Our Two Cents Podcast

Latest Episodes:

191 - The 2023 JJ's Legacy Gala May 05, 2023

Show notes

Jeffrey Johns slipped quietly into heaven in the early morning hours on Sunday, March 1, 2009. He was surrounded by family and friends who had come to say their final goodbyes to a vibrant young man who was deeply loved and who will be forever in our thoughts and prayers. After Jeffrey's passing the family was presented with the opportunity to donate his organs and tissues. Though the family had never talked about donation in the past, it felt like the right thing to do; Jeffrey was a giving person and if he knew that he could save someone else's life, he would have done it in a heartbeat. Jeffrey saved the lives of five people in need of organ transplants and healed 50 others through tissue donation. His young and strong heart will continue to beat in the chest of a fortunate person who will hopefully see sunrises and sunsets for many years to come.

Kyle Jones is joined in studio with Lori Malkin the founder of JJ's Legacy as she explains how JJ's Legacy educates the Kern County community on the value and importance of organ donation with the goal of increasing the number of registered donors. They also offer different programs ranging from financial medical assistance to help with transportation. The goal for this year's gala is to directly fund their different programs and spread the awareness of such an amazing cause.

Kyle Jones and John Duffield also attended this year's Gala where they had the opportunity to meet Charles, a local Kern County resident whose life was saved by a 19 year old donor. His liver was failing and he was told he only had one year left. However, he received his liver transplant on August 16th, 2014 and has been thankful everyday since. Listen to this week's episode to hear his heartbreaking, yet wonderful story.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JJ's LEGACY:

Website: www.jjslegacy.org/

Phone: 661-489-4430

Email: lorim@jjslegacy.com

Instagram: jjs_legacy

Facebook: JJ's_Legacy

YouTube: JJ's_Legacy

Got The Dot Club

190 - The Many Successes of CASA Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

CASA of Kern County--modeled on a program started by Judge David W. Soukup (now retired) in Seattle--was developed locally by Hon. Robert Anspach. Judge Anspach relied on many of the "movers and shakers" in Bakersfield to make CASA happen. CASA of Kern County was incorporated on July 19, 1993. The first advocates graduated in July 1994 and started serving children. Since then, CASA has held multiple training sessions each year, graduating over 1400 volunteers, and serving over 3000 children. But our story is not over--the problems remain as critical as ever. Child abuse and neglect remain a significant problem in Kern County. While abused and neglected children are often the result of substance abuse, poverty, and homelessness, we know that it can occur in every neighborhood, within any income strata. We have more than 70 children on the waiting list, and we need CASAs now more than ever before.

Amanda DiGicomo sits down with Heaven Vasquez, the Public Relations & Development Manager and Karlee Cain the Communications and Development Coordinator for CASA of Kern County as they discuss how they were founded as well as the different services they offer. They serve as an unbiased 3rd party for foster youth and have helped serve over 3,500 children since they were founded! Heaven explains how their volunteers go through 42 hours of training and agree to an 18 month commitment since their goal is to provide stable and consistent adults in the lives of foster youth. If you are unable to volunteer you can always donate directly or through one of their events like their upcoming Derby on May 6th.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CASA of Kern County:

Website: https://kerncasa.org/

Phone: 661-631-2272

Instagram: kerncasa

Facebook: CASA_of_Kern_County

LinkedIn: CASAofKernCounty

YouTube: CASA_of_KernCounty

189 - The Future of Our Local Oil Industry Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

George Harmer has been the acting Director of Health and Safety at General Production Service for 15 years. He is a vital part in the development of people and processes ensuring a safe and healthful workplace. George also manages the safety of roughly 600 employees and has 16 safety professionals reporting directly to him. He has participated in multiple committees supporting the health and safety of employees in association with multiple oil producers here in Kern County for the past 15 years. As well as, actively involved in fighting legislation that negatively impacts our local industry. George is actively involved with the TUHS Oil Academy as well as the Californians for Energy and Science. He is also a mentor for the Holmes Family Scholarship Program.

