Tune in!
Are You In?
Get the inside scoop—and get tips to help you step into your purpose, your path, and your magic.
Let’s do this together.
Real Talk. Real People.
Join me as we pull back the curtain and share the stories that inspire courage, spark connection, and remind you that your journey matters too.
Lokahi Backstage with Jamie Ann Blakeman kicks off with Season One: Sparks in the Desert—a series of conversations with the incredible people shaping Arizona’s professional landscape.
From politicians and commercial real estate leaders to engineers and entrepreneurs, these stories dive into bold decisions, unexpected pivots, and the drive to create lasting impact.
This podcast began because people kept asking me how I do what I do. That question made me realize there’s an audience for something deeper—not just my story, but the stories behind other amazing leaders.
Season One is about those voices. Stories sparked in the desert to remind you to lean into who you were uniquely created to be—to be bold, different, and unafraid to let your light shine.
Sparks in the Desert
Season 1
Include
the Family
Failure to
Opportunity
Value
of Sports
Episode
Dance Drop
On this episode, Jamie welcomes her husband, Ryan Blakeman—coach, mentor, and founder of Lokahi Teams—for a conversation about resilience, grit, and the courage to fight for what matters most. Ryan shares how a major setback shifted the course of his life and how it fueled his passion to help young athletes dig deep, rise to challenges, and pursue their goals with purpose. As Ryan puts it: “Life is short. We’ve all heard it—but when was the last time you really let it hit you? It’s not just a phrase, it’s an invitation. To say what you mean. To chase what you love. To stop waiting for someday. Life is short. Live like you know it.”
Although Ryan’s life centers heavily on sports and coaching—this episode is about choosing to live fully, showing up with intention, and embracing the process that leads to real growth
Ryan Blakeman:
From Playbook to Purpose
Season 1: Episode 10
Episode library
The Heart Behind
Lokahi Backstage
What I Learned From
10 Episodes
Engineer Brain
= Intense Podcast
Cameron Shares His Favorite Part of Season 1
Why I Started
Lokahi Backstage
Before the full stories drop, enjoy a sneak peek. Quick moments, big hints, and the heart behind what’s coming in Season One.
Season 1: Sneak Peak
Sliding Mic,
First-Time Vibes
Crew Favorites
If Our Podcast
was Food
Blooper Alert: Cameron vs. The Light
Episode
Dance Drop
We had no idea what we were doing—but we knew we had something worth building.
This first episode is where it all begins. Join the crew behind Lōkahi Backstage as we share how the podcast came to life—through learning curves, laughter, and plenty of heart. You’ll meet Cameron, Savoi, Feliciano, and me (Jamie Ann Blakeman), the behind-the-scenes team that brought this vision to life.
We actually recorded this one last, after a season filled with incredible guests and unforgettable conversations—and we can honestly say, we loved every minute of it. Our hope is that you’ll find something meaningful in every episode too.
So here it is: a little chaos, a lot of heart, and the story of how it all began.
Welcome to our very first episode. We’re so glad you’re here. E Komo Mai!
The Crew: The Launch, Laughs, and Learning Curve
Season 1: Episode 1
Someone Else to
Believe in You
People Will
Never Forget...
Adulting
Episode
Dance Drop
Meet Cathy Teeter, Managing Director & Designated Broker at CBRE — a powerhouse who went from teen mom to trailblazer in commercial real estate.
In this episode Cathy opens up about the surprising twists that shaped her success: a high-school wake-up call, discovering the power of voice lessons and shorthand, and the mindset shifts that helped her rise in a fiercely competitive industry.
Her journey is a masterclass in resilience, self-awareness, and seizing unexpected opportunities — and it’s packed with insights you can apply to your own path.
Cathy Teeter:
From Teen Mom to Trailblazer
Season 1: Episode 2
Step Into
Opportunity
Successful
in the Gray
Career
Crossroads
Episode
Dance Drop
Looking for clarity in the gray areas of leadership? In this episode of Lokahi Backstage, Chris Bridges, Executive Director of ACEC-AZ, shares powerful insights on how he’s learned to thrive in the gray—where things aren’t always black and white. He opens up about the complexities of leadership, decision-making, and what it really takes to succeed in the engineering world.
