The Rancho Cordova Podcast

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, one issue is once again front and center: fireworks. While many of us enjoy celebrating Independence Day with family and friends, fireworks also bring significant concerns about public safety, wildfire risk, impacts on veterans, pets, seniors, and neighborhoods throughout our city.   This year, the City of Rancho Cordova has adopted some of the tough...

In this episode, we’re joined by Lorianne Carl, Senior Community Engagement Analyst and Volunteer Coordinator for the City of Rancho Cordova, and Matt Buland, Management Analyst. Together, they offer an inside look at the city’s community-focused initiatives—from beautification projects and volunteer opportunities to micro-grants for residents and educational outreach in local schools. We also exp...

In this episode of Inside Rancho Cordova City Hall, we explore the expansion of Mather Veterans Village. A critical resource providing housing and essential services to veterans in need. We’re joined by Stefan Heisler, Senior Housing Analyst for the City of Rancho Cordova, and Matthew Ceccato, Chief of Staff for the Sacramento Field Office of Congressman Ami Bera. Together, they discuss the missio...

In this second episode of Inside Rancho Cordova City Hall, we sit down with outgoing Police Chief Matthew Tamayo and incoming Chief Shaun Hampton for a timely conversation marking a leadership transition within the Rancho Cordova Police Department. Chief Tamayo reflects on his tenure, sharing key accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned from his time leading the department. Chief Hampton d...

A collaborative project between the City of Rancho Cordova and the Rancho Cordova Film Office, this podcast takes you inside Rancho Cordova City Hall, where you’ll meet the people and learn about the projects shaping the community. Presented by the Rancho Cordova Film office, the show features in-depth interviews and real stories about the projects, policies, and ideas driving the city forward. Ea...

With a lot happening in the news lately, many people are focusing closer to home — on community and local leadership. That makes today’s conversation especially timely as we sit down with newly installed Rancho Cordova Mayor Garrett Gatewood at the start of his term to talk about what’s next for the city.  We dive into his vision for the year ahead, the priorities he’s setting, and the bold ideas...

Happy Holidays everyone — join us for our final episode of 2025 as we discuss the proposed 7,500-seat indoor arena planned for Rancho Cordova, the larger entertainment district known as “Downtown Dova,” and the big question everyone’s asking: is this vision actually going to happen? and if so when?  Please enjoy this episode and from everyone here at the Rancho Cordova Film office, Happy New Year!...

Join us as we sit down with Joe, the youngest Council Member in Rancho Cordova’s history and the first elected from Lincoln Village. A Sacramento native and civil litigation attorney, he brings local insight, community pride, and a grounded view of city leadership.

After a short break, The Rancho Cordova Podcast is back and refreshed with new stories from our community. Today’s episode features husband-and-wife team Vanessa Nelson-Sloane and David Sloane, leaders of Life Support Alliance, a nonprofit working inside California’s prison system to support rehabilitation and advocate for incarcerated lifers. Vanessa, LSA’s founder, has attended over 200 parole h...

Sports host Mike Marando sits down with former Cordova Lancer and Texas Ranger, Steve Finch for an informative and fun hourlong interview. A fabulous right-hander at Cordova, Finch made national headlines in 1976 by throwing three no- hitters his senior year. Finch went 14-2 with a 1.58 ERA and was a 1st team selection on the Sacramento Bee’s All-City baseball team. Drafted in the second round by...

On this episode, we sit down with former MLB pitcher Randy Lerch to discuss his career in the big leagues and his powerful memoir, God in the Bullpen: The Randy Lerch Story. He shares firsthand experiences from his time with the Phillies, Astros, and more, as well as his personal journey of faith, perseverance, and redemption. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

This week join Curt Haven as he  dives into the extraordinary life of Ross Johnson, a marathon runner, retired Brigadier General, devoted community volunteer, and family man who embodies the spirit of service and resilience.

Julie Hagan-Belka is an active member of the Rancho Cordova community. She is the immediate Past Chair of Easter Seals of Superior California, the Vice President of the Cordova Community Council, and the Co-Founder of the Rancho Cordova Community Golf Classic, which, since 2016, has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to various organizations throughout the community.  

