The Face Foundation, a 501(c)(3) animal charity founded in 2006, provides financial grants for emergency and critical care to pet owners unable to afford veterinary costs. Led by Patricia Mendez-Damron, the foundation has assisted over 16,000 struggling pet owners, including Teresa Gelegonya, whose cat Max received $1,600 in emergency care and $8,500 in surgery costs that were covered by the foundation. The foundation's "Save a Life" program collaborates with over 200 vet hospitals offering a 25% discount. The foundation also supports pet owners who are unhoused through community outreach programs. 

About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  

"Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   

For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   
About Mission Fed Credit Union  

A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Dr. Gary Weitzman, President and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS), discusses the organization's adoption trial program, which allows potential adopters to test-drive animals for up to two weeks. The society is currently operating at 135% capacity for dogs, with over 700 dogs in care. Weitzman talks about SDHS's wildlife care and education programs. He also emphasizes the need for spaying and neutering to control pet populations.

About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  

"Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   

For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   
About Mission Fed Credit Union  

A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Kevin Leap, publisher of the San Diego Business Journal, talks about the Journal's mission to cover local business news and its focus on small businesses, which make up a huge percentage of the local economy. Leap highlights the importance of shining a light on entrepreneurs and the challenges they face, such as revenue generation and media communication. Leap also discusses the critical role of nonprofits in supporting the local economy.

About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  

"Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   

For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   
About Mission Fed Credit Union  

A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Sidd Vivek, President & CEO of Junior Achievement (JA) San Diego, discusses the organization's mission to empower young people for economic success. JA programs like BizTown and Mission Fed Finance Park provide experiential learning, teaching financial literacy and career skills. Vivek emphasizes the importance of competency-based education, focusing on critical thinking, communication, and cooperation. He highlights JA's partnerships with companies such as Mission Fed Credit Union, which supports workforce development and personal finance education. 

About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  

"Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   

For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   
About Mission Fed Credit Union  

A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Shandon Harbour, President and CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors of San Diego (ABC), and Earl Wederbrook, a board member of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), chat about the interconnection between the construction industry and the military.  Harbour discusses her 11-year tenure with ABC, emphasizing the organization's role in training and educating contractors through its apprenticeship program. Wederbrook highlights SDMAC's mission to advance the partnership and communication between the military, elected officials, the business community, colleges and universities, and community based organizations. He notes the military's $62 billion economic impact on our region. Harbour and Wederbrook underscore the importance of transitioning military personnel into the construction industry, leveraging their skills and discipline. The conversation also touches on the personal impact of supporting individuals with autism.

About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  

"Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   

For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   
About Mission Fed Credit Union  

A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Patrick Stewart, CEO of the Library Foundation San Diego, discusses the foundation's mission to support the San Diego Public Library through philanthropy, advocacy, and outreach. Stewart highlights the library's 37 branches and the challenges of underfunding and book bans. Stewart emphasizes the importance of literacy and the role of libraries in supporting diverse communities. He introduces the "Books Unbanned" initiative, a collaboration with several public libraries to provide access to challenged books through e-libraries. The program has seen over a million signups, underscoring the need for continued advocacy against book bans.

About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  

"Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   

For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   
About Mission Fed Credit Union  

A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Deacon Jim Vargas, President and CEO of Father Joe's Villages, talks about the organization's mission to prevent or end homelessness in San Diego County. Father Joe's Villages provides comprehensive services, including a new 44-bed detox center, 248 recovery beds, and $90 million in funding for two new buildings, adding 287 units of affordable housing. Deacon Vargas highlighted the need for more behavioral health clinicians and the impact of economic factors on the homelessness. 

About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  

"Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   

For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   
About Mission Fed Credit Union  

A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Anne Marbarger, CEO of Curebound, a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating cancer research in San Diego County, discusses Curebound's recent investment of $8.5 million to 23 innovative cancer research teams, including a $1 million award for pancreatic cancer research. The organization has funded over 140 collaborative research teams studying 25 different types of cancers. Marbarger emphasizes the importance of funding and collaboration in cancer research, highlighting Curebound's role in supporting early-phase research. 

About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  

"Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   

For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   
About Mission Fed Credit Union  

A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Natalie Hill, Director of Equestrian for TERI Campus of Life, shares her 16-year involvement with the nationally recognized organization that provides life-changing services for individuals with developmental disabilities.  Hill talks about her role in therapeutic riding.  Kathy Sebuck, Founder and CEO of Marchitecture, joins the conversation and explains her transition from corporate tech to strategic marketing and leadership coaching. Hill and Sebuck highlight the TERI Equine Experience, which offers non-riding, ground-based interactions with horses to help regulate nervous systems and improve overall well-being. 

About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  

"Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   

For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   
About Mission Fed Credit Union  

A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Tim Reuben, an author, lawyer, and mediator, talks about his debut novel, Tequila:  A Story of Success, Love and Violence, a legal thriller set in the tequila industry. Reuben, who has practiced law since 1980, discusses the challenges of writing his first novel, inspired by his legal experiences. The book follows the Ramirez family's multi-billion-dollar tequila empire, intertwining success, love, and violence. 

About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  

"Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   

For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   
About Mission Fed Credit Union  

A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/