In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, host Jose Acevedo sits down with Laura Huber, a candidate for the Arizona State Senate representing Legislative District 25. Laura shares her journey from working as a mental health counselor to stepping into the world of public service, driven by a deep belief in empathy, integrity, and community engagement. She discusses the importance of prioritizing mental health access — especially in schools — and why policy must consider the whole person, not just numbers on a page. Laura also dives into critical issues facing Arizona, including water security, sustainable land stewardship, and restorative justice practices that focus on rehabilitation and community well-being. 

Connect with Laura Huber:

Website: https://www.laurahuberforazsenate.com/

Social: https://www.instagram.com/laurahuberforaz/

Connect with the Finding Arizona Podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findingarizonapodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingarizonapodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findingarizonapodcast

Website: https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-arizona-podcast/

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/findingarizona

PRODUCTION:

Ready to start your own podcast?

Found-House powered by The Finding Arizona Podcast is your best find!

Want to be a guest or a sponsor of the show? Send us a message on the https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/contact 

SPONSORS:

• SeatGeek: Get a $20 discount on your tickets with code FINDINGARIZONA at seatgeek.com.

Join host Jose Acevedo as he welcomes Dylan McDonnell, founder and CEO of Foodini, to the "Next Door Narratives" series. Discover Dylan's personal journey with celiac disease and how it inspired the creation of Foodini, a tech-driven platform that empowers diners with dietary needs. Explore the challenges and triumphs of building a system that ensures transparency and safety in dining out, and learn about the legislative changes impacting food allergy awareness. Tune in for an insightful conversation on innovation, community, and the future of dining.Connect with Foodini

Website: https://foodini.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getfoodini

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getfoodini/

Connect with the Finding Arizona Podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findingarizonapodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingarizonapodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findingarizonapodcast

Website: https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-arizona-podcast/

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/findingarizona

PRODUCTION:

Ready to start your own podcast? Found-House powered by The Finding Arizona Podcast is your best find!

Want to be a guest or a sponsor of the show? Send us a message on the https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/contact 

SPONSORS:

• SeatGeek: Get a $20 discount on your tickets with code FINDINGARIZONA at seatgeek.com.

In this special annual recap episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, hosts Jose and Brittany Acevedo take a moment to reflect on the whirlwind that was 2025. From powerful interviews and meaningful community connections to behind-the-scenes lessons and personal growth, they share what it truly takes to keep a local podcast thriving. The conversation highlights the evolution of the show, the relationships built along the way, and the emotional moments that made this year unforgettable. As they look ahead, Jose and Brittany tease an exciting milestone on the horizon — the upcoming 500th episode celebration — and express deep gratitude for the guests, listeners, and Arizona community that continue to make Finding Arizona possible.Connect with the Finding Arizona Podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findingarizonapodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingarizonapodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findingarizonapodcast

Website: https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-arizona-podcast/

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/findingarizonaPRODUCTION:

Ready to start your own podcast? Found-House powered by The Finding Arizona Podcast is your best find!

Want to be a guest or a sponsor of the show? 

Send us a message on the https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/contact 

SPONSORS:

• SeatGeek: Get a $20 discount on your tickets with code FINDINGARIZONA at seatgeek.com.

Our host, Jose Acevedo, sits down with author Akira Singh to explore the deeply personal journey behind her storytelling, creativity, and debut novel. From growing up in South Africa to building a new life in the United States, Akira shares how cultural transition, family influence, and personal growth shaped her voice as a writer. Her debut novel, The Book That Will Change the World, reflects her desire to inspire readers, challenge perspectives, and remind people that creativity can flourish through every season of life. 

Connect with Akira Singh:

Website: https://akirasinghauthor.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_bookeffect?igsh=M3dncml2Nmg0ajFm

Connect with the Finding Arizona Podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findingarizonapodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingarizonapodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findingarizonapodcast

Website: https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-arizona-podcast/

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/findingarizona

PRODUCTION:

Ready to start your own podcast? Found-House powered by The Finding Arizona Podcast is your best find!Want to be a guest or a sponsor of the show? Send us a message on the https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/contact 

SPONSORS:

• SeatGeek: Get a $20 discount on your tickets with code FINDINGARIZONA at seatgeek.com.

In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Stubbs, Director of CFO Services at Visibility CFO & Tax Advisors, a Phoenix-area firm focused on helping entrepreneurs gain financial clarity, maximize cash flow, and make smarter strategic decisions through tailored CFO, tax, and financial advisory services. Andrew brings over 15 years of experience in finance and accounting, spanning industries from real estate and healthcare to education, and breaks down why proactive communication, transparency, and a solid financial strategy are essential for business growth. Connect with Andrew and Visibility CFO & Tax Advisors:

Website: https://www.visibilitycpa.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-stubbs-0755a514/

Connect with the Finding Arizona Podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findingarizonapodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingarizonapodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findingarizonapodcast

Website: https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-arizona-podcast/

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/findingarizonaPRODUCTION:

Ready to start your own podcast? Found-House powered by The Finding Arizona Podcast is your best find!Want to be a guest or a sponsor of the show? Send us a message on the https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/contact 

SPONSORS:

• SeatGeek: Get a $20 discount on your tickets with code FINDINGARIZONA at seatgeek.com.

