Stop & Talk

 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 innovat...

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 sto...

 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 scholarsh...

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 ...

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 ...

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 co...

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 m...

In this installment of "Stop & Talk," we take a journey through the highlights of Season 1, revisiting the wisdom and insights shared by each guest. Grant delves into the core themes that emerged, focusing on how these influential figures draw upon their personal journeys, foster robust networks, and maintain a deep-rooted sense of fulfillment in their professional endeavors. Tune in to uncover the shared experiences a...

At Stop & Talk, we want to show our love of local music. For Season 2 of the podcast, we want to hire a San Diego County musician (or musicians) to create our theme music. 

Hailing from El Centro, CA, Cara Dessert has always been an organizer and powerful galvanizer of community and equality. She has nearly two decades of experience in non-profit and social justice work, making her the ideal CEO of the San Diego LGBT Community Center.  In this episode of Stop and Talk, Cara discusses the history and role the LGBT Community Center plays in the San Diego community, the power a sense of belongin...

As the Executive Director of Izcalli, a long-standing non-profit organization that works with at-risk youth, Macedonio Arteaga has a keen eye for the needs of future generations. If you combine that with his past advocacy experience in the San Diego region and his evident sense of humor, it's clear San Diego has a special and needed resource in hand.   In this episode of Stop and Talk, Macedonio discusses how to strengthen...

Roxana Velásquez is the Maruja Baldwin Executive Director and CEO at the San Diego Museum of Art. Since taking over the role in 2010, Roxana has used passion and commitment to art for all to share, invite, and inspire our region. She chooses beauty and wants each San Diegan to feel pride over the richness of our cultures and the art residing in our communities, museums, and archives.   In this episode of Stop & Talk, R...

In this episode of Stop & Talk, we're joined by Sidd Vivek, the President and CEO of Junior Achievement (JA) in San Diego County. Originally hailing from Boston, MA, Sidd now calls San Diego home and plays a crucial role in empowering young people to secure a stable and hopeful future.

Sidd dives into the pressing challenges confronting today's youth, the significance of fostering inclusivity for the younger generation...

Megan Thomas is the President & CEO of Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties. Hailing from San Diego, Megan has traveled the country and discovered just how much San Diego has to offer compared to other cities. Because of this, her passion for philanthropic endeavors is strong.

In this episode of Stop & Talk, Megan discusses the landscape of philanthropy in San Diego, the pulse of nonprofits in a post-pandemi...

Rafael Payare is the Music Director for the San Diego Symphony. Born in Venezuela and having studied in the acclaimed El Sistema music program, Rafael soon found himself traveling the globe playing the horn before eventually becoming a conductor himself and finding a home here in San Diego.

In this episode, Rafael discusses the role of the conductor as a storyteller and program dir...

In this episode of Stop & Talk with Grant Oliphant, john powell discusses how to apply the concept of belonging without othering. Dubbed the father of belonging, john encourages San Diego County to become a "region of belonging" to further a future where everyone belongs.

This episode is a precursor to the community panel where local leaders discuss how they are building belonging within their organizations. 

john a. p...

David Miyashiro is the Superintendent of Cajon Valley Union School District. The district consists of more than 17,000 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Under David’s leadership, The White House recognized Cajon Valley School District as one of the “Top 35 District Leaders in Personalized Learning.” As a self-described educator and public servant, David and his team identify opportunities and...

Felicia Shaw is the Executive Director of the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition (SDRACC). In this episode of Stop & Talk, Felicia uplifts the labor of artists and how they make our communities safer and more dynamic while contributing to a more robust economy. She makes the case that artists deserve to be a line item in any budget. She believes artists express the human experience and push boundaries, makin...