Episodes

Enjoy each episode’s audio podcast and shownotes.
For video content see our YouTube page.

Poway Life Time Fitness, Presidential Debate

Poway Life Time Fitness, Presidential Debate

I enjoy covering local news issues, so we will be doing a deep dive on the latest with the planned Life Time Fitness at The Farm in Poway. Some locals are opposing the project and micromanaging the details. Plus, we will discuss the upcoming presidential debate,...

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Poway 2023 Year in Review, 2024 Outlook

Poway 2023 Year in Review, 2024 Outlook

We take a look at some of the big news stories in Poway in 2023 and plans for 2024. Topics include The Farm, Life Time Fitness, Homelessness, Traffic Safety, water, hate litter, Poway Community Foundation, and more. Got a question or comment? Drop your take in the...

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Ed Franklin, No Limits: What works in podcasting?

Ed Franklin, No Limits: What works in podcasting?

No Limits podcaster Ed Franklin is back on the John Riley Project. Always great having Ed as he offers so much to help us improve our personal and business lives. No Limits - Overcoming Limitations We can often be our own worst enemy. We create our own roadblocks that...

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Poway Cronyism, Rancho Bernardo Roads, Joe Biden in San Diego

Poway Cronyism, Rancho Bernardo Roads, Joe Biden in San Diego

Pete Neild joined me to cover a wide range of topic in this San Diego News Update podcast episode. We cover Poway/Rancho Bernardo issues, San Diego regional news, Joe Biden’s visit to San Diego, and US foreign policy issues with China and Russia. Poway Cronyism We saw...

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David Leland, Aztecs, March Madness, Padres

David Leland, Aztecs, March Madness, Padres

David Leland has the Aztecs advancing to the Sweet 16 in March Madness David Leland joined me to discuss the San Diego State Aztecs as they enter the NCAA Tournament in 2023. We break down the Aztecs roster, their strong 2022-23 season, and how far we project the...

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SANDAG Mileage Tax, Climate and Housing Clash in Mira Mesa

SANDAG Mileage Tax, Climate and Housing Clash in Mira Mesa

San Diego County leaders are pushing for major changes in our region. Look in the crystal ball and we can see plans for more housing, more trolleys, more busses, more people, and now a per mile mileage tax. Can San Diego accommodate more growth? What do think of their...

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Captain Charles MacVean, USS Seawolf, Down Deep

Captain Charles R. MacVean U.S. Navy (Ret.), PhD joined Pete Neild and I to discuss submarine stories and his new book Down Deep. Submarine life is not easy. Tight quarters. Disciplined schedules. Everyone depending on someone else. It takes a high degree of trust and...

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San Diego News Update Dec 9: National City Cannabis

San Diego News Update Dec 9: National City Cannabis

It’s Friday, December 9th. Here’s what’s going on in and around San Diego County. Here’s what John Riley thinks: National City: Cannabis Lounge, first for San Diego County Carlsbad/UCSD:  UCSD gets $10M grant, Smartville Inc Carlsbad gets $6M from US Dept of...

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Ted Leitner, San Diego Padres Hall of Fame Broadcaster

Legendary, Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Ted Leitner, joined us to tell tales from his 50+ year career in sports media. Wow! You know Ted. He always has something to say! Ted Leitner talks about Jerry Coleman, Tony Gwynn, Rickey Henderson, Steve Finley, Carl Weathers,...

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Local Election Analysis: Poway, Rancho Bernardo, San Diego

Local Election Analysis: Poway, Rancho Bernardo, San Diego

They are still counting the votes at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, but the results are becoming very clear in all but a few races. It's time for local election analysis! We discuss, analyze, and comment on: The races for Poway Mayor and Poway City Council...

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Poway, Rancho Bernardo Election Night 2022

Poway, Rancho Bernardo Election Night 2022

It’s Election Night 2022! We focus on the Poway Mayor race, Poway City Council races, and the Poway Unified School District races in this nearly 4 hour long podcast. OMG. The participation from the livestream audience was extraordinary! We break down the early returns...