Troy Burden sits down with George Harmer the Director of Health and Safety for General Production Service. George takes us through the history of the company from when they first opened in 1967 to our year where they now employ over 700 employees! GPS is a full service oil company that is dedicated to the future and is always pushing new and innovative ideas.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GENERAL PRODUCTION SERVICE:

Website: www.genprod.com/

Phone: 661-765-5330

Email: gps@genprod.com

Instagram: @general_production_service

Facebook: General_Production_Service

LinkedIn: GeneralProductionService

LEARN MORE ABOUT CALIUFORNIANS FOR ENERGY AND SCIENCE:

Website: https://energyandscience.com/

LinkedIn: Californians_for_Energy_and_Science

YouTube: Energy_Facts_Chats

188 - 2023 MadoroM Wine Release Apr 14, 2023

Show notes

Andy Amador grew up living, hunting and fishing in the Napa Valley. As an outdoorsman, Andy learned a profound appreciation for the beauty of every part of the valley. As the son of Napa Valley icon and meat cutter Gus Amador, Andy learned the value of great food and drink. As a youth, Andy spent an enormous amount of time in and around vineyards. At age 27, Andy purchased a 188 acre ranch in the eastern Napa Valley. Shortly thereafter, Andy planted 50 acres of vines at the ranch. He then expanded his vineyard holdings and planted a vineyard at the base of Mt. Veeder.

Scott Hanson sits down with Andrew Amador the Owner of MadoroM Vineyards & Winery as he takes us through the history of MadoroM and how his original plan was to use the land as hunting grounds. They discuss their newest wine release as their current stock and how to be featured on their labels. If you are a wine connoisseur or just starting out check out this week's episode.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MadoroM VINEYARDS & WINERY:

Website: https://madorom.com/

Phone: 707-265-8232

Email: info@madorom.com

Instagram: @madoromvineyards

Facebook: MadoroM_Vineyards

LinkedIn: Andy_Amador

187 - Is My Money Safe With Credit Unions? Apr 09, 2023

Show notes

Michael M. George has been in the financial services industry for more than 28 years, having served in various Audit, Marketing, and Operations roles. In his current role as Executive Vice President of Marketing at Safe 1 Credit Union, Michael is responsible for market expansion, product and service development, as well as grassroots, traditional, and social media marketing.

Mary Higgins has worked at Safe 1 Credit Union for nearly 35 years, starting as a teller in 1988. She has worked in almost every area of the Credit Union and now serves as the VP of Operations and Compliance.

Scott Hanson sits down with Michael George and Mary Higgins as they discuss the events leading to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. They outline the many different perks that credit unions offer their clients and how they differ from larger banks. Michael and Mary also discuss how more people are opening CD accounts now that rates are higher. If you had any questions following recent bank closures, tune into this week's episode!

LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFE 1 CREDIT UNION:

Website: www.safe1.org/home/home

Phone: 877-723-3128

Instagram: @safe1cu

Facebook: Safe_1_CU

Twitter: Safe1CU

186 - Bakersfield's Only Comedy Club Mar 31, 2023

Show notes

Daniel Betts is a man of many hats, he is a father, husband, oil and gas worker, business owner, veteran, comedian, and executive director of The Kern County Warrior Gallery. He is a local comedian although he has performed all over from Flappers Comedy Club, to the World Famous Comedy Store in LA, to Afghanistan telling jokes to our forward deployed troops! He has performed with Shawn and Keenan Ivory Wayans and you have most recently seen Daniel at Temblor Brewing Company, performing with Steve Lemme and Kevin Heffernan of Super Troopers as well as Joey Diaz, Theo Von, Joel McHale and many more!

John Duffield and Kyle Jones sit down with Daniel Betts as he tells us how he became the owner of the The Well Comedy Club which also happens to be the only comedy club here in Bakersfield! He takes us through his career journey from going to college for business to how he became involved in comedy. Daniel is also the executive director of Portrait of a Warrior which is a memorial gallery that honors our fallen troops by recognizing the sacrifices they made for our great nation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WELL COMEDY CLUB:

Website: www.thewellcomedyclub.com/

Email: info@thewellcomedyclub.com

Phone: 661-724-6609

Instagram: @thewellcomedyclub

Facebook: The_Well_Comedy_Club

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PORTRAIT OF A WARRIOR GALLERY:

Website: https://kern-warrior.org/

Address: 1925 Eye St, Bakersfield, CA 93301

Phone: 661-479-5095

Instagram: @portrait.of.a.warrior.kern

Facebook: Portrait_of_a_Warrior_Gallery_KernCounty

185 - The Return of 420 Kingdom (RAW Extended Version) Mar 26, 2023

Show notes

Take an inspirational trip with OTC Podcast host Dave Plivelich and his co-host Jon Slikker Jr. as they discover more about 420 Kingdom, a local cannabis business. Jordan Thorn from 420 Kingdom shares insights on the differences between THC and CBD, available forms, benefits, and much more. Listen in as they help dispel some of the misconceptions about cannabis, the state of the industry, and the desire to educate the community. Get the answers to your questions.

