Talking Downey with Mayor Mario Guerra
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Episodes
In this episode of Talking Downey, Mayor Mario sits down with Lieutenant Colonel Steven Jay De Jesus, the newly arrived commander of the U.S. Army's Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion — five companies and 28 stations spanning Southern California.
Lt. Col. De Jesus enlisted in the Nevada Army National Guard in 2005 to pay for college, commissioned through UNLV ROTC into the Field Artillery branch in 2008, and later moved into Psy...
In this episode of Talking Downey, Mario Guerra sits down with John McKinney — a 28-year Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, veteran of over 100 jury trials, and candidate for Los Angeles City Attorney.
John shares his story: growing up in Passaic, New Jersey, losing both parents by age five, being raised by his eldest sister alongside four other children, and working his way through Rutgers University and UCLA School of Law...
Most people don't vote in judicial elections — but judges affect your life more than almost any elected official. On this episode of Talking Downey, former Mayor Mario Guerra sits down with David DeJute, candidate for Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Seat #87.
DeJute is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, a Harvard Law graduate, a law professor at Pepperdine/Caruso School of Law, and someone who took a significant pay cut to ru...
In this episode of Talking Downey, Mario Guerra sits down with Donna Tryfman for a deep conversation on justice, courtroom experience, and public service.
Donna shares her path as a senior public defender, her work in death penalty litigation, and what people often misunderstand about criminal defense. They also discuss judicial temperament, courtroom fairness, jury selection, election realities, and why she is running for judicial ...
In this episode of Talking Downey, Mario Guerra sits down with Staff Sergeant Tracy Duran, a proud Downey native serving at the Norwalk Recruiting Station.
Tracy shares her journey from local student to Army leader, why she chose to serve, and what she has learned in 13 years of military experience. They discuss education benefits, JROTC impact, recruiting realities, misconceptions about military service, and how families can make i...
Paul Granata — longtime Downey business owner and co-founder of the Downtown Improvement Association — sits down with Mayor Mario to talk Granada's Italian Villa, a 25-year-old letter that started a movement, and what downtown Downey looks like now vs. then.
0:00 Pre-show
0:59 Show intro – "Hi, I'm Mario Guerra"
1:23 Welcome Paul Granata
2:30 Paul's history as a Downey business owner
7:55 The 25-year-old letter that st...
Carrie Uva is a lifelong Downey resident, Planning Commission Chair, and real estate attorney — and she just announced she's running for City Council. Mario Guerra sits down with Carrie to find out why she's running, who's backing her, and what she plans to actually change in Downey. Topics: • Why she's running for Downey City Council District 4 • Cross-party endorsements from both sides of the aisle • Trip to Sacramento • ...
After being publicly mentioned multiple times during recent meetings and political discussions involving Downey Councilmember Mario Trujillo, former Mayor Mario Guerra says enough is enough.
In this special commentary episode, Mario responds to recent criticisms, addresses comments made publicly, discusses ethics conversations, commissioner controversies, public conduct, and shares why he believes it was finally time to set the reco...
Downey’s legacy in space exploration is bigger than most people realize—and it’s about to get even bigger. In this episode, Mayor Mario and his guest dive into the incredible story behind the Columbia Memorial Space Center and the ambitious new “Inspiration” expansion. From a historic NASA mockup nearly being given away… to becoming a hands-on, immersive exhibit for future generations—this...
What does it take to grow a small cooperative into a multi-billion dollar financial institution? In this episode of Talking Downey, Mayor Mario sits down with the CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union to unpack a remarkable journey of leadership, resilience, and community impact. From its humble beginnings in 1937 with just $800 to becoming a financial powerhouse, this conversation dives into how credit unions really work—an...
We spent the day at a Women’s Empowerment Event hosted by the Downey Chamber of Commerce, connecting with inspiring women across industries, from business owners to community leaders. Each woman shared her journey - what it takes to build something from the ground up, how to stay resilient through challenges, and the mindset needed to succeed. From powerful reminders like “don’t give up” to stories of buildi...
Natalie from Talking Downey visits One 12 Caffe to sit down with Sarah and Sam, the young entrepreneurs behind one of Downey’s most talked-about coffee spots. From fresh pastries and creative matcha drinks to a robot barista named Tom, this café blends innovation, family values, and community support. In this interview, Sarah shares what it’s like being a young woman entrepreneur during Women’s History Month, the ...
A new mural now stands in the heart of Downtown Downey, celebrating the city’s rich history from orange groves to aerospace innovation. In this episode, Mario Guerra breaks down every detail of the artwork, explaining the meaning behind each symbol, from North American Aviation and the Apollo program to the Columbia Memorial Space Center. He also meets with the mural artist to discuss the vision, creative process, and what th...
This episode of Talking Downey takes a different turn. Former Mayor Mario Guerra reads and responds to real comments from viewers — both supportive and critical — following recent discussions about ICE activity, racial profiling, empty storefronts, police relations, and local leadership. From accusations of hypocrisy to attacks on his faith, Mario addresses the controversy head-on and calls for civil dialogue in the com...
As Lent begins, former Downey Mayor and Catholic Deacon Mario Guerra and his wife Ann offer a deeply personal look into faith, service, and reflection. From explaining the meaning of Ash Wednesday and Holy Week to sharing emotional moments as a police chaplain and mentor to incarcerated youth, this episode invites viewers to slow down, reflect, and rediscover purpose during the Easter season.
From the Space Race to the Moon’s next chapter, Downey has played a critical role in America’s space story and it is still happening today. In this special clip of Talking Downey, former Mayor Mario reflects on Downey’s rich aerospace legacy, the importance of the Columbia and Challenger Learning Centers, and an exciting opportunity for residents and viewers to be part of NASA’s Artemis 2 mission. Mario brea...
In this episode of Talking Downey, Mario reflects on what makes the city of Downey unique, from the value of local journalism to the importance of preserving community history. He shares appreciation for Downey’s hometown newspaper, discusses recent stories impacting residents, and offers insight into potential future development that could bring new energy to the city. The conversation highlights why staying informed and eng...
A tense incident involving ICE agents and two local gardeners sparks outrage, protests, and heated accusations in Downey. Former Mayor Mario A. Guerra breaks down what really happened, why the city cannot intervene in federal immigration actions, and how misinformation fueled division at City Hall. He will discuss the inappropriate, hypocritical comments and deflections of one Councilmember towards the Mayor. This episode calls for...
Downey City Council Member Horacio Ortiz shares a real look at leadership, balance, and mental health both in public service and personal life. Sponsored by Financial Partners Credit Union – thank you for supporting Talking Downey and our community conversations.
Serving the community comes with pressure most people never see. Downey Mayor Claudia Frometa opens up about burnout, mental health, public expectations, and why self-care is essential for strong leadership. A real and honest conversation about what it means to serve.
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