Fresno's Best

Today, we have Daniel Gonzalez on the show. Daniel is a Central Valley native originally living in the rural community of Easton on the outskirts of Fresno. They are passionate about youth-driven policy change and decision-making, and have a strong commitment to local issues.

Daniel is a proud alum of Fresno State with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, a minor in Philanthropic Community-Based Leadership, and a certificate in Applied Sociological Research. They completed the Humanics@Fresno State program and are a former Bulldog Pride Fund Harvey Milk Humanics Hope Award Scholar.

As a Senior Program Coordinator at the Youth Leadership Institute, Daniel oversees over 60 youth participants in Fresno’s youth journalist and storytelling programs: The kNOw Youth Media, Multilingual Storytelling and Journalists of Color. They organize weekly meetings with young people building up their capacity in storytelling and community advocacy. Additionally, Daniel coordinates an annual youth-led multimedia positive social norms campaign around youth gambling prevention with the Betting On Our Future, a project of the California Friday Night Live Partnership.

On weekends, you can find Daniel at local drag shows alongside friends, watching horror movies, or listening to countless hours of pop music.

Youth Leadership Institute

Books: 

When We Rise: My Life in the Movement Cleve Jones

Thinner Stephen King

The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World Alan Downs 

Today, we have Dr. Shawn Beaty on the show. Shawn is the senior pastor at Clovis Hills church. In 1995, Shawn left a record deal and a career as a professional musician to go full-time into pastoral ministry. He moved from to Clovis in 2012 to join the team at Clovis Hills and was voted in by the church members as the senior pastor in 2013. Shawn holds a BA and. Sean holds a BA in organizational psychology, a master's in divinity and a doctor of ministry. This is another one of those conversations where there's a lot of inside baseball talk.Whenever you get two people with seminary degrees together, that tends to happen. But even if you're not within a religious world, I think there's a lot you can learn and appreciate about this conversation.

Clovis Hills Church Website

Books: 

Is God Real?: Exploring the Ultimate Question of Life Lee Strobel

Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried about a Thing Megan Fate Marshman

Today, we have Jonathan Linden on the show. Jonathan is a podcast producer at KVPR. Born and raised in Riverside, he's a Southern California native. Jonathan's passion for public radio began at a young age when his brother would play NPR while driving him home from middle school. He earned his B.A. in journalism from Biola University in 2019.

Jonathan has worked at several NPR affiliates, including serving as Morning Edition host at KCLU and reporting at KAZU and KVCR. While reporting at KAZU, Jonathan covered the flooding of the town of Pajaro and the first U.S. Women's Open held at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Both stories helped contribute to KAZU's two 2023 regional Edward R. Murrow awards.

When not working, Jonathan can often be found walking or running his Alaskan Malamute Balto or keeping up with the latest Dodgers game.

Link to Central Valley Daily

Today, we have Amber Balakian on the show. Amber is the owner of Balakian Farms, a fourth-generation organic farm rooted in Reedley, CA. Growing up surrounded by agriculture, Amber developed a deep respect for sustainable farming and a passion for bringing high-quality, organic produce to my community. At Balakian Farms, Amber focuses on preserving her family’s farming legacy while innovating to meet today’s demands, from tree fruit to our unique line of organic blended heirloom tomatoes. Amber is also a college professor, supporting students in developing entrepreneurial skills, and a passion for business. Amber’s ultimate goal is to honor her farm’s heritage while paving the way for sustainable and inclusive growth in the farming industry.

Balakian Farms 

Books: 

Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne 

David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants Malcolm Gladwell

Today we have Paul swearing-in on the show. Paul is a former TV and radio sportscaster who transitioned to ministry after being ordained by the vineyard association of churches. Paul founded and led an evangelical church in Fresno, California for over a decade before stepping down to focus on content creation, coaching and podcasting . Through social media discussion groups and one-on-one coaching. Paul supports those questioning their faith and seeking emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Paul was a former guest of the podcast, and I invited Paul back on the show to get some updates on Paul's  spiritual journey, and their perspectives on the world of religion today.

Paul's Website

Books: 

Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church Rachel Held Evans

Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation Kristin Kobes Du Mez 

Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived Rob Bell

Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know Malcolm Gladwell

Today we have Dr. Tania Pacheco-Warner on the show. Dr. Pacheco-Warner is a sociologist and public health researcher known for her work in health equity, and social determinants of health, especially in the Central Valley. She currently serves as the Executive Director of The Central Valley Health Policy Institute at Fresno State, which is focused developing on data driven policies to address health disparities among underserved communities. Dr. Pacheco-Warner's expertise is widely sought in areas of community health, environmental justice, and policymaking that impacts rural populations.

Central Valley Health Policy Institute Website

Books: 

The Logic of Practice Pierre Bourdieu 

Collected Works Of Kahlil Gibran Kahlil Gibran

Today, we have Blake Zante on the show. Blake is the executive director of the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute and has worked as a district representative to former Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy, as press secretary to state Senator Andreas Borgeas, and operated a public affairs consultancy. We dig into public policy, education, political persuasion, Division I sports, and a lot more. Please enjoy our conversation. 

Maddy Institute Website

Books: 

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln Doris Kearns Goodwin

Leadership in Turbulent Times Doris Kearns Goodwin

Today, we have Bob Nelson on the show. Nelson was the Superintendent of Fresno Unified for nearly seven years and worked in many capacities in the public school system. He’s now an assistant professor at Fresno State focusing on educating future leaders of our schools. Also, he has a great new podcast called #MilitantPositivity Podcast, which I feel is operating on a similar wavelength of this program. Please enjoy my conversation with Bob Nelson!

Link to #MilitantPositivity Podcast 

Books:

The Anatomy of Peace, Fourth Edition: Resolving the Heart of Conflict The Arbinger Institute 

The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World Desmond Tutu and Dalai Lama

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.

Email me: [email protected]

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