PODCAST · business
Stop & Talk
by Grant Oliphant, Prebys Foundation, Crystal Page
Join Grant Oliphant and Crystal Page as they sit down to explore the vibrant and evolving landscape of San Diego County, through the lens of the Prebys Foundation's mission and vision. In Stop & Talk, Grant and Crystal engage in thought-provoking conversations with local leaders, changemakers, and community builders who are passionate about creating a more inclusive, purposeful, and opportunity-rich San DiegoEach episode offers an inside look into the foundation's journey, discoveries, and partnerships while highlighting the work being done to cultivate belonging and drive positive change across the region. Whether it's amplifying the voices of upcoming leaders or fostering collaborative solutions to the region's most pressing challenges, Stop & Talk is your go-to space for inspiration and insight on what’s possible when people come together with intention and vision.Subscribe to get the latest engaging discussions that inspire action and celebrate the power of community.
Episodes
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Sparkle Barnes: Keeping the Door to Care Open
Sparkle Barnes is President and CEO of Health Center Partners of Southern California and its Family of Companies, where she leads a network supporting community health centers across the region. Since joining the organization, she has held a series of leadership roles, including Chief Strategy...
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Mario Ordóñez-Calderón: The Ocean as a Place of Belonging
Mario Ordóñez-Calderón is a Maya Indigenous leader, U.S. Navy veteran, surfer, and Founding Executive Director of Un Mar de Colores, an Indigenous-led nonprofit advancing ocean access, youth wellbeing, and coastal resilience. His work sits at the intersection of coastlines and culture, using...
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Alan Sorkin: The Power of Business Meets the Passion of Giving
Alan Sorkin is a nonprofit leader, mentor-coach, entrepreneur, and member of the Prebys Foundation Board. He co-founded and served as volunteer CEO of San Diego Social Venture Partners, now Amplify Impact Partners, led the San Diego-Tijuana Bi-National Coalition to reduce substance abuse, and has...
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Novien Yarber: What Prebys Heard From Grantees
Dr. Novien Yarber is the Senior Learning Officer at Prebys Foundation, where he helps the foundation listen, reflect, and learn from its work with community partners. Known around the office as “Dr. Novi,” he brings a rare combination of rigor, warmth, and curiosity to the practice of evaluation....
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Dana Toppel: Housing, Hope, and Human Service
Dana Toppel is CEO of Jewish Family Service of San Diego, one of the region’s most established human services organizations. Founded more than 100 years ago, JFS continues to be rooted in Jewish values while serving people across San Diego County, including older adults, immigrants, families,...
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Erin Harkey: Arts, Culture, and a Healthy Democracy
Editor’s Note: This episode was recorded in April 2026, before the City of San Diego released its initial FY27 budget proposal. That proposal has since raised urgent questions about the future of public arts funding in San Diego, making this conversation with Erin Harkey especially timely. Erin...
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Jonathon Glus: Embracing San Diego as a Creative City
Editor’s Note: This episode was recorded in March 2026, before the City of San Diego released its initial FY27 budget proposal. That proposal has since raised urgent questions about the future of public arts funding in San Diego, making Jonathon and Grant’s conversation about arts, culture, and...
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Norma Chávez-Peterson: Courage, Community, and Defending Civil Liberties
Norma Chávez-Peterson is a longtime organizer and civil rights leader who serves as Executive Director of the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, one of the region’s leading voices on civil liberties and immigrant rights. Born in Michoacán, Mexico, and raised in San Diego, she brings lived...
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Jay Buys: Profit, Purpose, and the Future of Business
Jay Buys is the founder and CEO of Visceral, a B Corp-certified creative agency that builds brands and websites exclusively for social change organizations. Working with nonprofits, foundations, and other mission-driven partners, Jay has helped shape a business model that puts people, profit, and...
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Laura Castañeda: Journalism, Trust, and Telling the Full Story of a Border Region
Laura Castañeda is a veteran journalist, educator, and community voice who has spent decades helping San Diego understand itself. Known for her work in television and print, including at the San Diego Union-Tribune, she has been a mentor to generations of reporters and a champion for more...
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Gil Alvarado: Using All Our Resources to Benefit the Community
Gil Alvarado is the Chief Financial and Investment Officer (CFIO) of the Prebys Foundation, where he helps steward a $1.2 billion portfolio with an eye toward both strong returns and strong community benefit. A national thought partner in mission-aligned investing, Gil brings an entrepreneurial...
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Walking Shield: Building Capacity and Honoring Tribal Self-Determination
Walking Shield has spent nearly four decades improving quality of life for Native communities across the United States—bridging sovereign tribal nations with philanthropy, federal agencies, and the U.S. military. Alongside the Walking Shield team, Executive Director, Dr. John Castillo, and Senior...
