The 209 Journey Podcast

On this episode, I interview the owner of About Face, a face painting business based in Stockton, CA, Brenda Martinez Ortiz! She talks about how the business got started, events she's done face painting at, future events, and more! Follow About Face at: https://www.aboutface209.com/ https://instagram.com/aboutface209 Watch & subscribe to some of the episode interviews at: https://youtube.com/c...

On the podcast today, I interview the founder of the Modesto Art Academy (also known as MoArt), a community-based art school that was founded a few years ago. He talks about attending art school, how he started the academy, the art classes they offer for kids & adults, and more! Follow MoArt/Register for Art Classes at: https://moartacademy.org/ https://www.facebook.com/modestoartacademy https...

Today I interview Julienne "Puka" Pin, a local ceramics artist from Stockton who sells pottery and offers her own classes for beginners and advanced artists! She talks about her journey to the 209, how her business "Puka Tutis Pottery" started, the pottery classes that she started offering this year, and more! Follow/Purchase from Puka Tutis Pottery at: https://pukatutis.com/ h...

Today I interview the owner of Konfucious Eats (located in Modesto's McHenry Village), the first ramen shop in Modesto (and now only shop in Modesto to make noodles by hand), Ernie Watkins! He talks about the start of the business, future business plans, the menu items, and more! Follow Konfucious Eats at: https://www.konfuciouseats.com/ https://www.instagram.com/konfuciouseats/ https://www.facebo...

It's the first episode of Season 3! My first guest of the new season is the Podcast Host of "Pop Culture Makes Me Jealous" and "Jelly Pops Book Club" and Business Owner, Julia Washington! Listen to Pop Culture Makes Me Jealous & learn more about the Jelly Pops Book Club at: https://popculturemakesmejealous.com/ https://www.popculturemakesmejealous.com/jellypopsbookclub Watch & subscribe to...

Today's podcast is an interview with local content creator & founder of ValleyDreamCar, host of car shows throughout the 209, Andrew "Valley" Cabrera! He talks about growing up in Modesto, where his passion for cars came from, the first car show he hosted, a Kung Fu Tea drink that was named after him, and more! Follow Scoop Love Creamery at https://www.instagram.com/scooplovecreamery/ If you h...

This week's podcast is an interview with founder of Scoop Love Creamery, Isaiah Stewart! He talks about growing up in Merced, how he learned more about making ice cream, how he started the business, future business plans, and more! Follow Scoop Love Creamery at https://www.instagram.com/scooplovecreamery/ If you haven't followed the show on social media yet, please follow it at: http://twitter.com...

On today's episode, I interview Adrian Gonzalez, owner of Little Oven Pizza (New York Style Pizza in the 209!) in Merced! He talks about growing up in Merced, how he went from working at the pizzeria to becoming owner, one of the most popular pizza toppings (aside from pepperoni), & more! Follow Little Oven Pizza at https://littleovenmerced.com/ https://www.instagram.com/littleovenmerced/ If y...

I interviewed former City of Stockton councilwoman, educator, and currently running for mayor of Stockton, Christina Fugazi. She talks about her family, growing up in Lodi, her education work experience, and more! If you haven't followed the show on social media yet, please follow it at: http://twitter.com/The209Journey https://www.facebook.com/The209Journey/ https://www.instagram.com/The209Journe...

On Episode 48, I interview Kirsten Locke, Vintner/Farmer and Director of Operations at Locke Vineyards! She talks about Murphys, CA, how her family winery business got started, the varieties of wine they have, and more! Follow Locke Vineyards at https://www.thebarnatlockevineyards.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lockevineyards https://www.facebook.com/lockevineyards If you haven't followed the show...

On Episode 47 (S2E13) I interview the host of Knockin’ Doorz Down Podcast & a few others and Certified Recovery Coach, Jason LaChance! He talks about his years in radio, the podcasts he hosts, shares motivational messages, & more! Follow Jason's Podcasts at https://www.instagram.com/knockindoorzdown/ https://www.instagram.com/painnonprofit/ If you haven't followed the show on social media...

Today I interviewed, Laura Garcia, who started Terra Coffee, a Stockton coffee shop that was voted San Joaquin's #1 coffee shop in 2022 & 2023! She talks about growing up in Stockton, how the business started, popular coffee drinks, & more! Follow Terra Coffee at https://terracoffee.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TerraCoffeeRoasters/ https://www.instagram.com/terracoffee209/ If you haven't...

In the first interview with someone from Tracy, I interviewed Marcus Medina, founder of Hella Pie Pizza Co. He talks about how the business got started, business challenges, moving from a mobile business to having an establishment, popular pizzas, & more! Follow Hella Pie Pizza at https://hellapiepizza.com/ https://www.instagram.com/hellapiepizzaco https://www.facebook.com/HellaPiePizza If you...