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Frida Brunzell, Poway Unified School District Candidate

Frida Brunzell, Poway Unified School District Candidate

Frida Brunzell is a candidate for Poway Unified School District Board Trustee in Area B. This covers Northeast Rancho Bernardo and North Poway. Only 75% of PUSD Students Read at Grade Level Frida shared with me her frustrations with PUSD’s reading curriculum. 25% of...

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Poway Elections Comments, California/San Diego Propositions

Poway Elections Comments, California/San Diego Propositions

There is one week to go until Election Day and the drama in the Poway elections is heating up! Pete Neild joined me to cover a range of issues and candidates in this Poway Elections Preview episode. Poway Elections Drama We discuss the Holly Oak community’s objection...

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Amit Asaravala, Poway Democratic Club

Amit Asaravala, Poway Democratic Club

Amit Asaravala is the President of the Poway Democratic Club. Amit joined me to discuss the tremendous surge of money in Poway politics, the changing voting demographics in Poway, and information on their endorsed candidates. Poway Campaign Finance The financial data...

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Poway History and Business with Ed Franklin

Poway History and Business with Ed Franklin

If you love Poway history, you will love this podcast episode. Ed Franklin moved to Poway in 1974 as a young child and had so many exceptional stories to tell. Poway History We take a walk down memory lane discussing the different businesses that have come and gone...

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Tony Russo, Poway City Council Candidate

Tony Russo, Poway City Council Candidate

Tony Russo is a candidate for Poway City Council District 3. I live in District 3, so this was a great opportunity to learn more about Tony Russo’s campaign for Poway. Lack of Trust from Poway Officials We started by discussing Tony's experience at the Green Valley...

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Yuri Bohlen, Poway Mayoral Candidate

Yuri Bohlen, Poway Mayoral Candidate

Yuri Bohlen is a candidate for Poway Mayor, and he joined me for a marathon 3-hour podcast covering so many hot topics in the City of Poway. Our livestream audience was also continually active presenting questions and comments for Yuri to respond to. Here are the...

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Patrick Batten, Poway Unified School District Candidate

Patrick Batten, Poway Unified School District Candidate

Patrick Batten is a candidate for Poway School Board running in Area C covering parts of Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Bernardo, and 4S Ranch. Patrick is attempting to win the race to fill the seat of departing incumbent TJ Zane. The US Marine Corps Patrick shared his...

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Delta Esparza, Poway Mayor Candidate

Delta Esparza, Poway Mayor Candidate

Poway Mayoral Candidate, Delta Esparza, joined me for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation in the JRP podcast studio. Delta is one of four challengers attempting to unseat Poway Mayor Steve Vaus. Our 1.5-hour discussion offers great insight into Delta’s...

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Kevin Juza, Poway City Council Candidate

Kevin Juza, Poway City Council Candidate

Poway City Council Candidate, Kevin Juza, joined me for a fun and informative podcast conversation. Kevin is one of three candidates running in my own District 3. We chatted for nearly 2 hours and had terrific input from the live audience spanning topics like: Kevin’s...

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Hiram Soto, Poway City Council Candidate

Hiram Soto, Poway City Council Candidate

This was such an enjoyable podcast conversation with Poway City Council Candidate, Hiram Soto. We covered a tremendous amount of ground in this 1.5-hour podcast discussion including: Hiram’s family background in Mexico His career as a journalist at the San Diego Union...

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Rancho Bernardo Marijuana, Poway Elections

Rancho Bernardo Marijuana, Poway Elections

Urbn Leaf wants to move into Rancho Bernardo Urbn Leaf, a marijuana dispensary, wants to move into the long abandoned El Torito restaurant location in Rancho Bernardo.  As you might imagine, the locals are not taking this Rancho Bernardo marijuana situation...

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Rancho Bernardo High School Air Conditioning Crisis

The air conditioning system at Rancho Bernardo High School and Bernardo Heights Middle School is broken!  We are dealing with sweltering heat and now kids are being sent home because the classroom is unsafe.  What is going on at Poway Unified School...

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Dennis Butts, Poway Postal Annex, Dodgers, Lakers, Rams

Dennis Butts, Poway Postal Annex, Dodgers, Lakers, Rams

Dennis Butts from the Poway Postal Annex (in Target Shopping Center) joined me to talk sports and it was so fun!  Dennis is a huge LA sports fan, but he doesn’t rub it in too badly for us San Diego fans. ? Every time I visit his Postal Annex store, we always talk...

