Vitamin OC

Joanna Weiss and Whitney Gomez
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Society & Culture

Your recommended dose of civics and civilization in Orange County, California, brought to you by politically and culturally active locals Joanna Weiss and Whitney Gomez

  1. 17h ago

    Ep 45 (Season 3): Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page

    Has the national conversion about election integrity made you wonder about what really happens to your ballot after you send it in? Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page joins Joanna Weiss and Whitney Gomez for a timely, nonpartisan look inside the election process. They discuss everything from ballot security and paper-ballot audits to voting deadlines, signature checks, and local election disputes. Discover the safeguards behind Orange County’s elections, why voting early helps, and how the people administering elections work to keep the process accessible, accurate, and transparent. If you are interested in learning more, please attend the open house that the OC Registrar of Voters is hosting on Tuesday, October 6 from 4-7pm. For more information:  https://ocvote.gov/feeds/getNewsletter.php/?id=275 Takeaways:  Orange County elections use layered safeguards, including secure drop boxes, two-person ballot pickups, and documented chain of custody. Paper ballots provide a physical record that can be checked through audits. Election equipment and software are tested before and after use to help verify accurate results. Manual tallies and risk-limiting audits provide additional checks on vote totals. Election deadlines help protect the many steps required to prepare ballots and voter information on time. The county registrar administers elections but must follow state law and respect the roles of other election officials. Election observers can watch key processes, including ballot handling and audits. Voters whose signatures are challenged have a chance to confirm their ballot and update their signature on file. Voting early gives election officials more time to process ballots before Election Day results are reported. Local election workers and staff are community members who help make elections accessible, accurate, and transparent. Follow us on Instagram @VitaminOCPodcast Watch us on YouTube @VitaminOCPodcast

  2. Sep 10

    Ep 44: Recap of Season Two on Vitamin OC

    Joanna Weiss and Whitney Gomez look back on Season 2 of Vitamin OC, revisiting conversations about journalism, political courage, immigration, public health, technology, volunteering, local elections, and the growing threat of political incivility. They reflect on guests including Jeff Perlman, Pastor Paul Capetz, Michael Moodian, and other community leaders who explored how national policies affect everyday life in Orange County. The episode also looks ahead to Season 3, with a focus on voter education, ballot propositions, local candidates, voting rights, and protecting free and fair elections. More than a season retrospective, this conversation is a call to stay informed, get involved, and help strengthen democracy in the months ahead. New York Times Autocracy Index (referenced in episode): https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/08/20/opinion/trump-election-interference-democracy.html?unlocked_article_code=1.AFE.VocJ.Lxt2zVRODBr4&smid=url-share Takeaways:  Democracy depends on active participation, not just holding political opinions.Local volunteering and campaigns help build the civic skills needed to protect democracy nationally.Democratic erosion can happen gradually through changes to voting, courts, speech, data, and institutions.Political disagreement should not automatically destroy long-standing relationships or community ties.Public policies often affect vulnerable people most severely, especially in health care, immigration, and voting.Effective civic leaders often begin by noticing a problem and deciding to address it themselves.Independent journalism, reliable information, and digital security are essential parts of civic life.Community engagement can grow from a conversation or meet-and-greet into volunteering, canvassing, or donating.Voters should learn about both the candidates and the propositions on their ballots before November.Season 3 will focus on election education, voting rights, local candidates, and protecting free and fair elections.Follow us on Instagram @VitaminOCPodcast Watch us on YouTube @VitaminOCPodcast

  3. Jul 25

    Ep 43 (Season 2): Reiki and Hypnosis Wellness Practitioner Kristen Perlmutter

    Unlock the power of energy healing and subconscious change with Kristen Perlmutter, Reiki and Hypnosis Wellness Practitioner. If you’re curious about how Reiki and hypnotherapy can support anxiety, sleep, or emotional balance, this episode offers a clear and practical introduction to both practices. Kristen shares her journey from art history to energy healing, along with how these modalities show up in real life. You’ll learn what Reiki and hypnotherapy are, how sessions typically work, and why more people are exploring them as part of their wellness routines.  Find Kristen on Instagram: @Kristenperlmutter Takeaways: Kristen explains how Reiki and hypnotherapy can create real shifts in emotional and physical well-being. She shares that personal experience with energy work was key to believing in its impact. The podcast emphasizes that hypnotherapy works by reaching the subconscious, where deeper patterns live. Kristen describes Reiki as a practice rooted in energy balance and subtle healing. The conversation highlights how her path from art history to wellness shaped her perspective as a healer. She explains that healing work often becomes more effective when people feel safe, open, and receptive. The episode touches on the chakra system and how it fits into her approach to energy healing. Kristen talks about protecting your own energy as an important part of being a practitioner. The podcast shows how holistic healing can complement everyday wellness routines. Overall, the episode presents Reiki and hypnotherapy as practical tools for support, balance, and personal growth. Keywords:  #EnergyHealing #HolisticWellness #MindBodyBalance #ReikiHealing #Hypnotherapy #SubconsciousHealing #WellnessPodcast #SelfHealingJourney #AlternativeHealing #EmotionalBalance Follow us on Instagram @VitaminOCPodcast Watch us on YouTube @VitaminOCPodcast

