Tune in tonight to the What To Be Show at 7pm on KSQD Santa Cruz, Ksquid, 90.7fm and streaming at KSQD.org to hear from Cabrillo College President Dr. Matt Wetstein.  Matt shares his career journey and why community college is so important to him and to our society.  Cabrillo College KSQD 90.7 FM Community Radio

Dr. Matt Wetstein | Cabrillo College President

Tune in this evening at 7pm to listen to the What To Be Show on KSQD 90.7 FM Community Radio and streaming at KSQD.org to hear from National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) marine biologist Lisa Uttal.  Hear what it's like being a marine scientist for a government institution like NOAA for over 13 years.  Lisa shares some of her favorite projects like working in the community sharing her love of marine science and why it is vitally important to protect our national treasure, the Monterey bay marine sanctuary.

Lisa Uttal | Marine Biologist NOAA

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Michael Sakellis. Michael is the Facility Supervisor for the California State Parks North Pajaro Sector. We hear what it's like helping keep our beautiful State Parks in our county operating smoothly, especially with a large influx of visitors due to the pandemic. Michael also shares why his job is not only important to himself, but to society. Tune in to find out more!

Michael Sakellis | California State Parks Facility Supervisor Pajaro North Sector

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Nora Caruso. Nora shares her meaningful life journey from graduating from UC San Diego with a degree in sociology and psychology to teaching English in Japan, to now working for the Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center as their Program Director. We hear about some of the challenges and silver linings in running a childcare center through a different last few years.

Nora Caruso | Program Director Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center

Dante served in the U.S. Navy as a Farsi translator from 2008-2013. After discharging from the Navy he got a position with Manpower as a Staffing Specialist, which was his first job in Human Resources. He then went on to work as a Recruiter for Santa Cruz County for a few years, and then got a position at Joby Aviation as a Human Resources Generalist. Hi is currently serving in this role, while also training to become an Employment Attorney through Monterey College of Law. 

Tune in to learn more about Dante’s career journey!

Dante Searcy | Joby Aviation Human Reasources Generalist

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Senator John Laird. 

John Laird represents the 17th State Senate District, which includes all of Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties, the majority of Monterey County, as well as parts of Santa Clara County. He previously served as the Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, member of the State Integrated Waste Management Board, a member of the State Assembly, Executive Director of the Santa Cruz Aids Project, and two terms as Santa Cruz Mayor. His lifetime of public service and social justice advocacy saw him become one of the first openly gay mayors to serve in the United States. Senator Laird has been a long-time resident of Santa Cruz with his spouse John Flores.

John Laird | California State Senator

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Eric Thiermann. 

Eric Thiermann is an Academy Award-nominated short doc film producer and cinematographer, founder of Impact Creative in Santa Cruz. He has lensed hundreds of environmental and socially relevant documentaries and countless videos for fortune 500 companies during the past 40 years. His fascination with story-telling and new media converged in Connected Universe, a force majeure for virtual education.

Tune in to learn more about Eric Thiermann’s career journey!

Eric Thiermann | Founder Impact Creative, Producer & Cinematographer

Tune in today at 7 PM to the What to Be Show on KSQD 90.7 FM Community Radio to hear from Jamie Lyons. 

Jamie is an avid surfer, educator, writer, filmmaker, sailor and stage director who received an AB and PhD from Stanford University. “With The Iota, I construct site-specific performances of the fragmentary plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. As co-founder artistic director of Collected Works I co directed a site specific production of Jean Genet’s The Balcony at the Old Mint in San Francisco. My other experiences in theatre include work at the Mark Taper Forum, Magic Theatre, The Public Theatre, La Mama ETC, PS122, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and for six years at the avant-garde New York-based theatre company, Mabou Mines. In recent years I have taught at Stanford University, UCLA, UCSC, USF, Yale, and San Quentin State Prison. 

Tune in to learn more about Jamie’s great career story.

Jamie Lyons | Artist, Educator, Writer, Filmmaker & Stage Director

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Chef Dean Busiere.