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Brandon Steppe: “Shoulder to Shoulder” Mentorship That Changes Lives
Brandon Steppe left a corporate career to start a recording studio in his garage—never imagining that a few persistent neighborhood kids would change his life. Those early studio sessions grew into the David’s Harp Foundation, a nonprofit where justice-involved and opportunity youth in San Diego...
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Richard Tate: Health, Justice, and the Power of Voice
Richard Tate is the President and CEO of the California Wellness Foundation, where he leads with clarity, courage, and hope. A communications strategist turned first-time CEO, Richard embraces the power of philanthropy not just to fund change, but to stand up for values. Under his leadership, Cal...
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Scott Lewis: Journalism, Democracy, and the Future of San Diego
Scott Lewis is CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Voice of San Diego, the pioneering nonprofit newsroom he helped build nearly two decades ago. What began as an experiment in funding professional journalism outside of the old newspaper model is now a national template, proving that communities can…
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Sew Loka’s Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski: Slow Fashion, Bold Stories
Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski is the founder of Sew Loka, a community-driven textile art studio in San Diego’s Barrio Logan. A self-taught artist and entrepreneur, Claudia transforms reclaimed fabrics into vibrant, one-of-a-kind pieces that weave together personal history, cultural identity, and...
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Afira Arrastia-DeVries: Kids Are Not a Problem to Solve
Afira Arrastia-DeVries is the President and CEO of the Monarch School Project, the only K–12 public institution in the U.S. solely dedicated to educating unhoused students. A 2025 Prebys Leadership Awardee, Afira brings a powerful combination of heart, strategy, and passion to her work. As a...
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Peter Ellsworth: Trust Begins With Listening
Peter Ellsworth is a longtime San Diegan, civic leader, and founding force in modern philanthropy. From his early days in law and healthcare to his visionary role at the helm of the Legler Benbough Foundation, Peter has lived a life steeped in service, humility, and quiet transformation. A member...
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Mark Cafferty: Why Inclusive Growth Is Smart Business
Mark Cafferty is the President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC), where he leads with a mix of realism, resolve, and heart. In this conversation, he shares his experiences of how his values—shaped family, mentorship, and a belief in equity— continue to guide...
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Molly Puryear: Dancing Toward Joy, Connection and Possibility
Molly Puryear is the Executive Director of Malashock Dance and a lifelong believer in the healing, connective power of movement. With infectious joy and deep conviction, she champions dance not just as an art form but as a way to be more fully human. Under her leadership, Malashock is expanding…
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Live from the Prebys Sparx Awards Celebration: Celebrating Bold Ideas for Youth Well-Being
Katelyn Woodside is the Executive Director of the VAPA Foundation, a nonprofit bringing transformative arts education into San Diego’s public schools. A classically trained violinist, longtime educator, and nonprofit leader, Katelyn is advancing a bold vision: healing through expressive arts. Her...
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Elite, Not Elitist: Reimagining Public Higher Education with Pradeep Khosla
Pradeep Khosla is the chancellor of UC San Diego and a nationally recognized voice on the evolving role of public research universities. Under his leadership, UC San Diego has doubled in size, broadened its access, and transformed from a "diamond in the rough" into a globally respected powerhouse...
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Dr. Paula Cordeiro: The Convergence of Nonprofit, Business, and Social Good
Dr. Paula Cordeiro is a trailblazing educator, leadership expert, and social entrepreneur working at the intersection of business, nonprofits, and global development. A former dean and founder of the Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego, she’s reshaping how we think about…
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Angelina Renteria: Trust, Tradition, and Tribal Healthcare
Angelina Renteria is the Chief Operating Officer of Indian Health Council, a tribally-run health center serving nine sovereign tribal nations in North San Diego County. With nearly 30 years of experience in health and fitness and two decades in health-focused grant development, she brings deep...
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Grant Oliphant: Reconnecting with Why Our Work Matters
Grant Oliphant is the CEO of the Prebys Foundation and a longtime leader in philanthropy and social impact. With decades of experience guiding foundations through moments of transformation, he has a deep understanding of how philanthropy can respond to crises, support nonprofit resilience, and...
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Chris Appleton: Prescribing Art as Medicine
Chris Appleton is the founder and CEO of Art Pharmacy, a pioneering initiative using social prescribing to integrate the arts into healthcare and improve mental well-being. A leader in arts and social impact, his work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, and NPR. With a background in...
