Fresno's Best

There's been a lot of changes going on behind the scenes, so I thought it would be important to take a minute to update you all on what's been happening.

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Today, we have another Bakersfield Connection podcast. I like doing these because I think the Valley needs to be a lot more integrated in order to be successful. And so today we have David Higdon on the show. David is the co-founder of Kern Venture Group, a venture capital fund based out of Bakersfield, California, that's focused on funding founders and businesses that want to develop and improve the Central Valley, which I think is such an admirable mission and project to focus on, in particular for the Central Valley's future.

KVG's Website

Courtney McNulty is the Zoological Animal Manager of the Bird Show at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, a position she has held for three years. She developed a passion for wildlife through early exposure to zoos and aquariums in southern California, leading her to pursue a career in animal care and education. With over nine years of experience in the field, including specialized training in exotic animal management, McNulty has dedicated herself to bird care and is committed to advancing animal welfare and conservation for future generations.

Chaffee Zoo Website

Book Recommendations:

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Brene Brown

Monday Morning Leadership: 8 Mentoring Sessions You Can't Afford to Miss David Cottrell 

The Invisible Wall: A Love Story That Broke Barriers Harry Bernstein 

Today, we have Dr. Carole Goldsmith on the show. Dr. Goldsmith became Chancellor of State Center Community College District on January 1, 2022, leading efforts to create a welcoming environment for all. She oversaw the adoption of a new mission, vision, and values, delivered a balanced budget supporting District goals, aligned curriculum for optimal student outcomes, and developed partnerships to enhance faculty effectiveness and student achievement. Prior to this role, Dr. Goldsmith served as President of Fresno City College from 2016 to 2021 and brought 13 years of experience from West Hills Community College District, including her tenure as President of West Hills College Coalinga. She holds a bachelor's degree in history from California State University, Fresno, a master's in educational administration from National University, and a doctorate in higher education leadership from the joint program at Fresno State and UC Davis.

Books: 

Star Trek: Discovery: Wonderlands Una McCormack 

Today, we have Lindsay Anton on the show. A graduate of the San Francisco Cooking School, Lindsay Anton is currently the chef at Moto Delicatessen. Having started her cooking career in New York in 2008, Lindsay has almost 15 years experience in the food and restaurant industry. Lindsay has spent time in the uber successful kitchens of Nopa, Delfina and Locanda in San Francisco, with the majority of her time spent cooking and consulting for private clients in Seattle, San Francisco and New York. She spent over 7 years working with Chef Coreen Carroll of Cannaisseur Series creating multi-course infused and elevated cannabis cuisine at dozens of events in the bay area. In 2016 Lindsay also consulted and created a menu for the wine bar Local and Vine located in New York's posh West Soho neighborhood. With a focus on accessible flavors, fresh ingredients and comfortable yet sophisticated eating environments, Lindsay’s food represents her versatility as a chef and her ability to meet the needs of her diverse client base.

Books: 

All Fours: A Novel Miranda Huly

Leslie Young, a Fresno native with a Master's from Pepperdine, is a dynamic entrepreneur and educator making waves in small business consulting. She founded MVM Advisory Group during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on helping small-medium enterprises grow through strategic development and emotional intelligence methodologies. Leslie's impact extends to over 400 small businesses, various nonprofits, and educational initiatives, including designing a course at UCSD and supporting the Mexican Consulate in San Diego with a business certificate program. Balancing her professional success with family life as a wife and mother of three, Leslie continues to inspire women in business while pursuing her passions for sushi and travel.

MVM Advisory Group Website

Books:

The Bible

Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control Ryan Holiday

The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level: Transform Your Habits, Transform your Life Gay Hendricks

Today we have Dr. Harman Virk DO on the show. Dr. Virk is a board certified Internal Medicine physician that grew up in Fresno and is now one of the owners of a new medical clinic called The Modern Medicine Group. He hopes to offer a deeper understanding of the unique healthcare challenges faced by residents in Fresno. He is committed to promoting preventive care, and is excited to discuss his compassionate and patient-centered approach to medicine and is eager to continue making a difference in the lives of his patients through his continuous work with his medical clinic. 

The Modern Medicine Group

Books: 

Being Mortal Atul Gawande

Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail Ray Dalio

Marco Tovar is a Fresno-based photographer and educator specializing in the Wet Plate Collodion process, a photographic process from the 1850's. Marco's process documents the people of the Central Valley.

Marco's Website

Books:

The Creative Act: A Way of Being Rick Rubin

Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind Jocelyn K. Glei

The Pleasures of the Damned: Poems, 1951-1993 Charles Bukowski

Today, we have Diane Friederichs who is the founder of FART (Foster - Adopt - Rescue - Transport), an amazing animal rescue service in Fresno. Diane is doing amazing work for animals without homes. This was an incredibly fun and wide-ranging conversation. Below the book recommendations, you can find all the links for how you can support her amazing work. 

Books: 

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Brene Brown

The Waking Up App

Diane's Links:

FART LinkTree

Diane's FB

Diane's IG 

FART FB

Help Us FART IG

TikTok

YouTube

Website