Our Two Cents Podcast

Amanda DiGiacomo welcomes Jackie Koster, Founder and CEO of Key Staffing Inc and LLS Visionary of the year. Key Staffing is a company founded in 2019 by Mrs.Koster and it is now a leading recruitment firm serving all industries including, industrial, administrative, accounting, and medical. Jackie tells us the story of how Key Staffing came to be from simply her entrepreneuring spirit and determination to succeed. Amanda and Jackie also discuss the impact that generational cultures bring to the workforce and the difference on how to motivate for success. In starting a business there are always ups and downs, losses and wins, when Jackie started Key Staffing in 2019 the pandemic was an unforeseen obstacle but with great tenacity, Jackie and her team were able to provide the community with job opportunities for both candidates and clients. In 2023 Jackie discusses the loss in reduction of not only her company’s staff but the drastic reduction of revenue her company was receiving, but with consistent efforts and an amazing staff the company has been able to grow from what they lost. Key Staffing is a company committed to helping candidates find the right opportunity for their lifestyle. Their mission is to create a long-term partnership with clients by connecting their workforce with companies and businesses. Key Staffing has collaborated with Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS) to host a casino night in which all proceeds from the event will go towards funding research and supporting patients battling blood cancer. For more information on Key Staffing and the LLS casino night check out the links below.  LEARN MORE ABOUT KEY STAFFING:  LLS Casino Night Tickets LLS Donation Page LinkedIn: Jackie_Koster Instagram: Jackie_Koster Website: www.hirekeystaff.com/    

Kyle Jones welcomes Scott Garrison, Founder and CEO of Planned Exits, a new company that provides business owners with strategies on how to maximize their business’s value upon exit. Scott tells us the story of how Planned Exits came to be and his inspiration behind the company. The company is committed to helping business owners, and entrepreneurs plan for successful exits with the most favorable terms that help them achieve their personal and professional goals. Exit planning is a critical process that holds immense significance for businesses, and It allows them to strategically navigate the complexities of transitioning out of their ventures. Whether they are selling the business, passing it on to family members, or exploring other exit options. Exit planning addresses legal and tax considerations, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition through meticulous analysis, financial planning, and the development of a tailored strategy. For more information on Planned Exits check out the links below. LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANNED EXITS:  Website: www.plannedexits.com/ LinkedIn: Planned_Exits  

Amanda DiGiacomo welcomes Cepi and Lu, the executive board of Power Hub Bakersfield, a new local non-profit that helps businesses and C suite employees grow. Cepi the president tells us the story of how Power Hub Bakersfield came to be. Their inspiration behind bringing PHB to the community was that they wanted to provide business owners and C Suite professionals with the proper tools to power up their growth through networking, goal setting, financing, and accountability. This nonprofit is different from others as they provide networking, programs lead by experts, and an accountability coach. The board would like to invite any of you to their latest program sponsored by Lino’s venue on February 8th 2024. More information for their upcoming programs is on their Instagram linked down below. LEARN MORE ABOUT POWER HUB BAKERSFIELD: Website: https://powerhubbakersfield.org/ Instagram: powerhub_bakersfield  

Kyle Jones welcomes Sarah Kuhlmann and Tarin Meadows, Co-owners of F45 Training Seven Oaks and Fit-Pantry. Sarah and Tarin tell us the story of F45 training. Their inspiration behind bringing F45 training to the community was that they wanted to provide a fun place that produces high-intensity workouts to get the heart pumping. F45 Training’s mission is to help its members conquer everyday movements and unlock their inner athlete. At F45 Training, their workouts are created by certified personal trainers to bring together all muscle groups in the body, helping them achieve exceptional strength, energy, and flexibility that leave their members feeling their best. More information on F45 Training Seven Oaks is down below.  Sarah and Tarin established their own business known as Fit Pantry. Their mission behind their restaurant is to connect people to healthy real food with ease. They opened Fit Pantry in October of 2016 and have made it their mission ever since to serve others with well-balanced nutritious meals. You can find their locations and more information on their website below. LEARN MORE ABOUT F45 TRAINING AND FIT PANTRY: Websites: https://f45training.com/studio/sevenoaksca/ https://www.fitpantry.com/ Phone number: F45 Training: (661) 310-3305 Phone number: Fit Pantry: (661) 679-7684 Facebook: F45_Training_SevenOaks Fit_Pantry Instagram: f45_training_sevenoaks fitpantrybakersfield

