Second Chances

Veteran filmmaker Julia Verdin is a multi hyphenate – she is known as accomplished producer, award-winning Director and has written a number of screenplays. She is also the founder of Artists for Change, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to create high impact film, television, and multimedia projects to inspire individuals, organizations, and communities to bring about positive social change.

Having been in the film business for 30 years, Julia has established herself as one of Hollywood’s leading independent producers, with over 33 critically acclaimed feature films produced to date.  She founded and has been running Rough Diamond Productions since 1995.

Currently in post-production is THE UNWILLING starring Dina Meyer, Lance Henriksen and Jake Thomas, and 7 SECONDS directed By Jeffrey Obrow, starring Dwight Yoakam and Christopher Lloyd.

Julia’s films have been selected for many major film festivals including Sundance, Toronto, Venice, AFI, Raindance, Vancouver International and London.

Julia is also known as a leading educator in film: her book SUCCESS IN FILMS, a guide to developing, funding, producing, and marketing indie films is on many college syllabuses around the world and has helped many filmmakers. 

Julia is passionate about raising awareness on key social issues through the powerful medium of film and encourages filmmakers to think about making content that contributes to a better world.

Vernon Davis is a former American football tight end. The 15-year NFL veteran played for the San Francisco 49ers, the Denver Broncos, and the Washington Football Team. Even during his playing days, Vernon had his eyes on an acting career. He has already appeared in blockbuster movies such as Baywatch, as well as Hell on the Border. Davis was a celebrity contestant on Dancing with the Stars and serves regularly as a TV Host. Vernon exercises his producing skills by founding not one but two production companies, Reel 85 and Between the Lines Productions. Off the field, Davis navigates through the worlds of entrepreneurship and philanthropy. He created the Vernon Davis Foundation, which services at-risk youth of all interests and demographics.

Cara Lunsford began her nurse career in pediatric oncology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in 2008. She first discovered an interest in oncology when she worked as a sign language interpreter at Cal State Northridge, interpreting the Biology of Cancer class two semesters in a row. It was that class that put her on her path to become a nurse. As a nurse she witnessed, and experienced first hand, the level of burnout that was happening in the profession. She worked with her co-workers to create the first Supportive Care Committee aimed at providing a safe and supportive place for caregivers to cope with the stress of their job. Life eventually took Cara into a variety of other nurse professions, including home health, infusion nursing, hospice, private duty and a Director of Nursing role at a concierge home health in Los Angeles. With a wide variety of experience under her belt, she noticed that there were many pain points in the industry; nurses were in need of a supportive community and companies needed help with retention and recruiting. As Cara was driving to see one of her many home health patients, an idea came to her: a piece of technology that would not only improve retention and recruiting efforts for healthcare companies but would also create a supportive community for nurses. On this day, HOLLIBLU was born. A company that is dedicated to building a vibrant community where nurses THRIVE, because when nurses thrive, so does the industry in which they serve.

Christine Peake is a model, writer, publicist, comedian and single mother. She  was born in the North of England and moved to London at the age of 19 and pursued a successful career in modeling for 10 years and also wrote for the top two newspapers in England.  She moved to Los Angeles and founded peakPRgroup, representing celebrities, brands and producing events. In 2020 she entered the world of comedy and had been performing with some of the country's best  comedians. She resides in Santa Monica and is the mother to her 22 year old son Oliver. 

Asher Gottesman is a spiritual entrepreneur, human connection coach and Rabbi in Southern California. Asher was 33 when he lost his multi-million-dollar business, with the resulting bankruptcy destroying what little self-worth he had as a provider to his family – he had hit rock-bottom. Asher found his road to recovery through the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. The experience marked the debut of an odyssey of self-discovery, trading ego for vulnerability, and leaving the pursuit of pleasure for the pursuit of meaning. Asher decidedly dedicated the rest of his career to helping others help themselves “restore wholeness” in their lives.

A tireless advocate for long-term recovery, Tim Ryan is no stranger to addiction. Despite a successful business career, Tim found himself in the grips of heroin and, ultimately, was sentenced to seven years in prison for drug-related convictions. Tim got clean and sober behind bars. 

Christine is the Producer and Host of the weekly storytelling podcast Story Worthy… celebrating 11 years in July. And she is also creator and host of the game show, Story Smash the Storytelling Game Show, now played WEEKLY streaming on Facebook and YouTube at 7pm PST Friday nights. She also produces a monthly storytelling show, The Story Worthy Hour of Power, at Flappers Comedy Club, the third Sunday of every month. Find out more at StoryWorthyPodcast.com

Considered one of LA’s finest vocal coaches, Katie Riggs has been teaching voice for over twenty-one years. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Katie grew up at the knee of arguably the most distinguished and successful voice teacher in the business, her father Seth Riggs. His voice training has worked for many of the world’s best singers. It’s been studied by over 200 Grammy winners, including Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Cher, Tina Turner, Josh Groban, Barbara Streisand, Ray Charles, Diana Ross, Julio Iglesias, Michael Bolton, Luther Vandross, and Madonna.

Working side-by-side with her father has earned Katie a lifetime of training. It’s given her extraordinary vocal insight, extensive knowledge and instincts second to none.  Katie's clients include Ozzy Osbourne, Brian Wilson (Beach Boys), Dua Lipa, Tobey Maguire, Tiffany Haddish, Bert Kreischer, Bobby Lee, and countless others.

Paul Costabile is a host, comedian, writer, producer and entertainment reporter. He is the newest face on Universal Kids as the host of the iconic revival of Beat The Clock. He also appears on daily segments on NBC's New York Live and is the host of Doodle Wars on NBC’s digital network Bluprint. Most recently, Paul interviewed the band One Republic for The Netflix/NBCU series Once in a Lifetime Sessions and is a brand ambassador and face for Universal Kids. 

“From Life in a Maze, to an Amazing Life” best describes De’Juan “DJ” Verrett. On February 6, 1990 DJ Verrett was arrested on drug charges at the age of 19, and was sentenced to 19 ½ years of imprisonment. 

After serving 16 years 10 months and 3 days in some of America’s most notorious federal prisons DJ Verrett was released on November 1, 2006. The day he was released DJ Verrett made the decision to change everything about him.