Orange County’s future workforce is already taking shape in classrooms, internships, apprenticeships and career programs across the region.

Dr. Stefan Bean sits down with Jeff Ball, president and CEO of the Orange County Business Council, to explore how educators and employers can work together to connect students with meaningful career opportunities. Their conversation looks at career awareness, workforce access and the shared responsibility to prepare young people for a changing economy.

Orange County’s economy is already larger than those of 26 states. What could its next chapter mean for the students preparing to lead it?

Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

Connect with Jeff Ball:

• Orange County Business Council
• Leading Educational Attainment

• LinkedIn: Orange County Business Council
• Facebook: BizCouncil
• X: OC_Biz_Council
• Instagram: ocbiz_council

About our guest:

Jeffrey K. Ball (“Jeff”) is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Orange County Business Council where he represents the interests of local businesses and organizations together with academia and government to promote the economic growth of the nation’s sixth largest county, Orange County, California.

Ball is the Founder of Friendly Hills Bank (now First Pacific Bank) where he previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer and is currently Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. His more than 40 years of experience in commercial and investment banking includes leadership positions with Bank of America, as well as past Chair of the California Bankers Association and past Chair of the Government Relations Council of the American Bankers Association.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Orange County Business Council, First Pacific Bancorp, Mobility21, Data Center, Inc., Catalina Island Conservancy, Orange County Fire Authority Foundation and Kinetic Academy which is a public charter school he founded in 2016. He is also a member by appointment of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and previously served two terms on the board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission of the California State Bar.

Prior to earning his MBA from Whittier College, Ball earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Puget Sound. A longtime advocate of financial literacy, he frequently guest lectures on the topics of financial and economic principles at high schools and universities across the nation.

Some of the most meaningful work with young people is happening in places people rarely see.

Jessica Johnson, Chief Deputy Probation Officer for the Orange County Probation Department, joins FutureCurrent to share what really happens inside the system, and what it looks like when the goal is possibility.

From the surprising story behind a cribbage game to a 95% success rate that changed how a whole county thinks about diversion, this conversation invites us to rethink what probation can be, and what young people can become when someone bets on them.

Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

Orange County Probation Department: https://ocprobation.ocgov.com/

Volunteers In Probation: https://ocprobation.ocgov.com/employment-volunteer/volunteer

About Our Guest:

Jessica Johnson has been employed with the Orange County Probation Department for 29 years and currently oversees the Juvenile Operations Bureau, which includes juvenile facilities, juvenile field supervision, and juvenile court. She has worked a variety of assignments throughout her career, including Juvenile Facilities, Juvenile Field Supervision, AB 109, Training, Juvenile Court, and Special Supervision. She is a strong collaborator and enjoys partnering with others within the community and justice partners to identify and improve processes and services for those within the justice system, particularly related to education, vocational training, housing, and other re-entry services.

When leadership is shaped by need, the work becomes something bigger than a career.Marvin Smith joins FutureCurrent for a conversation about how prevention, access, and opportunity change what is possible for young people. Drawing on decades of work with at-risk teens across the country, Marvin explores what it takes to reach kids at the root cause, remove the barriers around them, and help them discover the gifts already inside them.The conversation moves through the philosophy behind brain-based learning, why prevention changes trajectories in ways intervention alone cannot, and Marvin's approach to succession leadership and what it looks like to step back so young people can step up. A former NFL linebacker, ordained minister, and community leader, Marvin brings decades of insight to the question of how communities can better support the youth in them.Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.Connect with Marvin Smith:[email protected] Our Guest:Marvin is a former NFL player who actively participates in the leadership of the NFL Former Player Association. He is an ordained minister, teacher, and community leader. His initiatives focus on community and social justice advocacy, education reform, and, most importantly, youth empowerment and mental health support. Marvin works with at-risk teens, providing programs that promote leadership, academic growth, and advancements in technology. He also offers counseling and crisis intervention services with teens across the country who are in urgent need of support.His passion for educational equity led him and his wife, Karla, to establish a model state-authorized public charter school in 2005 to support disenfranchised students. This innovative educational model is rooted in neuroscience - "Brain-Based Learning," which significantly impacted all the students compared to the traditional K-12 public educational system, and has yielded a core of socially, emotionally and intellectually productive citizens.

