SoCal Voices
SoCal Voices is an award-winning podcast that shares authentic stories and local wisdom to help Southern Californians navigate the region’s challenges and thrive in the place we call home.
Beyond the stunning coastline, golden sunsets, and endless calendar of world-class events and experiences… lies a different story.
Sky-high living costs. Soul-crushing commutes. The quiet ache for connection and purpose in the middle of all this sprawl.
SoCal Voices Podcast is your companion through it all. We hold space for both the beauty and the burnout — offering real talk, local insight, and honest inspiration to help you navigate life in this one-of-a-kind place.
Because Southern California isn’t just a dream. It’s a real place — and you deserve to feel grounded in it.
SoCal Voices. Real talk in the land of dreams.
Want to be a guest on SoCal Voices? Send Angela Ross a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/socalvoices.
Episodes
146 episodes
All In - The Power of Believing in Yourself
Since booking his first gig in 2004, LA voice actor Kyle Chapple has built a career across video games, animation, and commercials but he didn't reach those milestones on talent alone. His journey has also been about grit, risk, and beli...
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30:20
What SNAP Changes Mean for Local Food Banks
The Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” included funding cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP. These cuts mean Southern Californians dealing with food insecurity may need to turn to local food banks in...
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23:50
Protecting Democracy in a Targeted State
Serving as an effective state legislator in 2025 requires “next level” commitment and courage, as California finds itself targeted by what some political observers describe as the Trump administration’s retribution campaign. Despite this challe...
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19:44
What's Next for Public Media?
The end of federal funding for public broadcasting has many Southern Californians wondering what's next for public media. In this episode of SoCal Voices host Angela Ross sits down with Connie Leyva
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24:33
How Schools Make Race
Laura C. Chávez-Moreno is an assistant professor at UCLA and author of How Schools Make Race. Her research digs deep into the ways schools don’t just reflect race—they actually produce it. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Dr. ...
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30:15
Helping immigrants thrive in the workplace
In a time when inclusion efforts are under pressure and immigrant communities are too often misrepresented, Dr. Lola Adeyemo is leading with courage, clarity, and heart. As founder of Immigrants in Corporate, she empowers first-gen and immigran...
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28:45
Why 2025 Feels Like 1925 in SoCal
Living in Southern California in 2025 means navigating rapid tech change, intense culture clashes, and nonstop reinvention. Sound familiar? It’s exactly what was happening here 100 years ago.In this episode of SoCal Voices, Tom Lutz
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24:18
How to Age with Power & Purpose
San Diegan Jeff Seckendorf defies expectations in the most inspiring ways. At age 70, he’s a competitive cyclist and a dedicated scuba coach, proving that age is not a limit, but a frontier.In a culture obsessed with youth, he’s c...
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27:49
Will AI take your job?
We all know how tough it can be to keep up with fast-moving tech—and few things are evolving faster than artificial intelligence. AI can feel overwhelming, even intimidating, and fears about AI replacing some jobs is real.In this episode...
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30:21
How to be a better boss
We hear a lot about how to be a better employee — but what if it’s the boss who needs the real advice? Jeff Matlow, CEO of The Best Leadership Company, coaches Fortune 500 executives on how to lead with impact — not just hold a ...
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32:41
Faith, Identity & Resistance
Dr. Lauren Guerra is a dedicated lecturer in Chicana/Chicano & Central American Studies at UCLA and the heart behind Gold Hoops & God, a podcast that uplifts and empowers Millennial Latinas to embrace their purpose with confide...
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26:59
Pitching Unity: Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera & the Negro League Community Softball Game
The rich legacy of Negro League Baseball was front and center at Moreno Valley's Woodland Park on May 31 during the Community Softball Game organized by James Harris, founder of the African American History presentation series, Un...
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8:20
Breaking the stigma of homelessness: Operation Helping Hands SoCal
As a teenager, Kim Valentine found herself without a home. Today, she’s the founder and president of Operation Helping Hands SoCal, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the unhoused rebuild their lives. In this episode of SoCal Voic...
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32:16
LA Fires Aftermath-Part 2-Ashes to Films
For many Southern Californians, the January wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena are like distant memories, but for those directly impacted, the devastation remains a daily reality. Recovery can be difficult and painfully slow. ...
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25:50
Getting Published in SoCal
Southern California is bursting with creative energy — and for many, there’s a book inside just waiting to be written. But getting it published can be a huge challenge. Redlands author Tracy Wise experienced this as she worked to find a publish...
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27:04
Thinking of Leaving Corporate? This Entrepreneur’s Journey May Inspire Your Next Move
Have you thought about leaving corporate life to pursue your passion? In this episode of SoCal Voices you’ll meet a woman who experienced a major life-changing moment that led her to pivot from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, and she ne...
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23:18
Honoring Negro League Baseball: Moreno Valley Community Softball Game
A community softball game commemorating the iconic legacy of Negro League Baseball is happening Saturday, May 31, 1pm - 4pm, at Woodland Park in Moreno Valley. The game is being organized by returning SoCal Voices Podcast guest James Harris, kn...
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21:29
Championing Women’s Leadership & STEM in SoCal
As Founder of the California Society of Extraordinary Women, Shirley Coates is the powerhouse behind this Riverside-based nonprofit that’s changing girls’ lives and helping them thrive. Her
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35:49
L.A. County Foster Adoption - A Family, Maybe
Foster adoption in Los Angeles County is, in a word, unpredictable. The process goes smoothly for some but for others it can be difficult, presenting political, legal and personal challenges that test patience and resolve. In his memoir A F...
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29:06
LA Fires Aftermath
In January, the Palisades and Eaton fires killed at least 29 people and destroyed or damaged 18,000 structures valued at nearly $300 billion dollars. In the weeks since the fires, people who lost homes have been navigating displacement, insuran...
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29:04
Why You Need An Estate Plan
Okay SoCal Fam. We’re going to estate planning class today. If you have avoided or delayed getting an estate plan, you’re not alone. Most of us don’t like thinking about the end of our lives or what’s going to happen with our property after we ...
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38:07
Annie Korzen: Actor, Author & Social Media Sensation
Annie Korzen is an 86-year-old actor and comedian who had a recurring role playing the obnoxious Doris Klompus on the hit TV sitcom Seinfeld. Today, Korzen is a social media sensation, sharing pearls of wisdom with nearly half-a-million followe...
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25:33
Plus Size in SoCal
In her book, Plus Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change, Los Angeles author and activist Mekdela Ejigu chronicles the body positivity movement through a collection of essays reflecting her journey as a target of fat...
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30:32