PeppTalks with Jeanne Pepper

Christine Devine is a highly respected and multi-award-winning news anchor for FOX 11 Los Angeles, where she can be seen anchoring the weeknight news. With an impressive 16 Emmy Awards to her name, including the prestigious Governors Award, she has been recognized for her exceptional journalism and commitment to storytelling. Beyond her anchoring duties, Devine is known for her deep involvement in community initiatives and has rece...

Chris Simonsen is the President and CEO of Orangewood Foundation, a role he has held since 2013. Under his leadership, Orangewood has significantly expanded its reach and impact, serving thousands of foster and community youth in Orange County. Simonsen is deeply committed to empowering young people to achieve their full potential, focusing on critical areas such as housing, health and wellness, and education and employment. His te...

Brayden Werschmidt, a compassionate 13-year-old, celebrated his Bar Mitzvah with an inspiring Bar Mitzvah project that not only honored the memory of a my son, Blaze Bernstein but also took a firm stand against bullying. Brayden's story is one of proactive kindness and a desire to create a more inclusive world.

Touched by the life and tragic passing of Blaze, whom he knew from religious school at University Synagogue, Brayden dedic...

Jojo Savea is a Deaf Samoan woman, content creator, and social media services provider. She focuses on storytelling, culture, and authenticity in her work. Having moved frequently throughout her life, she learned to adapt while staying grounded in her identity. Our interview takes place on Zoom to accommodate her ASL interpreter and features an entertaining twist in the video version of our interview found here on YouTube. It was...

Taran Gong, residing in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, is a globally recognized sound healer, speaker, and the creative force behind Taran Zensory Experiences, offering immersive wellness journeys. Taran has committed his life to crafting transformative experiences that harmonize the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of individuals. As a certified Gong Master and Sound Alchemist, he expertly integrates music, mindfulness, and cult...

Louru is a passionate Healer and Shaman who specializes in meeting people exactly where they are on their healing journey and holding sacred space to transmute what no longer serves them while offering education and intuitive guidance to get them on the life path they desire. Through a blend of a multitude of healing modalities including intuitive guidance, somatic work, energy healing, and spiritual care, Lou creates safe, transfo...

Adrienne Matros is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She is a philanthropist and currently serves on the board of directors for Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Foundation.

In addition to her work with CHOC, Adrienne also serves on several other non-profit boards, including:

• Merage Jewish Community Center (JCC)

• Tilly's Life Center

• JCC Association of North A...

Part 2 of 2.....Soraya Mire is a Somali-born author, filmmaker, and human rights activist whose powerful voice resonates globally in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM). Her searing memoir, "The Girl with Three Legs," offers a deeply personal and unflinching account of her own experiences with FGM, arranged marriage, and life within Somalia's complex social and political landscape. Mire's work is not only a testament ...

Part 1 of 2...Soraya Mire is a Somali-born author, filmmaker, and human rights activist whose powerful voice resonates globally in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM). Her searing memoir, "The Girl with Three Legs," offers a deeply personal and unflinching account of her own experiences with FGM, arranged marriage, and life within Somalia's complex social and political landscape. Mire's work is not only a testament to...

Episode 221

Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper

Guest: Kanan Durham

Producer: Eli Moskowitz

Original Theme: Jay Bernstein

Special Thank You to our volunteers

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DISCLAIMER Jeanne Pepper is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsem...

In this special follow-up interview, Mike Auchter discusses his early life and the challenge he faced in “coming out” as a gay man in the automotive industry. This is a very relatable interview for anyone facing a challenging “reveal” about lifestyle and/or identity. Mike brings a unique blend of leadership and creativity to his role as Board Chairman of Men Alive, Orange County’s Gay Men’s Chorus. You can learn more about Mi...

Erika Pedersen has over two decades of C-suite executive sales and strategic account management expertise in global logistics and SaaS implementation. A graduate of the USC Marshall School of Business Entrepreneur Program, Erika is known to drive performance metrics with vision and integrity. A proven operator, connector and talent developer, Erika has led cross-functional international teams and brokered lasting partner relationsh...

Regan first became involved with CASA in 2001 while living in New York City and studying at Columbia. She completed a one-year internship with CASA-NYC, launching her career advocating for children in the dependency system. While in law school, Regan worked as an investigator for the Law Office of Harold LaFlamme. The law firm contracted with Orange County to provide legal representation–minor’s counsel–for children in foster care....

I first met Tahera at a “Blaze it Forward” event in Foothill Ranch when she came to support our family during a cleanup at the memorial park there. I was immediately interested in this self styled lifestyle “guru” who sings, writes books, raises kids, does public speaking, podcasts and finds time to run her health and wellness business. Tahera is an energetic mother of four and married to her high school sweetheart. She talks about...

Jeffrey Solomon is the co-founder of Houses on the Moon Theater Company, where he writes and directs plays. His works include Building Houses on the Moon, De Novo, and Tara's Crossing. He adapted De Novo into an audio drama for the Houses on the Moon podcast. Solomon has taught storytelling workshops and directed projects like TRANSformation and gUN Country, exploring themes of gender id...

Mike Auchter brings a unique blend of leadership and creativity to his role as Board Chairman of MenAlive, Orange County’s Gay Men’s Chorus. A retired manufacturing engineer with a 32-year career in the automotive industry, Mike’s last role was Chief Engineer for a global automotive component supplier. Vocal music has been a lifelong passion for Mike. From performing Gregorian Chant in high school to singing with the University of ...

Will Minton has more than 25 years of marketing experience in the consumer goods, foodservice, and entertainment industries, most recently serving as the chief marketing officer of Breakout Learning, an education technology company. Before that, he spent 15 years leading communications and business development teams at Advantage Solutions (Nasdaq: ADV) and spearheaded groundbreaking marketing initiatives at Taco Bell, including th...

Founded in 1985, GLAAD is a non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change. GLAAD works to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation and creates national and local programs that advance LGBTQ acceptance. Serving as a storyteller, media force, resource, and advocate, GLAAD tackles tough issues and provokes dialogue so that authentic LGBTQ stories are seen, heard, and actualized. GLAAD strives to prot...

When Patrick Turner died by suicide in January of 2018, he challenged his family, friends, and community to make our world a kinder and more inclusive place. Kim uses her platform to work every day to make the changes that he wished for. This warm and kindhearted mother of five hasn't rested since his death and continues to make this world a better place in his honor. Learn more about what makes this local hero tick on this epis...