The Gap Minders
The show taking the lead on catalytic conversations spurring listeners to think critically about some of our world’s most pressing issues and be compelled to take action. We have plenty of gaps in America and right here in San Diego—educational, racial, wealth, health, literacy, and more. Welcome to The Gap Minders, the podcast taking on these GAPS—one conversation at a time. To tackle these gaps and lift lives, United Way of San Diego County and the San Diego Council on Literacy have joined forces. The Gap Minders weekly episodes will inform, inspire, and illuminate the gaps and the solutions. Through insightful conversations with a range of notable and engaging guests, including education experts, political figures dedicated to improving our region, and influential changemakers passionate about equity for all children and families, we will make a difference. Thank you for your time, attention, heart, and mind.
Episodes
Elizabeth Cox, Executive Director of the San Diego Chamber of Connection, joins host Jose Cruz to explore how a new “chamber of connection” model is tackling rising loneliness and social disconnection across San Diego County. Drawing on national data and the Chamber’s “six points of connection” framework, she explains why only a small share of Americans are socially thriving...
Dr. James Dunford, Medical Director at the McAllister Institute, discussed his career and the institute's work on addiction care. He highlighted his transition from emergency medicine to addressing chronic illnesses, particularly addiction, and the importance of humanism in medicine. Dr. Dunford emphasized the need for better integration of mental health and substance use services, noting the rise of fen...
Tony Teravainen, President and CEO of STEP: Support the Enlisted Pro., discusses his journey from a military family background to leading an organization that helps military families with financial stability. Tony shares his personal struggles with education and his eventual success in obtaining a PhD. STEP's program, which has assisted 11,000 families, achieves a 90% success rate in helping families ach...
"The Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, discusses various educational, racial, and literacy gaps in America, particularly in San Diego. The episode is recorded live at the San Diego County Fair, with guests sharing their love for books and fables. Christy McKee and Gina Hankey enjoy the fair and discuss their favorite fables. Stella Dylan, visiting from New York, talks about her love for books an...
On this July 4th special, "The Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, discusses the various gaps in American society, including educational, racial, and economic disparities. In this episode, Richard Lederer, a word enthusiast and columnist, delves into the history of the United States, particularly the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He recounts the formation of the committee t...
Jose Cruz hosts "The Gap Minders" podcast, focusing on addressing various societal gaps, including education, racial, wealth, health, and literacy. In this episode, he interviews Tre Braquet, the Chief Brand and Engagement Officer for Connect, a nonprofit innovation company in San Diego. Tre discusses his journey from Santa Cruz to San Diego State University, his transition from a pre-med student to a no...
Jose Cruz hosts Kwofi Reed, CEO of San Diego Habitat for Humanity, on "The Gap Minders" podcast. Reed shares his journey from southeastern San Diego to Fisk University and Georgetown Law School, highlighting his passion for affordable housing. He discusses Habitat's mission to help low-income families achieve homeownership, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and corporate partnerships. R...
Jose Cruz hosts "The Gap Minders" podcast, focusing on addressing various societal gaps. Guest Jim Callaghan, CEO of Turn Behavioral Health Systems, discusses his journey from Orange County to Pennsylvania, his education at Cal State Long Beach, and his career in civil engineering and construction management. Callaghan transitioned to healthcare, leading Turn Behavioral Health Systems, which expanded fro...
"The Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, features Richard Lederer, a linguist and author. Richard discusses his passion for language, his column in the Union-Tribune, and his 14-year tenure on "Away with Words". He highlights his unique approach to language, including etymology, word games, and humor. Richard shares his journey from Haverford College to Harvard Law School, his teaching career, and...
Jose Cruz hosts "The Gap Minders" podcast, focusing on addressing various gaps in San Diego, including education, racial, and economic disparities. Guest Rafael Parra, executive director of RafaBids, discusses the lack of African American and Latino participation in city contracts, often due to the large scale of projects. RafaBids aims to bridge this gap by promoting smaller projects and leveraging AI t...
Jacqueline Reynoso, founder and CEO of Quisqueya, discusses her journey from National City to becoming a public policy advocate. She highlights her work on the binational trolley crossing project, which aims to extend the San Diego trolley into Tijuana, and her role in community development and economic growth. Reynoso emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement and bridging opportunities between...
Dr. Rebecca Mendiola, CEO and founder of Collective Impact Solutions, discusses her nonprofit's mission to bridge systems and communities, focusing on marginalized families and youth. She emphasizes the importance of systems change and transformation, working with school districts, city and county departments, and community-based organizations. Mendiola highlights her extensive experience in education an...
Liz Bui, CEO of Yulex Brand Corporation, discusses her journey from a Vietnamese refugee to a patent lawyer and entrepreneur. She highlights the importance of education and role models, particularly for underrepresented groups. Yulex focuses on natural rubber alternatives to synthetic materials, addressing environmental concerns and health risks associated with synthetic products. Bui emphasizes the need...
Jose Cruz hosts the "Gap Minders" podcast, focusing on addressing various gaps in society, including education, racial wealth, health, and literacy. In this episode, he interviews Bob Lehman, Executive Director of San Diego Arts Matters, about his journey from Indiana to San Diego, his work in the arts, and his role in advocating for arts funding and support. Lehman discusses the importance of collaborat...
The "Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, discusses the various educational, racial, wealth, health, and literacy gaps in America, particularly in San Diego. In this episode, Jose interviews Fred Buggs, a Regional Director from the California Department of Education, who oversees expanded learning programs in San Diego, Orange, and Imperial Counties. Fred emphasizes the importance of creating safe ...
The "Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, discusses the work of Sarah Tuakli-Cooper, Executive Director of the Elementary Institute of Science (EIS). EIS, a 61-year-old organization, focuses on STEM education for children from grades 1 to 12, particularly in high-need communities. The program serves 11 schools in the Lincoln cluster, providing intensive science education for fourth and fifth grader...
The "Gap Minders" podcast, hosted by Jose Cruz, discusses the various gaps in society, including educational, racial, wealth, health, and literacy disparities. In this episode, Jose interviews Margaux Stack-Babich, Director of Community Outreach at UCSD Morris Cancer Center. Margaux emphasizes the importance of health equity and addressing cancer disparities through data-driven outreach. Her team focuses...
The discussion covers a wide range o...
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