Deane has cooked on live TV and has done extensive 
demonstration cooking and culinary arts instruction at
schools and businesses. He has served
on ecological awareness and wellness
committees throughout his career and
is dedicated to delivering healthy food
and promoting wellness in the
communities he serves. Deane has
over 35 years of cooking experience.
He is a graduate of the Culinary
Institute of America and holds HACCP
management certification.

Tune in to learn more about Dean's inspiring career journey.

Dean Bussiere | Chef

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from local business owner and entertainer Joe Ferrara.

For 47 years, Atlantis has provided the Santa Cruz, California community with a comfortable-themed entertainment store for the whole family. Atlantis has had three locations over our time in business.  The first, a 2000 square foot wooden building, circa 1930, originally housed a family grocery store.  The comic book store scenes that appear in the popular cult movie “The Lost Boys” were filmed in this location.  Atlantis operated in this building for thirteen years until the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged it beyond repair.  In Santa Cruz, more than forty downtown businesses were damaged in this devastating earthquake.  Atlantis was forced to relocate into an 800 square foot section of a 6,000 square foot tent.  This pavilion/tent and seven similar structures were built by the city on the parking lots of what remained of downtown.  What was to be a six-month temporary arrangement for Atlantis became a business saving solution lasting three years. In 1992, Atlantis found its permanent home in the newly constructed retail space adjacent to the downtown parking garage.  Originally occupying 1,000 square feet, Atlantis expanded in 1994 to its current size of 1,600 square feet of retail space.  The expansion, named the “U.S.S. Atlantis”, simulates the engineering deck of a Starship.  A monitor screen, catwalk to a Jeffries Tube, simulated warp engine, and four red alert lights, add realism to the design. On the back wall is a full mural of the engineering station, and through airbrushed windows you can see the U.S.S. Enterprise in orbit around Planet Earth. In 1996 four years after moving to what is hopefully our final location Atlantis was selected as the 1996 recipient of the “Will Eisner Spirit of Comics” Retailers Award.
We like to think that Atlantis is not only a place to shop, but also a destination for entertainment and fun.The most important tool for successful customer service is a good staff. We are proud of our staff members, past and present, and feel that their contribution played a significant role in Atlantis Fantasyworld’s selection as the 1996 recipient of the “Will Eisner Spirit of Comics” Retailer Award.

 San Jose native Joe Ferrara has been entertaining audiences from Santa Cruz to San Francisco since his first gig at the Grog and Sirloin in Los Gatos in 1968.  Joe’s rich baritone voice and comfort with his audience have attracted fans of all ages.  Joe entertained every week at the Grapesteak (now Café Cruz) in Capitola from 1976-1989, Portola House Restaurant in Santa Cruz from 1980-1989. His repertoire includes over 1,500 songs from a variety of genres including Folk, Rock, Standards, and Show Tunes. Joe performed every Friday night in the Rock Room Lounge of the Shadowbrook Restaurant from 2007 to 2020. Now Joe performs Sunday nights once a month at The Cats in Los Gatos where he had played since 1989 and Joe every Tuesday evening from 6:00 - 8:00pm at Pono Hawaiian Grill in downtown Santa Cruz.

Joe Ferrara | Atlantis Fantasy World & Entertainer

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Nik Altenberg.

Nik is an early-career journalist currently working as a copy editor and fact checker for Santa Cruz Local and as a newscast intern for KQED. She earned a degree in Latin American and Latinx Studies from UCSC. Her goal is to tell stories that make connections and cross borders. @nikaltenberg.

Tune in to learn more about Nik's career journey!

Nik Altenberg | Journalist

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Heather Rogers.

Heather has been a public defender for nearly 20 years in the state and federal courts. Heather has handled cases at every stage of litigation, from arraignment through trial and appeal. She has represented clients accused of offenses from delinquency to homicide, defended detainees incarcerated at Guantánamo Naval Base in Guantánamo, Cuba, and argued cases in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Heather is honored to serve as the first Public Defender of Santa Cruz County, her birthplace and home. Before her appointment, Heather served as a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County.

