Hello everyone,

🔥 If you’ve ever doubted where hard work and vision can take you—this episode is for you.

What does it take to turn a passion into a profession? How do you overcome doubt, and carve out success in an industry that once seemed out of reach for most native people?

In this episode of The Good Tu’i Medicine Podcast, we sit down with a true entrepreneur and trailblazer from Old Pascua Cesar Balgañon II, PGA who proves that persistence, dedication, and an open mind can lead to incredible opportunities. From starting a business at 16 to launching a drone company in 2017, his entrepreneurial spirit was undeniable.

But his biggest transformation? Falling in love with a game he once dismissed - GOLF.

After years of relentless hard work, he became a PGA Professional, proving that our people belong in every space—including on the golf course. Now, he’s dedicated to teaching Native youth that golf isn’t just a sport—it’s a tool for growth, discipline, and access to places we never imagined.

But success doesn’t come easy. From working in guest services to becoming Assistant General Manager at Sewailo Golf Club, he shares how showing up, putting in the extra effort, and staying solution-focused can open doors—even in industries where we don’t always see ourselves represented.

Cesar also challenges the mindset that tribal and casino jobs have no future. Instead, he makes a powerful case for why these opportunities can build careers, empower our communities, and create pathways for the next generation of Native/Indigenous entrepreneurs and leaders.

✨Connect with Cesar:

cesar.balganon@pga.com

Cbiigolf.com

IG: Cb2pga

TikTok: Cb2pga

(520) 954-5583

NEW 🎥 Full Video Episode on YouTube!

🔗 Watch & Subscribe: https://youtu.be/Vo71zhiGbOE

Let’s rise together. ✊🏽

✨ Thank you to our sponsors: www.fivestar-productions.com Tucson Wedding DJ Service - Booked by Design

For Guest or Sponsorship opportunities send inquiries to: fivestarproductions@comcast.net

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2024 Wrap-Up - Gratitude and Reflection

In this episode I wanted to express gratitude on having a wonderful year 2024.

We will continue with one of the foundations of the podcast - health and wellness, so take the time to go outside, go for a walk, a hike, or a bike ride. AND most importantly be grateful.

Practice Gratitude and Wellness in 2025.

Breathe! Breathing and simple breath work goes a long way in practicing your gratefulness and your wellness journey.

As I continue my refection, I am truly blessed and grateful for YOU our listeners! We are in the TOP 10% of podcasts worldwide which is amazing, but I owe it all to our amazing GUESTs and our wonderful listeners. Grateful for YOU.

So looking to 2025! The podcast will continue with more amazing guest and storytelling and the same format - Health and Wellness for everyone, uplifting indigenous voices, entrepreneurship topics seem to be popular, and motivation! Also, I will be posting more shorter solo episodes on personal stories, observations, and helpful information. These solo episodes will be around 15 minutes long and offer value to YOU all the listeners.

Lastly: Future Projects - Starting a new podcast. This new podcast will be tailored to the wedding & event industry professionals, content creation, and entrepreneurship. Once I start that podcast I'll put some links here if you all want to check it out. It will be a whole different vibe on the other things we do here in S. Arizona with the Wedding and Event space.

YouTube and Video podcasting is something we have been working on so you might see some episodes with the video option to view the podcast episodes as well as our guests.

So thank you to everyone, our listeners and guests. Looking forward to a great new year 2025 and don't forget Health is Wealth!

Peace & Love.

Pete

Sponsor: www.fivestar-productions.com

Tucson Wedding DJ Service - NEW podcast coming soon.

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Hello everyone!

🎧 In this episode I have a fun and enlightening conversation with Nicolette "Niko" Gomez

Niko is a proud member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and founder of Nopalito Network, where she bridges the digital divide with culturally-relevant tech solutions.

Niko empowers Indigenous entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed while staying rooted in their culture. From digital design to tech workshops, she’s passionate about ensuring Yaqui voices and traditions thrive in today’s digital world, creating lasting change for her community.

If that is not amazing in itself! Listen on how Nico balances life as a student, mother, and entrepreneur, Nicolette is leading the charge for Indigenous innovation and empowerment.

Thank you!

Chiokoe Uttesia'vu

Nopalito Network

Connect with Nico on Linkedin

Podcast Sponsor: Five Star Productions Entertainment - Elevate Your Next Event, Podcast, or Conference!

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Welcome back to the show!

🚀 We have a truly inspiring guest whose work aligns perfectly with our mission to uplift and empower our native communities.

