Our Two Cents Podcast

John was born and raised in the communities of Bakersfield and Arvin, California. After graduating from Arvin High School he went to Bakersfield College and then CSUB to obtain his accounting degree. Upon obtaining his degree, he later went on to obtain his certified public accounting license and then later a master's degree in taxation from Golden Gate University. He continues to obtain education to make himself more valuable to his clients. He is married and has three college-aged sons. He enjoys traveling and sharing unique experiences with his family.

In this first episode of a unique series of interviews where OTCs hosts interview each other, our very own, John Duffield is interviewed by fellow host Kyle Jones. They discuss John's interesting path of life from growing up in Arvin to running a successful CPA practice. John outlines his success from starting as an employee in a local CPA firm to starting his own practice and subsequently purchasing four CPA practices in the last 15 years.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JOHN DUFFIELD:

Website: www.bakersfieldaccountants.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 661-488-7000

LinkedIn: Office_of_John_Duffield

Facebook: @John_Duffield_CPA

Local music sensation Jim ranger has been involved in music since he was 20 years old. He was on American Idol when he was 28 and the Voice when he was 38. He has also had the privilege of singing the national anthem for the Lakers over 20 times! He has recorded 3 solo albums and 2 eps and produced music for others. In addition to being involved in the music business, Jim has been a Pastor since he was 24.

Jim dives into his family background and how they inspired his love for music. He tells us the story of how he met his beautiful wife and the successes they have had over the years. Finally he gives us an inside look at his journey from auditioning at American Idol to The Voice.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JIM RANGER:

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @JimRanger

Instagram: JimRangerMusic

Facebook: Jim_Ranger_Music

YouTube: @Jim_Ranger

Bob Meadows is the Business Development Director for the City of Shafter and is responsible for attracting new businesses, accelerating the success of existing local businesses, advancing skills of the local workforce, and promoting Shafter through multiple media platforms and personal networking efforts. He also connects with local residents and business owners while building relationships with economic directors and site selectors in other cities.

Shannon and Bob start off by discussing all things Shafter and what the city has in store for its future. They dive into Bob's career and the multiple different paths that led him to his current career. Finally they end with Bob's advice to aspiring entrepreneurs that are learning the ropes of networking.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BOB MEADOWS:

Website: www.shafter.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 661.746.5001

Instagram: BobMeadows55

Facebook: Bob_Meadows

LinkedIn: @Bob_Meadows

Brian Miller is a local product of Bakersfield who grew up and attended school in the city from elementary school through postsecondary education. He has worked as an administrator at the Regional Occupational Center (ROC) and now also the Career Technical Education Center (CTEC) in a variety of capacities the past 11 years, including most recently as Principal. He has a passion for providing opportunities for students at ROC/CTEC that will help to prepare them for their future career and college success. He has worked to develop relationships in the community with both industry partners and postsecondary partners to strengthen the opportunities provided to students at ROC/CTEC.

Troy and Brian discuss how ROC prepares students who are about to enter the workforce by tailoring their programs to stay relevant to the industry they are training for. They also offer students internships in their 2nd semester to give them a more hands-on experience. They wrap up by going over the different classes ROC now offers and how they have adapted since COVID-19.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BRIAN MILLER:

Website: https://roc.kernhigh.org/

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: ROC_CTEC

LinkedIn: Regional_Occupational_Center

Instagram: roc_ctec

Facebook: ROC-CTEC

Dr. Jeremy Alan Woods is an Associate Professor for the California State University Bakersfield (CSUB) School of Business and Public Administration and leads the school's entrepreneurship program. He is a Stanford-educated former Fulbright Scholar with over 25 years of experience as an educator, entrepreneur, executive, and consultant. In addition to teaching and coaching over 4,000 students, publishing 15 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings papers, and authoring over 30 additional thought leadership works over the past decade as a professor, from 1995-2010.

Jeremy takes us through his different endeavors that ultimately lead him to his career today. He touches on what he believes to be the six behaviors that entrepreneurs should follow in order to be successful as well as the habits that can cause an inspiring entrepreneur to fail. John and Jeremy discuss the grand opening for The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at CSUB. Finally they end with the importance of knowing when to pivot.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JEREMY WOODS:

Website: www.csubentrepreneurshipclub.com/

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: @JeremyAlanWoods

Instagram: CSUB_Entrepreneurship_Club

Facebook: @JeremyWoods

Twitter: CSUB_Club

YouTube: @CSUBEntrepreneurshipClub

Brian was born the ninth of eleven children in Philadelphia, PA. He served four years in the United States Marine Corps and obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. He was in the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for 28 years where he created the Peer Support Program and retired as an Assistant Chief.

