Spotlight on the Community
by Cloudcast
Cloudcast Media, the national leader in local podcasting, proudly presents its flagship show, Drew Schlosberg’s Spotlight on the Community, now in its 20th season. For 20 years, we have been amplifying the voices of social impact organizations, social entrepreneurs, local non-profits, and other community champions who help shape the culture, creativity, and connectivity that drive the San Diego community to ever higher levels. These curated community conversations are brought to you by Mission Fed Credit Union, bringing good things to San Diego for over 60 years. LISTEN WHERE YOU LIVE™ "Spotlight On The Community" is one of 80+ shows from Cloudcast Media, the national leader in local podcasting. For more information on Cloudcast Media, please visit https://cloudcastmedia.us/
Episodes
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Black History Across the Pacific: San Diego’s Untold Stories
Dr. Caroline Collins, Assistant Professor of Social and Spatial Justice at UC San Diego, explores the histories behind Take Me to the Water: Histories of the Black Pacific, her exhibit at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Spanning the 16th century through the mid-20th century, the exhibit…
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Rigging San Diego’s Historic Sailing Ships
Aaron Morales, rigger for the Maritime Museum of San Diego, explains the hands-on craft and constant care required to keep its historic sailing ships operational—from maintaining rigging and sails to climbing high above deck to furl them. The conversation explores how mentorship, traditional...
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How San Diego’s Maritime Museum Is Broadening Its Story
Dr. Christina Brophy, President and CEO of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, and Dr. Caroline Collins, Assistant Professor of Social and Spatial Justice at UC San Diego’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning, discuss how museums can broaden maritime history through community partnerships and...
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Inside the Star of India: Preserving San Diego’s Maritime History
San Diego’s Maritime Museum at Work Dr. Kevin Sheehan, Curator and Manager of Collections at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, discusses how the museum preserves its historic vessels and keeps San Diego’s maritime history alive, including plans to sail the Star of India for its 2027 San Diego...
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World's 10th Largest Rotary Celebrates its "Mr. and Mrs. San Diego 2026" Honorees
Will Hage, President of San Diego Rotary Club 33, the world's 10th largest Club, is joined by Dr. Ted Martinez, Jr., and Lydia S. Martinez, who were honored with the title of "Mr. and Mrs. San Diego 2026." Hage chats about the mission of San Diego Rotary Club 33 and the 72nd Annual Mr./Mrs./Ms.…
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One Minute to BOAST Turns Confidence Into Action
Dr. Theresa Watts, Founder of One Minute to BOAST, discusses why women often downplay their accomplishments and how confident self-advocacy can strengthen leadership, workplaces, and communities. She describes her company's approach to owning, naming, and sharing achievements in a supportive...
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Building Inclusive Early Education in San Diego
Anna Chiles, Founder and Executive Director of Includ(Ed), discusses why families in San Diego struggle to find early education programs that welcome children with developmental disabilities and how her organization is working to change that narrative. Chiles explains how Includ(Ed) combines...
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Collaborative Leads the Way In Redesigning the Future of Public Education
Devin Vodicka, Co-CEO of the Learner-Centered Collaborative; Fred Hilgers, principal of Madison High School in the San Diego Unified School District; and Nikki DiRanna, director of TK–12 curriculum and instruction for the San Marcos Unified School District, discuss how learner-centered redesign…
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How the Oscar Mike Foundation and Wheelchair Rugby Builds Community for Disabled Veterans
Noah Currier, CEO and Founder of the Oscar Mike Foundation, is joined by Ryan Major, a wheelchair rugby player with Oscar Mike; Karah Behrend, stuntwoman, off-road racer, and participant in the Oscar Mike community; and Bryan Anderson, a member of the Oscar Mike Militia rugby team, to discuss how...
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Veterans Day in San Diego: Honoring 250 Years of Service On Mt. Soledad
Neil O’Connell, Executive Director of the Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial, is joined by Trevor Wessman-Lavelle, Marketing and Communications Director for the Memorial, to discuss how the memorial preserves veterans’ stories and honors service across generations, including living…
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San Diego’s Equine-Therapy Waitlists—and a Ranch’s Response
Rachael Martin, Founder and CEO of Wylde Horses, explains how a shortage of equine-assisted therapy in San Diego—highlighted by long local waitlists—led her family to build a nonprofit offering individualized services. She describes adaptive riding and horsemanship, complementary ranch…
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Preventing Pet Euthanasia Through Pet-Care Grants
Kerstin Lyman, Executive Director of the Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE) Foundation, Jordyn Hamilton, a FACE Foundation grantee, and Dexter the Dog discuss how emergency veterinary costs can force families to consider euthanasia for their pets—and how grants can help make...
