Dr. Lauren Guerra is a dedicated lecturer in Chicana/Chicano & Central American Studies at UCLA and the heart behind Gold Hoops & God, a podcast that uplifts and empowers Millennial Latinas to embrace their purpose with confidence and faith. On this episode of SoCal Voices, host Angela Ross speaks with Dr. G about her upbringing in Los Angeles and how it shaped both her academic mission and her spiritual calling. She also shares powerful thoughts on the recent protests against ICE raids and offers guidance on how to stay rooted in faith and hope as our country faces turbulent times.

Resources:

Gold Hoops & God Podcast

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The rich legacy of Negro League Baseball was front and center at Moreno Valley's Woodland Park on May 31 during the Community Softball Game organized by James Harris, founder of the African American History presentation series, UnVeiled: History in Focus. SoCal Voices was on hand to cheer for the players, meet members of the community, and give away a Negro League Baseball Bomber Jacket.

In this inspiring episode, SoCal Voices host Angela Ross sits down with Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera to reflect on the power of community-driven events and their deeper cultural significance. Recorded live at the celebration honoring the Negro Leagues, Mayor Cabrera shares why it's vital to preserve and spotlight history—especially stories rooted in resilience, equity, and social justice.

From discussing Moreno Valley’s role as one of California’s most diverse cities to envisioning its growth over the next five years, the mayor outlines a future rich with opportunity, inclusive development, and civic pride. The Mayor also talks about SoCal’s unmatched diversity, the iconic “M” mountain, and what makes Moreno Valley feel like home.

Events like Moreno Valley’s Community Softball Game honor the past and inspire the future. By remembering the struggles and triumphs of those who came before us, we strengthen the cultural fabric of our cities and empower the next generation to lead with awareness, pride, and purpose.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about how this event got started! Check out the April 10 SoCal Voices Podcast episode featuring Negro League Community Softball Game organizer James Harris.

Celebrate the legacy of Negro League Baseball throughout the year with the Black Baseball Greats Collection by visionary artist Kelly Jackson, owner of Skillz Recognize Skillz Clothing Brand & Print Shop. You will find unique, original apparel and prints that pay tribute to the great legacy of Negro League Baseball players.

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As a teenager, Kim Valentine found herself without a home. Today, she’s the founder and president of Operation Helping Hands SoCal, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the unhoused rebuild their lives. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Valentine opens up about her journey from surviving the streets to creating change—and calls on all of us to replace our judgement of homeless people with empathy and action. Her story reminds us that when compassion meets commitment, healing is possible and lives can be transformed. After hearing her story, you might see SoCal’s homeless differently and become a more effective advocate for this vulnerable population.

Resources

Operation Helping Hands SoCal

Enjoy the Show?

Leave a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcasts or socalvoices.com.

Get the SoCal Voices Newsletter.
Subscribe to the SoCal Voices Newsletter and receive a free copy of our e-book Making Friends in SoCal.

Looking for your next adventure in SoCal? There’s lots to enjoy from San Diego to Ventura. Book with our affiliate partner, Viator.

Follow SoCal Voices on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn @socalvoices.

Follow Host Angela Ross on LinkedIn.

Want to be a guest on SoCal Voices? Reach out to host Angela Ross on PodMatch. Here’s where you can join: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/socalvoices.

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For many Southern Californians, the January wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena are like distant memories, but for those directly impacted, the devastation remains a daily reality. Recovery can be difficult and painfully slow.

Los Angeles filmmaker, writer, and photographer Shiloh Strong lost his home in a 2009 wildfire and struggled to get his life back on track. He rediscovered his sense of purpose when he picked up a camera again. Today, he’s working to help fellow creatives impacted by the LA fires regain their footing.

In this second installment of SoCal Voices’ series on the aftermath of the LA Fires, host Angela Ross speaks with Strong about Ashes to Films, his nonprofit initiative and film festival aimed at helping filmmakers and other creatives rebuild their lives.

Resources

Ashes to Films

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Get the SoCal Voices Newsletter. Subscribe to the SoCal Voices Newsletter and receive a free copy of our e-book Making Friends in SoCal.

Looking for your next adventure in SoCal? There’s lots to enjoy from San Diego to Ventura. Book with our affiliate partner, Viator.

Follow SoCal Voices on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn @socalvoices.

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Want to be a guest on SoCal Voices? Reach out to host Angela Ross on PodMatch. Here’s where you can join: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/socalvoices.

