The FutureCurrent Podcast with Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools

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]

In this episode of FutureCurrent, Dr. Stefan Bean is joined by Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez for a conversation about mentorship, representation, and the responsibility that comes with leadership.

From growing up in a migrant farmworker family to serving at the local, state, federal, and international levels, Ambassador Vasquez reflects on the power of seeing what is possible and being that example for others. The conversation explores why mentorship matters now more than ever, especially for young people navigating rapid change, and how leaders can help expand opportunity by showing up with honesty, perspective, and care.

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

The Orange County Community Foundation

https://www.oc-cf.org/scholarships/

About our Guest:

Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez is the descendant of a migrant farm worker family who instilled in him the lessons of perseverance and service to others. He was the first in his family to earn a college degree and is the recipient of six honorary doctorate degrees.

He has served as U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations Organizations in Rome, Italy and served as the 15th Director of the United States Peace Corps where he led agency programs in 77 countries and established the first Peace Corps program in Mexico. He was the first and is the only Latino to lead the Peace Corps since its inception in 1961.

He has served as an appointee and nominee of two U. S. Presidents and as an appointee of three California Governors.

His career has included executive leadership as senior vice president of government affairs for Edison International and Southern California Edison. One of the nation’s largest investor-owned utilities.

In 1988, he was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors becoming the first person of color to hold a seat on the board in the history of Orange County. He was elected twice and served as chairman of the board on two separate occasions.

Ambassador Vasquez currently serves on the National Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, the board of directors of the Rady Children’s Hospital of Orange County, the Association of Public Television Stations, the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts, the California Public Policy Institute, the Board of Trustees of Chapman University and the Board of Governors of the California State University Foundation.

He has been recognized by many national and international organizations and is the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, The William Booth Award and the Others Award by the Salvation Army, The Pat Brown Institute Global Leadership Award, The American Association of Community Colleges Alumni Award, and Hispanic Business Magazine has named Ambassador Vasquez as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States on multiple occasions. The Director of the UN World Food Program named Ambassador Vasquez as a Champion Against World Hunger.

Literacy sits at the center of learning, opportunity, and long-term success.

In this conversation, Dr. Sandra Lee reflects on what the science of reading has made clear and why translating that knowledge into consistent experiences for children remains a challenge. The discussion explores how coherence, shared understanding, and follow-through shape reading instruction across classrooms, schools, and communities.

This episode centers literacy as a shared responsibility and invites listeners to consider what alignment looks like when everyone involved in a child’s learning is working from the same evidence and purpose.

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

About Our Guest:

Dr. Sandra Lee is Orange County Department of Education’s Associate Superintendent of Educational Services. She is a distinguished educator and forward-thinking leader known for advancing student achievement and building strong, inspired teams.A highly respected instructional leader, she brings extensive experience as a teacher, literacy coach, principal, director of curriculum and instruction, educational consultant, and adjunct professor.She holds an educational doctorate in literacy, a master’s degree in the science of reading and a bachelor’s degree in child and adolescent development, all from California State University, Fullerton. At OCDE, Dr. Lee leads the Educational Services division in supporting districts to strengthen teaching and learning for all students.

Leadership looks different when systems are shifting and the stakes are high.Jerry Almendarez joins FutureCurrent for a candid conversation about leading through change, listening closely to communities, and navigating the realities facing public education today. From enrollment and workforce challenges to the expanding influence of artificial intelligence, the discussion centers on what thoughtful leadership requires in moments of uncertainty.This episode invites listeners to reflect on how trust, transparency, and community voice shape decisions that impact students, families, and the future of Orange County.Watch here on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

Jerry's Website: creative-future.com

About the Guest:Jerry Almendarez is a recently retired superintendent and founder of Creative Futures Collaborative, where he helps superintendents and executive teams integrate AI, strategic foresight, and innovative leadership practices. He previously led Santa Ana Unified School District, serving 41,500 students and 5,000 staff. Jerry’s leadership centered on opportunity, community partnership, and technology-enabled improvement, including districtwide digital learning, STEM partnerships, and AI-aligned policy development to enhance operations and personalized learning. A former teacher and principal, he brings classroom-grounded insight to system change and board governance. Today, Jerry equips leaders to move from pilots to production, build responsible guardrails, and free time for the work that matters most: people, culture, and outcomes. Collaborate. Create. Elevate.

Susan Parks, President and CEO of United Way of Orange County, joins FutureCurrent to explore community, connection, and what it means to truly show up for families.

Susan shares how her own giving story began, why local support matters, and how United Way partners with schools, nonprofits, and businesses to stabilize families and create opportunity. The conversation brings forward the power of collaboration, the role of education in breaking cycles, and why asking for help sooner can change outcomes.

