthew's journey is nothing short of fascinating. From the UK to California, his diverse career path led him to question the massive plastic wast...