Joining us is Mariah Zavala a passionate advocate for improving health disparities and strengthening communities across Arizona. With a BS in Public Health from Northern Arizona University, Maria brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to everything she does.

Currently, she's making waves as a Business Development Specialist at Mountain Mojo Group, a creative agency known for its values of family, curiosity, and connection. Maria has been mentoring Pascua Yaqui Tribe youth, creating sports and educational opportunities, and is now developing an extension of SPL Sports to reach even more tribal youth in Flagstaff and beyond.

In today’s episode, Maria will be sharing her incredible story, starting with her humble beginnings and the impact of her amazing mother and siblings on her journey. We’ll dive into her passions, the life lessons she’s learned along the way, and her current projects including the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Youth Rafting Expedition in partnership with SPL Sports Inc. 2025!!

So, get comfortable and get ready for an insightful conversation about health, community, and life’s greatest lessons with Mariah Zavala!

Connect with Mariah:

LinkedIn: Mariah Zavala

IG: Mariah Zavala

Thanks for listening.

Sponsor: Five Star Productions Entertainment

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🎙 Episode Spotlight: Selina Martinez

In this episode, we're honored to feature Selina Martinez, a trailblazing Yaqui woman whose innovative work with The British Museum and her 3D modeling project, "Species of the River," is making waves in the world of architecture and cultural preservation.

🎧 About Selina: Selina is an inspiring force within the Yaqui community, actively contributing to the cultural and architectural landscapes of Scottsdale (Penjamo), Arizona. As she nears the completion of her journey to becoming an architect, Selina is set to become one of the first, if not the only, female Indigenous architects—a groundbreaking achievement!

During our conversation, Selina graciously shares her origin story, the experiences that have shaped her, the motivations driving her work, and a glimpse into her exciting future projects.

Connect with Selina:

✅ Follow her on Instagram: @kaajoame

✅ Explore her project Juebenaria: @juebenaria

✅ Discover "Species of the River" here

✅ Sponsor: Five Star Productions Entertainment

#Yaqui

#YaquiStrong

#IndigenousArchitecture

#CulturalPreservation

#WomenInArchitecture

#NativeVoices

#SpeciesOfTheRiver

#YaquiCulture

#IndigenousInnovation

#3DModeling

#InspiringVoices

#NativeAmericanArt

#IndigenousEmpowerment

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The Yoeme Food Harvest Program and why Food Sovereignty is so important to Native Communities.

I'm so grateful to be part of this pilot program!

Here is some information about the program and the Yaqui Tribe's involvement in the program.

I share my personal experience's and info on how you can find more about the program.

In 2023, the IHS Produce Prescription Pilot Program (P4) awarded grant funding to five tribal communities to develop 5-year produce prescription programs. The purpose of the P4 is to help reduce food insecurity and improve health care outcomes among American Indian and Alaska Native people by increasing access to produce and other traditional foods within Native communities. Each pilot program is unique in their delivery and implementation of their P4 activities.

Please contact me here or send me a message on X @TheYaquiVegan

Thank you.

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What a groundbreaking election and results!

In this episode I will have my reactions to the election results and my thoughts for the future of the Tribe.

There is a change and ultimately it will come to all of us. Change will happen and it allows for us to grow as a people, organization, and Tribe.

We are seeing a generational change and shift in the workforce and our leadership, and it's happening right now!

Generational change and leadership happens to all organizations and structures. I thought the change would happen around 2028 in the next elections.

The change came sooner! and I'm really happy to see the new generation step up and take the leadership roles for the Tribe.

I've worked with all of them and I'm completely confident in their abilities.

May the creator bless all of them in their upcoming duties and service.

Thank you,

Pete

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Welcome back to The Good "Tu'i" Medicine Podcast Show!

🎙️ In this episode "Preserving the Past, Pioneering the Future: The Evolution of Indigenous Storytelling," we'll be diving into indigenous storytelling.

While I've been away from recording new content, we've been hard at work setting up a new studio for recording and carefully curating new episodes, complete with new guests!

❤️ Join me as a tell a couple of my own personal stories and journey to preserve and share digital stories passed down by our parents, grandparents, and ancestors. This is not just a passion—it's my life's work. Together, we'll explore how storytelling has evolved over time and the vital role it plays in preserving culture, connecting communities, and shaping the future.

We all have stories to share, whether they're about preserving traditions, entertainment, or simple pleasures like growing up on eating fried bologna sandwiches.

Don't miss out on this episode and let me know if you have stories to share!

Support us on Patreon: Patreon Link

#IndigenousStorytelling #PodcastPreview #PreservingTraditions #NewEpisode

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