The Rancho Cordova Podcast

Happy Holidays everyone — join us for our final episode of 2025 as we discuss the proposed 7,500-seat indoor arena planned for Rancho Cordova, the larger entertainment district known as “Downtown Dova,” and the big question everyone’s asking: is this vision actually going to happen? and if so when?  Please enjoy this episode and from everyone here at the Rancho Cordova Film office, Happy New Year! 

Join us as we sit down with Joe, the youngest Council Member in Rancho Cordova’s history and the first elected from Lincoln Village. A Sacramento native and civil litigation attorney, he brings local insight, community pride, and a grounded view of city leadership.

After a short break, The Rancho Cordova Podcast is back and refreshed with new stories from our community.

Vanessa, LSA’s founder, has attended over 200 parole hearings and helps guide people through the process. David, once sentenced to life and now paroled for over a decade, brings firsthand experience and leads programs inside prisons across the state.

Together, they share:

How rehabilitation actually works

Why lifers can return safely to society

What needs to change inside California’s prison system

It was a powerful conversation, and I think you’ll learn a lot.

Hosted by Charles Lago.

Sports host Mike Marando sits down with former Cordova Lancer and Texas Ranger, Steve Finch for an informative and fun hourlong interview.

A fabulous right-hander at Cordova, Finch made national headlines in 1976 by throwing three no- hitters his senior year. Finch went 14-2 with a 1.58 ERA and was a 1st team selection on the Sacramento Bee’s All-City baseball team.

Drafted in the second round by the Texas Rangers in 1976, Finch pitched 11 years in the high minors compiling a 68-58 record.  His best year was 1977, while pitching in the Western Carolina League, he went 15-5 with a 2.92 ERA.

Fat Elephant Records, Books & Music is located at 2707 Cordova Lane (near Folsom Blvd), Rancho Cordova. 

On this episode, we sit down with former MLB pitcher Randy Lerch to discuss his career in the big leagues and his powerful memoir, God in the Bullpen: The Randy Lerch Story. He shares firsthand experiences from his time with the Phillies, Astros, and more, as well as his personal journey of faith, perseverance, and redemption. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

This week join Curt Haven as he  dives into the extraordinary life of Ross Johnson, a marathon runner, retired Brigadier General, devoted community volunteer, and family man who embodies the spirit of service and resilience.

Julie Hagan-Belka is an active member of the Rancho Cordova community. She is the immediate Past Chair of Easter Seals of Superior California, the Vice President of the Cordova Community Council, and the Co-Founder of the Rancho Cordova Community Golf Classic, which, since 2016, has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to various organizations throughout the community.

Football season is here, and there’s quite the vibe going on at Cordova High School. Host Mike Marando sits down with 2nd-year Lancers head coach JP Dolliver for a preview of the 2024 season, a look back on 2023 and an inside look at some of the cool activities that will be taking place during Cordova home games this year. The team has emerging talent in QB Tristan Smith and wide receiver Damajae Moses, but that’s not all. Tune in this week!

This week we have a great episode with guest host Curt Haven who sits down with Rancho Cordova City Manager, Micah Runner.

Curt and Micah go way back as Curt hired Micah to work in the Economic development dept at City Hall when Curt was Economic Development Director for the city. Of course, Micah went onto a great career in city management and today he is the third city Manager of our city.

I really enjoyed this episode, I learnt a lot and I think you will too,

Today’s episode is sponsored by Fat Elephant Records books and Music a new record and bookstore opening in Rancho Cordova.

If you are a regular listener of this podcast, you will have heard our two guest hosts, Mike Marando, who covers all things sports, and Cheryl Gleason, who brings us great shows about the arts scene here in Rancho Cordova and our region as a whole.

Well, today I’m delighted to introduce you to our third guest host, and I am so happy he has agreed to join the podcast and bring us regular shows, which he is calling “Community Champions.”

I have known Curt Haven for a couple of years. In fact, last year, on an early episode of this podcast, he was a guest, and I had the pleasure of interviewing him. Curt is a truly kind and compassionate human being. Many people who have worked at City Hall since the incorporation of the city refer to Curt Haven as “number 1,” as he was the first employee at the City of Rancho Cordova after its incorporation in 2003. Since then, he has held numerous senior positions at the City of Rancho Cordova, where he worked for many years until his retirement.

Shelly Blanchard, Executive Director of Cordova Community Council, once said, “A hug from Curt Haven can cure cancer.” One of the best phrases I have ever heard about someone, and now knowing Curt, I tend to agree.

On Curt’s inaugural show, he turns the tables on me, and I am his first guest. A true honor for me.

So please sit back and welcome Curt Haven as our new guest host on the Rancho Cordova Podcast.