Hidden Gems: Meet Cristina Dennstedt of Conejo Valley Visionaries

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Dennstedt.

Hi Cristina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in Orlando, I dreamed of becoming the next Katie Couric. That dream brought me to USC, where I studied broadcast journalism. But like many twenty-somethings figuring it out, I pivoted. Small-town TV news didn’t appeal to me — so I followed a different path: marketing.

For over a decade, I worked in fashion, lifestyle, and culinary PR in New York City — and I loved it. The energy, the brands, the creative chaos of it all. But life has its way of rerouting us.

After a few years reverse commuting from Santa Monica, I relocated to Thousand Oaks — first for work, then for family. As a New Yorker for over a decade, I’ll be honest — I was a bit of a snob about the suburbs. But it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the Conejo Valley.

The beautiful hikes. No traffic (!!). Inspiring small businesses. And a community full of kind, creative, driven entrepreneurs. I’ve always had the itch to build something of my own — and while I still have a restaurant concept brewing, this podcast became the thing that lit me up.

As a daily podcast listener and lover of founder stories, launching a hyper-local interview show felt like a natural fit.

That’s how Conejo Valley Visionaries was born.

It started as a way to reconnect with my storytelling roots and build community. Since then, we’ve wrapped four seasons, hosted three live events (two in partnership with Neighborly), and even launched a global offshoot — featuring visionary entrepreneurs like Harry Hamlin and Melanie Masarin.

I’ve met incredible local leaders, formed real friendships with listeners, and learned firsthand that following your passion isn’t always easy — but it’s always worth it.

There’s so much more to come!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Launching Conejo Valley Visionaries and building the community around it has actually felt natural — almost effortless in the best way. The growth has been organic, and the response from local listeners and entrepreneurs has been incredibly encouraging.

But underneath that momentum were some deeply personal reasons I started the podcast in the first place.

About a year after moving to Thousand Oaks, I was entering a new chapter of life — and not an easy one. I was going through a divorce and looking for a way to reconnect, to rebuild, and to root myself in this new community. Not long after, the company I worked for relocated to Texas, and I found myself without the job that had originally brought me here.

It was a lot of change all at once.

Starting the podcast became a creative outlet, yes — but more than that, it was a lifeline. It gave me purpose, connection, and a chance to meet the kind of people I wanted to surround myself with: thoughtful, driven, community-minded visionaries building something meaningful right here in the Conejo Valley.

So while the road hasn’t always been smooth personally, the podcast has been a source of light, growth, and belonging — not just for me, but I hope for everyone who listens, too.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Growing up, I dreamed of becoming the next Katie Couric. That passion for storytelling led me to study broadcast journalism at USC — a foundation that shaped my deep belief in the power of authentic stories to inform, connect, and inspire. While I spent over a decade working in PR and marketing across fashion, lifestyle, and culinary brands in New York City, that storytelling spark never left me.

A year and a half ago, I returned to those roots by launching Conejo Valley Visionaries — a hyperlocal audio and video podcast spotlighting the changemakers, creatives, and entrepreneurs shaping the Conejo Valley in Southern California.

Ranked in the top 20% of video podcasts on Spotify, and now in its fifth season, the podcast has shared the stories of over 50 local business and community leaders, including Collin and Vicki of Moody Rooster, John Edney of Tarantula Hill Brewing Co., famed graffiti artist Risky, Thousand Oaks Deputy City Manager Akbar Alikhan & so many more, grown an engaged social media audience, and hosted three sold-out community events, two in partnership with Neighborly in Westlake Village. It has also expanded to include a new global interview series, featuring visionaries like Harry Hamlin and Melanie Masarin, proving that the appetite for authentic, human-centered stories transcends borders.

What sets Conejo Valley Visionaries apart is its intentional focus on community connection. In a world saturated with content, this podcast creates space for meaningful, real conversations with people who are making an impact — right here in our own backyard.

I’m most proud that the show has become more than a podcast — it’s become a platform for connection, a tool for local discovery, and in many ways, a reflection of the community itself.

In addition to producing the podcast, I also help individuals and brands launch and grow their own shows — from developing the concept to building a brand voice and guiding production.

If you’re interested in starting your own podcast or collaborating on an episode, I’d love to hear from you.
📧 Email: conejovalleyvisionaries@gmail.com

What’s next?
Looking ahead, my goal is to continue helping Conejo Valley businesses get the recognition they truly deserve. There is so much innovation, heart, and hustle in this community — and I want more people to see it, celebrate it, and support it.

One of the most popular additions to the podcast has been our Best of Conejo Valley video series, which has really resonated with our audience. I plan to continue growing that series and lean even more into video storytelling. There’s something incredibly powerful about seeing a local entrepreneur in their element — in their shop, their studio, or out in the field — sharing their story firsthand.

Long-term, I’d love to create a dedicated YouTube channel or digital broadcast outlet for the Conejo Valley — something in the spirit of “Taxi TV” in NYC, but tailored to our vibrant local culture. Imagine turning on your screen and seeing the faces, places, and stories that make our community special.

Whether it’s through podcasting, video, live events, or new formats altogether — I’m just getting started. My mission remains the same: to spotlight local visionaries and create content that connects us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cristinadennstedt.com/podcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conejovalleyvisionaries/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VisionaryPodcasts
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yLf5U6v266HaD4PdVwWvh?si=7c32fff3786a4a56

Image Credits
Andrea De Santis