World Changemaker Podcast

World Changemaker

Hosted by Cinnamon Alvarez, co-founder of World Changemaker, alongside her co-founders Desiree Musselman and Darlene Hawley, the World Changemaker Podcast offers engaging conversations, stories, insights, and journeys of remarkable changemakers who are driving impactful change in their communities and the world. From entrepreneurs to visionaries, each episode showcases their vision to create a meaningful difference. Join us and be inspired to create your own impact. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to stay connected with the World Changemaker movement.

  1. MAR 20

    Service, Systems & Continuous Improvement with Dennis Sonney

    In this episode, we sit down with Dennis Sonney, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and longtime advocate for American manufacturing. With a background spanning organizational leadership, supply chain management, robotics, automation, and advanced technology systems, Dennis has spent more than two decades helping manufacturers strengthen their operations and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving global market. Through a nonprofit supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Dennis has worked with more than 1,500 manufacturers across California, guiding companies through modernization, process improvement, and operational strategy. Known as a trusted advisor in the manufacturing community, he brings a practical and collaborative approach to helping organizations build stronger systems and embrace continuous improvement. Beyond industry, Dennis is deeply committed to inspiring the next generation of innovators and makers. He serves on the boards of two STEM-focused nonprofit organizations that spark curiosity and hands-on learning for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. His work bridges industry, education, and workforce development to ensure that future generations are prepared to carry forward the legacy of American manufacturing. In this conversation, we explore: • The role of service and leadership in manufacturing • How systems thinking strengthens organizations • Practical insights into continuous improvement and Lean thinking • The importance of supporting workforce development and STEM education • Why collaboration between industry, education, and community matters more than ever Dennis also shares valuable resources for manufacturers, educators, and leaders who want to strengthen their organizations and support future innovators. Resources & Organizations Mentioned Science & Technology Education Partnership (STEP STEM) Inspiring students and educators in the Inland Empire toward STEM careers. Website: step-stem.org Conference: stepconference.org Address: P.O. Box 21100, Riverside, CA 92516 Phone: (714) 925-9062 Garner Holt Foundation Inspiring youth to explore robotics, animatronics, and STEAM careers. Website: garnerholtfoundation.org Address: 1255 Research Drive, Redlands, CA 92374 Phone: (909) 799-3030 Email: info@garnerholtfoundation.org Phenix Fire Helmets / Phenix Technology, Inc. Manufacturer of firefighting helmets led by President & CEO Angel Sanchez, Jr. Website: phenixfirehelmets.com Address: 3453 Durahart Street, Riverside, CA 92507 Phone: (951) 272-4938 Email: contactus@phenixfirehelmets.com California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) Statewide workforce development system supporting 45 local workforce boards. Website: cwdb.ca.gov Address: 800 Capitol Mall, Suite 1022, Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 657-1440 National Manufacturing Day / Creators Wanted An annual event held on the first Friday in October where manufacturers open their doors to the community. Website: mfgday.com National Veterans Chamber of Commerce (NVCC) Supporting veteran-owned businesses, workforce development, and families. Website: vccsd.org Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz) California’s business support office providing assistance with permits, incentives, and economic programs. Website: business.ca.gov Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce Regional chamber serving all 52 cities in the Inland Empire. Website: iechamber.org Continuous Improvement Resources • Free 5S / 6S Checklists and Audit Forms (search online for printable templates) • Value Stream Mapping guides available through Lean.org • Free Lean templates such as “5S template” or “value stream map PDF” • Webinars and educational resources from the Lean Enterprise Institute and ASQ

    29 min

  2. FEB 19

    Full Circle Leadership: A Life of Purpose, Service, and Impact

    In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with Mauricio Arellano, Superintendent of the San Bernardino City Unified School District, to explore leadership, purpose, and the power of community-rooted service.Mauricio shares his full-circle journey — from growing up in San Bernardino as the son of immigrant parents, to starting his career as a bilingual teacher, to now leading the very district that shaped his life. Appointed Superintendent in April 2023, his role is more than a title — it’s a homecoming and a mission.We talk about equity in education, rebuilding communities through strong school systems, creating cultures of belonging, and leading with humanity. From his vision for student success to his philosophy of seeing, hearing, valuing, and loving people (Sawubona), this episode is a powerful reminder that real leadership is rooted in connection, service, and purpose.✨ A conversation about vision, impact, and building a future where every student and every community can thrive. To never miss an episode, make sure to follow and subscribe to the World Changemaker Podcast. For additional information, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and stay updated on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ pages.

    25 min

  3. 12/15/2025

    From Surviving Work to Thriving Together: Inside-Out Hospitality at Work

    What if we treated the inside of our organizations with the same care we give our best customers? In this conversation, Melissa Fackler of One Team Partners shares how an inside-out hospitality mindset creates cultures of trust, belonging, and aligned teams. We talk about culture by design (not default), why “when people thrive, so do the businesses that we work with,” and how a hospitable workplace can be the difference between surviving and truly thriving. Tune in to learn how a hospitality mindset can help your people feel seen, supported, and ready to do their best work from day one. Follow, subscribe and stay connected with us on our website, Instagram and Facebook for updates and future episodes.

