Finding Arizona Podcast

In this conversation, Garr shares his transformative journey from a troubled youth involved in drug dealing to a successful entrepreneur and family man. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to embrace faith, the importance of family dynamics, and the lessons learned from both failures and successes. Garr emphasizes the value of homeschooling his children, the role of food in fostering com...

We sit down with Mara Benson, owner and lead realtor at Bliss Realty, to explore her journey in real estate and the vision behind her business. Mara shares how she got started in real estate, what inspired her to launch Bliss Realty, and how she builds trust and relationships with clients through integrity, communication, and genuine care.  Connect with Mara Benson : Facebook: https://www.facebook...

In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, host Jose Acevedo sits down with Jeremy Russo - CEO of Vacation Ownership Consultants, a Scottsdale-based timeshare-exit firm that’s been operating for over 11 years. Jeremy shares how his early career in travel and vacation rentals exposed him to countless timeshare owners stuck with unwanted contracts- a pattern that inspired him to build VOC to pr...

In this episode, we meet with the 2025–2026 Executive Committee President of the Arizona Costume Institute (ACI), Donna Johnson, and dive into how this fashion-forward nonprofit has grown, evolved its mission, and built a vibrant community around fashion preservation and design. From discussing how ACI became part of the Phoenix Art Museum ecosystem to exploring what drives its members, what makes...

We meet with Sentari Minor, Executive Vice President of evolvedMD, whose mission is to re-imagine behavioral health by integrating mental health support directly into primary care settings. On this episode, we discuss embedding master’s-level clinicians within primary care teams, improving collaborative care, addressing the whole patient, and creating immediate access to mental health resources. W...

In this engaging conversation, Senator Annalise Ortiz shares her journey from journalism to politics, emphasizing the importance of community advocacy and the role of social media in modern campaigning. She reflects on her upbringing in a family of educators, her passion for storytelling, and the challenges of navigating the political landscape as a senator. Ortiz discusses the transition from the...

We meet with Chris Badulescu, CPA and Owner of AZ Easy CPA, who’s mission is to remove overwhelm, reduce stress, eliminate the “number headaches,” and help business owners feel lighter through better accounting strategy, clarity, and support. On this episode we discuss building smarter financial systems, becoming more proactive (instead of reactive) with your numbers, the biggest mistakes business...

If you’ve ever wondered how to build a brand that makes a difference- or how sustainability and innovation can truly coexist- this conversation will change the way you think about design. In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast , host Jose Acevedo sits down with Ian Peterman, founder and CEO of the Peterman Design Firm, to talk about how conscious design is reshaping the future of business,...

In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast , host Jose Acevedo meets with Bethany and Anthony from the Downtown Tempe Authority to talk about Tempe TRiP- a groundbreaking new web app transforming how visitors navigate Downtown Tempe. The first of its kind in Arizona, Tempe TRiP brings together real-time parking data, live transit updates, and alternative transportation options into one easy-to...

This week, we sit down with N@T, an artist whose story embodies the true meaning of resilience and self-expression. From growing up in a multicultural household to surviving a life-altering car accident, Nate’s path through pain and recovery shaped the very core of his sound. In this candid conversation, he shares how moving from city to city, embracing his Italian, German, and Dominican roots, an...

Our host sits down with Berenice Uwase , the founder of Elevated Spaces by Berenice, a company dedicated to transforming cluttered, overwhelming homes into calm, functional spaces. With a passion for helping busy families and professionals, Berenice focuses on decluttering and organizing in ways that bring more peace, reduce daily stress, and create environments that truly support real life. Conne...

When Chef Janice Carte set out to bring personalized, home-cooked meals to busy families, she never imagined Tiny Spoon Chef would grow to serve over 100 cities across 15 states. In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, Janice shares the journey of building a nationwide network of talented chefs while keeping employee well-being, sustainability, and community at the heart of her business. F...

Rick’s journey into estate planning began after realizing that traditional litigation left him unfulfilled. What he discovered instead was a calling to help families preserve both their wealth and their values. Our host, Jose, sits down with Rick Durfee , founding and senior attorney, of Durfee Law Group, to talk about building a 100-year legacy through proven estate planning strategies on this ep...

