Stop & Talk

Episode 1: Micah Parzen - It's About ALL of Us

Episode 2: Diane Moss - Removing Barriers to Good Food Is a Community Effort

Episode 3: Preeti Bhattacharji - Using all a foundations assets to impact social change

Episode 4: Ramel Wallace - Creativity as Care, Reflection, and Connection

Episode 5: Irwin Jacobs - Using What We Have to Strengthen San Diego County

Episode 6: Dr. Constance Carroll - The incredible impact of community colleges

Episode 7: Dr. Mary Walshok - When the world wants to see the future, they look at California

Episode 8: Dr. Benjamin Maxwell - Community can help youth thrive psychologically and flourish

Episode 9: Dan Yates - The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership

Episode 10: Amina Sheik Mohamed -  Health equity and belonging are key to well-being

Episode 11: Dr. Isabel Newton - Centering humanity in all aspects of healthcare

Episode 12: Dr. Sindy Escobar Alvarez - The Intersection of Medical Research and Philanthropy

Episode 13: Omar Blaik - Downtowns should be for everyone

Episode 14: Carol Dedrich - Fun is a critical component of mental health

Episode 15: Thelma Virata de Castro - Expressing Yourself is a Powerful Thing

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 Assistance by Tess Karesky

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.

Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast Studio.

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, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

In this episode, host Grant Oliphant sits down with Thelma Virata de Castro, a Filipinx artist, playwright, and community teacher based in San Diego. Thelma's work delves deep into the human experience, with a unique blend of humor and profound themes. Through her "Cultivating JOY" project—part of the Far South Border North initiative—Thelma empowers writers and audiences to explore their relationships with nature. 

Thelma shares her journey growing up in Paradise Hills, where her close-knit Filipino community shaped her creative spirit. Her work spans a range of challenging topics, from grief and loss to domestic violence, all explored through plays such as "Where We Lay Our Sorrows Down" and "The Fire in Me." Using unexpected elements like puppetry and humor, Thelma invites audiences to confront difficult emotions while also finding space for healing and connection.

The conversation also touches on her dedication to uplifting other writers and the incredible value of collaboration. Thelma’s belief in the power of community, creativity, and noticing the world deeply drives her art, making her a significant voice in San Diego’s vibrant arts scene.

Listen to how Thelma’s fearless approach to storytelling and her commitment to fostering creativity serve as a bridge for empathy and understanding, while offering a window into the cultural and personal nuances that shape our shared human experience.

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 Assistance by Tess Karesky

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.

Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast Studio

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, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

Carol Dedrich, CEO of Girl Scouts San Diego, joins host Grant Oliphant to explore the evolving role of Girl Scouts in shaping the next generation of leaders. Drawing from her rich experiences as a U.S. Army captain and Girl Scout alumna, Carol shares how her journey is intricately connected to the mission of empowering young women in today’s complex world. She reflects on the similarities between military service and Girl Scouts, where camaraderie, resilience, and community play vital roles in both environments.

Carol delves into the impactful programs offered by Girl Scouts, from outdoor adventures and STEM education to addressing youth mental health. With a focus on fostering courage, confidence, and character, she discusses how Girl Scouts are equipped to navigate challenges like bullying, social media pressures, and isolation. Supported by partnerships, including the Prebys Foundation, Carol reveals how Girl Scouts are nurturing the mental well-being of girls, ensuring they thrive not just as future leaders but as individuals.

Throughout the conversation, Carol emphasizes the importance of mentorship, fun, volunteerism, and adapting to the changing needs of girls in diverse communities. Her vision for Girl Scouts includes expanding access and developing a model that builds valuable skills for the future while fostering well-being.

Listen to Carol Dedrich explain how Girl Scouts are helping young girls discover their potential, lead with purpose, and enjoy the journey along the way.

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 Assistance by Tess Karesky

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.

Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast Studio

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, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

In this episode of Stop & Talk, host Grant Oliphant sits down with visionary urban planner Omar Blaik, CEO of U3 Advisors, to explore the future of downtown spaces and their potential to serve all community members. Drawing from his extensive experience revitalizing cities like Philadelphia, Omar discusses the role of thoughtful design in fostering connection, empathy, and vibrancy in urban environments.

Key to the conversation is San Diego's Civic Center—a six-block area around City Hall—which Omar sees as a golden opportunity to reshape the heart of the city. He and Grant delve into how reconnecting the downtown grid, breaking down physical and social barriers, and creating multi-use spaces can transform this site into a dynamic hub that reflects the city's diversity and greatness. Omar emphasizes the importance of designing cities "for us," ensuring that public spaces feel inclusive and welcoming to all, rather than being tailored for tourists or single-use purposes.

The episode touches on the lessons learned from cities around the world, including Omar's native Cairo, and offers a compelling vision for how American cities can evolve to meet the needs of their people, creating spaces that encourage interaction, inclusivity, and sustainability. 

Join Grant and Omar as they envision a future for San Diego that not only serves its residents but sets a national example for urban renewal and community engagement.

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 Assistance by Tess Karesky

The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own Mr. Lyrical Groove.

Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast Studio

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, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

In this special live episode of Stop & Talk, Dr. Sindy Escobar Alvarez, Program Director for Medical Research at the Doris Duke Foundation, joins host Grant Oliphant. This interview was recorded at a community forum hosted by the Prebys Foundation that explored the evolving landscape of medical research funding and its impact on community health. They discuss the many important issues facing the field, including equity in research, the role of philanthropy in driving innovation, and many others.

Additionally, community members were invited to ask questions, illuminating some of the factors that drive San Diego County’s health clinicians and medical researchers.

Listen in to hear how philanthropy can help create better science, elevate important but traditionally undervalued areas of research, and change our focus from sick care to healthy care. You can read more about the event and watch the full video of this episode here.

Credits:

This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.

Hosted by Grant Oliphant

Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield

Engineered by Adam Greenfield

Production Assistance by Tess Karesky
Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina
Recorded at the Salk Institute 
Special Thanks to the Science Philanthropy Alliance

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, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening.