The SCV Law and Life Podcast

Mason Rashtian
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Business
  • Biweekly

The SCV Law & Life Podcast is where legal insight meets real life. Hosted by Mason Rashtian in Santa Clarita Valley, this podcast goes beyond legal jargon to bring you practical conversations with attorneys, business professionals, and community leaders. Each episode explores topics that impact your daily life, from legal strategies and business challenges to personal growth and success stories.

  1. Oct 6

    Rescuing Food, Feeding Santa Clarita: Lisa Ely of Nourish Now California

    What if surplus food could reach a neighbor’s table the same day it leaves a store? On this episode of The SCV Law & Life Podcast, host Mason Rashtian, founder of The Mason Law Firm, welcomes Lisa Ely, founder of Nourish Now California, to discuss how she is reducing waste and bringing Santa Clarita neighbors together through free pop-up giveaways. After more than 30 years producing television and live events, Lisa turned her experience managing unpredictable situations into a community mission. She explains how she collects surplus food and everyday items from local businesses and distributes them quickly—with no income requirements, paperwork, or judgment. Mason and Lisa discuss the stories behind her pickups, the environmental cost of wasted food, and the connections forming as neighbors share recipes, try new foods, and help one another. Lisa also shares how volunteers, business sponsors, gas cards, and an additional vehicle could help her expand the organization’s reach.

  2. Oct 6

    Mental Health, Patient Choice & Informed Consent with Ellen Lubensky

    What does it mean to make an informed decision about mental health treatment? In this episode of The SCV Law & Life Podcast, host Mason Rashtian, founder of The Mason Law Firm, speaks with attorney and mental health reform advocate Ellen Lubensky, founder of the Mental Health Choice Project.Ellen shares her personal experiences with psychiatric treatment, medication side effects, and withdrawal, and explains how those experiences shaped her advocacy for transparency, informed consent, and patient choice. The conversation explores asking questions about treatment, involving trusted supporters in healthcare decisions, seeking emotional support, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health struggles. Ellen also discusses her nonprofit’s mission and why she wants people facing difficult moments to know their lives matter.This episode presents Ellen’s personal experiences and perspectives and is intended for education and discussion.

  3. Sep 28

    Connection Before Correction: Supporting Children and Families with Maria Alba

    What changes when we try to understand a child’s behavior before trying to correct it? On this episode of The SCV Law & Life Podcast, Mason Rashtian talks with Maria Alba, a board certified behavior analyst and owner of Beyond the Spectrum in Santa Clarita. Maria explains her “connection before correction” approach to ABA therapy: building trust, following a child’s interests, and helping families understand what may be behind a behavior. She and Mason discuss early support, everyday life skills, parent guilt, and the value of adjusting a child’s environment. Mason also shares his experience raising two children on the autism spectrum.

  4. Sep 18

    Social Security Disability Explained: SSDI, SSI and Appeals with Sima Aghai

    In this episode of The SCV Law & Life Podcast, Mason Rashtian speaks with disability attorney Sima Aghai, founder of the Law Offices of Sima Aghai. Before entering private practice, Sima spent seven years with the Social Security Administration as a Senior Attorney Advisor, giving her firsthand insight into how disability claims are evaluated and decided.Sima explains the differences between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), who may qualify, and how the Social Security Administration’s five-step evaluation process works. She also discusses claims involving physical conditions, chronic pain, mental-health impairments, autism, ADHD, and childhood disabilities—and why every impairment must be considered as part of the claimant’s complete functional picture.The conversation also explores common mistakes applicants make, why every form and statement becomes evidence, and how early guidance from an experienced disability attorney can help prevent problems later in the appeals process. Sima also shares her perspective on travel, live music, work-life balance, and the advice she would give her 10-year-old self: put yourself out there and embrace life.To learn more about Sima Aghai, visit aghailaw.com or call 888-954-0064.

