My SGV Podcast
Welcome to the My SGV Podcast. A show where you will hear personal stories of triumph over failures, and how others successfully navigated the unique landscape that is the San Gabriel Valley. What makes us different? Well, just like you, we have chosen the San Gabriel Valley for our home or businesses, or both. We believe it is the people and small businesses that make this community great and we love to share their stories with you. We always encourage your questions and feedback and you can find all of our contact information at sgvmasterkey.com.
Episodes
Here’s a conversation with a broadcast veteran who’s spent nearly 30 years in large-market media—hosting radio, interviewing icons like Eminem, Mike Tyson, Jim Brown, and Kendrick Lamar, and now operating on the executive side with a global music brand. He helped pioneer the shift from traditional radio to YouTube, building on-air personalities into on-screen creators and translating audience habits into sustainable d...
Here’s the story of a San Gabriel Valley daughter who turned community roots into a career of service. Raised in Monterey Park and Montebello, she grew up at Robert Hill Lane, Macy Intermediate, and Schurr High—so the SGV isn’t just a place, it’s her identity. After a brief move to Chino Hills, she came home so her three kids could grow up in the same tight-knit neighborhoods, splitting time between Brightwood Element...
Here’s the story of an SGV native building community through coffee. Raised in Covina and West Covina and now rooted in Pasadena, Melissa Spolar blends events, marketing, nonprofit work, and café culture to connect neighbors and small businesses. She created the Pasadena Coffee Passport to spotlight the city’s specialty shops and invite locals and visitors to explore together.
Her community-building chops were sharpene...
Here’s the story behind a multi-Emmy-winning journalist whose roots run deep in the San Gabriel Valley. Raised by a family that fled Vietnam, she grew up in local neighborhoods, went to San Gabriel High, and learned early how community shapes character. Those SGV years—family hustle, public schools, and a love for Dodgers and Lakers seasons—set the tone for a life built on curiosity, resilience, and service.
Her career...
Here’s a conversation with a lifelong civic servant whose roots run from Monterey Park to Pomona and the San Gabriel Valley. With decades in urban planning and community development, he brings a ground-level view of how cities actually work—housing, zoning, economic development, schools, and the partnerships that make neighborhoods thrive. He currently serves on the Pomona City Council and has spent years volunteering...
Here’s the story of a radical preacher and Christian hip-hop artist from Rosemead in the SGV whose life was changed by a powerful encounter with Jesus. He shares how he was healed from an “incurable” mental illness, received a new purpose, and set out to reach the streets, homes, and the hearts of the broken with the gospel. From local roots to West Coast impact, his mission is simple: make Jesus known.
We talk about t...
Here’s a conversation with a seasoned UI/UX designer and design strategist with 20+ years of experience building products used by millions. Her portfolio spans Google, PayPal, CBS Interactive, Fox Broadcasting Company, and Warner Music Group. She leads with empathy and business clarity—using research-driven decisions to ship smart, simple solutions that serve users and goals.
We unpack how to turn complexity into clari...
Here’s the story behind B Nutritious, a Southern California meal-prep brand built on a real transformation. After years in a desk-bound insurance role, Brian Nguyen gained weight, discovered Muay Thai, and went deep on nutrition to rebuild his health—dropping 80 pounds in the process. Friends and family started asking for his Asian-inspired, macro-friendly meal plans, and a personal habit turned into a business focuse...
Here’s a deep dive with the CEO behind Drone Strategic Partners, a firm helping organizations adopt drones, robotics, and automation to modernize security and operations. We get into how a lean aerial program can extend ground teams, drive faster decisions, and document incidents in real time without ballooning costs—think smarter patrols, clearer data, and fewer blind spots at scale.
We trace the company’s roots from ...
Meet Dr. Ken Thai, PharmD—CEO of 986 Degrees Corporation (a pharmacy franchise), multi-site independent pharmacy owner across Southern California and Nevada, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at USC and Western University. A past president of CPhA (California Pharmacists Association) and current national VP at NCPA, he was honored with the 2022 NCPA Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Y...
I’m excited to introduce Irene—@irenieeweeniee—who turned a corporate layoff and months of misdiagnoses into a mission. After learning she had ovarian cancer, she started editing food videos on her phone and sharing her story on TikTok. What began as a way to cope became a platform for honest storytelling and women’s healthcare advocacy.
Irene’s roots run through the SGV. Her immigrant parents ran a Thai restaurant, an...
Here’s the story behind GD Burgers in La Puente. I sat down with Daniel “Danny” Hyun, who went from leading at LA Fitness to helping his father at the family counter—and then taking over. His path blends discipline, service, and a deep commitment to the San Gabriel Valley. If you’ve ever wondered how a family business grows into a neighborhood staple, this is it.
GD Burgers is classic SGV comfort: char-broiled burgers,...
Wendy Yu and Huong Thai are the co-founders of Happy Humble Hub, a unique community space in Alhambra, California designed to bring people together in meaningful ways. Their stories of resilience, risk-taking, and vision are deeply rooted in the San Gabriel Valley, and their work is inspiring a new wave of creativity and connection across Southern California.
About Wendy Yu
Wendy grew up in the San Gabriel Valley a...
Dr. Richard S. Cheung is a second-generation chiropractor and athletic trainer who has been serving the Pasadena community since 1998. He holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University. With more than 26 years of clinical experience, Dr. Cheung specializes in sports medicine, injury recovery, and corrective rehabilitation.
At hi...
Kaila Yu is a Los Angeles–based luxury travel and culture journalist whose bylines include The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and more. Before her journalism career, she was an actress, an import model, the lead singer of the rock band Nylon Pink, and a student at UCLA. Each chapter of her life, as she shares in her upcoming memoir Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty ...
Chris Martinez is a second-generation Cuban American from Miami whose life took flight in 2010 when he enlisted in the military and served in Hawaii. At just 23, he began investing in real estate—building a portfolio across Florida, Hawaii, and California. His early success speaks to his entrepreneurial mindset and strategic vision.
By 2017, Chris fully transitioned out of the military to launch a vacation rental busin...
Jackson Ridd is a Los Angeles–based mentalist and magician whose performances blend psychological insights with theatrical flair. A resident star at Black Rabbit Rose, Rideau Speakeasy, and the Wonzimer Gallery, Jackson delivers immersive stage shows and intimate close‑up routines. His work has been praised as “both perplexing and haunting,” reflecting his talent for forging deep, psychic connections with audiences.
Hi...
Jonathan “JDM” Wong’s journey reads like the ultimate dream for anyone immersed in Japanese car culture. Born in Hollywood and raised in Pasadena, he fell in love with modified JDM cars as a teen. Alongside high school friends, he co-founded Team Macross 7, linking up with other import crews through AOL’s Import Racing chatrooms and staging drag races and car shows across the SGV—solidifying his place in SoCal’s grass...
Erika Herrera and Milton Arredondo are the heart and soul behind Domestic BBQ, the family-owned California-style barbecue spot that’s become a local favorite in La Puente and Covina. They made the bold leap from corporate life to smoky kitchens, turning a weekend hobby into a flourishing restaurant. Their success isn’t just about cooking—it’s about bringing people together with food that feels both comforting and inve...
Amber Tan and Waldo Yan didn’t set out to build a viral dessert destination—but that’s exactly what they’ve done with 626 Hospitality Group, home of the wildly beloved 626 Ice Cream in Arcadia, CA. What began as a passion project blending heritage, nostalgia, and culinary creativity has now become one of the most talked-about food spots in the San Gabriel Valley. From lychee-strawberry swirls to yakult soft serve, the...
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