Vicinity

Vicinity
  • 5,0 (4)
  • EMPREENDEDORISMO
  • SEMANAL

For people near and far. Vicinity is a podcast about small businesses, neighborliness, and the magic of being in the vicinity of other creative and passionate humans. In our inaugural season, we talk about the phase when your business is up and running and things are starting to become more repetitive and operational. How do you stay inspired? This season is about the creative people you surround yourself with and what brings you joy?

Episódios

  1. Building Neighborhoods That Work – A Conversation with Julia Katz from Mercy Housing

    28/07/2025

    Building Neighborhoods That Work – A Conversation with Julia Katz from Mercy Housing

    What if your neighborhood wasn’t built for outsiders but with you in mind? In this episode of Vicinity, we talk with Julia Katz, a commercial developer at Mercy Housing, who’s flipping the script on what affordable housing can be. Think: walkable streets, small local businesses, and spaces designed with real community input — not just city permits. Julia shares her journey from growing up in NYC surrounded by neighborhood inequality, to working in women-led construction, to leading one of San Francisco’s largest public housing redevelopments. Along the way, she opens up about grief, motivation, the myth of neutrality in development — and why she believes burrito access should be part of every city’s walk score...

    32 min
  2. Geechi Taylor - Artisitc Director and President of Young Musicians Choral Orchestra/YMCO

    08/07/2025

    Geechi Taylor - Artisitc Director and President of Young Musicians Choral Orchestra/YMCO

    In this powerful episode, we sit down with Geechi Taylor—musician, educator, and Artistic Director & President of the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra—for a deeply moving and honest conversation about music, mentorship, and the meaning of community. From New York to Berkeley, CA, to sharing stages with Wynton Marsalis and Lauryn Hill, Geechi takes us through the twists and turns of a life shaped by rhythm, resilience, and real love. He shares how a trumpet in middle school opened doors to the world, how rejection fueled his growth, and how a circle of fierce mentors—including his single dad—taught him to lead with heart. But this episode is more than a musical journey—it’s a story about showing up for the next generation. Geechi opens up about the joys and heartbreak of guiding young people through a world of distractions, inequity, and untapped brilliance. From teaching rehearsals in a laundry room to saving a student from street life, his commitment runs deep. He also shares how losing his wife shifted his perspective, and how self-care for him sometimes looks like unplugging, breathing in the sun, and walking without headphones. Whether you're an artist, parent, educator, or someone just trying to find your way, this conversation is a reminder of what's possible when we listen, love, and act with intention.

    1h 4min
  3. Sabrina Mutukisna founder of Built Here Oakland

    30/05/2025

    Sabrina Mutukisna founder of Built Here Oakland

    We sit down with Sabrina: entrepreneur, community builder, and co-creator of the Entrepreneur Guaranteed Income Fund and Built Here, Oakland. From growing up in a Sri Lankan immigrant family running small businesses to launching a social enterprise that hired youth, Sabrina’s journey is rooted in hustle, heart, and a deep belief in the power of community. She shares how being raised around resourcefulness and collective care shaped her approach to entrepreneurship — and why small businesses deserve not just encouragement, but real, sustained support. We talk about building from love instead of scarcity, navigating burnout, and redefining wealth through wellness, interdependence, and joy. Sabrina also reflects on Oakland’s unique spirit — where people open doors for one another, where creativity is abundant, and where the future of entrepreneurship is deeply communal. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, organizer, artist, or simply someone dreaming of building something meaningful, this conversation is an invitation to imagine what's possible when we bet on each other — and ourselves.

    40 min
  4. Naomi Peña Founder & CEO of The Art Party

    08/05/2025

    Naomi Peña Founder & CEO of The Art Party

    Naomi Fierro Peña (she/her/ella), is the Founder & CEO of That Art Party, art and play for BIPOC adults.  That Art Party is an amalgamation of all the things that make me - and perhaps us - human.  Naomi started this experience as an altar to the inner child who was forced to grow up too soon, to problem-solve the world, and to serve everyone else before herself. I see you. As a queer, woman of color, she started That Art Party as a sacred space to honor our need for creative rest. Vicinity is a podcast about small businesses, neighborliness, and the magic of being, well, in the vicinity of other creative and passionate humans. In each episode, the host, Ari Takata-Vasquez, interviews a creative guest to find out what their journey has looked like (spoiler, it’s not linear), how they stay in it when things get tough, and most importantly, what brings them joy. Ari uses her unique background as a small business owner, design, and artist to connect topics ranging from architecture, inspiration, good governance, vulnerability, and urban design. From each discussion, we pull out the gems and give you ideas you can put into practice.

