Society & Culture Episodes

Imagine a world where neurodiversity is not only understood but celebrated for the unique strengths it brings to our society. ERin Schirm of Meristem joins me for a transformative conversation on how this organization is fostering independence and opening doors to employment for adults on the autism spectrum and other neurodiverse conditions. Erin shares the beautiful metaphor behind 'Meristem'—a place of growth and regeneration—mirroring their mission to nurture potential through the Meristem m...

Have you ever wondered how your individual skills and resources could make a profound difference in your community? Join me as I talk with Brad Squires, CEO of Social Venture Partners (SVP). He'll explain venture philanthropy, a model where engagement goes far beyond writing checks. In a candid conversation, Brad illustrates how SVP Sacramento harnesses the power of the 5Ts—time, talent, treasure, testimony, and ties—to empower local nonprofits. We discuss innovative programs like Fast Pitch and...

This episode unlocks the secrets of Granite Wellness Centers' innovative approach to treating substance use disorder as CEO, Victoria Blacksmith takes us behind the scenes of their life-changing programs. Be inspired by the diverse range of services tailored to preempt substance-related challenges, including the organization's deep-rooted commitment to early adolescent intervention and special care for mothers in recovery. Victoria's expertise shines a light on the necessity of evolving language...

There's a magical quality to the story of Soil Born Farms, a tale of transformation and community that encapsulates the very essence of urban agriculture's potential. As Sean Harrison takes us back to the early days of his pioneering journey, we can't help but feel the pull of nostalgia and the electric charge of innovation. From his formative years at UC Santa Barbara to the bustling reality of Sacramento's first certified organic urban farm, Sean's recollections are a testament to the power of...

Journey with me down the aisles as I speak with Chelsea Minor, VP, Community Impact and Public Affairs at The Raley Companies and Executive Director of Food for Families. Chelsea shares her inspiring tale of weaving community service into the fabric of business. Our conversation is more than just a reflection; it's a deep connection to the heart of giving that beats strongly within our local Raleys, Bel-Air and Nob Hill grocery stores. Chelsea's dual role allows her to be at the forefront of an ...

Have you ever pondered the inner workings of the foster care system and the unsung heroes guiding children through it? Carol Noreen, Executive Director of CASA Sacramento, joins me today to shine a spotlight on the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, revealing the intricate juggling of compassion and legal advocacy that shapes the destinies of foster children. This heartfelt conversation unfolds the layers of CASA's influence as we traverse the tale of siblings whose lives were tra...

Listen in as Executive Director Bonnie Patterson from Rebuilding Together Sacramento joins me to share the incredible story of how a modest volunteer initiative blossomed into a robust nonprofit organization, touching countless lives along the way. With a legacy that began as "Christmas in April", the group now offers a plethora of programs aimed at aiding low-income homeowners. Their mission? To ensure older adults and individuals with disabilities can live safely and independently in their own...

Ever wondered how a summer program can transform a child's future? Breakthrough Sacramento's 30th anniversary is a testament to the staying power of education and mentorship. Join me as Faith Galati, the dedicated Executive Director of Breakthrough Sacramento, shares the floor with an energetic eighth grader, Johanna. Their stories intertwine to paint a vivid picture of the program's history, its impactful peer-teaching approach, and the ways in which it champions educational equity, helping stu...

Unlock the secrets of entrepreneurial growth and community impact with Cathy Rodriguez Aguirre, President/CEO of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as she shares the chamber's transformative work. Our conversation spotlights the array of bilingual services provided, from supporting micro-businesses to partnering with corporate giants like SMUD and Wells Fargo. By weaving in the compelling stories of Hispanic and Latina-owned businesses thriving within the Sacramento region, we showcase...

Join me as as I welcome Meghan Adamski from "A Touch of Understanding". We'll uncover the compassionate journey and profound influence of an organization that has been championing disability awareness for over three decades. Meghan shares with us the heartfelt origins of the program, stemming from the founder's childhood experience that lead to the creation of an educational initiative that has since touched the lives of thousands of students. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and the progra...

Ever wondered how the spirit of giving is nurtured within a community? Kerry Wood, CEO of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation joins me to shed light on the monumental efforts that drive philanthropy forward. Our conversation pulls back the curtain on the operational magic of community foundations, where donor passions intertwine with community needs, creating a tapestry of impact that will hopefully span across generations. Kerry's insights into donor-advised funds and scholarships reveal...

Imagine the journey from a bustling media career to the tranquil life off-the-grid, and finally to the helm of a once-struggling animal shelter. That's the life of Kenn Altine, CEO of the Sacramento SPCA. He's here to shatter the illusion that animal welfare organizations are solely about the animals, revealing the deep connections between the care of pets and the well-being of their human companions. Through Kenn's experiences, we uncover the nuanced reality of shelter management, from the chal...

