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

Episodes

March 24, 2025

S4E7 - Flight Nutrition Owner, Danny Avila (from Modesto)!

Danny Avila, owner of Flight Nutrition in Modesto, shares his journey of starting a business focused on health and wellness. From menu creation to future plans, he talks about what it takes to build a thriving nutrition business.
March 14, 2025

S4E6 - Black Orchid Founders, Tyanne & Henry Penado and Joffre Roberts (from Manteca/Modesto)!

Join us for a special on-location episode with Tyanne & Henry Penado and Joffre Roberts, founders of Black Orchid Brewery in Modesto, CA, as they share their journey from the Bay Area/LA to Manteca/Modesto, to building a brewery in the 209. We talk about
Feb. 12, 2025

S4E5 - Bookish Modesto Co-Owner, Will DeBoard (from Hughson)!

Will DeBoard, co-owner of Bookish in Modesto, shares his inspiring journey from growing up in Hughson to launching a bookstore in Roseburg Square. Host Luis Urbano returns for a conversation filled with stories of soccer, journalism, and community-buildin
Feb. 5, 2025

S4E4 - Defiant Baking Company Owner, Joseph Magnelli (from Lodi)!

Brittney Nunes interviews Joseph Magnelli, founder of Defiant Baking Company, about his journey to Lodi, CA, and his passion for baking. From baking bread to pizzas, Joseph shares the story about his business and vision for the future.
Jan. 28, 2025

S4E3 - Honest Acre Farm Owner/Regenerative Farmer, Matt Jones (from Linden)!

Join Brittney Nunes for her first episode on *The 209 Journey Podcast* as she interviews Matt Jones, the first-generation farmer behind Honest Acre Farm. Matt shares his journey into farming, insights on vertical and regenerative practices, and practical
Jan. 20, 2025

S4E2 - Cafecito Mio Owner, Mariana Bejar (from Keyes)!

Join us as we chat with Mariana Bejar, owner of Cafecito Mio, a mobile coffee business celebrating its first anniversary. From her entrepreneurial roots to plans for the future, Mariana shares how passion and community have fueled her journey.
Jan. 16, 2025

S4E1 - Podcaster/Marketer, Luis Urbano (from Modesto)!

In the season premiere of The 209 Journey, Luis' sister, Aster, interviews him about his podcasting journey and career highlights. Luis shares why he started this podcast, the podcast's goals, podcast favorite moments, and tips for aspiring podcasters.
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 designs and reveals exciting pl
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 sold her salsas at, and future
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 & Emporium.
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 Journey"!
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, corn maze, and more family-friend
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 why she should be the community'
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 business that stands out.
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 building a local coffee busines
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 (Korean Karate/Brazilian Brazi
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 LadyBubs Studio offers, and more!
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 has had, and more!
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 career, and more!
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 (including how the name was decided),
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 the studio, the ceramic classes o
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, and more!