241 - From Imposter Syndrome to Inner Trust: Rewriting Your Life’s Script
Our Two Cents Podcast
Join Kyle Jones as he sits down with author and speaker Cortney McDermott to explore identity, intuition, and what it really means to live a fulfilling life. From corporate success to personal reinvention, Cortney shares her journey of shifting from performance-driven achievement to a deeper sense of trust and purpose. They dive into imposter syndrome, the pressure to “have it all figured out,” and why chasing external goals can sometimes leave us feeling empty. The conversation also touches on social media, distraction, and how to reconnect with your inner voice in a noisy world. Cortney...
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240 - Crackin' Into Country with The Soda Crackers
Our Two Cents Podcast
In this episode, Amanda Jones sits down with Zane from The Soda Crackers, a Bakersfield-based band reviving the classic Bakersfield Sound and Western swing. From their humble beginnings as LA jam sessions to becoming a six-piece band rooted in vintage country tradition, Zane shares the story behind their name, sound, and journey. They dive into their musical influences, the importance of keeping old-school country alive, and what fans can expect at their high-energy, dance-filled shows. Plus, hear behind-the-scenes stories from life on the road and what it takes to build a band...
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239 - Hard Money, Real Assets: How Karpe Bridges Borrowers and Investors
Our Two Cents Podcast
In this episode, Kyle Jones is joined by Stephen Hale of Karpe Real Estate Center, a Bakersfield company approaching 100 years in real estate and lending. They break down hard money lending and explain how it works and who it’s for. Stephen shares why many borrowers choose it for speed and flexibility instead of traditional financing. They also cover the investor side, including typical returns, fractional trust deed investing, and risks like foreclosure. The conversation touches on bridge loans, estate planning, and how Karpe supports clients from start to finish. Whether you’re a...
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238 - Turning Local Spots into Viral Hits: The Bakersfield Influencer
Our Two Cents Podcast
In this episode, Amanda DiGiacomo Jones sits down with Bakersfield content creator and entrepreneur Myah Salinas, known for highlighting local coffee shops, restaurants, spas, and hidden gems around the city. Myah shares how she transitioned from working in marketing and social media to quitting her 9–5 to pursue content creation full time. What started as a simple coffee shop video quickly turned into a growing platform dedicated to supporting local businesses and helping people discover new experiences in Bakersfield. They also discuss the realities of social media influencing,...
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237 - Talking Sh*t with Dr. Sabine Hazan: Getting to the Bottom of Your Digestive Health
Our Two Cents Podcast
Kyle Jones is joined by Dr. Sabine Hazan and Dr. Hugh Beatty to explore the powerful connection between gut health and overall immunity. Dr. Hazan shares her journey from traditional GI practice and pharmaceutical clinical trials to becoming a leading voice in microbiome research during the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss the critical role of bifidobacteria — the beneficial gut bacteria she believes are central to immune resilience — and her “Save the Bif” movement to raise awareness about their dramatic decline in modern populations. The conversation covers microbiome...
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236 - From Oven to Sold Out: The Cinnamon Roll Craze Taking Over Town
Our Two Cents Podcast
In this episode, Amanda DiGiacomo Jones sits down with Just Cinnamon; one of the fastest-growing local food businesses making serious waves in the community. Known for their unforgettable cinnamon rolls and weekly sell-outs, this business has built a loyal following that lines up well before the doors even open. We talk through how it all began, the journey to becoming a local favorite, the challenges behind rapid growth, and the exciting next chapter as they prepare to expand even further. How to find them: Weekly they sell out 4 Sully Locations: Buena Vista and Ming Olive and Calloway...
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235 - Bakersfield's Finest Comedy Club
Our Two Cents Podcast
Kyle Jones sits down with comedian and comedy club owner Dan Betts to talk business, risk, and live entertainment. Dan shares what it really took to relocate and reopen The Well Comedy Club in downtown Bakersfield, why comedy is booming in a short-attention-span world, and how live shows create an experience you can’t stream at home. The two also dive into the passion, mindset, and problem-solving required to build a business from the ground up. Daniel Betts is a man of many hats: husband, father, U.S. Navy veteran, geology major, former career in oil and gas, former Executive...
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234 - The One Big Beautiful Bill: What You Need to Know for Your Upcoming 2025 & 2026 Taxes
Our Two Cents Podcast
In this episode, Amanda Jones breaks down the One Big Beautiful Bill and what it means for business owners, entrepreneurs, and individual taxpayers. With major tax changes on the horizon, it’s more important than ever to understand how these updates may impact your deductions, credits, planning strategies, and overall tax liability. We cut through the noise and explain what’s actually changing and how you can prepare — whether you’re a W-2 employee, self-employed, or running a growing business. ⏱️ What We Cover in This Episode Key changes affecting small businesses and...
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233 - Bryce & Krista Horton: Turning Influence Into Impact
Our Two Cents Podcast
Join Kyle Jones as he sits down with Krista and Bryce Horton for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build and run a business. They go behind the scenes of how their businesses started and share the challenges people do not always see, including the risks of undercapitalizing and the reality of learning as you go. Kyle talks about his upcoming business venture, while the Hortons dive into the passion and vision behind the Horton Hotel. They also discuss the importance of support from the Bakersfield community, offer advice for young entrepreneurs, and open up about how running...
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232 - How to Close Out 2025 Strong and Create Goals for 2026
Our Two Cents Podcast
Amanda Jones welcomes Dr. Justin Hiebert CEO of New Frontier Consulting. New Frontier Consulting, a dynamic agency dedicated to helping small business owners scale their businesses and achieve sustained growth. With a decade of leadership in executive coaching, HR consulting, Lean Six Sigma process improvement, and digital marketing strategy, Justin is passionate about empowering business owners to break through barriers and unlock their full potential. New Frontier Consulting operates on a proven '4M' framework—Mindset, Management, Marketing, and Money—helping clients shift from feeling...
info_outlineKyle Jones welcomes Richard Chapman, President and CEO of the Kern Economic Development Corporation. Richard educates us on what the Kern EDC corporation does and gives us an in-depth on the process of how they study and strategize the market overview of Kern County. He also gives us insight into what's going on in East Kern, he discusses how they started the East Kern Economic Alliance (EKEA) and goes over how they reach out to locals and corporations in the area to cultivate relationships and help sustainably grow their businesses.
Kern Economic Development Corporation’s mission is to cultivate and promote Kern County’s boundless opportunities for business. The Corporation (Kern EDC) is a public-private partnership that brings together private businesses, education, elected officials, and non-profit organizations for the purpose of a single goal: creating a strong and diverse economy for Kern County. Kern EDC promotes the region to businesses looking for areas to expand and works with existing local businesses to ensure they have what they need to thrive and grow here in Kern County.
LEARN MORE ABOUT KERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:
-Website: www.kernedc.com
-Phone Number: 661-862-5150
-Facebook: Kern_Economic_Development_Corporation
-LinkedIn: Kern_Economic_Development_Corporation
-Instagram: KernEconomic
Check out their market overview right here