  5. Sep 14

    Building Wealth, Endurance and Community with Fred Arnold

    What do mortgage lending, real estate investing, entrepreneurship, community leadership, and Ironman competitions have in common? According to Fred Arnold, they all require discipline, perseverance, and a willingness to keep learning. In this episode of The SCV Law & Life Podcast, Mason Rashtian, founder of The Mason Law Firm, sits down with longtime Santa Clarita business owner and mortgage professional Fred Arnold. With nearly 35 years at American Family Funding, Fred shares practical insights on today’s housing market, building wealth through real estate, financing options for self-employed borrowers, and opportunities for entrepreneurs through 360 Executive Suites and the Santa Clarita New Home Center. Fred also discusses completing more than 35 Ironman competitions, serving on the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees, and the importance of giving back to the community. The conversation explores healthy habits, parenting by example, overcoming fear, and learning to view failure as an opportunity to move forward. It is an engaging conversation about business, resilience, service, and making the most of the opportunities life provides.

  6. Aug 11

    The Personal Injury Claim Process: From Accident to Settlement

    What happens after you’ve been injured in an accident? When does the insurance company investigate, how are settlement offers calculated, and how long can the process take? In this episode, California personal injury attorney Mason Rashtian, guides you through the typical personal injury claim, from the day of the accident through medical treatment, the insurance investigation, preparation of the demand package, and settlement negotiations. Mason is the founder of The Mason Law Firm in Santa Clarita, California. Before representing injured individuals, he spent nearly ten years defending insurance companies and other defendants. Drawing on that experience, he explains what insurance adjusters look for, how evidence and medical documentation affect a claim, and why settling too early can be a costly mistake. Whether you were injured in a car accident, slip and fall, dog bite, or another incident, this episode will help you understand what to expect, protect your rights, and avoid common mistakes during the claims process. This program is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and listening to this episode does not create an attorney-client relationship.

  7. Aug 7

    Collaborative Divorce in California: Mediation and Co-Parenting with Katie Padilla

    Can divorce be handled without an expensive and emotionally draining courtroom battle? Mason Rashtian, founder of The Mason Law Firm, talks with Katie Padilla, founder of Bloom Family Law and a certified family law specialist in California, about collaborative divorce, mediation, co-parenting, and healthier alternatives to traditional divorce litigation. After 12 years as a family law litigator, Katie transitioned to an entirely out-of-court practice focused on thoughtful settlements and family-centered solutions. She explains the difference between mediation and individual legal representation, when litigation may still be necessary, and why couples should understand the emotional and financial costs of going to court. Katie also shares how her training as a coach and meditation teacher helps clients manage fear, grief, resentment, and communication breakdowns. The conversation explores how separating parents can reduce conflict, protect their children, identify their values, and make decisions with the future of their family in mind. Whether you are considering divorce, navigating a separation, or looking for a more cooperative approach to family law, this episode offers practical guidance for moving forward with greater clarity, confidence, and compassion. Connect with Katie Padilla and Bloom Family Law: Website: https://bloomlegalcoach.comEmail: hello@bloomlegalcoach.com

  8. Jul 31

    Employment Law for Business Owners: Hiring, Firing, AI & Workplace Laws | Charles Krugel

    Employment law is constantly evolving, and one mistake can expose a business to costly litigation. In this episode of The SCV Law & Life Podcast, host Mason Rashtian, founder of The Mason Law Firm, sits down with Charles Krugel, a labor and employment attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing employers in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Together they discuss the legal issues every business owner should understand, including: Hiring employees the right wayCreating effective job descriptionsEmployee discipline and terminationWage and hour claimsHarassment and discrimination lawsuitsWorkplace investigationsAI's impact on the legal professionRemote work and employment lawFederal vs. state court litigationPractical strategies to reduce legal risk before problems ariseCharles also shares insights from three decades of representing employers, discusses current workplace trends, and explains why proactive legal planning is almost always less expensive than defending a lawsuit. Whether you're a business owner, HR professional, manager, attorney, or simply interested in employment law, this episode provides practical advice you can put to work immediately. Guest: Charles Krugel🌐 https://www.charlesakrugel.com Hosted by: Mason RashtianFounder, The Mason Law Firm 🎙 The SCV Law & Life Podcast features conversations with attorneys, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts who share practical insights on law, business, and life. If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to follow, rate, and share so you never miss an episode.

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The SCV Law & Life Podcast is where legal insight meets real life. Hosted by Mason Rashtian in Santa Clarita Valley, this podcast goes beyond legal jargon to bring you practical conversations with attorneys, business professionals, and community leaders. Each episode explores topics that impact your daily life, from legal strategies and business challenges to personal growth and success stories.

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