Chris Bridges:
Navigating Risks, Relationships & Roads
Season 1: Episode 3
Quit
Fear
Get in the
Arena
Don't
Settle
Episode
Dance Drop
Sometimes the most powerful move you can make is walking away. On this episode of Lokahi Backstage with Jamie Ann Blakeman, Mesa Councilmember Alicia Goforth shares how saying no to the wrong opportunity opened the door to the right one. She shares the moment her father told her, “Don’t take it—you can do better.” It’s a powerful reminder not to settle for the first thing that’s handed to you. Tune in to hear how that advice led Alicia to a life of purpose.
Alicia Goforth:
Leaving Law to Leading Mesa
Season 1: Episode 4
Faith
Over Fear
Contribute Good
to the World
Value
Not Titles
Episode
Dance Drop
In this episode of the Lokahi Backstage podcast, we sit down with Troy Peterson, Director of Construction at Arizona Cardinals Football Club, to dive deep into the concept of "letting go of the label" – why it's time to stop chasing the grade and embrace growth over perfection. Tune in for a refreshing perspective on success, leadership, and the power of letting go of outdated standards. Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation!
Troy Peterson:
Letting Go of the Label
Season 1: Episode 5
Kids
Campaigning
Impossible Until
It's Done
Recession
Lessons
Episode
Dance Drop
Sometimes, the most powerful part of a conversation is what isn’t said. In this episode of the Lōkahi Backstage Podcast, Jamie sits down with Quarles zoning attorney Ben Graff for a conversation that’s equal parts thoughtful and unexpectedly moving. As they explore the art of intentional listening—hearing what’s inaudible, beyond the words—Ben shares a story so heartfelt, it brought Jamie to tears… over cookies. It’s a reminder that when we truly listen—with presence and heart—we uncover the stories that connect us all.
Ben Graff:
Law, Laughs, Leadership
Season 1: Episode 6
Thrive and
Have It All
Message to
Younger Self
Work
For It
Episode
Dance Drop
Wendy Riddell, founding and managing partner at Berry Riddell, shares how saying yes changed everything. From an aspiring architect to a powerhouse attorney with her name on the door, her journey is packed with lessons on grit, growth, and trusting your gut. You’ll hear how one bold decision led to night-after-night courtroom wins—and how the smallest “yes” can open doors you never imagined. If you're at a crossroads or waiting for a sign, this is it. From building a powerhouse law firm to leading with purpose, Wendy lives the advice she shares. Want to know her secret? Listen in, she's proof that trusting the process and doing the work pays off.
Wendy Riddell:
The Tenacity Behind a Dream Life
Season 1: Episode 7
Season 1: Episode 7
No
Direction
What Profits
a Man...
Arrested
Episode
Dance Drop
On this episode of Lokahi Backstage, Jamie Ann Blakeman talks with Walter Crutchfield, founder of Vintage Partners, about the moment his project landed on the cover of Autoweek—a dream come true at a young age. But instead of satisfaction, he was met with a haunting question: “That’s it? What’s the rest of my life going to be?” This episode dives into what came next—how that moment of disillusionment sparked a search for deeper purpose, community impact, and a more meaningful legacy, built on a foundation of faith.
Walter Crutchfield:
The Power of Starting Over
Season 1: Episode 8
Just
Do It
If You Want
Something Done
Baby's First
RNC
Episode
Dance Drop
Some people talk about making things happen. Susan Bitter Smith, President of Maricopa Community College Governing Board, actually makes things happen — by knowing how, and who, to connect. On this episode of Lokahi Backstage with Jamie Ann Blakeman, we dive into the art of building bridges, navigating politics, and why being called “The Convenient Woman from the West” says more about power than convenience. This episode is a smart, spirited conversation about influence, relationships, and the power of showing up with the right people at the right time.
Susan Bitter Smith:
Getting Things Done
Season 1: Episode 9