My SGV Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Victor Ving is a renowned muralist and the creative force behind the Greetings Tour, a nationwide public art project that transforms communities with vibrant, large-letter postcard-style murals. Victor's journey in art began with his roots in NYC graffiti, where he honed his aerosol techniques before shifting his focus to public art that celebrates local landmarks, history, a...

Send us Fan Mail Ray Corona, also known as Popeye Ray, grew up navigating a challenging environment in El Monte, Baldwin Park, and Bassett, California. His early years were marked by instability, spending time in foster care and various temporary homes before eventually residing with his mother once again. Surrounded by the harsh realities of gang life, Ray found himself drawn into that world for...

Send us Fan Mail Carlos "Big Brown Dad" Aguilar hails from La Puente, CA, where he has carved out a remarkable career as a multifaceted multimedia producer, writer, and content strategist with over two decades of experience crafting compelling narratives for broadcast and digital audiences. His journey is marked by a diverse portfolio: from directing and producing gripping documentaries...

Send us Fan Mail Steve Soo Hoo was born in Los Angeles, raised at the foothill of Dodger stadium in LA Chinatown and later moved to San Gabriel Valley to the city of Montebello. He is the youngest of three children to a family who is one of the original founding families of Los Angeles' Chinatown. He attended school in Montebello where he was always involved with some sort of art (visual or a...

Send us Fan Mail Pamela James Segerquist grew up in San Gabriel, attended San Gabriel High School, and was actively involved in a YMCA service club during her formative years. Before returning to her hometown, Pamela embarked on a journey that took her to the Bay Area, where she lived with her husband. There, she underwent a significant career change and faced a challenging medical diagnosis. With...

Send us Fan Mail Javier Servin AKA Foo Howser is a dude that loves the rich and diverse history of California and wants to get others excited about it as well. His passion for California history was sparked by watching Huell Howser and by the amazing history teachers he had growing up. He earned a B.A. in History from UC Merced, where he wrote his thesis on the life and rebellion of Estanislao of...

Send us Fan Mail Eric Gee has administered personality-based life coaching for more than twenty years. He built a successful education company that used his personality typing method to better the lives of more than twenty thousand students, parents, and teachers. As the creator of the Youtopia Project website and the Youtopia 16 assessment, he has disseminated his method to over half a million us...

Send us Fan Mail Elizabeth Yang is the dynamic CEO and Founder of Yang Law Offices. Since 2007, Elizabeth has been a powerhouse in the legal world, specializing in Intellectual Property Law, including Patent, Copyright, and Trademark Prosecution and Litigation, as well as Business Law and Estate Planning. Elizabeth's expertise has earned her numerous accolades: she has been named one of the “...

Send us Fan Mail Rebekka Lien is an actress, stand up comedian and creative who can bust out in song and dance, playing cello and piano at the same time. She can paint you a beautiful abstract art, graffiti, sew up some fashion designs. She has a podcast called The Bex Show where she talks about her dating woes and waiting until marriage to have sex. Her YouTube show (The Bex Show) is a plethora o...

Send us Fan Mail Comedian Rick Izquieta debuted his stand-up comedy in 2013 on the Starz TV Network’s comedy show “STAANN' DUP!!” and has quickly become a prominent figure in the comedy scene. His witty observations and humorous takes on family, friends, and everyday life have made him a favorite at comedy clubs and casinos across the country. Rick's comedy album "IZ WHAT?" rel...

Send us Fan Mail Maggie Moran made a bold career change from a desk job to a life in the wilderness, becoming a leader in the rugged terrain of the Angeles National Forest. She took over Adams Pack Station, a unique operation where donkeys are the main movers, transporting everything from groceries to gear up steep mountain trails. Despite being a rookie to the rugged lifestyle, Maggie quickly lea...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Matt Klingler is a dedicated physical therapist and owner of Village Fitness and Physical Therapy in San Marino and Glendora. Passionate about helping people redefine their age and reclaim their health, Dr. Matt focuses on movement, nutrition, and lifestyle changes. Together with his wife Nicole, he founded Village to empower others. Beyond his professional life, Dr. Matt is c...

Send us Fan Mail Cindy Chen is the creative force behind BRAMS Beer. Inspired by a chance encounter with a French pilsner, Cindy and her partner Carl embarked on a brewing journey that would soon become their passion. From mastering brewing techniques to sourcing ingredients from local farms, Cindy's dedication and determination have fueled the success of BRAMS Beer. With Carl's support,...

