In this episode of The Power of Connection Podcast, host Sandy York sits down with the unstoppable Ali "The Gran Finali"—an artist, model, actor, director, podcaster, and photographer—whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From serving in the military to becoming a driving force in the Las Vegas' creative scene, Ali shares how her experiences have shaped her passion for storytelling and community building.

Ali opens up about her time in the military, the unexpected path that led her there, and the profound lessons she learned. Witnessing firsthand how fragile life can be, she gained a new perspective—one that fuels her mission to live boldly, unapologetically, and with purpose. This mindset carried over into her creative pursuits, where she has built a name for herself as a filmmaker and media innovator.

Deeply committed to amplifying local voices, Ali founded the Desert Waves Film Festival, a platform dedicated to celebrating independent filmmakers in Las Vegas and beyond. Through this festival, she provides resources, showcases emerging talent, and fosters a thriving creative community. But her impact doesn’t stop there. As the host of The Unclassified Podcast, Ali brings untold stories to the forefront, shining a spotlight on the artists, entrepreneurs, and visionaries shaping Las Vegas' cultural landscape.

Join us as we explore the many layers of Ali’s journey—her artistic evolution, her commitment to community, and her fearless approach to life. Whether you're a filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, or someone seeking inspiration to pursue your passions, this episode is packed with wisdom, motivation, and insight from a true powerhouse in the Las Vegas creative scene.

🎧 Tune in and get ready to be inspired by Ali’s journey of resilience, artistry, and community connection!

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• Instagram: @ThePowerOfConnectionPodcast

Connect with Coyal:

• Instagram: @thegranfinali

• Instagram: @desertwaves_filmfestival

In this episode of The Power of Connection Podcast, host Sandy York sits down with Coyal Harrison, the dynamic creator of Visit Vegas Places, a podcast dedicated to uncovering the real stories behind Las Vegas’ local businesses, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Coyal’s passion for highlighting small businesses and giving them a platform to share their journeys has set him apart as a key voice in the Vegas business community.

During this conversation, Coyal shares the inspiration that led him to start his podcast and why he felt it was important to shine a spotlight on the real people behind Las Vegas’ thriving business scene. He opens up about the early challenges he faced, including imposter syndrome, and how he pushed past self-doubt to create a show that now connects audiences to the heartbeat of local entrepreneurship.

Coyal also dives into the lessons podcasting has taught him, from storytelling and interviewing skills to the business side of podcasting, including affiliate marketing and monetization. He breaks down how partnerships have allowed him to grow his podcast into a sustainable business model, offering insights for aspiring podcasters who want to turn their passion into profit.

Beyond podcasting, Coyal discusses his background in music and how the skills he developed in the industry—such as rhythm, timing, and engaging an audience—have seamlessly translated into his role as a podcast host and producer. He explains how his creative background fuels his ability to connect with guests and deliver compelling content.

Looking toward the future, Coyal shares his vision for growth, including plans to build a team that will help expand his mission of promoting local businesses and creatives. His journey is a testament to the power of consistency, adaptability, and passion, and this episode is packed with valuable advice for entrepreneurs, content creators, and anyone looking to build something meaningful.

🔗 If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a podcast, building a business, or finding a way to turn your creative passion into a career, this episode is for you! Tune in now and get inspired by Coyal’s story of resilience, connection, and the drive to make an impact.

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• Instagram: @ThePowerOfConnectionPodcast

Connect with Coyal:

• Website: www.visitvegasplaces.com
• Instagram: @VisitVegasPlaces

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of The Power of Connection Podcast, host Sandy York sits down with award-winning Las Vegas writer and director JoJo Scanlon to explore the vibrant creativity that fuels his life and career.

JoJo opens up about his profound connection with his mom, a central figure in his journey, and how her unwavering support has helped him thrive. Together, Sandy and JoJo dive into the many facets of his creativity—whether it's showcased in his captivating projects, bold outfits, dynamic hairstyles, engaging social media presence, or impactful activism.

Listeners will gain insight into how JoJo’s family background cultivated a safe space for free expression and ignited his passion for storytelling. He shares candidly about wearing multiple hats in his projects, from writing and directing to editing, offering a glimpse into the discipline and vision required to bring his ideas to life.

JoJo also reflects on transformative moments that shaped his artistic journey, the challenges he’s faced, and the milestones that have propelled him forward. Finally, he reveals his aspirations for the future and how he hopes to leave an enduring impact on the creative world.

This episode is an absolute must-listen for anyone looking to find inspiration in the power of connection, creativity, and self-expression.

In this compelling episode of The Power of Connection Podcast, host Sandy York sits down with Austin Alvarez, a local Las Vegas podcast producer, digital content creator, and the host of The Truly Bizarre and Calls from the Beyond. Together, they explore Austin’s creative journey, starting with his experiences in film school and his time as a musician, and how these shaped his path into the world of podcasting and editing.

Austin shares the most rewarding aspects of podcasting, the valuable lessons he’s learned along the way, and how he brings creative visions to life through his work with clients. He dives deep into his client’s onboarding process, offering insights on understanding clients’ unique needs and setting realistic expectations for successful collaborations.

Whether you're a podcast enthusiast, aspiring producer, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes world of content creation, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that showcases the power of creativity, connection, and storytelling!

Connect with us:

Follow us on Instagram: @thepowerofconnectionpodcast

Austin Alvarez: @alvarezprodlv, @thetrulybizarre, @callsfrombeyond

Sandy York: @sandyyorklv

In this episode of The Power of Connection Podcast, host Sandy York welcomes Dean Gray, a gifted musician, engineer, and music producer who made the bold move from Boston to Las Vegas three years ago, determined to carve out his place in the music industry. Dean shares his remarkable story of turning a shared dream with friends into a career in music.