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One's Financial Future Depends on More Than Income
Steve Bernstein, Founder and CEO of The Compounding Effect, explains how financial understanding, behavior, and the timing of money can help San Diegans build stability amid affordability pressures. He discusses California’s AB 2927 high-school financial education requirement, the role of trusted...
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STEM Talent Is Everywhere—But Opportunity Runs on Connections
H. Puentes, Co-Founder and President & CEO of San Diego Squared, discusses how unequal access to professional networks can limit talented students’ paths into STEM careers—and how his organization builds those connections. He explains how the year-long Fellows program, executive mentorship…
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How Internships and AI Shape the Next Generation of Accountants
Melissa Linares, senior accounting student at San Diego State University; Andrea Diaz Orozco, senior accounting student at San Diego State University; and Doug Wright, CEO of Mission Fed Credit Union, discuss how students prepare for accounting careers and why the field offers a range of...
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The Nine Laws Behind a Master Barber’s Legacy
Cheryl Morrow, President of California Curl, and Paris Wilson, SDSU chapter vice president of the San Diego Association of Black Journalists, discuss the nine principles of Grand Master Willie Morrow and how they guide self-mastery, entrepreneurship and personal growth. They explore precision,...
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The Message Behind “You’re Not God. That Job Is Taken"
Scott Silverman, CEO of Confidential Recovery, discusses why addiction recovery often requires more than short-term treatment and how families can seek help when a loved one is struggling. Silverman examines fentanyl, relapse, and stigma, along with efforts to connect veterans and active-duty...
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What Inclusive Theater Teaches Performers About Belonging
Chris Rubio, Artistic Director of Arms Wide Open; Patti Long, on-stage helper with Arms Wide Open; and Daniel Long, an Arms Wide Open actor, discuss how inclusive performing arts create opportunities for people with disabilities to perform, develop skills and belong. They describe the Rising…
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Beyond the Canvas: Expanding What Painting Can Be
Matt Hebert, Director of the SDSU School of Art and Design; Jacqueline Marino, guest lecturer at SDSU and director of Quint Gallery; and Mary Gowen, MFA candidate at SDSU’s School of Art and Design, discuss how interdisciplinary arts education connects creative practice, students, and San Diego’s...
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Improv Helps Teams Go From “Yes, But” to “Yes, And” at Work
Paige Wilhide, Chief Play Officer and Founder of Yes And Co., explains how applied improv and play can help workplace teams listen, adapt, and build more authentic connections. The conversation explores her Joy Riot community dance initiative, her work at Mission Fed Credit Union’s "Community Is...
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After an Autism Diagnosis, Where Do San Diego Families Turn?
Michael Castro, Director of Development at the Autism Society San Diego, discusses how the organization supports families after an autism diagnosis. Castro talks about Camp I Can, adaptive surf and aquatics, year-round social programs, and community partnerships that connect autistic people and...
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Can Longevity Clubs Reinvent San Diego Senior Centers?
Paul Downey, Chief Advocacy Officer for the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation, discusses how San Diego can address senior isolation and rethink aging through stronger social connections and new “longevity clubs.” Downey chats about intergenerational engagement, AI-enabled elder fraud…
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How SDSU Is Building San Diego’s Next Generation of Jazz
Dr. Brian Levy, Director of Jazz Studies and Associate Professor at San Diego State University’s School of Music and Dance; Luke Little, junior bassist in SDSU’s jazz program; and Gilbert Castellanos, faculty Artist in Residence at SDSU’s School of Music and Dance, discuss how SDSU is cultivating...
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Why San Diego Needs a Holocaust Museum Now
Dr. Moises Salinas Fleitman, Executive Director of Remember Us The Holocaust (RUTH), and "Celebrity Co-host" James Zanewicz, CEO of Connect, chat about the urgent effort to preserve Holocaust memory in San Diego through a two-year exhibit at the San Diego Central Library, with the goal of...