Amanda DiGiacomo welcomes Debbie Powers, executive director of Golden Empire Gleaners. Debbie tells us the story of how the local non-profit was founded and how much they have grown since then. Debbie goes over what the non-profit does for the community and how it has an impact on many lives. She discusses the process in which the non-profit receives its donations and how they create and distribute the baskets. Donations are a big part of the non-profits mission, volunteering is the other important part, Debbie discusses how the volunteers are what allows the program to run smoothly and how because of volunteers they are able to reach more people around the community. Club 85 is a monthly monetary subscription in which your donation is used to create a case of goods that is then donated to a family in need every month. We encourage you today to check out this local non-profit and be a part of the team, whether it be through volunteer work or food/monetary donation.  Golden Empire Gleaners mission is to help alleviate hunger and provide food for those in need in the Kern County community. They accomplish this by collecting and distributing food and agricultural products that might otherwise go to waste. Through the help of their referring agencies, they are able to distribute food to needy children, senior citizens, families in crisis, people who are ill, disabled, homeless or unemployed. LEARN MORE ABOUT GOLDEN EMPIRE GLEANERS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE AN IMPACT:  Website: www.goldenempiregleaners.com/ Phone Number: 661-324-2767 Facebook: GoldenEmpireGleaners Instagram: GoldenEmpireGleaners  

We are welcomed today with a special recording from our Host Amanda DiGiacomo as she tells us the story on how she came about founding Atlas Financial Solutions. Amanda goes over a year-end business checklist for small business owners and how to close out their books. She goes over minimum wage increases and sick leave changes for 2024. Atlas Financial Solutions offers a variety of services that cater to small businesses, they are passionate about giving back to their community. Small business owners face many burdens, teaming up with AFS allows you to outsource those burdens. LEARN MORE ABOUT ATLAS FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS: Website: https://atlasfinancialsolutions.net/ Phone Number: 661-241-3719 Facebook: Atlas_Financial_Solutions LinkedIn: AtlasFinancialSolutions Instagram: atlasfinancialsolutionsca  

Kyle Jones welcomes Richard Chapman, President and CEO of the Kern Economic Development Corporation. Richard educates us on what the Kern EDC corporation does and gives us an in-depth on the process of how they study and strategize the market overview of Kern County. He also gives us insight into what's going on in East Kern, he discusses how they started the East Kern Economic Alliance (EKEA) and goes over how they reach out to locals and corporations in the area to cultivate relationships and help sustainably grow their businesses. Kern Economic Development Corporation’s mission is to cultivate and promote Kern County’s boundless opportunities for business. The Corporation (Kern EDC) is a public-private partnership that brings together private businesses, education, elected officials, and non-profit organizations for the purpose of a single goal: creating a strong and diverse economy for Kern County. Kern EDC promotes the region to businesses looking for areas to expand and works with existing local businesses to ensure they have what they need to thrive and grow here in Kern County. LEARN MORE ABOUT KERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:  -Website: www.kernedc.com -Phone Number: 661-862-5150 -Facebook: Kern_Economic_Development_Corporation -LinkedIn: Kern_Economic_Development_Corporation -Instagram: KernEconomic Check out their market overview right here  

