Hearts of Gold

Behind the Badge, Beyond the Gold: The Man Behind Butte County's Sheriff Kory Honea

💛 Episode 30: Before we jump in: You'll notice the audio sounds a little different for the first couple of minutes. We got so excited for our conversation that we didn't check the mic placement! Hang in there - we get it fixed quickly, and this conversation is absolutely worth sticking around for!Most of us know Sheriff Kory Honea from press conferences, community events, or the moments when Butte County has needed a steady leader the most. But in this episode, we wanted to introduce you to someone beyond the badge.Who is Kory Honea when he's simply being himself?We had such a wonderful time sitting down with Kory and talking about life, leadership, family, and the moments that have shaped who he is today. It's an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation that lets you see the person our community has come to know and trust.Kory shares what first led him into public service, what has kept him going through some incredibly challenging seasons, and how he stays grounded when the weight of leadership feels heavy. His encouragement for anyone walking through a difficult season is simple, genuine, and something we all needed to hear.We also look back at the Camp Fire and reminisce about the unexpected role Jaymes Lackey's viral memes played in bringing hope, laughter, and positivity to our community during one of the darkest times in Butte County's history. Sheriff Honea shares his perspective on those moments and why finding light, even in the hardest circumstances, can make a bigger difference than we sometimes realize.If you've ever found yourself wondering what Sheriff Honea is really like outside of the public eye, this episode is your chance to find out. We talk about the highs, the hardships, the lessons he's learned over a lifetime of service, and the values that continue to guide him every day.Kory became the 31st Sheriff of Butte County in 2014 after more than two decades serving our community in a variety of law enforcement roles. Along the way, he's built a career centered on service, integrity, and doing what's right, even when it's difficult. But what stood out most during our conversation wasn't his impressive career: it was his humility, his heart for people, and his unwavering commitment to this community.This episode is full of encouragement, laughter, honest conversations, and reminders that even the people we look up to are navigating life's challenges one day at a time. We walked away feeling inspired, and we think you will too.If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe so you never miss another conversation. Every week we're sharing the stories of the incredible people in Butte County who have a Heart of Gold. Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold.This episode is sponsored by: Erin Lackey Photography www.erinlackey.com/seenagainCheck out Hearts of Gold on Instagram + Facebook: @heartsofgold.mediaCheck out Sheriff Honea's Podcast: https://www.buttecounty.net/2140/Sheriffs-Mic-Podcast

A Heart of Gold & the Home Team: Lon Hatamiya's Freebirds Legacy

💛Episode 29: A Heart of Gold & the Home Team: Lon Hatamiya's Freebird LegacyFrom family farming to state leadership to bringing hometown baseball back to Marysville, Lon Hatamiya has spent a lifetime investing in Northern California and the people who call it home.In this episode of Hearts of Gold, Erin and Jaymes sit down with Lon to talk about growing up in the Yuba-Sutter region, serving as California's first Asian American cabinet secretary, helping communities navigate economic development, and why preserving local traditions matters. As co-owner of the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds, Lon shares how baseball has become another way to strengthen community, create lasting memories, and inspire the next generation.The conversation also turns personal as Lon reflects on navigating grief, finding purpose after loss, and the lessons that have shaped his life both professionally and personally. It's an inspiring discussion about resilience, leadership, and giving back to the place that raised you.Learn more about the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds and catch a game at https://freebirdsbaseball.com.This episode is sponsored by Erin Lackey Photography www.erinlackey.com and produced by Hearts of Gold Media Group. Thanks for watching!Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold.

