Welcome to The 209 Journey Podcast! You can listen to all episodes here or on your favorite podcast app!

Episodes

Oct. 16, 2024

S3E21 - Corazon Desserts Owner, Veronica Gover (from Merced)!

In this episode, Veronica Gover of Corazon Desserts shares her inspiring journey from Leon, Guanajuato to the 209, and how she discovered her passion for creating custom cookies. She takes us behind the scenes of her unique …
Oct. 8, 2024

S3E20 - Salsa by Mary Owner, Maria Madrigal (from Manteca)!

Maria Madrigal, owner of Salsa by Mary, shares her journey of launching a salsa business, overcoming early challenges, and her first pop-up success. She also talks about her unique salsa offerings, the different places she's…
Oct. 1, 2024

S3E19 - Julia Elizabeth: Clothing & Emporium Owner, Julia Cardona (from Stockton)!

In this episode, Julia Cardona, owner of *Julia Elizabeth: Clothing & Emporium*, shares her journey from studying Communications at the University of the Pacific to becoming a business owner of Julia Elizabeth: Clothing & Em…
Sept. 25, 2024

S3E18 - Rhymosaurs Author & MC, Orlando "Zeps" Molina (from Stockton)!

Join us as Orlando "Zeps" Molina, creator of the Rhymosaurs series, shares his journey from freestyle rap in Brooklyn to writing hip hop-inspired children's books. Plus, Zeps does a freestyle performance about "The 209 Journ…
Sept. 21, 2024

S3E17 - Dutch Hollow Farms Founder, John Bos (from Modesto)!

John Bos of Dutch Hollow Farms shares his family's journey from the Netherlands to California, leading to the creation of their thriving Modesto farm. He highlights the farm's fall activities, including the pumpkin patch, co…
Sept. 12, 2024

S3E16 - Councilmember & Running for Riverbank Mayor, Rachel Hernandez (from Riverbank)!

In this podcast, Riverbank mayoral candidate Rachel Hernandez shares her journey in politics, highlights her achievements on Riverbank's City Council, and outlines her vision for the city's future, making a strong case for w…
Sept. 6, 2024

S3E15 - Fancy Bagels Owner, Nancy Singh (from Patterson)!

Nancy Singh, owner of Fancy Bagels, shares her journey from Guanajuato, Mexico, to launching a brunch spot, Fancy Bagels, in Patterson, CA. Nancy also offers advice on entrepreneurship, overcoming challenges, and building a …
Aug. 31, 2024

S3E14 - Coffee Dudes Co., Co-Owner/Founder, Erik Justo (from Atwater)!

Wake up and smell the coffee! Today's episode is an inspiring conversation with Erik Justo, the co-founder of Atwater's very own Coffee Dudes Co. From his journey relocating from the Bay Area to the 209, to the story behind …
Aug. 29, 2024

S3E13 - Valley Allergy + Wellness Owner/Practitioner, Deborah Chan (from Stockton)!

In today's episode, I interview the owner/CEO of Valley Allergy + Wellness in Stockton, CA, Deborah Chan! She talks about how she got into the field, starting Valley Allergy/Wellness, success stories, and more!
Aug. 20, 2024

S3E12 - Seon Do Martial Arts Instructor/Owner, Matthew Norton (from Modesto)!

Today's interview is with the owner and instructor of Seon Do Martial Arts in Escalon, Matthew Norton! He talks about where his passion for martial arts came from, how Seon Do started, the two martial arts offered at Seon Do…
Aug. 12, 2024

S3E11 - LadyBubs Studio Founder, Brittney Nunes (from Modesto)!

On this episode I interview the founder of LadyBubs Studio, Brittney Nunes! She talks about her interest in animation, working for Disney, her return home to Modesto, how LadyBubs Studio got started, the services that LadyBu…
Aug. 3, 2024

S3E10 - Arcade Replay Owner, Sebastian Saldana (from Stockton)!