Listeners will also learn about 2-1-1, a critical resource connecting families to food, housing, transportation, and other essential services across Orange County.

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

United Way of Orange County: https://unitedwayoc.org

2-1-1 Orange County: https://www.211oc.org

About the Guest:As President and CEO of Orange County United Way, Susan B. Parks leads the nonprofit organization’s mission to improve lives and strengthen the Orange County community. Parks has a long history with the organization as a former board member and one of the founding members of Orange County United Way’s Women’s Philanthropy Fund. Under Parks’ leadership, the organization launched three key initiatives (United to End HomelessnessSM, United for Financial SecuritySM and United for Student SuccessSM), which tackle the Orange County community’s most critical issues. She was also active player in the development of the nonprofit’s countywide five-year strategic plan, United4OC 2030, a bold movement to unite Orange County through 4 million moments of impact to cultivate a stronger workforce, healthier economy, and improved wellbeing.Parks also spearheaded the organization's acquisition of 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC), a key service that connects thousands of the community's most vulnerable residents with health and human service resources via a free, 24-hour emergency contact center. Prior to joining United Way, she held executive roles in several Fortune 500 and 1000 companies, in addition to being an entrepreneur. Parks has received numerous accolades including the 2023 LA Times Inspirational Women in Leadership Award, 2021 Excellence in Executive Leadership Honoree Award by the CSU Fullerton’s Center for Leadership, the 2020 Woman of the Year Award from Congressman Lou Correa, the Impact 2020 CEO of the Year Award, and many others. Parks currently serves on the Commission to End Homelessness and is a member of the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Chief Executive Roundtable.

In this episode of FutureCurrent, Dr. Stefan Bean talks with Eric Goodman about the realities of resilience, leadership, and service.Eric reflects on the experiences that shaped his mindset, the weight leaders carry, and why giving back is not about scale but intention. The conversation surfaces what it looks like to lead through adversity and remain anchored in purpose.Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.About the Guest:As President/CEO of MVS, Inc. (Mountain View Services), a leading healthcare supply and distribution company serving more than 500 care facilities for developmentally disabled adults and children, home care facilities, hospice care companies, non-profit organizations, schools, care centers, and homeless shelters, Eric and MVS’ mission is to provide the highest quality products and services available to our clients, so they in turn can provide the highest quality service to the residents they serve.Eric acquired Chem-Pak, a janitorial, facility, and office supply company, from his father in 2023, making the 37-year-old family business second-generation owned. Chem-Pak services janitorial contractors, businesses, schools, office buildings, and more. Chem-Pak’s mission is to help clients with products for their business.Eric fosters his core belief in building relationships within the community. He has served on the board of directors for several prominent non-profit organizations, including the American Heart Association and Ronald McDonald House Charities.MVS, Inc. was a Points of Light the Civic 50 honoree in 2022, 2023, and 2024, being recognized as one of the top 50 most community-minded companies in Orange County. MVS was named the Orange County Business Journal Medium-Sized Family-Owned Business of the Year in 2023, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Orange County National Philanthropy Day Outstanding Small Business in 2024. Eric was honored as the Greater Irvine Chamber Philanthropist of the Year in 2024.Eric has been married to his wife, Roxanne, for 30 years. They have two children, Vanessa (30) and Grant (25), and one grandchild, Delaney.In additional to his work and family life, Eric holds a passion for photography. His work has appeared in galleries, and all proceeds from his work (website: newportbeachsunsets.com) are donated to charity.Eric is also a classic car enthusiast. He is President of the Vintage Volkswagen Club of America, the largest vintage Volkswagen club in the county.EricGoodman.org

In the inaugural episode of FutureCurrent, host Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools, shares why this podcast exists and what listeners can expect.

Dr. Bean reflects on his early life as a Vietnamese orphan airlifted to the United States during Operation Babylift, the educators and caregivers who shaped his path, and how those experiences inform his leadership today. He outlines OCDE’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable learners and the vision behind the 5-3-1 Strategic Plan, which centers workforce readiness, emotional intelligence, student safety, innovation, and opportunity for all.

FutureCurrent focuses on today’s challenges while spotlighting the people, programs, and partnerships creating solutions for a stronger future across Orange County. Each episode lifts stories of impact, leadership, and possibility in education and beyond.

FutureCurrent is a podcast from the Orange County Department of Education hosted by Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools.

In this series, we explore today’s most pressing challenges while spotlighting the people, programs, and partnerships creating solutions for a stronger future across Orange County.

New episodes released regularly.

Spotlighting innovators who empower individuals and lift our communities to rise.