Troy Burden Welcomes Eric Dhanens and Alex Vigil, partners of the strategic engineering firm known as Cornerstone. Eric Dhanens, the vice president of Cornerstone, gives us insight on the idea behind Cornerstone. He goes over the civil engineering process in our region and what kind of services they provide, from flexible and dynamic engineering to a diversifying environment that provides clean energy. He also educates us on the carbon capture process and its importance. Alex Vigil is the president of Well Done Consulting LLC and a partner of Cornerstone. Alex’s company, Well Done Consulting, works hand in hand with Cornerstone to provide clients with asset retirement, plug and abandonment, regulatory services, and so much more, all of which synergize smoothly with Cornerstone’s firm. Alex shares with us a local non-profit called Orlie’s Shoe Drive that Alex and his Wife, Nichole Vigil, co-founded in honor of Alex’s father, Orlie. Orlie’s family founded Orlie’s Shoe Drive, which focuses on providing school-age children with one of life’s basic necessities: shoes. They would like to give you the opportunity to positively impact our community by donating to their shoe drive fundraiser. More information on how you can contact and donate will be linked down below! LEARN MORE ABOUT CORNERSTONE ENGINEERING INC.: Website: https://cornerstoneeng.com/ Phone: 661-325-9474 LinkedIn: CornerstoneEngineeringInc LEARN MORE ABOUT WELL DONE CONSULTING LLC.: LinkedIn: WellDoneConsultingLLC LEARN MORE ABOUT ORLIE'S SHOE DRIVE: Website: www.orliesshoedrive.com/ LinkedIn: OrliesShoeDrive Instagram: orliesshoedrive YouTube: Orlie's_Shoe_Drive    

Dave Plivelich (The Marcom Group) and John Duffield (Integra Accountancy Corporation) welcome Shannon and Kevin Lowther, managing partners of Central Pacific Valuation, as they discuss how a business is valued and the reasons why it is important to know a business’s value. Kevin and Shannon might value an interest in a business for clients who are interested in buying or selling a business as well as for gift, estate, and income tax matters. Shannon and Kevin give insight into what business valuations are by giving us a better look into all the aspects of a business valuation and breaking down the process of what a company’s truly worth. LEARN MORE ABOUT CENTRAL PACIFIC VALUATION: Website: https://centralpacval.com/ Phone: 661-527-9080 Instagram: centralpacvaluation Facebook: Central_Pacific_Valuation LinkedIn: Shannon_Lowther Kevin_Lowther  

Kyle Jones welcomes Lori Malkin, secretary and founder of the JJ’s Legacy Foundation as she invites us to the 8th annual Grillin and Brewin event on November 9th. All proceeds from the event go towards the foundation’s “Got the Dot?” program and club. Their program gives students an educational insight on organ, eye, and tissue donation and the importance of donating. The program allows the children the opportunity to earn scholarships funded through these events to further their education as advocates for organ, eye, and tissue donation. JJ’s Legacy was founded in 2010 a year after founder Lori Malkin’s son Jeffrey John died in an automotive accident, when pronounced brain dead the doctors asked Lori if Jeffrey was an organ donor, and Lori and her husband decided to donate her son’s organs. In doing so Lori learned about how much of an impact her son’s donation had on other people's lives. The mission of JJ’s Legacy is to honor Jeffrey Johns by educating Kern County residents on the value and importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation, increasing the number of registered donors, and providing compassionate support to donor and recipient families. LEARN MORE ABOUT JJ'S LEGACY: Website: www.jjslegacy.org/ Phone: 661-489-4430 Instagram: jjslegacy Facebook: JJs_Legacy LinkedIn: Lori_Malkin YouTube: JJ's_Legacy  

