Southern California is famous for sunshine, beaches, and opportunity but it's also known for a harsh reality. For far too many people, housing here feels out of reach. In this episode of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross sits down with Emily Ramirez of the Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing. Ramirez breaks down why it's so expensive to build affordable housing in SoCal, where well-intended policy goes wrong, and what has to change so that Southern California is a place where people of modest means can afford to live. 

Resources:

Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing

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SoCal is the epicenter of the entertainment industry and award season is in full swing. While many focus on the glamor and festivities, film and media historian Monica Sandler  views the movie awards industry through a different lens.

In her forthcoming book, The Oscar Industry: Creative Labor, Cultural Production, and the Awards System in Media Industry, Sandler looks at how the Academy Awards have built and sustained Hollywood's class, gender and racial hierarchies. As award season takes shape, Sandler's insight into the history and development of movie awards season will broaden your perspective about this Hollywood tradition and what comes next.

Visit Monica Sandler's website

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Krystle Hickman is a community scientist, photographer, National Geographic Explorer and one of the few Black women working in the conservation space. In her book The ABC’s of California’s Native Bees, she’s helping the non-scientists among us develop a greater appreciation for the important role native bees play in keeping our food systems strong, our landscapes more resilient and our own health as humans in SoCal more secure. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Hickman shares insights about her journey into conservation, the sometimes challenging experience of writing her book, and improvements she'd like to see in environmental policy to help us all co-exist more harmoniously with nature.

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A year ago, Shiloh Strong launched Ashes to Films, a nonprofit organization to help members of the creative community impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires rebuild their lives. I sat down with him and filmmaker Eric Dyson, whose heartening documentary, Altadena: The Heart, The Art. The Soul, was showcased at the recent Ashes to Films festival. They share how, in just one year, Ashes to Films has gone from idea to impact, proving recovery is about more than rebuilding structures. It’s also about rebuilding the spirit. In this episode of SoCal Voices, you’ll hear what they’ve accomplished, who they’ve lifted up, and why their work matters now more than ever.

Shiloh Strong and Ashes to Films.

Eric Dyson.

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Southern Californians know a thing or two about chasing sunshine and big dreams, and there’s no better example of that spirit than the man who created the happiest place on earth. 

In this episode of SoCal Voices, you’ll hear from Dr. Disneyland, also known as Jeff Barnes, the author, speaker, and founder of The Wisdom of Walt. He shares how exploring Walt Disney’s life reshaped his own journey.

He unpacks what it really means to build your own reality and why those “wild” ideas you’re afraid to say out loud might be exactly what puts your world on a whole new path.

Resources

thewisdomofwalt.com 

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Southern California is filled with overachievers. Without some balance and healthy practices, the relentless drive to accomplish more can leave us feeling like we're running on fumes. Licensed marriage and family therapist Laurel van der Toorn of Los Angeles specializes in helping high achieving professionals overcome burnout and improve their mental well-being. In this episode of SoCal Voices, she shares how burnout sneaks into the bodies and minds of high performers and what it really takes to heal. From simple mindset shifts to redefining success beyond achievement, this conversation might help you find the balance you need to thrive without losing your edge.

Resources

Laurel Therapy Collective 

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Since booking his first gig in 2004, LA voice actor Kyle Chapple has built a career across video games, animation, and commercials but he didn't reach those milestones on talent alone. His journey has also been about grit, risk, and belief in self. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Chapple talks about everything it took for him to achieve his dreams and why it was so important for him to go all in. If you’re grinding toward a goal and wondering whether to stay the course or walk away, Chapple’s journey may be just the inspiration you need.

Resources

Learn more about Kyle Chapple.

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The Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” included funding cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP. These cuts mean Southern Californians dealing with food insecurity may need to turn to local food banks in increasing numbers to put food on the table. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Rachel Bonilla of Feeding America Riverside-San Bernardino, explains how her organization is preparing for the potential increased demand, and how Southern Californians can come together to help meet the growing need.

Resources

Feeding America Riverside-San Bernardino

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Serving as an effective state legislator in 2025 requires “next level” commitment and courage, as California finds itself targeted by what some political observers describe as the Trump administration’s retribution campaign. Despite this challenging political environment, State Assemblymember Corey Jackson of SoCal’s 60th assembly district is focused on leading with purpose and clarity. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Jackson shares how staying focused on what matters most builds resilience and serves as an act of resistance. He breaks down how Southern Californians can stay informed, stay hopeful, and take meaningful action when democracy feels under attack.

Resources

Official Website - Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson

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The end of federal funding for public broadcasting has many Southern Californians wondering what's next for public media. In this episode of SoCal Voices host Angela Ross sits down with Connie Leyva, executive director of the Inland Empire's public radio and TV station, KVCR. Leyva shares insight about the uncertain public media landscape, her determination to stay focused on KVCR’s core mission, and how listeners can help ensure public broadcasting thrives in Inland Southern California. 

Resources

KVCR.org

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Thank you for listening! Support SoCal Voices Podcast. Your contributions help us continue to bring you quality content about navigating life in Southern California. It’s easy! Just click this link:

Support the show