Conscious Curiosity

Most businesses don’t have a marketing problem. They have a strategy problem. Too often we jump to tactics—social media, advertising, AI, websites, videos—before answering the most important question: What are we really trying to accomplish? In this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, I sit down with Sarah Yasukochi, Founder & CEO of House Collective and one of San Diego’s most respected purpos...

Can You Build a Billion-Dollar Business and Still Make the World Better? Most people believe there is a tradeoff between profit and purpose. My latest podcast guest, Jack Mardack, believes that is a false choice. As Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer of Oyster, Jack helped build one of the world’s few B Corp unicorns—a company valued at over $1 billion while creating meaningful impact across the...

In this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, I sit down with Sanjiv Prabhakaran and Louis Cruz to discuss what leaders are getting wrong—and right—about AI. Everyone is talking about AI. Most are talking about the technology. Very few are talking about leadership. After spending time with AI experts, business leaders, and organizations navigating adoption, I’ve become convinced of one thing: The com...

Homelessness is not just a government issue. It’s a leadership issue. And some of San Diego’s business leaders are refusing to sit on the sidelines. SENIORS are the fastest growing group experiencing homelessness in San Diego — not because they failed, but because they simply can’t keep up economically anymore. On this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, I sit down with Drew Moser, CEO of Lucky Duc...

Today on Conscious Curiosity SD, we sit down with Traci Cole—a mission-driven entrepreneur building a business that truly matters. Traci is the CEO and founder of Dignity Bath and Spa and Director of Southern California Veterans Business Outreach Center where she leads the effort to support veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs in starting or growing a business.  Tracy shows us it’s not jus...

Today on Conscious Curiosity SD, we sit down with Chris Thorne, CEO of the North San Diego Business Chamber—a true community builder dedicated to helping small and mid-sized business leaders thrive. Running a business can feel isolating. The pressure, the decisions, the constant need to adapt—it’s a lot. And too often, leaders try to carry it alone. This conversation is a powerful reminder: you do...

On this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Jeff sat down with Lauren Gallagher and Lori Bolander of Gallagher, Bolander, Smedley, LLP, a firm that has been serving San Diego families for over 70 years and current clients of Jeff’s at Jailbreak Leadership. This conversation goes beyond the practice of law and into what it really looks like to lead, partner, and build something that lasts. Lauren an...

Conscious Curiosity SD welcomes a special conversation featuring friends and colleagues of Jeff who are deeply involved in the Conscious Capitalism movement. In this episode, Jeff is joined by Michele Moninger of The Rooted Brand and Brian Ford of Self Improvement Daily and For Purpose Foundation. Each helping businesses, teams, and individuals lead and operate with greater purpose through their w...

On this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Jeff and Sara explore the journey of finding meaning in work, transitioning from a corporate tech career to becoming a watercolor artist and founder of Swil Arts. They discuss the importance of slowing down to appreciate life’s small moments, the challenges of building a sustainable business, and the principles of conscious capitalism in action. Rooted in...

On this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Scott Lawn, owner of Greenway Landscape Design & Build, joins Jeff for a conversation about ethics, innovation, and building a purpose driven business. After 33 years in business and more than 20,000 residential clients across San Diego, Greenway was recently named the 2025 BBB Torch Award for Ethics winner. For Scott, the award is validation of a cul...

In this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Jeff sits down with Sidd Vivek, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of San Diego, to explore how collaboration across education, business, and community is shaping the future of San Diego. Together, they unpack how investing in students today creates stronger leaders, a more prepared workforce, and a more resilient region tomorrow.   The stories share...

On this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Jeff sits down with Laurie Edwards-Tate, President and CEO of At Your Home Familycare, a 2025 BBB Torch Award for Ethics winner. Laurie brings a powerful mix of experience, heart, and uncompromising standards to a conversation about what real leadership looks like in an industry built on trust. At Your Home Familycare is an early pioneer of non-medical in...

