My SGV Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Jonathan “JDM” Wong’s journey reads like the ultimate dream for anyone immersed in Japanese car culture. Born in Hollywood and raised in Pasadena, he fell in love with modified JDM cars as a teen. Alongside high school friends, he co-founded Team Macross 7, linking up with other import crews through AOL’s Import Racing chatrooms and staging drag races and car shows across the SGV—...

Send us Fan Mail Erika Herrera and Milton Arredondo are the heart and soul behind Domestic BBQ, the family-owned California-style barbecue spot that’s become a local favorite in La Puente and Covina. They made the bold leap from corporate life to smoky kitchens, turning a weekend hobby into a flourishing restaurant. Their success isn’t just about cooking—it’s about bringing people together with fo...

Send us Fan Mail Amber Tan and Waldo Yan didn’t set out to build a viral dessert destination—but that’s exactly what they’ve done with 626 Hospitality Group , home of the wildly beloved 626 Ice Cream in Arcadia, CA. What began as a passion project blending heritage, nostalgia, and culinary creativity has now become one of the most talked-about food spots in the San Gabriel Valley. From lychee-stra...

Send us Fan Mail If you’ve spent any time in the San Gabriel Valley, you’ve probably crossed paths with Jason Marshak—or at least with someone who’s used his pomade. A proud Alhambra native for over 40 years, Jason is the founder and face behind Dr. Rubin’s Pomade, a locally loved grooming brand rooted in tradition and style. What started with a 1944 formula has grown into a movement of smell-good...

Send us Fan Mail Maryvale began in 1856 when five nuns from the Daughters of Charity opened Los Angeles’ first orphanage and hospital—initially a small wood-frame home near what is now Union Station. By 1891, it had moved to a larger facility in Boyle Heights, becoming a safe haven for thousands of children. When freeway expansion and earthquake damage threatened that site, generous benefactors—in...

Send us Fan Mail Alex Tran is a 21-year-old Vietnamese-Chinese American entrepreneur, behavioral specialist, and founder of Fish Kings—a growing aquatic business based in Southern California. Balancing work in mental health with running a hands-on business, Alex has carved out a unique path grounded in purpose, discipline, and a desire to uplift others. Raised in a challenging family environment,...

Send us Fan Mail Rubina Chadha is a trauma-informed mindfulness educator, breathwork facilitator, and award-winning designer whose work bridges creativity, wellness, and conscious leadership. A graduate of ArtCenter College of Design and UCLA’s Education Certificate Program, she began her career in the entertainment industry before founding Inner Design — a platform that helps high-achieving profe...

Send us Fan Mail Cathy SK Lam-Patrie is a Hong Kong-born, Los Angeles-based pastor, producer, and award-winning theatre artist whose work bridges faith, justice, and the arts. She is the founder of ThreeWoods Playwright and the artistic director of Kairos Arts Development Company, the Hong Kong Ideation Arts Festival, and the Let’s Be Together Arts Festival. In 2024, she received the Hong Kong Art...

Send us Fan Mail Johanna Atienza and Paul Pulver are the Chief Growth and Innovation Officer and the CEO of Options for Learning respectively. Johanna brings over 15 years of experience in higher education and community-based programming to her role. Before joining Options for Learning in 2022, she served as the Associate Vice President of Advancement and External Relations at Pacific Oaks College...

Send us Fan Mail Brayan Altamirano’s journey to becoming a touring photographer is a testament to the power of perseverance and transformation. Initially driven by a passion for music, Brayan’s dream of stardom seemed within reach, but without the right support and motivation, those aspirations were shattered. However, fate had a different path in store for him, one that would see him rise to prom...

Send us Fan Mail Jesse R. Jaime Sr. is a dedicated Lead Campus Supervisor 2 (Safety) at San Dimas High School within the Bonita Unified School District, where he plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff. A proud member of the El Monte/Rosemead community, Jesse is deeply committed to giving back to the people and youth of his hometown. His personal and profes...

Send us Fan Mail Lizette Valles is a passionate educator, Latina leader, and innovator in the world of alternative education. As a co-founder of the California Microschool Collective, established in 2024, Lizette has been at the forefront of the microschooling movement, advocating for personalized and trauma-informed learning environments that empower all children to thrive. She is also the founde...

