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

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe

Richard Tate is the President and CEO of the California Wellness Foundation, where he leads with clarity, courage, and hope. A communications strategist turned first-time CEO, Richard embraces the power of philanthropy not just to fund change, but to stand up for values. Under his leadership, Cal Wellness has become a bold voice for health and racial justice at a time when those commitments are under attack.

This Episode:

What does it mean for foundations to step out from behind the desk and lead with courage?

Grant and Richard explore why this moment calls for philanthropy to mobilize more than just dollars—to use its voice, influence, and resources in defense of equity and community well-being. Richard shares what it’s like to lead through fear, why Cal Wellness is “spending up” in response to urgent need, and how hope remains a discipline for leaders navigating turbulent times. Along the way, he reflects on lessons from his parents, the Civil Rights Movement, and peers who inspire him to push beyond comfort zones.

From navigating attacks on diversity and equity to reimagining healthcare in California, this conversation is a call to speak out, act boldly, and build a healthier, more just future together.

Key Moments:

• [5:18] Why leadership in philanthropy requires courage in polarized times
• [10:01] Using influence and access: how CEOs can open doors for community voices
• [24:36] Lessons from past movements that fuel courage today
• [42:08] Why civic engagement and democracy are health issues
• [47:38] What community organizations are teaching foundations about resilience and rebuilding

Resources Mentioned:

• California Wellness Foundation – Advancing health and racial justice for Californians
• #UniteInAdvance – A collaborative of foundations defending philanthropic freedom and equity
• Dr. Richard Besser – President and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Take Action:

• Spend Up and Speak Out – Push beyond the minimum in both giving and voice
• Stand With Partners – Protect and amplify grantees when they are targeted
• Invest in Democracy – Support civic engagement and organizing as core to health
• Choose Courage – Step out from behind the desk when communities cannot hide

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
Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team

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 StopAndTalkPodcast.org

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe.

Scott Lewis is CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Voice of San Diego, the pioneering nonprofit newsroom he helped build nearly two decades ago. What began as an experiment in funding professional journalism outside of the old newspaper model is now a national template, proving that communities can sustain independent, fact-driven reporting. Scott is known for his candid, conversational style and his conviction that journalism is about creating a shared story that helps communities face hard truths and imagine better futures.

This Episode:

What role does local journalism play in sustaining democracy and helping communities rise to their challenges?

In this thought-provoking conversation, Scott and Grant trace the story of Voice of San Diego from its early days as a bold experiment to its present role covering the region’s toughest issues—from homelessness and housing to infrastructure, schools, and civic leadership. They explore how journalism can cut through partisanship and apathy by telling stories that matter, how San Diego’s unique civic culture shapes progress (and stalls it), and why shared stories are essential to purpose and belonging.

Scott also reflects on the responsibility of local media in a time when national trust is fractured and public funding for journalism is under attack. For him, it comes down to optimism: believing that communities are strong enough to face their biggest problems when they have the facts and the courage to talk about them.

Key Moments:

• [4:28] How San Diego became a model for nonprofit local journalism
• [9:08] Why Voice chose a candid, conversational style over traditional news “voice”
• [13:00] The impact of federal cuts to public media and what it means for NPR, KPBS, and local outlets
• [23:00] The challenges San Diego faces—housing, schools, homelessness—and why naming problems is an act of optimism
• [38:18] Why journalism is a “tiny investment” with massive community returns

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Voice of San Diego – Nonprofit newsroom pioneering new models for community-supported journalism
• Politifest – Annual public affairs summit hosted by Voice of San Diego
• Prebys Foundation Nonprofit News Support – $2 Million to San Diego nonprofit news outlets to strengthen local journalism and civic engagement

Take Action:

• Support Local Journalism – Subscribe, donate, or become a member of a nonprofit news outlet near you.
• Join the Conversation – Attend events like Politifest to engage directly with civic leaders and ideas.
• Seek Shared Stories – Talk with neighbors, attend community forums, and stay curious about San Diego’s future.
• Believe in Solutions – Remember that naming problems is the first step toward solving them.

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
Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team

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 StopAndTalkPodcast.org

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe.

Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski is the founder of Sew Loka, a community-driven textile art studio in San Diego’s Barrio Logan. A self-taught artist and entrepreneur, Claudia transforms reclaimed fabrics into vibrant, one-of-a-kind pieces that weave together personal history, cultural identity, and environmental consciousness. From collaborating with pro sports teams like the San Diego Wave and San Diego FC to teaching teens how to upcycle thrifted finds, her work proves that sewing is alive and thriving.

This Episode:

How can a needle and thread become a force for cultural preservation, sustainability, and self-expression?

In this lively conversation, Claudia shares how her father’s denim business planted the seeds for her creative path, why she’s committed to slow fashion over fast trends, and how Sew Loka has grown into a hub for artistry and connection. She talks about the meditative rhythm of sewing, the power of “grandma crafts” to calm the mind and inspire the next generation, and the importance of reclaiming erased histories through art. Along the way, Claudia reveals why each piece she makes carries a narrative—from honoring her Chicana heritage to advocating for our planet—and how she’s building community one stitch at a time.

