Stephanie Nichols-Rodas, a spinal cord injury survivor and Director of Communications for Rally4Reilly and Friends, and Belinda Drieci, a Rally4Reilly and Friends Director, chat about Stephanie’s journey, her resilience and the organization’s mission and programs. They are joined by Jeff Sohlina, a Kinesiologist for Reneu Health — who is also Stephanie’s trainer — to discuss Stephanie’s extraordinary progress due to her grit and dedication to rehabilitation.

Charles McPherson, internationally recognized jazz alto sax virtuoso, is joined by Luke Little and Dylan Soto, students in SDSU’s highly acclaimed jazz studies program, to talk about the November 14 “Charlie Parker With Strings” concert at SDSU’s Main Stage.  McPherson, Little and Soto discuss their musical journey, along with the benefits of being in SDSU’s Jazz Studies Program, led by Bryan Levy.

David Koontz, Director of Marketing for the USS Midway Museum and Chair of the San Diego Veterans Day Parade, chats about the November 11 parade, which will honor three D-Day veterans, all more than 100 years young.  Koontz talks about this year being the 20th Anniversary of the opening of the Museum; its upcoming “Jingle Jets” holiday tradition on the Midway; and it’s huge Freedom Park undertaking.

Deacon Jim Vargas, President & CEO of Father Joe’s Villages (FJV), and Mary Jo Scarpitti, FJV Clinic Director, chat about the organization’s recovery, detox and sober living programs.  

Diana Macis, Protective Services Program Manager for the County of San Diego Child and Family Well-Being Department, talks about supporting youth in care by becoming a foster parent, mentor of Court Appointed Advocate. Macis is joined by Yvette Romero, a former foster youth, who discusses her experiences in working with Denise and her colleagues. 

Sharon Blanchet, Board of Trustees Chair for the San Diego Humane Society, talks about the uniqueness of the Society’s Behavior Center.

Bridget Wright, Program Coordinator for the Sheriff Department’s Reentry Services Division, chats about her division’s mission and programs and its Peer Reentry Leadership Academy (PRLA).

Tyler Muzic, Coordinator of the Sheriff Department’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Unit, talks about his dream job.  Muzic discusses the current UAS (drone) pilots, roles and duties; the UAS missions, flights and trainings; and future of UAS technology in law enforcement.

Ashish Kakkad, Technology Manager for the Sheriff Department’s Technology Services Unit, chats about the role his team plays in ensuring that all of the department’s assets — from squad cars to computers to cell phones and beyond — are working at the highest levels.

Rick Lopez, Commander of the Sheriff Department’s Law Enforcement Services Bureau, discusses the newly launched “Rise Above” Youth Empowerment Program and his longtime work with the gang unit.  Lopez talks about other units under his watch, such as SWAT, Canine Unit, Search and Rescue and Emergency Planning to name a few.