Tune in today to learn more about Heather’s career journey!

PC: Kevin Painchaud/Lookout Santa Cruz

Heather Rogers | Public Defender of Santa Cruz County

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Executive Salesman Sean Bigley.

"I was born in Boston and grew up in the East Bay area of Northern California. I grew up very much involved in sports & played college baseball. I enjoy sports, fitness, cooking, writing, coffee & punk rock music. I have a side fitness business and for most of my professional career, I've been a sales executive. Companies I've worked for are Xerox, Ikon, WebEx, and VSP(vision service plan)."

Tune in today to learn more about Sean's career journey!

Sean Bigley | Executive Sales

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Bibianna Rocha.

Bibianna is the Tax Collection Supervisor at the County of Santa Cruz with ten years of accounting, human resources, and outreach experience. She utilizes this experience to ensure the Tax Collector’s Office follows the laws required for collection of Property Tax, Cannabis Business Tax, Transient Occupancy Tax, and Cup Tax while effectively communicating with the public.
 
Bibianna was born and raised in Northern California in a small town called Live Oak where she found her passion to volunteer and give back to her Latino community. In 2020, Bibianna distributed over 10,000 masks to farmworkers in South County in the height of the COVID pandemic. Bibianna also created the first ever Rally in the Pajaro Valley softball tournament to raise funds for a local youth organization and encourage team building among nonprofit agencies. Since moving to Watsonville in 2019, she has served on several Board of Directors and Committees for the following nonprofits: Encompass Community Services, United Way, and Central Coast Early Childhood Advocacy Network. She currently serves as a member for the Data and Equity Group within the county to ensure the county is putting into action the new equity statement that was unanimously passed in October 2023.
 
In addition, Bibianna is a mother of two young children and hopes to instill the same passion to volunteer in her children.

Tune in today to learn more about Bibianna’s career journey!

Bibianna Rocha | Tax Collection Supervisor County of Santa Cruz

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Nick Calubaquib. 

For more than 25 years, Nick has worked in the parks and recreation profession, serving the cities of Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Watsonville and Morgan Hill. He served as the Recreation Superintendent for the City of Watsonville from 2004-2011 and returned to the City in 2018, where he currently serves as the Parks and Community Services Director, managing the City’s 26 parks and extensive recreation programs. Nick received his Master’s in Recreation Management in 2007 from San Jose State, where he has also served as a part time lecturer.  Over the years, he has been very involved with the California Parks and Recreation Society, serving on a number of statewide committees and holding a variety of local and statewide board positions. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Community Bridges and Black Surf Santa Cruz and volunteers for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. When he is not creating recreational opportunities for others, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, surfing, skiing and training for triathlons. 

Tune in today to learn more about Nick’s career journey!

Nick Calubaquib | Parks and Community Services Director for the City of Watsonville

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Dr. Paula Sims.

“I am a creative thinker who approaches long-contemplated ideas and reframes them. In doing so, I offer new discussions that lead to new approaches and solutions when necessary. I have a B.A. in Liberal Arts and studied at Baldwin-Wallace College in the Conservatory of Music where I also studied Psychology and Communication. My M.A. is in Counseling Psy and I hold a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Achieving advanced degrees as a single mother. It has been my honor to work with private non-profits, corporations, government agencies, and in higher education. I just started a new venture as a freelance writer that utilizes some of my prior experience, providing me with an outlet for my thoughts. I think it is of ultimate importance for someone to be true to themselves and their beliefs so I will never leave the social work side of myself on the doorstep that work will always be important. My forte' is looking for creative ways to tackle roadblocks through strategizing and thinking out of the box. If there is a great idea but it hasn't quite taken shape, I can move it from a work in fiction translating it into a viable work plan in the real world. I take pleasure in uniting people and moving them toward realizing common goals. My demeanor is always professional; however, I have a warm and engaging style and never lack a sense of humor.
 