Dave Plivelich and Dustin Pitcher welcome Wendy Porter, the Executive Director and Founder of the Wounded Heroes Fund, as she explains how the Wounded Heroes Fund was born 13 years ago at her kitchen table. Wendy is the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, and after seeing the way her father was treated upon his arrival home, she wanted to give back to the Veteran community. Now, Wendy runs the Wounded Heroes Fund, which helps veterans adjust to civilian life by providing a sense of home through their community center. They offer a kitchen, shower, washer/dryer, as well as a food pantry that feeds 400 to 500 people a month. Wendy’s goal is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for Veterans and ensure that all the money that is donated stays in Kern County. If you would like to learn more about how you can help the Wounded Heroes Fund, tune into this episode.  The Wounded Heroes Fund was started in 2008 by Wendy Porter. She is the granddaughter of two WWII Veterans and the daughter of a US Army Vietnam Veteran. She grew up experiencing the effect that war had on her father and the ungrateful homecoming he received. She wanted to make sure that this did not happen to the young men and women who are currently fighting for our country. Wendy has a Master’s Degree in education and was a teacher for 9 years in Delano, California. She decided to stay home when her daughter, Chloe (14), was born. Wendy wanted to do something to give back to wounded veterans and their families, and being at home allowed that dream to come to fruition. With the help of family and friends, WHF was started. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WOUNDED HEROES FUND: Website: https://thewoundedheroesfund.com/ Phone: 661-328-8600 Email: wendy@thewoundedheroesfund.org Instagram: woundedheroesfund Facebook: Wounded_Heroes_Foundation  

Dave Plivelich welcomes Bryan Porter, the owner of St. John Sporting Dogs, as he discusses his passion for showing and breeding Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Bryan started showing Chessies 13 years ago, even though he had no previous experience, and quickly won 6 shows in a row! Bryan is now the President and Chairman of the Kern County Kennel Club, which will be hosting a four-day all-breed show at the Kern County Fairgrounds. The event is from March 28th to 31st, 2024, and spectators are welcome! If you have ever considered showing and breeding, tune into this episode.  Bryan Porter is part of the Kern County Young Republicans, Active 20-30 Club, MARE, Kern County Wounded Heroes Fund, Kern County Kennel Club, and the Tulare Basin Wetlands Association. Dogs have always been an important part of his life, and 13 years ago, he started to show and breed Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Bryan has had multiple top-rated dogs in the country over the past few years. However, his current dog, Mary, has been the #1 owner-handled Chesapeake for the last two years. He is an avid hunter and spends his free time working on wildlife conservation. Bryan is the Vice President and Fundraising Chair for the Tulare Basin Wetlands Association and was also appointed to the Wildlife Commission for Kern County, representing Ward 3.   LEARN MORE ABOUT BRYAN PORTER: Website: https://stjohndogs.com/ Email: gopporter@aol.com Facebook: KC_Kennel_Club  

Thank you for joining us for our final episode of our health and fitness mini-series! John Duffield and Troy Burden welcome back Anna Marie Frank and Dr. Beatty as they discuss the many different services they offer and how they focus on improving the overall health and wellness of their patients. Anna Marie Frank has initial meetings with her patients so they can give her a detailed list of their symptoms along with a list of their medications so she can create a personal wellness plan for them. Dr. Beatty has multiple different tests he can run depending on the patient’s visit that he can use to determine what the root of their problem is. They both focus on listening to their patients to create personalized plans that will increase their patients quality of life. Anna Marie is a doctor of Traditional Naturopathy, with a PhD in Holistic Medicine. She is also a certified brain health professional, ICF certified coach, certified master herbalist, and lover of life! She is also an author, speaker, employee wellness consultant, and mindset/Quantum Body Energy Coding coach. Her mission is to end mental health stigmas and help all people upgrade their brains and biology through lifestyle choices while rewiring their neuro pathways using holistic modalities. Anna Marie healed her own brain after years of depression and challenges with dyslexia and ADD. She is the creator and owner of Happy Whole You. A brain health-focused wellness center located in Bakersfield, California, and Raleigh, North Carolina. Anna Marie is also the formulator of her own brain nutraceutical line which includes, “Happy You, Calm You, & Bright You.” And she is the author of the self-improvement book, “Stop Bullying Yourself!” a guide to greater health, wealth, happiness, and success. Additionally, Anna Marie has training from the Gerson Institute, Amen clinics, Integrative nutrition institute, Mindvalley, the National Wellness Institute, WELCOA Wellness Council of America, and more. She is a lifelong learner and continues to expand in the field of wellbeing. Dr. Hugh Beatty, aka “The Wellness Doc”, is committed to providing quality medical care for your entire family. Dr. Beatty graduated from Occidental College in 1981 and obtained his BA in Chemistry from USCD School of Medicine in 1985. He has been practicing medicine in Bakersfield since 1998 where he offers comprehensive medical care and pain management procedures.         LEARN MORE ABOUT HUGH BEATTY, MD: Website: www.hughbeatty.com/ Phone: 661-395-0315 Email: dr.beatty@yahoo.com Facebook: The_Wellness_Doc LinkedIn: Dr_Hugh_BeattyMD   LEARN MORE ABOUT HAPPY WHOLE YOU: Website: https://happywholeyou.com/ Phone: 661-337-0216 Email: info@happywholeyou.com  Instagram: happywholeyou Facebook: Happy_Whole_You_Bakersfield LinkedIn: Anna_Marie      

