Hearts of Gold

💛 Episode 30: Before we jump in: You'll notice the audio sounds a little different for the first couple of minutes. We got so excited for our conversation that we didn't check the mic placement! Hang in there - we get it fixed quickly, and this conversation is absolutely worth sticking around for! Most of us know Sheriff Kory Honea from press conferences, community events, or the moments...

💛Episode 29: A Heart of Gold & the Home Team: Lon Hatamiya's Freebird LegacyFrom family farming to state leadership to bringing hometown baseball back to Marysville, Lon Hatamiya has spent a lifetime investing in Northern California and the people who call it home. In this episode of Hearts of Gold, Erin and Jaymes sit down with Lon to talk about growing up in the Yuba-Sutter region, serv...

💛 Episode 28 - What happens when a small-town movie theater projectionist grows up to become an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and successful marketing agency owner? In this episode of the Hearts of Gold Podcast, Erin and Jaymes sit down with longtime friend Stephen Chollet, founder of Chollet Agency, for a fun, nostalgic, and inspiring conversation filled with stories, laughter, and lessons learne...

This week, it’s just us, Erin and Jaymes, and we’re sharing what we’re calling our Summer of Stewardship. As summer gets underway, we’ve been talking a lot about how to better care for the things that matter most in our lives. For us, that comes down to four areas: our space, ourselves, our spirit, and our social lives. In this episode, we share what we're working on, where we're growing,...

💛 Episode 26: From Global Adventures to Local Impact with Alexa Benson-Valavanis What happens when a Chico State basketball recruit follows a path that takes her from Northern California to Shanghai, China, and Guatemala - only to return and help transform one of the region's most influential nonprofit organizations? In this inspiring episode of Hearts of Gold, Erin and Jaymes sit down with A...

What does it mean to call yourself an artist? This week on the Hearts of Gold Podcast, Erin and Jaymes sit down with multidisciplinary artist and designer Jedrek Speer, better known as SEIZER-ONE, to explore a creative journey that spans decades, mediums, and personal growth. Since adopting his iconic moniker in 1996, Jedrek has left his mark on everything from the Los Angeles street art movement...

💛 Episode 24: Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold. In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Mary Sakuma, Butte County Superintendent of Schools and a lifelong champion for public education. With more than 30 years of experience, Mary’s journey has taken her from the classroom to princ...

Join Erin and Jaymes as they sit down with Daniel Ballard, a passionate local historian who’s helping bring Oroville’s rich past to life, one story at a time. As the host of the Historic Oroville Walking Tours and a leader in several local organizations, Danny is deeply committed to preserving the people, places, and moments that have shaped the community. In this episode, Danny shares how his lov...

Episode 22 💛 Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold. In this high-energy episode, we sit down with Sara Nolind—a true Oroville powerhouse who proves that drive isn’t just for the racetrack. From racing cars at high speeds to helping lead one of the area’s most beloved coffee spots, Sara sha...

💛 Episode 21: Dr. Amber Englund of Englund Chiropractic joins Erin and Jaymes Lackey to share her inspiring journey of building a life rooted in service, family, and community. From her path through chiropractic school to running a successful practice alongside her husband, Dr. Englund opens up about what it’s really like to balance business ownership, motherhood, and leadership as President of t...

💛 Episode 20: In this heartfelt and fun-filled episode, we sit down with Todd DeVoll, Erin's dad! Who is the director of Imaging at Oroville Hospital, lifelong musician, and all-around steady presence both at work and at home. From growing up in a music-filled family to keeping the rhythm alive as the drummer for the family band Feedbac, Todd shares how music has always been a constant thread...

💛 Episode 19: In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Isha, Shelter Manager and RVT at Northwest SPCA, to talk about what it really takes to care for animals in our community. With decades of experience and a deep commitment to compassionate care, Isha shares the challenges, victories, and everyday moments that make shelter work a true labor of love. We also spotlight the upcoming Pooch Pl...

💛Episode 18: Cedric Lee didn’t grow up feeling like he fit anywhere. Marked by adversity, trauma, and the label of “misfit,” his early years were shaped by survival more than certainty. But instead of allowing his past to define him, Cedric transformed it. Today, he’s both an educator and an AI specialist — helping students navigate a future powered by technology while never losing sight of the h...

