Our Two Cents Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Alex Valencia owner of  Music Bingo Night , a local event experience bringing music, games, prizes, food, drinks, and community together in a fun and interactive way. Instead of calling numbers, Music Bingo uses songs on bingo cards, so guests listen, guess, mark their cards, and compete for prizes. From 90's, Country, and R&B nights to throwback themes and local...

Join Kyle Jones as he sits down with entrepreneur Kadar Waller, CEO and co-owner of Bentley Bowl, to discuss building one of Bakersfield's fastest-growing food brands at just 25 years old. A former collegiate basketball player, MBA graduate, and lifelong entrepreneur, Kadar shares how his experience as a student-athlete helped shape his leadership style, the importance of surrounding yourself with...

In this episode, Amanda Jones sits down with Liz and Josh Powell, founders of Taste of the Screen, the immersive dining experience turning movie nights into unforgettable events. They share how a passion for film inspired them to create interactive dinners where guests enjoy the exact food and drinks featured on screen, all while watching the movie unfold. From hosting friends at home to selling o...

Amanda Jones sits down with Vivian Cao, founder and president of the Kern Asian Chamber, for a conversation about culture, community, entrepreneurship, and the growing presence of Asian-owned businesses in Kern County. Vivian shares the inspiration behind creating the chamber, the importance of representation, and how social media, food, and community events are helping connect people across cultu...

Kyle Jones is joined by Dr. Anna Marie Frank to explore the life transitions many aren't prepared for, from raising kids to redefining purpose. They discuss mindset, burnout, and how thoughts impact the body, along with practical ways to move from stress into alignment. Dr. Anna Marie, The Mindset Doctor™, helps high performers break free from burnout and misalignment so they can lead and live wit...

Join Kyle Jones as he sits down with author and speaker Cortney McDermott to explore identity, intuition, and what it really means to live a fulfilling life. From corporate success to personal reinvention, Cortney shares her journey of shifting from performance-driven achievement to a deeper sense of trust and purpose. They dive into imposter syndrome, the pressure to "have it all figured out," an...

In this episode, Amanda Jones sits down with Zane from The Soda Crackers, a Bakersfield-based band reviving the classic Bakersfield Sound and Western swing. From their humble beginnings as LA jam sessions to becoming a six-piece band rooted in vintage country tradition, Zane shares the story behind their name, sound, and journey.     They dive into their musical influences, the importance of keepi...

In this episode, Kyle Jones is joined by Stephen Hale of Karpe Real Estate Center, a Bakersfield company approaching 100 years in real estate and lending. They break down hard money lending and explain how it works and who it's for. Stephen shares why many borrowers choose it for speed and flexibility instead of traditional financing. They also cover the investor side, including typical returns, f...

In this episode, Amanda DiGiacomo Jones sits down with Bakersfield content creator and entrepreneur Myah Salinas, known for highlighting local coffee shops, restaurants, spas, and hidden gems around the city.   Myah shares how she transitioned from working in marketing and social media to quitting her 9–5 to pursue content creation full time. What started as a simple coffee shop video quickly turn...

Kyle Jones is joined by Dr. Sabine Hazan and Dr. Hugh Beatty to explore the powerful connection between gut health and overall immunity. Dr. Hazan shares her journey from traditional GI practice and pharmaceutical clinical trials to becoming a leading voice in microbiome research during the COVID-19 pandemic.   They discuss the critical role of bifidobacteria — the beneficial gut bacteria she beli...

In this episode, Amanda DiGiacomo Jones sits down with Just Cinnamon; one of the fastest-growing local food businesses making serious waves in the community. Known for their unforgettable cinnamon rolls and weekly sell-outs, this business has built a loyal following that lines up well before the doors even open. We talk through how it all began, the journey to becoming a local favorite, the challe...

Kyle Jones sits down with comedian and comedy club owner Dan Betts to talk business, risk, and live entertainment. Dan shares what it really took to relocate and reopen The Well Comedy Club in downtown Bakersfield, why comedy is booming in a short-attention-span world, and how live shows create an experience you can't stream at home. The two also dive into the passion, mindset, and problem-solving...

In this episode, Amanda Jones breaks down the  One Big Beautiful Bill and what it means for business owners, entrepreneurs, and individual taxpayers. With major tax changes on the horizon, it's more important than ever to understand how these updates may impact your deductions, credits, planning strategies, and overall tax liability. We cut through the noise and explain what's actually changing an...

