The LA Insider Podcast

Inside LA Parenting: School Chaos, Summer Camps & the Rise of MAEVE West Adams

🚀 In this episode of the LA Insider, Jason sits down with Marie Mawji and Sharon Lee, founding members of the MAEVE West Adams parenting and mutual aid community in South LA. They share how grassroots organizing, school advocacy, and local entrepreneurship are shaping stronger, more connected neighborhoods in Los Angeles. From navigating LA’s complex school system to building a donation-based thrift store and supporting families in crisis, this conversation dives deep into real community impact. 🎧 Hosted by: Jason Anderson 👤 Guest:🏡 Marie Mawji –  Sharon Lee Marie Mawji and Sharon Lee are founding members of MAEVE West Adams, a South LA parenting organization focused on mutual aid and community care. Marie serves as President and has worked at Occidental College for 25 years as Associate Production Manager. Sharon serves as Vice President of Community Outreach, brings nearly two decades of grassroots community involvement, and is the founder of Share Club, a neighborhood resale and resource hub. 💡 Key Topics Covered: ✔️ Building MAEVE West Adams as a mutual aid parenting network ✔️ Real challenges of LA school choice and enrollment systems ✔️ Creating a donation-based thrift and resource hub in the community ✔️ Supporting families through crisis, childcare, and local outreach ✔️ How civic engagement strengthens parks, schools, and neighborhoods 🎵 Whether you're a parent, educator, or community builder, this episode offers valuable insights into creating stronger local support systems in Los Angeles. 💼 Connect with Marie Mawji & Sharon Lee: 📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/maevewestadams 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/maeve.westadams/ 🎙 Follow Jason Anderson – The LA Insider: 📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/theandersonteamla/ [https://www.instagram.com/theandersonteamla/] 📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/therealtorJASON/ [https://www.facebook.com/therealtorJASON/] 🌐 Website → https://www.andersonteamla.com/ [https://www.andersonteamla.com/] 🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below! 💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate [https://iconsofrealestate.com/] -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

Building a Sustainable Brand From College to Market Impact - EP 23

In this episode, Jason Anderson speaks with two purpose-driven entrepreneurs Billy Simon and Harry Jennings about building a sustainable hemp-based business from a college idea into a growing B2B brand. The conversation covers entrepreneurship, values-led manufacturing, local production, environmental responsibility, and how long-term thinking shapes both products and company culture. 🎧 Hosted by: Jason Anderson 👤 Guest:🖋 Billy Simon & Harry Jennings – Co-Founders, Jacaranda Hemp ⭐ Guest Bio Billy Simon the founder of Jacaranda Hemp, a Los Angeles–based sustainable apparel company specializing in hemp T-shirts, long sleeves, hats, aprons, and totes — all designed, cut, sewn, dyed, and printed locally. We work with cafés, surf shops, dispensaries, eco-brands, restaurants, and small businesses across California and beyond. 💡 Key Topics Covered ✔️ Sustainable entrepreneurship ✔️ Hemp vs. traditional fabrics ✔️ B2B merchandise strategies ✔️ Local and ethical manufacturing ✔️ Long-term business thinking 📇 Connect with Guest: 🌐 Website → https://jacarandahemp.com/ 📱 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jacarandahempclothing/?hl=en 🎙 Follow Jason Anderson – The LA Insider: 📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/theandersonteamla/ [https://www.instagram.com/theandersonteamla/] 🔗 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/therealtorJASON/ [https://www.facebook.com/therealtorJASON/] 🌐 Website → https://www.andersonteamla.com/ [https://www.andersonteamla.com/] 🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below! 💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate [https://iconsofrealestate.com/] -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