Dean takes us behind the scenes of his journey, revealing how he first got his start in the industry and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He opens up about how music became more than just a creative outlet—it became a way to understand communication, master collaboration, and build deeper connections with artists and peers.

In a candid and heartfelt conversation, Dean talks about the challenges of navigating professional and personal relationships in a demanding industry. He offers practical advice to anyone looking to follow a similar path, highlighting the importance of staying intentional about separating creative expression from the business side of work.

From sharing the highs and lows of pursuing artistry to expressing his love for helping others bring their musical visions to life, Dean’s insights are not only inspiring but also deeply relatable for anyone striving to make their mark.

Whether you’re an aspiring musician, a creative entrepreneur, or simply someone who appreciates the power of connection through art, this episode offers a blend of inspiration, wisdom, and a behind-the-scenes look at the world of music production. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Dean’s experiences and fuel your own creative journey!

In this episode of The Power of Connection Podcast, Sandy dives deep into the creative mind of Angel C., a versatile film director, podcast producer, and commercial producer for Fox5 Las Vegas. Angel takes us through his dynamic journey, starting with his education in digital media, which opened the door to a thriving career in the film industry. He shares how working in a studio exposed him to cinema cameras for the first time, sparking a passion for filmmaking that led him to master critical skills like lighting, screenwriting, and cinematography.

Angel reveals the importance of being a self-starter in the film world, describing how he took the initiative to research and learn how to produce and write short films. He breaks down his creative process, explaining how he brings ideas to life and navigates the challenges of production. With a hands-on approach to filmmaking, Angel has worn multiple hats — from producer to cinematographer to editor — but his true passion lies in directing. He shares valuable lessons he’s learned along the way, emphasizing the importance of understanding every aspect of film production, especially editing, which was the first skill he mastered and one that shaped his approach to filmmaking.

As a proud member of the Las Vegas creative community, Angel discusses the rapid growth of the local film scene and his dedication to supporting emerging talent in the area. He explains how he’s working to elevate local artists and advocate for their success, while also pushing to tell Latino stories that often go unheard. For Angel, it’s crucial to highlight his culture in his films, showcasing the richness of Latino narratives and ensuring they take center stage in his work.

In addition to filmmaking, Angel has ventured into the world of podcasting, creating a platform to document the stories behind the films he's produced and directed. He shares the inspiration behind his podcast and how it serves as a space for in-depth conversations with fellow creatives, reflecting on the experiences they’ve had during production.

Sandy and Angel also discuss the multifaceted nature of being a filmmaker today — how wearing multiple hats, from production to editing, is often necessary to bring a vision to life. But through it all, Angel remains focused on his goal of becoming a full-time director. In a reflective moment, he looks ahead to the future, sharing what projects he hopes to work on next and how he envisions his career evolving.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, a creative looking to break into the industry, or someone passionate about storytelling, this episode is packed with valuable insights, personal anecdotes, and inspiration. Tune in to hear Angel C.’s compelling story of perseverance, creativity, and community-building.

In this inspiring episode of "The Power of Connection Podcast", we sit down with Hazel Brown, a remarkable community leader from Las Vegas dedicated to empowering women. Hazel's journey from the healthcare industry to becoming a catalyst for change is nothing short of extraordinary. She shares how her experiences in healthcare ignited a passion for helping others redesign their lives, leading her to new heights.

As a coach, Hazel now guides her clients to elevate their careers and personal lives, providing them with the tools and mindset needed to overcome limiting beliefs. Throughout the episode, Hazel offers invaluable insights into maintaining a powerful mindset, breaking free from self-imposed limitations, and striving for excellence.

We also dive deep into the heart of Hazel's events, which serve as a sanctuary for women to connect, inspire, and empower each other. These gatherings are filled with powerful women who deliver impactful messages, creating an environment of growth and support. Join us for a conversation that promises to elevate your perspective and inspire you to reach new heights in your own journey.

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• Instagram: @ThePowerOfConnectionPodcast

Connect with Hazel Brown:

• Website: https://redefiningthefutureyou.com/

• Instagram: @iamhazelbrown, @itsthehumanexperience, @redefiningthefutureyou, @workplacetherapy

In this powerful episode of The Power of Connection Podcast, co-hosts Sandy and Shelly sit down with Zoi Brees, a trailblazer dedicated to empowering women to live their most fulfilled lives. Zoi shares her mission to reach and support women struggling with health and wellness, weight management, and aging gracefully.

Dive deep with us as Zoi unravels the secrets to mastering the true embodiment of self through intuitive eating, personalized movement, and profound personal development. Learn how to take control of your life, find balance, and become the best version of yourself. Whether you're looking to enhance your well-being, understand the principles of intuitive living, or need a boost on your journey to self-discovery, this episode is packed with actionable insights and heartfelt advice.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will leave you motivated to take the first step towards a more fulfilled and empowered lifestyle. Join us and discover the transformative power of connection with Zoi Brees.

Highlights from the Episode:

• Zoi’s personal journey to discovering her passion for empowering women.
• Practical tips on intuitive eating and how it can change your relationship with food.
• The importance of movement and finding an exercise routine that works for you.
• Strategies for personal development and mastering control of your life.
• How to age gracefully and maintain wellness through all stages of life.
• Zoi’s mission to reach and help as many women as possible and her vision for the future.

Follow Us:

• Instagram: @ThePowerOfConnectionPodcast

Connect with Zoi Brees:

• Website: https://zoibreeswellness.com
• Instagram: @zoibrees

Don’t miss this empowering episode with Sandy, Shelly, and the incredible Zoi Brees!