It’s A Long Beach Thing

Rebecca Hinderer, owner of Let's Yolk About It and candidate for Long Beach City Council District 3, shares her inspiring journey from growing up in the foster care system to building a thriving restaurant business in Belmont Shore. In the conversation, she discusses the challenges she overcame, her deep passion for the city of Long Beach, and the experiences that shaped her as a business owner and community leader. Rebecca also explains why she decided to run for City Council, her vision for District 3, and her commitment to supporting local businesses, public safety, and the Long Beach community.

Joshua Rodriguez a husband, father, and police officer has reached a turning point. Frustrated by rising crime, homelessness, and a challenging environment for local businesses, he’s stepping up to take action in the city he loves, Long Beach.

Long Beach mayoral candidate Chris Sweeney joins the podcast to share his vision for the city. He discusses his plans to lower crime, address homelessness, support small businesses, and create a stronger future for Long Beach.

Bill Grisolia, founder of the Long Beach Blues Society, talks about his love for blues music and how it became his life’s passion starting at the age of 27. Bill shares the many ways he has helped elevate blues music in Long Beach and the work he has done to support and grow the local blues community.

Chris Acker, head coach of Long Beach State men’s basketball, talks about his basketball journey and his transition into coaching. He also shares why he decided to take the job at California State University, Long Beach and what needs to happen for the program to be successful. He discusses the culture he wants to build, the type of players he wants in the program, and his vision for the future of the team.

Hector Bordas talks about his style of leadership and his definition of a strong workplace culture. As a Chief Clarity Officer, he shares the tools in his toolbox that help businesses improve their work culture in Long Beach and beyond. His insights offer practical strategies for leaders who want to build stronger teams, better communication, and more positive work environments.

Jordan Baseball Head Coach Phil Berman talks about his opportunity to play baseball at Jordan and as result, it gave him an opportunity to play college ball. Now has the head coach, he helps his players live out their goals and passions on and off the field.

Desiree Vavak shares how being taken advantage of through her own personal mortgage loan inspired her lifelong mission to protect and support others. Tune in to hear her inspiring journey to becoming a successful loan officer, helping people who have been turned away elsewhere and finding solutions to secure the loans they need.

Uduak shares his story of being a young dad at Long Beach City College, while maintaining the highest GPA on the football team and working 2 jobs to provide for his family. He was also the 17th California State Oil and Gas Supervisor. But more than all that, Uduak has a sense of service since a very young age and has always given back to his community in North Long Beach. 

Brian talks about going from Pre Med, to a 5 Star Chief, and ending up as a highly successful Financial Advisor. Learn about Brain's unique journey and his passion on helping his community find financial independence.  

David Black is a local Long Beach Entrepreneur, who was a partner of the famous Gondola Getaway that goes through the canals of Naples. He talks about his new book The American Gondolier, where he wrote about all the exciting stories on making his dream a reality.

Coach Nes is on mission to make the sport of lacrosse accessible for all kids in Long Beach and in the surrounding area.  His passion for the sport shines bright in the interview.

Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish shares his remarkable journey to becoming Chief and offers a candid look at the city’s current crime landscape. He breaks down the challenges, the progress, and how the police department and community are working together to keep Long Beach safe.

Sequoia Neff talks about growing up in the District 9 of Long Beach and all the fond memories in the neighborhood. After establishing herself as a successful real estate broker, she has moved back into the area. She has identified things she wants to change and improve, so she has decided to run for Long Beach City Council of District 9.

Real Estate expert Greg Ernst gives us the insight of Long Beach real estate. He also talks about his first memory of going to Long Beach as a very young boy seeing the Queen Mary and growing up near Heartwell Park. 

Rick Anderson talks about his athletic journey through Long Beach and his time playing at the University of Arizona. Rick explains about the practice of Yoga and how it was a key source to handling the pressures of being an elite athlete. As a result, he has built a career teaching Yoga at Long Beach City College. 

Eli from the 562 breaks down the long beach high school football programs, woman's flag football, girl's volleyball, and men's water polo. Learn everything you need to know about the Long Beach high school fall sports.

Tyler Schafer talks about the mindset it takes to play division 1 college sports. His perspective is extremely refreshing in this competitive world. He also talks about his goals going forward as a professional golfer. 

Sebastian and Willie talk about all it took to bring a professional football club (soccer) to the city of Long Beach. They big plans to build a stadium and hire local talent to make the club grow in the city they love.

Kelly Ruggirello talks about her journey getting to become the President of the Long Beach Symphony. She is very excited about all the upcoming future of the Long Beach Symphony. Kelly is also the President of the Long Rotary Club and explains all the great things ahead for the club.

Danny Katene Marindin has an extreme love for the sport of lacrosse. He has dedicated his time to grow the sport in the city of Long Beach. His goal is to make lacrosse one of the top youth sports in the community.

Casey Kammel talks about his very inspiring story of breaking his neck and being told he would never be able to walk again to competing in triathlons. Now he his a motivational speaker and has owned gyms in the Long Beach area for several years.  

Head coach of the Long Beach State Baseball Team the Dirtbags TJ Bruce, talks about his journey from playing with the team in the mid 2000's to becoming the head coach. TJ talks about his old school style coaching and his vision for the Dirtbags going forward in the future.

