Mind Meetings

Joseph Valadez is a 63 year old veteran and recent graduate of Cal State Long Beach. He spent 38 years of his life addicted to heroin and has been to prison 40 times. It wasn’t until Joseph was in his mid 50s that he decided to get clean and do something with his life. In 2013, with the help of the Salvation Army of Anaheim Adult rehabilitation center, Joseph started his journey into sobriety. Fast forward 8 years and Mr Valadez graduated with a 3.67 gpa in the field of sociology. He’s currently is waiting acceptance into Cal State Long beaches graduate program for social work. His story is quite incredible and I was curious to find out why after 38 years of addiction, someone decides to turn their life around. In the words of Joseph, “I’m going to inspire somebody, I’m going to motivate somebody, I’m going to give somebody hope, that’s what I’m supposed to do.”

Macy Reyes is a 27 year old wife and mother of three. A student of applied psychology, she wants to help make people aware of cognitive and rational emotive behavioral therapy techniques. These techniques can be applied to your life in real time. She also practices Buddhism as a Philosophy which contains unique patterns of thinking. These patterns often times create positive outcomes in ones life. We also talked about millennial marriage, keys to long term success in a relationship, raising children, overcoming challenges, and love.

Today I look back at the major events of 2020 with two of my childhood friends Nick Liebl and Chase Prosser. From Covid, the Australian bushfires, Impeachment of President Trump, Kobe Bryant‘s death, the BLM protests, Harvey Weinstein‘s verdict, the stock market crash, Jeffrey Epstein, murder hornets, and the Beirut explosion. We covered it all. I imagine we will all look back at 2020 like a crazy movie. You never know what’s going to happen so might as well enjoy the ride! Ladies and gentlemen, if you’re listening to this you’re still alive. Let’s all try and make the world a better place. Thanks for tuning in.

Trent Bracamontes is a fitness phenom who completed 1000 miles of running in the year 2020. Going into the new year, Trent can be an inspiration for us all. His mental fortitude, toughness, and honesty in overcoming challenges encourages us all to push and become better people. From battling injuries to overcoming alcohol abuse, Trent’s fitness journey led him to become a mentally and physical strong human being. For my hope is to inspire long-term lifestyle changes, not short term fads. Let 2021 be the year where you start your fitness and wellness journey.

Patrick Kelhi has served in the United States Army for 13 years, 10 of which were active duty. Under the 82nd airborne division Mr. Kelhi served three deployments to Afghanistan. He is currently a staff sergeant in the United States National Guard and was called to action for protecting Los Angeles infrastructure and peaceful protesters following the George Floyd incident.

Catherine Meade claims to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Following an experience in San Francisco taxi cab, Catherine reflected on her previous life of sin and dedicated her future to Jesus in the Bible. The Bible is not just a figure of speech in her eyes but the literal word from God and provides a framework that all humans should live by. My conversation with Catherine wasn’t to merely challenge her beliefs but to try and understand where she is coming from.

Professor Rob Dew is a traveler, Educator, and local Los Angeles leader in the Occupy Movement. He is an active participant in the Venice neighborhood council and is most well known for teaching his course, "Mass Media and Society" at Santiago Canyon College in Orange County, CA.

He is critical of the Republican party and describes American society as being in a form of "late stage capitalism." That is a hyper commodified economy which will not prioritize solving problems such as global warming, but mostly focuses on profit driven business.

Jonaven Brocamontes, better known as LLusion, is a music producer/artist based out of Orange County CA. He currently is under world-renowned Republic Records, along the side of other artists like Drake, Ariana Grande, Lil Wayne, Post Malone, and Taylor Swift. With the help of his wife, Alexis Brocamontes, better known as Six, LLusion became an overnight sensation through remixing LoFi music on TikTok. It hasn't been easy but through a combination of partnerships, strategy, hard work, and natural talent, LLusion and Six have carved out their own slot in the music world.

Skyler Tanksley is an entrepreneur, business owner, and vegan activist. He's a self made person of color who wants to inspire all Americans to do their best and be their best.

Hear what it's like to be a drug addict from the inside. Jon and Riley are now both clean and want to help addicts reach sobriety. A life filled with drug abuse is a life where, "you're not behind the wheel."