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Podcast EPisodes
We have plenty of gaps in America and right here in San Diego—educational, racial, wealth, health, literacy, and more. The Gap Minders is taking on these GAPS—one conversation at a time.

Sandra McBrayer | CEO of The Children’s Initiative and Founder of The Monarch School
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by international educational ambassador, former Teacher of the Year, and the current CEO of The Children's Initiative, Sandra McBrayer.
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Chad Stewart | Best Selling Author of the “Britfield” Series of Books
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined for an around the world conversation with Chad Stewart, the author and creative mind behind one of the most awarded adventure fiction series for children, the "Britfield" series. With the third book coming out in August 2022, Britfield is well on its way to becoming a multi-media franchise, with a play and movies on the horizon.
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Lisa Steinke | Co-Author of Seven Fiction Books
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio for a fun conversation with Lisa Steinke, the co-author with Liz Fenton of seven different successful fiction novels and the co-host of the hit podcast "We Fight So You Don't Have To." We learn all about the process by which Lisa and Liz manage to write together, whether chapter by chapter or by an outline if it is a suspense thriller.
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John Corcoran and Nick Nanton | Founder of John Corcoran Foundation and 22 Time Emmy Award-Winning Director
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio for a great conversation with two passionate literacy advocates: John Corcoran, the author of "The Teacher Who Couldn't Read" as well as the Founder of the John Corcoran Foundation, and Nick Nanton, the 22-time Emmy Award winning director and producer. John and Nick are also partners on the soon to be released documentary, "The Truth About Reading."
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Dr. Carlos Cortez | Chancellor, San Diego Community College District
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio for a great conversation with Dr. Carlos Cortez, the Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, the 7th largest community college district in the United States. Chosen by the Board of Trustees after a national search, Dr. Cortez brings a life of educational excellence, as a student at Georgetown, NYU and USC, as a Principal, as a Professor, as a President and CEO and now as Chancellor.
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Cindy Marten | Deputy Secretary of United States Department of Education
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined by an incredible educational leader, Cindy Marten, the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. In a career spanning 32 years, Cindy has seen every facet, perspective and opportunity to lift lives and close gaps as a teacher, literacy specialist, Vice Principal, Principal, Superintendent at San Diego Unified and now as the Deputy Secretary under President Biden.
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Nora Vargas | Vice Chair, San Diego County Board of Supervisors
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined by Nora Vargas, the Vice Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Nora, a first-generation immigrant, is the first Latina and first woman of color to serve as County Supervisor in the 171-year history of the County of San Diego. She is currently serving a second term as Vice-Chair of the Board.
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Jeff Light | Publisher & Editor, San Diego Union Tribune
In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined by Jeff Light, the Publisher & Editor of the Pulitzer-prize winning The San Diego Union Tribune.
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Richard Lederer | Linguist, Author, Co-Founding Host of “A Way With Words”
On this second episode of Gap Minders, meet the incredible Richard Lederer, a linguist, author, and co-founding host of "A Way With Words."
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Dr. Shirley Weber | California Secretary of State
Welcome to the very first episode of The Gap Minders. Trust us, there is no better human, leader and book lover for the very first episode than the one and only Dr. Shirley Weber, the California Secretary of State!
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Pilot Episode | Nancy Sasaki and Jose Cruz
In this pilot episode, listen to our co-hosts, Nancy Sasaki, the CEO of the United Way of San Diego County, and Jose Cruz, the CEO of the San Diego Council on Literacy, discuss the purpose for The Gap Minders and the great guests who will be joining the show.
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