Where Ya At? SDSU's Journalism and Media Studies podcast

Michael Minjares (89') and (95') is the director of Grants Management at Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, or as Minjares comically calls himself, "The Director of Random."  As a director, Minjares still taps into what he learned at SDSU as a journalism major. Tune into this episode that dives into the nature of grant writing and how multifaceted SDSU's journalism...

Capt. Mark McDonough (’24) attended SDSU in July 2023, four years after graduating from the United States Naval Academy and commissioning into the United States Marine Corps. McDonough is a Communication Strategy and Operations officer, commonly known as a public affairs officer, and attended SDSU’s Mass Communication program as part of his professional military education and career development. I...

Thomas Neumann (95') found his way to newsrooms all across the country. As the current Editor in Chief of Athlon Sports, a varied digital and print publication, Neumann leads reporters to strive for greatness.  In this episode, Neumann discusses his journey through journalism and finding his balance with sports journalism.  "Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journa...

Rain Garcia ('24) is the CEO of Garcia Media Works, a social media and digital marketing agency. Garcia founded the agency shortly after graduating and now handles the social media for businesses across the country.  In this episode, she talks about what a customized social media strategy looks like and the ups and downs of starting your own business.  "Where Ya At?" is a podcast fo...

Elsa Sevilla is an Emmy-nominated journalist and filmmaker who took on SDSU as a Political Science and Media major.  Sevilla is the creator of KPBS/PBS's long-running, award-winning docuseries, Historical Places. Sevilla is a TV storyteller and a journalist historian and speaks on documentary work, shaping media representation and what it means to have community support.  "Where Ya At?&q...

Isabella Biunno ('25) is an aspiring occupational therapist on her way to UNLV. During her time at SDSU, Biunno worked her way up the ranks of the Daily Aztec to eventually become EIC.  Biunno spent her time at SDSU in other psychology-centered extracurriculars, even setting up support programs for other occupational therapists and severely increasing the attendance of the occupational therap...

Deanna Mackey ('88) has been in and out of leadership positions her whole life. Currently, as the General Manager of KPBS, Mackey serves as a San Diego public media figurehead.  In this in-person on on-camera episode of "Where Ya At?" Mackey chats with host Rami Alarian about what it means to be a CEO, how she got to where she is and what advice she has for modern journalists. &quot...

Brittany Cruz-Fejeran ('23) is a freelance photographer and co-founder of Daylight San Diego, a news organization for diverse communities, not just about them. Daylight San Diego is a news collective owned and operated by the workers that strives to empower San Diego's communities.  Cruz-Fejeran has worked all around San Diego in different newsrooms, and in her episode, she talks about w...

J. Fred Sidhu ('83) is a publicist for the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and has decades of experience in the media relations/public relations field.  His episode is filled with stories about the value of treating others with kindness and respect. Sidhu talks about his start at The San Diego Union-Tribune and why he's been drawn to sports and sports journalism for much of his life.  &...

Antonio Morales ('12) is a football reporter for The Athletic, a sports-journalism department of the New York Times.  In his episode, Morales recounts his experience reporting on USC and discusses his recent beat change to roster collection.  "Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. Each week, during the Fall an...

Emely Navarro ('18) is a digital producer at Access Hollywood, an Emmy award-winning news producer and the founder & CEO of her own coffee company, Navarro Coffee Co.  In her episode, she touches on her current work as a producer and her past work as a production assistant and how she has always felt a connection to pop culture and entertainment-focused media work.  "Where Ya At?&quo...

Allie Cone ('22) is a creative marketer in the alcoholic beverage industry, specializing in content creation, copywriting, and influencer marketing. In her episode, she discusses digital marketing in the world of consumer packaged goods (CPG) and the importance of social media. Her time at SDSU was busy but productive, and has led her to where she is now.  "Where Ya At?" is a podcas...

Josh Suchon ('96) is the founder and former host of the "Where Ya At?" podcast. Josh has interviewed 75 outstanding professionals in the realm of various communications fields and has inspired students to achieve their goals through his creations.  In the first episode with new host Rami Alarian, Josh recounts his experience at SDSU, which led him on the pathway toward voice acting,...

