OC In Focus

2% Excellence in Black Artistry calls attention to the scarcity of Black representation in Orange County and in the art world more broadly. While acknowledging this structural absence, the exhibition honors artists whose work asserts presence, depth, and influence beyond their numbers. The title marks both a reality and an invitation—to look more closely, to recognize what is too often overlooked,...

The first Slavic International Film Festival in Los Angeles was created to foster a deeper understanding of Slavic cultures from countries including Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Ukraine, Croatia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, North Macedonia and Montenegro. Our guests for this show are festival juror Misha Suvorov and filmmaker Tatyana Batalova, whose fi...

The United States has one of the highest rates of incarceration and the largest prison population in the world. Artist and poet Halim Flowers has been featured in HBO’s Emmy Award Winning docuseries America Undercover: Thug Life in DC. In this show, Flowers shares what restorative justice is, why the U.S. prison system is dehumanizing, and shares some of the countries that are imagining and actual...

There are currently 89 unidentified Jane and John Doe cases across Orange County. Bob Taft, retired Detective from the Orange County Sheriff’s Homicide Detail, is working part-time with the Coroner’s office to use DNA genealogy to identify these persons and find family members. Taft covers a Jane Doe who was recently identified as Maritza Glean Grimmett. Plus the Lonnie Thomas homicide case and Mi...

California has the most severe human trafficking issue in the United States. Our guests are Retired Anaheim PD officer Happy Medina who was part of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, and Nefta Pereda, Chief Program Officer at Radiant Futures (a Task Force partner). We discuss how traffickers are using social media and dating apps to find potential targets and red flags for identifying...

Each year the Orange County based Dragon Kim Foundation (DKF) Fellowship program provides transformational leadership and business training for high school students and future entrepreneurs in California, Arizona, and Nevada. DKF founder Daniel Kim shares that in 2025, DKF will be supporting 65 projects through the six-month program. OC School of the Arts students Vedant Dayal and Ashima Sharma to...

The measles and bird flu outbreaks have been making headlines for months, how are these impacting the health of Orange County and LA residents? Dr. Matthew Zahn is the Deputy Health Officer & Medical Director for the Division of Communicable Disease Control at the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). Dr. Zahn shares the signs of measles to watch for, bird flu and the risk of raw milk, an upda...

Media holds significant power in influencing sociocultural behaviors and beliefs. Madeline Di Nonno, President and CEO of Geena Davis Institute, is our guest to discuss the work of the institute in studying representation of gender, race, LGBTQIA+, disability, body size, and age in media. We also discuss the Institute’s partnership with Moms First on a study of portrayals of mothers and motherhood...

At the first OC Board of Supervisors meeting for the year, the board elected Supervisors Doug Chaffee to Chairman and Supervisor Katrina Foley to Vice Chair for 2025. Third District Supervisor Don Wagner served as the 2024 Chairman and is our guest for this show. Discussion topics include anticipated effects of the federal government on funding in Orange County, California’s response to rising hom...

Orange County law enforcement responds to more than 10,000 domestic violence or domestic disturbance calls each year. Last year, Radiant Futures served more than 2,500 survivors, including women, children, men, and people of other gender identities. Chief Program Officer at Radiant Futures, Dr. Nefta Pereda is our guest to discuss how cycles of abuse and harm can be stopped, crisis support and ser...

Many college students face challenges in accessing affordable housing and resources, particularly in South Orange County. Saddleback ASG International and Diversity Student Council (IDSC) Senator Nicole Karraa and Events Senator Aram Manafi to discuss issues local students are facing, a new mentorship program to help international students integrate into college life, updates on efforts to work wi...

This week, our guest is Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Don Wagner. From the ongoing federal investigation into former supervisor Andrew Do and the resulting opening in District One, Wagner offers insights into how the board of supervisors is working to restore public trust. We also discuss the latest developments in OC freeway construction projects, the potential local impacts of Pro...

In a world of traditional therapies, Orange County's Art & Creativity for Healing offers a colorful alternative. Program Director Amy Baker showcases how their Art4Healing methodology is making waves in over 35 non-profits and 25 access schools. From its origins with Wall Street executives to today's diverse workshops for all ages, we learn how this innovative approach is tackling pain, grief, fea...

What happens to your vote after you cast it? Orange County Registrar Bob Page is our guest to discuss election operations in America's 5th largest voting jurisdiction. From provisional ballot verification to hand-counting audits, there are meticulous processes ensuring every paper ballot counts. Learn about expanded voting options, including 184 voting centers that will be open by November 2nd, an...

With one in six young children facing mental, behavioral, or developmental challenges, the Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF) is transforming emotional wellness education in Orange County schools. ELF has developed Children's Emotional Wellness Week (CHEWW), a week-long program with lessons and activities to help teachers in low income schools share emotional skills with students. Founder and CE...

Russian immigrant and actor Misha Suvorov brings to life The Border Show , an auto-fictional poem written by Sergei Davydov and directed by Ray Hanna. Set against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, this one-person performance explores the internal struggles of a young Moscow man forced to flee his homeland due to his anti-war stance. Suvorov shares about the upcoming ‘Art Against War’ F...

What happens when we look closer at the data representing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities? Melodie Bergquist-Turori, a Cook Islands artist and educator, discusses the importance of data disaggregation for underrepresented populations. Breaking down broad racial categories reveals hidden disparities and challenges misconceptions about who falls under the AANHPI umb...

What does it take to leave the only world you've ever known? Lara Anderson, born into Scientology's elite Sea Org, shares her journey from indoctrination to independence. This episode explores the mental and physical toll of escaping a cult, the manipulative practice of "auditing" children, and the difference in treatment between celebrity Scientologists and everyday members.

At FarmHouse Rescue, both animals and humans find new purpose. President Danielle Judd shares how this 28-acre Orange County sanctuary transforms rescued animals into healers. In this episode we discuss innovative programs, including a skill-building initiative for adults with disabilities and Smile Cam, which brings joy to hospitalized children through live animal video streams. Healing connectio...

Tanya Hutchison, founder of Phenomenal Women, shares her journey from modeling to motherhood to empowering women in Orange County and around the world. This episode explores how women can build strong communities for mutual growth and accountability. Hutchison discusses the Phenomenal Women’s approach to addressing challenges in five key areas: physical, spiritual, vocational, relational, and fina...

Associated student governments serve as the official voice and representative body for the student population, advocating for student interests, and organizing campus events and activities. In this episode, we get updates on campus developments and how ASG is advocating for students. Our guest is Kristian Suazo, the incoming ASG President at Saddleback College. Suazo shares insights from his recen...