LEARN MORE ABOUT 420 KINGDOM:

Website: https://420kingdom.com/

Phone: 661-777-5464

Instagram: @fourtwentykingdom

Facebook: 420_Kingdom

Facebook: FUTURE_FC_Bakersfield_Soccer

184 - The Return of 420 Kingdom Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

Take an inspirational trip with OTC Podcast host Dave Plivelich and his co-host Jon Slikker Jr. as they discover more about 420 Kingdom, a local cannabis business. Jordan Thorn from 420 Kingdom shares insights on the differences between THC and CBD, available forms, and much more. Listen in as they help dispel some of the misconceptions about cannabis, the state of the industry, and the desire to educate the community.

LEARN MORE ABOUT 420 KINGDOM:

Website: https://420kingdom.com/

Phone: 661-777-5464

Instagram: @fourtwentykingdom

Facebook: 420_Kingdom

Facebook: FUTURE_FC_Bakersfield_Soccer

183 - 2023 Tigerfight Golf Tournament Mar 18, 2023

Show notes

Join Dave Plivelich as he attends the 2023 Tigerfight Golf Tournament. Tigerfight aims to raise money to help financially assist local families who are going through pediatric blood cancer treatment. Dave had the opportunity to interview Clint Baird with Brown Armstrong, Garro Ellis with Moneywise and Ryan Tracy Freeborn with Landscape Development.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TIGERFIGHT FOUNDATION:

Website: https://tigerfight.org/about-us/family-stories/

Phone: 661-200-5655

Email: Tigerfight@tigerfight.org

Instagram: @tigerfight_foundation

Facebook: Tigerfight_Foundation

LEARN MORE ABOUT BROWN ARMSTRONG:

Website: https://www.ba.cpa/

Phone: 661-324-4971

Email: info@ba.cpa

Facebook: Brown_Armstrong_CPAs

LinkedIn: @BrownArmstrong

LEARN MORE ABOUT MONEYWISE WEALTH MANAGEMENT:

Website: www.moneywiseguys.com/

Email: info@moneywiseguys.com

Phone: 661-847-1000

Facebook: Moneywise_Wealth_Management

LinkedIn: MoneywiseWealthManagement

Spotify: TheMoneywiseGuysPodcast

Apple Podcast: TheMoneywiseGuysPodcast

Text: 661-396-1000

LEARN MORE ABOUT LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT:

Website: https://landscapedevelopment.com/

Phone: 661-241-5090

Email: info@landscapedevelopment.com

Instagram: Landscape_Development_Inc

Facebook: LandscapeDevelopmentInc

LinkedIn: LandscapeDevelopment

Twitter: @LDI_landscaping

182 - 2023 N.O.R. Business Expo Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

Scott Hanson and Kyle Jones attend the annual NOR Business Expo. The NOR Chamber was founded in 1985 and has aimed towards bringing the community together. There are roughly 30 vendors who attended the event and our hosts had the opportunity to interview seven of them.

Kyle Jones interviewed Paula McCune with Damsel in Defense, as she explains how their goal is to prepare and prevent people from attacks. Kyle interviewed Alfred Valenzula, the current President of the NOR Chamber and owner of Executive Copier Solutions. His goal is to help small businesses and nonprofits grow by providing them with low cost printing options. Scott Hanson interviewed Miriam Alqaisi the owner of Radio Sandwich as she explains their late night events and how her business started from looking at a "For Lease" sign. Kyle interviewed Kailey Salinas the Public Relations Manager and Grant Writer for Teen challenge as she explains that Teen Challenge is for adults 18 or older who are suffering with life controlling addiction. It is a one year program that is completely free for anyone who would like to join. Scott interviewed Randy Chistiensen with Employer Training Resources, a local agency that helps find the perfect employees for local businesses.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE N.O.R. CHAMBER:

Website: www.norchamber.org/

Phone: 661-873-4709

Instagram: @norchamber

Facebook: North_of_the_River

LinkedIn: NOR_Chamber_of_Commerce

LEARN MORE ABOUT DANNY HILL:

Website: https://rewind981.com/

Email: dannyhill@rewind981.com

Phone: 559-213-0173

Instagram: @djDannyHill

Facebook: Danny_Hill