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The Alternative is Unacceptable
In this episode, Grant sits down with four motivated leaders who are driving solutions to the Tijuana River sewage crisis. Ramon Chairez, Sarah Davidson, Lesly Gallegos-Stearns, and Kapili Pasa are proving that change isn’t just possible, it is already happening through advocacy, environmental...
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Tijuana River Pollution: Speaking Up for Patient Health with Dr. Dickson and Dr. Nguyen
Special Series: This season, Stop & Talk is diving into one of San Diego County’s biggest environmental and health emergencies: the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis. Through this special series, we hear from doctors, advocates, researchers, and others fighting for clean environments, healthy...
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Season 2 Wrap-Up
Season 2 of Stop and Talk brought us stories of resilience, creativity, and community action across San Diego. Hosts Grant Oliphant and Crystal Page welcomed guests who are tackling complex challenges, from reimagining public spaces to strengthening community mental health and fostering economic...
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Thelma Virata de Castro: Expressing Yourself is a Powerful Thing
In this episode, host Grant Oliphant sits down with Thelma Virata de Castro, a Filipinx artist, playwright, and community teacher based in San Diego. Thelma's work delves deep into the human experience, with a unique blend of humor and profound themes. Through her "Cultivating JOY" project—part…
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Carol Dedrich: Fun is a critical component of mental health
Carol Dedrich, CEO of Girl Scouts San Diego, joins host Grant Oliphant to explore the evolving role of Girl Scouts in shaping the next generation of leaders. Drawing from her rich experiences as a U.S. Army captain and Girl Scout alumna, Carol shares how her journey is intricately connected to…
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Omar Blaik: Downtowns should be for everyone
In this episode of Stop & Talk, host Grant Oliphant sits down with visionary urban planner Omar Blaik, CEO of U3 Advisors, to explore the future of downtown spaces and their potential to serve all community members. Drawing from his extensive experience revitalizing cities like Philadelphia, Omar...
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Live Episode - Dr. Sindy Escobar Alvarez: The Intersection of Medical Research and Philanthropy
In this special live episode of Stop & Talk, Dr. Sindy Escobar Alvarez, Program Director for Medical Research at the Doris Duke Foundation, joins host Grant Oliphant. This interview was recorded at a community forum hosted by the Prebys Foundation that explored the evolving landscape of medical...
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Dr. Isabel Newton: Centering humanity in all aspects of healthcare
In this episode, host Grant Oliphant sits down with Dr. Isabel Newton, a distinguished physician-scientist and passionate mentor, whose work is transforming how patients and medical professionals engage with the healthcare system. Her multifaceted career spans research, clinical care, education,...
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Amina Sheik Mohamed: Health equity, cultural awareness, and belonging are key to well-being
Amina Sheik Mohamed is a dedicated advocate for health equity and cultural inclusivity. Her incredible work led her to be awarded one of Prebys Foundation’s inaugural Leadership Awards. As the Founder and Director of the Refugee Health Unit at UC San Diego, Amina has been instrumental in...
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Dan Yates: The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership
In this episode, Stop & Talk host Grant Oliphant engages in a heartfelt conversation with Dan Yates, board chair of the Prebys Foundation and co-founder/CEO of Endeavor Bank. A true San Diego native, Dan's journey from Paradise Hills to becoming a leading civic figure in San Diego reveals a...
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Dr. Benjamin Maxwell: Community can help youth thrive psychologically and flourish
Dr. Benjamin Maxwell, Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Rady Children’s Hospital, joins host Grant Oliphant to discuss enhancing youth psychological well-being, challenges to mental and behavioral health, and comprehensive solutions that go beyond the clinic. He shares the importance of...
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Dr. Mary Walshok: When the world wants to see the future, they look at California
In this episode of Stop & Talk, host Grant Oliphant sits down with Dr. Mary Walshok, an influential thinker and powerhouse in the San Diego community. Recently retired from her role as Vice Chancellor at UC San Diego, Mary spearheaded the creation of Park and Market, a facility designed to…
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Dr. Constance Carroll: The incredible impact of community colleges
In this episode, Dr. Constance Carroll, Chancellor Emerita of the San Diego Community College District, joins host Grant Oliphant to share her extraordinary journey in the realm of higher education and her lasting impact on the San Diego community. From her early days as the youngest black woman...
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Irwin Jacobs: Using What We Have to Strengthen San Diego County
Irwin Jacobs, joins host Grant Oliphant to reflect on his extensive, impactful philanthropic work in the San Diego region and beyond. He shares an inspiring journey of philanthropy deeply intertwined with personal values and community impact. Irwin speaks candidly about the challenges and…
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Ramel Wallace: Creativity as Care, Reflection, and Connection
In this episode, Stop & Talk host Grant Oliphant talks with Ramel Wallace, a multifaceted artist, activist, and community builder deeply embedded in the San Diego creative scene. Ramel's journey, rooted in hip-hop storytelling and community engagement, provides a unique lens into the city's...
