Unpack the Real Stuff: Voices of Contra Costa
RCF Connects a community organization located in Contra Costa County brings to you UNPACK THE REAL STUFF, a podcast where we unpack real issues, real challenges, and real solutions that impact our neighbors, friends, and family living, working, hustling, and thriving in Contra Costa. In our first season, we will tackle issues of mental health, social justice, new solutions for housing, and much, much more. We're going to strip away all the usual talking points and rhetoric and get down to "the real stuff". Recorded in the podcast studios of CoBiz Richmond, 1503 MacDonald Avenue, Richmond CA
Episodes
In this episode, we’re talking about defending real community power. Real change doesn’t happen behind closed doors—it starts with the voices of everyday people, especially those who are often ignored. At RCF Connects, we believe that every voice matters, especially the ones that challenge the usual way of doing things.
We don’t build programs for communities—we build them with communities. That’s how we get real results. Defending ...
Welcome to the first episode of a very special season!
This year, RCF Connects proudly celebrates 25 years of serving, connecting, and uplifting communities across Contra Costa County.
To kick off the season, we’re taking a heartfelt journey through our history with some of the people who helped shape it. Joining us are Jim Becker, our current CEO and longtime visionary leader; Betty Geishirt Cantrell, beloved retired staff memb...
This episode sheds light on Housing First, a transformative approach to homelessness that provides immediate, stable housing as the first step to rebuilding lives. Our guest speakers, Shyla Crowder and Ashlee Rountree co-managers of RCF Connect's new Housing First Initiative, discuss who benefits most from this model, the challenges faced by those transitioning into stable housing, and the wraparound support services needed for las...
Our host Suzette Chaumette and our guest Marco Lemus dive into the roots of Urban Tilth, a transformative program in Richmond, CA, dedicated to building community health and resilience through food. Our guest speakers explore Urban Tilth’s mission to empower residents to grow their own food, reclaim food sovereignty, and champion food justice in the heart of Richmond. From sharing tips on nutrition to addressing how food systems in...
In this episode, our host Suzette Chaumette explores the transformative impact of coaching and mentoring for Black girls, unpacking the importance of safe spaces where they can express vulnerability, find their voices, and challenge the bias of adultification. Our guests Kamela Stewart (Embodied Leadership Coaching) and Taylor Sims (Equity for Black Women and Girls Initiative) discuss the power of creating environments where Black ...
Did you know that Richmond, CA residents can access electric vehicles for as low as $4 and hour or $35 a day? Yes. It's called carsharing and it allows you to access a vehicle, pass traffic on the freeway by using the carpool lane and saves money on gas! How can this be?
Well, join our host Suzette Chaumette as she interviews Rachel Heckl (Director of Strategic Expansion for Miocar.org), Gloria Huerta (Chief Operating Off...
In this episode, we are exploring Guaranteed Basic Income and how it will transform communities, and help folks live a life of dignity. Suzette Chaumette talks with Marianna Moore and Loren Dalbert about how instituting this type of program will uplift our entire populace. We talk about the arguments against Guaranteed Basic Income, comparing the terms bailouts and handouts, how should we collectively spend our money as a nation, a...
Join our host Suzette Chaumette and our guests Jim Becker & Alvin Lewis of the Richmond Housing Renovation Program as they explore homeownership and how RHRP is making homeownership a possibility for folks in the East Bay. We talk about why home ownership is so important, especially for our BIPOC neighbors. The challenges that come up for those seeking homeownership and the solutions we have found to give folks bett...
In today’s episode, Suzette Chaumette talks to Erica Yanez and Dante Miguel from Healthy Contra Costa (formerly known as Healthy Richmond). They explore how we transfer power to residents of Contra Costa that have historically had very little power or input in decisions and policies made at a local level. How do we get the average resident involved to speak up about the issues that we care about i.e. housing, gentrification, ...
Join our host Suzette Chaumette and our guest Taylor Sims, Program Director of RCF's new initiative Equity for Black Women and Girls as they explore why it is essential to focus on the needs of Black Women and Girls in Contra Costa County. They explore the issues, problems and challenges that are specific to Black Women and Girls in the county and what we should do about it.
Equity for Black Women & Girls is an aware...
Join our host Suzette Chaumette and our guests Loren Dalbert and Estela Nuñes from Mobility LABs as they explore what it looks like when the residents of a community define true success in their community. What does it look like when we give power to the people? What does it look like when we help folks in a community advocate for themselves and create safe spaces? And why "safe spaces" are so important. NOT...
In today’s episode, Suzette Chaumette talks to Gerardo Mendoza (also known as Jerry) from SparkPoint Contra Costa. They explore the daunting challenges that college students in Contra Costa face while trying to succeed academically. We unpack real conversations on getting the young people of our community the support they need to succeed through all the new challenges, issues, and problems they are facing today.
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Join our host Suzette Chaumette and our guests AnDrea Neal and Anjali Sawhney from Embodied Leadership Coaching Program as they explore what coaching is, the advantages of receiving coaching, why folks in our community need coaching, and how coaching can change our community for the better. Let's dig deep into the concept of being pro-active in gaining and maintaining our mental wellness. We unpack real conversations on getting the...
In this short episode, our host Suzette Chaumette asks Rosalind Welch, Sr. Director of Marketing and Development of RCF Connects how she came to name the podcast "Unpack the Real Stuff: Voices of Contra Costa County". It's an interesting story. Listen in.
We want to present to you a sneak peek of the conversations we are having on our podcast. Subscribe to our podcast, our first episode drops during the week of August 15, 2022.
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