Specialties: writing, editing, presenting, training, creating strategic plans along with their implementation, counseling, conceptualizing, advising, and investigative research. I have acquired a diverse expanse of knowledge spanning a wide range of topics. I believe I can speak just as well to theoretical frameworks, assessment, and problem-solving strategies moving from realistic to ethereal. I am comfortable speaking to sports and science just as well as I am at ease in addressing those in health, beauty, and spirituality. If you'd like to speak with me about employment possibilities please get in touch with me. I'm open to chat.”

Tune in today to learn more about Paula’s career journey!

Dr. Paula Sims | Clinical Psychologist & Teacher at CSUMB

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Morgan Guerra. 

“Hi I’m Morgan Guerra a fashion journalist. My initial work experiences in retail layed the groundwork for my future in fashion. I held leadership positions, trained new hires, and ran the sales floor, learning the most about personal style by witnessing others purchase their own. While pursuing a Communications degree at Cabrillo College, I was offered a trial to write a fashion column for Growing up in Santa Cruz. After interviewing the most stylish people I could find downtown and writing about the apparent trends in Santa Cruz, I fell in love with Fashion Journalism. I get to meet so many wonderful people and advertise small retail businesses in Santa Cruz by collaborating with creatives during my interviews and I cannot wait to see what the future brings.” Tune in today to learn more about Morgan’s career journey!

Morgan Guerra | Fashion Journalist

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show on @ksqdradio to hear from Andy Pancakes. With Fourteen years of courting the Santa Cruz music scene, Andy Pankakes has won the hearts of every audience he’s engaged with, converting them to the glorious wonders of Breakfast Music. Andy has developed a personal sound and style that seamlessly blends elements of funk, soul, jazz, punk and folk throughout which he maintains a poignant purposeful voice. His instrumental ideas are energetic and compelling while his lyrics call his listeners to be In The Moment, to Do Their Thing, and to feel a little Special sometimes. Characterized by exuberance, audience participation, and a truly endearing and memorable personality and style, Andy has won over crowd after crowd, amassing a tight knit yet extensive following. Tune in today to learn more about Andy’s career journey!

Andy Pancakes | Musician & Artist

Tune in to this episode of the the What to Be Show on @ksqdradio to hear from Taylor Lahey.  Taylor Lahey is an artist, designer, and children’s author.

He began his career designing for technology startups where he thrived in small teams that empowered him to take initiative. From 2018-2023 he worked with a cryptocurrency startup called Celo Foundation that is building a more democratic and equitable, global financial system. Celo Foundation expanded his work experience into brand identity, user research, event design, and art direction. The company’s leadership taught him about the power of storytelling to lead communities.

In 2019, Celo Foundation exposed him to a story that would become the basis for his children’s book titled ‘Câmbio’. In 2023, Taylor left his job to write, direct, and self-publish his book out of his personal studio. Taylor Lahey Studio is a space for him to create his own artwork and creative solutions for clients aligned to his values and personal mission.

Taylor is passionate about urbanism, visionary leadership, and community organizing. In his spare time he runs in the redwoods, makes mosaics, and enjoys the beach with his partner and dog.  Tune in today to learn more about Taylor’s career journey!

Taylor Lahey |  Children’s Author. Artist & Designer

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show on @ksqdradio to hear from Lisa Berkley.  Lisa A. Berkley’s life’s work is dedicated to how we thrive, as individuals and society.  As a former elected official in Marina, California, she is faculty at the University of California, Santa Cruz where she is also Founding Director of Crown College’s Resiliency and Well-Being Program. Dr. Berkley is President of the Institute for Inner Economy, a non-partisan think tank dedicated to operationalizing positive peace and establishing healthy governance at the local, national, and international level. With more than 30 years teaching and working in individual and community holistic well-being, her visionary work has been written about in multiple international publications. 

Lisa has been a global advocate for women and girls for more than 30 years. She is the Founding President of Women In International Security’s U.S. West Coast Chapter (WIISWest) and holds a B.A. in Environmental Science and Economics, an M.A. in International Policy, focusing on Counterterrorism and Transitional Justice, and both an M.A. and PhD in Leadership and Change. Dr. Berkley is the co-author of the book chapter “Female Leadership for Peace and Human Security: A Case Study of Israel/Palestine,” which can be found in Women and Leadership Around the World, Vol. III (Information Age Publishing, 2015); most recently she has contributed to and co-edited  Leadership at the Spiritual Edge: Emerging and Non-Western Concepts of Leadership and Spirituality (Routledge, 2024). Tune in Sunday to learn more about Lisa’s career journey!

