Brea Talks

Liz Pharis sits down with Brea Community Services Department Deputy Director Carrie Hernandez and Senior Management Analyst Jenn Colacion. Listen in as the discuss the beginnings of public art in Brea (3:23), why it’s important to invest in the arts (7:35), Brea’s Cultural Arts Master Plan (11:42), and how to get more involved in the Brea’s Cultural Arts programs (19:52).

Aimée Matsumoto talks with Brea City Engineer Albert Espinoza about all the different Public Works divisions that affect our daily lives (3:56). Listen in as we play a game of “Is it True?” (5:11), hear about the various traffic projects going on in the city (10:58), and learn how you can get more involved (13:39).

The Brea Communications and Marketing Team sits down for a round-table discussion on all the great Brea Talks topics from the past year. From the city budget (1:33) to love Brea (4:37) to seasonal safety reminders (8:03) to how you can help the homeless population (17:06), we look back at 2023, as well as what’s ahead in 2024. 

Love Brea Donations | LoveBrea.org

The HOPE Center | (657) 243-1884

Andrea Carvajal sits down with Soo Kang and Jaime Espitia to talk about the newly opened HOPE Center. Hear about its beginnings (1:50), Brea’s role in North OC Public Safety Collaborative (3:13) and how it’s all funded (6:29).  Also, learn how the Brea Resource Center, Brea PD and HOPE Center are working together (8:30), how calling the HOPE Center is the best way to help those in need (9:55), and hear success stories that are already coming from this amazing effort (11:27).

To celebrate National Community Planning Month, Aimeé Matsumoto talks with Brea’s Planning Team about the history of planned communities, both globally and locally (0:59), the Brea General Plan and Housing Element (4:50), the importance of proper zoning (9:02), the future of the Brea Mall (22:07), and how to get more involved in your community’s planning process (24:47).

Liz Pharis chats with Brea’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Lisa Keyworth about the history of FEMA’s National Preparedness Month (2:04), how to get your home and your family ready for any disaster (2:50), and how knowing your evacuation plan could make all the difference in certain situations (7:41).  Listen to learn how you can get alerts (23:10) and get involved to help your community (28:08).

Ruben Segura sits with Kristin Steyerman, a Supervisor in the Community Services Department.  Listen in as they discuss all the various annual special events the City hosts (2:28), the rich history of Brea Fest (6:20), what it takes to juggle planning multiple events at the same time (18:07) and how you or your business can get involved (20:45).

Dan Fenstermaker talks with Brea Police Lieutenant Chris Harvey about ways to protect yourself and your property during the summer.  Lieutenant Harvey explains how service call trends change during the summer months (2:40), the level of coordination involved in special events (3:31), the Volunteers in Police Service (4:50), and best practices for protecting your property whether you’re home or away (8:29).

Aimée Matsumoto sits down with Brea Fire Captain and Paramedic Justin Zuhlke to talk about ways to stay safe during the summer months. Captain Zuhlke explains best practices for friend and family gatherings with pools (2:26), the importance of learning CPR (14:38), the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke (19:25), and mitigating wildfire risks to your property through weed abatement (25:39).

Dan Fenstermaker talks with Brea Community Services Supervisor Billy Hutchinson and Curtis Theatre Manager Kris Kataoka about all the great things Brea has to offer throughout the summer.  Billy breaks down how Brea handles the influx of summer staff (1:23), aquatics classes and interesting facts about the Brea Plunge (6:44), Registration (13:09), youth/adult sports, classes and other programs (18:18). Kris gives us an inside look into the Curtis Theatre (22:07), the Experience Brea Arts initiative (34:05), and special events coming this summer (39:20).

Ruben Segura sits down with Brea Resource Center Supervisor, Cesar Pacheco, as they talk about Brea's history of volunteering (1:38), important partnerships that are crucial to meeting the community's needs (3:35], the many services that the Brea Resource Center has to offer (5:30), the Love Brea city-wide day of service (9:55), and how you can get involved and volunteer in your community (14:21).

Liz Pharis chats with Brea's Administrative Services Director, Kristin Griffith, and Senior Fiscal Analyst, Alicia Brenner, about the process of constructing the City's Budget. Learn about this year-long process (3:18), who's involved in this coordinated effort (6:55), how the process has changed over the years (8:28) and what makes Brea's budget different from other cities (12:10).

The City of Brea Communications & Marketing Team sits down for a round table discussion on their different roles within the organization, (11:25) the revival of this podcast, (15:10) generating community engagement through social media and (18:00) the use of analytics to measure effective communication with the community.

Brea Community Development Director David Crabtree sits down with Principal at TRG Land Inc. Mark Rogers to discuss how Hillside design and development has evolved throughout the decades.

Brea Community Development Director David Crabtree sits down with Managing Principal at IBI Group Bill Delo to discuss how technology has increased the need to calm traffic in neighborhoods.

Brea Community Development Director David Crabtree sits down with Senior Vice President and Senior Market Officer for Regency Centers John Mehigan to discuss the trends of retail, past, present and future.

Brea Community Development Director David Crabtree sits down with Planning Director at Gensler Nate Cherry to discuss how good design concepts effect communities in positive ways.

Brea Community Development Director David Crabtree sits down with President and CEO of Jamboree Housing Laura Archuleta to discuss senior housing.