Episodes

What does it take to navigate the ever-evolving world of media and marketing? How does one transition from casting extras in Hollywood to leading marketing at a cutting-edge production studio? Join me as I dive into these questions and more in episode 140 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact." This week, I chat with the dynamic Mary Burt-Godwin, Director of Marketing at Loft 100 Studios. Mary's journey is nothing short of inspiring—from her early days at UC Santa Barbara to casting for icon...

Ever wondered how to transform a team from dysfunctional to dynamic? Or what it feels like to leap from a corporate career into entrepreneurship, akin to skydiving? Join me on this exciting episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact, as I sit down with the inspiring Jani Jackson, founder of Develop Your Team. Jani takes us through her fascinating journey from studying English Literature at Cal State Northridge to becoming a leader in team building and leadership development. With roots in ...

Ever wondered how cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing the fitness world? Or how a life-changing event can steer someone into a new career path? In Episode 138 of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact, I dive into these fascinating topics with Samir Satwah and Ben McCoy, co-owners of the Smart Fit Method in Carlsbad. Samir shares his compelling journey from IT to health coaching after brain surgery turned his life around, leading him to co-own the very gym that transformed his health. Mean...

Welcome to Episode 137 of the "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact" podcast! Ever wondered how a paramedic turned stay-at-home dad could revolutionize plastic recycling? Join me as I sit down with the visionary founder of Plastic Beach, Matthew Clough. Matthew's journey is nothing short of fascinating. From the UK to California, his diverse career path led him to question the massive plastic waste in the motorcycle industry. This curiosity sparked the creation of Plastic Beach, a groundbreakin...

Ever wondered how a diagnosis can completely pivot your career path? In episode 136 of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact, I sit down with Ian Walhert, an inspiring ADHD life coach, to explore this fascinating journey. From pursuing mechanical engineering to embracing psychology, Ian's story is a testament to the unpredictable yet rewarding pathways life can offer. We delve into his decade-long adventure in Australia, his personal struggles, and how these experiences shaped his mission to supp...

Ever wondered how a screenwriter and best-selling author transforms her literary world into cinematic magic? In episode 135 of the Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact podcast, I sit down with the talented Renee Carlino to uncover her incredible journey from the heart of Carlsbad to the big screen. Join us as Renee shares her fascinating Portuguese-American heritage and her early days in San Diego County, where her dreams of working in film evolved into a passion for writing. Discover the grass...

Ever wondered how to turn a heated argument into a harmonious dialogue? Or transform workplace tensions into opportunities for growth? Join me as I sit down with the insightful Scott Silk, founder of Olive Branch Solutions, on this episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact. Scott takes us on a journey from Louisville, Kentucky, to the sunlit shores of North County, California, sharing how his disillusionment with traditional litigation sparked a passion for mediation. Discover how Scott’s...

Ever wondered how a simple box of fresh produce can transform lives? Or how a nonprofit born out of the pandemic is tackling food insecurity, nutrition inequity, and sustainability all at once? Join us for Episode 127 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact," where we sit down with the visionary founder and executive director of Plus Box, Wesley Burt. Wesley takes us through his fascinating journey from studying at USC and Northwestern to his diverse career spanning public policy, a presidenti...

Ever wondered how a corporate background in process control can lead to a thriving career in the music and digital marketing industries? Or how an office space can transform into a bustling recording studio? In this episode of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact", we sit down with Bob Berman, the dynamic owner and general manager of Amplified Studios and Amplified Studios Agency. Bob's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Hailing from New Jersey and spending three decades in Vermont, Bob v...

Ever wondered how a childhood surrounded by tradesmen could shape a successful career in architecture? Or how a simple phrase from a child could inspire the name of an entire business? Join me as I sit down with Benjamin Schaefer, the visionary behind Little Big Design, in our latest episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact! Benjamin’s story is one of passion, resilience, and creativity. From his roots in Ventura County to the bustling Bay Area, and finally settling in sunny San Diego, ...

Ever wondered how a farm girl from New Hampshire ends up leading a sustainability revolution in sunny California? Or how surplus furniture can change lives across the globe? In this episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact, I sit down with Megan Draper, President and CEO of Furniture Reuse Solutions (FRS), to uncover her incredible journey and the impactful mission of her company. Megan shares her fascinating transition from managing logistics in New England to spearheading environmen...

Ever wondered how a digital billboard on a truck could revolutionize advertising? Curious about the cybersecurity measures that can protect your business from phishing and ransomware? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating journey of Garry Heppy, a man who has worn many hats—from electronics to media innovation, and now, IT and cybersecurity. Join me as I sit down with Garry Heppy to explore his diverse career path, starting from his early days in Orange County to his pivotal role at Cor...