Scott and Brian discuss how his true police articles called "Cop Tales' appear in the Bakersfield Californian, the Kern Valley Sun and several social media posts. They dive into his 28 year career as the Assistant Chief of the California Highway Patrol and the many changes he witnessed during that time. Brian also had the opportunity to talk about his published book "We Were 17 Again" and how it is a great read for anyone.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BRIAN SMITH:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @icehkky77

Facebook: Brian_Smith

LinkedIn: @BrianSmith

His 'Cop Tales' articles: Cop_Tales

Brian Smith's Book: "We Were 17 Again"

Robert Price is Digital Managing Editor, and a columnist and broadcast reporter, for 17 News and KGET.com.

Robert joined the team in February 2020 after 32 years at the Bakersfield Californian, where he served in more than a dozen roles, among them Metro Columnist, Executive Editor, News Editor, Opinion Editor, Eye Street/Features Editor, city and county government reporter, business/energy reporter, entertainment reporter, sports reporter, page designer, radio host and webcast host. His popular newspaper column was published three times per week, 1999-2008 and 2016-2020, and generally once a week in between, and it continues Sundays in The Californian and on KGET.com.

Robert's work has been honored by the University of Oregon, Kansas University, Fresno State University, CSU Bakersfield, the Associated Press, and the California Newspaper Publishers Association. He is the author of The Bakersfield Sound: How a Generation of Displaced Okies Revolutionized American Music (Berkeley: Heyday Books, 2018), which received a 2019 Recorded Sound Collections Awards for Excellence prize in the country/folk history category.

Shannon and Robert touch on the harrowing Lords of Bakersfield story and the recent events that have come to light. From there they dive into Kern County's silent killer, fentanyl, and the number of lives it has claimed. Finally they discuss the rich history tied to the Bakersfield Sound and the talented artists that called Bakersfield their home.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROBERT PRICE:

Website: www.KGET.com

Website: www.bakersfield.com/columnists/robert-price/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: RobertPrice661

Facebook: Robert_Price

LinkedIn: RobertPrice_661

Twitter: @stubblebuzz

Educate yourself on the dangers of Fentanyl

Leah Lopeteguy-Hoffman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who is passionate about people. As a jack of all trades, and ace of one, Leah has been able to utilize the knowledge and experiences gained from her employment within the service industry to work with diverse populations including senior and aging adults, students and families, spectrum disorders, law enforcement, and veterans. Leah currently works in private practice where she continues to engage with clients promoting positive change and compassion for all.

Leah's most recent accomplishments include Certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and becoming an EMDRIA approved EMDR Consultant in Training (CIT). Leah is a lover of learning and continues to expand her growth in the field of therapy for the benefit of those she serves. Leah holds a Master of Science in Counseling degree from University of Phoenix, Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from California State University of Bakersfield, and an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Bakersfield College. She lives in Bakersfield, California with her charming husband, Patrick, their six children, and their cat, Gracie Lou Freebush.

Kyle and Leah discuss the common misconceptions surrounding mental health and the barriers that prevent many from seeking professional help. They dive into Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and how it can significantly help those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

LEARN MORE ABOUT LEAH L. LOPETEGUY-HOFFMAN:

Website: Simple_Practice

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 661-412-4291

David J. Reibstein is the William S. Woodside Professor and Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he is a world-renowned expert on branding, marketing metrics, product line decisions, and competitive marketing strategy. For several years he served as the Vice Dean of The Wharton School.

Professor Reibstein is a dynamic, award-winning teacher who has been honored with more than 30 teaching awards. He also received the John S. Day Distinguished Alumni Academic Service Award of Purdue University's Krannert School of Management, an honor given to a graduate whose service within the academic community reflects the spirit and service of former Krannert Dean John Day. His teaching interests include Marketing Strategy in the MBA Program, as well as teaching Competitive Marketing Strategy, Marketing Metrics, Pricing Strategies, and various other programs for Wharton's Executive Education Program.

Professor Reibstein received his PhD from Purdue University and his BS and BA degrees from the University of Kansas.

John Eckroth has over 30 years of tax and accounting experience, working in the tax department of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, as a Partner in a small CPA firm in Claremont, California and later as CFO of a U.S. based subsidiary of the Spanish banking firm BBVA. After leaving the firm in 2002, John has continued as a Consultant for BBVA's U.S. operations, working with its Houston based subsidiaries in the areas of financial reporting and analysis, internal controls and regulatory compliance.

Shannon and Kyle have a lively debate with Professor Reibstein and Senior Instructor John Eckroth with no topic off limits. They dive into the economic impact of college and the overall investment of time before there is a clear return of investment. They lay out the clear benefits of college beyond job market research and the major tech companies that are no longer requiring a college degree.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DAVID REIBSTEIN:

Website: https://marketing.wharton.upenn.edu/profile/reibstei/

www.measuredthoughts.com

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/MeasuredThoughts

LinkedIn: @DavidReibstein

LEARN MORE ABOUT JOHN ECKROTH:

Website: www.pdx.edu/profile/john-eckroth

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: @JohnEckroth

Troy Burden shares five things to consider at open enrollment plus one bonus tip.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TROY BURDEN:

Website: www.lynncompany.com

Phone: 661-301-1247

Instagram: @TroyBurden