Jerusha Day talks about her journey, finding her way to the great city of Long Beach! From working at Universal Studios to Kodak and finding her passion in real estate! Please tune in to her remarkable journey.

Owner of the World Famous VIP Records Kelvin Anderson SR. Talks about creating a positive culture for the Long Beach Community and for local hip hop artist to thrive. He has worked with many hip hop artist such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Nate Dogg and so many more.

Jim talks about his journey as an educator starting in the mid 90's in the city of Long Beach. He expresses his opinion on the evolution of the education system and what needs to change to improve it. He also expresses his joy of being a singer songwriter playing at venues all over Long Beach.

As a young boy Jordan was diagnosed with ADHD. School was extremely hard for him and he was lost. However, due to the love of his parents, he was able to get through high school and now he is thriving! He owns and operates Primo Plumbing, an elite family run plumbing service in the area.

Bobby talks about his professional journey taking him all over California and ending up at his dream job at Long Beach State. He also talks about the state of the athletic program and how they will be tackling the new world of NIL. 

Paige talks about her journey from growing up in Long Beach, moving away to LA to attend USC, and finding her way back to continue the Long Beach family real estate business. She also talks about Long Beach real estate,  strategies to buy and sell in a high rate and high demand market. 

Conor Weir talks about his journey from Minnesota, to Oxford University in England and then ending up in warm sunny Long Beach CA.  He talks about building a financial company with his wife in the LB area. Conor also talks about giving back to the Cambodia community of Long Beach. He takes pride in the Long Beach Rotary, helping youth camp groups for high school kids to help them learn great life skills. Please listen in to this amazing interview.  

Dr. Mike Munoz talks about his early struggles as a young father balancing multiple jobs, education, and fatherhood. He also talks about his amazing journey from humble begins all the way to running Long Beach City College.  It's an inspirational story not to be missed.

Trey talks about coming from a small town in Wisconsin to where he is supposed to be in the city of Long Beach. He also discusses the important of fitness and eating a good diet can really improve a person's life style. Lastly he speaks about his journey as a business owner in Long Beach.  

Juan went from not knowing any English to becoming one of the biggest go to Long Beach real estate experts in all of the city. He is truly living the American dream. 

Angel talks about opening a karate studio for students that would not be allowed at a traditional studio in the city of Long Beach. His patience and love for his students shows through out the interview.

Jon talks about his amazing journey from Michigan to California. From playing pro volleyball to owning several Rock & Brews restaurants, there's nothing he can't accomplish. Now he's working on his greatest project, giving the Long Beach youth the attention they deserve. 

Randy talks about his start in California, being laid off from Montgomery Ward all the way to being the President and CEO of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. Due his great work in the community, Randy as now cemented himself has the voice of Long Beach.

Paul talks about his rich history of Long Beach from going to St Joseph Elementary School to becoming the CEO of the Long Beach City College Foundation. His hard work from when he was kid to where is today has paid off and as result the community of Long Beach is benefiting. 

Jax talks about her passion for women sports. She wanted to create a place where women's sports were the focal point. They're thousands of men sports bars all over the nation, it's time for the women to have a place their own.

Zana talks about living the American Dream from Germany to Long Beach. She also talks about ways for Long Beach Restaurants to stay profitable in a slow economy.  

Marcelle talks about her amazing journey from humble beginnings to becoming a CEO at very young age. Along the way she has found her voice, now she is on a mission to advocate for women in the business world for greater opportunities in all aspects of life!

Arturo talks about his love for Long Beach ever since he went to high school at St Anthony. He also talks about his love of music since he was 10 years old. The passion of the art of music moves him in ways only Arturo can explain.

Brandon West talks about his humble begins in Oklahoma all the way to Naples Long Beach. He has since open a podcast studio in Signal Hill and ready to help business owners level up in marketing.

Council Member of the 3rd District Kristina Duggan gives us an update on what is currently going on in the 3rd District of Long Beach. She talks about the Colorado Lagoon Project, the issue of homelessness, Concerts in the Park, bringing back Movies on the Beach, PCH Building Project, Belmont Shore business, Zaferia business, and so much more.

Reggie Ward talks about the principles that his mother instilled in him as a young boy. These are the principles he used to excel on and off the football field. Today as a speaker, coach, and author he shares these principles on a bigger stage.  

Danny shares his devotion for the Christian Church while early on having an internal struggle on the church’s stance on the LBGTQ community. With his own research and love, he has come to the conclusion that everyone should be welcomed into the church with love and open arms.

John Grossi talks about starting a Long Beach magazine during a time where print media was falling off a cliff. Learn about his inspiring story and his great love for the city of Long Beach. 

Mayor Rex Richardson shares his journey bouncing around from State to State as a boy, ending up in the city of Long Beach. He also shares his long term vision for the great city of Long Beach.

We interviewed leadership coach and organization consultant Dr. Christine Petit. She talks about her how her life experiences and background organizing for workers' rights and living wages led her to where she is today.

Local Long Beach Artist Andrea James talks about her journey of being someone who thought there was no way of making a living being an artist to someone who has a team painting murals in the city of Long Beach.

John Cross goes over his journey of growing up in Ohio and moving to sunny Long Beach California. He talks about knowing earlier on that Long Beach would be his home. While living in Long Beach, he was able to land his dream job with the Long Beach Symphony.