In this episode of Stop & Talk, host Grant Oliphant sits down with Dr. Mary Walshok, an influential thinker and powerhouse in the San Diego community. Recently retired from her role as Vice Chancellor at UC San Diego, Mary spearheaded the creation of Park and Market, a facility designed to support serendipitous interactions and collaboration across sectors. She shares her deep insights into the intersection of innovation, community, and economic development.

Mary reflects on her vibrant life story, from her unique upbringing in Palm Springs to her pivotal contributions to the local academic and civic landscape. She discusses San Diego County’s abundant geographic, cultural, and demographic features, emphasizing how these elements can drive creativity and opportunity. Grant and Mary explore Mary’s vision for a diverse and inclusive community where unexpected encounters foster new ideas and opportunities.

Listen to Mary’s reflections on the role of diversity in innovation, the importance of place, and the value of bringing local and global wisdom together. This episode is a deep dive into how a community can use its unique assets to become a hub of creativity and forward-thinking progress.

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, Dr. Constance Carroll, Chancellor Emerita of the San Diego Community College District, joins host Grant Oliphant to share her extraordinary journey in the realm of higher education and her lasting impact on the San Diego community. From her early days as the youngest black woman college president in the United States to her pivotal role in expanding community college baccalaureate programs, Constance’s story is one of resilience, vision, and unwavering dedication to student success.

Constance reflects on her circuitous path from Pittsburgh to San Diego, describing both cities' unique cultural and educational landscapes. She candidly discusses her transition from her plan to be a classics professor to becoming a prominent leader in community college administration, driven by her desire to create meaningful opportunities for students.

The conversation delves into Constance’s influential work as head of the California Community College Baccalaureate Association, highlighting the significance of affordable education and workforce development in today’s economy. Her efforts have led to the expansion of bachelor’s degree programs across California’s community colleges, providing vital pathways for students and meeting critical workforce needs.

Constance also shares personal anecdotes, including the inspirational story of her mother’s perseverance in the face of educational segregation, which deeply influenced her own commitment to education and equity.

Hear Constance Carroll’s inspiring insights on the transformative power of education and her continued dedication to fostering a brighter future for students in San Diego and beyond.

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.

Irwin Jacobs, joins host Grant Oliphant to reflect on his extensive, impactful philanthropic work in the San Diego region and beyond. He shares an inspiring journey of philanthropy deeply intertwined with personal values and community impact. Irwin speaks candidly about the challenges and triumphs of these endeavors, emphasizing the importance of resilience, vision, and community engagement.

A lifelong donor and scholarship recipient in his younger years, Irwin’s philanthropic philosophy is rooted in thoughtful engagement, giving back, and a commitment to community betterment. He speaks about the Giving Pledge, a commitment he embraced with humility and purpose, reflecting his belief in substantial, impactful giving. Irwin’s approach, shared with his late wife Joan, highlights a collaborative and generationally inclusive vision, fostering a family legacy of generosity.

The conversation delves into broader societal issues, such as climate change, AI, ideological divides and immigration, showcasing Irwin’s forward-thinking and energetic engagement in philanthropy. His ability to navigate and address multifaceted challenges serves as a model for effective and compassionate giving.

Listen to Irwin Jacobs' remarkable journey and learn how strategic philanthropy can create lasting, positive change in San Diego County.

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, Stop & Talk host Grant Oliphant talks with Ramel Wallace, a multifaceted artist, activist, and community builder deeply embedded in the San Diego creative scene. Ramel's journey, rooted in hip-hop storytelling and community engagement, provides a unique lens into the city's history, culture, and social dynamics.

Ramel discusses his viral "We’re San Diegans" video series, which humorously and poignantly captures the essence of San Diego life, touching on local pride, cultural diversity, the city's social issues, and of course, tacos. He also shares his perspective on the significant yet often overlooked impact of redlining and gentrification, which he is exploring through his Far South/Border North campaign.

The conversation delves into Ramel's role as the host of CreativeMornings San Diego, his dedication to fostering creativity and care, and his commitment to cultural preservation through initiatives like "The Last Black Man in Barrio Logan." Through his work, Ramel emphasizes the importance of intimate community connections and the powerful role of creativity in addressing societal issues.

Tune in to hear how Ramel's artistry and activism are shaping San Diego's future, how creativity and care are intertwined, and discover the profound ways in which art can be a catalyst for social change.

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.

Preeti Bhattacharji &Impact Investing: Shaping Communities Through Sustainable Investments

Preeti Bhattacharji, Head of Sustainable Investing at J.P. Morgan Chase Private Bank, has a fascinating journey that began as a journalist. Her passion for covering historically marginalized communities around the world eventually intersected with the financial crisis. As she witnessed people losing their homes and entire towns being affected, she realized that she lacked the tools to fully comprehend the situation.