Welcome back to episode four of our Health and Fitness mini series! Troy Burden and Amanda DiGiacomo had the opportunity to sit down with Stacy Kuwahara the Director for Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and Anna Marie Frank the Founder of Happy Whole You to discuss the importance of mental health. Anna outlined the services she offers at Happy Whole You and how she strives to help others with their mental health journey after struggling with it herself during her younger years. Stacy explains the common issues she comes across in her field of expertise and how they can be prevented with early intervention. If you have questions regarding mental health please listen to this week's episode and reach out to either Anna Marie Frank or Stacy Kuwahara.  Stacy Kuwahara is the Behavioral Health Director for Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. She oversees the Kern County Mental Health Plan, responsible for providing a full array of mental health and substance use services for Medi-Cal Beneficiaries in Kern. She is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist and has over 20 years’ experience working in the mental health field. Prior to working in the county, she has worked throughout California for private organizations and spent time working for the National Health System in England. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Anna Marie is a doctor of Traditional Naturopathy, with a PhD in Holistic Medicine. She is also a certified brain health professional, ICF certified coach, certified master herbalist, and lover of life! She is also an author, speaker, employee wellness consultant, and mindset/Quantum Body Energy Coding coach. Her mission is to end mental health stigmas and help all people upgrade their brains and biology through lifestyle choices while rewiring their neuro pathways using holistic modalities. Anna Marie healed her own brain after years of depression and challenges with dyslexia and ADD. She is the creator and owner of Happy Whole You. A brain health-focused wellness center located in Bakersfield, California, and Raleigh, North Carolina. Anna Marie is also the formulator of her own brain nutraceutical line which includes, “Happy You, Calm You, & Bright You.” And she is the author of the self-improvement book, “Stop Bullying Yourself!” a guide to greater health, wealth, happiness, and success. Additionally, Anna Marie has training from the Gerson Institute, Amen clinics, Integrative nutrition institute, Mindvalley, the National Wellness Institute, WELCOA Wellness Council of America, and more. She is a lifelong learner and continues to expand in the field of wellbeing.  LEARN MORE ABOUT KERN COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES:  Website: www.kernbhrs.org/ Email: kburton@kleinlaw.com Phone Numbers:  The access & Assessment Center: 661-686-8080 24 Hour Crisis Hotline Toll Free: 1-800-991-5272 24 Hour Substance Use: 1-866-266-4898 Assisted Outpatient Treatment: 844-360-8251 Family Advocacy Services: 844-360-8250 Instagram: kernbhrs Facebook: Kern_Behavioral_Health_and_Recovery_Services LinkedIn: KernBehabioralHealthandRecoveryServices Twitter: https://twitter.com/KernBHRS LEARN MORE ABOUT HAPPY WHOLE YOU:  Website: https://happywholeyou.com/  Email: info@happywholeyou.com Phone Number: 661-337-0216 Instagram: happywholeyou Facebook: Happy_Whole_You LinkedIn: Anna_Marie_Frank    

