Living Biography

In this series, we explore the place that shaped a person’s life and how.

Cassie Colby, a native Angeleno, grew up in a bubble within one of the world’s most diverse cities, wrestling with identity and belonging. Over time, the city and its people shaped Cassie’s sense of authenticity, purpose, and commitment to giving back.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction to Series
01:13 - Introducing Cassie
01:43 - Choosing Los Angeles
02:26 - Taking Too Much From the City
03:03 - The Worsening Traffic
04:06 - Remaining Grounded By Appreciating Diversity
05:08 - Growing Up in a Bubble
06:31 - Feeling Uncomfortable in Their Own Skin
07:43 - Coming Back to L.A.
08:34 - A City to Discover Yourself
09:33 - The Need to Constantly Reinvent Yourself
10:57 - Giving Back to the City
11:46 - Providing the Vulnerable With Whole Person Care
12:36 - The City That Shaped Their Heart
13:17 - Cassie's Closing Thoughts
13:42 - Conclusion

In this series, we explore the place that shaped a person’s life and how.

For Tushar Dadlani, coffee shops became more than caffeine stops during his move from Pune, India, to the Bay Area. A cafe on his bus route shifted how he saw community, equality, and connection—and ever since, finding local coffee shops has been his ritual for staying engaged with himself and his community.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

01:46 - The Place That Shaped Tushar: Coffee Shops

02:25 - Moving to Mountainview as a Student
03:47 - Discovering Culture and Diversity
05:05 - A Place Where Everyone Is Welcome

06:18 - An Equalizer in Society

07:34 - The Class Divide in India

09:01 - Addiction vs. Engagement
11:19 - A Multisensory Experience

12:01 - The Multisensory Experience

13:32 - From Caffeine to Framework for Success
14:23 - Conclusion