Send us Fan Mail Lawrence Suarez, a proud native of Los Angeles and first-generation Filipino, has deep roots in California, with cherished memories of growing up in its diverse landscape. Fond of the tradition of dining in Alhambra for dim sum, he embraces the rich cultural tapestry of his community. Beginning his journey into the funeral profession in 2011, Lawrence gained initial experience at...

Send us Fan Mail Robert Calixto has been a fixture in the San Gabriel Valley (SGV) since 1986, where he discovered his passion for entrepreneurship and community building. In 2000, he founded Sunflowers Real Estate and Mortgage, marking the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey. Over the next decade, he ventured into various industries, including construction with XLS Construction in 2016 and c...

Send us Fan Mail Rocke Sanchez is the creator & owner of SHÄDÖW Sun Covers and a DJ Tech for major music festivals across the US.  Rocke was introduced to the DJ culture in the 8th grade, when a fellow student gave him a cassette with 90s Techno music. His love for the culture grow fast and after high school he worked at a record store in East LA. Soon after that he got the opportunities of a...

Send us Fan Mail Vanessa Tilaka Kalb’s family has been in the food business for several generations, beginning with her grandparents in Thailand who owned a restaurant below their apartment and her father’s Thai market in Los Angeles, which was the first of its kind in the city. Her culinary career has spanned from working as Sous Chef under Bryant Ng at Spice Table, to San Francisco’s Flour+Water...

Send us Fan Mail Grace Takayama was born to a Korean mother and a Japanese Father. Nearly all her friends and family had traditional roles installed in them, the  husband  worked and the wife took charge of the household. Most of the men in her family were Bookkeepers, which inspired her to do the same. Right after graduating with a degree in Accounting she wasn’t sure what her next step should be...

Send us Fan Mail Ryan Fletes is a 25-year-old entrepreneur based in San Gabriel, CA. In 2020, he launched his spicy seasoning company driven by his love for hot sauce. Before Ryan co-founded his new company, he worked in advertisement and sales at different companies in Southern California. Today, he applies the knowledge and experience he gained into Camp Scoville. Ryan's innovative product...

Send us Fan Mail Nigel Williams' artistic journey began at the age of nine, selling his watercolors to tourists on the island of St. Maarten where he grew up. With a passion for both art and music, Nigel pursued a degree in Music Education at Berklee College of Music in 1992. During his time at Berklee, his pastel work was showcased in an exhibition featuring musician-artists. Upon returning...

Send us Fan Mail Alvaro Ontiveros is an immigrant from Mexico who first came over to spend time with his friends. During the pandemic in 2020 Alvaro started Birria Master when he lost his job in the tea industry. He started in Ave 26 with his own version of birria tacos and then soon made his way back to Pasadena as a taco truck. Before his taco business took off, Alvaro had spent his working time...

Send us Fan Mail Hugo Garicia was born in LA and grew up in the city of El Monte where he attended school from Cogswell Elementary, Kranz Middle School, El Monte Highschool, and later graduated from East LA College. While in high school and into college Hugo held a variety of different jobs all around the SGV - El Monte, West Covina, Rosemead, City of Industry, Monterey Park, Pasadena. He began hi...

Send us Fan Mail Ryan Lopez was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He created Lord Empanada as a necessity after losing his job due during the Pandemic in 2020. Ryan started Lord Empanada out as a popup in August of 2020, prepping the Empanadas out of his parent's kitchen and frying them in a portable fryer on the weekends outside of  local breweries. He was fortunate to quickly gain a posit...

Send us Fan Mail Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo was born and raised in San Gabriel to Mexican immigrant parents. She is author of Posada: Offerings of Witness and Refuge (Sundress Publications 2016) and Incantation: Love Poems for Battle Sites (Mouthfeel Press 2023). She considers herself an experiential, witness poet and place, including the SGV, is a regular theme in her work. A former Steinbeck Fellow...

Send us Fan Mail Edward Rodarte's journey from the streets of Compton to becoming a prominent figure in both politics and corporate America is a testament to the power of resilience, transformation, and a relentless pursuit of a better life. Born and raised in the tough neighborhoods of Compton, California, Edward faced adversity from a young age. Growing up, he experienced bullying, which le...