The Hope Table

Diabetes affects nearly 40 million Americans, yet millions remain unaware of their diagnosis. It’s a condition that knows no boundaries, touching lives across all ages, sizes, and socioeconomic backgrounds. With its growing prevalence, especially among younger generations, understanding how to prevent, manage, and thrive despite diabetes has never been more critical.

Joining us today is Dr. Alex McDonald, a Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Group physician specializing in Family and Sports Medicine. A dedicated advocate for health and wellness, Dr. McDonald brings insights from his experience as a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Sports Medicine, and other esteemed organizations. Tune in to discover practical strategies for taking control of your health, whether you’re managing diabetes or striving to prevent it.

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The Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit (BBOP) Center is shaking up the small business world and transforming lives. Erin is joined by three powerhouse women driving this revolution: Cheryl Chesnut, Vice President of Operations; Jennifer Yturralde, Chief Innovation Officer; and Lakeisha Charles, BBOP client and owner of LDR Cleaning Services.

At its core, the BBOP Center is more than an economic hub—it’s a catalyst for innovation, empowerment, and action. By fueling bold ideas, nurturing entrepreneurship, and providing the tools to succeed, the BBOP Center is redefining financial opportunities for women of color. This groundbreaking initiative is not just about business—it’s about changing the economic landscape and creating an economy that truly works for them.

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Research on early childhood development is unequivocal: the first five years of life are pivotal to a child’s neurological, cognitive, and social-emotional growth. Today, Erin is joined by two experts in child development from the San Bernardino City Unified School District, Dr. Latashia Kelly and Nancy Carrillo, to discuss these formative years, their lasting impact, and what they are doing to make the most of them. 

Studies from Stanford University reveal a staggering reality: low-income 5-year-olds can be as much as three years behind in early numeracy and two years behind in literacy compared to their wealthier peers. While many catch up in later years, they never quite bridge the gap, as they continue to learn at the same pace as their more privileged classmates. The foundation laid between birth and age 5 is critical; it determines a child’s readiness for kindergarten. Students who start behind face an uphill battle to catch up, often struggling to overcome this early deficit throughout their education.

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Lacey Kendall, a highly experienced professional in the field of broadcast media and communication, has an extensive background in various roles such as Recording Engineer, Broadcast Media Consultant/Host, Broadcast-Media Consultant, Professor, Radio Announcer, Co-Founder of a real property brokerage, Chief Executive Officer of a consulting firm, Syndicated Radio Program Host, and Founder of a non-profit organization. With a Master's degree in Communication Studies and a strong foundation in radio broadcasting, Lacey excels in advising, managing, hosting, and teaching various aspects of the media industry.

Lacey was the driving force behind CSU San Bernardino's Coyote Radio. She served as an executive producer for the highly successful radio program “My Awesome Empire” for six years before moving to the Palm Desert CSUSB Campus, where, in 2019, she was asked to create a new radio station for the campus. She helped create Paws Radio, a fixture in the Coachella Valley community. 

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Dr. Dravon James is the Founder of the Next Step Leadership Academy, a company that empowers women to use everything that shows up in their lives- good, bad, or otherwise to reach their next level of greatness.  Dr. Dravon is a Transformation Specialist using her Everyday Peace philosophy to coach women on how to master goal attainment.  She is the author of Freedom is Your Birthright.  As a leader in the healthcare industry for more than three decades she is the recipient of the Secretary McDonough Coin of Recognition for her leadership efforts to combat the COVID pandemic, Radio Host of the “Dr. Dravon James Every Day Peace” live, weekly show on Unity Online Radio, coach on the SiriusXM “Road Dog Trucking” show, and an actress whose career credits include a recurring role on HBO’s acclaimed “The Wire.”  Dr. Dravon uses this training and experience to lead women to their victory using the power of Every Day Peace to achieve their Next Level of Greatness in life and business.

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we have an extraordinary story of survival that spans not just one person, but an entire family. Diagnosed at 35, Tasha’s journey is unique—she and her sister battled breast cancer simultaneously. Their mother had faced the disease years earlier, at age 37. In 2015, Tasha and her two sisters were urged to undergo genetic testing for BRCA 1, a gene linked to breast cancer. Both tested positive, and both were diagnosed with the disease.

Tasha’s oncologist, Dr. Reena K. Vora, M.D., Chief of Oncology for Kaiser Permanente in San Bernardino County, has been by her side since her diagnosis. “It’s not uncommon for breast cancer to affect multiple family members,” Dr. Vora explained. “But to have two sisters diagnosed just two weeks apart is very rare. In this case, they were all tested around the same time.” She also joins us today. 

Tasha Champion is more than a survivor—she’s a force for change. As an empowerment coach, speaker, and best-selling author, she is passionate about helping other women and their families navigate the challenges of breast cancer diagnosis and recovery.

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We are thrilled to welcome Adam Russell, a successful business owner, finance professor, and bank owner, to the show. For 15 years, Adam has been a trusted voice on this and other radio programs, but this time he’s pulling back the curtain to share his personal journey for the very first time.

It’s easy to look at accomplished business leaders and assume their path to success was smooth, but that’s rarely the case. We often judge ourselves by our internal struggles—our feelings, doubts, and insecurities—while viewing others through the lens of their polished, outward success. Adam’s story shatters that illusion and offers an inspiring glimpse into the ups and downs of building a thriving career from the ground up.

This is the uplifting story of a self-made man whose journey is as relatable as it is remarkable.

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In this powerful episode of Making Hope Happen, Erin Brinker is joined by Margot Rittenhouse, LPCC, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a deep passion for helping individuals heal from eating disorders and body image struggles. Margot brings a unique perspective grounded in the belief that every person has the innate ability to rise above challenges, grow through adversity, and live a purposeful, joy-filled life.

Together, Erin and Margot delve into the complexities of disordered eating—a struggle that knows no boundaries and impacts people from all walks of life. Margot shares insights from her experience working at varying levels of care, from inpatient treatment to outpatient support, and offers hope and actionable strategies for those grappling with these issues.

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Erin is joined by Jenny Mitchell, founder and CEO of Chavender, a dynamic consulting firm dedicated to empowering nonprofits and their leaders. As an executive coach, podcaster, and published author, Jenny is on a mission to inspire more meaningful, impactful conversations. Her impressive credentials include an executive coaching degree from Royal Roads University, the prestigious CFRE fundraising designation, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from SUNY Stony Brook in piano performance—reflecting her lifelong commitment to learning and excellence.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on nonprofit development and programming, offering listeners an insider’s view into this powerful sector. Nonprofits are more than just charitable organizations—they are a vital part of the U.S. economy, contributing anywhere from 5% to 18% of state GDPs. Join us as we explore the forces driving this economic engine and the challenges and opportunities nonprofit leaders face today.

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Joining Erin today is Dr. Ashley Zucker, a renowned Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente in San Bernardino County. Together, they’ll dive deep into one of the most important conversations of our time—mental health. From understanding the unique challenges faced by young people to offering insights on fostering emotional well-being, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate today’s complex mental health landscape.

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