The Gap Minders

In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by the man who is likely the longest running podcaster in the country, the one and only Drew Schlosberg, the host of the "Spotlight on the Community Show" since 2007 and the CEO of Xtra Weekly, a newspaper-centered literacy program. A community leader for so many years in San Diego including with the San Diego Union Tribune, Drew has always been...

In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by international educational ambassador, former Teacher of the Year, and the current CEO of The Children's Initiative, Sandra McBrayer. From a less than confident first-time teacher to teaching the world about teaching, Sandra shares the story of her Founding of The Monarch School to her current work on improving the lives of children in San Die...

In this whirlwind of episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio for an around the world conversation with Chad Stewart, the author and creative mind behind one of the most awarded adventure fiction series for children, the "Britfield" series. With the third book coming out in August 2022, Britfield is well on its way to becoming a multi-media franchise, with a play and movies on the horizon. We...

In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio for a fun conversation with Lisa Steinke, the co-author with Liz Fenton of seven different successful fiction novels and the co-host of the hit podcast "We Fight So You Don't Have To." We learn all about the process by which Lisa and Liz manage to write together, whether chapter by chapter or by an outline if it is a suspense thriller. A very sp...

In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio for a great conversation with two passionate literacy advocates: John Corcoran, the author of "The Teacher Who Couldn't Read" as well as the Founder of the John Corcoran Foundation, and Nick Nanton, the 22-time Emmy Award winning director and producer. John and Nick are also partners on the soon to be released documentary, "The Truth About Readi...

In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio for a great conversation with Dr. Carlos Cortez, the Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, the 7th largest community college district in the United States. Chosen by the Board of Trustees after a national search, Dr. Cortez brings a life of educational excellence, as a student at Georgetown, NYU and USC, as a Principal, as a Pr...

In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined by an incredible educational leader, Cindy Marten, the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. In a career spanning 32 years, Cindy has seen every facet, perspective and opportunity to lift lives and close gaps as a teacher, literacy specialist, Vice Principal, Principal, Superintendent at San Diego Unified and now as the Deputy Secretary un...

In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined by Nora Vargas, the Vice Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Nora, a first-generation immigrant, is the first Latina and first woman of color to serve as County Supervisor in the 171-year history of the County of San Diego. She is currently serving a second term as Vice-Chair of the Board. Nora shares her love of books such as "In The Time...

In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined by Jeff Light, the Publisher & Editor of the Pulitzer-prize winning The San Diego Union Tribune. Jeff, who entered the world of journalism for his love of writing, shares his thoughts on while there have been sea changes in the world of journalism since he started in 1982, the essence of journalism and the principles of the Union-Tribune have remained...

In this episode, Nancy and Jose enjoy an incredible, all around the world of words conversation with the living legend and tour-de-force, the one and only Richard Lederer. In addition to authoring 55 books, he is also the co-founding host of "A Way With Words" on PBS and a columnist for the San Diego Union Tribune, with "Lederer on Language" appearing weekly. Whether it is palindromes, oxymorons,...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Gap Minders. Trust us, there is no better human, leader and book lover for the very first episode than the one and only Dr. Shirley Weber, the California Secretary of State! In this episode, our co-hosts, Nany Sasaki, the CEO of the United Way of San Diego County, and Jose Cruz, the CEO of the San Diego Council on Literacy, have a funny, enjoyable, insightf...

Welcome to The Gap Minders! In this pilot episode, listen to our co-hosts, Nancy Sasaki, the CEO of the United Way of San Diego County, and Jose Cruz, the CEO of the San Diego Council on Literacy, discuss the purpose for The Gap Minders and the great guests who will be joining the show. You'll even learn a bit more about Nancy and Jose as they ask each other some fun questions during "Rapid Fire"!...