After nearly a decade of professionally creating community, I wanted to come on and share tips and tricks and ways that I both created and found community. From Southern California to Northern California, in big cities and small, internationally, and close to home - this is a little inspiration (and maybe a little bit of homework) that will help you find your people. This speaks to those who want to BUILD and to those who want to JOIN! No matter where you fall on the scale, this episode will help empower you to find connection! Also here’s your reminder that TGS hosts 4+ events monthly which are great for connecting, growing, learning + tapping in! IG: @thealexmorehouse

In this episode with Joey, we sat down and talked about his music career which didn’t start until he was in college in his 20s. We talked about songwriting, the creative process, building a team, touring and so much more! If you live in the Tuolumne County area, odds are that you’ve heard him and his band perform live. Their performances are full of energy, full of laughter and often times will have a fiddler or two playing on top of somebody else’s shoulders as the whole entire venue dances around them! This was an inspiring episode and it truly was an honor having Joey swing by the shop at 7am for an interview before he and his crew drove to their next show that they were playing that evening. IG: @barjaybar

In this episode, I had my dear friend Chelsey on to talk about her wild health journey. Chelsey and I have known each other since we work together at Dayo when I was in high school and it has been such a joy watching her completely excel at her career as an amazing hairstylist. But during that time, she’s also battled seizures, breast, cancer, a stroke, and so much more… Which truly caused her to shift her priorities. Something that really stood out during this episode is that she said the next day is never promised. And that couldn’t be more true. Give this episode to listen, leave a comment, give Chelsey a follow and check out what her journey is looking like now, as she shifts into a new chapter of her life and career! IG: @hobbschelsey_hairstylist

In this conversationwith Miss Hazel, we talked about life is an eight-year-old, magic, friendship, and so much more. When I had her mom Tiffany on the podcast, a little bit after it aired she texted me and let me know that her 8 year old daughter Hazel really wanted to come on as a guest! She has a dream of being a YouTuber, creator, and veterinarian. So we decided that we had to make her dream come true! Hazel is the youngest guest that I’ve had on the podcast and also is high functioning autism, ADHD, high sensory, and dyslexic so we touched on some of those things in an abstract and conversational way. This girl was so brave (imagine going on a podcast at 8 years old???), and was an absolute rockstar. When I asked what we should know about 8 year olds she said they’re so much stronger than we think - and she absolutely proved that!! Please give this episode a listen and leave comments so we can show Hazel!

If you have spent a lot of time in downtown Sonora, odds are that you’ve run into Sydney. We’ve lovingly dubbed her the Mayor of Main Street and her story is absolutely incredible. When she was 11, she was in a biking accident while not wearing a helmet and hit a semi trailer, fell down a hill, and hit her head on a rock. She ended up being rushed to the hospital, life flighted out for intensive care and was in a coma for five months. The doctor said that if she woke up, she would likely have no quality of life and would be in a vegetative state, but she surpassed all of their expectations and woke up. She now is walking around having full conversations, writing poetry, has befriended so many people in the downtown area, and has created a life of independence and vibrance. She also said through her accident when she woke up, she had this knowing and profound connection to God. This is a heartwarming and inspiring story that you’ll need to listen to it to believe!

In this episode I sit down with Brittany Camara who explains her journey becoming a surrogate. She is currently 22 weeks pregnant with a sweet mamas baby, and she shared her heart and why she felt so passionately about helping families get the baby they so desperately want. As a mama of 2, wife, daughter, and person who has easy pregnancies and births (lucky duck!!!) she walks us through the process, her overall experience and so much more!! This is an amazing episode shedding light on something that alot of us only experience through movies, shows, or social media! To follow along on her journey request to follow at @brittanyannreina

*TW: miscarriage

For this episode I sat down with Morgan Rain - Executive Director of CalPride Sierras, which is a non-profit who creates resources, community gatherings, and so much more for not only the LGBTQ+ folks, but also anyone else who may need their help. You may have known this organization as LGBTQ Rural; and Morgan talked us through the change in name and about how CalPride overall is a much bigger organization, and that CalPride Sierras is under that umbrella serving Tuolumne, Calaveras, Mariposa, and Amador Counties! We talked the importance of creating safe spaces for our LGBTQ community, using proper pronouns and how it is statistically suicide prevention, and so much more!! This is a beautiful and empowering episode emphasizing the important of loving, representing, and respecting ALL of our community members. If you’re someone who may need some of their resources, please do not hesitate to reach out to Morgan, her team, or the organization in general. Their office in downtown Sonora is open Monday through Friday, and you can also reach out to them via social media handles or their website. Web: CalPride.org | IG: @calpridesierras

*We would also like to remind everyone that TGS is a safe space for ALL. We love you. You are important. You are welcome. You belong here just as you are 🏳️‍🌈

In this episode with Talia we talked about how a small crafting project turned into a side hustle… which then turned into a full time career!! You’re gonna love this story and how relatable her journey has been as a stay at home mama who still wanted to do something outside of raising little humans! Her family has supported her and encouraged her every step of the way - and now you can see her at almost every craft fair, pop up opportunity, and multiple small businesses (including TGS) have used her for tshirts, sweatshirts, mugs, bags and more! IG: @stay.pressd

In this episode I sat down with Kayla Eckstein whose the owner and creator of Cove Collective - a new salon in Downtown Sonora where she puts an emphasis on community, accepting people as they are, and creating education opportunities for not only the stylists in her salon, but for stylists anywhere who want to learn and grow and hone their skills. She talked about her creative journey, how she knew she wanted to do hair since she was 10, and so much more! If you’re a hairstylist just starting out or maybe you haven’t gone to cosmo yet but you know this is the field you want to get into - this episode is for you! IG: @covecollective.salon | @coloredbykayla

In the episode I had Joslyne Wrede, one of the co-owners of Black Bomb Entertainment, on the podcast to talk about their journey that lead to them opening a goth cafe and community gathering space in Downtown Sonora! We talked how Joslyn’s met her husband, metal music, nourishing foods, creating a space that was accepting and welcoming, hot sauce, merch, pop ups and more! This is a great peek into the mind of one of the creators of this unique and edgy spot in town! They’re blue zone certified, are trying to do things as sustainably as possible, and are making a real difference! IG: @blackbombentertainment | @joslynewrede