KPHRED California Pulse

Fred McMurray, Norma Dunn - KPHRED California Pulse

When Norma Dunn needed help starting a business, she drove from Bakersfield to Santa Barbara every week for 12 weeks to find the support she wanted. Years later, she helped launch the Kern Women’s Business Center, creating the kind of welcoming, practical resource she wished had been available closer to home.

In this episode of KPHRED’s The California Pulse, Norma joins Fred McMurray to discuss her work helping entrepreneurs start businesses, access funding, build confidence, and find new opportunities. A recipient of the Association of Women’s Business Centers’ 2026 Marsha Bailey Leadership Award, Norma shares the personal connection that makes this recognition especially meaningful.

Their conversation explores:

• The Rural Small Business Resources and Access to Capital Tour, bringing partners and bilingual resources directly to communities across Kern County.

• How the Women’s Business Center helps displaced workers explore business ownership.

• Connections to funding, business training, and government contracting resources.

• Her vision for supporting child care businesses as an essential part of regional job growth.

• Why helping entrepreneurs overcome fear matters just as much as helping them navigate permits and business plans.

It’s a conversation about leadership, local relationships, and making sure more entrepreneurs have someone to turn to.

Connect with the Kern Women’s Business Center:

Website: https://mcscorp.org/kern

Phone: 661-567-0410

Email: [email protected]

Michele Rempel, Suzanne Feit - KPHRED California Pulse

In this episode, Michele Rempel speaks with educator, special education specialist, and author Suzanne Feit. Drawing from her 40-year career in assistive technology and her personal journey raising a son with Down syndrome, Suzanne shares how artificial intelligence—specifically ChatGPT—can be harnessed to bring families and friends closer together.

She introduces her book, Family Adventures from A to Z using ChatGPT, which offers over 90 hands-on activities designed to spark wonder, connection, and communication across generations.

From capturing family oral histories to designing custom travel itineraries and personalized learning tools, Suzanne shows how accessible technology can empower parents, educators, and seniors alike [3–5, 16, 17, 26].

Key Highlights & Topics Covered

From Assistive Tech to AI: How Suzanne's background in special education led her to view ChatGPT as an all-in-one multi-sensory learning tool.

Intergenerational Adventures: Using AI prompts to discover local hidden gems, plan travel itineraries (like hiking Red Rock Canyon or finding the Mob Museum), and gather family anecdotes from grandparents.

Preserving Family Memories: Transforming old, handwritten 3x5 recipe cards into formatted legacy cookbooks using ChatGPT and Canva.

AI for Literacy & Special Education: Generating personalized bedtime stories, modifying reading levels, creating custom Mad Libs, and supporting students with IEPs through actionable learning strategies.

Overcoming Tech Hesitation: Helping seniors and tech-intimidated community members feel comfortable using AI for everyday connection and fun.

Guest Information & Resources

Website: chatandsuzanne.com

Book: Family Adventures from A to Z using ChatGPT (Available on Amazon)

Special Offer: Listeners who purchase the book and reach out to Suzanne can receive a free strategy session to help tailor these tools for their family or classroom.

Join the California Pulse show forum: https://connect.kphred.com/forums/forum/california-pulse/

Michele Rempel, Karen McNamara - California Pulse

What does it take to bring a historic building back to life?

On this episode of The California Pulse, Michele Rempel talks with Karen McNamara about the effort to restore the Atascadero Printery. Once a major printing operation, the building was damaged in the 2003 earthquake and sat neglected for years. Karen and a small group of supporters are working to turn it into a community space for arts, education, performances, and gatherings.

Karen shares the personal story behind her commitment to the project, the progress made so far, and her hopes for what the Printery can become for Atascadero.

Learn more about the project or find out how to help: https://atascaderoprintery.org

Michele Rempel, Shahana Kaplan - California Pulse

What if making a difference only cost $1 a month?

On this episode of California Pulse, Michele Rempel talks with Shashana Kaplan, founder of PIFster, a nonprofit built on a simple idea: when enough people give a little, together they can accomplish a lot.

Shashana shares how the COVID pandemic inspired her to look more closely at the small, grassroots nonprofits quietly serving their communities, and how that experience led to PIFster. Members donate as little as $1 a month and vote for vetted nonprofits with specific, tangible needs, from helping a child travel for critical surgery to supporting veterans, animal rescues and communities recovering from disasters.

Hear how PIFster is bringing greater transparency to charitable giving, helping small nonprofits gain visibility and resources, and proving just how powerful a community can be when people choose to pay it forward.

Learn more at https://pifster.org

Join the California Pulse user group to continue the discussion: https://connect.kphred.com/forums/forum/california-pulse/

Michele Rempel, Fred McMurray

California Pulse

In this August edition of the Grover Beach Monthly Update, Mayor Kassi Dee returns to share important community updates—from newly paved streets to emergency readiness and civic celebration.

