On this episode of Growing on the Vine, Chris Ryan sits down with Dr. Yuan Hawks, candidate for Temecula City Council, District 5, to discuss an extraordinary journey from growing up under Communist China's one-child policy to serving her community in Southern California. Dr. Hawks shares how earning a full scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics at the University of Illinois changed the course of her life. She reflects on discovering Christianity while in graduate school, leaving a successful scientific career to become a full-time mother and homeschool educator, and embracing a life of servant leadership inspired by her faith. The conversation also explores the differences between life in communist China and the United States, the importance of family, homeschooling, volunteer leadership, and what motivated her to seek public office. Listeners will gain insight into her vision for preserving Temecula's family-friendly culture while serving the community with integrity and compassion.

In this episode of Growing on the Vine, host Chris Ryan sits down with Rudy Cortez, the visionary founder of Próspero, a social enterprise based in Lake Elsinore, California. Prospero operates as a "Center of Prosperity", offering a welcoming, home-like environment where individuals can find support for immigration, business development, and financial security.—all free of charge.   He discusses staying open God's promises and plans and how it allows an organization to expand beyond it's human-planned limitations.

TJ Cortez, a worship leader and musician from Menifee, shares his journey in music and ministry and the story behind his song "Every Other Love," a testimony of finding hope and healing in God.He discusses songwriting, struggles with loneliness and depression, his heart to evangelize through accessible worship, and the growing revival happening in the community. Find his music on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram at official1914music.

On this episode of Growing on The Vine, we welcome Caleb Hebert and Providence Baker for a conversation about faith, music, creativity, and using God-given gifts for His glory. Caleb is a young composer and songwriter from Southern California whose work includes film scores, musicals, original Christian music, and the church ministry musical Remember Jericho. Together, Caleb and Providence share the heart behind their creative work, their collaboration in music, and what it means to pursue excellence while keeping Christ at the center. This conversation reminds us that Christian creativity is not just about talent. It is about stewardship, worship, obedience, and pointing people back to Jesus through the gifts God has entrusted to us. Whether you are an artist, musician, ministry leader, student, parent, or simply someone who wants to live faithfully with the gifts God has given you, this episode offers encouragement to create, serve, and follow Christ with purpose.

Kim-Evinda Lepins of Trench Classes United explains a faith-based, small-group class pathway designed to strengthen relationships by addressing unresolved roots from the past. The program begins with How to Love Who You Love and continues with deeper “root classes” on themes like shame, anger, fear, rigidity, and identity, supported by mentoring and guidance from a licensed therapist. Classes are offered in-person and online, with affordable pricing and a focus on healing through Christ-centered community.

Blameless conveys that no individual is to be faulted for what occurred and that her story fits within God’s purposeful design.

In this episode, Chris Ryan is joined by my guest, Melissa Lampert, the owner of Hills of Mercy Counseling in Temecula. We talk about the growing mental health needs of children and adolescents, how faith-informed counseling can serve families, the impact of phones and social media on identity and anxiety, and why simple habits like shared meals and consistent routines matter so much for the next generation.

On this episode of Growing on The Vine, Chris Ryan welcomes Frank Clement, A Vice President of America's Christian Credit Union. Together, they explore how everyday banking can fuel Kingdom impact. Frank shares how simple deposits resource churches, support missionaries, and strengthen families in need. It is a practical conversation about stewarding God’s money wisely, aligning finances with faith, and discovering how your accounts can quietly underwrite powerful ministry in your community every day for God’s glory.

In this episode of Growing on the Vine, Chris Ryan speaks with Jessica Muñoz, CEO of Voices for Children, about the life-changing work of CASA—Court Appointed Special Advocates. These trained volunteers walk alongside children in foster care from birth through age 21, offering stability, support, and advocacy both in daily life and in the courtroom. Jessica shares how CASAs provide judges with vital insight into a child’s needs, help older youth prepare for independent living, and give younger children a consistent voice in times of transition. Together, they explore how the community can step in, speak up, and make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children across Riverside County.   speakupnow.org

On this episode of Growing on the Vine, Dr. Valerie Scola, founder of Scola Family Dentistry, joins host Chris Ryan for a warm and insightful conversation about faith, dentistry, and community. Dr. Scola shares her personal journey into dentistry, the legacy of her father’s practice, and how her Christian faith became central to her life and professional calling.