Unprepared Men

This week we’re joined by John Alvarado, General Sales Manager at Salinas Honda, and owner of The Blend Factory Barbershop. John shares his journey from wanting to become a correctional officer to unexpectedly finding his passion in the car business, working his way up to General Sales Manager, and eventually opening his own barbershop. We also talk about what it takes to succeed in sales, the les...

From the rolling hills of Kentucky to the fast-paced world of emergency medicine in California, Dr. Michael Greene shares the journey that shaped his life and career. In this episode, we dive into what it was like growing up in Kentucky, the experiences that inspired him to become a physician, and the challenges and rewards of practicing medicine on the West Coast. Along the way, Dr. Greene opens...

In this episode of the Unprepared Men Podcast, we sit down with Sean Pezzini, a local farmer whose family is well known throughout the Salinas Valley and beyond for growing heirloom artichokes. Sean gives us an inside look at the world of agriculture, sharing what it takes to grow top-quality artichokes, the best seasons for harvesting, and the hard work that goes into keeping a family farming ope...

In Part 2 of our Taco Fest 2026 special, we sit down with Luis from LC1 Productions to discuss the work that goes into creating commercials and professional video productions. From concept to final cut, Luis shares what happens behind the scenes to bring a vision to life. We also talk with Silvia Alfaro, who opens up about raising five grandchildren after taking guardianship of them. She shares th...

Recorded live at Taco Fest 2026 in Salinas, these first two episodes of our four-part special highlight passionate individuals making an impact in the local arts community. Part 1: We sit down with Liz, Maestra and Director of Baile Folklórico Costa de California, along with Michelle, Vice President, and Patty, a member of the organization’s Board of Directors. Together, they share how the group w...

From city council chambers to taco trucks to hospice care, this episode covers way more ground than we expected. We sit down with Orlando Osornio — former Salinas City Councilmember, community advocate, hospice liaison, and one of the founders of What’s Grubbing Salinas — to talk about his passion for serving the community in every part of his life. Orlando shares stories from his time on city cou...

This week, we did something risky… we let the wives take over the podcast. In this special Mother’s Day episode, Ana Belén and Andreya step in and run the show, giving their unfiltered take on motherhood—the real version, not the one you see in highlight reels. They break down what they thought being a mom would look like versus what it actually turned into (hint: way more chaos, way less sleep)....

One year in… and somehow we’re still going 😅 In this anniversary episode, we look back at everything that made the past year unforgettable—from the amazing guests who pulled up and shared their stories, to the events that turned into full-blown adventures. What started as an idea turned into real conversations, real laughs, and a whole lot of moments we definitely didn’t plan for. We talk about t...

On this episode, we sit down with Dr. Joanna Oppenheim for a real, eye-opening conversation that goes way beyond the surface. We get into how GLP-1 medications are changing the game for people who’ve struggled with weight loss for years—what actually works, what people get wrong, and why this shift is such a big deal. Dr. Oppenheim also shares her journey into medicine, what drove her to focus on...

We’re back with DJ Baby Dizzle and diving into life after Heirloom… what comes next when a major chapter closes? We get into what she’s working on now, what’s ahead, and the new project we’ve got cooking together 👀 Then things take a turn (like they always do)… from breaking down the mystery of why the Easter Bunny is out here laying eggs 🥚🐇 to one of the wildest stories of the episode—her Tiju...

This episode, we hit pause on the usual format and kick back with a full recap of everything that went down this past month. From our event at Heirloom (yeah… that one 👀) to all the chaos, laughs, and moments we probably shouldn’t admit on record — we break it all down. We also welcome Dan back after being out sick, and let’s just say… he’s got some stories. We get into what had him down bad, how...

In this episode we sit down with Brian from Mystic Souls for a laid-back conversation about his musical journey and the local scene. Bryan shares how he first got started playing music, from learning the flute and guitar to eventually writing his own songs and developing his sound. We talk about what it’s like performing at local venues, the challenge of finding places for bands to play, and the i...

