Lokahi Backstage

In this episode of Lokahi Backstage , Jamie Ann Blakeman and Hawaiian Ryan sit down with someone Ryan calls “one of the coolest, nicest human beings” he’s ever known—musician and lifelong friend, Biku . Their conversation digs into the moments that shaped Biku’s path, from falling in love with music at just five or six years old to teaching lessons, becoming a band teacher, and navigating the chal...

On this episode of Lokahi Backstage , Jamie Ann Blakeman and Hawaiian Ryanwelcome Paige Brattin—founder of Worthy Brands and a woman whose journey isfilled with heart, grit, and true Hawaii spirit. Paige began her path as a teacher in Hawaii, but she always felt the pull towardbranding and creative work. She opened a maternity boutique on the islands,pouring her passion into something uniquely her...

Lokahi Backstage with Jamie Ann Blakeman brings you another honest, wide-open conversation—this time with musician, producer, and two-time Emmy winner Johnny Helm, joined by co-host Hawaiian Ryan. Johnny was born in Hartford, Connecticut, went to college, and entered adulthood caught in a cycle of drugs, alcohol, and undiagnosed OCD. Intrusive thoughts became overwhelming, and drinking felt like t...

Jamie Ann Blakeman and Hawaiian Ryan welcome Kealoha to Lokahi Backstage for a powerful conversation about finding purpose, redefining success, and trustingthe pull of your passion. Kealoha grew up with one mission: get the good job. A math-and-science kid whothought art was just “fluff,” he set out to solve the world’s energy crisis andearned his way to MIT. But the reality hit hard—cold weather,...

In this episode, Jamie sits down with the legendary Hawaiian Ryan—a Japanese/Chinese/Hawaiian creative who proudly identifies as someone who’s never been easy to categorize. You might know him as the Ryan from The Sam and Ryan Show on 93.9 The Beat, or as the guy who’s been making Hawaii laugh for more than three decades through radio, comedy, music, and the occasional questionable life choice. Fr...

On this episode of Lokahi Backstage, Jamie Ann Blakeman welcomes her husband, Ryan Blakeman—coach, mentor, and founder of Lokahi Teams—for a conversation about resilience, grit, and the courage to fight for what matters most. Ryan shares how a major setback shifted the course of his life and how it fueled his passion to help young athletes dig deep, rise to challenges, and pursue their goals with...

Some people talk about making things happen. Susan Bitter Smith, President of Technical Solutions, actually makes things happen — by knowing how, and who, to connect. On this episode of Lokahi Backstage with Jamie Ann Blakeman, we dive into the art of building bridges, navigating politics, and why being called “The Convenient Woman from the West” says more about power than convenience. This episod...

On this episode of Lokahi Backstage, Jamie Ann Blakeman talks with Walter Crutchfield, founder of Vintage Partners, about the moment his project landed on the cover of Autoweek—a dream come true at a young age. But instead of satisfaction, he was met with a haunting question: “That’s it? What’s the rest of my life going to be?” This episode dives into what came next—how that moment of disillusionm...

Wendy Riddell, founding and managing partner at Berry Riddell, shares how saying yes changed everything. From an aspiring architect to a powerhouse attorney with her name on the door, her journey is packed with lessons on grit, growth, and trusting your gut. You’ll hear how one bold decision led to night-after-night courtroom wins—and how the smallest “yes” can open doors you never imagined. If yo...

Sometimes, the most powerful part of a conversation is what isn’t said. In this episode of the Lōkahi Backstage Podcast, Jamie Ann Blakeman sits down with Quarles zoning attorney Ben Graff for a conversation that’s equal parts thoughtful and unexpectedly moving. As they explore the art of intentional listening—hearing what’s inaudible, beyond the words—Ben shares a story so heartfelt, it brought J...

In this episode of the Lokahi Backstage podcast, we sit down with Troy Peterson, Director of Construction at Arizona Cardinals Football Club, to dive deep into the concept of "letting go of the label" – why it's time to stop chasing the grade and embrace growth over perfection. Tune in for a refreshing perspective on success, leadership, and the power of letting go of outdated standa...

Sometimes the most powerful move you can make is walking away. On this episode of Lokahi Backstage with Jamie Ann Blakeman, Mesa Councilmember Alicia Goforth shares how saying no to the wrong opportunity opened the door to the right one. She shares the moment her father told her, “Don’t take it—you can do better.” It’s a powerful reminder not to settle for the first thing that’s handed to you. Tun...

Chris Bridges, Executive Director of ACEC-AZ, talks aboutthe importance of stepping into opportunity—even when  it’s unexpected or uncertain. In this episode of Lōkahi Backstage, he shares how embracing new challenges has shapedhis leadership journey and opened doors for growth and connection.  Chris Bridges’ journey is one of confidence, steady growth, and bold decisions. From starting out in urb...

Cathy Teeter, Managing Director of Advisory and TransactionServices at CBRE, shares powerful advice in this episode of Lōkahi Backstage: take more risks and believe in yourself. She reflects on how fears are real but often irrational—encouraging us to stay calm, trust ourselves, and realize that we’re going to be fine. Her journey from being called "The Ice Princess" to embracing her leadership st...

We had no idea what we were doing—but we knew we had something worth building. This first episode is where it all begins. Join Jamie Ann Blakeman and the crew behind Lokahi Backstage as we share how the podcast came to life—through learning curves and a whole lot of laughter. You’ll meet Cameron, Savoi, and Feliciano, the behind-the-scenes team that helped bring this vision into the world. We reco...

Lokahi Backstage with Jamie Ann Blakeman kicks off with Season One: Sparks in the Desert—a series of conversations with the bold voices shaping Arizona’s professional landscape. From politicians to entrepreneurs, these storiesexplore pivotal moments, risks, and the courage to lead with purpose. It all started with one question: How do you do what you do? Season One is about the people behind the i...