  4. Jul 18

    Ep 42 (Season 2): Newport Mesa Unified School District Elected Board Member Carol Crane (Area 3)

    In this episode of Vitamin OC, Newport Mesa Unified School District Trustee Carol Crane shares how her path from immigrant and educator to community leader shapes her approach to local control, student safety, and public education. In this conversation, she talks about leading through COVID, responding to community concerns, expanding career technical education, and creating policies on issues like cell phones and e-bikes — all while keeping students at the center. Takeaways:  Local control lets districts respond to real community needs instead of waiting on top-down mandates. Listening to parents and residents can directly shape school policy and build trust. Carol Crane’s background as a former educator and immigrant deeply informs her leadership style. COVID made school board leadership more visible, more difficult, and more politically charged. Carol sees diversity as a strength that helps schools build better programs for different students. Newport Mesa has expanded career technical education to give students more pathways beyond a four-year college track. The district’s cell phone policy was built from community concern about student focus and social interaction. The e-bike policy came from safety concerns and was designed with different needs in mind for younger and older students. Parents are most effective when they start by engaging directly with teachers, principals, and school sites. Carol’s approach to leadership is grounded in the idea that every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued. Keywords:  #CarolCrane #NewportMesa #LocalControl #SchoolBoard #PublicEducation #OrangeCounty #CommunityLeadership #GrassrootsAdvocacy #StudentSafety #CellPhonePolicy #EBikeSafety #CareerTechnicalEducation #EducationPolicy #ParentAdvocacy #DistrictLeadership #StudentWellBeing #COVID19 #SchoolGovernance #Diversity #AchievementGap Follow us on Instagram @VitaminOCPodcast Watch us on YouTube @VitaminOCPodcast

  5. Jul 11

    Ep 41 (Season 2): Ironman Triathlete, Board Volunteer, Community Philanthropist, and Former Professor Dr. Ellen Shockro

    In this episode of Vitamin OC, Dr. Ellen Shockro shares her background as a swimmer, triathlete, academic, and community volunteer. The conversation covers her early days in the sport of triathlons, including competing in two Ironman events, participating in open water races over several decades, and helping standardize triathlon distances that later became part of the Olympics. She also discusses her work on boards and committees connected to women and girls, athletics, and education, along with her volunteer efforts in literacy and local service. The episode gives a clear look at Ellen's athletic career, professional background, and the different ways she has stayed involved in helping her local community and beyond. Ellen also offers her perspective on the current state of the world, and talks about staying optimistic about the future. She emphasizes the role of kindness and community in facing current challenges. Takeaways:  Standardizing triathlon distances helped the sport gain wider recognition and eventually reach the Olympics.Ellen remains active in open-water swimming and triathlon well into later life.Consistent training and repetition play a major role in Ellen’s open-water swimming success.Board service can be a meaningful way to support education, athletics, and community organizations.The conversation includes examples of persistence, routine, and long-term commitment.Ellen approaches the future with optimism and a focus on practical action.Follow us on Instagram @VitaminOCPodcast Watch us on YouTube @VitaminOCPodcast

  6. Jun 25

    Ep 40 (Season 2): Chief Empowerment Officer of "A Long Talk" Kyle Williams

    This episode of Vitamin OC features an in-depth conversation with Kyle Williams, founder of A Long Talk About the Uncomfortable Truth, about how education, empathy, and practical skills can help people interrupt racism and ignorance in everyday life. Kyle explains how his 21-day “activation experience” is designed not just to inform participants, but to move them toward action by giving them tools  to challenge harmful comments and behaviors in real time. The discussion traces the origin of A Long Talk back to a difficult family and college athletics incident in 2020, then expands into a broader exploration of white supremacy, accountability, and why ordinary people can make a difference by becoming more curious, more courageous, and more willing to speak up. It’s a direct, thought-provoking episode about turning awareness into meaningful change and building stronger communities through active engagement. Recommended video to learn about racism in the United States:  "The History of Race in America"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEtyPIO6P1E A Long Talk's Civil Rights Pilgrimage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPppkiF2w-Q  Takeaways A Long Talk About the Uncomfortable Truth is a 21-day "activation experience"  built on the formula that information plus empathy equals action. The organization teaches practical skills that empower everyday people to interrupt racist, sexist, and homophobic comments in real time through calm, curious questioning rather than confrontation. Kyle distinguishes between three types of ignorance — innocent, negligent, and willful — and argues that most people fall into the first category, meaning education, not shame, is the right tool for change. The movement began when Kyle made a single phone call to his son's college basketball coach after a racist incident, showing that one uncomfortable conversation can spark large-scale change. Being "non-racist" is not enough; Kyle challenges people to develop "anti-racist muscles" — active skills and habits — rather than simply avoiding harmful behavior. The shift in the political landscape after the 2024 election dried up institutional funding, but Kyle views this as a useful filter that separates genuinely committed partners from fair-weather ones. When college athletics doors narrowed, Kyle pivoted to faith communities, taking a civil rights pilgrimage with 50 Methodist congregants to Atlanta, Selma, and Montgomery. Kyle's core mindset shift for building better relationships across differences is to go from "furious to curious" — becoming an interviewer rather than a debater when confronted with views you oppose. A Long Talk for All sessions are offered free of charge at least twice a month at alongtalk.com, open to anyone in the world regardless of institutional affiliation. Kyle believes the current moment's blatant visibility of white supremacy is, paradoxically, a source of hope — what is unmasked is far easier to fight than what is hidden. Keywords #ALongTalk #UncomfortableThuth #AntiRacismActivation #VitaminOC #CPRProtocol #InterruptIgnorance #FuriousToCurious #EducateToEndHate #AntiRacism #CivicEngagement #RacialJustice #CommunityActivism #KyleWilliams #BeAnUpstander #NotJustNonRacist #ActivationExperience #OrangeCountyPodcast #CivicsAndCivilization #SocialJusticeEducation #BeTheInterrupter #TrumpRacism #WhiteSupremacy #White Nationalism  Follow us on Instagram @VitaminOCPodcast Watch us on YouTube @VitaminOCPodcast