Dr. Lisa Berkley | Founding Director of Crown College’s Resiliency and Well-Being Program, University of California Santa Cruz

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show on @ksqdradio to hear from Brian Sweeney. “I am a manager of sustainable agricultural and food related projects with more than 10 years of experience working within the private sector, NGO’s, and non-profit organizations. I am also an educator and trainer of programs supporting communities transitioning from conventional agriculture to resilient climate friendly methods. My managerial experience includes design and development of commercial vegetable, fruit, and livestock operations. This included transitions to organic techniques, land restoration, research to support data driven decisions, and team supervision. As an educator I have created agriculture and nutrition curriculum, as well as trained educators. My education includes studies in environmental protection and justice, with a focus on climate solutions. My academic and professional work have been carried out in many regions of United States, Latin America, and Africa.” Tune in today to learn more about Brian’s career journey!

Brian Sweeney | Director of Operations at The Homeless Garden Project

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show on @ksqdradio to hear from Wills Tuthill.  With a diverse career spanning education, geology, environmental systems, and fashion, Wills has consistently demonstrated adaptability and expertise across industries. Since 2017, they have served as a Science Release Teacher at Ann Soldo Elementary School in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, designing and delivering NGSS-aligned STEAM lessons for 3rd and 4th graders. Their approach emphasizes equity in education, employing hands-on experiments, visuals, and differentiated assessments to engage English learners and native speakers alike. Previously, from 2012 to 2016, they worked as a Staff Geologist with Remediation Risk Management, where they led environmental investigations, coordinated with regulatory agencies, and prepared comprehensive reports to address soil and groundwater contamination. Earlier in their career, they contributed to energy efficiency as a Service Technician for Environmental Automation Inc. and managed end-to-end operations at Du Aime Fashion Ltd., overseeing tailored clothing and uniform production. Across roles, they have consistently combined technical proficiency, innovative problem-solving, and strong interpersonal skills to deliver exceptional results.  Tune in today to learn more about Wills career journey!

Wills Tuthill | Science Teacher & Geologist

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show on @ksqdradio to hear from Anita Aguirre.  Anita Aguirre, MPH, began at Santa Cruz Community Health as the CEO in January 2024 and has spent her career supporting community health centers and the diverse communities they serve. Her career began more than 30 years earlier as a volunteer at SCCH’s Women’s Health Center, which led her to pursue a career in health as she saw it as an extension of her feminist values. Before joining SCCH, she held multiple leadership positions at Salud Para La Gente, including Deputy Director, Chief Compliance Officer, and Chief of Clinic Operations, where she served for over ten years. Anita spent the first part of her career working throughout California, directing training and technical assistance and developing plain-language health education materials for health centers implementing sexual and reproductive health and maternal and child health programs under contract with the California Department of Public Health and the US Office of Population Affairs. A health educator by training, she believes in the importance of walking alongside and being a trusted source of information for health center patients in their health and well-being journey.  Tune in to learn more about Anita’s career journey!

Anita Aguirre | CEO Santa Cruz Community Health

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show on @ksqdradio to hear from Jason Hoppin.  A native Santa Cruzan, Jason Hoppin grew up on the West Side of Santa Cruz and graduated from Santa Cruz High before moving to the Bay Area. He studied journalism at San Francisco State and had a 20-year career in journalism, covering everything from crime to federal courts to politics, including six years with the St Paul Pioneer Press. After his son was born, he moved back home to work for his hometown paper, the Santa Cruz Sentinel, and was later hired as the County’s first full-time public information officer. He has been in that role for nearly a decade, sharing important information with the community about county government programs and services.  Tune in today to learn more about Jason’s career journey!

