CaliBiz

Now in its 7th year, the Mentone International Film Festival has become a shining example of how creativity can transform a small town into a cultural destination. Join host Ken Alan and co-host Angie Grisafe De La Rosa as they dive into the stories behind this community-driven festival — from indie filmmakers making their mark to local leaders proving that the arts can spark real economic growth. Featuring live and phone interviews with filmmakers, festival organizers, and community voices, this episode offers inspiration for film buffs, indie creators, and towns looking for their own big-screen moment.

Host Ken Alan sits down with Pam Davis from the San Bernardino County Fire Department to uncover the hidden dangers of hazardous waste—especially lithium batteries—while exploring how local businesses and schools can stay safe, how arson dogs help solve arson crimes, and what K–12 students are learning about fire prevention and flammable materials.

Hosts Ken Alan and Ralph Squillace return with a new episode of the feature “Boy Is That Dumb!” on this special edition of the CaliBiz podcast. This installment zeroes in on the boneheaded mistakes businesses make that drive away customers, drain profits—and hand competitors the upper hand. Topics include community college admissions blunders, service club missteps, bad parking lot design, purchase barriers, and a gift card scam alert you won’t want to miss.

Stop wasting time on job boards. In this episode of CaliBiz, Ken Alan shares a smarter, privacy-first approach to landing the job you want—featuring burner emails, LinkedIn hacks, and one powerful secret from PR pros.

How do families build their way to homeownership, and what's in their massive thrift store warehouse? We talk with David Hahn, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Riverside, about their empowering model of affordable housing, and then explore the sprawling inventory of their ReStore, where every item helps construct a brighter future.

Join us for a vibrant live broadcast from the annual Mentone Days festival, hosted by the Mentone Chamber of Commerce in Mentone, California. We dive into the town’s storied past—from its roots as a late‑19th‑century railroad stop and health spa (named after Menton, France) to its evolution into a charming gateway community at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains.

Along the way, we chat with local residents and explore the festival’s exhibits with us: from artisan booths and community groups to nostalgia‑filled displays highlighting the festive atmosphere of this delightful small‑town celebration.

On this episode, "Boy Is That Dumb!” we unpack the worst marketing and customer service blunders from businesses and non-profits—so you can laugh, learn, and use their mistakes as your competitive edge. My special guest host is Ralph Squillace.

How to get your Food Service Product into Alternative Sales Channels. My guest is consultant Mike Levinson from FSOctopus.com who also discusses what it takes to get your product into Costco.  CaliBiz is hosted by Ken Alan.

We’ve been told child labor laws protect minors from wage exploitation, danger, and lost education — but what if that’s all a myth? This podcast dismantles the familiar narrative, exposing how modern labor restrictions serve special interests, not minors, by keeping teens away from safe, productive jobs, exposing them to many dangers in school, exploited for unpaid work, and stalling their independence, earnings, and growth. My guest is Dr. Jeffrey Miron, a senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies in Harvard's economics department. He is also director of economic policy studies at the Cato Institute.

In a marketplace where most products and services are virtually indistinguishable, competition often comes down to price. But smart businesses know there’s a better way. In this master class, CaliBiz Podcast host Ken Alan reveals how to gain a competitive edge by identifying and removing the hidden barriers that prevent customers from saying “yes”—barriers your competitors likely overlook. These insights aren’t just for sales; they also apply to HR recruitment and purchasing workflows.