In this episode, we’re joined by Brian Brady, the operations lead at Harvest Eco-Salvage, a company deeply rooted in sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. With years of experience in asset recovery and eco-salvage operations, Brian brings a keen focus on turning reclaimed materials into renewed opportunities.

Brian will share how Harvest Eco-Salvage contributes to the La Jolla/San Diego region’s circular economy—recovering, repurposing, and redirecting materials to minimize waste while supporting local design, construction, and creative industries. Through his work, we learn about the challenges of managing salvage operations, the benefits of sustainability for homeowners and businesses, and how the company makes a tangible difference for our community and environment.

Join us for a fascinating conversation on how one business is helping redefine “waste” as a resource and how La Jolla is part of that story.

In this episode, we feature Karen Roque, the Director of Sales & Operations for the Jim McInerney Real Estate Team in La Jolla. With over a decade of experience in real estate, title and escrow coordination, and office management, Karen plays a crucial role in ensuring transactions run smoothly, contracts are compliant, and clients receive exceptional service.

Karen shares her behind-the-scenes perspective on handling complex oceanfront and luxury residential deals in the San Diego market. She discusses how her operational expertise, attention to detail, and problem-solving mindset help the team deliver consistent results and support both buyers and sellers effectively.

Join us for a revealing look at how the wheels of a top-performing real estate team turn featuring one of the people who keeps it all moving.

In Episode 60, we welcome back Ann Kerr, Chair of the beloved La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival, one of the community’s most cherished annual traditions.

Ann shares the rich history behind this festive event, which brings together residents, local organizations, and visitors to celebrate the holiday season in true La Jolla spirit. From the dazzling floats and marching bands to classic cars, community groups, and special performances, the parade captures the magic of the season along Girard Avenue and Prospect Street.

She also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to organize such a massive community effort—from coordinating volunteers and sponsors to ensuring every detail shines bright on parade day.

Tune in to hear how the La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival continues to unite the community through joy, tradition, and holiday cheer—thanks to the dedication and leadership of Ann Kerr and her incredible team.

In this episode, we sit down with Wendy Moore, Executive Director of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting our region’s firefighters, lifeguards, and first responders.

Wendy shares how the Foundation steps in to provide vital resources and funding where city budgets stop—supporting equipment needs, training programs, wellness initiatives, and community safety outreach. She also talks about their visionary efforts to develop a Health & Safety Wellness Center designed to care for first responders with services like cardiac and cancer screening, physical therapy, nutrition programs, and mental health support.

We explore the Foundation’s impact across the community through wildfire preparedness events, youth education, and strategic partnerships that strengthen safety, resilience, and public awareness.

Join us as Wendy offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation uplifts those who protect us and how La Jolla and the greater community can play a role in their mission.

In Episode 57, we welcome Kim Kelly and Carol Kaplan, the creative minds behind Everything Creative Designs, a San Diego-area staging and design firm serving La Jolla and its surrounding communities.

Carol Kaplan, the Founder and Creative Director, has built a reputation as a staging and redesign expert. With over a decade of experience, she leads the team in helping homeowners, sellers, and real estate agents present their spaces at their absolute best. Her design aesthetic often brings vibrant color, thoughtful layout, and market-savvy staging strategies to the forefront.

Kim Kelly works closely with Carol, contributing her talent in staging, redesign, and the meticulous attention to detail that helps homes show well and sell faster. The duo specialize in home staging, interior redesign, color consulting, and furniture selection. Their approach is both artistic and pragmatic—balancing beauty with market appeal.

In our conversation, Kim and Carol share how they collaborate from concept to execution, how they tailor design to each property, and what makes staging in La Jolla unique. They’ll also talk about some of their proudest projects and how design can help homes not just look beautiful—but tell a story.

Tune in for an inside look at how Everything Creative Designs blends creativity, strategy, and community impact in every space they shape.

In Episode 56, we welcome Ron Jones and Mike Mazaika, the duo behind La Jolla Insiders, a local media platform dedicated to showcasing the stories, history, and hidden gems that make La Jolla truly unique.

Ron, a La Jolla resident for more than 40 years, brings a wealth of experience from his background in radio, television, and live events, including hosting La Jolla Concerts by the Sea for nearly two decades. Mike, after a distinguished career in aerospace engineering and executive leadership, has turned his passion toward community storytelling and highlighting the cultural richness of La Jolla.

Together, they created La Jolla Insiders to go beyond the typical tourist perspective—sharing authentic stories of the people, places, and traditions that define this coastal gem.

Join us as Ron and Mike share their favorite discoveries, memorable conversations, and the inspiration behind their mission to help everyone experience La Jolla like a true insider.

In this episode, we sit down with Jeny Dawson, founder of Zen Soul Balance, La Jolla’s holistic wellness brand focused on the integration of yoga, sound healing, mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork.

Jeny shares how her mission deeply influenced by her personal story and her sister Olivia’s experience with cerebral palsy led her to create Zen Soul Balance, a space where people from all walks of life can begin their holistic healing journey. She holds multiple certifications (Yin yoga, Hatha, sound facilitation, holistic health coaching, etc.), and works closely with healthcare providers and nonprofits to bring wellness programming to underserved communities.

You’ll hear about how she blends practices like therapeutic stretching, sound baths, restorative yoga, and breathwork to help people calm their minds, release tension, and reconnect with themselves. Jeny also discusses her outreach work—how she’s offering free and low-cost wellness events, and her vision for building resilience and joy through community-centered wellness.

In this episode, we are honored to feature Mary Coakley Munk, co-founder and President of the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans.

Mary and her late husband, Dr. Walter Munk, started the Foundation in 2017 to carry forward his remarkable legacy of oceanographic exploration, scientific discovery, and devotion to the marine environment. The Foundation is dedicated to advancing ocean science, promoting earth science education, and championing ocean conservation.

Mary shares her personal journey from moving to La Jolla Shores in 2000, engaging deeply with the local community, and founding Friends of La Jolla Shores, to helping launch impactful projects such as educational plazas in public parks, bronze sculptures, and playgrounds. These efforts reflect her passion for preserving public spaces and raising environmental awareness in creative, tangible ways.

Join us as Mary discusses the Foundation’s current work: field-trips and outreach for youth, partnerships in conservation (including initiatives for the “Mobula munkiana” ray), educational projects around Lake Altaussee, and how her leadership seeks to engage people of all ages in caring for our oceans. It’s an inspiring conversation about vision, legacy, and action in La Jolla and beyond.