Amanda DiGiacomo sits down with Melissa Rossiter the Senior Marketing Specialist for Blue Zones Project – Bakersfield and Chelsey Hall the President and Co-owner of Modern Grub as they discuss why nutrition is so important for your overall health. Melissa explains where the 5 Blue Zones are located and the 9 things (The Power 9) they all have in common such as nutrition. This led to Blue Zone Project - Bakersfield to partner with Modern Grub to give our community healthier food alternatives. Modern Grub is a great resource to use on your health and fitness journey since they have pre-made meal prep meals. If you have been struggling with eating healthy please tune into this week’s episode.     Melissa Rossiter is the senior marketing specialist for Blue Zones Project – Bakersfield. She is excited to use her skills in storytelling and public relations to share how this inspiring project will help transform the health and wellness of the community where she grew up. With a career spanning 20+ years, Melissa has worked as a newspaper reporter/editor, TV news producer and in various marketing roles in Kern County. Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism from California State University, Bakersfield. She has a unique blend of skills and experience, including media relations, graphic design, marketing/branding and event planning. Prior to joining Blue Zones Project, Melissa worked at Kern County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services on its public information team, where she managed and supported the department’s marketing, engagement, and branding efforts. She also discovered a passion for advocating for mental health by overseeing the messaging and design efforts for awareness campaigns during Mental Health Awareness Month in May and National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month in September. Chelsey Hall is the President and Co-owner of Modern Grub, Inc here in Bakersfield, California- Bakersfield’s CLEAN Meal Prep Company and At-Home Delivery Service. She has been in the grocery retail business since 2000 and has had a passion for nutrition, health and wellness for as long as she can remember. After studying Nutrition and Business Administration at Cal State University of Bakersfield she made the jump from the Grocery Industry into the Restaurant and Food Packaging Industry. She started Modern Grub in 2014 after recognizing the gaps in the Health and Wellness Industry in Bakersfield, noticing that the area was lacking in healthy eating options compared to other California cities similar in size. After ten years in business Modern Grub has successfully partnered with some amazing organizations like Kern Health Systems, the Bakersfield Police Department, the Kern County Sheriff’s Department, Motor City Buick GMC, A3 Sports Performance, Local Nursing Facilities, Sully’s Neighbourhood Markets, and now Blue Zones Project of Bakersfield where Chelsey now fills the role of Co-Chair for the Grocery and Restaurant Sector. Modern Grub is open seven days a week. Walk-ins are welcomed every day. They also deliver to homes and offices and help coordinate Wellness Programs in corporate offices. LEARN MORE ABOUT BLUE ZONE PROJECT: Website: https://bakersfield.bluezonesproject.com/ Instagram: bzpbbakersfield Facebook: Blue_Zones_Project_Bakersfield LinkedIn: Blue_Zones_Project LEARN MORE ABOUT MODERN GRUB: Website: https://eatmoderngrub.com/ Phone:  661-695-9006 Address: 1100 Calloway Drive, Unit 100 Instagram: modern_grub Facebook: Modern_Grub  

