Salinas NOW Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Lisa Murphy, Salinas's first woman Assistant City Manager. We discuss her goals for the city, her recent transition to the role, and the inspiration she hopes to provide as a trailblazer in public service

Joel Hernandez gets personal, sharing his journey from community organizer to leader. Discover how he founded the Center for Community Advocacy (CCA) to support farmworker families and create a pipeline for youth leadership. He'll take us inside their programs, revealing how they equip residents with the tools to spark real change and build a stronger community.

Dr. Galvan discusses her daily role as the Salinas Union High School District superintendent. She dives into the importance of the youth having access to opportunities that spark passion for their career. She also shares advice on how students can build a mindset to set themselves up for a successful future.

Discover how the Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere (STRYVE) program, led by Julia and Yolanda, is preventing youth violence in Salinas. They explain their Crim Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategy and how they're empowering high school students to create safer environments.

In this special edition of the Salinas NOW Podcast, the Mayor breaks down the key takeaways from the 2025 State of the City Address and reflects on the year’s biggest wins and toughest hurdles, from resources and public safety to infrastructure needs. Mayor Donohue also shares insights on economic opportunities, communication with our community, and preparing for the future growth of Salinas. 

Your host for this episode:

Sophia Rome, Community Relations Manager

Dive into the powerful story behind the Salinas Hometown Heroes Banner Program. We explore its mission to honor local veterans and active-duty service members and discuss the profound impact this tribute has on the community.

This episode features City Manager and City Engineer and its proposed sewer rate increase. 

This episode features Harmony At Home and its mission to break cycles of violence and abuse. The episode explores their different programs like Sticks & Stones, which empowers children who've experienced trauma to develop healthy emotional expression and build resilience.

Your host for this episode: Daisy Guerrero and Lali Solis-Gil, youth podcasters

High school soccer in Salinas isn’t just about competition—it’s about community, character, and celebrating the game we love. Carlos Rubio, Executive Director of the All Stars Soccer Classic, shares how this annual showcase highlights high school senior athletes across Monterey County. As the high school soccer season kicks off in November, Carlos has already begun building the program for the year that helps players grow both on and off the field. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on soccer’s deeper impact in Salinas! 

Your host for this episode:

Guissel Villalobos, Communications Specialist

What if giving back to your community could also give you more life? In this episode, Cindy and Paola from Blue Zones Project Monterey County share how volunteer programs not only uplift communities; they add years to your life! From building connection to sparking purpose, hear how ordinary actions can also make extraordinary health impacts.

Your host for this episode:

Natalie Vasquez