Jason Hoppin | Santa Cruz County Public Information Officer

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show on @ksqdradio to hear from Holly Hughes.  Holly Hughes (she/her) is the CEO of HH & Co. A highly accomplished behavioral health clinician with over 20 years of experience, Holly uses proven methods to meet people where they are and support their well-being goals.
Holly has worked in a variety of integrated settings, from community clinics and hospitals to substance use disorder treatment organizations. She oﬀers coaching support and team learning to organizations, care providers, and executive leaders along the Central Coast and beyond. Her group therapy practice is based in Santa Cruz, where she partners with people in healing their trauma and navigating their life transitions using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR ) and other approaches.
She is a member of the LGBTQI+ community and an accomplice for shifting systemic racism and oppression toward the health and well-being of the community.  Tune in today to learn more about Holly’s career journey!

Holly Hughes | Clinician & CEO of Holly Hughes & Co

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show on @ksqd to hear from Rocky Snyder.  Rocky is a nationally recognized expert in human movement with 30 years of professional experience and knowledge. He is the recipient of the 2023 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year Award. He is also the author of several books on strength & conditioning and is the host of the Rock Fit Files Podcast and the Zelos Podcast.

Rocky has trained thousands of clients ranging from grandparents to professional athletes and Olympic champions. Aside from owning and operating his training studio in Santa Cruz, California, Rocky travels far and wide providing educational workshops to personal trainers, manual therapists, chiropractors, and physical therapists.

He offers his services as a part time consultant to professional sports teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, and MLB. He continues to present for IDEA, NSCA, FIBO USA, and Perform Better. He lives and surfs with his wife and two children in Santa Cruz, California.  Tune in today to learn more about Rocky’s career journey!

Rocky Snyder | Rocky's Fitness & Conditioning

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show on @ksqdradio to hear from Martha Ceja. “Hello, my name is Martha Ceja and as a Senior Program Manager at Cradle to Career, I work with diverse communities to address critical needs and challenges in areas such as health, education, advocacy, and empowerment. Through collaboration with local agencies, partners, and stakeholders, I design and implement impactful programs and initiatives that enhance the quality of life and well-being of the individuals and families we serve.
I wasn’t sure if you wanted something a bit more personal so here is a second bio just in case: 
I’m a proud mom to an amazing daughter and someone who loves staying active and adventurous. You’ll usually find me at the gym, spending time with my family, or trying out something new. Over the years, I’ve explored hobbies like skydiving, soccer, painting, and even surfing, it’s always fun to push myself and try different things!
Whether it’s being outdoors, staying fit, or hanging out with loved ones, I enjoy living life to the fullest and making the most of every day.” Tune in today to learn more about Martha’s career journey!

Martha Ceja | United Way Senior Program Manager at Cradle to Career

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Martha Mendoza. 

Martha Mendoza is an investigative reporter covering injustice, corruption and bias. She was part of a team whose investigations into slavery in the Thai seafood business led to the freedom of more than 2,000 men in 2015. Earlier reporting uncovered a U.S. Army massacre of hundreds of civilians early in the Korean War. Currently based in Santa Cruz, she’s worked out of AP bureaus in Mexico City, Bangkok, New York, Silicon Valley and Albuquerque. Martha is a UCSC alumni who wrote her own major in journalism and education. She’s been teaching there part-time since 2001.  Tune in today to learn more about Martha’s career journey!

Martha Mendoza | AP Investigative Reporter

Tune in to this episode of the the What to Be Show on @ksqdradio to hear from Jenny Kurzweil.  Jenny is the Senior Communications Officer for Community Foundation Santa Cruz County where she’s served as the resident storyteller since 2020. Prior to that she was the Director of Communications and Marketing for SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science), a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the STEM fields. She was the co-founder of Pie for the People Santa Cruz, a DIY community pie potluck that raises money for local nonprofits and was most recently, a lead organizer for TEDxSantaCruz 2024. When not at work you can find her at a local farmer’s market, the library, in her garden, or hiking with her dog Muggsy.  Tune in today to learn more about Jennys career journey!