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Preeti Bhattacharji: Using all a foundations assets to impact social change
Preeti Bhattacharji &Impact Investing: Shaping Communities Through Sustainable Investments Preeti Bhattacharji, Head of Sustainable Investing at J.P. Morgan Chase Private Bank, has a fascinating journey that began as a journalist. Her passion for covering historically marginalized communities...
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Diane Moss: Removing Barriers to Good Food Is a Community Effort
On the latest episode of Stop & Talk, host Grant Oliphant engages in a dynamic conversation with Diane Moss, the CEO of Project New Village. Founded in 1994, Project New Village spearheads a transformative initiative in Southeastern San Diego, leveraging neighborhood-based agriculture to ensure...
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Micah Parzen: It's About ALL of Us
Welcome back, friends! We’ve missed you. In this first episode of season 2, host Grant Oliphant and Micah Parzen, CEO of the Museum of Us, delve into efforts to preserve historic border wall murals in partnership with Friends of Friendship Park. Amidst the introspection triggered by George…
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Minisode: We Want to Know What You Think
As we prepare to launch season 2, we would like to know what you think of Stop & Talk. What do you like? What should we explore? Please complete the listener survey by the end of March to help us prepare for the new season. And as always thank you for listening! We will be back April 10! Complete...
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Season 1 Wrap Up
In this installment of "Stop & Talk," we take a journey through the highlights of Season 1, revisiting the wisdom and insights shared by each guest. Grant delves into the core themes that emerged, focusing on how these influential figures draw upon their personal journeys, foster robust networks,...
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Calling All Musicians: We Need Your Help with the Season 2 Music
At Stop & Talk, we want to show our love of local music. For Season 2 of the podcast, we want to hire a San Diego County musician (or musicians) to create our theme music. Interested? Send a sample of your music that you think fits the style of our podcast to [email protected]. If we think you're…
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Cara Dessert: At the Center of Our Advocacy is Joy
Hailing from El Centro, CA, Cara Dessert has always been an organizer and powerful galvanizer of community and equality. She has nearly two decades of experience in non-profit and social justice work, making her the ideal CEO of the San Diego LGBT Community Center. In this episode of Stop and…
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Macedonio Arteaga Jr: Taking Time to Help People Heal is a Basic Human Function
As the Executive Director of Izcalli, a long-standing non-profit organization that works with at-risk youth, Macedonio Arteaga has a keen eye for the needs of future generations. If you combine that with his past advocacy experience in the San Diego region and his evident sense of humor, it's…
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Roxana Velásquez San Diego is a Cultural Center
Roxana Velásquez is the Maruja Baldwin Executive Director and CEO at the San Diego Museum of Art. Since taking over the role in 2010, Roxana has used passion and commitment to art for all to share, invite, and inspire our region. She chooses beauty and wants each San Diegan to feel pride over the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Join Grant Oliphant and Crystal Page as they sit down to explore the vibrant and evolving landscape of San Diego County, through the lens of the Prebys Foundation's mission and vision. In Stop & Talk, Grant and Crystal engage in thought-provoking conversations with local leaders, changemakers, and community builders who are passionate about creating a more inclusive, purposeful, and opportunity-rich San DiegoEach episode offers an inside look into the foundation's journey, discoveries, and partnerships while highlighting the work being done to cultivate belonging and drive positive change across the region. Whether it's amplifying the voices of upcoming leaders or fostering collaborative solutions to the region's most pressing challenges, Stop & Talk is your go-to space for inspiration and insight on what’s possible when people come together with intention and vision.Subscribe to get the latest engaging discussions that inspire action and celebrate the power of community.
HOSTED BY
Grant Oliphant, Prebys Foundation, Crystal Page
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Stop & Talk have?
Stop & Talk currently has 59 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Stop & Talk about?
Join Grant Oliphant and Crystal Page as they sit down to explore the vibrant and evolving landscape of San Diego County, through the lens of the Prebys Foundation's mission and vision. In Stop & Talk, Grant and Crystal engage in thought-provoking conversations with local leaders, changemakers, and...
How often does Stop & Talk release new episodes?
Stop & Talk has 59 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Stop & Talk?
You can listen to Stop & Talk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Stop & Talk?
Stop & Talk is created and hosted by Grant Oliphant, Prebys Foundation, Crystal Page.
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