Our Two Cents Podcast

Tracy is a marketing, political and public relations strategist with over 25 years of experience. She has engaged broad coalitions to support businesses at the local, state and federal levels. She is the founder and CEO of Providence Strategic Consulting, Inc. A firm that represents water, oil and gas, healthcare, defense technology, carbon capture and storage (CCS), government entities, agricultu...

The Beautiful Bakersfield Awards is the biggest night in Bakersfield's civic life, recognizing individuals, businesses and organizations for accomplishments completed during the prior year to improve quality of life and help make Bakersfield better. Every year since 1990, the Chamber looks forward to highlighting the most positive and heartwarming stories from our fellow community members. Amanda...

Kevin Burton, has put over 30 years in community service, and always finds a way to give back to the community he was raised in. He has worked as an EMT, Paramedic, Bakersfield City Reserve Firefighter, and Harvey Hall's PR/Marketing Director. He helped Harvey Hall run his first campaign for mayor along with his twin brother Brent. He then went on to become a political consultant for Gene Tackett,...

John Duffield sits down with Bryan Oberg, the owner of The Iron Lily Venue and Cask and Strength Bar and Kitchen. He was given the opportunity to purchase a wedding venue which in turn led to him taking over the restaurant formerly known as The Mark and is now known as The Cask Strength Bar and Kitchen. Through this purchase he obtained a liquor license which has led to the creation of both a Tequ...

The vision for the Bakersfield Women's Business Conference originated during the International Year Of The Woman. Phyllis Hullett, then Director of Student Services at Bakersfield College, gathered a group of community-minded women from industry, government, education and service-oriented areas on March 28, 1989. The goal was to discuss the feasibility of producing a business conference geared tow...

Jeffrey Johns slipped quietly into heaven in the early morning hours on Sunday, March 1, 2009. He was surrounded by family and friends who had come to say their final goodbyes to a vibrant young man who was deeply loved and who will be forever in our thoughts and prayers. After Jeffrey's passing the family was presented with the opportunity to donate his organs and tissues. Though the family had n...

CASA of Kern County--modeled on a program started by Judge David W. Soukup (now retired) in Seattle--was developed locally by Hon. Robert Anspach. Judge Anspach relied on many of the "movers and shakers" in Bakersfield to make CASA happen. CASA of Kern County was incorporated on July 19, 1993. The first advocates graduated in July 1994 and started serving children. Since then, CASA has held multip...

George Harmer has been the acting Director of Health and Safety at General Production Service for 15 years. He is a vital part in the development of people and processes ensuring a safe and healthful workplace. George also manages the safety of roughly 600 employees and has 16 safety professionals reporting directly to him. He has participated in multiple committees supporting the health and safet...

Andy Amador grew up living, hunting and fishing in the Napa Valley. As an outdoorsman, Andy learned a profound appreciation for the beauty of every part of the valley. As the son of Napa Valley icon and meat cutter Gus Amador, Andy learned the value of great food and drink. As a youth, Andy spent an enormous amount of time in and around vineyards. At age 27, Andy purchased a 188 acre ranch in the...

Michael M. George has been in the financial services industry for more than 28 years, having served in various Audit, Marketing, and Operations roles. In his current role as Executive Vice President of Marketing at Safe 1 Credit Union, Michael is responsible for market expansion, product and service development, as well as grassroots, traditional, and social media marketing. Mary Higgins has worke...

Daniel Betts is a man of many hats, he is a father, husband, oil and gas worker, business owner, veteran, comedian, and executive director of The Kern County Warrior Gallery. He is a local comedian although he has performed all over from Flappers Comedy Club, to the World Famous Comedy Store in LA, to Afghanistan telling jokes to our forward deployed troops!  He has performed with Shawn and Keenan...

Take an inspirational trip with OTC Podcast host Dave Plivelich and his co-host Jon Slikker Jr. as they discover more about 420 Kingdom, a local cannabis business. Jordan Thorn from 420 Kingdom shares insights on the differences between THC and CBD, available forms, benefits, and much more. Listen in as they help dispel some of the misconceptions about cannabis, the state of the industry, and the...

