7K strong and still growing đź’Ą
Big congrats to our 7K giveaway winner @_bae.tea 🎉
Huge thank you to everyone who follows, shops, comes to our events, and participated in the giveaway. The support y’all show Papa Joey’s means everything to us 🖤
Keep rocking with us… we’ve already got some special things planned for when we hit 8K 👀🔥
91st minute. USA vs Algeria. Landon Donovan running onto that rebound and changing everything. 🇺🇸⚽️
That moment is what soccer feels like to me — belief, grit, and belonging.
Crazy to think… I didn’t grow up playing. I was the new kid at San Marcos High, barely knew the game, but somehow ended up on the team anyway. From there it became a part of me and had been for the last 20 years no matter where I have been —
futsal runs, Mar Vista Park, Sunday leagues… just chasing the game and the community that came with it.
Soccer gave me a place to belong before I even knew what I was looking for.
So this one hits different.
Grateful to know Ryan Berman — not just as my team manager in the 4S Ranch Men’s League, but as the author behind Landon. Getting a deeper look into the mindset, pressure, and journey of a legend like Donovan… it reminds you that greatness isn’t just talent — it’s resilience.
From MLS dominance to World Cup moments that united a country… this story is bigger than soccer. Thanks again to these two GOATs, Ryan and Landon.
If you love the game, the grind, or just a story about finding your place — go read it.
Happy 5th Birthday, Myla Jo🧡 Five years ago, you grew my heart to a size I didn’t know was possible. You are my best friend, my babygirl forever, my whole heart and soul. Mama & Dada will celebrate you as big as we can for as long as you let us. I hope you feel as loved as you truly are!🧡 This is 5 !!
Starting the Year of the Fire Horse and Lunar New Year with intention.
At City Heights Chase Bank, our Direct Cash Transfer cohort 1 & cohort 2 gathered for a deep dive on credit, debt, and the types of accounts every young adult should understand — not from a place of pressure, but from a place of possibility.
Because assumed knowledge around money can be harmful.
Silence creates confusion. Confusion creates fear.
Conversation creates clarity.
What stood out most wasn’t just the presentation — it was the peer dialogue during and afterward. Participants teaching one another. Asking real questions. Sharing lived experience. Continuing the conversation beyond the workshop.
Grateful to Patrick Della and the team at Chase for showing up as partners and helping create a safe third space for financial education in our community. Financial institutions can play a meaningful role when they lean into education, transparency, and access.
Remember ¢ommon ¢ents is a space where we speak freely about money. No spin. No shame. No guilt. It is safe to say, “I’m just learning this today.”
What’s one money topic you wish you learned earlier?
I didn’t picture myself here.
Sitting under lights. Cameras rolling. Being asked to share my voice — my work — my perspective.
And yet, Year 6 asked me to show up anyway.
This past year brought moments I never planned for:
• Becoming a Program Manager
• Flying to Toronto for an international homelessness conference
• Speaking at my first conference
• Being a guest on a podcast
• Receiving recognition from people I deeply respect
I was surprised every time I was asked.
Scared more often than I’ll admit.
Honored always.
What grounded me was remembering why I do this work — walking alongside people, helping them sharpen the tools they already have, and healing parts of myself in the process.
There’s a Greek proverb I come back to often:
A society grows great when people plant trees in whose shade they may never sit.
Year 6 felt like planting.
Year 7 feels like tending.
More reflections to come — but for now:
What’s something you’re proud of showing up for, even when doubt was loud?
🤍
Sharing my birthday with my best friend, doesn’t get much better than that. Thank you for literally everything, you’re the only present I want, each and every year.
I Will Always Love You Ashlita.
Born on the Same Day. Made for each other.
Life definitely hasn’t been easy, lately. Changed plans, Hospitals, Police, Tons of Unanswered Questions, and So Many Other Things.
But Dancing, Smiling, Laughing & Our Inside Jokes keep me going. You are my Best Friends. Thank you for everything.
📸: @janeroblesphoto
