Powerhouse Podcast

What happens when a concerned mom stops complaining from the sidelines and runs for school board? Jessica Spaid says her fight for students, parents, and local control turned into a political battle she never expected. On this episode of the Powerhouse Podcast, host Topo Padilla sits down with Jessica Spaid, a Placer Union High School District board member and board president, to talk about Califo...

Scammers are calling families, claiming their loved one is in jail, and pressuring them to send money fast. In this episode of the Powerhouse Podcast, Topo Padilla sits down with licensed bail agent Brandon Padilla to expose how these jail and bail scams work, including spoofed sheriff’s department phone numbers, fake GPS monitor payments, AI voice tricks, and high-pressure tactics aimed at parent...

On this episode of the Power House Podcast, Topo Padilla sits down with Tim Macy, President and Chairman of the Board of Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners of California, to discuss the history of GOC and GOA, the legacy of Senator H.L. Richardson and Sam Paredes, California gun legislation, Second Amendment lawsuits, and GOA’s no-compromise approach to defending gun rights. The conversation cov...

Retired California Fish and Wildlife Officer Jerry Karnow returns to the Power House Podcast to talk with Topo Padilla about the political fight over wildlife protection in California. In this episode, Jerry explains how changes to misdemeanor probation laws under AB 1950 affected Fish and Game Code enforcement, why many serious poaching cases are harder to prosecute, and why he believes Californi...

Sacramento’s local PEG channels — Public, Education, and Government access television — are facing serious funding cuts that could impact community programming, student media education, public access shows, local nonprofit coverage, and important Sacramento-area storytelling. In this episode of the Power House Podcast, host Topo Padilla sits down with Aaron Heinrich from the Sacramento Educational...

Retired California wildlife officer Jerry Karnow joins Topo Padilla on the Power House Podcast for an eye-opening conversation about the dangerous, misunderstood, and essential work of protecting California’s wildlife. With more than 30 years of service, Jerry shares what wildlife officers really do in the field — from checking hunting and fishing licenses to investigating poaching, illegal commer...

In this powerful Part 2 conversation on the Power House Podcast, host Topo Padilla welcomes back Brad Dacus, founder and president of the Pacific Justice Institute, to continue the discussion on religious freedom, parental rights, public schools, free speech, and the legal battles impacting families, churches, teachers, and business owners across America. Brad shares how Pacific Justice Institute...

In this episode of the Powerhouse Podcast, host Topo Padilla sits down with Brad Dacus, President of the Pacific Justice Institute, for an important conversation on protecting religious freedom in America. As communities across the country continue to navigate questions of faith, law, speech, and personal conviction, Brad shares insight into why religious liberty remains a vital issue for people o...

In this episode of the Power House Podcast , we sit down with Joel Veloz , pastor of Life Church Sacramento , to talk about faith in action and the heart behind Hope Fest Sacramento . Joel shares the vision for this powerful event taking place on the steps of the Capitol on May 2nd , why it matters for Sacramento, and how the Church can come together to bring hope, unity, and impact to the city. T...

What if finding safe, trusted care for your loved ones didn’t have to feel overwhelming? In this episode of the Power House Podcast, we sit down with Renee Balcom, the visionary behind Scroll.care —a powerful platform designed to help families quickly find trusted, vetted care providers for the people who matter most. Renee shares how Scroll.care is transforming the caregiving journey by making it...

In this episode of the Power House Podcast, host Topo Padilla sits down with Bear Harrichan from Young Life Davis to talk about one of the biggest needs in our communities today: reaching young people with hope, mentorship, and purpose.

Tom Sharp joins the Power House Podcast to talk about leadership, faith, business, and what it means to build with purpose. With over 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur, mentor, and financial planning leader, Tom has built thriving businesses, led growing teams, completed acquisitions and sales, coached other advisors, and returned to ownership to scale a firm to over $1M in revenue and $11...

