Having started on Wall Street as a runner at just 16 years old, venture capitalist Art Bilger made his fortune investing in media and technology companies. After selling his successful media business, Bilger stepped back and examined his career path, realizing the importance of finding purpose and dignity through one's career and compared that with the staggering unemployment crisis in the U.S. He went on to create WorkingNation, which aims to bring attention to the problem and the future of work, and he tells host Giselle Fernandez that this nonprofit may be his greatest legacy. Through storytelling, town halls and training programs, Bilger is using WorkingNation to expose the hard truths about the jobs crisis and offer solutions to put people back to work.

After winning the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 2019, renowned violinist Vijay Gupta resigned from the prestigious Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra to devote himself full-time to helping LA's homeless, disenfranchised and incarcerated. Gupta shares with host Giselle Fernandez how he considers himself an "art disrupter" with his nonprofit Street Symphony, proving that LA's most moving and talented musicians can come from any walk of life. Street Symphony was launched on Skid Row after Gupta was introduced to Nathaniel Ayers, a master musician living on the streets who was portrayed by Jamie Foxx in the 2009 film "The Soloist." Gupta explains that by sharing music with the disenfranchised — and through embracing his Hindu faith — he has found great peace, healing and fulfillment that makes him even more determined to help oppressed communities find and share their artistic human voices.

Famous for being half of the marijuana-loving hippie comedy duo "Cheech and Chong," Richard "Cheech" Marin is one of the highest achieving Latinos in Hollywood — and has no plans to slow down. Although he enjoyed an immense amount of success together with Tommy Chong for 17 years, Marin eventually made the difficult decision to break up the duo and set off for a successful acting career on his own. Marin opens up to host Giselle Fernandez about that painful split and eventual reunion with Chong, as well as his love and pride for Chicano culture. Today, Marin owns one of the most extensive Chicano art collections in the U.S., along with his own mezcal and marijuana brands.

International supermodel Maye Musk is defying all odds and breaking norms for women across the globe. At 69 years old, she became the face of CoverGirl, proving that beauty has no age limit. She models regularly for runway shows and in fashion magazines, even making a music video appearance alongside Beyoncé. Musk discusses with host Giselle Fernandez how she also became a respected dietician, escaped an abusive marriage, and raised her children — Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca — as a single mother. Now in her 70s, Musk says slowing down isn't part of her plan, and that her career is only getting started.

As the daughter of legendary music mogul Clarence Avant, Nicole Avant had far from a "typical" childhood — often finding major musical artists, politicians, and industry giants sitting right there in her living room. Now, as the wife of Netflix co-CEO and Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos, Avant continues to follow the advice she received as a child to use her power for good. She discusses with host Giselle Fernandez how, after working with her father in the music industry, she shifted to politics and became a top fundraiser for Barack Obama's 2008 campaign. Following her service as U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas, Avant then turned to filmmaking and released a documentary about her dad, The Black Godfather, which streams on Netflix.

Arturo Sandoval opens up to Giselle Fernandez about his passion for music, escaping communist Cuba, and meeting the great jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie by chance. When he first started playing the trumpet at age 10 in Cuba, Sandoval was told he'd never make it as a musician — yet he persevered and eventually mastered the instrument at a young age. Now a 10-time Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, Sandoval is expanding beyond the trumpet, playing the piano and composing his own music as well. During the pandemic, Sandoval has turned to social media to share his gift with the world for free.

In the debut episode of LA Stories Unfiltered, Giselle Fernandez sits down with the one and only Charo for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation about the entertainer's prolific career and personal heartaches. After mastering the craft of flamenco guitar at an early age, Charo came to the U.S. to chase her dream of becoming a star. Her appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson solidified that place in the spotlight — and in the hearts of viewers across the country. Today, the "Cuchi Cuchi" star continues to entertain and connect with her fans through social media, telling Fernandez that "laughing is medication."

Southern California is home to some of the world's most incredible innovations and accomplishments. But who are the change agents responsible for it all? Each week, Giselle Fernandez will take a deep dive into the philosophies and motivations of these people, who are creating an impact throughout the community. LA Stories Unfiltered is the companion podcast to the weekly television series on Spectrum News 1 and gives you an even more in-depth look at the stories and lives of change makers in SoCal.

Listen starting Monday, March 8th.