Support SoCal Voices. Thank you for listening! Support SoCal Voices Podcast. Your contributions help us continue to bring you quality content about living and thriving in Southern California. It’s easy! Just click this link:

Support the show

Southern California is bursting with creative energy — and for many, there’s a book inside just waiting to be written. But getting it published can be a huge challenge. Redlands author Tracy Wise experienced this as she worked to find a publisher for her debut novella, Madame Sorel’s Lodger. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Wise describes her journey from writing the book to finding her publishing home at Type 18 Books. If you've ever felt that urge to tell your story — that book burning inside you — don’t miss this conversation. Tracy’s story might just be the spark that gets you from dream to published reality.

Resources

Get the book: Madame Sorel’s Lodger

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Have you thought about leaving corporate life to pursue your passion? In this episode of SoCal Voices you’ll meet a woman who experienced a major life-changing moment that led her to pivot from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, and she never looked back.

As founder of Women Podcasters Network and the Women Podcasters Awards, Jennifer Henczel has built a successful and fulfilling mission-driven organization providing resources and tools that elevate and celebrate independent women podcasters. SoCal Voices won Best Regional Podcast in Henczel’s inaugural Women Podcasters Awards and is a sponsor in the 2025 Women Podcasters Awards.

You don’t have to be a podcaster to be inspired by Henczel’s story. If you’ve been thinking about saying goodbye to corporate life to pursue your passion, check out this episode. Henczel’s journey might inspire your next move!

Resources

Learn more about the Women Podcasters Awards.

Enjoy the Show? Leave a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcasts or socalvoices.com.

Subscribe to the free, monthly SoCal Voices Newsletter! To thank you for subscribing, we’ll send you Making Friends in SoCal, a free e-guide to building meaningful friendships in our vast and busy region.

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Support SoCal Voices Thank you for listening! Support SoCal Voices Podcast. Your contributions help us continue producing quality content about living and thriving in Southern California. It’s easy! Just click this link:

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A community softball game commemorating the iconic legacy of Negro League Baseball is happening Saturday, May 31, 1pm - 4pm, at Woodland Park in Moreno Valley. The game is being organized by returning SoCal Voices Podcast guest James Harris, known to many in the Inland Empire as author of the children’s book Corey’s Courtroom, emcee for a number of major local events, and presenter of the African American History series, Unveiled. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Harris talks about what inspires his community involvement, his vision for the upcoming community softball game, and how you can participate if you’d like to play, or just come out and enjoy a fun, uplifting and informative afternoon!

Resources for the Negro League Community Softball Game in Moreno Valley: This event is open to the entire community! Come enjoy the fun and learn about the history and legacy of Negro League Baseball:

Players, sign up here. No experience required to play.

Not playing? No problem, but you still need to register to attend. Register at this Eventbrite link today!

On game day, May 31, stop by the SoCal Voices table to say hello to SoCal Voices Creator & Host, Angela Ross, and enter the SoCal Voices Negro League Baseball Bomber Jacket Giveaway! No purchase necessary to enter, must be present to win.

Looking for some cool t-shirts and hoodies honoring Black Baseball heroes of the past? Check out artist and Riverside native Kelly Jackson’s apparel, Skillz Clothing-Skillz Rekognize Skillz.

Enjoy the Show? Leave a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcasts or socalvoices.com.

Subscribe to the free, monthly SoCal Voices Newsletter! To thank you for subscribing, we’ll send you Making Friends in SoCal, a free e-guide to building meaningful friendships in our vast and busy region.

Get your SoCal Voices Merch Shop our store today!

Looking for your next adventure in SoCal? There’s lots to enjoy from San Diego to Ventura. Book with our affiliate partner, Viator.

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Support SoCal Voices

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Support the show

As Founder of the California Society of Extraordinary Women, Shirley Coates is the powerhouse behind this Riverside-based nonprofit that’s changing girls’ lives and helping them thrive. Her Ignite Leadership & STEM Academy helps student participants see themselves in ways they may not have considered before, as extraordinary leaders, inspiring them to reach levels of educational, professional and financial achievement beyond their expectations. If you are interested in women’s empowerment and don’t know Shirley Coates, you should. In this episode of SoCal Voices, you will meet a remarkable woman whose vision and mission are positively impacting the lives of girls and women in STEM and beyond.

Resources

The California Society of Extraordinary Women

Enjoy the Show?

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Subscribe to the free, monthly SoCal Voices Newsletter!
To thank you for subscribing, we’ll send you Making Friends in SoCal, a free e-guide to building meaningful friendships in our vast and busy region.

Shop SoCal Voices Merch

Shop our store today!

Looking for your next adventure in SoCal? There’s lots to enjoy from San Diego to Ventura. Book with our affiliate partner, Viator.

Follow SoCal Voices on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn @socalvoices

Follow Host Angela Ross on LinkedIn

Support SoCal Voices

Thank you for listening! Support SoCal Voices Podcast. Your contributions help us continue to bring you quality content about living and thriving in Southern California. It’s easy! Just click this link:

Support the show