PeppTalks with Jeanne Pepper

We are joined by a guest who is both a distinguished educator and a cornerstone of the host's own family: Richard Bernstein. Richard is a former honors civics teacher who dedicated twenty years to the Los Angeles Unified School District at Vermont High School. Teaching in an area so volatile it was designated for "combat pay," Richard developed a unique perspective on the failures and successes of...

While studying at UC Irvine, Adam began teaching chess at local elementary schools, including Foothill Ranch Elementary School. What started as a collegiate endeavor quickly blossomed into a mission-driven career. He realized that chess was more than just a game; it was a vehicle for teaching critical thinking, patience, and confidence—skills especially vital for at-risk youth. This passion led to...

We are joined once again by Dr Michael GIlman, a devoted father who first shared his insights on the show during episode 304, alongside autism expert Melissa Reiner. While his previous appearance touched on the medical and societal landscape of neurodiversity, this episode pulls back the curtain on the Gilman family's private world, revealing a story of extraordinary resilience in the face of over...

We are honored to welcome back Melissa Reiner , M.Ed., a titan in the field of autism and behavioral communication. While our previous conversation in Episode 304 laid the groundwork for understanding neurodiversity, this episode tackles the urgent need for authentic representation. As the once long-standing consultant for the hit television series The Good Doctor , Melissa reveals how she worked...

Julie Anderson-Holburn and Terra Newell: The Family Court Nightmare: Coercion, Corruption, and Crisis We welcome two fearless forces in the fight against abuse: Terra Newell, domestic violence survivor and victims' rights activist, and investigative journalist Julie Anderson-Holburn. This powerful panel moves beyond typical true crime to dissect the systemic failure faced by victims after they lea...

Journalist Julie Anderson-Holburn reveals the shocking findings of her investigative work, which centers on alleged corruption in Orange County, California, and Arizona Family Courts. She discusses the pattern where judges are accused of ignoring credible evidence of abuse (sexual, physical, and psychological), and instead, prioritizing the profits of court-appointed "expert" evaluators, reunifica...

In this episode, Pepptalks goes on location at Working Wardrobes corporate offices and facilitates a powerful exchange between two impactful leaders dedicated to restoring dignity through service. We are joined by Bonni Pomush , the CEO of Working Wardrobes , and Valerie Bailey , the visionary founder of the I Found Me Foundation . This episode goes beyond a standard interview as we go on-site for...

In this profoundly moving and intimate episode, I sit down with my dear friend, Valerie Hirsh, to confront the unimaginable: the loss of a child. Valerie, the mother of the late Jack Hirsh, shares the personal story behind the creation of the Jack Hirsh Endowed Fund for the Child Life Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Episode 314 Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper Guest: Valerie Hirsh Produ...

It was the publication of his debut cookbook, Jew-ish: A Cookbook: Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch , that truly launched Jake into the cultural zeitgeist. In this bestselling collection, Jake reinvented the food of his Ashkenazi heritage and beautifully blended it with the Persian-Iraqi traditions of his husband, Alex. The book wasn't just a collection of recipes; it was a love letter to m...

Craig Colley is a virtuoso composer, a classically trained musician, and the visionary creator behind the global platform, Soft Soothing Sounds. His work transcends traditional music, offering a virtual oasis of calm designed to promote self-care, meditation, and a positive escape from the relentless stress of modern life. Colley's professional legacy is immense, spanning over 50 years in music, d...

In this critical discussion, we are joined by two formidable voices in the fight for health equity: Tony Morrison, award-winning journalist and founder of The Morrison Group, and Phillip Yaeger, CEO of Radiant Health Centers. Together, we explore the fragile state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in 2025 and the dangerous reality that federal funding cuts pose to our progress. For decades, community-based...

In this episode we sit down with the legendary neuroscientist Dr. James McGaugh, a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and a world-renowned expert in the mechanisms of learning and memory. Dr. McGaugh's career spans six decades, pioneering research that has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of how the brain forms, stores, and retrieves memories. This episod...

Anne Friedman is the Executive Director of Gay for Good, a leading national non-profit organization that actively mobilizes the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) community and its allies for transformative community service. Anne's career is a testament to the power of grassroots commitment and strategic non-profit leadership, focused on proving that the LGBTQ+ community is a pow...