From Film Reels to Emmy Gold with Stephen Chollet

💛 Episode 28 - What happens when a small-town movie theater projectionist grows up to become an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and successful marketing agency owner? In this episode of the Hearts of Gold Podcast, Erin and Jaymes sit down with longtime friend Stephen Chollet, founder of Chollet Agency, for a fun, nostalgic, and inspiring conversation filled with stories, laughter, and lessons learned along the way. Stephen takes us back to his earliest days working at Oroville's historic State Theatre, where he learned the art of running film projectors before the digital age transformed the industry. From threading actual film reels and working behind the scenes at the theater to discovering his passion for storytelling, Stephen shares the experiences that sparked a career in filmmaking, creative production, and marketing. The conversation also includes a few memorable trips down memory lane, including Stephen's legendary Millennium Bash during the Y2K era and highlights how those early creative endeavors helped shape the entrepreneur he is today.Along the way, we discuss: - Stephen's first job at the Oroville State Theatre - What it was like being a film projectionist before digital cinema - How a passion for storytelling led to Emmy Award-winning work - The evolution of film, media, and marketing over the years- Building and growing the Chollet Agency - How Stephen helps businesses and organizations throughout Butte County tell their stories and reach their audiences- Lessons learned from entrepreneurship, creativity, and community involvement - Plenty of laughs, old memories, and behind-the-scenes stories between longtime friends Whether you're interested in filmmaking, marketing, entrepreneurship, or simply love hearing local success stories, this episode offers an entertaining look at how curiosity, creativity, and community can shape a remarkable career. Connect with Stephen Chollet🌐 Chollet Agency: https://www.chollet.agency🌐 Personal Website: https://www.stephenchollet.com Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold. This Episode is Sponsored ByErin Lackey Photography 📸 www.erinlackey.comCreating authentic portraits, branding imagery, and family photography throughout Northern California.

The Four Golden S's of Summer w/ Jaymes + Erin Lackey

This week, it’s just us, Erin and Jaymes, and we’re sharing what we’re calling our Summer of Stewardship. As summer gets underway, we’ve been talking a lot about how to better care for the things that matter most in our lives. For us, that comes down to four areas: our space, ourselves, our spirit, and our social lives. In this episode, we share what we're working on, where we're growing, and a few places where we still have a lot to learn. We talk about the never-ending list of projects around the house, why creating a peaceful and functional space matters to us, and some of the goals we have for getting things done this summer. We also dive into taking care of ourselves - physically, mentally, and emotionally - and the small habits we're trying to build along the way. On the spiritual side, we share how we're making more room for prayer, reflection, and time with God. You'll even hear about our prayer closet (which, honestly, is a little strange) but has become a meaningful part of our journey. Jaymes also shares some thoughts on faith and theology that spark a deeper conversation about spiritual growth. We also spend some time talking about community, friendships, family, and why being intentional about relationships is something we're prioritizing this season. Along the way, there are plenty of laughs, a few rabbit trails, some honest reflections, and several book recommendations from Erin that have been helping her navigate life and personal growth. More than anything, this episode is a chance for listeners to get to know us a little better. It's a relaxed, fun conversation about where we are right now, what we're learning, and how we're trying to be better stewards of the lives we've been given.Plus, we give a sneak peek at three incredible guests we have coming up on the podcast that we're really excited to share with you. Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold. In This Episode: Why we're calling this season our "Summer of Stewardship" Home projects and creating a better living space Health, wellness, and personal growth goals Prayer, meditation, and our unusual prayer closet Friendship, family, and building community Books Erin has been reading and recommending Faith, theology, and spiritual growth with Jaymes A preview of three exciting upcoming guests Thanks for spending some time with us! We hope this conversation encourages you to think about what areas of your own life might need a little extra stewardship this summer. ☀️💛 This episode is sponsored by: Erin Lackey Photography www.erinlackey.com

More Precious Than Gold: Alexa Benson-Valavanis on the Goodness of Humanity

💛 Episode 26: From Global Adventures to Local Impact with Alexa Benson-Valavanis What happens when a Chico State basketball recruit follows a path that takes her from Northern California to Shanghai, China, and Guatemala - only to return and help transform one of the region's most influential nonprofit organizations? In this inspiring episode of Hearts of Gold, Erin and Jaymes sit down with Alexa Benson-Valavanis, President and CEO of the North Valley Community Foundation, to explore her remarkable journey of service, leadership, and community impact. Alexa shares how she first arrived in Butte County as a student-athlete at Chico State, the experiences around the world that shaped her worldview, and how she ultimately found her calling helping communities thrive through philanthropy. She opens up about rebuilding NVCF from the ground up, leading disaster recovery efforts following the Camp Fire, and mobilizing millions of dollars to support wildfire and pandemic relief throughout Northern California. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Alexa offers a candid look at her personal spiritual journey, the lessons she learned while reconciling faith and identity, and the role that compassion and unconditional love play in her life and leadership. She also reveals some of her favorite hidden gems around Butte County and shares wisdom for anyone looking to make a meaningful difference in their own community.Whether you're passionate about community service, leadership, personal growth, or simply love hearing stories of people making a difference, this conversation will leave you inspired and hopeful. Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold. This episode is sponsored by: Erin Lackey Photography. Head to www.erinlackey.com or seenagain.erinlackey.com to learn more about the upcoming project featuring amazing women in Butte County!