Plus, check out the extraordinary pieces Claudia shared in the video recording.

Key Moments:

[3:35] Why denim is both a family legacy and an environmental challenge
[12:25] Sewing as an art form for storytelling and expression
[18:58] Fast fashion vs. slow fashion, and the joy of customizing
[27:33] The meditative effects of sewing
[35:31] Art as resilience in challenging times

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Sew Loka – Community-based textile art studio in Barrio Logan
• Skills Pay Bills Podcast – Claudia’s podcast that focuses on local makers and creators
• Arts: A Reason to Survive – A nonprofit offering arts programs for youth, including Sew Loka sewing classes
• SDFC’s Playmakers Program – An initiative that seeks to identify and showcase the talent of San Diego creatives who are contributing to the culture, substance, and flow of our community
  

Take Action:

• Mend & Upcycle – Try repairing or customizing a piece you already own to extend its life.
• Support Slow Fashion – Seek out and invest in makers who prioritize sustainability and originality.
• Host a Creative Gathering – Build connection by making art with others, whether it’s sewing, crafting, or something else.
• Preserve Cultural Stories – Use your craft to honor and document the traditions that shaped you.
• Share Skills – Teach someone a “grandma craft” and help pass on sustainable, creative practices.

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

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe

Afira Arrastia-DeVries is the President and CEO of the Monarch School Project, the only K–12 public institution in the U.S. solely dedicated to educating unhoused students. A 2025 Prebys Leadership Awardee, Afira brings a powerful combination of heart, strategy, and passion to her work. As a sociologist, advocate, and leader, she’s reshaping education around support, community, and the radical act of seeing children not for their struggles, but for their gifts.

This Episode:
What happens when you stop trying to “fix” kids and start believing in them?

In this meaningful conversation, Afira shares how Monarch School is redefining what education can look like for unhoused students. Through a strengths-based approach, the school offers not just academics but community, care, and dignity for students and their families. We explore the profound impact of trauma-informed teaching, why children thrive when given space to define themselves, and how systems must change to meet the moment.

Afira and Grant also go deep on leadership, advocacy, and why silence is no longer an option in the face of policies that harm the most vulnerable. This is a conversation about courage, truth-telling, and the belief that every child is worthy of joy, safety, and possibility.

Key Moments:
[5:45] How Afira’s childhood shaped her leadership
[16:29] Why a separate school for unhoused youth isn’t segregation, but safety
[24:14] What a strengths-based approach looks like in practice
[39:01] Why Afira believes advocacy is the job and what fuels her to speak out
[47:00] How students are affected by fear and family separation policies

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Monarch School – A unique public-private partnership in San Diego serving unhoused students
• Opinion: Unhoused youth deserve help and compassion, not cruelty - Afira’s op-ed in the San Diego Union-Tribune
• McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act – Federal legislation affecting educational access for homeless youth
• Prebys Leadership Awards – Honoring bold and visionary local leaders

Take Action:

• Honor Kids' Strengths – Ask a child what they’re proud of. Let them lead.
• Learn About Strength-Based Care – Shift from “What’s wrong?” to “What’s strong?”
• Support Monarch School – Donate, volunteer, or share their work with others.
• Speak Up – Challenge policies rooted in blame and scarcity. Lead with love.
• Be That One Adult – Stability starts with someone showing up. You can be that person.

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

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe

Peter Ellsworth is a longtime San Diegan, civic leader, and founding force in modern philanthropy. From his early days in law and healthcare to his visionary role at the helm of the Legler Benbough Foundation, Peter has lived a life steeped in service, humility, and quiet transformation. A member of the Prebys Foundation Board, he remains a guiding voice for how philanthropy can—and must—listen first.

This Episode:
What happens when a foundation listens before it leads?

Grant and Peter explore the evolution of philanthropy in San Diego and how Peter helped pioneer a relationship-driven, trust-based approach to giving. They discuss the opportunities of working in hyperlocal neighborhoods, the importance of humility in leadership, and why building genuine partnerships with community leaders creates lasting impact. From Southeast San Diego to Balboa Park, Peter’s story is a reminder that the best ideas come from the ground up.

Along the way, Peter shares personal reflections, including his father’s lasting advice: It’s not about you.