Welcome back to the second episode of our Health and Fitness mini series!! Kyle Jones sits down with Ryan Beckwith and Jake Hannaman as they discuss the importance of exercising. They understand how daunting it can be to start your fitness journey so they focus on creating your routine to fit your needs and lifestyle. Kyle relates it to making an investment in yourself and how he feels after starting his own journey years ago. If you have been struggling to create your own routine tune into this week’s episode!  Ryan Beckwith is the owner/operator of A3 Sports & Wellness, Inc. and has helped thousands of athletes achieve their goals in sport (and life) over the last 20 years as a coach and educator. His specialties are biomechanics, speed and power, weightlifting for athletes, and developing the holistic athlete. Jake Hannaman is the co-owner of Movement Studios which strives to promote health and wellness by bridging the gap between medicine and fitness.   LEARN MORE ABOUT A3 SPORTS: Website: https://a3sportsperformance.com/ Email: ryan@a3sportsperformance.com Phone: 661-885-8889 Instagram: A3SportsPerformance Facebook: A3_Sports_Performace_&_Fitness   LEARN MORE ABOUT MOVEMENT STUDIO: Address: 1400 Easton Dr. Suite 146, Bakersfield, CA 93309 Phone: 661-477-9101 Instagram: MovementStud  

Welcome to the first episode of our Health and Fitness mini series! Kyle Jones sits down with Rashamm Sandhu, MD as he discusses how to improve your overall heart health. Dr. Sandhu strongly encourages lowering your risk factors by cutting down on processed foods, exercising, and not smoking. He outlines the benefits of being proactive with heart health and how it can significantly improve your quality of life.     Dr. Sandhu is an Interventional Cardiologist based in Bakersfield, California. He completed his internal medicine residency and cardiovascular fellowship at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York, where he was recognized for teaching excellence and was chosen as the Chief Cardiovascular Fellow in his final year. Driven by a passion for procedure-oriented care that yields immediate and gratifying life improvements, he relocated to Bakersfield over a decade ago. In December 2022, Dr. Sandhu took the bold step to open his own practice, the Cardiovascular Institute, where he is board-certified in Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, and Nuclear Medicine. His approach to patient care is holistic, focusing on total well-being that incorporates health, diet, and lifestyle changes. Outside of his medical practice, Dr. Sandhu enjoys a balanced life filled with hobbies such as yoga, hiking, and international travel, gaining inspiration from different climates and cultures. His contributions to the medical community extend beyond the clinic; he has published various research studies, textbook chapters, and has presented at national conferences. His balanced approach to medicine, along with his commitment to treating the whole patient, sets Dr. Sandhu apart as a leading expert in his field. LEARN MORE ABOUT RASHAMM SANDHU, MD, FACC: Website: https://cacvinst.com/ Email: info@cacvinst.com Phone: 661-443-0088 Instagram: cacvinst Facebook: California_Cardiovascular_Institute  Twitter: @cacvinst    

Thank you for joining us for the final episode of our education mini series! Amanda DiGiacomo sat down with Dr. Vernon B. Harper Jr. the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at CSU Bakersfield (CSUB). Dr. Harper gives us a detailed overview of the University’s structure such as who appoints the president and committee leaders, as well as who reports directly to the president. He explains the different types of programs and degrees they offer as well upcoming events. Dr. Harper and Amanda discuss the overall campus life and what one can expect when joining the CSUB family. If you have been considering CSUB or would like to learn more about our wonderful CSU, tune into this week's episode! Dr. Vernon B. Harper Jr. is the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at CSU Bakersfield (CSUB). Prior to joining CSU Bakersfield, Dr. Harper was AVP for Academic Administration at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) and before joining WCU, Dr. Harper was the Associate Provost at Wilkes University in Wilkes Barre, PA. Dr. Harper also led a cross-functional team of faculty and administrators to launch the Pocono Education Center in Tannersville, PA., which offered numerous academic programs including Engineering Management, Nursing, and the Master of Business Administration. Dr. Harper was a coordinator of the university’s strategic plan Vision 2015, where he played a central role in charting the university’s strategic growth plan. Before joining Wilkes University, Dr. Harper was an Associate for Academic Affairs at the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV), which is the system administrative body of the sixteen 4-year institutions and twenty-three 2-year institutions in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. Harper drafted both correspondence and policy guidance under the signature of the Governor of Virginia. In addition, Dr. Harper played a lead role in the assessment and accreditation processes at the system level, as well as serving as a liaison between SCHEV and multiple state-wide constituencies including the NASA space consortium. Dr. Harper was on the faculties of Christopher Newport University in Virginia as an Associate Professor of Communication Studies and as an Assistant Professor at California State University, San Bernardino. Dr. Harper is the author of over 15 scholarly articles, which span the fields of psychometrics, electronic communication, assessment, and budget and planning. LEARN MORE ABOUT CSU-BAKERSFIELD: Website: www.csub.edu/ Phone: 661-654-2782 Instagram: csubakersfield Facebook: CSU_Bakersfield Twitter: @CSUBakersfield YouTube: CSU_Bakersfield  