Send us Fan Mail Jayme Kiyomura Chan is a passionate and accomplished leader in both the culinary and sports worlds. Born and raised in Pasadena, California, she is a proud product of the San Gabriel Valley and a long-time resident. Jayme attended La Salle High School, where she was a standout four-year varsity basketball player, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to empowering others bo...

Send us Fan Mail Jeanne E. Raya is the dynamic President of the John L Raya Insurance Agency, Inc., a well-respected minority women-owned business established in 1960. Under her leadership, the agency has carved out a niche of expertise, especially in working with non-profit organizations and medical facilities. With a deep-rooted commitment to both her profession and her community, Jeanne has ded...

Send us Fan Mail Jessica Ramos is a 31-year-old registered nurse and passionate advocate for domestic violence awareness, drawing from her personal journey of survival and healing. Born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Jessica’s life has been shaped by her strong foundation in faith and education, which she received through attending Catholic school from preschool through college. As a teenag...

Send us Fan Mail Anthea Peter-Vallejo, also known as “TT,” is a devoted homeschooling mom of two who is deeply committed to providing a nurturing and well-rounded educational environment for her children. Her passion for teaching extends beyond traditional academics; Anthea is also a black belt in jiu-jitsu, a discipline that has shaped much of her life and the way she approaches parenting, fitnes...

Send us Fan Mail Dan Gilbert is a versatile and multi-talented artist based in East Pasadena, CA, whose career spans multiple aspects of the entertainment industry. Known for his work as a special FX makeup artist, actor, puppeteer, stuntman, voice actor, and wood carver, Dan brings a unique blend of creativity, skill, and passion to every project he touches. His impressive list of credits include...

Send us Fan Mail Carlos Castro is an award-winning music mixing and recording engineer/producer based in Los Angeles, California, with a remarkable 30-year career in the music industry. His expertise has earned him 13 Latin Grammy nominations, two BASF awards, and numerous platinum and gold records, cementing his reputation as a leading force in sound engineering. With a passion for high-fidelity...

Send us Fan Mail Mark Waterson is a dedicated nonprofit leader and the CEO of Convalescent Aid Society (CAS), an organization focused on improving the lives of seniors in the Pasadena area. His unique journey, shaped by being adopted twice, has fueled his lifelong commitment to helping others and advocating for those in need. These early experiences, combined with a diverse professional background...

Send us Fan Mail Mike Eng is a distinguished public servant whose career spans decades of advocacy, legal expertise, and leadership across various sectors. His work has profoundly impacted his community and the state of California, where he has championed causes ranging from civil rights to education, water access, and housing. Mike began his public service career as a City Commissioner, where he...

Send us Fan Mail Scott Kohno is a highly accomplished retail executive with decades of experience developing groundbreaking retail projects across the globe. Having worked on projects spanning over 20 countries, from Asia to South America and from Australia to Europe, Scott has played a key role in shaping the global retail landscape. His passion for retail innovation has been instrumental in the...

Send us Fan Mail Christine Kay Wong is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Strategic Coach with a unique journey from real estate to mental health and wellness. After a decade of representing homeowners in the San Gabriel Valley and Greater Los Angeles, Christine took a bold step to align her career with her core values. She pursued a degree in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine Uni...

Send us Fan Mail Caroline Velarde is the founder of Sweet Caroline Desserts, a business born out of her love for baking and spending quality time with her daughter, Lily. What started as a fun bonding activity between mother and daughter has evolved into a thriving operation, with Caroline and Lily baking for their local community at pop-up markets and coffee shops in Claremont and Upland. At the...

Send us Fan Mail Kateri Wozny is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in print, digital, radio, and television news, as well as content creation. Throughout her distinguished career, she has worked with some of the most respected media outlets, including U.S. News & World Report, Business Insider, the Chicago Sun-Times, GoDaddy, and Pasadena Weekly. Kateri’s work has consiste...

Send us Fan Mail Jessica and Michael Garcia are a powerhouse entrepreneurial duo. They share a story of hard work, determination, and a passion for their craft. Both raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Jessica graduated from Alhambra High School, continued her education at Pasadena City College, and earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Michael, a gradua...