Jenny Kurzweil |

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show on @ksqdradio to hear from Gordon Campbell. 
“I’m Gordon Campbell, and welcome to Bleeding Edge Biology! My fascination with the natural world began during my childhood, in the wilderness areas of California and the Western United States, the Australian outback, and the coral reefs of the South Pacific. Early on, this passion manifested in the nurturing of a diverse collection of pets, ranging from stump-tail lizards and chinchillas to long-necked turtles, kangaroo rats, lungfish, and many others.
 
My childhood curiosity about life and nature later evolved into a scientific interest in biology. I earned my bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology from the University of California at Berkeley, specializing in molecular biology and genetics. My academic journey continued at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where I earned a Ph.D. in biology. My research there focused on the symbiotic relationship between the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti and alfalfa.
 
Returning to UC Berkeley for a postdoctoral fellowship funded by the NIH, I explored neurogenesis in the developing brain through genomics. My career then transitioned to the biotechnology industry, where I led research and development projects. These programs covered an array of scientific areas, including the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders, as well as innovative biomining techniques using extremophiles for mineral extraction.
 
A few years ago, my life took an unexpected turn due to a cancer diagnosis. The passage through several surgeries and ongoing treatment reshaped my daily life, leading to the creation of the Bleeding Edge Biology blog. This platform is an outlet for sharing my insights and experiences in the field of biology as I face the challenges posed by my health.
 
Currently, I’m coauthoring a book on evolution, an endeavor that complements my blogging efforts. Residing in San Francisco with my supportive wife and two children, I continue to be inspired by life and its endless surprises.”https://bleedingedgebiology.com

Gordon Campbell | Science Writer & Biologist

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show on @ksqdradio to hear from Angie Wooton.  Angie Wootton is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Welfare, College of Integrated Health Sciences and Affiliated Faculty of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University at Albany, SUNY. Angie’s research focuses on characterizing and seeking remedies to persistent mental health and behavioral health disparities in the LGBTQ+ community. This work takes a strengths, resilience, and trauma recovery focus to identify and promote pathways to holistic wellbeing for multiply marginalized LGBTQ+ people, especially uplifting forms of LGBTQ+ community support, peer mental health support, and mutual aid. Prior to working in academia, Angie had a career as a case manager, counselor, and social worker in settings such as homeless shelters, transitional and permanent supported housing, hospitals, a community-based mental health program, and a HIV/AIDS organization in California. Angie lives in Albany, NY with their wife, dog, and cat.  Tune in today to learn more about Angie’s career

Angie Wootton | Assistant Professor School of Social Welfare, University at Albany SUNY

In this interview Jack Alcantara walks us through the ins and outs of what it's like to be a public defender and provides advice and direction for those seeking to follow a career path toward criminal justice. 

Do you have any questions for Jack Alcantara? Reach out and ask away by going through his website: www.scdefenders.com

Jack Alcantara | Chief Investigator for the Santa Cruz County Public Defender's Office

Did you know medicine can now be delivered to the body through a patch? They're like super band-aids! On this week's episode, Dr. Tycho Speaker tells us how he found his way into the sciences and provides excellent advice on how to succeed.

Dr. Tycho Speaker | Director of Drug Delivery and Biomaterials at AbbVie Inc.

While Tim Piumarta has spent almost his entire career with NHS, his journey lead him along a windy path riddled with opportunities to learn new skills for his everchanging roles in the company. From stuffing 6 million bearings, to screen printing materials, and eventually to leading the way of innovative skateboard and material designs, Tim has had his hands on almost every job in the company. Tune in now to hear his story!

Tim Piumarta | Director of Innovations at NHS Inc., Santa Cruz Skateboards

A radio show hosted by Your Future Is Our Business, a Santa Cruz non-profit which helps students explore careers. We interview and highlight the careers of inspirational people in Santa Cruz County and ask them to tell us what their job is really like, and how they got there! Our show airs Sundays at 7pm 90.7fm KSQD Santa Cruz , or stream online at ksqd.org. New episodes uploaded every week!

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