Faces of GRAND Prairie, A Community Podcast

You might be asking yourself, “where is she going with this podcast? What’s the goal?” They are good questions and I want to answer them. I also discuss my mission of keeping the podcast positive and uplifting and how I would love to teach others to record interviews as well.

Today my guest is Monica Gonzales. She’s the new executive director of the Pregnancy Resource Center of Grand Prairie. Monica and I sat down at the center to discuss what this nonprofit does for our community. We discuss the center’s mission of helping women make informed decisions when facing an unplanned pregnancy. We discuss the center’s partnerships with local churches and why that’s important...

Today my guest is Matthew Loh, owner of Asia Times Square. Asia Times Square at Pioneer and Great Southwest has been in Grand Prairie for about 13 years with Matthew leading its’ vision and mission. Matthew and I talk about his background before his family opened Asia Times Square, the value in overcoming adversity and being passionate about your purpose. We talk about how much he values his relat...

My guest today is Linda Ellis, superintendent of Grand Prairie Independent School District. She talks with me today about her background in business and education before becoming the superintendent for GPISD. We discuss coming into leadership during times of crisis and how the district handled unexpectedly losing its’ leader and the pandemic within an 8 month period and why Linda felt led to help...

To find out more about the podcast, visit www.facesofgrandprairie.com!

In this mini-episode, I explain political action committees and why they matter in local candidate endorsements. I give 3 questions to consider when researching the endorsements a candidate receives before voting. I also explain why I wasn't able to interview local candidates this year but why I hope to do so moving forward in future elections. Guide to the May 1, 2021 Grand Prairie Ballot: https:...

Today my guest is Emily Liles. Emily is a Grand Prairie School Board trustee for Place 6. Emily and I talk about a wide variety of topics today including the role of a school board trustee and how she came to run for a seat, the evolution of GPISD over the last decade and the importance of districts to keep up with the needs of the community to graduate educated and trained students for tomorrow....

My guest today is Grand Prairie City Councilman Greg Giessner. Councilman Giessner holds one of the at-large positions which serves the entire city. Recently, he initiated the new Government 101 section on the city of Grand Prairie’s website, a space that allows citizens to learn more about the basics of their city government. We talk today about the importance of learning more about how gove...

My guest today is Derrick Kinney , host of the podcast Good Money with Derrick Kinney. Derrick is a financial advisor and author, and he talks with me today about his goal of changing people's mindsets about money. He is focused on helping people change their attitudes about money, by encouraging people to not only like making it but also to see it as necessary for helping others. In our conversat...

Today I'm talking with Savannah Ware, Chief City Planner for the city of Grand Prairie. Savannah talks with me today about a variety of topics, including zoning, long term planning, and moratoriums. She does a great job of explaining what these things mean to give us a deeper understanding as citizens about how this part of our city government functions. I appreciate her taking the time to speak w...

Today my guest is Monica Saldivar. Monica grew up and lives in Grand Prairie and is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University. She is currently a nominee for Best New Female Artist at the Tejano Music Awards on December 19, 2020 at 7 pm. Monica is also a piano teacher and a singing coach. We talked today about how her life changed by going to a performing arts high school, as well as...

My guests today are Terry Brooks and Charles Luckert. Terry Brooks is the trustee for Place 1 of the Grand Prairie Independent School District. Charles Luckert is the founder of the Grand Prairie At a Glance Facebook groups. Terry and Charles graduated from South Grand Prairie High School in 1974 and are lifelong Grand Prairians. I talk with them today about their high school experience and becomi...

My guest today is Bryan Parra. Bryan is a current Grand Prairie ISD School Board Trustee representing Place 2 and an elementary assistant principal in DISD. Bryan grew up on the East Coast but moved to Texas in 2003, graduation from South Grand Prairie in 2005. He went on to get his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M and his masters in educational leadership from DBU. Bryan is a very involved co...