In this episode, we sit down with the band to talk about how everything started—just a group of childhood friends from the same streets in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles turning their shared love for music into something bigger. Growing up in the same neighborhoods and surrounded by their strong Mexican roots, they built a sound that reflects both their culture and the community that raised th...

In this episode we sit down with Valley Wolf, a rising band straight out of Modesto, California. We talk about how the group first came together, the story behind the name Valley Wolf, and what it means to represent their hometown wherever they go. The band shares stories from life on the road, the grind of playing shows, and the passion that keeps them pushing their music forward. It’s a fun and...

In Part 3 of our Heirloom Live Special series, we sit down with Carlos and Mario from Qiensave to talk about their roots in the local community and how growing up here helped shape their sound. We get into their musical influences, the style of music they’re bringing to the scene, and what it’s like being part of a band made up of brothers creating music together. Carlos and Mario also share their...

In Part 2 of our Heirloom Live Special, we sit down with local artist Kaefan, who’s bringing his own style and flavor to cumbia while keeping the tradition alive. He talks about his family’s deep roots in cumbia music, how those influences shaped his sound, and how he’s helping inspire younger artists in the local community to follow their passion. We also try to get him to admit he’s the favorite...

We kick off our Heirloom Live Series with one of the most active names in the local scene — DJ Baby Dizzle. Recorded live during Heirloom’s final show, we talk about the grind behind the decks, the reality of juggling a packed DJ schedule, and what it takes to keep the local music scene alive. Beyond DJing, Baby Dizzle is also behind the scenes promoting events that bring the community together, i...

In this episode, we sit down and break down what Transcendental Meditation (TM) actually is — no incense required (unless that’s your thing). We talk about how the technique works, the science behind it, and why millions of people swear by just 20 minutes, twice a day. We dive into the real-life benefits: reduced stress, better focus, improved sleep, emotional control — and yes… we explore whether...

In this episode, we sit down with Amapola Ramirez, MS, MSW — also known online as La Chicana Therapist — a powerhouse of compassion, community, and (let’s be honest) emotional labor. Amapola shares what inspired her to step into social work and mental health advocacy, how deeply she’s involved in supporting our local community, and how she uses TikTok and Instagram to spread awareness, resources,...

This week on Unprepared, we sit down with tattoo artist Mariah Mermaids and dive needle-first into her journey from apprentice to full-blown tattoo slayer. We talk first tattoos (the good, the bad, and the “why did I agree to that?”), new tattoo techniques, and what it really takes to turn art into a career. Mariah breaks down shop life, learning the craft, evolving your style, and trusting the pr...

RG the Barber sits in the chair and breaks down his journey from military life to building his own barbershop. We talk about how discipline from the service shaped his grind, the realities of running a shop, and the early days of learning the craft—when cousins were the first to volunteer for some very experimental haircuts. RG also shares his philosophy behind the chair, including why the custome...

In this episode of Unprepared for Battle, we sit down with author FK Menzz to talk about his debut fantasy novel, Battle of Verdants — the first book in When the Crown Bleeds series. We dive into the world behind the book, the characters, and the inspiration that sparked it all. What began as short stories written for his daughter while she was away at college eventually grew into a full-scale fan...

This episode is all about the holidays—the good, the weird, and the “why do we still do this every year?” moments. We dive into our favorite holiday traditions, memories that still hit us right in the feels, and the ones that make us laugh now that enough time (and food) has passed. From childhood magic to adult responsibilities sneaking in uninvited, we talk about what the holidays meant then, wh...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Guillermo Rodriguez to talk openly about his battle with addiction, the rock-bottom moment that forced real change, and the long road that followed. Dr. Rodriguez shares what addiction took from him—and what recovery gave back. From surviving his lowest point to earning his doctorate, becoming a professor and social worker, and dedicating his life to...

This week we’re joined by Chicago-based stand-up comedian Gabriel Alvizo, who brings sharp wit, unapologetic honesty, and absolutely zero fear of dropping an F-bomb. We dive into his comedy influences, trading stories about the legends who shaped his style, the wild hecklers who accidentally become part of the show, and how his Salinas roots still sneak into his jokes — whether he wants them to or...