My SGV Podcast

Kind Monster Productions
  • 4.9 (27)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to the My SGV Podcast. A show where you will hear personal stories of triumph over failures, and how others successfully navigated the unique landscape that is the San Gabriel Valley. What makes us different? Well, just like you, we have chosen the San Gabriel Valley for our home or businesses, or both. We believe it is the people and small businesses that make this community great and we love to share their stories with you. We always encourage your questions and feedback and you can find all of our contact information at sgvmasterkey.com.

  1. 3D AGO

    Thomas Liu - From Chaos to Clarity: Building BYOB, Loose Leaf, And Broth and Gold Banh

    Send a text In this episode, I sit down with Thomas Liu, an entrepreneur whose story includes the messy parts people usually skip. He talks openly about growing up bouncing between schools, dealing with bullying and identity struggles, and how he made wrong turns that eventually forced him to look in the mirror and decide who he wanted to become. Thomas walks me through the shift from chaos to clarity and what it looked like to scrape through graduation, put himself through college, and start building something real. Alongside his wife Jasmine, he launched his first boba business, BYOB A Boba Co., while still in school, and he shares the pressure and purpose behind betting on yourself before you feel ready. We also get into the businesses that followed, including Loose Leaf, And Broth, and Gold Banh, and why storytelling, culture, and real ingredients matter to him. Thomas breaks down how his brands evolved and how he thinks about building a team, building a product, and building a reputation in a crowded space. Now as a husband and father of two, Thomas reflects on accountability and what it means to show up differently, not just for business, but for family and self respect. This conversation is about growth, ownership, and staying real about the journey. ________________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1h 9m

  2. FEB 3

    Michael Hamner, FAIA - East LA Roots, USC Architecture, and a Life of Service

    Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with D. Michael Hamner, FAIA, an architect, educator, and longtime community leader whose story starts in East Los Angeles and runs straight through Montebello and the University of Southern California. We talk about what it means to build a career that blends design, teaching, and service, while staying rooted in the communities that shaped you. Michael shares his journey as a professor at East Los Angeles College, where he has helped generations of students transfer into accredited architecture programs and build real careers in the field. We get into what makes architectural education work for students who do not follow a traditional path, plus why mentorship and standards matter in creative industries. We also talk about his professional work as a licensed architect and principal of a family run practice with his architect wife, along with his years of civic service in Monterey Park on the Design Review Board and Planning Commission. Michael breaks down how design decisions impact real neighborhoods, and what he has learned from decades of reviewing projects that shape a city’s identity. And because this is MySGV, we get into basketball too. Michael has coached for decades across multiple levels, including years at Schurr High School, and he shares what coaching taught him about leadership, consistency, and building people, not just teams. ________________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1h 10m

  3. JAN 27

    Emanuel Griffin - Identity, Healing, and the Work of Real Transformation

    Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Emanuel Griffin, the founder of Heart2Soul Legacy, an organization built to help people navigate life’s toughest transitions through coaching, facilitation, and leadership development Emanuel shares how his background in theology and his real world work inside the prison system, treatment centers, and with at risk youth shaped the way he communicates. He has a gift for making complicated ideas simple, practical, and usable right away. We talk about identity, belief systems, and what it looks like to create space for healing, especially for people carrying pressure, pain, or responsibility. Emanuel also breaks down the leadership work he does with couples, groups, and communities that want to rebuild trust, restore direction, and move forward with clarity. If you are in a season of change, recovery, or reinvention, this conversation will hit home. Emanuel brings authenticity, structure, and vision, and he keeps it grounded in what works when life gets real. ______________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    59 min

  4. JAN 20

    Dr. Alex Cheah - Natural Results and the Truth About Modern Plastic Surgery

    Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Alex Cheah, a plastic surgeon who grew up in the San Gabriel Valley and took a long road through elite training before bringing his work back to Southern California. We talk about his early years in the SGV, how sports shaped his discipline, and why he always felt pulled toward a career that combined precision, results, and service. Alex walks me through the evolution of his medical path, from thinking he would pursue other surgical specialties to discovering plastic surgery and realizing it matched both his technical standards and his creative eye. He breaks down what people misunderstand about plastic surgery, how reconstruction and aesthetics overlap, and why the best outcomes should look natural and intentional. We also get into the patient side of the work, including trust, communication, and what it means to carry the responsibility of someone choosing you for a life changing procedure. Alex shares how he approaches facial aesthetics, rhinoplasty, breast surgery, body contouring, liposuction, fat transfer, and non surgical options like injectables in a way that prioritizes balance over trends. If you are curious about modern plastic surgery, the natural results movement, or what it looks like to build a medical career and still come home to the SGV, this conversation is thoughtful, detailed, and grounded in the real story behind the work. ________________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1h 12m