There was only one person who made sense for the 100th milestone episode of Conscious Curiosity SD: Samantha Scholl. Samantha is one of San Diego’s strongest connectors and community builders, and through her work at the Better Business Bureau, she is helping redefine what purpose driven business looks like in our region. In this episode, we dig into the three themes that keep showing up across 10...

When you combine business acumen with a heart for community, powerful things happen. In this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Jeff welcomes back Louie Nguyen, former Chief Investment Officer at Mission Driven Finance and now the CEO of SAY San Diego, one of the region’s largest and most impactful nonprofits. Louie shares his bold vision for transforming the nonprofit model, from dependency on gr...

Have you ever walked into a place that instantly feels alive with creativity, connection, and possibility? That’s the energy John Lee has built at Venture X San Diego, and brings to this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD. As the owner and driving force behind this reimagined coworking space, John is helping entrepreneurs, small businesses, and enterprise teams discover a new way to work that blend...

On this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Jeff sat down with David Hopkins, General Manager of Patagonia Cardiff, to explore how a global brand lives its values right here in San Diego. From pioneering environmental innovations and community partnerships to empowering employees with purpose-driven work, David shares the story of Patagonia’s mission, why “the Earth is our only shareholder,” and wh...

What happens when a business measures success not just by revenue, but by impact? On this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Jeff sat down with Bill Brennan, Principal & Chief Risk Officer of CMR Risk and Insurance Services, to explore how values-driven leadership fuels company culture and community impact. Over the last five years, CMR has grown from 25 employees to nearly 70, and recognized...

On this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Jeff sat down with Reid Carr, CEO and founder of Red Door Interactive. For over 20 years, Reid has led one of San Diego’s most innovative marketing and advertising agencies with a clear mission: stay fiercely independent, lead with values, and always put people first. From building a “100% jerk-free” culture to helping global brands connect authentically...

This landmark episode of Conscious Curiosity SD features two pioneers of the Conscious Capitalism movement: Raj Sisodia, Co-Founder and global thought leader, and Michael Harth, Chief Culture Officer & a Founder of LAZ Parking. They share how conscious leadership is transforming business today and why it matters most for the next generation of leaders. From Raj’s vision of business driven by p...

What if business wasn’t just about profit, but about building trust, driving ethics, and making community impact? In this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Jeff sat down with Michael Sedio, VP, COO, and General Counsel of the Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest, Central, and Inland California. Michael shares the surprising evolution of the BBB from complaint resolution to a power...

Exiting your business is one of the biggest milestones in any founder’s journey, and one that most will only experience once. It’s not just a financial transaction; it’s an emotional, strategic, and deeply personal transition. How do you let go of something you’ve poured your heart into while ensuring a strong future for your team, your customers, and yourself? In this episode of Conscious Curiosi...

What if a business failure was actually the beginning of something extraordinary? In this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Sarah Payne shares the inspiring origin story of Untours, the first-ever B Corp, and how it sparked a global movement for business as a force for good. With a rich background in economic development and deep experience helping companies improve their social and environmental...

On this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Jeff sat down with three incredible guests to discuss the future of purpose-driven business through the lens of the Social Innovation Internship Program, a partnership between Conscious Capitalism San Diego and the University of San Diego. Ramya Mabry, a recent graduate with a Master’s in Social Innovation from the Kroc School at USD; Andrew Biros, Senior...

On this episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Jeff sits down with Seb Harris, founder of The Sandbox Fund, to explore how capital can be a catalyst for conscious change. Originally from New Zealand and shaped by years in the non-profit sector, Seb brings a unique lens to early-stage investing. Through The Sandbox Fund, he backs companies that not only deliver return on income and impact but are also...

In this powerful episode of Conscious Curiosity SD, Jeff sits down with Azim Khamisa, author, international speaker, business leader, and founder of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, to explore a story of profound loss, forgiveness, and transformation. After the tragic loss of his son to youth violence, Azim chose a path few could imagine: forgiveness and purpose. His journey led to the founding of a...