Today my guest is Jennifer McFalls. Jennifer is a South Grand Prairie High school alumni and one of it’s most accomplished athletes. She was a softball player who went on to play for Texas A&M University She then played for the USA Olympic Softball Team as an alternate in 1996, then won the gold medal in the 2000 games in Sydney, Australia. She is now the head softball coach at the U...

Today my guest is Rodney Anderson. Rodney is a life-long Grand Prairian who graduated from Grand Prairie High School in 1986, and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate from UTA in 1990. In 2010, he decided to serve his city and was elected to serve in the Texas House of Representatives. During his time in office, he fought for the private property rights of citizens of the state, and...

We are continuing our Entrepreneur Week with a discussion no entrepreneur can live without – coffee! Today, I welcome Carson Kidd, Cofounder and CoOwner of Moravian Coffee. Carson and two of his childhood friends and fellow graduates of Oklahoma University started a coffee roasting company right out of college and decided to open up shop right here in Grand Prairie. W...

Hello listeners and welcome to Entrepreneur Week! My guest today is Sophia Whitehead. Sophia has a dear place in my heart – she is my daughter Avery’s sister...I met her when she was 4 and since the day I’ve met her, she has loved animals! She’s always talked about raising animals and recently, she’s been raising and breeding rabbits. Today, we talk about caring for bunnies and rabbits,...

Todd Mayo has a history of working with the community of Grand Prairie in the financial planning industry. Todd talks to me today about a variety of financial topics, including estate planning, investing, how to read headlines relating to financial information and how to have perspective about the things going on currently with the economy. We look at a document together that discusses what keeps...

Today, I'm talking with Tiffany and Nathan Ross, owners of Siteguard Inspection Services in Grand Prairie. Nathan was able to join us at the end after he was finished with an inspection. Tiffany and I talk about running a business, starting a business from scratch online, juggling running a business with your spouse as your business partner, and creating boundaries when working from home. We also...

Today on the podcast I welcome Christian Pryor. Christian is a senior at South Grand Prairie High School. He's spent his high school career in a number of activities, from Theater, to DECA, National Honor Society and more. He talks with us today about his plans after graduation, his interests while he's been in school, and how he's been keeping himself busy while sheltering at home. Christian was...

Welcome back to GPISD Seniors Week on the podcast! Today, I’m welcoming Coltrane Lins. Coltrane is a Senior at Grand Prairie High School. He’s a member of Show Choir and has been involved in Scouting since he was little. He talks to me today about what he’s missing the most during this shelter in place and what he and his friends have been doing to keep busy and keep connected while being at home....

Welcome to GPISD Seniors Week on the podcast! Today, I’m welcoming South Grand Prairie High School senior Samantha Vargas. Samantha is Senior Lieutenant for the Cheyennes, a member of the National Honor Society, and was a BETA Club member for the for SGP Early College High School. Not only is Samantha graduating this year as a Warrior, but she is also graduating with her Associates...

Before we were social distancing, Randy Jennings and I sat down on a beautiful day outside the Summit to talk about his long career as a sports writer and journalist. He worked for The Grand Prairie Daily News after graduating from Grand Prairie High School, until it closed in the 2000's. Since then, he's contributed to publications such ESPN Online and is currently a Sports Writer for the Dallas...

Today, I'm joined by long-time friend Jonathan Richards. Jonathan and I have known each other from when we were youth at Inglewood Baptist Church. Jonathan has been in television production and camera work for quite some time, recording sports games for the Mavs, Stars and Rangers, television events such as the George Bush Memorial Service, and has even won a Sports Emmy for his work for the Olymp...

Today, I talk with Dr. Skaar, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie. Dr. Skaar has been with FBCGP for many years and has a deep connection to this city. He and I talk about how COVID-19 has changed the landscape of attending church services, including participating in the Lord's Supper and Easter Sunday. We discuss how we should reach out to God with our feelings and process things...