Jonny Porter

Jorge Flores is a 27-year educator, mentor, and advocate who serves as a bridge between students, community, and civic leadership. Born to immigrant farmworkers and raised in San Luis, Jorge’s journey is rooted in resilience, education, and service. As mentor to the AWC RAZA Advocates, he empowers first-generation and marginalized students to find their voice through civic engagement, mental health leadership, and community collaboration. He’s joined by students to talk about Building Healthy Futures and the upcoming Yuma County Mental Health Forum on April 18th at the AWC Conference Center.

Ashley Macawile is a longtime Yuma resident and community connector at the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce. After spending 12 years at Arizona Western College and a stint in remote digital marketing, Ashley found her way back to what matters most—connection. At the Chamber, she works closely with local businesses, leaders, and organizations, helping bring people together and spotlighting the events and collaborations that keep Yuma’s business community strong. She joins us to share what’s coming up and why community engagement matters now more than ever.

We’re also joined by Jason Taylor, Lead Pastor of The Vertical Church, for a conversation that starts with who he is as a person, his journey into faith and leadership, and how he ultimately found his way to Yuma. Jason shares his heart for practical, real-life faith, building healthy culture, developing leaders, and what it looks like to turn belief into action in everyday life.

Russell and Scott McCloud join us from Fort Yuma Rotary to talk about service, leadership, and the real impact Rotary continues to have in Yuma. We’re diving into what Rotary actually does, why community involvement matters, and the people behind the work. In the final part of the conversation, we’re getting into Mardi Gras on Main, happening Friday night — what to expect, why Rotary puts it on, and how this event supports local causes.

Cristian Perez is a born-and-raised Yuman, Kofa High School alum, theater-trained performer, and local business owner. From starring as Danny Zuko in Grease to building businesses alongside his wife, Cristian is now returning to his first love—music. He joins us to talk about creativity, responsibility, and finally releasing an original album rooted in Yuma. Plus, he’s bringing his guitar for live music in studio.

Tony Rubleski is the bestselling author of the Mind Capture book series and the founder of Mind Capture Group, now in its 21st year. His newest release, Don’t Quit. Do It., launched globally in January 2026 and focuses on breaking through distraction, building real connection, and staying committed in a noisy, competitive world. We’re talking attention, mindset, leadership, and what it really takes to stand out today.

Aly Plaza is a powerful advocate for students and families who has turned past challenges into purpose. She is the founder of Desert Heat Elite, an elite cheer program based out of Dancers Workshop that goes far beyond athletics, helping students build discipline, confidence and pathways to college. Aly is also bringing an exclusive, invitation-only cheer camp to Yuma this summer featuring a special guest from a popular Netflix series. We’re diving into youth development, education, family support, college opportunities through cheer and how showing up for young people can change lives.

Elevate Southwest President and CEO Jerry Cabrera and Entrepreneurship & Innovation Coordinator Aaron Ruiz join us in the studio. Aaron Ruiz is the driving force behind Elevate Southwest and one of the leaders helping ignite STEM education and innovation in Yuma County. Through initiatives like AZ Tech Week, Aaron is working to connect students, entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations to real-world opportunities in technology, workforce development and education. With events happening the week of April 7th, we’re talking AZ Tech Week, community-led innovation, youth exposure to STEM careers, pitch events, tours, hands-on experiences and why it takes the entire community to build the future of Yuma.

Courtney Fisher Sellers is a business owner, mom of four adult children and the heart behind Desert Buzz Café, Border Grinds, Pueblo Pizza and FNL in San Luis. Beyond business, Courtney is open about mental health, vulnerability and the courage it takes to keep showing up. Her story centers on healing, compassion and connection, and using her voice to remind others they are seen, they matter and they don’t have to walk alone. We’re diving into mental health, resilience, leadership and leading with honesty.

Born in Ventura and raised in Yuma, Isaac Liggett is the owner of Liggett Electrical Services and Vice President of the Yuma Southwest Contractors Association. From growing up with a single mom working multiple jobs, navigating continuation school, and working multiple jobs as a teenager, he found direction through the trades. Isaac entered the IBEW apprenticeship, built real skills, started his own company in 2014 and now focuses on opening doors for youth through hands-on career and trades opportunities. We’re talking work ethic, second chances, entrepreneurship and why the trades can change lives.