Dear San Diego

Aimee Faucett on Leadership, What People Don't See, and Why San Diego’s Housing Crisis is So Hard to Solve

Aimee Faucett has spent her career in the room where decisions get made. From City Hall to the Chamber of Commerce—and now as CEO of the San Diego County Building Industry Association—she’s built a reputation as someone who doesn’t just understand how things work in San Diego, but how to actually move them forward. In this episode of Dear San Diego, Tony Manolatos and guest co-host Elizabeth Wilberg sit down with Aimee to talk about what it really takes to lead under pressure—and why some of the region’s biggest challenges remain so difficult to solve. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome to Dear San Diego & ECS Community Impact 00:04:17 – Introducing Aimee Faucett: From City Hall to Housing Leadership 00:09:03 – Early Life, SDSU, and a Career in Public Affairs 00:13:00 – Inside the Mayor’s Office: Pressure, Crisis, and Leadership 00:17:20 – COVID Response and Managing Citywide Challenges 00:19:39 – Leadership Styles: Jerry Sanders vs. Kevin Faulconer 00:28:10 – San Diego’s Housing Crisis: Policy, Politics, and Reality 00:35:21 – Leading the Building Industry: Solutions Over Complaints 00:38:20 – Women in Leadership: Challenges, Mentorship, and Growth 00:43:53 – Is San Diego on the Right Track? Final Thoughts & Predictions See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Deacon Jim Vargas on Homelessness, Hope, and the Human Beings Behind the Crisis

Deacon Jim Vargas, CEO of Father Joe’s Villages, joins Dear San Diego for a powerful conversation about homelessness, housing, behavioral health, and what it really takes to move people from the streets to stability. But this episode goes beyond policy and systems. Deacon Jim shares his journey from the Bronx to San Diego, how faith shaped his path, and why simply saying hello, volunteering, and listening changes how we see people experiencing homelessness. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome to Dear San Diego + Life Updates 00:02:20 – Introducing Justine Murray & Deacon Jim Vargas 00:04:06 – From the Bronx to San Diego: Jim’s Early Life 00:07:35 – From Banking to Ministry: A Life Pivot 00:11:11 – Leading Father Joe’s Villages 00:14:05 – The Legacy of Father Joe Carroll 00:18:26 – Innovation in Homeless Services 00:21:12 – What Father Joe’s Villages Actually Does 00:27:15 – Measuring Progress & What’s Working 00:39:13 – Behavioral Health Surge & The Human Side of Homelessness See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Little League & Travel Baseball: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

In this new episode of Dear San Diego, Tony and Elizabeth sit down with their twins Alex and Nicky, who are 12, to talk about baseball — not just the stats and scores, but the lessons the game teaches. As a former Division I athlete and CEO of a large nonprofit, Elizabeth knows athletes at every level perform best when they’re loose, happy, and confident. The family opens up about the highs and lows of Little League and travel baseball: the thrill of big hits and close games, the car rides home, the friendships, the politics, and the small victories that boost confidence. Alex shares how he’s learned to stay calm under pressure — to trust the process and the work he’s put in, and to bounce back quickly after mistakes. Nicky offers a different perspective: he stopped playing, but he has stayed involved in the game.  Listen now: Little League & Travel Baseball: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly — available wherever you get your podcasts or at Olas Media. [https://olasmedia.com/shows/dear-san-diego] Don’t forget to check out our first youth baseball episode. [https://olasmedia.com/blogs/youth-baseball-parents-stop-talking] This Episode Is Made Possible By Berry’s Athletic Supply Serving San Diego athletes for more than 70 years, Berry’s Athletic Supply in Lemon Grove is the go-to spot for sporting goods, varsity jackets, and gear for baseball players at every level — as well as soccer, football, and other sports. Over the decades, Berry’s has designed more than 30,000 varsity letter jackets. Visit berrysathleticsupply.com [https://www.berrysathleticsupply.com/]  East County Rattlers Baseball Club The East County Rattlers [https://www.instagram.com/ec_rattlers_enright/] are building something special in San Diego — focused on player development, sportsmanship, and community. FEATURED EVENT: Swing Into the New Year Classic Tournament January 2–4, 2026 | San Diego | 4-Game Guarantee Kick off the New Year with competitive play and great energy at one of San Diego’s top travel baseball tournaments! REGISTER & LEARN MORE ABOUT OTHER EVENTS. [https://tonymanolatos.substack.com/p/little-league-and-travel-baseball] Charlie Rose Baseball Your one-stop shop for bats, gloves, and gear — and a trusted partner for San Diego’s youth baseball community. Shop in store or at sandiegobaseballsupply.com [https://sandiegobaseballsupply.com/].   Bonus for our listeners: There’s an exclusive offer from Charlie Rose Baseball available only to Dear San Diego listeners — tune in to this episode to get the coupon code! Resources and Recommendations for Baseball Parents [https://tonymanolatos.substack.com/p/little-league-and-travel-baseball] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Family, Leadership, and San Diego’s Talent Challenge - Mark Cafferty