On today's episode, I interview the Co-Founder of HATCH Workshop in Stockton, Elazar Abraham! He talks about where his passion for the arts came from, how the opportunity to start HATCH Workshop happened, the services offered at the workshop, and more! Follow HATCH Workshop at https://www.hatchworkshop.org/ https://www.instagram.com/hatch.workshop/ https://www.facebook.com/HATCHworkshop/ If you ha...

On the podcast today I interview Isabella Morales, founder of Lemonbabe, a lemonade business with 20+ lemonade flavors! She talks about how the business got started, some of the lemonade options, future business plans, & more! Follow Lemonbabe at https://www.instagram.com/lemonbabe_209/ If you haven't followed the show on social media yet, please follow it at: http://twitter.com/The209Journey...

It's the first episode of 2024 and I interview Professional Pet Sitter in Modesto and CEO of Sharebear Pet Care, Sharon Dressler! She talks about how the business started, the process of getting her certification, business goals, and more! Follow Sharebear Pet Care at https://www.instagram.com/sharebearpetcare/ https://sharebearpetcare.wixsite.com/sharebear-pet-care https://www.facebook.com/Shareb...

On Episode 41 (also S2E7), I interview Alejandra Quezada who has been living in the 209 for about 15 years and has worked for a variety of news stations. She currently works for Telemundo and covers the Sacramento, Stockton, & Modesto area. If you haven't followed the show on social media yet, please follow it at: http://twitter.com/The209Journey https://www.facebook.com/The209Journey/ https:/...

In the 40th episode of The 209 Journey, I interview local restaurant business owner, (of a few restaurants/bars in Turlock, Hilmar, and now Ripon too) Jerry Powell! He shares his story of growing up in Hughson, the first business he started, and more about the different restaurants he owns like Cuts Steakhouse, The Udder Place, Katana Sushi Bar, in Turlock, the Great American Grill in Hilmar, and...

In Episode 39 I interview one of the co-founders of Mile Chasers, a free community run club, and Certified Running Coach, Luis "Freddy" Leon! He talks about how he got into running, the story of how Mile Chasers started, provides advice for anyone who wants to get into running, and more! Follow Freddy & Mile Chasers on: https://www.instagram.com/freddy_f4s/ https://milechasers.run/ https://www...

On today's episode, I interviewed the owner of Mocha Magic Cafe & Bakery in Downtown Modesto, Maria Apodaca! She talks about her time with Old Tyme Pastries & what bakery & drink options Mocha Magic offers. Follow Mocha Magic Cafe on: https://www.instagram.com/mochamagic.cafe.bakeshop/ https://www.facebook.com/mochamagiccafe/ https://www.mochamagiccafe.com/ If you haven't followed the...

Today I interview the founder of One Hot Mama's Salsa, Jessica Casas (also known as One Hot Mama in the community)! She talks about her story moving from the Bay Area to Modesto, how her business began, the different varieties of salsa's, and future business plans! Follow One Hot Mama's Salsa's on: https://www.instagram.com/one_hotmamas_salsa/ https://onehotmamassalsa.com/ If you haven't followed...

T2J Podcast is back with an interview featuring the page creator of one of Patterson's most popular Instagram page, Kandace! She talks all about the Apricot Capital of the World, Patterson, how the page got started, events happening in town & more! If you haven't followed the show on social media yet, please follow it at: http://twitter.com/The209Journey https://www.facebook.com/The209Journey/...

In the Season 2 Premiere, I interview the expert on all things Vegan from the 209, Tiffany Tiwater! She's the creator of Your Neighborhood Vegan ( https://yourneighborhoodvegan.com/ ) and is an Instagram influencer on all things Vegan/Plant-Based products. If you haven't followed the show on social media yet, please follow it at: http://twitter.com/The209Journey https://www.facebook.com/The209Jour...

This week I interview former TV Reporter for CW31/CBS13, current Law Enforcement Officer & Media Relations Specialist for The Peoples Media Relations, Alan Sanchez! He talks about growing up in Turlock, his years in the media world, joining the police academy and becoming a law enforcement officer, and more! If you haven't followed the show on social media yet, please follow it at: http://twit...

On Episode 33 I interview Terri Coonce, owner of one of the 209's best bakeries, Old Tyme Pastries in Turlock! She talks about growing up in a couple of different cities in the 209, her passion in baking, how she went from working at Olde Tyme to owning the bakery, and how the business was like during the pandemic. To view Olde Tyme Pastries bakery items visit their website: https://www.otpastries...