In this episode of The Valley Girl Hour, host Lindsey Whittaker speaks with Veronica Shirley, founder of the Valley Girl Hiking Club. Topics included guided hikes in Los Angeles, why mutual aid is important for her community, and what it means to embrace your inner valley girl. 

What we talk about: 

• How hiking with her Dad inspired her to start a hiking club.
• Some of her favorite hikes so far and which ones are on her personal bucket list.
• How she encourages everyone to embrace their inner valley girl – and what that means.
• Valley Girl stereotypes and what people get wrong about the Valley.
• How and why she built mutual aid into the Valley Girl Hiking Club.

This episode is sponsored by Bookshop.org, the online destination for independently sourced books. Every purchase supports independent bookstores. Shop the Valley Girl Hour's favorite reads at bookshop.org/shop/valleygirlhour. 

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In this episode of The Valley Girl Hour, host Lindsey Whittaker speaks with Alma Carrillo founder of Juntas Social. Topics include valley girl stereotypes, her love of coffee, and how returning to the valley has allowed Alma to reconnect with the culture that shaped her childhood.
 
 What we talk about: 

• Valley girl stereotypes and reconnecting to her culture as a first generation Latina.
• What it means to “be juntas”. 
• Alma’s ideal day in the Valley.
• New years resolutions, putting yourself out there, and upcoming events to look out for in 2026!

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Date: November 19, 2025
Name of podcast: The Valley Girl Hour
Episode title and number: Book Clubs with Tess White of Bookish in the Valley (Episode 2, Season 2)
 
In this episode of The Valley Girl Hour, host Lindsey Whittaker speaks with Tess White, founder of Bookish in the Valley. Topics include her love of story, silent reading meetups, and advice for running a book club.
 
 What we talk about: 

• Tess's love of story and why she started Bookish in the Valley
• Silent reading events and how they put a new twist on traditional book clubs
• Where to buy books when you don't want to support Amazon
• Film adaptations: the good, the bad, the ugly
• Advice for those who want to start their own book club

This episode is sponsored by Bookshop.org, the online destination for independently sourced books. Every purchase supports independent bookstores. Shop the Valley Girl Hour's favorite reads at bookshop.org/shop/valleygirlhour. 

Follow along on Instagram for behind the scenes of the show: @valleygirlhour

Visit the website for more in-depth interviews and extra content: thevalleygirlhour.com

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Date: October 29, 2025
Name of podcast: The Valley Girl Hour
Episode title and number: Backyard Farming with Stephanie Gomez of SOW Collective (Episode 1, Season 2)

In this episode of The Valley Girl Hour, host Lindsey Whittaker speaks with Stephanie Gomez, co-founder and program director of Shift Our Ways Collective. Topics include urban agriculture and why she loves it, unique environmental issues SOW has faced, and how to plant your own food even if you live in an apartment.

What we talk about:  

• Why urban agriculture? 
• Challenges of gardening in Los Angeles including land, water, and the various municipalities in charge of these resources.
• Food deserts – yes, they exist in LA – and the role they play in public health.
• Educational opportunities with SOW including workshops about growing your own food and mutual aid events.
• Plus how you can get involved with the farms in Reseda and Artleta.

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“The Valley Girl Hour” is a podcast all about the women of the San Fernando Valley doing cool stuff for their community. We’ll talk to people from all backgrounds about tons of topics from urban gardening to finding your people. It’s a show that elevates the voices of San Fernando Valley women. Follow the show on Instagram @valleygirlhour or at thevalleygirlhour.com.

Follow along on Instagram for behind the scenes of the show: @valleygirlhour

Visit the website for more in-depth interviews and extra content: thevalleygirlhour.com

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