The Sages Among Us

Ernesto Alvarado Licensed Clinician & GVPD Officer

Ernesto is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in the field of social work. He is also currently a member of the Grass Valley Police Department as a sworn Officer and, separately, provides clinical crisis intervention as a Psychiatric Response Team member at Sutter Roseville Medical Center.    He was born and raised in Butte County, where he lived on an almond farm helping his parents tend to their family owned and operated Almond and Walnut farm until he relocated to the Pacific Northwest in late 2001. During his teenage and early adult years, he was a performing musician where he spent a significant duration of his time playing locally as well as nationally while on tour. In early adulthood, he was employed as direct care service provider at a Residential Treatment Facility supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. This began his long journey within the social work field.    He graduated from California State University, Chico with his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2010 and obtained his master’s degree in social work from California State University, Chico in 2012. In his post graduate degree he worked in various social work settings including Transitional Age Youth homeless services as a case manager and therapist, the Child Welfare Services system as a clinical case manager, the Adult Protective Services system as a clinical case manager, and Clinical crisis intervention in a hospital setting. The most influential moment in his career began when he took part in the development of the Nevada County Sherifs Office Mobile Crisis Team pilot program as a mental health clinician before deciding to attend the Yuba College Police Academy in 2022. He completed the Police Academy in 2023 and obtained full clinical licensure in 2025. Over the past few years, Ernesto has had the role of Patrol Officer, crisis specialist, Crisis Negotiations Team negotiator, and is also a certified Child Forensic Interviewer. Recently he has been appointed as an Outreach Liaison Officer, specifically assisting individuals in the community in need of homeless outreach, mental health, and substance abuse related services and recipients of the Post Release Community Supervision program, which is supported by Community Corrections Partnership Funding.    In his free time, he enjoys spending quality time with his son and spouse, traveling, reading, continuing to learn, playing, and watching soccer with his family, and creating music with friends.

Tina Basich, pro-snowboarder and female arts advocate

Tonight on The Sages Among Us, host Kimberly Ewing talks and connects to Tina Basich about her professional snowboarder career that led her to civic engagement and community life.

Sarah Souza - Inspirational Nevada County Native

Host Hollie Grimaldi Flores and guest Sarah Souza discuss living life to the fullest regardless of the challenges that may come your way.  Souza was born with a degenerative disease that left her legally blind before she was 20, but the Nevada County native did not let that stop her from raising two boys, being an active volunteer at their school and later traveling the world among other adventures.  Sarah "sees" life as not many others do -- give this inspiring half hour a listen!

Guy Stilson, Attorney formerly representing Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead

Host Keith Porter brings us the fascinating details of the life and times of Guy Stilson, an attorney from the Bay Area with a wide variety of experiences including representing Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead, and now focusing on photography and  new adventures in his Nevada County community.

Lynn Hodson

Host Lori Burkart Frank interviews Lynn Hodson, Executive Director of Sammie's Friends, Entrepreneur, former school board member in Southern California, and community volunteer.  Lynn lives on a mini-ranch with her human family and nine rescue dogs and cats a myriad of hogs, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks and turkeys.