  7. Jun 21

    Ep 39 (Season 2): Project Hope Alliance CEO Jennifer Friend on youth homelessness in Orange County

    This episode of Vitamin OC focuses on youth homelessness in Orange County, especially the hidden reality of student and family homelessness. Joanna Weiss and Whitney Gomez speak with Jennifer Friend, CEO of Project HOPE Alliance, who shares her own childhood experience of homelessness and explains how the organization supports youth through school-based case managers, tutoring, transportation, access to therapy, and long-term mentorship. The conversation also explores the power of a replica motel room exhibit that helped make invisible hardship tangible, the importance of graduation and belonging, and why seeing and advocating for kids is essential to breaking the cycle of homelessness. Takeaways:  Homelessness in Orange County often stays out of sight, and the episode asks communities to look beyond street-level stereotypes. Schools can help break intergenerational poverty when they offer trusted adults and trauma-informed support. Poor definitions and weak data keep homelessness hidden, which leads to underfunding and shallow policy responses. Real change needs community ownership, not charity alone, because residents can help shape policy and prevention. A person-centered approach gives children voice, choice, and dignity, which strengthens resilience in the middle of trauma. Effective homelessness solutions have to address housing, education, employment, mental health, and invisibility together. Art and storytelling make homelessness feel real, which moves communities from awareness to action. Embedding case managers in schools gives vulnerable students steady support where they already spend their days. Immersive, human-scale storytelling makes empathy more immediate and more powerful. The conversation frames homelessness as a shared community responsibility that calls for long-term structural change. Keywords: #HomelessnessAwareness #YouthHomelessness #OrangeCounty #EducationMatters #TraumaInformedCare #CommunitySupport #SocialImpact #NonprofitLeadership #StudentSuccess #McKinneyVento #HousingInsecurity #StorytellingForChange #EmpathyInAction #SystemicChange #EndHomelessness Follow us on Instagram @VitaminOCPodcast Watch us on YouTube @VitaminOCPodcast

  8. Jun 12

    Ep 38 (Season 2): University of Pennsylvania Media Policy Professor and Co-Director of the Media, Inequality, and Change Center Dr. Victor Pickard

    Join our conversation with University of Pennsylvania professor Dr. Victor Pickard as he explores the challenges facing local journalism and the impact of corporate media ownership on democracy. This episode delves into how policy shifts and profit-driven journalism have led to sensationalism, fake news, and news deserts, while Big Digital platforms drain traditional outlets. Professor Pickard highlights the importance of public funding models and policy reforms to support independent journalism. Essential for those concerned about truth and democracy, this episode offers valuable insights into preserving our information landscape. Takeaways: Media power is shaped by economic and regulatory frameworks, leading to news deserts and ideological consolidation when compromised. Profit-driven incentives erode public trust in journalism by prioritizing sensationalism over balanced reporting. Regulatory agencies like the FCC have been politicized, threatening press independence and media fairness. Social media platforms amplify commentary rather than original reporting, altering public perception of factual news. Public funding is essential to sustain independent journalism and reduce oligarchic influence. Media ownership concentration shapes local news content, often leading to homogenization and political bias. Addressing the media crisis requires comprehensive, long-term systemic reform involving deregulation and public investment. Supporting local independent journalism can counteract monopolization and restore diverse information sources. Encouraging media literacy and supporting quality journalism help preserve the integrity of news sources. Keywords: #MediaOwnership #LocalJournalism #Democracy #IndependentPress #FakeNews #NewsDeserts #PublicFunding #MediaPolicy #JournalismCrisis #BigDigital #FCC #MediaReform #PressFreedom #MediaLiteracy #TruthInMedia #BrendanCarr Follow us on Instagram @VitaminOCPodcast Watch us on YouTube @VitaminOCPodcast

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Your recommended dose of civics and civilization in Orange County, California, brought to you by politically and culturally active locals Joanna Weiss and Whitney Gomez

Information

  • Creator
    Joanna Weiss and Whitney Gomez
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Vitamin OC
  • Show Website
    Vitamin OC

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