Perception is often the first barrier to inclusion in the arts. It can also be the first thing that changes.

Marleena Barber, Executive Director of Orange County Arts and Disability, joins FutureCurrent to share how the arts open doors to expression, belonging, and possibility for people of all abilities.

Drawing from her own experience as a person with a disability and years of advocacy work, Marleena discusses what accessibility looks like across physical spaces, communication, digital environments, and policy, and why the arts are uniquely suited to true inclusion.

The episode also features Joshua Roy, an accomplished artist and founder of Able Artist, joined by his mom, Connie. Joshua shares his creative process, his love of drawing, and what art means to him.

Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

Connect with Marleena Barber:

Orange County Arts and Disability on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocartsanddisability

Orange County Arts and Disability on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orangecountyartsanddisability

Connect with Joshua Roy:

Joshua Roy Art: https://joshuaroy.art

About Our Guests:

Marleena Barber

Legally blind from a generic condition called albinism, Marleena Barber is an educator, vocalist, and disability advocate. She is an arts and disability consultant at the Orange County Department of Education, and is also the Executive Director of Orange County Arts and Disability, a nonprofit organization. Prior to her work with OCDE, she was the children’s choir director at Braille Institute for 12 years where she developed music and theater arts programs for K-12 blind and low vision students. She currently serves on the board for Arts Orange County and Californians for the Arts.

Joshua Roy

Artist Joshua Roy has been developing his talent since he was a young child. He started drawing sketches on graph paper and quickly showed an interest in coloring and painting. He loves putting detail into his landscapes and still life pieces. Joshua is happy to share his artwork collections in cards and prints, and is also available for commissions!

With his mom, Connie, Joshua attends many local boutiques and craft sales in the Southern California area, selling an array of home decor, cards, and prints. Follow him on social media to see where he'll be next!​

By the way, Joshua was born with Down Syndrome!

For some children, the arts are more than enrichment. They are a way to feel safe, seen, and connected.

Debora Wondercheck, Founder and CEO of Arts & Learning Conservatory, joins FutureCurrent for a moving conversation about the role of the arts in the lives of young people. Drawing from her own family's story and more than two decades of work serving students across Orange County, Debora reflects on how access to high-quality arts experiences can change the trajectory of a child's life.

The conversation explores why representation matters in arts education, how Arts & Learning Conservatory brings world-class productions into schools regardless of zip code, and the moments when a young person finds their voice, their courage, and a sense of belonging through music, theater, and creative expression.

Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

Connect with Debora Wondercheck:Arts & Learning Conservatory: https://www.artsandlearning.org

About Our Guest:Debora Wondercheck exemplifies impactful leadership and a commitment to social equity, drawing from nearly three decades in education and arts advocacy. As the founder and CEO of the Arts & Learning Conservatory, she has significantly advanced culturally inclusive artistic training for thousands of children in Southern California, believing strongly in the transformative power of the arts for youth and marginalized communities.​In addition to her leadership role, Debora is a professor of string pedagogy, a skilled cellist, and an accomplished conductor, contributing to projects like "Gospel Voices of OC" that celebrate African American heritage. Her influence extends through numerous accolades, including being named the Arts Commissioner and Board Chair for Costa Mesa in 2024 and recognized as a Woman of Distinction by She Leads California. Debora's contributions have earned her spots among the most influential individuals in Orange County and recognition from prestigious outlets like the LA Times and Forbes Magazine. She actively supports various organizations, serving on multiple boards, and has received awards, including Woman of the Year for Costa Mesa. Under her leadership, the Arts & Learning Conservatory has won several honors, including Outstanding Arts Organization of the Year. Through her dedication, Debora Wondercheck inspires a commitment to inclusivity and equity, fostering a vibrant community for all.