Dr. Theresa M. O. Ukpo’s authoritative work The Forgotten Genocide on the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) is deeply rooted in her personal experience of the conflict and her subsequent academic career dedicated to understanding large-scale trauma. Born in Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria, to parents who were notable pioneers in the nation’s education system, Dr. Ukpo demonstrated exceptional academic pro...

Joe Dreamz is a rising inspirational hip-hop artist, singer, and entrepreneur from San Diego, California, whom many describe as a "breath of fresh air" in the music industry. His platform is built not just on his music, which blends an "old school message with a new school sound," but on his powerful, purpose-driven movement to encourage others to "Live Joe Dreamz." He is also a singer and fashion...

In a world increasingly open to diverse narratives, some individuals stand out not just for their personal journeys but for the profound impact they have on society. Joshua Vecchione is one such person, whose life story weaves together threads of self-discovery, legal precedent, and a remarkable commitment to community and the arts. Josh takes us through his journey as a teenage cis girl to a tran...

On this episode, we sit down with the incredible Tilly Levine , the co-founder of the successful retail chain, Tilly's. We dive into her inspiring personal history, from her early life as an immigrant with very little, to the years of hard work and her experience co-founding the retail giant with her ex-husband, Hezy Shaked. Tilly opens up about the challenges of her divorce and the hard lessons s...

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Tony Morrison, an Emmy and GLAAD award-winning producer and journalist, to discuss his remarkable career and profound personal journey. Tony, a former senior producer at ABC's Good Morning America, shares how his work in broadcast journalism laid the foundation for his current role as a powerful advocate for the LGBTQ community. The conversation explore...

Melissa Reiner, M.Ed., is a prominent autism and behavioral consultant widely regarded as one of the top experts in California. With a Master's Degree in Special Education.  Melissa is a world-class speaker, esteemed author, communication expert, and behavioral and autism specialist. She is the founder of Bridging Pathways Autism and Behavioral Consulting and the author of several books....

In the high-stakes world of music, David Nathan stands as a powerhouse music executive from Republic Records, instrumental in the careers of global superstars like Taylor Swift and The Weeknd. But his most profound and impactful story transcends the charts, delving into a journey of grief and resilience. This is the story of his son, Jack Nathan, and a legacy of hope born from unimaginable loss. E...

In this inspiring episode, meet Valerie Bailey - singer, songwriter and wife of Earth, Wind & Fire's Phillip Bailey - as she shares the story behind her uplifting organization, "I Found Me." Learn how she uses her platform to give back and help others find their own strength and purpose Episode 301 Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper Guest: Valerie Bailey Producer: Eli Moskowitz Original Theme: Jay Berns...

PeppTalks Season 2 culminated in a retrospective interview between Host Jeanne Pepper and Producer Eli Moskowitz, as they looked back on a season that saw the show expand its reach and deepen its thematic explorations. Jeanne and Eli discussed the challenges and triumphs of creating content that resonated with their growing audience, highlighting specific interviews and topics that generated signi...

Christine Devine is a highly respected and multi-award-winning news anchor for FOX 11 Los Angeles, where she can be seen anchoring the weeknight news. With an impressive 16 Emmy Awards to her name, including the prestigious Governors Award, she has been recognized for her exceptional journalism and commitment to storytelling. Beyond her anchoring duties, Devine is known for her deep involvement in...

Chris Simonsen is the President and CEO of Orangewood Foundation, a role he has held since 2013. Under his leadership, Orangewood has significantly expanded its reach and impact, serving thousands of foster and community youth in Orange County. Simonsen is deeply committed to empowering young people to achieve their full potential, focusing on critical areas such as housing, health and wellness, a...

Brayden Werschmidt, a compassionate 13-year-old, celebrated his Bar Mitzvah with an inspiring Bar Mitzvah project that not only honored the memory of a my son, Blaze Bernstein but also took a firm stand against bullying. Brayden's story is one of proactive kindness and a desire to create a more inclusive world. Touched by the life and tragic passing of Blaze, whom he knew from religious school at...