It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around the Valley.
Cassandra Arteaga
I started embroidering in 2020 when I was stuck at home with nothing to do during the pandemic. I had always wanted to do something in fashion design when I was in highschool but ended up taking the cosmetology route. After 5 years I wasn’t inspired anymore in the industry and was wishing I could just focus on creating and making people feel happy. Read more>>
shabnum brar
I’ve been a practicing physical therapist for over two decades, but my path into oncology rehabilitation became deeply personal in 2019, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and quickly came to understand—firsthand—how complex and challenging recovery after cancer treatment can be, both physically and emotionally. Read more>>
Anna Griffin
I’ve always wanted to be a doctor, so helping people with their health has always been my passion. When I moved to the United States, I personally struggled with acne and tried everything I could find — but nothing really worked. That experience motivated me to take matters into my own hands. Read more>>
Ralphy Vies
My journey started after I was cut from my college basketball team—a moment that forced me to rethink my path. Around that same time, my best friend challenged me to stop waiting for direction and start creating it. While I was still in college, he had just dropped out, and together we decided to figure out our future on our own terms. Read more>>
stephanie Michelle
I started my beauty journey at Paul Mitchell in Sherman Oaks in 2011. Shortly after, I faced a health challenge: I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had to take time for surgery, chemotherapy, and recovery. Once I regained my health, I pursued my interest in hairstyling and makeup and attend a makeup school. Read more>>
Joe Castillo
My story hasn’t followed a straight line; it’s been shaped by faith, community, and a lot of learning along the way. I grew up with a deep conviction that my life was meant to make a meaningful impact beyond myself. That belief eventually led me into ministry and community leadership, though not without seasons of uncertainty, failure, and growth. Read more>>
Arturo Morales
Eleven years ago, I was searching for a career that felt fulfilling. I picked up photography almost as an experiment, not knowing it would become something I could never walk away from. When friends started asking me to photograph their sports, doors began to open, and what once felt like a dream slowly became my reality. Read more>>
Stina Funch
I was born and raised in Denmark, where design is simply part of daily life. It isn’t about trends or decoration — it’s about function, honesty, and creating spaces that feel good to be in. That mindset stayed with me long before I ever called myself a designer. My career actually began in hotel management, working in hotels in Copenhagen, London, and Dubai. Read more>>
Shai Jordan
My name is Shai Jordan, I’m 14 year old and a music producer and lyricist. I first got into music when I was really little, like two or three years old. I used to try to sing and rap before I could even say full sentences. My mom has a lot of home videos of me doing it. Read more>>
Conni Ponturo
I found Pilates 28 years ago. I was a mom of a 6 and a 2-year-old, and I knew I needed to be more in my life, but I didn’t know what I was looking for. It was my husband who said I’ve heard about this Pilates thing, and I think you would be good at that. Read more>>
Andrea Surova
As a child I dreamed of becoming a film star, but now that I live in the shadow of Hollywood my aspirations have dramatically changed. I grew up in Massachusetts performing in a lot of musical theatre productions, writing and playing music, and going to NBA games with my dad whenever possible. Read more>>
Ryan Love
My story, quite frankly, is unlikely. More of an accident of circumstance than the results of strict, well-thought-out plan. After graduating high school, I took up writing as a hobby and a way to keep my mind busy as I wrestled with the first years of early adulthood that sprout from adolescence. Read more>>
Megan Beattie
I’m a Los Angeles-based artist working as both a musician and an actor. I grew up in the Bay Area, California, and my creative life really started in church choir. Music was my first way in. Read more>>
Naomi Clark
Naomi Clark, CMT, discovered her passion for massage therapy through a personal journey of healing. Struggling with a debilitating herniated disc and sciatic issue, she experienced the transformative power of clinical massage firsthand. Motivated by her own recovery, Naomi embarked on a mission to extend this relief to others in need. Read more>>
Gisele Tune
From an early age, travel shaped my love for fashion. While others explored museums in Paris, I found myself drawn to the boutiques and shops, learning firsthand from the best in the world. That passion eventually became my path, leading me into the clothing business. Nearly three decades later, I’m proud to still be here in Studio City, where fashion and community meet. Read more>>
Erin Croom
I grew up in Metro Detroit as a competitive dancer for many of my early years, and that led to my first acting opportunity on stage. A traveling play sought out young girls in every city who could act and dance, and I was one of them. Read more>>
Andres Vasquez
My journey with training began long before I ever thought about opening a gym. My grandfather first introduced me to boxing, teaching me discipline, work ethic, and respect long before I understood competition. In middle school, I discovered Muay Thai, and it gave me structure, focus, and an outlet during a formative time in my life. Read more>>