Barbershop Jack isn’t just a place to get a haircut—it’s a story of family, resilience, and community. For Jill and Don Benaglio, what started as a leap of faith has become an 11-year journey of turning an old-school barbershop vibe into a modern community hub. In this episode, Jill and Don open up about their journey—transitioning from family roots into entrepreneurship, navigating challenges lik...

From secret libraries to speakeasy-style lounges, hidden doors and secret rooms are no longer reserved for spy movies — they’re one of today’s most exciting trends in home design. In this episode, we sit down with Steve Humble, Founder of Creative Home Engineering, to talk about how he’s making homeowners’ hidden door dreams come true. Steve shares his journey from working with aerospace giants Ho...

Our host sits down with Chad Nikkel, President of Entrepreneurs’ Organization,  Arizona. As a  seasoned entrepreneur, and business coach, Chad’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of community. From feeling feeling burned out and isolated, it wasn't until he discovered the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) that hesitation became a transformative experience, giving him the suppor...

Felicia Romero’s podcast kicks off with a classic crossroads: stick with the safe route her family imagined, or take a chance on something that truly lit her up. It wasn’t until she started training clients out of her own garage that she really felt alive! We dive into pivots- no matter how scary- and learn how it helped her build a life and business that she loves.  Connect with Felicia: Website:...

If you’ve been wondering how to turn AI from an intimidating buzzword into a game-changing business tool, this conversation with Lucas Petty, CEO of AI Daddy is a must listen. We explore how businesses can embrace AI without losing their human touch. A lifelong sci-fi fan, Lucas’s journey into AI began the moment he got early access to ChatGPT—and by the next morning, he’d decided to pivot his ent...

Host Jose Acevedo sits down with Sofia Lozoya, Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Brand Strategies at ECM Technologies, to explore how data-driven HVAC innovation is making buildings greener, smarter, and more efficient. Drawing from her first-generation background, she reflects on how curiosity, creativity, and resilience shaped her approach to solving real-world challenges—especia...

On this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, we meet Dana Maciag, founder of AZ Sleepy Teepee. What began as a fun idea for her daughter's party quickly transformed into a thriving business that redefined luxury sleepovers and glamping in Arizona. As AZ's original sleepover experience company, Dana has grown her brand over the past seven years, offering stylish indoor setups, outdoor glamping t...

In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, host Jose Acevedo sits down with Ted Taylor, Executive Director of Family Promise of Greater Phoenix, to celebrate the nonprofit’s 25-year legacy of transforming lives through innovative, family-first solutions to homelessness. Ted shares how the organization has helped more than 2,100 families, maintained a 70% success rate in transitioning families...

Meet Brooke Deanne—a Trauma Healing Mentor, Rapid Transformational Therapist (RTT), and NLP Practitioner. We explore her powerful journey of overcoming indoctrination, religious abuse, and toxic relationships. Brooke shares how she turned her pain into purpose, using holistic tools to help women break free from trauma, rebuild their identities, and create lives rooted in authenticity and self-love...

In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, host Jose Acevedo sits down with brother Carl Brown from Copperstate Auto and Fleet, a family- and veteran-owned auto repair and fleet service based in Mesa. They share how their deep-rooted Mesa legacy—built over their dedication—paired with expert mechanics and genuine customer care, has made them a trusted name in the community. We explore their v...

In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, host Jose Acevedo sits down with Dr. Heather Saran—founder of Bright Endocrinology, Scottsdale’s first concierge endocrine practice—to uncover her journey from traditional medicine to launching a personalized, patient-focused model of care. Her story highlights the power of aligning care with compassion and dedication to helping patients actually shi...

Tanner Swanson – Communications Manager at A New Leaf – joins the Finding Arizona Podcast to share the impactful and heartfelt mission behind one of Arizona’s most vital nonprofit organizations. With over 50 years of community service, A New Leaf is known for its deep commitment to supporting families facing domestic violence, homelessness, and serious life challenges. Tanner walks us through how...