Key Moments:
[11:22] Peter's start in Philanthropy and why he did things differently
[13:31] The four words that shaped Peter’s leadership: “It’s not about me”
[23:24]The radical idea of trust-based philanthropy
[30:35] The teen center that designed by what teens actually wanted
[5:50] What San Diego needs to realize its boldest ideas

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Legler Benbough Foundation – A now-spent-down foundation that helped reshape civic life in San Diego through trust-based, community-rooted philanthropy
• Outdoor Outreach – Empowering young people through outdoor experiences and leadership development
• Forever Balboa Park – Supporting the preservation and enhancement of Balboa Park

Take Action:

• Practice Trust-Based Philanthropy – Start by building authentic relationships, not just reviewing proposals
• Listen to Community First – Let the people closest to the work guide the solutions
• Rethink Power in Philanthropy – As Peter reminds us, “Every good idea we came up with...came from somebody I had a relationship with"
• Support Local Leadership – Invest in the people and organizations already making a difference

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 StopAndTalkPodcast.org

Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team

Mark Cafferty is the President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC), where he leads with a mix of realism, resolve, and heart. In this conversation, he shares his experiences of how his values—shaped family, mentorship, and a belief in equity— continue to guide his leadership today. Under Mark’s direction, EDC has taken a bold stance: inclusive growth isn’t just good policy, it’s a business imperative for San Diego’s future.

This Episode:

What does it take to build an economy that works for everyone?

Mark and Grant dive deep into San Diego’s unique economic landscape, from its binational strengths to the increasing threats facing its innovation and research sectors. They explore how the EDC’s goals aim to create more skilled workers, quality jobs, and thriving households, especially for communities historically left behind. They also talk about the importance of values-driven leadership in a time of uncertainty. As diversity, equity and inclusion comes under fire nationally, Mark shares why staying the course is both a moral and economic necessity.

Through it all, Mark reminds us San Diego’s competitive advantage is in its people.

Note: Jennie Brooks is mentioned as the EDC Chair, which was accurate at the time of recording. The current EDC Chair is Tom Seidler.

Key Moments:

• [11:50] Who’s at the table at EDC and why that matters
• [21:35] The three 2030 goals: skilled workers, quality jobs, thriving households
• [29:32] Why diversity and equity are valuable to the economy
• [37:48] Why San Diego’s binational identity is a key strength
• [41:45] Resisting the “fire drills” and staying focused on long-term impact

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) – An economic development organization that mobilizes business, government, and civic leaders around an inclusive economic development strategy

Take Action:

• Learn More About EDC’s 2030 Goals – Explore how these targets aim to create a more just and prosperous regional economy.
• Support Small Businesses – Shop local, advocate for fair policies, and help strengthen San Diego’s economic backbone.
• Speak Up for Inclusion – Be a voice for equity in your workplace or community. As Mark says, “If you’re not for equity, what are you for?”
• Champion Regional Collaboration – We all have a role to play—business, government, philanthropy, and community alike.

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

If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe

Molly Puryear is the Executive Director of Malashock Dance and a lifelong believer in the healing, connective power of movement. With infectious joy and deep conviction, she champions dance not just as an art form but as a way to be more fully human. Under her leadership, Malashock is expanding the definition of what dance can do for the community. This is demonstrated through SD NeuroDance, a pioneering program blending movement, neuroscience, and care to support individuals living with ALS, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, and more.

This Episode:
How can the joy and vulnerability of dance bring us closer to ourselves and each other?

In this heartfelt conversation, Molly shares how Malashock Dance is helping SD NeuroDance participants and caregivers alike reconnect with joy, dignity, and embodiment through dance. The program shifts the focus from limitations to possibilities. Rooted in science and lived experience, SD NeuroDance creates a space where people can move, bond, and feel at home in their bodies. It’s also a story of listening: to staff, to community, and to the wisdom that healing can look like rhythm, music, and mirroring movement with a loved one.

Molly and Grant explore the deeper truth behind all of this—how dance, so often underfunded and undervalued, is core to who we are. From weddings to cultural traditions to spontaneous joy in the living room, dance is everywhere. And as Molly reminds us, in a world that teaches us to unlearn joy, movement can help us remember.

Key Moments:

[8:25] How dance can help people with different conditions connect with their body
[14:17] Bridging science and art: finding balance between therapy and dance
[18:45] How Malashock Dance evolved its mission through community feedback
[29:14] Why dance is essential to the human experience
[34:05] Federal arts funding cuts and their impact on dance's underrepresented artists and communities

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Malashock Dance – San Diego-based dance organization emphasizing community, education, and inclusive performance
• Dance for PD – A program using dance to support those living with Parkinson’s disease
• Prebys’ Healing Through Arts and Nature Initiative – Grants improving well-being through arts, culture, and nature

Take Action:

• Move Your Body – Try a dance class, stretch to music, or just let yourself move freely. Reconnect with what joy in motion feels like.
• Attend a Performance – Support local artists and discover the power of dance to inspire, challenge, and heal.
• Embrace Artful Living – As Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson reminds us, creativity is essential to well-being. Seek out everyday moments of artistic engagement.
• Stay Curious – Stay open and curious to trying new things, whether it's dance, healing, or new ways to connect and feel joy.
• Support Arts & Health Programs – Donate, volunteer, or spread the word about organizations using the arts to improve lives.