The episode opens with infrastructure highlights, including a visible increase in newly resurfaced streets throughout the city. Mayor Dee discusses how these upgrades tie into long-term planning, community satisfaction, and funding priorities.

Also covered is the recent tsunami advisory issued for San Luis Obispo County following the magnitude 8.8 earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30, 2025. While no significant inundation occurred, coastal communities like Grover Beach were placed on alert as strong currents and harbor surges were expected. Mayor Dee explains how the city activated communication channels, collaborated with emergency officials, and reinforced public awareness.

But it wasn’t all serious—Grover Beach residents also gathered this month for a stunning drone light show at Ramona Garden Park. The event drew families, tourists, and tech enthusiasts for a sky-lit celebration of coastal creativity. Mayor Dee reflects on how these community moments build pride and unity.

Whether you're a resident, visitor, or policy observer, this monthly video provides a well-rounded picture of a coastal city on the rise—balancing resilience, development, and celebration.

Watch on Youtueb: https://www.youtube.com/live/IG5rQ8kgt5A?si=OholZX8sQ1bmTj6K

In this episode of California Pulse, Michele Rempel chats with the joyful and magnetic Cathy Weiss — a "magic and joy maker" who helps women heal through energy work and also crafts unforgettable Disney vacations as an elite travel advisor.

Learn how Cathy bridges her two passions and learn about the magic behind Adventures by Disney, her recent TikTok success, and how she helps women tap into their authentic joy.

Find Cathy at https://cathy-weiss.com/ or on TikTok: @magicandjoyjourneys

KPHRED California Pulse is a new weekly show highlighting news and events in California.

Join the discussion in the KPHRED Prime Live show forum: https://kphred.com/community/

Chat live at https://kphred.com. KPHRED guest application: https://kphred.com/kphred-radio-show-host-application/guest-app/

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/live/C2hRbmim7Yk

Join host Fred McMurray in this episode of California Pulse as he sits down with Grover Beach Mayor Kassi Dee to explore the ongoing revitalization of the city. From the dramatic improvements to Grand Avenue to the exciting updates at Ramona Garden Park, Mayor Dee shares the behind-the-scenes efforts, community collaboration, and long-term vision transforming Grover Beach into a thriving coastal destination.

As the youngest mayor in the city’s history, Kassi Dee brings fresh energy and purpose to city leadership. In this candid conversation, she talks about the challenges and wins involved in reshaping public spaces, attracting development, and creating a more walkable, vibrant downtown.

✅ Hear how Grand Avenue has gone from frustration to a focal point

✅ Learn what’s in store for Ramona Garden Park and the community

✅ Discover why Grover Beach is gaining attention across California

Whether you’re a resident, a local business owner, or just curious about how small cities can drive big change, this episode offers real insight and inspiration.

📍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more California civic leadership spotlights!

Join Michele Rempel on this episode of California Pulse as she chats with April Reeves, the multi-passionate founder of Making SLO—a vibrant retail space in downtown San Luis Obispo that exclusively features locally made goods, gifts, and artwork.

April shares her journey from idea to thriving storefront, her passion for supporting local creatives, and the business lessons she's learned along the way. Discover how Making SLO not only showcases unique artisan products but also empowers makers with business coaching, resources, and marketing advice.

Visit Making SLO: 751 Higuera St. (corner of Higuera & Garden), San Luis Obispo, CA

Learn more or apply to be a featured maker: https://makingslo.com

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From Sewage Woes to Safe Solutions: Mayor Kassi Dee Talks Water, Growth & Grover Beach’s Future

On this episode of California Pulse, host Fred McMurray welcomes Mayor Kassi Dee for a candid and timely discussion. With recent headlines about a citywide boil water notice and growing concerns about outdated sewage systems, the timing couldn’t be more critical.

Mayor Dee addresses the water safety issue head-on, explaining the city's swift actions to notify residents and ensure public safety. She outlines collaboration between local departments and agencies to respond effectively and build public trust during emergencies.

The discussion shifts to long-term sewage infrastructure concerns. Mayor Dee outlines both short-term fixes and future upgrades, assuring residents that Grover Beach is planning ahead. Her administration is focused on resilience, modernization, and transparency.

Mayor Dee also highlights her vision for innovation, including support for co-working spaces like The Launch Pad. The episode offers residents a direct view into her leadership—facing challenges with realism, and steering Grover Beach toward a stronger future.

Producer: Fred McMurray - KPHRED Radio

Watch at youtube.com/@kphredradio

KPHRED California Pulse is a new weekly show highlighting news and events in California.

Chat live at https://kphred.com If you would like to be a guest email [email protected]