Lead Up Podcast

On this episode, I sat down with one of my good friends Dr. Elbert Mock. I've known this guy for 10+ years since my freshman year of college and he's definitely been a role model when it comes to dedication and consistency. Not only is Elbert a full-time Pharmacist but also he is pursuing his passion and love for animals and is exploring the world one animal at a time as "LB the Adventurer". Check...

On this episode, I sat down with Dolores Arredondo, an Experienced Marketing Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry and Adjunt Professor at Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management. She dives deep into her journey and the several obstacles she overcame not only as a daughter of immigrant parents but also a Latina navigating the professiona...

On this episode, I sat down with my friend and colleague Bryan Mapenzi. Bryan shares about his educational journey as well as being an athlete - baseball player - and overcoming several obstacles over a period of years. Since then, he has moved from the East Coast to West Coast and has been diving deep into a journey of elevating his wellness and creating habits that will bring about positive resu...

On this episode, I sat down with Dr. Jose Gonzalez who serves as Senior Director, Program Strategy & Staff Development for the Boys & Girls Club. Dr. Gonzalez has an extensive education and leadership experience working in the field in many capacities and is now laser focused on creating systemic change.

On this episode I sat down with Coley World, a young up and coming spoken word artist, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. Coley has been heavily involved in service to his community whether in the role of President for Sacramento State's Black Student Union (BSU) or as a full-time mentor for youth across Sacramento #LeadUp

Happy New Year #2021 On this episode I sat down with my guy Aldrenne Ramirez, an Acute Leader for Sutter Health IT but more importantly a husband, father, and friend. Aldrenne shares about discipline in his life and how we cultivates that in his kids. Not only is he disciplined but also a big believer of affirmations and self-talk. Hope you enjoy the content #LeadUp

On this episode I sat down with the Co-founders of Project Optimism - Armoni Easley and Ishmael Pruitt. They share their individual journeys leading up to their divine connection which eventually led them to create Project Optimism, an organization designed to align the skills and expertise of community members with the unique needs of the community. Project Optimism has now expanded not only in S...

On this episode, I sat down with Arielle Ayala who serves as the Associate Director for Stockton Service Corps, a first of its kind service initiative launched last year in the 209 (Stockton). Arielle shares more about the initiative and what she’s learned in the first year of the launch.

This is part 2 with my guy Hakeem. In part 1, Hakeem shared the beginning chapters of his journey living in Harlem then moving to Virginia at 16-years old to play basketball. Part 2 picks up from there. Follow Hakeem on Instagram @king_jubal

On this episode, I sat down with my guy Hakeem Croom, who currently serves as the Program Coordinator at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center at Sacramento State. In part 1 of this part 2 series, Hakeem goes deep into his background from living in Harlem, New York to jumping into an opportunity to play basketball in Virginia. He shares a lot of impactful lessons he learned during this life transition...

On this episode I sat down with Josiah Greer, who currently serves as the Enrollment Management/EOP Outreach Coordinator at Sacramento State. Josiah is also a motivational speaker and founder of Fire Your Boss (FYB). Listen in to hear about Josiah's leadership journey and how he sharpens his craft in the "dojo" #LeadUp Follow Josiah on Instagram & Twitter @jospyda_fyb Follow FYB on Instagram @...

On this episode I sat down with my friend Veronica Delgado Rodriguez, who serves as the Associate Director for Admissions of Marketing and Communications at Sacramento State University. She is heavily involved in the community, shares some practical ways to get involved, and talks about why volunteering is something every leader needs #LeadUp

On this episode, I sat down with a young and rising leader - Alejandro Galicia. I met Alejandro when he was a student in high school and over the last couple of years, Alejandro has immersed himself into service and community work in Sacramento as well as in Davis, where he is currently a 3rd year student at UC Davis. Alejandro reflects back on the moment when he not only met former President Bara...

On this episode, I sat down with Martin Sanchez, owner and founder of Amor Kombucha, a Latin-inspired kombucha made in Stockton, CA. Martin shares his journey from grinding in college to seeing a gap in the health and wellness space, more specifically when it comes to kombucha and using latin-inspired ingredients. Martin shares a lot of leadership lessons he's learned along the way and is looking...

Aaron Heredia serves as a Budget Analyst for the Department of Finance for the state of California. In addition to working for the state, Aaron and his wife, Maria, started their own business and have been building it for the past 5 years. Aaron shares his experience starting a business with his wife and how he continues to level up his leadership game through books, audiobooks, and podcasts #Lead...

On this episode, I sat down with Tara Lynn Crawford, artist, motivational speaker, and creative, who shares her leadership journey from college to now. She drops many leadership gems in this one! Enjoy #LeadUp Follow her IG: @_taralynn3 www.taralynncrawford.com

On this episode, I sat down with Brian Bulaya, one of the co-hosts of the "We Don't Know Yet" podcast and the Founder of Simple Shift Studio, who shared about his most recent transition from a well-known company and starting up a business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brian has learned and continues to put himself in situations to keep learning to be at the top of his game - don't miss the gems! C...

On this episode I brought on the wordsmith himself - Christian Landa. Christian is a poet, artist, and nontraditional educator using his gifts to impact and change the lives of those around him. Make sure you have something to write down some notes with because Landa is spewing gems in this one. Enjoy! 

On this episode I brought on one of my best friends and favorite educators, somewhat biased, Chris Garcia. Chris is a San Diego native who is doing amazing work in his community in his 8th year of teaching. Chris shares his journey to the education field and gives insight on how to succeed in online learning. Additionally, he is the founder and host of the "Innovative Pedagogy" podcast.  Follow Ch...

On this episode, I sat down with Brittany Mitchell the founder of Heart & Soul Consulting, which provides athletes, coaches, and performers with mental skills to enhance performance and overcome mental barriers. Brittany shares his own personal journey as an athlete and how burning out led her to the Sports Psychology field.  Follow Brittany: Instagram - @heartandsoulconsulting | @thementalminute...

Had to kick off the 2020 new year with a special guest: Mission! Antonio Smith aka Mission is a rap artist in Sacramento who recently released his project "Thank You Lord We Made It Safe" and is now pushing his own music label "AOYNOM" (All of You None of Me). He shares about his background and how he first got started with music and what he's been learning ever since. Hope you enjoy it! Episode t...

Got a chance to sit down with my colleagues and mentees during our down time at a California State University Young Men of Color Consortium in Los Angeles. We talked about what leadership means to us, lessons learned, mental health and much more. This was a fun one, hope you enjoy it!

Super excited about this episode because I got my good friend, basically a sister, Kendy Braga to share her journey from working in group homes to now working for a software startup company called Webconnex. Webconnex was recently recognized by the Sacramento Business Journal as one of the Best Places to Work in 2019. Not only does the company have a fun culture but also are intentional in develop...

Caleb Tate aka "Mr. Stir the Pot" is a young leader in Sacramento who is looking to flip the city upside down and wanting to leave his own personal mark. Caleb recently challenged himself to post a video every single day for 60 days straight to talk about anything and everything. You can check out his YouTube page and follow him on Instagram @calebthetate

Fernando Cancino is a recent graduate from Sacramento State who experienced some mental health challenges while in school that eventually led him to go back home for 2 years until he came back to finish what he started. Fernando is currently in barber school and his ultimate goal is to have his own barbershop.  Follow him on his journey:  Instagram: @ferncancino1 & @barberos_co