Rafael Payare is the Music Director for the San Diego Symphony. Born in Venezuela and having studied in the acclaimed El Sistema music program, Rafael soon found himself traveling the globe playing the horn before eventually becoming a conductor himself and finding a home here in San Diego. In this episode, Rafael discusses the role of the conductor as a storyteller and program director, how a symphony orchestra is an integral part of any modern community and how it can teach us a lot about...

Rosy Vasquez is the CEO and Founder of Community Through Hope, a South Bay organization providing innovative, trauma-informed services for the unsheltered that honor equity and offer hope. When Rosy was sentenced to 90 days in jail for a white-collar crime she was compelled to work with her community to provide nutrition, support, and care for individuals who often did not have a network of support. In this episode, Rosy makes the case for pushing beyond what services are currently available...

In this episode of Stop & Talk with Grant Oliphant, john powell discusses how to apply the concept of belonging without othering. Dubbed the father of belonging, john encourages San Diego County to become a "region of belonging" to further a future where everyone belongs. This episode is a precursor to the community panel where local leaders discuss how they are building belonging within their organizations.  john a. powell (who spells his name in lowercase in the belief that we should...

David Miyashiro is the Superintendent of Cajon Valley Union School District. The district consists of more than 17,000 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Under David’s leadership, The White House recognized Cajon Valley School District as one of the “Top 35 District Leaders in Personalized Learning.” As a self-described educator and public servant, David and his team identify opportunities and adapt them for schools in partnership with people across the region. He works to build the...

Felicia Shaw is the Executive Director of the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition (SDRACC). In this episode of Stop & Talk, Felicia uplifts the labor of artists and how they make our communities safer and more dynamic while contributing to a more robust economy. She makes the case that artists deserve to be a line item in any budget. She believes artists express the human experience and push boundaries, making San Diego a vibrant region. Felicia dispels the myth and the validity...

Dr. Daniel “Dan” Calac is the Chief Medical Officer at the Indian Health Council. As a boy, he grew up on the Pauma Indian Reservation, the community he serves today. In this episode of Stop & Talk, Dan recalls waiting in the car while his mother, a nurse, performed exams for residents of the reservation before returning to the Indian Health Clinic. With a dad who was a community health representative and an uncle who was one of the last medicine men in the area – Dan had ample...

Dr. Svasti Haricharan is a scientist at the Sanford Burnham Prebys in La Jolla. Her lab focuses on the role of DNA damage repair in inducing resistance to endocrine therapy in breast cancer. Early in her career, she would have to present her research over IPA beers in the UK. (She learned to love beer as she connected with her scientific community.) While completing her postdoctoral training in Texas, her boss asked her to help him write a grant application on cancer disparities and how race...

Stop and Talk is a new weekly, placed-based, podcast hosted by Grant Oliphant (CEO of the Conrad Prebys Foundation). A veteran of both podcasting and philanthropy – Grant invites us on a journey to explore building an intentional culture of deeper connection to advance wellness in the greater San Diego region. In this introductory teaser, Grant discusses how the foundation will use the podcast as a tool for learning, connection, and envisioning our shared future.