  5. JAN 13

    Manuel “Mano” Agulian - From Beirut to Pasadena: Faith, Family, and Purpose

    Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Manuel “Mano” Agulian, known to many as Pastor Mano, a Pasadena based pastor who leads the Armenian Christian Outreach at PazNaz and serves in Armenian Ministries.  We talk about his story of leaving Beirut, Lebanon and coming to the United States during the civil war, and how that journey shaped his faith, his family, and the way he thinks about purpose. We also get into what long term ministry looks like when you are trying to reach and build up the next generation.  Pastor Mano shares how ACOP focuses on Armenian youth and families and the different ways they build community, including sports, music, and even motorsports ministry.  We also explore his other world as a mechanical engineer and longtime car builder, and how craftsmanship, discipline, and persistence show up in both the garage and ministry.  ______________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1h 6m

  6. JAN 6

    Edward "Coach Buck" Maldonado - Training Mindset and Player Development in South El Monte

    Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Edward Maldonado, better known as Coach Buck, the owner of Marathon Batting Cages in South El Monte. We talk about his coaching journey and what it means to build athletes the right way, with patience, consistency, and real belief in the kid standing in front of you. Coach Buck shares what he looks for when a player walks into the cage for the first time, how he simplifies the game for young athletes, and why confidence often shows up before the stats do. We get into the difference between quick tips and long term development, plus how coaches and parents can stay aligned when a player hits a rough stretch. We get into some of the difficulties that he's experienced growing up and building the business he has today. We also talk about training culture, what productive reps actually look like, and how to create an environment where baseball and softball players want to keep showing up and putting in work. If you care about youth sports, mentorship, and community based coaching, this conversation delivers practical takeaways without the fluff. If you are in the San Gabriel Valley and you have a player who wants to improve their swing, sharpen their approach, and train with purpose, Coach Buck breaks down the mindset that helps athletes level up and stay in love with the game. ____________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1h 19m

  7. 12/30/2025

    Lupita & Dennis Ramirez - Marketing That Grows Small Businesses

    Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Lupita Ramirez and Dennis Ramirez, the husband and wife team behind Think, Create & Connect, Inc., a family owned creative marketing agency that helps businesses strengthen their online presence through brand strategy, social media management, and creative campaigns. We talk about what it takes to elevate a brand when you are busy running the day to day of your business. Dennis shares how he thinks about brand identity, marketing strategy, and consistent messaging so businesses can show up clearly and build trust over time. Lupita breaks down the connection side of marketing and why community relationships still matter, especially for local entrepreneurs. We also get into the community work she’s involved in, including supporting local business networks and hosting events that help organizations build awareness. If you run a small business and you want practical insight on marketing, branding, and relationship building that leads to real growth, this conversation will give you a clear next step and a better way to think about your business online. __________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1h 8m

  8. 12/23/2025

    Shaunt Der Ohannesian - Loss, Recovery, and Carrying a Family Legacy in Pasadena

    Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Shaunt Der Ohannesian, the son of Shahan Der Ohannesian and part of the family behind Lee’s Hoagie House in Pasadena. Lee’s has become a true neighborhood staple, and Shaunt now helps run day to day operations while carrying forward what makes the place feel like home.  Shaunt opens up about his journey through addiction, and how the loss of his best friend became the turning point that helped save his life. He gets vulnerable about the darkest stretch of that season and what it took to climb out, rebuild trust, and start showing up for his future with real intention. We also talk about family, legacy, and what it means to return to the business with a new mindset. If you’ve ever eaten at Lee’s, you know the magic: the way the team remembers people, the warmth in the room, and the feeling that you’re not just another order. Shaunt shares what it’s like to keep that standard alive while growing into his own role alongside his dad.  This is one of those conversations that sticks with you. You’ve got to tune into this episode. __________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1h 6m
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4.9
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

Welcome to the My SGV Podcast. A show where you will hear personal stories of triumph over failures, and how others successfully navigated the unique landscape that is the San Gabriel Valley. What makes us different? Well, just like you, we have chosen the San Gabriel Valley for our home or businesses, or both. We believe it is the people and small businesses that make this community great and we love to share their stories with you. We always encourage your questions and feedback and you can find all of our contact information at sgvmasterkey.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Kind Monster Productions
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    247
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 My SGV Podcast
  • Show Website
    My SGV Podcast

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