In this heartfelt episode of Candid & Curious with Nina, we sit down with Chef Lorris “Pops-G” Gibson, the Executive Chef at Faith Kitchen on the Haven for Hope campus. Known for his deep compassion, creativity, and culinary expertise, Chef Lorris and his team prepares thousands of meals every week for San Antonio’s homeless community — proving that food is more than sustenance; it’s connection, dignity, and hope.

We’ll explore Chef Lorris’s inspiring journey — from his roots and challenges to his calling in the kitchen, his experience with the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, and how he uses food to heal and serve. This episode is a story of redemption, service, and the extraordinary power of one person choosing to feed both stomachs and souls.

In this episode of Candid & Curious with Nina, we dive deep into the world of neurodivergence and advocacy with Nicole Santiago, M.Ed., learning specialist and founder of Family ADDventures Advocacy. Nicole shares her journey from struggling to secure support for her own son, to becoming a powerful advocate for families navigating the education system.

We explore what it means to be neurodivergent in a neurotypical world, why advocacy is essential, and how parents, educators, and individuals can better understand and embrace different ways of thinking. This is a candid, heartfelt, and empowering conversation about building confidence, breaking stigma, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

In this episode of Candid & Curious, Nina sits down with powerhouse musician Alyson Alonzo, a self-taught singer-songwriter whose voice has been compared to legends like Joni Mitchell and Billie Holiday. Known for her soulful performances, community impact, and unapologetic authenticity, Alyson shares her journey of becoming an artist, how she found her unique sound, and why representation matters for the LGBTQ and youth communities she uplifts. Together, Nina and Alyson explore the raw truths of creativity, identity, and the courage it takes to use your voice.

In this episode of Candid & Curious, Nina sits down with Jim Landers — a pioneer in San Antonio’s photography community, founder of Landers Photography School, and host of The Portrait Profits Show. With decades of experience, Jim shares how his passion for photography transformed into a mission to educate and empower other photographers to succeed in business. Together, Nina and Jim unpack the pivots his school made during the pandemic, the challenges and joys of teaching creatives, and how technology — especially AI — is shaping the future of photography. This is a candid, heartfelt look at what it takes to build a sustainable career in the arts and why staying adaptable is the key to longevity.

In this powerful post–Veterans Day episode, Nina sits down with two incredible women whose work and personal stories bridge the gap between military service, mental health, and community healing. Together, they explore what it truly means to serve — both in uniform and beyond it — and what happens when the mission shifts from battlefields to personal growth.

Through candid conversation, this episode unpacks the unseen struggles veterans face, the importance of mental health support, and the ways our community can stand stronger for those who’ve stood for us.

In this episode, host Nina Padilla and co-host Chibbi welcome Angela, co-founder of the award-winning Freshest Ice Creams. From her journey to San Antonio from Brazil and Colombia, to creating healthy, vegan, and lactose-free desserts that locals can’t get enough of, Angela shares her inspiring entrepreneurial path. This candid conversation explores how cultural heritage, creativity, and a passion for wellness inspired her ice cream recipes—and what it really takes to thrive as a small business owner in Texas.

This special extended roundtable episode of Candid & Curious with Nina takes you inside the creative worlds of some of San Antonio’s most celebrated artists featured in the Red Dot Art Sale + Party, the Contemporary at Blue Star’s signature fundraiser. Together with The Contemporary’s Executive Director, Nina sits down with Ricky Armendariz, Joe Harjo, and Meredith Dean for an unfiltered conversation about their creative process, the cultural forces that shape their work, and what drives them to keep creating.

We’ll explore the tension between tradition and innovation, the personal and political stories embedded in their art, and why spaces like the Contemporary are vital for nurturing artistic voices in our community. Honest, candid, and deeply curious, this is art like you’ve never heard it before.

In this Season 2 premiere, Nina and new co-host Chibbi sit down with Emmy Award-winning journalist Jose Arredondo. Known affectionately as “your tía’s favorite reporter,” Jose shares how growing up in San Antonio’s West Side inspired him to become a voice for marginalized communities. This episode explores what it means to tell stories with integrity, the power of representation in journalism, and how Jose’s deep love for his city shapes every frame he captures and every story he tells.