    30 min

  4. 10/31/2025

    Ashley Nance: Connecting with Our Children Beyond Words

    What does it mean to raise children—neurodivergent or not—who feel truly seen, heard, and happy? In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Ashley Nance, autism education teacher, communication strategist, and founder of ReVoice, a consultancy helping autistic professionals, founders, and parents communicate with confidence and compassion. Drawing from her experience teaching in China and Taiwan and working closely with non-speaking individuals, Ashley offers practical, compassionate tools that help parents connect beyond words. As a mother of five, Ashley brings warmth, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom to the conversation—exploring how curiosity, empathy, and presence can transform everyday interactions. Ashley’s approach will help you create a happy home where communication fosters confidence, understanding, and joy. Tune in to learn how to speak so your children feel heard—and listen so they feel loved. To never miss an episode, make sure to follow and subscribe to the World Changemaker Podcast. For additional information, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and stay updated on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ pages.

    30 min

  5. 10/24/2025

    David Mix: Understanding Bias and Belonging

    How do we move from awareness of bias to building true belonging? In this episode, we sit down with David Mix, Director of Development at Anthesis, a lifelong advocate, educator, and community builder whose journey from the Inland Empire to Indigenous communities across the U.S. reveals the power of empathy, equity, and action. David’s work spans housing justice, cultural preservation, and urban sustainability—each rooted in the belief that every person deserves to be seen, valued, and included. From his early days organizing for the unhoused to his years learning from Native elders and leading sustainability initiatives on Lakota/Dakota/Nakota treaty land, David’s life is a testament to what it means to serve across difference. He brings deep insight into how personal transformation and cultural understanding can shape collective change. Tune in for a conversation that challenges assumptions, invites reflection, and explores how we can create communities grounded not just in fairness but in true belonging. To never miss an episode, make sure to follow and subscribe to the World Changemaker Podcast. For additional information, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and stay updated on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ pages.

    27 min

  6. 09/23/2025

    Leslie Morales: Overcoming Biases in Hiring Practices

    What if the greatest talent your company is overlooking is hidden in plain sight? In this episode, we sit down with Leslie Morales, Chief Operating Officer of The Competitive Edge Group in Newport Beach, to explore how businesses can overcome biases in HR practices and tap into overlooked talent pools. With deep expertise in operations, sales, and culture transformation, Leslie has built a career helping CEOs solve complex organizational challenges while creating more inclusive workplaces. In her last role as Vice President of Operations at U.S. Rubber Recycling, she successfully led the Second Chance Employment Program where she partnered with several nonprofits in San Bernardino County as well as the Workforce Development Departments of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, where over 60% of the workforce included justice-involved individuals—turning lives around while strengthening the business. Leslie proved that opening doors to untapped talent doesn’t just change communities, it drives growth and innovation. Tune in as Leslie shares her insights on confronting bias in HR, integrating social impact with business growth, and inspiring change. To never miss an episode, make sure to follow and subscribe to the World Changemaker Podcast. For additional information, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and stay updated on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ pages.

    33 min

  7. 08/15/2025

    Pamela Deans: Building Communities Through Collaboration

    In this episode, we’re joined by Pamela Deans, Executive Director of the Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California, whose leadership is transforming the small business landscape across Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. Since 2022, Pamela has been connecting entrepreneurs with essential resources, training, and capital—fostering economic growth and resilient communities through the power of collaboration. From launching initiatives that empower women in entrepreneurship and the trades, to securing major grants and building a strong network of partners, Pamela’s innovative approach is creating lasting impact. With a career spanning workforce development, vocational training, and even the travel industry, she brings a unique entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to inclusive economic opportunity. Her work has been recognized with the 2025 Woman of Achievement Award from Senator Eloise Reyes and the 2024 CAMEO Entrepreneur Ecosystem Connector Award—a testament to her dedication to empowering people and strengthening communities. To never miss an episode, make sure to follow and subscribe to the World Changemaker Podcast. For additional information, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and stay updated on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ pages.

    38 min

  8. 06/13/2025

    Dr. Reggie Thomas: Leading with a Positive Mindset

    In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Reggie Thomas, President of PeakePotential, to explore how meaningful relationships and emotional intelligence form the foundation of exceptional leadership. With a doctorate in organization development and decades of experience as a national speaker and leadership coach, Reggie shares how cultivating healthy connections can transform workplace culture and elevate personal fulfillment. We delve into Reggie's passion for life coaching—helping individuals rediscover purpose, balance, and joy. Plus, you'll get a glimpse into the personal side of this “leader of leaders”—his love for family, travel, and the mental clarity he finds on long-distance runs, including his impressive record of 35 marathons and 9 Boston finishes. Whether you're a seasoned executive or someone seeking greater clarity and connection in life, this episode offers practical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement to lead with intention and impact. To never miss an episode, make sure to follow and subscribe to the World Changemaker Podcast. For additional information, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and stay updated on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ pages.

    34 min
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Trailer

About

Hosted by Cinnamon Alvarez, co-founder of World Changemaker, alongside her co-founders Desiree Musselman and Darlene Hawley, the World Changemaker Podcast offers engaging conversations, stories, insights, and journeys of remarkable changemakers who are driving impactful change in their communities and the world. From entrepreneurs to visionaries, each episode showcases their vision to create a meaningful difference. Join us and be inspired to create your own impact. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to stay connected with the World Changemaker movement.

Information

  • Creator
    World Changemaker
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © World Changemaker
  • Show Website
    World Changemaker Podcast