    44 min

  5. 07/02/2022

    #4 Marv Lahens

    Episode 4 Marv Lahens is a multidisciplinary designer, art director, furniture maker, and more. As the founder of Maison Oge, he created a like of beautifully crafted goods with a highly unique perspective. With his new company, Self Furnished, Marv is pushing the bounds of digital fabrication, democratizing the design process, and building connections between consumers and the process of making their goods.  See Marv's work at mahviii.com  // maisonoge.com // selffurnished.com Follow Marv on Instagram @mahviii @maisonoge @selffurnished Subscribe to get notifications of new episodes. Get show notes & transcription at the Vicinity Website. Credits: Vicinity is produced and edited by Viscera Studio including original illustrations by Cia Gould. Outro music by Jack Sriacha, Music by Jack Sriracha. Check them out on all Streaming services and @brotherfarr on Instagram. Intro music and commercial break music by Understory (Miles Bianchi & Ari Takata-Vasquez).

    25 min
  6. #3 Mike Nicholls

    31/01/2022

    #3 Mike Nicholls

    Mike Nicholls is an Oakland, CA-based award-winning creative director, book designer, brand strategist, publisher, visual artist and community builder. He translates ideas into visionary creative solutions utilizing over 20 years of design experience and natural talent. Mike is also the founder of Umber Studios, a platform highlighting creative perspectives that matter. His work has been recognized by such places as Blavity’s Afro Tech, Print Magazine, Muse by Clio, and Communication Arts. www.thisismikenicholls.com | www.thisisumber.com Subscribe to get notifications of new episodes. Get show notes & transcription at the Vicinity Website. Credits Vicinity is produced and edited by Viscera Studio including original illustrations by Cia Gould. Outro music by Jack Sriacha, Music by Jack Sriracha. Check them out on all Streaming services and @brotherfarr on Instagram. Intro music and commercial break music by Understory (Miles Bianchi & Ari Takata-Vasquez).

    24 min
  7. #2 Brittany Luby

    24/01/2022

    #2 Brittany Luby

    In this episode our guest is Brittany Luby, we talk with her about her path to starting a brand and becoming a freelance designer. We also discuss the importance of finding balance and self-care in these hectic times and the value of building and supporting your communities. Brittany is a color lover and tree hugger practicing graphic design in Oakland, California. She enjoys branding and print design projects with clients full of heart and soul.  Brittany's Instagram HeyMa Creative HeyMa Goods Subscribe to get notifications of new episodes. Get show notes & transcription at the Vicinity Website. Credits Vicinity is produced and edited by Viscera Studio including original illustrations by Cia Gould. Outro music by Jack Sriacha, Music by Jack Sriracha. Check them out on all Streaming services and @brotherfarr on Instagram. Intro music and commercial break music by Understory (Miles Bianchi & Ari Takata-Vasquez).

    24 min

  8. 17/01/2022

    # 1 Joshua Farr

    It's official! We're live!  Welcome to the first episode of Vicinity, a podcast by Viscera Studio, where we get curious about someone in our community -- we learn more about the fabric of their story and what makes them joyful. Each week we explore those intersections-- connecting the dots between creativity, art, design, good governance, artistic practice, and more. And ultimately ask: who else is in the vicinity? Episode 1 Joshua Farr is a multi-disciplinary artist residing in Oakland, California. A native to the Bay Area, his artwork mirrors the natural and industrial beauty that has always been synonymous with Northern California. These captured moments are referred to by the artist as "delightful mediocrity", or the beauty in the mundanity of daily existence while we make our Way Back Home. May this art give you space to pause and delight in the artwork of the Creator that surrounds us. Subscribe to get notifications of new episodes. Get show notes & transcription at the Vicinity Website. Credits: Vicinity is produced and edited by Viscera Studio including original illustrations by Cia Gould. Outro music by Jack Sriacha, Music by Jack Sriracha. Check them out on all Streaming services and @brotherfarr on Instagram. Intro music and commercial break music by Understory (Miles Bianchi & Ari Takata-Vasquez).

    23 min

  9. TEMPORADA 1, TRAILER DO EPISÓDIO 1

    Introducing Vicinity- launching January 17th!

    Mark your calendars, Vicinity launches on January 17!  For people near and far Vicinity is a podcast about small businesses, neighborliness, and the magic of being in the vicinity of other creative and passionate humans. Every week, host Ari Takata-Vasquez interviews a fellow maker/creative/business owner and talks about their journey.  Show Notes  When you meet someone new, do you ever wonder how many times you’ve crossed paths with that person back when they were strangers? Me too. I wonder what the rest of their life looks like? Do we know any people in common? What events in the universe aligned for us to meet? What makes them joyful? This curiosity usually leads me to more and more questions and, as I pull at each of those threads, I find a more beautiful fabric. Vicinity is a podcast exploring those intersections, where we connect the dots between creativity, art, design, good governance, community, and more. And ultimately ask: who else is in the vicinity?

    1 min

Trailer

Classificações e avaliações

5
de 5
4 avaliações

Sobre

For people near and far. Vicinity is a podcast about small businesses, neighborliness, and the magic of being in the vicinity of other creative and passionate humans. In our inaugural season, we talk about the phase when your business is up and running and things are starting to become more repetitive and operational. How do you stay inspired? This season is about the creative people you surround yourself with and what brings you joy?

Informações

  • Criado por
    Vicinity
  • Anos de atividade
    2019 - 2025
  • Episódios
    9
  • Classificação
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © Vicinity
  • Site do podcast
    Vicinity