• #13 - Chuck Herrera: Coffee, Community, and Legacy
    May 6 2025

    📍 Sawtelle, Los Angeles, CA -

    In this episode, we’re talking coffee and Los Angeles, among many, many other things.

    Join me as I sit down with THE Chuck Herrera, owner and mastermind behind GoodPeople Coffee Co, nestled in the heart of West L.A.. His path was not so straight-forward, and that’s just the way of things for more people than not.

    What started as early-morning “coffee talk” became an ongoing conversation which I felt the need to capture, and in this conversation, Chuck shares the winding path that brought him to this moment: a story of growth, self-reflection, and learning to find peace in presence.

    Y’all are NOT ready for this one, so buckle up!

    Chuck Herrera

    Instagram

    LinkedIn

    GoodPeople Instagram

    GoodPeople Coffee Co


    No More Strangers:

    Instagram⁠

    LinkedIn

    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 38 mins
  • #12 - Keiana Richàrd-Bartolome: Masks, Mirrors, and Motherhood
    Apr 22 2025

    📍 Inglewood, CA -


    In this episode of No More Strangers, Keiana Richàrd-Bartolome joins J.T. Erickson to explore the intersections of performance, identity, and presence. As a director, actor, teacher, and mother, Keiana brings a layered perspective to what it means to be “in the room”, whether on stage, in the classroom, or at home.

    Together, they talk about the evolving nature of identity, the balance between creative ambition and family life, and the quiet strength required to trust your voice when it doesn’t always feel welcome. It’s a conversation about alignment, doubt, and choosing to show up anyway.

    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 8 mins
  • #11 - David Grover: Philosophy, Data, and Identity
    Apr 8 2025

    📍 San Jose, CA -

    What happens when a brilliant mind questions its own foundation?

    In this episode, J.T. sits down with David Grover—a data architect and "defrocked" philosopher with a deep love of logic, language, and self-examination—for a raw and thoughtful conversation exploring the sometimes ironic paths our lives can take.

    David shares his experience navigating the medical and mental health landscape while wrestling with the existential questions that once unraveled his academic career—and later became the backbone of his professional success.


    Follow No More Strangers:

    - Instagram⁠

    - LinkedIn

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 57 mins
  • #10 - Caroline Kim: Growth, Acceptance, and an Evolving Life
    Mar 26 2025

    📍 San Carlos, CA -

    In this episode of No More Strangers, Caroline Kim joins J.T. Erickson to explore questions of identity, perfectionism, and self-discovery. Caroline opens up about her journey to untangle herself from external expectations, sharing deeply relatable insights into vulnerability, self-worth, and the universal experience of feeling like we're all "winging it." Join us as we discuss how embracing our imperfections can be a powerful catalyst for genuine growth and meaningful connection.

    Caroline Kim:

    Coaching: https://www.yesitsfriday.com/

    No More Strangers:

    Instagram⁠

    LinkedIn

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 24 mins
  • #9 - Rob Cochran: Duty, Service, and Relationships
    Mar 16 2025

    📍 Los Angeles, CA -


    This week, I’m sharing a conversation with Rob Cochran—a retired police officer, security guard, and someone whose career has been defined by service, duty, and the power of relationships.

    In this episode, we talk about what drew him to law enforcement, the realities of police work beyond media portrayals, and the philosophy that shaped his approach to service. Rob shares how trust and relationships are essential to effective policing—why he always kept his window down on patrol, how community engagement changes outcomes, and the lessons he carried into his post-police life.

    It’s a conversation about integrity, perspective, and the human side of a career in service.

    I’d love to hear what stood out to you—drop a comment or send a message.

    As always, I hope you’re walking away with one less stranger in your life.


    No More Strangers:

    • Instagram⁠

    • LinkedIn


    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • #8 - Roman Bercot: An Emergent Life
    Mar 4 2025

    📍 Aliso Viejo, California -

    This week, I’m sharing a conversation with my friend Roman Bercot—a veteran, a technologist, and someone who has spent his life adapting to new challenges, from military service to AI and UX design.

    In this episode, we talk about emergence—how life unfolds in ways we don’t always anticipate, and how we navigate uncertainty with intention. We explore readiness—the lasting effects of being trained for constant vigilance, how it serves us, and where it can take a toll. Finally, we dig into reinvention—Roman’s evolution from combat journalist to technologist, and how he found new purpose beyond the uniform.

    Roman’s story is one of adaptability, curiosity, and resilience. His insights into shifting careers, navigating mental wellness, and embracing lifelong learning were incredibly compelling, and I hope they resonate with you as much as they did with me.

    I’d love to hear what stood out to you, so drop a comment or send a message.

    As always, I hope you’re walking away with one less stranger in your life.

    🎧 Episode Links

    Roman Bercot:

    • Socially Conscious AI

    • LinkedIn

    No More Strangers:

    • Instagram⁠

    • LinkedIn


    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 55 mins
  • #7 - Gerard Bartolome: Self-Discovery, Healing, and Technology
    Feb 14 2025

    📍Brentwood, Los Angeles, California -

    This week, I’m sharing a conversation with my friend Gerard—a technologist, a thinker, and someone who has deliberately shaped his own path through experience, reflection, and intentional hard work.

    In this episode, we talk aboutself-discovery—what it means to redefine yourself beyond the past, how masculinity is shaped by culture, and how we make peace with the stories we tell ourselves. We exploretechnology—the way AI and social media influence our perceptions of self, connection, and the future. Finally, if not sequentially, we dig intohealing—through mental health work, spirituality, and psychedelics, and how these tools have helped Gerard navigate trauma and rebuild trust.

    I found the conversation to be honest, introspective, and deeply human, and I hope it resonates with you as much as it did with me.

    I’d love to hear what stood out to you, so drop a comment or send me a message.

    As always, I hope you’re walking away with one less stranger in your life.

    Episode Links

    No More Strangers:

    - Instagram⁠

    -LinkedIn


    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 3 mins
  • #6 - Andrea Cometa: Community, Tradition, and Identity
    Jan 31 2025

    📍San Pancho, Nayarit, Mexico -

    This week, I’m sharing a conversation with my friend Andrea Cometa—a traveler, a builder of spaces (both physical and social), and someone who understands the deep importance of connection.

    In this episode, we talk about the power of community—what it means to truly belong, the shifting nature of shared spaces, and how we can hold onto the things that matter. We explore tradition, from the small rituals that keep us grounded (like drinking mate) to the larger cultural practices that define our sense of place. And we dig into identity, how we shape it, and how it evolves when we embrace change.

    This conversation is full of warmth, wisdom, and a little bit of chaos (in the best way). I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

    I’d love to hear what stood out to you, so please leave a comment.

    As always, I hope you’re walking away with one less stranger in your life.


    Episode Links

    Cometa & Ocho:

    - Cometa’s Instagram

    - Ocho’s Instagram

    No More Strangers:

    - Instagram⁠

    - LinkedIn


    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 35 mins