In this episode of the Power House Podcast, we sit down with Duane Tadlock from Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers to explain how Crime Stoppers actually works—how tips stay anonymous, how cases get shared with the public, and how rewards are paid when a tip leads to an arrest. We cover: How cases are posted and shared with the community How anonymous tips work (code-based system) Why rewards are pa...

You see balls and strikes. You see safe and out. What you don’t see is the training, sacrifice, and commitment behind every call. In this episode of the Power House Podcast, Dave Trussell — Group Leader for NCOA Baseball North — pulls back the curtain on what it really means to be a high school sports official. From tracking 90 mph pitches to managing heated moments with parents and coaches, Dave...

This is a must-watch conversation for parents, grandparents, educators, coaches, and anyone responsible for the safety of children. In this episode, Christie Hirota explains: - How online predators target children through everyday apps and games - Why no platform is truly “safe”, including social media and gaming apps - What task forces actually do - How grooming, extortion, and manipulation happe...

In this powerful episode of the Power House Podcast , we sit down with Rick Martinez , a retired Fire Chief from Sacramento, California, whose career placed him on the frontlines of some of the most devastating disasters in American history. Rick shares firsthand experiences responding to 9/11 , Hurricane Katrina , and the Maui fires —offering rare insight into the realities of disaster response,...

In this powerful episode of the Power House Podcast , we sit down with Moseley Collins to talk about the journey that led him to become a Personal Injury Attorney—and how the Lord Jesus Christ shaped every step along the way. Moseley shares how faith, purpose, and obedience to God’s calling transformed his career path, his view of justice, and the way he serves others through the legal system. Thi...

In this compelling episode of the Power House Podcast, host Topo Padilla sits down with his father, Greg Padilla, to explore the realities of the bail bonds industry and bounty hunting. Through real experiences and honest discussion, they unpack how the justice system works behind the scenes and the impact this career has had on their family and community.

In this episode of the Power House Podcast, we sit down with Garrett Gatewood, Mayor of Rancho Cordova, for an in-depth conversation about leadership, public service, and what it really takes to build a thriving city. Mayor Gatewood shares his journey into local government, the challenges and opportunities facing Rancho Cordova, and how intentional leadership can strengthen communities from the gr...

Fire Chief Walt White of Sparks, Nevada, joins the Power House Podcast to share how wildfires start—and what communities, homeowners, and leaders can do to prevent and mitigate forest fires before disaster strikes. This is a must-watch conversation on preparedness, responsibility, and protecting what matters most.

On this episode of the Power House Podcast, we sit down with music industry veteran Ronnie Rush—a man whose journey started with a dream and a transistor radio. From touring with legends like The Drifters and The Carpenters to spinning records on Sacramento radio, Ronnie shares decades of unforgettable stories, music memories, and hard-earned wisdom. Tune in as he reflects on what it takes to make...

In this episode of the Power House Podcast, we’re joined by George Washington and Kelly Symone from the Myndz Resources Foundation — an organization focused on empowering underserved communities through trauma-informed care, mental health support, and economic development.

In this powerful episode of the Power House Podcast, host Topo Padilla sits down with veteran criminal defense attorney Keith Staten, CEO and legal powerhouse with decades of experience in complex criminal litigation, DUI law, and civil rights advocacy. From his early days at the Sacramento Public Defender’s Office to groundbreaking wins in high-profile cases—including the infamous “Facebook juror...

In this episode of the Power House Podcast, we sit down with Karina Riley from Hope Cooperative—an organization dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges, homelessness, and substance use disorders. Karina shares the impactful work she and her team are doing to provide housing, hope, and healing in the Sacramento community. We explore how Hope Cooperative approaches...

In Part 2 of this Power House Podcast conversation, host Topo Padilla continues his in-depth interview with El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf. This time, they shift focus from wildlife to the heart of law enforcement — what it means to serve a rural, mountainous community, the challenges unique to El Dorado County, and Sheriff Leikauf’s vision for public safety and trust. With decades of exper...