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Farm to Bay: Funding Access to Coastal Nature
Shayna Foreman, Interim Executive Director of Living Coast Discovery Center, and "Celebrity Co-host" James Zanewicz, CEO of Connect, discuss how a “hidden gem” on San Diego Bay is expanding access to coastal nature through conservation, education, and community-focused programming. They explore…
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Inside SDSU’s 100th Season and The Wild Party
Stephen Brotebeck, Director of the School of Theater, Television, and Film at San Diego State University and Courtney Corey, Director of The Wild Party and Lecturer in the School of Theater, Television, and Film at San Diego State University, are joined by "Celebrity Co-host" James Zanewicz, CEO…
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Turning Tijuana Sewage Crisis into Public Health Action
Emily Young, Vice President of Programs at The Prebys Foundation, is joined by "Celebrity Co-host" James Zanewicz, CEO of Connect, to examine how strategic philanthropy is reshaping San Diego’s future through investments in public health, medical research and a vibrant arts and creative economy....
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Dance, Education, and Belonging at UC San Diego ArtPower
Liz Bradshaw, Director of Artistic Programming for ArtPower at UC San Diego, is joined by "Celebrity Co-host" James Zanewicz, CEO of Connect, to discuss how ArtPower’s 23rd season uses the theme “Follow Curiosity and Find Connection” to engage students and the wider San Diego community through…
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Workforce: How UC San Diego Extends Learning “From Twinkle to Wrinkle” Purpose, Community and the Next Chapter After 50
Ed Abetya, Associate Dean of Student and Community Outreach at UC San Diego's Division of Extended Studies, and Rebecca Smith, Lead Instructor at UC San Diego's Division of Extended Studies and President of W2 San Diego, discuss how lifelong learning and purpose-driven work can help San Diegans...
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Housing, Food, and Mental Health Support for San Diego Veterans
Christina Pineda, Courage to Call Program Manager at TURN Behavioral Health Services, and Jim Callahan, CEO of TURN Behavioral Health Services, discuss how the Courage to Call program connects San Diego’s active-duty service members, veterans, and their families to housing, mental health, and…
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Shared Housing as a Real Solution to Homelessness
Melissa Peterman, Executive Director of Townspeople, and Jack Borja, a participant in Townspeople’s shared housing program, discuss how viewing housing as healthcare and expanding shared housing options offers a practical path out of homelessness for San Diegans. They detail the Shared Housing...
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How Purpose-Driven Small Businesses Are Shaping San Diego
Katrina Oprisko, Board Member of Business for Good and Owner of Earthwell Refill, discusses how purpose-driven microbusinesses across San Diego are banding together to advocate for community issues like homelessness, immigrant support, and environmental justice. She explains how Business for…
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Closing the Leadership Gap for San Diego Military Teens
Malia Henry, Manager of Youth Social Responsibility (YSR) and Military Families for 365 Connect, discusses how YSR Connect is closing the leadership and opportunity gap for military-affiliated teens through tailored programming in San Diego. Henry explains the program’s leadership, applied skill,...
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Disability Housing: What Happens When Parents Can No Longer Provide Care?
Hunter Christian, Executive Director of Villa de Vida, discusses San Diego’s shortage of affordable housing for adults with developmental disabilities. Christian talks about how the Poway community helps residents live independently. She explains how donated land, tax credits, county funding,...
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Why Michelangelo Dissected Bodies After Midnight
Kevin Petti, professor of human anatomy and physiology at San Diego Miramar College, discusses why science education becomes more powerful when anatomy is taught alongside art, history, culture and religion. He explains how Anatomia Italiana and San Diego State University’s global seminar use...
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Opening La Jolla’s History To New Audiences
Lauren Lockhart, Executive Director of the Museum of History and Culture La Jolla, discusses why the former La Jolla Historical Society adopted a new identity reflecting its evolution into a free, community-focused museum. She explores expanded school programs, interdisciplinary exhibitions…
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Turning Hair Innovation Into Generational Wealth And Knowledge
Cheryl Morrow, CEO of California Curl and owner of Morrow Publishing and the San Diego Monitor News Network, discusses her family’s influential role in Black hair care, entrepreneurship and media. She explores her Dad's (Willie Morrow) innovations, his pioneering work training military barbers…
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Breaking San Diego’s “Silos of Compassion”
Staci Reidinger, Co-Founder of Cause San Diego and Director of the Cause Conference, and Jack Mardack, Co-Founder of Oyster and author of Impact Unleashed, discuss how businesses and nonprofits can replace isolated acts of goodwill with measurable, long-term social impact. They examine…
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Regenerative Farming and Pay-What-You-Can Community Belonging
Kesha Dorsey, CEO of Coastal Roots Farm, discusses how regenerative agriculture, equitable food access, and Jewish agricultural values are used to farm, feed, educate, and uplift community life in North County San Diego. Dorsey chats about their Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand, partnerships with the...
