Hood Liberation’s Nadia Elhawary joins the podcast to talk about her experience growing up in Pasadena, why she became an educator and counselor, and how the social justice movement of 2020 inspired her to further get involved in her community.

In a far-reaching conversation, we talk about race and inequality and how we need to have these important conversations with open minds and love.

Believing that we need support and lift up businesses of color, Nadia has been especially focused on economic opportunity and equality through events like 626 Dena Day in June and Black Friday Market, which will be held on November 26th.

For more information and support her and Hood Liberation’s work, please visit www.hoodliberation.com and follow them on Instagram.

Pasadena Picnic Co. Co-Owner Lena Kelly joins the show to talk about creating unique locally inspired outdoor experiences for her clients, entrepreneurialism, and Mama Made, the non-profit she founded to support fellow mother-lead businesses or organizations.

Lena is a native of Texas but has embraced living in the Pasadena and Altadena areas. She has put her experience in communications and event planning to incredible use launching two impactful projects.

During the conversation, Lena shares some of the best advice she has received as well as what is in the future for Pasadena’s most unique event planners.

For more information and to book your next event with Pasadena Picnic Co., please visit www.pasadenapicnicco.com, and to support Mama Made, please visit them at www.mama-made.org.

Justin Chapman joins the show to talk about how his journey of covering the news started when he made some himself when he was elected to the Altadena Town Council at just 19 years old.

A native of Altadena, Justin was a child actor and was featured in commercials, television shows, and movies.

These varied experiences prepared him for a career covering local news. He was a contributing writer and reporter for the Pasadena Weekly before joining Pasadena Now in 2019.

In 2020, he launched the television program Well Read with Justin Chapman, and in April 2021, NewsRap Local with Justin Chapman. The monthly show, which is available on Pasadena Media’s TV channel and streaming apps (and YouTube), is a hyper-local news talk show that features noteworthy stories and a featured guest.

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin joins the show to discuss how a trip to his local fire station as a young child would inspire him to pursue a career in helping others. He would go on to become a firefighter paramedic, a helicopter flight paramedic, and an accomplished department administrator.

Before coming to Pasadena, Chief Augustin was the Deputy Fire Chief for the Sacramento Fire Department, a position that put him in charge of 720 sworn and civilian employees, the daily operations of 24 fire stations, and an annual budget of more than $135 million.

Not knowing a single person in our city, Chief Augustin embraced the challenge and opportunity to lead the Pasadena Fire Department with an enthusiastic leadership style built around a passion for serving his community.

Rick Cole, the Executive Director of the Congress for the New Urbanism joins the show to discuss his work in addressing housing challenges, the importance of knowing and understanding our past, and how we need to create a foundation for a stronger Pasadena.

Rick served as a member of the Pasadena City Council for twelve years and was Vice Mayor from 1990-1992 and Mayor from 1992-1994. He is a recognized city administrator and executive that was the City Manager of Azusa, Ventura, and Santa Monica. In addition, he served as Los Angeles Deputy Mayor for Budget and Innovation.

Trevon Sailor, Founder and CEO of Sailor’s Brew Coffee, joins the show to discuss his voyage and the origins of his family-owned single-origin coffee business.

Like Sailor’s Brew Coffee, Trevon has navigated an unconventional course. He is a Pasadena native that grew up in the Altadena area. Following years of service as an Airborne Ranger and Police Officer, Trevon is now dedicated to creating a business around quality coffee and an experience that can motivate and inspire his customers.

Max Levine, Co-Founder and CEO of Nico joins the show to talk about his journey into real estate investment, the problem with our current approach to housing, and how Nico helps build equity for its residents and community.

Nico Echo Park is a public benefit real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in rent-stabilized multifamily and mixed-use property. Considered to be the world’s first neighborhood real estate investment trust, Nico Echo Park offers local and non-local investors the ability to become shareholders in the properties it owns.

Melissa Woolf-Heger, Founder and Principal Instructor at Gold Line Pilates, joins the show to share her approach to serving her clients, how creativity and determination got her through the pandemic, and the incredible story of why she became an instructor (it involves sailing around the world).

Passionate about small businesses and supporting our community, Melissa also shares some advice to young entrepreneurs and lessons learned from a life well-lived.

Blair Miller joins the show to talk about her journey in urban planning and affordable housing and lessons she learned from serving on several of the most important city commissions in Pasadena.

We also discuss some challenges and opportunities Pasadena faces, what makes our city so special, and the most effective ways to create meaningful change in our community.

Pasadena CLSC’s Dennis Robinson joins the show to talk about the responsibility of upholding his family’s legacy in our city, his own journey creating a Pasadena-focused brand, and the role that community plays in his life and in growing the business. 

We also talk about the Rose City Market and 626 Dena Day on June 26th as Pasadena CLSC is a co-organizer of the event with Hood Liberation.  Bringing together about fifty minority-owned vendors, the event will be held from noon to 7:00 pm at 2283 North Fair Oaks Avenue (Metropolitan Baptist Church).

Neon Retro Arcade’s Mia Mazadiego joins the show to talk about how a Street Fighter II pinball machine changed her life and how her husband’s hobby of collecting vintage arcade games launched their business.

We also talk about the power of social media to help promote small businesses, her service to Old Pasadena, and the importance of community, especially during Covid.

Dr. Thelma T. Reyna, PhD joins the show to discuss her literary journey from Kingsville, Texas to her founding of Golden Foothills Press, a Pasadena based micro indie press.

Kidder Mathews Executive Vice President Linda Lee and Senior Vice President Scott Unger join the show to discuss the state of the commercial real estate office market as we emerge from Covid-19 and the work from home era.