On this episode I interview Sebastian Saldana, the owner of one of the 209's most unique arcades, Arcade Replay! He talks about how he got into videogames, how the business started, future business plans, and more!
Aug. 1, 2024

S3E9 - 209 Run Club Founders, Alfredo Cazarez & Christian Perez (from Turlock)!

On this episode of the podcast, I interview two guests, the co-founders of 209 Run Club, Alfredo Cazarez and Christian Perez! They talk about how the running club started, share running stories, the events that 209 Run Club …
July 26, 2024

S3E8 - The Briller Project Podcast Host & Photographer, Nico Belasco (from Stockton)!

On this episode I interview the host of The Briller Project Podcast, who's also a photographer, writer, & speaker, Nico Belasco! He talks about how his podcast started, the podcasts he helps produce, his writing/photography …
July 23, 2024

S3E7 - Blame the Flame Candle Owner, Esparanza Vargas (from Modesto)!

Today's episode is an interview with the owner of Blame the Flame Candle, a premium candle & wax melts business in Modesto, Esparanza Vargas! She talks about how she got into making candles, the start of the business (includ…
July 12, 2024

S3E6 - Meet the Maker - Lodi Ceramics Studio Owner, Michelle Hensley (from Lodi)!

On this episode I interview Michelle Hensley, owner of Lodi's Ceramics Studio, Meet the Maker! She talks about how her interest in the ceramics world came about, starting Meet the Maker, the ceramics available online & at th…
July 9, 2024

S3E5 - About Face - Face Painting Owner, Brenda Martinez Ortiz (from Stockton)!

On this episode, I interview the owner of About Face, a face painting business based in Stockton, CA, Brenda Martinez Ortiz! She talks about how the business got started, events she's done face painting at, future events, a…
July 6, 2024

S3E4 - Modesto Art Academy (MoArt) Founder, Paul Harmon (from Modesto)!

On the podcast today, I interview the founder of the Modesto Art Academy (also known as MoArt), a community-based art school that was founded a few years ago. He talks about attending art school, how he started the academy, …
June 28, 2024

S3E3 - Puka Tutis Pottery Owner, Julienne "Puka" Pin (from Stockton)!

Today I interview Julienne "Puka" Pin, a local ceramics artist from Stockton who sells pottery and offers her own classes for beginners and advanced artists! She talks about her journey to the 209, how her business "Puka Tut…
June 25, 2024

S3E2 - Konfucious Eats Owner, Ernie Watkins (from Ceres/Modesto)!

Today I interview the owner of Konfucious Eats (located in Modesto's McHenry Village), the first ramen shop in Modesto (and now only shop in Modesto to make noodles by hand), Ernie Watkins! He talks about the start of the bu…
June 18, 2024

S3E1 - Podcast Host/Business Owner, Julia Washington (from Modesto)!

It's the first episode of Season 3! My first guest of the new season is the Podcast Host of "Pop Culture Makes Me Jealous" and "Jelly Pops Book Club" and Business Owner, Julia Washington!
April 3, 2024

S2E20 - ValleyDreamCar Founder, Andrew "Valley" Cabrera (from Modesto)!

Today's podcast is an interview with local content creator & founder of ValleyDreamCar, host of car shows throughout the 209, Andrew "Valley" Cabrera! He talks about growing up in Modesto, where his passion for cars came fro…
March 20, 2024

S2E19 - Scoop Love Creamery Founder, Isaiah Stewart (from Merced)!

This week's podcast is an interview with founder of Scoop Love Creamery, Isaiah Stewart! He talks about growing up in Merced, how he learned more about making ice cream, how he started the business, future business plans, an…
March 9, 2024

S2E18 - Little Oven Pizza Owner, Adrian Gonzalez (from Merced)!

On today's episode, I interview Adrian Gonzalez, owner of Little Oven Pizza (New York Style Pizza in the 209!) in Merced! He talks about growing up in Merced, how he went from working at the pizzeria to becoming owner, one o…