In this conversation, Garr shares his transformative journey from a troubled youth involved in drug dealing to a successful entrepreneur and family man. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to embrace faith, the importance of family dynamics, and the lessons learned from both failures and successes. Garr emphasizes the value of homeschooling his children, the role of food in fostering community, and the significance of maintaining a strong mindset in business. He also touches on the importance of sharing personal history with his children and the foundational principles that guide his entrepreneurial ventures.

Connect with Garr Russell:

Website: https://garrrussell.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garr.russell 

Connect with the Finding Arizona Podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findingarizonapodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingarizonapodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findingarizonapodcast

Website: https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-arizona-podcast/

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/findingarizona

PRODUCTION:

Ready to start your own podcast?

Found-House powered by The Finding Arizona Podcast is your best find!Want to be a guest or a sponsor of the show? Send us a message on the https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/contact 

SPONSORS:

• SeatGeek: Get a $20 discount on your tickets with code FINDINGARIZONA at seatgeek.com.

We sit down with Mara Benson, owner and lead realtor at Bliss Realty, to explore her journey in real estate and the vision behind her business. Mara shares how she got started in real estate, what inspired her to launch Bliss Realty, and how she builds trust and relationships with clients through integrity, communication, and genuine care. Connect with Mara Benson :

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marabensongroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/marabensonazrealtor/Connect with the Finding Arizona Podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findingarizonapodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingarizonapodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findingarizonapodcast

Website: https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-arizona-podcast/

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/findingarizonaPRODUCTION:

Ready to start your own podcast? Found-House powered by The Finding Arizona Podcast is your best find!Want to be a guest or a sponsor of the show? Send us a message on the https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/contact 

SPONSORS:

• SeatGeek: Get a $20 discount on your tickets with code FINDINGARIZONA at seatgeek.com.

In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, host Jose Acevedo sits down with Jeremy Russo - CEO of Vacation Ownership Consultants, a Scottsdale-based timeshare-exit firm that’s been operating for over 11 years. Jeremy shares how his early career in travel and vacation rentals exposed him to countless timeshare owners stuck with unwanted contracts- a pattern that inspired him to build VOC to provide honest, guided solutions. The conversation digs into the complexities of timeshare ownership: why contracts are often written to favor the resort, why fees like annual maintenance keep rising, and why many owners find themselves trapped financially even if they never use the timeshare.

Connect with Vacation Ownership Consultants

• Website: https://vacationownershipconsultants.com/
• Phone:: 1-866-507-1289

Connect with the Finding Arizona Podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findingarizonapodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingarizonapodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findingarizonapodcast

Website: https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-arizona-podcast/

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/findingarizonaPRODUCTION:

Ready to start your own podcast? Found-House powered by The Finding Arizona Podcast is your best find!

Want to be a guest or a sponsor of the show? Send us a message on the https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/contact SPONSORS:

• SeatGeek: Get a $20 discount on your tickets with code FINDINGARIZONA at seatgeek.com.

In this episode, we meet with the 2025–2026 Executive Committee President of the Arizona Costume Institute (ACI), Donna Johnson, and dive into how this fashion-forward nonprofit has grown, evolved its mission, and built a vibrant community around fashion preservation and design. From discussing how ACI became part of the Phoenix Art Museum ecosystem to exploring what drives its members, what makes it unique in the Arizona arts scene, and how the organization continues to elevate fashion education, this conversation covers it all. Don’t miss out- join ACI at their annual Holiday Luncheon on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Arizona Biltmore to support fashion exhibitions, acquisitions, and education programs, and secure your seat today.

Connect with ACI:

Website: https://www.arizonacostumeinstitute.org 

Holiday Luncheon: https://www.arizonacostumeinstitute.org/2025-holiday-luncheonConnect with the Finding Arizona Podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findingarizonapodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingarizonapodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findingarizonapodcast

Website: https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-arizona-podcast/

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/findingarizona

PRODUCTION:

Ready to start your own podcast? Found-House powered by The Finding Arizona Podcast is your best find!Want to be a guest or a sponsor of the show? Send us a message on the https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/contact 

SPONSORS:

• SeatGeek: Get a $20 discount on your tickets with code FINDINGARIZONA at seatgeek.com.

We meet with Sentari Minor, Executive Vice President of evolvedMD, whose mission is to re-imagine behavioral health by integrating mental health support directly into primary care settings. On this episode, we discuss embedding master’s-level clinicians within primary care teams, improving collaborative care, addressing the whole patient, and creating immediate access to mental health resources. We also explore how this innovative model is improving patient outcomes for anxiety, depression, and other behavioral health concerns, and why integrating therapy into routine healthcare is crucial for modern medical practice.

Connect with EvolvedMD 

Website: https://evolvedmd.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolved_md

Connect with the Finding Arizona Podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findingarizonapodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingarizonapodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findingarizonapodcast

Website: https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-arizona-podcast/

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/findingarizona

PRODUCTION:

Ready to start your own podcast? Found-House powered by The Finding Arizona Podcast is your best find!Want to be a guest or a sponsor of the show? Send us a message on the https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/contact 

SPONSORS:

• SeatGeek: Get a $20 discount on your tickets with code FINDINGARIZONA at seatgeek.com.