Madison Cadena ('25) is the outgoing Editor in Chief of  The Daily Aztec  and will soon be moving to Dayton, Ohio after graduating with a degree in journalism for a job as a producer with WDTN-TV. In the final episode for the Spring 2025 semester, Madison reflects on her tenure guiding the venerable student newspaper, the biggest stories of the year, including the back-to-back huge news stori...

Tom Fletcher (1991-95) was just named the Senior Vice President of Partnerships for the Houston Rockets, after six years with the Phoenix Suns in business development and nine years with the Portland Trail Blazers in sponsorship. Without knowing it at the time, Fletcher' sales career began as a student-athlete who hosted potential future Aztecs on the football team. He explains why his Linked...

Trinity Alicia (2018-22) is a digital producer at The 74 focusing on Education, a freelance writer, the founder of Media Moments, and was one of the five founding members for SDSU's chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. Listen as Trinity describes how giving campus tours as a student helped develop her storytelling techniques, meet future coworkers at The Daily Aztec , and...

John Toma ('01) works for a drug and alcohol testing company by day. Then in the his spare time, he's created "That 80s Dude" brand with over a half million followers on Instagram, a blog on Substack, videos on YouTube, and is the author of an upcoming book titled, "Nostalgia Nation: The Definitive Chronicle of Growing Up GenX." In this week's rad podcast, Toma e...

Brandon Stone (2006-08) joined KUSI-TV as an intern in February of 2008 while attending San Diego State University. Upon his graduation, he became a foot soldier in the Prep Pigskin Report army. His roles molded over the next few years, going from daily producer and photographer to his current roles of KUSI sports director and PPR producer. Reflecting on his journey, Brandon shares finding out abo...

Natalie Terashima (2006-08) is a Senior Partner at Rachael Kay Public Relations, where she leverages her expertise in CPG brands, strategic communications, and the evolving media landscape to produce meaningful results for clients. Her career at Rachael Kay began while still a student, thanks to a SDSU professor who setup a memorable meeting that Natalie fondly recalls. Natalie's never left t...

Audra Stafford (1997-01) has covered news and entertainment in San Diego County for more than two decades and is currently a morning reporter and fill-in anchor for NBC 7 San Diego.  Even though she always aspired to be a reporter, Audra was heavily involved in Associated Students as an undergrad. While most SDSU students have to leave the market and return years later, Audra explains her unique s...

Will Beall (1991-96) is a screenwriter whose writing credits include Gangster Squad, Justice League, Aquaman, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. In his own words, Will explains his unique path to screenwriting. He wanted to be graphic artist as a kid, majored in English at SDSU, and joined The Daily Aztec newsroom because of a girl. He discusses the jailhouse interview with a mu...

David Cordero (1998-01) spent 15 years as a writer and editor in the newspaper industry, then two different layoffs ultimately led him to his current job of Communications and Marketing Director for the city of St. George, Utah.  A shy kid who originally wanted to become an accountant, David tells the unique story of how the 1998 Padres success inadvertently led him to realize that he wanted a dif...

Justin Quis Quis (1994-97) is the founder of Sacred Bev Native Wellness, a founding member of the MESA Foundation, and one of the newest members of the SDSU Alumni Board of Advisors. A lifelong fan of Aztecs sports, Justin initially chose journalism as his major and worked his way up to become Sports Editor at The Daily Aztec. He vividly recalls approaching future NFL Pro Bowler La'Roi Glover...

Maya AlZaben (2016-20) is a freelance fashion writer and researcher, and recently launched her own marketing/public relations agency Mayaverse PR. In this week's episode -- co-hosted with current SDSU student Tessa Finamore -- Maya reflects on finding journalism after realizing that interior design was not for her, starting her own fashion/politics website as a student, her favorite SDSU clas...

Crystal Fambrini was named "Outstanding Graduating Student" at San Diego State University and has created a prolific career as an award-winning broadcaster, executive producer, model, writer, podcaster, entrepreneur and real estate investor and agent. She enjoys working on multiple goals at once. Crystal's abundance of energy is evident as we review her career. She explains how she...