{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Stop & Talk","title":"Brandon Steppe: “Shoulder to Shoulder” Mentorship That Changes Lives ","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3592,"description":"Brandon Steppe left a corporate career to start a recording studio in his garage—never imagining that a few persistent neighborhood kids would change his life. Those early studio sessions grew into the David’s Harp Foundation, a nonprofit where justice-involved and opportunity youth in San Diego discover their voices and chart a path forward through music, media, and mentorship. \nThis Episode \nCan rhythm and relationship change a young person’s life? \nBrandon shares how vulnerability and honesty became cornerstones of his organization’s culture, starting with a simple practice he calls flashlight first: mentors shine the light on themselves before asking youth to open up. From those early lessons grew a creative community that helps youth connect to support, record songs behind detention walls, and build micro-enterprises that pay real wages and teach real skills. \nTogether with Grant, Brandon explores how art heals, how relationships transform justice, and how community-rooted workforce programs can help young people thrive. \nKey Moments: [4:05] How one determined teenager changed Brandon’s path [8:28] “Flashlight first”—earning trust through vulnerability [22:54] The importance of relational support [32:52] Creating access and opportunity in the creative economy [43:35] Turning a $1M gift into transformational community-based housing \nResources Mentioned in This Episode: David’s Harp Foundation – Empowering youth through music, media, and mentorship Brandon Steppe TEDx Talk – On honesty and human connection Prebys Foundation Workforce Initiative – Supporting career pathways for youth \nTake Action: Listen First – Practice “flashlight first” in your own conversations. Invest in Creativity – Support programs that give young people tools to tell their stories. See Youth as Talent – Hire, mentor, or collaborate with local young creators. Value Relationship – Support programs that center relational care, not control.  \nCredits:This is a production of the Prebys...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/E50UwUZbhBWosolTVbD7jMIdqqQxUsyZGfLc3NjRiXE/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQ1MTAwLzE3MDg5/ODY0MTQtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}