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Is it moral to cancel student debt?, JRP0284

The cost of college tuition is sky high, but the price of clothing at Costco is very inexpensive. We explore government’s role in causing prices to rise and student debt to expand. Biden’s Plan to Cancel Student Debt Liberals in Congress are pushing Biden to cancel...

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MLB Trade Deadline as an Analogy for Life

The MLB Trade Deadline wrapped up Tuesday afternoon and my head is still spinning.  So much activity that I am just now starting to come back down to Earth. Juan Soto and the San Diego Padres We break down the big trades AJ Preller and the Padres made for Juan...

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How I Started My Podcast, JRP0282

How I Started My Podcast, JRP0282

People ask me all the time how I started this podcast and why I did it. So, today’s podcast is a podcast about podcasting! We will cover the inspiration from my show, the personal benefits in podcasting, and some of the basics on how I started my podcast.  We will...

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Lee Hacksaw Hamilton, History of Sports Talk Radio

Lee Hacksaw Hamilton, History of Sports Talk Radio

Legendary sports radio and NFL play-by-play icon, Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton joined for a wide conversation about his career, the San Diego sports media market, the San Diego Chargers and more. Hacksaw and the History of Sports Talk Radio Lee shared his Long Island roots...

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Corporate Greed!, JRP0280

Corporate Greed!, JRP0280

We are hearing shrieks of “Corporate Greed!” as inflation surges. But is it really Corporate Greed? Corporations are Price Gouging!  Really? Prices are up most everywhere: gas, food, labor. Inflation is now at 9.1%. I haven’t seen it this high since I was in high...

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Pursuing Happiness in a Housing Crisis, JRP0278

How can you pursue your happiness in a housing crisis? Or better yet, how can you not violate the right of others to do the same? Housing Crisis We examine the housing crisis and the unintended consequences of central planning. Despite do-gooders’ best efforts to make...

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Golden State Warriors, Social Security, Inflation, JRP0277

The Golden State Warriors are enjoying their 6th NBA Finals in 8 years and are on the cusp of their fourth championship in that timeframe. I share my early memories as a Golden State Warriors fan. We then discuss financial planning for retirement and the shocking low...

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Gun Rights, Uvalde, and a New Approach, JRP0276

It’s time for America to come together to resolve gun violence and gun rights. I have been doing deep thinking in the wake of the Uvalde massacre. I have been exploring American history, American values, and the rights that should be protected in America. We can’t...

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Great Replacement Theory vs Pursuit of Happiness, JRP0275

The Great Replacement Theory has been in the news since it was mentioned in the Buffalo mass shooter’s manifesto. Let’s be real. This is a conspiracy theory based on racism and fear of “different” people coming to America to replace white voters. Different races,...

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Pete Murray for San Diego Judge, Criminal Justice, JRP0274

Pete Murray for San Diego Judge, Criminal Justice, JRP0274

Pete Murray joined me to discuss his campaign for judge in San Diego County. This was an incredible podcast conversation going nearly 4 hours (a new JRP record!). The depth and breadth of topics covered is too long to list, but here are some highlights: Pete Murray's...

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Richest Man in Babylon, Personal Finance, JRP0273

Richest Man in Babylon, Personal Finance, JRP0273

Seven Cures to a Lean Purse The First Cure: Start thy purse to fattening. Arkad (Richest Man in Babylon) advises saving 10% of your annual income to start building up your wealth (or purse). "For every ten coins thou placest within thy purse take out for use but...

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Oklahoma Abortion Bill, JRP0272

Oklahoma Abortion Bill, JRP0272

Oklahoma Abortion Ban Will they enact an Oklahoma abortion ban? It’s looking that way. We break down all of the new abortion laws passed in Oklahoma, Missouri, Michigan, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Colorado as states prepare for the potential overturn of Roe vs Wade....

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Daylight Savings, Ukraine, Tatis, Poway News, JRP0269

Daylight Savings Time is Whack The US Senate just approved making daylight savings time permanent for the entire nation. Will the House pass it? And what’s the deal with the California vote in 2018 to end this clock changing nonsense? I’m tired of the twice a year...