Innovation in education often begins when someone is willing to do things differently.

David Blair, Executive Director of Orange County Schools Bright Futures Foundation, joins FutureCurrent to share how a foundation built to serve all 28 school districts in Orange County is acting as a catalyst for change. From the new Future Innovators Initiative with Hyundai to the creative classroom solutions that deserve to be spotlighted, the conversation explores what becomes possible when private philanthropy, public education, and community partners are aligned around the same vision.

David also reflects on his own path from professional opera singer to nonprofit leader, why he believes the answer should always come after the question, and how the foundation works alongside districts, schools, and local foundations rather than in place of them.

Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

Connect with David Blair

Orange County Schools Bright Futures Foundation: ⁠ocschoolsbff.org⁠

About Our Guest:

David Blair serves as the inaugural Executive Director of the Orange County Schools Bright Futures Foundation. A product of Orange County’s public schools and now a parent raising the next generation in the same community, David brings a deeply personal connection to the Foundation’s mission, and more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience to carry it forward.

Before joining the Foundation, David spent over a decade serving youth across Orange County, building and strengthening partnerships with donors, educators, corporate sponsors, and civic leaders to expand college access, career readiness, and youth engagement programs reaching thousands of young people across multiple cities.

David’s commitment to community extends well beyond his professional roles. He is actively engaged in community and civic leadership through local chambers of commerce and serves on the boards of multiple organizations dedicated to bettering Orange County. He has completed both the Philanthropy Leadership Institute and the Developing Annual Sustainability program through Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

A classically trained vocalist and former opera singer, David brings the same creative energy and ability to connect with an audience to his work in philanthropy, whether he’s on a stage, in a boardroom, or standing beside the students and educators this Foundation was built to serve.

Mentorship can begin with one person who sees something in a young person before they fully see it in themselves.

Sloane Keane, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire, joins FutureCurrent for a conversation about mentorship, social capital, and the power of helping young people feel seen, heard, and supported. The discussion explores how trusted relationships can strengthen attendance, confidence, wellbeing, and a young person’s sense of what is possible.This episode also highlights OCDE’s partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters to bring mentorship directly to ACCESS students during the school day, reducing barriers and meeting students where they are.Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.Connect with Sloane Keane:Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire: https://www.ocbigs.orgSloane Keane is currently chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire, the second largest of 250-plus agencies nationwide. She currently serves on the California Volunteers Board of Commissioners and is Chair of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of California, the largest mentoring state association in the country. She joined the organization in 2013 as director of development and played a key role in tripling revenue. In her most recent position as chief development officer, she helped establish financial stability for the organization and steer new funding strategies. During Sloane’s tenure leading the development team, Big Brothers Big Sisters purchased a 57,000 square ft office building in an underserved neighborhood of Santa Ana and have developed it into the largest nonprofit hub in Orange County. Her efforts have supported ongoing growth in serving more than 4,000 youth annually across Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties with quality mentoring relationships. Sloane has an intrinsic belief in the power of mentoring, which has fueled more than 20 years of experience directing growth in business development, marketing and media sales for companies across the country, including the Discovery Channel and Orange County Register. Prior to joining Big Brothers Big Sisters in a professional capacity, Sloane volunteered as a mentor with the organization from 2013 to 2015. Raised in Orange County, Sloane graduated from Pennsylvania State University and currently lives in Newport Beach with her husband and two sons.

Adán Correa brings humor, honesty, and heart to a conversation about autism, advocacy, creativity, and what it means to be seen for our strengths.

A proud graduate of Santa Ana High School and cast member of Love on the Spectrum, Adán reflects on the educators, coaches, counselors, and family members who helped him keep going.

