<p>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 <strong>David’s Harp Foundation</strong>, a nonprofit where justice-involved and opportunity youth in San Diego discover their voices and chart a path forward through music, media, and mentorship. </p><p><strong>This Episode </strong></p><p>Can rhythm and relationship change a young person’s life? </p><p>Brandon shares how vulnerability and honesty became cornerstones of his organization’s culture, starting with a simple practice he calls <em>flashlight first</em>: 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. </p><p><br>Together with Grant, Brandon explores how art heals, how relationships transform justice, and how community-rooted workforce programs can help young people thrive. </p><p><strong>Key Moments:</strong> </p><ul><li>[4:05] How one determined teenager changed Brandon’s path </li><li>[8:28] “Flashlight first”—earning trust through vulnerability </li><li>[22:54] The importance of relational support </li><li>[32:52] Creating access and opportunity in the creative economy </li><li>[43:35] Turning a $1M gift into transformational community-based housing </li></ul><p><strong><br>Resources Mentioned in This Episode:</strong> </p><ul><li><a href="https://davidsharpfoundation.org/">David’s Harp Foundation</a> – Empowering youth through music, media, and mentorship </li><li><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/brandon_steppe_true_mentorship_requires_bold_transparency">Brandon Steppe TEDx Talk</a> – On honesty and human connection </li><li><a href="https://www.prebysfdn.org/stories/blog/news/6m-in-local-grants-awarded-to-address-youth-unemployment-crisis">Prebys Foundation Workforce Initiative</a> – Supporting career pathways for youth </li></ul><p><strong><br>Take Action:</strong> </p><ul><li>Listen First – Practice “flashlight first” in your own conversations. </li><li>Invest in Creativity – Support programs that give young people tools to tell their stories. </li><li>See Youth as Talent – Hire, mentor, or collaborate with local young creators. </li><li>Value Relationship – Support programs that center relational care, not control. </li></ul><p> <strong><br>Credits:</strong></p><p>This is a production of the Prebys Foundation<br>Hosted by Grant Oliphant<br>Co-Hosted by Crystal Page<br>Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield<br>Engineered by Adam Greenfield<br>Production Coordination by Tess Karesky<br>Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina</p><p><br>The Stop &amp; Talk Theme song was created by San Diego’s own <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thelyricalgroove/"><strong>Mr. Lyrical Groove.</strong></a><br>Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at <a href="http://stopandtalkpodcast.com/"><strong>StopAndTalkPod​cast​.org</strong></a></p><p>Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team</p><p><br>If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe</p>

Stop & Talk

Grant Oliphant, Prebys Foundation, Crystal Page

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

NOV 6, 202559 MIN
Stop & Talk

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

NOV 6, 202559 MIN

Description

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: 


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