💛Episode 17: What does it mean to truly serve your hometown? In this episode, we sit down with a fourth-generation Oroville native whose family legacy spans real estate, development, and public service. A 1972 graduate of Oroville High School and Butte College alum, he dedicated 35 years to the Oroville Fire Department before serving three terms on the Oroville City Council — including time as Ma...

💛 Episode 16: In this episode we sat down with  Dan Nevers from the Rainforest Art Project  to explore his journey as an artist and teacher. Dan shared how growing up between  San Diego and Chico, California  shaped his deep love for  glass, mosaics, and crafts  — especially the joy of working with his hands and turning small pieces into meaningful art. We talked about how his passion became a li...

💛 Episode 15: In this episode, we talk with Patrick Piatt, Community Development Director for the City of Oroville, about the city’s new biomass energy project and what it means for Oroville and the future of Butte County. Patrick oversees planning, building, economic development, annexations, and citywide branding initiatives, and brings a unique blend of big-picture thinking and practical execu...

💛 Episode 14: Painting the Future with a Heart of GoldIn this episode of Hearts of Gold, Erin and Jaymes sit down with a passionate local art educator and community leader, Misty Rayome, who is making a lasting impact across Oroville and beyond! As the new high school art and digital photography teacher at Oroville High School, Oroville Arts Commission member, board member of Brushstrokes Art Gal...

💛 Episode 13: A new year always invites a little reflection—and a lot of hope. In this special episode, Erin and Jaymes sit down together to talk all things New Year: the routines that ground them, the vision boards that spark excitement, and the words of the year guiding their intentions. They also look back on 2025—what worked, what surprised them, and what lessons they’re carrying forward. Whe...

In this deeply personal episode, Erin opens up about losing her sister Shanin in 2017 and how grief has shaped her life in ways she never expected. Together, Erin and Jaymes explore what no one tells you about how your brain responds to loss, why grief isn’t linear, and the well-meaning things people say that can unintentionally cause more pain. This conversation isn’t about “fixing” grief—it’s ab...

Episode 11 💛 Jaymes and Erin talk all things Christmas movies! We share what our favorites are, what we are watching this holiday season, and even discuss what we think the moral of A Christmas Carole is.... and it's not what you think! Join us today for a hyper-positive podcast that highlights individuals, businesses and organizations in Butte County! Check out our website: www.heartsofgoldm...

Grab your Santa hat, pour yourself way too much peppermint cocoa, and join Erin and Jaymes for a holiday episode that is… well… delightfully unhinged. In this episode, we launch into a heated-but-loving debate over real vs. fake Christmas trees (one smells amazing, the other doesn’t shed needles like a cat in July). We also talk about many of our holiday traditions including the best cinnamon roll...

This week on the Hearts of Gold Podcast, Erin and Jaymes sit down with Greg Blake, Superintendent of Chico Unified School District and a 34-year educator whose career has spanned nearly every role in the field—teacher, coach, principal, director of maintenance, superintendent/principal, and now district superintendent. Greg shares his Golden Beginnings in education, the path that brought him along...

💛 Episode 8: This week on Hearts of Gold, Erin and Jaymes sit down with artist, educator and small business owner Forest Wong, whose creative spirit and dedication to young musicians and artists have made a lasting impact in Butte County. Forest shares her journey as a visual artist, the path that led her to call Oroville home after going to college at Columbia University, and the inspiration beh...

Episode 7 💛 This week’s episode is proudly sponsored by The Deming Initiative, helping leaders and organizations shine their brightest right here in Northern California. At The Deming Initiative, growth begins with people. Based in Chico, California, they specialize in organizational development, leadership training, conflict resolution, and mediation services, helping businesses, nonprofits, and...

In this trashy episode, Erin and Jaymes Lackey chat with Amy Jernigan, a wife, mom, Rotarian, and self-proclaimed “trashy friend” whose passion for people and the community shines through everything she does. As a long-time employee at Recology, Amy turns her love of service into action by helping communities across Northern California rethink waste, embrace sustainability, and build connections r...