From wrestling and choir to voice acting, 3D printing, speaking, and advocacy, his story is a reminder that support can change the direction of a life.This episode invites us to see difference as strength, recognize the power of encouragement, and remember that no one moves forward alone. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.Connect with Adán Correa:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrcorreaadanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrcorreaadanEmail: [email protected]

The arts play a powerful role in how young people see themselves and the world around them.Casey Reitz, President and CEO of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, joins FutureCurrent for a conversation about the importance of arts access, youth engagement, and community partnerships. The discussion explores how meaningful arts experiences support creativity, confidence, and connection for students across Orange County.This episode invites listeners to reflect on why the arts matter, how schools and community organizations can work together, and what becomes possible when creative expression is treated as essential, not extra.

Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.'

Segerstrom Center for the Arts: https://www.scfta.org/

About Our Guest:

Casey Reitz is the President and CEO of Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Orange County’s premier multi-disciplinary nonprofit arts organization, and a leader in innovation and community engagement. Since joining the Center in December 2019—just before the onset of the global pandemic, Casey’s steady leadership and clear vision guided the organization through unprecedented challenges. His commitment to transparent communication and financial stewardship ensured the Center’s resilience, allowing it to safely welcome audiences back to live performances and continue serving as a cultural cornerstone for the region. Driven by a lifelong passion for the performing arts, Casey has championed initiatives that deepen the Center’s impact and accessibility. Under his leadership, Segerstrom Center secured American Ballet Theatre as its Official Dance Company and launched dynamic new programs such as the Headliners and Speaker Series, broadening the Center’s reach and relevance. Casey’s vision is rooted in building a vibrant, inclusive arts community—one where everyone feels welcomed and inspired. Before his tenure at Segerstrom Center, Casey served as Executive Director of New York City’s acclaimed Second Stage Theater, where he led the historic acquisition and revitalization of Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theater. This transformative project not only expanded Second Stage’s footprint to Broadway, making it one of only four nonprofits with a permanent Broadway home, but also set new standards for accessibility, sustainability, and design. Under his guidance, Second Stage experienced significant growth, tripling its annual budget and eliminating its accumulated deficit, while hosting celebrated productions including Tony Award® winner The Humans and Tony nominee What the Constitution Means to Me. Casey’s extensive experience also includes leadership roles at The Public Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, Actor’s Express in Atlanta, and Webb Management Services. He has contributed his expertise as an Associate Consultant at the DeVos Institute of Arts Management and as a guest lecturer at leading universities including Yale, Columbia, NYU, and the University of Alabama. A three-time Tony Award® nominee and winner for Best Musical Producer of Dear Evan Hansen, Casey is an active member of the Broadway League, the Performing Arts Center Consortium, and serves as a Tony Awards voter. His influence has been recognized by the Orange County Business Journal’s OC500, Riviera OC Magazine’s Top 50 Power Players, and his recent appointment to the PBS SoCal Board of Directors. Casey holds an MFA in Theater Management from Yale University and a BA in Theatre from the University of Alabama. Beyond his professional achievements, his work is deeply personal: “The arts changed my life by giving me direction, purpose, and a greater capacity for happiness. I hope to bring the transformative power of the arts into the lives of our friends and neighbors, enriching our community with joy, meaning, and connection. He lives by the motto: “Take the work seriously, but not yourself.”

Feeling valued is not a small thing. It shapes how people show up, how they grow, and whether they can do their best work.

Allyson Apsey joins FutureCurrent for a thoughtful conversation about coaching, feedback, and what it takes to create cultures where people feel safe, seen, and supported. The discussion explores emotional intelligence, adult leadership, and why coaching is often one of the most underused and misunderstood parts of leading well.

This episode invites listeners to reflect on how trust, feedback, and strong relationships influence the way people learn, lead, and work together.

Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

About Our Guest:

Allyson Apsey has been an educator for 28 years; an award-winning school leader for 19 of those years. She is passionate about students and staff and leads others through their strengths. She tries to be transparent, vulnerable and supportive, and she doesn’t ask questions unless she wants the answers.

Stay Connected with Allyson:

AllysonApsey.com

[email protected]