Ever wondered what drives someone to join law enforcement? Or how police officers balance the challenges of their roles with community engagement? In this captivating episode, I sit down with Melissa Zavala and Matt Jensen, dedicated officers from the Carlsbad Police Department and passionate board members of the Carlsbad Police Officers Foundation. Melissa and Matt share their unique paths to becoming officers. From Melissa’s local roots and early inspiration to Matt’s journey from the Midwest...

Ever wondered how a childhood passion for theater can transform into a cornerstone of a community's cultural life? Or how a converted chicken coop and Jazzercise headquarters can pave the way for a thriving arts center? Join us for episode 127 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact," where we sit down with the inspiring Kristianne Kurner, Founder and Executive Artistic Director of New Village Arts. In this episode, Kristianne takes us on a journey from her nomadic upbringing as a Marine Corps...

Ever wondered how a historic church could become a beacon of community and culture in modern times? Or how jazz could transform a traditional space into a vibrant community hub? Join us for an inspiring episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact, where we sit down with Father Doran Stambaugh, the passionate pastor of St. Michael by the Sea Episcopal Church. In this episode, we delve into the rich history of St. Michael by the Sea, one of Carlsbad's oldest institutions, and its architectur...

Ever wondered what it takes to create a vibrant and engaging environment for seniors? Or how a retirement community can feel more like a resort? Join us on this episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact as we sit down with Haley DiDonato, the dynamic Director of Life Enrichment at Carlsbad by the Sea Retirement Community. Haley’s journey is nothing short of fascinating. From sports marketing with the San Diego Padres to senior real estate, her diverse background has uniquely positioned he...

Have you ever wondered how a Marine Corps veteran transitions into a successful entrepreneur? Or how boutique dental practices can achieve explosive growth? Join us on this episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact, where we sit down with Jared Sinclair, the dynamic founder of Sinclair Performance Institute. Jared shares his fascinating journey from his Southern California upbringing, through military service and police work, to earning a doctorate from USC. Discover how his diverse exper...

Ever wondered what it takes to become a Chick-fil-A franchise owner? Or how a restaurant can thrive without a drive-thru? In this episode of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact," I sit down with Tyler Reese, the franchise owner of Chick-fil-A Carlsbad West, to uncover the secrets behind his incredible journey and the core values that make Chick-fil-A a beloved brand. Tyler's story is nothing short of inspiring. From moving to San Marcos in 2004 and starting at Chick-fil-A in 2009, to climbing...

Hey there, listeners! Are you ready to dive into the secrets of thriving in your golden years? Episode 122 of Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact is about to change the game on how we view aging and retirement. Have you ever wondered how to find new purpose after leaving your career? Or perhaps you're curious about how to support aging loved ones to live their best lives? Join me, your host Bret Schanzenbach, as I chat with the remarkable Kim Shea, president of Game Changing Counseling Serv...

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of style that could transform your life from the inside out? In episode 121 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact," we sit down with the incredibly inspiring Gazelle Parsa, founder of Gazelle Fashion and Style. From her journey across the globe from Persia to the heart of Carlsbad, Gazelle's story is nothing short of remarkable. Ever wondered how a piano teacher turned into a style maven? Gazelle opens up about her pivot from teaching music to embracing t...

Are you ready to dive into the world of mortgages and discover how they're shaping our community? In episode 120 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact," we get the inside scoop from mortgage maestro Carl Streicher, a wizard in the lending landscape and a dedicated board member of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. Ever wondered how an aeronautical engineering student pivots to business economics and becomes a linchpin in the mortgage industry? Carl shares his unique journey from UC Davis to U...

Hey there, Carlsbad community! Are you ready to dive into the heartwarming world of caregiving with a twist of local pride? In Episode 119 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact," we have the pleasure of chatting with Navy veteran and compassionate entrepreneur, Matt August, owner of First Light Home Care of Carlsbad and La Jolla. Ever wondered what it takes to navigate the high seas of life after serving in the Navy? How does one go from ship navigation to steering a home care business towa...

Hey, Carlsbad community! Ever wondered what it takes to transition from college football stardom to financial advising, all while making a lasting impact in your hometown? In episode 118 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact," we get the inside scoop from none other than Christian Chapman, former SDSU quarterback and financial advisor at Strong Financial Network. Christian's story isn't just about touchdowns; it's a tale of resilience and dedication. From his nomadic childhood to his impress...

Hey there, listeners! Have you ever wondered what it takes to shape the leaders of tomorrow? Or how a military school experience can impact a young man's life beyond just preparing him for armed service? Well, you're in for a treat with Episode 117 of the "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact" podcast! This time around, we sit down with an exceptional guest, Lieutenant Colonel Roland Miraco, commandant of cadets at the prestigious Army Navy Academy. Roland isn't just a decorated military veter...