Take an inspirational trip with OTC Podcast host Dave Plivelich and his co-host Jon Slikker Jr. as they discover more about 420 Kingdom, a local cannabis business. Jordan Thorn from 420 Kingdom shares insights on the differences between THC and CBD, available forms, and much more. Listen in as they help dispel some of the misconceptions about cannabis, the state of the industry, and the desire to...

Join Dave Plivelich as he attends the 2023 Tigerfight Golf Tournament. Tigerfight aims to raise money to help financially assist local families who are going through pediatric blood cancer treatment. Dave had the opportunity to interview Clint Baird with Brown Armstrong, Garro Ellis with Moneywise and Ryan Tracy Freeborn with Landscape Development. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TIGERFIGHT FOUNDATION: Websi...

Scott Hanson and Kyle Jones attend the annual NOR Business Expo. The NOR Chamber was founded in 1985 and has aimed towards bringing the community together. There are roughly 30 vendors who attended the event and our hosts had the opportunity to interview seven of them. Kyle Jones interviewed Paula McCune with Damsel in Defense, as she explains how their goal is to prepare and prevent people from a...

Jenna Thorn was raised in the Bakersfield community-with a father practicing emergency medicine, and a mother that's held experience, in several departments, as a registered nurse, as well as siblings before her, she answered their family calling into healthcare. It was a natural decision to join their "medical fleet" by getting her degree, and working as an emergency room nurse in local hospitals...

Amber Smithson is the Director of Business Development at Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital. She joined the hospital about six years ago and since then has had the great privilege of helping to educate and advocate for mental health and addiction in her community. She is passionate about bringing about awareness and doing her part to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health. ...

Tune into OTC's first mobile episode!! Scott Hanson attended the 2023 World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA and interviewed multiple vendors in attendance.   Scott Hanson interviews Russell Taylor, a Certified Crop Advisor with Live Earth. Live Earth Products, Inc. mines and manufactures humic acid and fulvic acid based products. The humic based ingredients manufactured by Live Earth are used in the followi...

The Fox Theater opened on Christmas Day 1930, The Fox was one of the last of its kind built in the Gilded Age. The first film on The Fox's big silver screen was "Just Imagine", a sci-fi tale set 50 years in the future to 1980. In 1977 the big screen went dark as The Fox closed its doors after 47 years in show business. The Fox sat silent until June 28, 1994, when The Fox Theater Foundation, a non-...

Jon Slikker Jr. is an accomplished aerial applicator that co-owns Vince Dusters in Buttonwillow, CA. In his journey he has proven himself in his craft by seeding, fertilizing, and spraying in agricultural regions throughout California's Valley. From seeding rice in Sacramento Valley to protecting Almonds and pistachios in Kern County he is still perfecting his craft today. Jon hopes to inspire the...

Todd Schreiber is the owner of Scherb's Ice Cream and is a food manufacturing professional with 30+ years of experience. He worked for companies such as Carnation Ice Cream, Nestle Ice C ream, Kraft Foods, JM Smucker Company, Grimmway Farms, Talenti Gelato, Double Rainbow Ice Cream, and Scherb's ice cream. Dave Plivelich sits down with Todd Schreiber, owner of Scherb's Ice Cream as he discusses wh...

Tim Terrio is the Founder and President of TERRIO Physical Therapy-Fitness, Inc. Since its inception in 1998 TERRIO Therapy has grown from one location with one employee to fourteen locations and over 240 employees with plans for continued growth and diversification. As a Physical Therapist, Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength Coach for over 25 years Tim has earned a reputation for s...

Everyday HR is a local podcast where HR professionals discuss common everyday HR issues, solutions, and trends. You will hear firsthand experiences from a consultant, legal, and benefits advisor. This will be your place to learn and hear relevant topics and strategies about everyday HR concerns that matter to you and your business. Everyday HR is hosted by Roshni Patel, the Founder/CEO of Thrive H...

John Moore is the former President of the Kern County Farm Bureau, and real estate agent with a demonstrated history of working in the agricultural industry. His main focus is on maintaining economic viability and environmental sustainability of the agricultural industry. He obtained his bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University, and firmly believes in agricultural advocacy. Lucas Espericu...

Christina Springstead has over 20 years experience in helping others develop and operate their business successfully. She is a Certified Public Bookkeeper equipped with an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a Profit First Certification, Mastery Level, which has set the foundation for Springstead Solutions. Her passion is to see businesses thrive and help clients build long-term suc...