Lisa Veal
I started out working for my own optometrist when I was just 16 years old. As I went through my college years I continued to work in the optometric industry to help pay for college. I became board certified in opticianry and was a board certified contact lens technician. I worked in several optometry practices throughout Los Angeles. Read more>>
Isa Lillard
We started In 2024, Supporting underserved with education health wellness and expanding workforce. Advocating for equal civil humane living conditions. Read more>>
David Aguirre
No Sabo Café started as something much bigger than a business, it was a dream that belonged to my brother and I. He always wanted to open a small neighborhood restaurant in our community, a place where people felt at home and could enjoy food that reflected both our culture and the life we grew up with here in the States. Read more>>
Sabrina Acatrinei
My entry into behavioral health was deeply personal. A close friend of mine died from an overdose, and that loss changed the way I saw addiction, treatment, and the gaps that exist in care. At the time, I didn’t come from a traditional clinical background — I came from lived experience, urgency, and a strong sense that people deserved better systems of support. Read more>>
Roya Parsa
My journey began when I discovered how much I enjoyed working one-on-one with children while teaching music lessons. That eventually led me to speech-language pathology and a career working with young children and their families. I received both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Disorders and Sciences from California State University, Northridge and have been a licensed speech-language pathologist for over 15 years. Read more>>
Jasmin Molina
I started ShadyVEU in 2016 after becoming frustrated with how inaccessible quality eyewear felt. I loved performance sunglasses, but I couldn’t justify paying designer prices for something I wore daily, especially while living an active lifestyle. What began as a personal solution quickly turned into a business idea. I launched ShadyVEU from my bedroom, literally storing inventory in my closet and fulfilling orders myself. Read more>>
Amy Hill
Listening for the Whisper: A Journey of Horses, Healing, and Heart I come from a multigenerational equestrian family. Horses were never just animals to me—they were teachers, companions, and a language I learned before words. I grew up riding, grooming, sitting quietly in stalls, and forming deep bonds with animals. People often told me they thought I’d grow up to be a veterinarian. Read more>>
Hillary Friddle
It has been a such a lovely ride to the place I am now but, I didn’t arrive here through a straight line. I spent 25 years as a classical ballet teacher and coach, and over a decade as a massage therapist, both of which deeply shaped how I understand the body, movement, and touch. Read more>>
Robert Fox
I started promoting and throwing events at 18 in 2011, which quickly evolved into DJing and eventually the wedding industry. Before BLVD ever existed, I invested heavily in learning—studying music production, studio recording, Pro Tools, graphic design, and video editing in college, while producing music in Ableton for five years. Read more>>
Dr. Xavier Mitchell
Calexit didn’t start with me — it began over 15 years ago with Marcus Ruiz Evans, who founded the movement during a period when many Californians were questioning whether federal systems still reflected the state’s values, economic realities, and global identity. Read more>>
Ashley Lindsay
My love for being on stage and being a silly goose began when I was in first grade. My mom was a member of my school’s PTA and had heard that another mom was looking to assemble a group to do a dance performance with her daughter for the talent show. Read more>>
Emily Anderson
Along the way, I met my fiancé, Bryan, an award-winning filmmaker and photographer, completely by accident while I was shooting at Old Meadows Park, which feels very on brand. Together, we now document everyday family magic and destination experiences around the world for clients who have become friends and feel like family. Read more>>
Jeffrey Shukhman
I grew up in Los Angeles with a hockey stick in my hand. I started playing ice hockey when I was four years old, and that early love of sport and competition shaped how I view health, discipline, and community. Sports were not just something I did for fun. Read more>>
shannon cochran
I started as an elementary teacher over 20 years ago. During that time I worked with a homeschool program as an education specialist, helping students and their families in their education process. I was also providing guidance for families in my church. I saw so many families that needed guidance in everyday life choices. Read more>>
Deepti Kingra-Mickelsen
I’ve always been drawn to the arts. Growing up with very little, creativity came naturally, and literature, music, films, and theatre became the ways I discovered myself. I’ve also been incredibly lucky to have amazing teachers and mentors throughout my life, especially in college. My theatre professor introduced me to working on film sets and eventually became a close friend who helped me figure out who I wanted to become. He’s also the person who introduced me to my husband! I’m very aware that I am who I am because of the people who guided me. Read more>>
Joe Estrada
Coming from the Palm Springs area, so close to LA and a well-known hotspot for talent to vacation or to work on a shoot, you’d think there’d be more opportunities to work on a film, but nope. So, I worked as a set builder at the local stage theaters for a couple of years. Read more>>
