Brandon Steppe: “Shoulder to Shoulder” Mentorship That Changes Lives

Brandon Steppe left a corporate career to start a recording studio in his garage—never imagining that a few persistent neighborhood kids would change his life. Those early studio sessions grew into the David’s Harp Foundation, a nonprofit where justice-involved and opportunity youth in San Diego discover their voices and chart a path forward through music, media, and mentorship.

This Episode

Can rhythm and relationship change a young person’s life?

Brandon shares how vulnerability and honesty became cornerstones of his organization’s culture, starting with a simple practice he calls flashlight first: mentors shine the light on themselves before asking youth to open up. From those early lessons grew a creative community that helps youth connect to support, record songs behind detention walls, and build micro-enterprises that pay real wages and teach real skills.

Together with Grant, Brandon explores how art heals, how relationships transform justice, and how community-rooted workforce programs can help young people thrive.

Key Moments:

• [4:05] How one determined teenager changed Brandon’s path
• [8:28] “Flashlight first”—earning trust through vulnerability
• [22:54] The importance of relational support
• [32:52] Creating access and opportunity in the creative economy
• [43:35] Turning a $1M gift into transformational community-based housing

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• David’s Harp Foundation – Empowering youth through music, media, and mentorship
• Brandon Steppe TEDx Talk – On honesty and human connection
• Prebys Foundation Workforce Initiative – Supporting career pathways for youth

Take Action:

• Listen First – Practice “flashlight first” in your own conversations.
• Invest in Creativity – Support programs that give young people tools to tell their stories.
• See Youth as Talent – Hire, mentor, or collaborate with local young creators.
• Value Relationship – Support programs that center relational care, not control.

Credits:

This is a production of the Prebys Foundation
Hosted by Grant Oliphant
Co-Hosted by Crystal Page
Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield
Engineered by Adam Greenfield
Production Coordination by Tess Karesky
Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.
Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPod​cast​.org

Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team

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