Football season is here, and there’s quite the vibe going on at Cordova High School. Host Mike Marando sits down with 2nd-year Lancers head coach JP Dolliver for a preview of the 2024 season, a look back on 2023 and an inside look at some of the cool activities that will be taking place during Cordova home games this year. The team has emerging talent in QB Tristan Smith and wide receiver Damajae...

This week we have a great episode with guest host Curt Haven who sits down with Rancho Cordova City Manager, Micah Runner. Curt and Micah go way back as Curt hired Micah to work in the Economic development dept at City Hall when Curt was Economic Development Director for the city. Of course, Micah went onto a great career in city management and today he is the third city Manager of our city. I rea...

If you are a regular listener of this podcast, you will have heard our two guest hosts, Mike Marando, who covers all things sports, and Cheryl Gleason, who brings us great shows about the arts scene here in Rancho Cordova and our region as a whole. Well, today I’m delighted to introduce you to our third guest host, and I am so happy he has agreed to join the podcast and bring us regular shows, whi...

Sattva California is home of “Positive Mind Performance Training”, 30-minute classes designed for busy minds and practiced sitting on couches or cushions. Sattva’s practices integrate time-tested, practical and scientific techniques designed for optimal mental, physical, and emotional health benefits. In addition, Sattva offers yoga classes which include hatha/vinyasa, yin, and kriya.   Bajrang Mo...

Join a conversation with Host Charles Lago and Lee Frechette, a leading pyrotechnics expert in the county who has worked on many spectacular fireworks displays. We'll explore the vibrant history and exciting details of Rancho Cordova's Fourth of July Celebration, the largest event in the region. Discover how the Cordova Community Council revitalized this beloved tradition in 2000, transforming it...

Jeff Kaut, regarded as the best catcher to come out of Cordova High School, sits down with Mike Marando this month on the Rancho Cordova Sports podcast! In 1970, Kaut earned the rare distinction of being named to both the Sacramento Bee and Sacramento Union’s All-City baseball team – as a junior. Kaut led all area catchers with a .362 batting average in 1970 and hit .469 in league. Post high schoo...

Join host Cheryl Gleason for an engaging conversation with Carlos McMillan Fuentes, a versatile pianist, composer, singer-songwriter, and music educator. He has performed with the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, Symphony d'Oro, Camellia Symphony Orchestra, and Camerata California. We'll delve into his acclaimed recent suite City Portraits, commissioned to celebrate Rancho Cordova’s 20th anniv...

Welcome  listeners to another captivating Arts and Culture installment of the Rancho Cordova Podcast. Today, Guest Host Cheryl Gleason, Director and Curator of the MACC, extends a warm welcome to a true dignitary in the field of education, Dr. Steven Winlock, Executive Director of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Born and raised In Rancho Cordova, and a career spanning over 45 years, Dr....

Community advocate … philanthropist … ultra-runner and promoter. This guy has one speed:  fast! Mike Marando sits down with Jason Harper, Director of the Rancho Cordova Athletic Association for a high-octane conversation on everything from youth athletics to what the Rancho Cordova of tomorrow will look like. No stranger to the Sacramento region, Jason grew up in El Dorado Hills, and played varsit...

On today's episode, Dan Fong joins guest host Cheryl Gleason, offering a glimpse into the organization's rich history and cultural significance. With a background in optometry, shares his journey from flute player to deep involvement in the Mandarins, marching for nine years and eventually taking on leadership roles. As the current president and CEO, Fong oversees various programs beyond the drum...

On today’s show we are delighted to welcome three special guests. Elizabeth Culp the Regional Development Director for  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Landon Capagli, Resource Planning Manager at Woodside Homes and Alexandria Seele, Sales and Marketing coordinator at Woodside Homes. If I told you that for $100 you stand the chance, and a very good chance at that, of winning a newly built,...

On today's episode of the Rancho Cordova Podcast we are joined by Claire Bone, the passionate owner and co-founder of Wild Sisters Book Company. Claire's journey into entrepreneurship was ignited by a long-standing desire to run her own business, but it took the upheaval of the pandemic to truly catalyze her dreams into action. Tune in as Claire takes us through the inspiring tale of not just open...