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

Videos

July 5, 2024

Paul Harmon (Modesto Art Academy (MoArt) Founder) - S3E4 of The 209 Journey Podcast

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, the art classes they offer for kids & adults, and more!…

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June 28, 2024

Julienne "Puka" Pin (Puka Tutis Pottery Owner) - S3E3 of The 209 Journey Podcast

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 Tutis Pottery" started, the pottery classes that she started offering this year, and…

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June 25, 2024

Ernie Watkins (Konfucious Eats Ramen Shop Owner) - S3E2 of The 209 Journey Podcast

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 business, future business plans, the menu items, and more! Follow Konfucious…

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June 16, 2024

Julia Washington (Podcaster/Business Owner) - S3E1 of The 209 Journey Podcast

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! Listen to Pop Culture Makes Me Jealous & learn more about the Jelly Pops Book Club…

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Feb. 13, 2023

E16 - Stockton's Filmmaker, Maria Alanis!

Today I interview Maria Alanis, a filmmaker from Stockton! She talks about growing up in Stockton, the films she was able to direct (Alexithymia & I'd Like to Live), her past & current projects in LA, celebrities she's been able to meet, & more! Follow Maria on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/culturemaria/…

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Feb. 9, 2023

E15 - Modesto's Famous Singer, Liliana Hernandez!

On the show today I interview Liliana Hernandez who was on the Univision singing shows "Va Por Ti" and "La Reina de la Cancion", who graduated from Stanislaus State, & performed at the Gallo Center! She talks about her interest in singing/music, what happened behind the scenes in the shows,…

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Feb. 9, 2023

E14 - Stockton's Podcaster (Podcast Stockton Founder), Matt Beckwith!

One of the first podcasters in the 209 and founder of Podcast Stockton, Matt Beckwith, joins Episode 14 to talk about growing up in Stockton, his career in call centers, and starting Podcast Stockton (a podcast that went on from 2009-2016), & more! Check out Podcast Stockton at https://www.mattbeckwith.com/podcaststockton! Matt's…

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Feb. 3, 2023

E13 - Stockton's 98.3 97.7 FM KWIN Radio Host, Lucas Gee!

On today's show, Luis interviews one of the most recognizable voices in radio in the 209, Lucas from 97.7/98.3 FM KWIN! He talks about his radio career, moving to Stockton to work for KWIN, memorable moments as a radio host, & more! If you haven't followed us on social media…

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Feb. 3, 2023

E12 - Hilmar's Business & Stockton Cargo Owner, Lee Neves!

Today on The 209 Journey Podcast, I interview Hilmar's business owner (CrossCurrents LLC) & recent Soccer Club owner (Stockton Cargo; playing in USL W next year!), Lee Neves! We talk about how it was to grow up in Hilmar, his college days at the University of the Pacific, how he…

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Feb. 1, 2023

E11 - Modesto's Writer/Blogger, Alyssa Mazzina!

In today's episode, I interview a content marketing leader, writer, & blogger from Modesto, (and the person who provided me with the opportunity to start my amazing blog at Stan State) Alyssa Mazzina! Visit Alyssa Mazzina's website at: alyssamazzina.com! If you haven't followed us on social media yet, please follow…

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Jan. 31, 2023

E10 - Atwater's Mexican Catering Taqueria Owner, Raul Ballesteros!

In our 10th episode, Luis interviews Atwater, California's Mexican Catering/Taqueria Business Owner, Raul Ballesteros! He talks about growing up in Merced, how the business started, & more! Visit Raul's Mexican Catering & Taqueria website at: raulsmexicancatering.com! If you haven't followed us on social media yet, please follow us at: http://twitter.com/The209Journey…

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Jan. 31, 2023

E9 - Stockton's Graphic Designer, Jessica Lopez!

On the show today is one of the top graphic designers from Stockton who has created a lot of logos/graphic designs that you'll see around the 209 (and also the logo for this podcast!), Jessica Lopez! Visit Jessica's website at https://www.jessicalpzdesign.com/ If you haven't followed us on social media yet,…

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Jan. 29, 2023

E8 - Turlock's Pro Soccer Player, Hayden Sargis & Coach Antonio Sargis!

Luis interviews Hayden Sargis, who recently signed with DC United of the MLS & his father and youth coach, Antonio Sargis! They both talk about Hayden's path to pro, favorite spots in their hometown of Turlock, California & more! Learn more about Hayden's brand at www.HaydenSargis.com If you haven't followed…

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Jan. 28, 2023

E7 - Turlock Journal Reporter, Angelina Martin!

Today's guest is Turlock Journal's News Reporter, Angelina Martin! She talks to us about growing up in Turlock, going to Stanislaus State, working for Turlock Journal, 209 Magazine, Studio209, starting a 49ers podcast, and much more! If you haven't followed us on social media yet, please follow us at:** -…

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Jan. 20, 2023

E6 - Interview with Stand Up Comedian, Anthony K!

Today's guest is our first-ever comedian on the podcast! He grew up in Ceres & has been a stand-up comedian for over 10 years, notably placing 3rd place in an SF international comedy festival and having two shows at Modesto's Gallo Center (one of which happened recently), Anthony K (tune…

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Jan. 19, 2023

E5 - Oakdale, CA's Disney Ambassador, Lauren Fields!

Today's guest is our first ever from Oakdale, California, a friend of mine who has represented the 209 all throughout the West Coast (Seattle, Portland, LA!) and spent quite some time working for Disney (at Disneyland and their mall stores!). Thank you for tuning in to The 209 Journey Podcast…

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Jan. 18, 2023

E4 - Hilmar's Award-Winning Real Estate Agent & GM of Academica SC, Michael Rocha!

Today's guest is Michael Rocha, who was recently voted as BEST REALTOR in the 209's Magazine's Best of 209 in 2021! He's also the General Manager of Academica SC, a soccer team based in Turlock, CA. Thank you for tuning in to The 209 Journey Podcast on YouTube! If you'd…

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Jan. 17, 2023

E3 - The Mayor of Modesto, California, Sue Zwahlen!

The 3rd guest on the show is our newly-elected Mayor of Modesto, California, Sue Zwahlen! We talk about what it was like growing up in Modesto, her career in nursing & time on the Modesto City School Board, & and what her campaign was like in 2020. Thank you for…

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Jan. 16, 2023

E2 - The 209's Most Famous Math Teacher & Ellen DeGeneres Best Friend, Lori Gaines!

The 2nd guest on The 209 Journey is one of the 209's Most Famous Math Teacher (and my math teacher for 2 years of high school at Grace Davis High School) and Ellen DeGeneres' Best Friend! (she was on her shows 3 times!), Lori Gaines! We talk about teacher stories…

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Jan. 14, 2023

E1 - Honor Classes & Entrepreneurial Spirit with Anthony Pacheco, Founder of Simpl. Music Marketing

The first guest on the show is the person who helped me figure out how to edit a podcast & who I started my first podcast with too, Anthony Pacheco! Also founder of Simpl. Music Marketing & now working for Sony Music too! He talks about his story growing up…

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