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Grid Over Grit: Rebuilding Our Relational Grid
Louie Nguyen, President and CEO of Social Advocates for Youth San Diego, discusses how SAY San Diego is reinventing youth and family support through data-driven programs in childcare, mental well-being, and community schools across San Diego. He explains the childcare crisis economics, the...
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From Creative Chaos to Financial Clarity and Strategy
Lindsey Head, Founder and CEO of the Pulse Business Group, discusses how she brings financial clarity and strategy to business owners by helping them manage their companies “by the numbers” through cash flow discipline, dashboards, and her Profit Pulse platform. She shares lessons from scaling...
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Inside the Food Bank's Food for Kids Backpack Program
Julie Moore, Director of Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships at the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, and Courtney Pendleton, Public Relations and Community Manager at Mission Fed Credit Union, discuss the Food Bank's Food for Kids Backpack Program and its role in combating childhood...
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Preparing Students for the Rapidly Changing World of Work
Al Love, Founder of Career Pathway Transformations, discusses how K–12 schools can align career pathways, labor market data, and programs of study to better prepare students for the rapidly changing world of work. He explains why early career exploration from TK through high school, stronger...
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Youth-Led Kindness Movements That Transform Companies and Communities
Margi Malek, Director of the Kindness Certified Company Program at Kids for Peace, joins Mission Fed’s Neville Billimoria to share how kindness, joy and youth-led initiatives scale from three Carlsbad schools to 45,000 schools in 123 countries. They discuss building values-based corporate…
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Theatre People, or The Angel Next Door: Smart Comedy in an Intimate Theater
Chris Williams, Director of the Theatre People, or The Angel Next Door play at Scripps Ranch Theatre, is joined by two actors in the stage performance, Melissa Fernandez and Sandy Campbell, to discuss the production. All three chat about the power of intimate live theater in San Diego. They…
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Climate, Environmental and Social Justice in Climate-Safe Neighborhoods
Leslie Reynolds, Executive Director of Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek, and Teddy Cruz, Co-Director of UC San Diego’s Center for Global Justice, chat about climate-safe neighborhoods, blue-green infrastructure and the EarthLab climate action park transforming underserved communities. They...
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Girl Scouts San Diego National Delegates Help Chart Course for Girl Scout Movement
Sandra Appling, Director of Product Programs, Customer Experience, and Delegate Liaison for Girl Scouts San Diego; national delegates Elle Siemens and Annette Rodriguez; and Mission Fed Chief Marketing Officer Neville Billimoria, a Girl Scouts San Diego Executive Board Member, discuss building...
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How Ride Above Disability Builds Cowboys Who Ride Above Disability
Allie Sarnataro, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center (RAD), joins rider Parker Jase Hall and his parents Scott and Kristie Hall to share how equine therapy builds confidence, community and leadership with adults and children with disabilities. They...
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Nourishing Communities with Kitchenistas and Plant-Based Kitchens
Ellyse Briand, Events and Culinary Program Manager at Olivewood Gardens, and Selina Pino, Vice President of Operations at Masienda, discuss nourishing communities through nutrition education, sustainable urban agriculture and healthy Mexican cuisine in National City. They explore the Kitchenista...
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United Way of San Diego County and 211 San Diego Tackle Our Most Complicated Issues, One Family at Time
Rachael Orose, President & CEO of United Way of San Diego County, and Meg Storer, Chief of Staff at 211 San Diego, discuss tackling the most complicated issues facing families, from housing affordability to real-time crisis navigation. They explore data-driven collaboration, financial literacy…
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About this show
Cloudcast Media, the national leader in local podcasting, proudly presents its flagship show, Drew Schlosberg’s Spotlight on the Community, now in its 20th season. For 20 years, we have been amplifying the voices of social impact organizations, social entrepreneurs, local non-profits, and other community champions who help shape the culture, creativity, and connectivity that drive the San Diego community to ever higher levels. These curated community conversations are brought to you by Mission Fed Credit Union, bringing good things to San Diego for over 60 years.
LISTEN WHERE YOU LIVE™
"Spotlight On The Community" is one of 80+ shows from Cloudcast Media, the national leader in local podcasting. For more information on Cloudcast Media, please visit https://cloudcastmedia.us/
Hosted by
Cloudcast
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