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Poway Election Season is Here.  Is Pete Neild?, JRP0270

Poway Election Season is Here. Is Pete Neild?, JRP0270

Pete Neild shares his announcement on his potential candidates for Poway City Council District 1.  We discuss a wide range of Poway issues including development, roads, SDG&E, Mayor Steve Vaus, Caylin Frank, Dave Grosch, Barry Leonard, the failed recall of Steve...

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Putin, Trudeau, Vaus, and the Pursuit of Happiness, JRP0268

Putin Justifying Invasion of Ukraine based on Blood and Religion Russian troops are at the Ukrainian border and invasion is imminent! Biden is trying to negotiate but doing so on weak footing. Meanwhile Trump is calling Putin a “genius” for his strategy. What in the...

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Electric Vehicle Shopping Adventures, Presidents Day, JRP0267

EVs Selling as Much as $15K over MSRP Have you been on an auto dealer lot lately? The prices for cars are all out of whack. The supply chain crisis has created huge distortions in the price of cars. I am in the market for a new EV and every option is selling for...

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NFL, Cannabis, and Canadian Truckers, JRP0266

NFL Studying Marijuana to Help Players Manage Pain My alma mater UC San Diego was just awarded a $500,000 grant from the NFL to study the impact of cannabis as a pain relief medication. Isn’t the answer obvious? We take a look at the UCSD study and discuss well known...

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Eileen Gu’s Pursuit of Happiness, JRP0265

Personal Success as a Skier, Student, Model and Symbol of International Unity Eileen Gu won the gold in the Big Air freestyle event Tuesday while competing for China in the Winter Olympics. But this episode is much more than her athletic feats. Gu’s “right double 1440...

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The Happiness Dashboard, JRP0264

Your Life Goal Should be Happiness How happy are you on a 0-10 scale? We discuss the topic of The Happiness Dashboard. This system (similar to the Wheel of Life) provides a framework to score your happiness in every major category of life: FinancesCareerPhysical &...

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Poway and Rancho Bernardo, Top Stories in 2021, JRP0263

In today’s podcast episode we take a look back at the top 2021 stories in the Poway and Rancho Bernardo area. Our friends at Pomerado News highlighted the top local stories. We take the time to reflect on each of them. These top local stories span the spectrum of...

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Candy Cane Lane, Elon Musk WSJ Interview, JRP0262

Last week I experienced the positive energy and festivities along Poway's Candy Cane Lane (or should I say Candy Cane Courts). To say that this community “decorates in excess” is an understatement! We discuss the history, the planning, and the mob scene that shows up...

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Smash and Grab, JRP0261

Smash and Grab is in the news as we see flash mobs showing up, not to dance, but to damage property and steal goods from stores. We are even seeing increased crime of commercial establishments here in my hometown of Poway CA. What is going on here? On one hand police...

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Solana Beach Climate Change Policies, JRP0260

City government officials in Solana Beach have passed new laws mandating EV charging stations and solar panels. At the same time they want to ban natural gas. Is this a serious climate change policy for the city or just virtue signaling by elected leaders? The Solana...

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Poway School Board Death Threats, JRP0259

Death threats directed at Poway Unified School Board trustees. Protesters showing up at school board members’ private homes with a manifesto filled with demands. What in the heck is going on here? We break down this whole story and then explore the nationwide heated...

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SANDAG per mile tax, Squid Game, Poway News, JRP0258

SANDAG has a plan to tax you per mile to help pay for their $160B public transportation plan. Why this big push for a utopian mass transit system when so few people use the existing trolleys and carpool/bus systems? We break down SANDAG’s plan including their proposal...

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Roots of San Diego State’s Exclusion from PAC-12

Why are UC Berkeley, Stanford, and UCLA so afraid of competing with San Diego State University? For the past 2-3 decades we have seen SDSU rise up both athletically and academically to create a national brand that is respected from coast to coast. SDSU regularly...

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Poway Parks, Facebook Whistleblower, JRP0255

Controversy in Poway! Free Range Kids invading our Poway parks! We break down the City of Poway’s plan to open up Starridge Park to Poway Girls Softball, including the objections from the local neighbors. Are neighborhood Poway parks just for neighbors? When is a...