Join me today as we explore the powerful partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters and Luminous Minds, aimed at enriching the lives of children through mentorship and improved literacy. Listen in as my guests, Brenda Frascheur, Jacob Petersen and Chandra Roughton, shed light on the incredible mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters to create life-changing bonds between 'bigs' and 'littles' by fostering, supporting and teaching literacy for children struggling to read. Moreover, Chandra from Lumin...

Join me for a profound journey with Dr. Luke Wood, the trailblazing president of Sacramento State University, as we discuss the stories and struggles that have shaped his dedication to serving students from all walks of life. From his own experiences with food and housing insecurities to his tireless advocacy for vulnerable student populations, Dr. Wood offers an intimate look at how personal challenges can transform into a force for the greater good. Listen as he shares his vision for a univers...

Ever wondered how a city's economy thrives on tourism? Imagine if your backyard festival could generate millions of dollars and thousands of jobs. That's exactly what Mike Testa, the CEO of Visit Sacramento, brings to light in our chat about the city's diverse attractions and events. Coverig topics like the annual Aftershock music festival and Sacramento's farm-to-fork claim, you'll see how these unique experiences are shaping Sacramento into a destination that's increasingly hard to resist.Look...

Join me as I explore the critical work of Hope Cooperative, an organization committed to addressing homelessness and offering comprehensive wraparound services, with its CEO, Erin Johansen. Erin shares her journey with Hope Cooperative, which she joined 11 years ago when it had 85 employees and a 6.5 million dollar budget. Today, the organization has grown to include 350 employees and a 30 million dollar budget, expanding its services to meet the increasing challenges of homelessness. Erin provi...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so it seemed appropriate to feature an entity that has served and empowered survivors of domestic violence to grow into healthy, productive people and families. Learn from my conversation with Beth Hassett, CEO and Executive Director of WEAVE, Inc. as she brings to the table her profound insights on the myriad of challenges and hurdles faced by survivors of domestic abuse. We explore the thought-provoking rationale behind WEAVE's name change to 'When...

Founded by Father Dan Madigan and a group of volunteers, many of whom were World War II veterans, the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services has been addressing food insecurity in the community for over four decades. Starting by establishing a soup kitchen at Immaculate Conception Church in Oak Park, it has grown to be the source in the county for servicing those in need, including children, seniors, and families. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, staff, and community support, they're ab...

I'll bet if anyone were to ask what you thought about HIV/AIDS in our community, you wouldn't have much to say. If you're like most, you may even have thought the virus was gone. While no longer an epidemic in the US, there are still many survivors, many infected and many unaware they're living with the virus. That means they can spread it to others but worse yet, pregnant women with the virus can give it to their babies at birth. Sunburst Projects works to prevent this with a variety of tools a...

What is the legal definition of blindness? How many people would be considered "legally" blind in our region? What resources are there to support those dealing with or suddenly finding themselves blind? Executive Director of Society for the Blind, Sacramento, Shari Roeseler walks us through these questions and more as she addresses the significance and necessity for an organization like this in our communities. Serving 27 counties and over 6000 people, the need is evident but the structure, tenu...

Lisa Wrightsman, Street Soccer USA Sacramento's Managing Partner, shares her story and how it lead to her involvement in Street Soccer USA, what Street Soccer is and how it engages communities to break the cycle of homelessness thru sport. The conversation continues to the process that led to Sacramento being awarded and becoming host to the first ever Homeless World Cup in the United States. An incredible story that produces incredible results.

Why do some schools perform better than others? What is the difference between a public school, a private school and a parochial school? How are charter schools funded? Do charter school students outperform their peers at other schools? These are just some of the questions that come up in our discussion today with Kevin Dobson, Founder and Executive Director of Capital College & Career Academy. You'll learn things you may not have known and certainly be inspired by his vision for the school and ...

Join Marisa DeSalles as she visits with comedian, improviser and team building strategist Betsaida Lebron. Betsaida will be conducting a virtual session at the What If Conference on the power of play and how it can reduce burnout for employees. Betsaida started her career working in mental health advocacy and now uses her experience in mental health and improvisation to teach adults in the workplace how to shed their armor and become more vulnerable and playful in their work and as a result, mor...

Join host Marisa DeSalles as she sits down with Lynn Malzone Ierardi, J.D. for a conversation about the importance of storytelling for nonprofits while fundraising. Lynn is the keynote speaker at the What If Conference and is the author of the book Storytelling: The Secret Sauce to Fundraising Success. She has been in the estate and gift planning field for more than 30 years and has served as Director of Gift Planning for the University of Pennsylvania since 2005. She has worked on multiple camp...