In this episode of Dear San Diego, Tony and Juan sit down with the CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation [https://www.sandiegobusiness.org] - Mark Cafferty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-cafferty-61b3765/], to talk about family, leadership, boxing, and the challenges facing San Diego’s economy. From his Boston upbringing shaped by strong role models to raising two boys in San Diego, he shares how family keeps him grounded even while working on major projects for the region. The conversation dives into why San Diego struggles to keep young talent, the high cost of housing, and what leaders must do to protect the city’s future. Listen to more episodes at olasmedia.com [http://olasmedia.com] Here are some key moments of the conversation: 00:03:20 – Growing up in Boston and moving to San Diego 00:06:20 – Family life, raising kids, and the role of his wife’s career 00:10:30 – Culture shock of Boston vs. San Diego 00:15:10 – Parenting, role models, and balancing work with family 00:20:10 – Sports, boxing, and lessons from athletics 00:33:10 – Developing a leadership style rooted in kindness and empowerment 00:42:00 – Why businesses and talent leave San Diego 00:48:00 – The cost of living and the challenge for young professionals 00:50:00 – Direct flights, trade missions, and building global connections See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Focused on Helping Others - John Van Cleef

A revered and longtime North County neighbor, the Community Resource Center [https://crcncc.org/] (CRC) provides meals and other services to senior citizens, low-income families, and others who need a helping hand. But its downtown Encinitas location has attracted critics recently [https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/04/21/social-media-targets-provider-as-homelessness-surges-in-encinitas/] because of expansion plans on the coveted real estate it occupies along 2nd Street between Hwy. 101 and the Pacific coastline. Tony and Juan sit down with CRC CEO John Van Cleef to unpack all of it. They also dig into who John is away from the office, what motivates him, and why he has devoted his life to helping others. Tune in now to check out this timely and  informative episode of Dear San Diego. Don’t forget to follow and subscribe at olasmedia.com [https://olasmedia.com/shows/dear-san-diego] Here are some notable moments from this episode: 00:00:00 – Catching Up: Weddings, Babies, and Family Milestones 00:08:45 – Meet John Van Cleef: CEO of the Community Resource Center 00:11:22 – CRC’s Mission & Evolution 00:15:30 – Who CRC Serves: Seniors, Families, and the Working Poor 00:21:45 – Homelessness Prevention vs. Intervention 00:25:10 – Local Criticism, Misinformation & Real Estate Pressures 00:32:30 – Homelessness Data: Facts vs. Fear 00:37:00 – Effective Encampment Resolution Work 00:40:10 – The Personal Side of Leadership 00:47:50 – A Swift Graduation Gift 00:51:00 – Rapid Fire: Chilaquiles, Walks, and Wisdom 00:56:00 – Final Thoughts: Vocation and Hope   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.