Welcome back to episode three of our education mini series! This episode John Duffield and Scott Hanson welcome Matt Guinn, the President of Bakersfield Christian High School as he explains how they focus on creating strong relationships with the families that attend their school. This means the families are not only more involved in their children's education but more involved in decision making. He also explains how they track common metrics like GPAs and college acceptance but their overall focus is preparing their students for AP Exams, College and even the military. He ends the episode with advice for returning parents as well as parents that have been considering the private school route.  The 2023-24 school year will mark Matt Guinn's second year as President of Bakersfield Christian High School (BCHS) and his 25th overall in education. Prior to his arrival at BCHS,  Matt spent 23 years with the Kern High School District as a teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal of Instruction, Director of Business, and Principal. He attended Biola University and graduated with a BS in Business-Marketing from CSUB. He then obtained a single subject teaching credential through CSUB and a Masters in Educational Administrative Leadership from Point Loma. His wife of 26 years, Audra, is a graduate of Community Christian and former employee of BCHS, and their two children Morgan and Kyle are both graduates of BCHS. LEARN MORE ABOUT BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL: Website: www.bakersfieldchristian.com/ Phone: 661-410-7000 Email: mguinn@bakersfieldchristian.com  Address: 12775 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93314 Instagram: bakersfieldchristian Facebook: BakersfieldChristianHighSchool    

Welcome back to episode two of our education mini series as Kyle Jones sits down with Jeremy Adams and Amanda Frank as they give us an in depth look into our local public schools. They discuss the pros and cons of schools starting at a later time as well as how to create change and where to start. Jeremy and Amanda express their concern for how connected students are to their phones and how distracting they can be. They both advise parents to be as involved as possible in their students' education as well as their personal lives. If you are having concerns about the new school year, tune into this week’s episode!     Jeremy S. Adams is one of the most decorated educators in the state of California. In 2018, he was the first classroom teacher inducted into the California State University, Bakersfield, Hall of Fame. A graduate of Washington & Lee University and CSU Bakersfield, he has written on politics and education for the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Huffington Post, The Daily Caller, The American Conservative, New Discourses, The Daily Caller,, and many other outlets. He lives with his family in Bakersfield, California. Amanda Frank is the Kern Education Pledge Coordinator at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. She has a passion for serving the community and believes that education is the great equalizer. In addition to her work with the Kern Education Pledge, Mrs. Frank serves as a trustee on the Norris School Board. She is actively involved in numerous leadership organizations and committees including The Plank Foundation, the Kern County School Boards Association, CSUB Executive Advisory Council for the School of Arts and Humanities, Blue Zones Steering Committee, the Greater Bakersfield Chamber’s Governmental Review Committee and is a past chair of the Leadership Bakersfield Advisory.   LEARN MORE ABOUT JEREMY ADAMS: Website: https://bakersfield.kernhigh.org/ Email: jsa76@yahoo.com Instagram: @jeremysadams1976 LEARN MORE ABOUT NORRIS SCHOOL DISTRICT:  Website: www.norris.k12.ca.us/ Phone: 661-387-7000 Address: 6940 Calloway Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93312