The Art of Affirmation: Building Creative Momentum Through Purpose - EP 22

In this episode of the LA Insider, we highlight Malachi Mott, an accomplished recording artist, music producer, and creative coach. Malachi shares his journey from a struggling computer engineering student to finding his true passion in music. He elaborates on how creating music brought him joy and success, leading to his new role in supporting other artists. The discussion also delves into his unique affirmation album, 'The Art of Affirmation,' its impact, and his upcoming project, 'The Art of Empowerment.' Malachi talks about the positive influence of affirmations, the importance of community, and his choice to live in Northridge, LA. Join us to get inspired by his captivating story and musical journey. 🎧 Hosted by: Jason Anderson 👤 Guest:🖋 Malachi Mott – Recording Artist, Music Producer & Creative Coach ⭐ Guest Bio Malachi Mott is a Los Angeles-based music producer, songwriter, mixer, educator, and creativity coach whose decade-plus career in music spans professional production, remixing, and artistic mentorship. Rooted in deep technical skill and creative vision, Malachi has produced and mixed music across genres and worked with notable artists while also teaching and guiding emerging talent through institutions like Icon Collective, 1500 Sound Academy, and community programs such as Give a Beat to support creatives in expanding their craft and confidence. 💡 Key Topics Covered ✔️ Creative identity and career pivots ✔️ Affirmations as a creative tool ✔️ Independent paths in the music industry ✔️ Community-driven creativity ✔️ Gratitude and abundance mindset 📇 Connect with Guest: 🔗 Facebook  → https://www.facebook.com/MalachiCMott 📱 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/malachimott/?hl=en 📺 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/malachimott/ 🎙 Follow Jason Anderson – The LA Insider: 📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/theandersonteamla/ [https://www.instagram.com/theandersonteamla/] 🔗 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/therealtorJASON/ [https://www.facebook.com/therealtorJASON/] 🌐 Website → https://www.andersonteamla.com/ [https://www.andersonteamla.com/] 🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below! 💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate [https://iconsofrealestate.com/] -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

Finding Purpose Through Culture, Creativity & Healing - EP 21

In this episode of LA Insider, Jason Anderson sits down with Dr. Djelani Hamm to explore how creativity, cultural heritage, and restorative practices can lead to deep personal transformation. From his journey through education and the arts to leading cultural immersion trips to Senegal, Dr. Hamm shares how reconnecting with ancestry, travel, and storytelling helps individuals heal, find purpose, and turn life’s broken pieces into meaningful works of art. 🎧 Hosted by: Jason Anderson 👤 Guest:🖋 Dr. Djelani Hamm – Educator, Artist & Cultural Guide ⭐ Guest Bio Dr. Djelani Hamm is a Los Angeles–based educator, artist, and cultural guide dedicated to inspiring transformation through creativity, heritage, and restorative practices. With a Ph.D. in World Arts and Cultures from UCLA, he has spent decades serving LA communities as an education specialist and program leader. Through Djelani Hamm Coaching, he leads cultural immersion journeys to West Africa and supports individuals seeking purpose, healing, and deeper ancestral connection. 💡 Key Topics Covered ✔️ Creativity as a path to healing ✔️ Cultural heritage and identity ✔️ Transformational travel to Senegal ✔️ Restorative justice in education ✔️ Finding purpose through ancestral connection 📇 Connect with Guest: 📱 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/djelanihamm/ 🎙 Follow Jason Anderson – The LA Insider: 📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/theandersonteamla/ [https://www.instagram.com/theandersonteamla/] 🔗 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/therealtorJASON/ [https://www.facebook.com/therealtorJASON/] 🌐 Website → https://www.andersonteamla.com/ [https://www.andersonteamla.com/] 🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below! 💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate [https://iconsofrealestate.com/] -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

Building Brands Through Storytelling, Strategy & Creative Clarity - EP 20

In this episode, Jason Anderson sits down with branding strategist Gavin Carr to explore how clear storytelling and creative strategy drive business growth. Gavin shares his journey from agency life and Dollar Shave Club to founding Camp Gravy, breaking down brand messaging, audience psychology, influencer marketing, and why entertainment-driven content is shaping the future of modern brands. 🎧 Hosted by: Jason Anderson 👤 Guest:🖋 Gavin Carr – Principal, Camp Gravy Creative Agency ⭐ Guest Bio Gavin Carr is a Principal at Camp Gravy, a branding and creative agency based in Brentwood. He leads client strategy and creative direction, helping companies develop clear, memorable brand identities and cohesive marketing experiences. With a strong background in guiding organizations through branding, messaging, and storytelling, Gavin works closely with clients to transform complex ideas into compelling narratives across every touchpoint. 💡 Key Topics Covered ✔️ Brand storytelling and messaging ✔️ Audience psychology and segmentation ✔️ Influencer and paid media strategy ✔️ Creative trends in modern branding ✔️ Building and scaling creative agencies 📇 Connect with Gavin Carr: 🌐 Website → https://www.campgravy.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-carr-marketing 🎙 Follow Jason Anderson – The LA Insider: 📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/theandersonteamla/ [https://www.instagram.com/theandersonteamla/] 📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/therealtorJASON/ [https://www.facebook.com/therealtorJASON/] 🌐 Website → https://www.andersonteamla.com/ [https://www.andersonteamla.com/] 🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below! 💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate [https://iconsofrealestate.com/] -https://iconsofrealestate.com/