Driven by this realization, Preeti made a bold career pivot. She delved into understanding markets, financial engineering, and the potential impact they could have on communities. Her pivotal question emerged: “If markets can devastate a community, could they also be harnessed to improve a community?”

In this episode, Preeti joins host Grant Oliphant to explore the world of impact investing. Impact investing goes beyond traditional grantmaking; it involves large organizations strategically using their assets to drive positive social change. Impact investing allows for a dedication of resources which provides an alignment in organizational values while producing a financial return. Preeti shares her insights and experiences, shedding light on how sustainable investments can shape communities. By aligning investment decisions with values, organizations can create a positive ripple effect that extends far beyond financial returns.

Preeti Bhattacharji’s expertise bridges the gap between finance and social impact, making her a valuable advocate for sustainable investing. Tune in to discover how impact investing can transform communities and contribute to a better world.

Terminology you may want to know before listening to this episode:

• Below/still market rate returns: where a price or order is less than the current market price.
• Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing: used to screen investments based on corporate policies and to encourage companies to act responsibly.
• Fiduciary duty: legal responsibility to act solely in the best interest of another party.
• Financial materiality: a concept determining whether the omission or misstatement of information in a financial report would impact a reasonable user's decision-making.
• Greenwashing: the act of making false or misleading statements about the environmental benefits of a product or practice
• Impact investing: Impact investments are investments made with the intention of generating positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.
• Market-driven returns: the gain or loss an investment generates over time.
• Private equity: capital investments made in companies that are not publicly traded
• Repricing assets: To change the price of a stock or other asset.
• Secondary Market: a market where investors purchase securities or assets from other investors.
• Proxy voting: allows shareholders to vote when they can't attend a shareholder meeting.

Financial definitions sourced from Investopedia.com

Special Note: While Prebys Foundation is a client of J.P. Morgan Chase, this episode is purely educational and should not be considered as financial advice.

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.

On the latest episode of Stop & Talk, host Grant Oliphant engages in a dynamic conversation with Diane Moss, the CEO of Project New Village. Founded in 1994, Project New Village spearheads a transformative initiative in Southeastern San Diego, leveraging neighborhood-based agriculture to ensure widespread access to nutritious food. Diane shares insights from her journey and highlights the power of collaboration with community partners to tackle food accessibility challenges.
Emphasizing engagement with younger generations, she navigates the nuances of cooperation with individuals holding diverse perspectives. Diane's inclusive approach underscores the importance of embracing differences to uphold the movement's relevance for future generations. Diane's unwavering commitment to providing wholesome food to her community shines through, fostering acceptance and unity for all involved in the food justice movement.

About Diane Moss

N. Diane Moss is a waymaker and womanist with more than 30 years of experience managing small community-rooted organizations in southeastern San Diego. She was selected as the 2019 Women of the Year for the 79th State Assembly District and awarded the 2019 Trailblazer award by the San Diego Voice and Viewpoint. Most recently, she received the Prebys Foundation’s Leaders in Belonging Award.

Moss is an alumnus of the University of California San Diego (1980) and a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Alumni Network. She is supportive of and involved with numerous community and cultural groups including the San Diego Food System Alliance; Hunger Free San Diego Advisory Board; and Society for the Preservation and Promotion of African American Culture (SOPPAAC). She serves on Board of Directors for the Elementary Institute of Science; and the advisory board for Neighborhood House Association Adult Day Center and the San Diego Continuing Education Foundation.


Show 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.

Welcome back, friends! We’ve missed you. In this first episode of season 2, host Grant Oliphant and Micah Parzen, CEO of the Museum of Us, delve into efforts to preserve historic border wall murals in partnership with Friends of Friendship Park. Amidst the introspection triggered by George Floyd's murder, they discuss the Museum's transformative journey toward greater inclusion in the museum. This includes rebranding the museum and forging a meaningful partnership with the Kumeyaay Nation, all aimed at honoring the diverse histories of the San Diego region. Micah sheds light on Balboa Park's complex past, revealing a community-driven effort to recount its true history. Plus, we're excited to introduce our new co-host, Crystal Page, who brings fresh insights to our discussions about the interview, meaning Grant won't have to converse with himself anymore.

About Micah Parzen:

Micah Parzen is a nonprofit leader, attorney, and anthropologist, who is always searching for ways of partnering with others to create transformative organizational change. He has served as CEO of the Museum of Us (formerly the San Diego Museum of Man) since 2010, where he and his team are focused on developing better and better practices in what an anti-racist and decolonial museum can look like, along with how those practices can create a positive ripple effect in the museum field and beyond.

Micah currently serves as the President of the Board of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, a collaboration of 28 arts & culture institutions in Balboa Park, which sits on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Kumeyaay Nation.

Show 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 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.

As we prepare to launch season 2, we would like to know what you think of Stop & Talk. What do you like? What should we explore? Please complete the listener survey by the end of March to help us prepare for the new season. And as always thank you for listening! We will be back April 10!

Complete the listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StopandTalkSurvey