Thomas Sage Pedersen and Stoney V. Godet discuss Stoney’s work as the Founder and Executive Director of the Autism Family Network of Santa Cruz, their work with the Black Kings of Santa Cruz County, and many other topics on a live taping of Speak for Change Podcast. Local hip-hop artist Alwa Gordon opens the night, as the leader of his own creative label “88 Over Everything,” and the artist behind the release “16 Summers.”

Thank you to Jean-Marc & Rebecca Jot for their support and sponsorship of this Speak for Change Podcast live event.

Stoney V. Godet

Stoney V. Godet is a motivational speaker, author, banker, DJ/EmCee, USA Wrestling Men’s Masters Division Competitor, grandfather of 2, father of 4, and proud father of a son on the Autism Spectrum. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Autism Family Network of Santa Cruz, which is dedicated and committed to bridging the gaps within our communities for those individuals on the Autism Spectrum and those with Special Abilities, through creating inclusive and proactive events, while providing educational resources, public awareness and a collaborative network of acceptance for all to reach their untapped potential.

Alwa Gordon

Alwa first fell in love with Hip-Hop when he heard Tupac’s “My Ambition as a Rider.” Having received the CD from his older brother, it changed his life forever. Growing up in Santa Cruz CA, a small beach town, Alwa drew from the influences of his childhood, a son to a single mother with a missing dad. He began writing and recording music at just 16. In 2012, through a mixtape called “The 11th Hour.”, Alwa gained major label attention, which led to a studio session with Grammy award winning singer/songwriter “Poo Bear”. After getting an inside look at the music industry, Alwa spent the next 4 years working on his craft, honing his stage performance and live delivery. His focus, telling his story in a way that captivated audiences. In 2016 he established his own creative label “88 Over Everything”. In 2019 Alwa dropped his first official project “16 Summers.” Since the project has dropped he has been touring the USA, making several radio appearances, and connecting with his fans face to face. When asked what he hopes to achieve, he simply replies “I just want to make it before I go”

Speak for Change

Speak for Change was founded with the mission of creating positive and lasting social change in our local and global communities. From a studio at the Tannery Arts Center in Santa Cruz, Thomas Sage Pedersen has hosted over 100 podcast episodes – and now, Speak for Change and Indexical bring you a series of live events! Each event features an interview and a musical guest, with new and custom sets tailored to the topic of conversation.

Thomas Sage Pedersen

Thomas Sage Pedersen’s mission and purpose has shifted throughout the years, but has always revolved around: to explore and implement innovative ways to inspire and create communities that are rooted in health, self-awareness, communication, creativity, accountability, courage and nonviolence. He continues to explore these principles in his personal life as well as in organizations he has created, helped create or are a part of.

Thomas is the CEO and Founder of the award winning music school Everyone’s Music School. He is the founder and main host of the podcast Speak For Change Podcast. He also has his own radio show on KSQD 90.7 fm in Santa Cruz County called the Speak For Change Radio hour. He is a co-Founder and the main facilitator of the Black Kings of Santa Cruz County which is a black men’s group here in Santa Cruz County rooted in brotherhood and connection.

He is a member of the Santa Cruz Equity Collaborative who are popularly known for holding responsibility for the BLM mural here in Santa Cruz. When not working in the community Thomas likes to write, paint and create music. He lives in the Redwoods of Santa Cruz County with his amazing artist wife Lauren Ringelman.