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Reliving a Near Death Experience, JRP0254

First a near death experience after a motorcycle accident and supernatural dreams in a coma. Then reliving a near death experience when revisiting the scene of the accident and fulfilling promises made. Mike Smith and Pete Neild join me to discuss their recent trip to...

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Sales and Marketing Tips, Ed Franklin, JRP0253

Sales and Marketing Tips, Ed Franklin, JRP0253

John Riley joins Ed Franklin on his No Limits podcast to discuss Poway News, the Jim Collins book Good to Great, and a range of sales and marketing tips. We discuss email marketing, SMS text marketing, podcasting, sales skills, communication, setting expectations, how...

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Ed Franklin, No Limits, JRP0252

Ed Franklin, No Limits, JRP0252

Ed Franklin, the host of the No Limits podcast, joined me today for a fun discussion about self-improvement, marketing and growing up in Poway.  Ed’s podcast is all about inspiring you to achieve success by sharing his life stories and experiences.  Many of his...

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JRP Happy Hour 20210820, JRP0251

JRP Happy Hour 20210820, JRP0251

The JRP Happy Hour invites podcast listeners, guests, and fans to join us in a wide open, free form conversation during a livestream.  Challenge me on my thoughts from previous episodes, bring up your own issues, or just hang out and have a fun discussion. ...

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Afghanistan Withdrawal and Personal Independence, JRP0250

We break down the good, bad and ugly of America’s involvement in Afghanistan for the past 20 years.  Is there any good?  Probably just bad and ugly.  President Biden’s speech from Aug 16th provides a good jumping off point to discuss a range of issues...

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California Recall and Biden Infrastructure, JRP0249

We break down the Recall Election of California Governor Gavin Newsom. We examine Newsom’s record as governor and on recalls as a tool to hold politicians accountable. We also look at his competitors including Larry Elder and former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer....

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“Free Road Trip”, Delta Variant, and Tonopah NV, JRP0248

Imagine a road trip where gas stations are giving away free gas. That’s the equivalent of what I experienced in this road trip that offered free charging up Highway 395 to Lake Tahoe and back home through the Nevada desert. We discuss the flare ups of the COVID delta...

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Kathryn Cloward on the Passing of Father Joe, JRP0247

Kathryn Cloward on the Passing of Father Joe, JRP0247

Kathryn Cloward joined us to reflect on the passing of Father Joe Carroll.  Kathryn is the author of the recent book: “Father Joe, Life Stories of a Hustler Priest.”  We shared so many wonderful stories how Father Joe made an impact in Kathryn’s life and the...

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7 Lessons I Learned as an Entrepreneur, JRP0246

7 Lessons I Learned as an Entrepreneur, JRP0246

As I celebrate my 17th year of being self-employed, I share 7 key lessons I learned as an entrepreneur.  Starting my own business has been the most challenging and rewarding assignment of my professional life.  If I could travel back in Mr. Peabody’s Way...

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Ditching a Bad Job, JRP0245

One of the bright spots from the pandemic are workers deciding to take their life seriously and quit their bad job.  There is so much opportunity now with the worker shortage where people can earn more money with better benefits and less stress.  Plus, there...

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COVID Independence Day, JRP0244

California has opened back up!  It’s COVID Independence Day!  We discuss the details of California’s reopening including the response from local businesses and the recall of Governor Gavin Newsom.  We also take a moment to discuss the upcoming...

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Pledge of Allegiance and Flag Day, JRP0243

Today is Flag Day so discuss the American Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.  We do a deep dive on the history of the Pledge from an article written by Connor Boyack that shows the socialist and authority loving goals of the Pledge’s author.  I share some...

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Rancho Penasquitos, San Diego Housing, JRP0242

A new housing development in Rancho Penasquitos is causing an uproar in this San Diego community.  We discuss The Junipers project and its impact on the local area.  We also discuss NIMBYism, the California housing crisis, and the greater San Diego economy.  We find...

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JRP Logo and Origin Story, JRP0240

JRP Logo and Origin Story, JRP0240

Every hero has an origin story.  I discuss the power of origin stories and how they give greater insight to understanding the way people are wired.  I share my own origin story and how it has shaped me as an adult.  I also tell the story of my podcast...

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