Join Kyle Jones as he sits down with Krista and Bryce Horton for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build and run a business. They go behind the scenes of how their businesses started and share the challenges people do not always see, including the risks of undercapitalizing and the reality of learning as you go. Kyle talks about his upcoming business venture, while the Hortons d...

Amanda Jones welcomes Dr. Justin Hiebert CEO of New Frontier Consulting. New Frontier Consulting, a dynamic agency dedicated to helping small business owners scale their businesses and achieve sustained growth. With a decade of leadership in executive coaching, HR consulting, Lean Six Sigma process improvement, and digital marketing strategy, Justin is passionate about empowering business owners t...

In this episode of Our Two Cents, host Kyle Jones sits down with returning guest Dr. Hugh Beatty, otherwise known as "The Wellness Doc," to talk about his book The Five Pillars of Health and the evolution of his concierge medical practice. They explore the importance of hormone balance, gut health, nutrition, sleep, and resistance training, and why Dr. Beatty believes love is the "ceiling" that ho...

Amanda Jones welcomes Lori Malkin and Joe Peters. Lori is the president of JJ's Legacy a nonprofit here in Bakersfield CA that promotes organ donations. As a donor mother, I was truly inspired by the amazing legacy my son Jeffrey "JJ" Johns left after his passing. It became my passion to inspire and educate the community about the importance and need of organ, eye and tissue donation. I started JJ...

Join Kyle Jones and Kat Clowes of March Consulting as they dive into the often overwhelming and misunderstood world of college admissions.  In this candid conversation, Kat shares her personal story of graduating high school early, navigating college transfers, and realizing just how many students — even high-achieving ones — are unprepared for the reality of applying to competitive schools.   The...

Amanda Jones welcomes Jackie Andrade and Elizabeth Maldonado, Vice Chairman and Chairman of KC SHRM's 2024 Symposium. Jackie Andrade, is an experienced and motivated human resources practitioner with sixteen years' experience. Jackie Introduces the non-organization: The Kern County Chapter Society for Human Resource Management otherwise known as KC SHRM as an organization of human resource profess...

Amanda DiGacomo welcomes Norma Dunn, Program Director of the Kern Women's Business Center. Norma's passion for education and business, combined with her engaging personality, has earned her a reputation as a high-impact networker. She is a sought-after community leader as is accomplished at planning and executing strategies that are both effective and efficient. Norma Introduces what the Women's B...

Kyle Jones and Amanda DiGacomo welcome Jasmine Mazariegos, Senior Broker at Virtuity Financial Partners and the newest tenant in the Mill Rock Way office. Jasmine Introduces the company she works with, Virtuity Financial and discusses the aspects behind financial literacy. Jasmine tells us how she attended CSUB with a major in kinesiology but later realized through experience that a career working...

Amanda DiGiacomo welcomes Jackie Koster, Founder and CEO of Key Staffing Inc and LLS Visionary of the year. Key Staffing is a company founded in 2019 by Mrs. Koster and it is now a leading recruitment firm serving all industries including, industrial, administrative, accounting, and medical. Jackie tells us the story of how Key Staffing came to be from simply her entrepreneuring spirit and determi...

Kyle Jones welcomes Scott Garrison, Founder and CEO of Planned Exits, a new company that provides business owners with strategies on how to maximize their business's value upon exit. Scott tells us the story of how Planned Exits came to be and his inspiration behind the company. The company is committed to helping business owners, and entrepreneurs plan for successful exits with the most favorable...

Amanda DiGiacomo welcomes Cepi and Lu, the executive board of Power Hub Bakersfield, a new local non-profit that helps businesses and C suite employees grow. Cepi the president tells us the story of how Power Hub Bakersfield came to be. Their inspiration behind bringing PHB to the community was that they wanted to provide business owners and C Suite professionals with the proper tools to power up...

Kyle Jones welcomes Sarah Kuhlmann and Tarin Meadows, Co-owners of F45 Training Seven Oaks and Fit-Pantry. Sarah and Tarin tell us the story of F45 training. Their inspiration behind bringing F45 training to the community was that they wanted to provide a fun place that produces high-intensity workouts to get the heart pumping. F45 Training's mission is to help its members conquer everyday movemen...