Brandon Steppe left a corporate career to start a recording studio in his garage — never imagining that a few persistent neighborhood kids would change his life. Those early studio sessions grew into the David’s Harp Foundation, a nonprofit where justice-involved and opportunity youth in San Diego discover their voices and chart a path forward through music, media, and mentorship.
This Episode
Can rhythm and relationship change a young person’s life?
Brandon shares how vulnerability and honesty became cornerstones of his organization’s culture, starting with a simple practice he calls flashlight first: mentors shine the light on themselves before asking youth to open up. From those early lessons grew a creative community that helps youth connect to support, record songs behind detention walls, and build micro-enterprises that pay real wages and teach real skills.
Together with Grant, Brandon explores how art heals, how relationships transform justice, and how community-rooted workforce programs can help young people thrive.
Key Moments:
- [4:05] How one determined teenager changed Brandon’s path
- [8:28] “Flashlight first” — earning trust through vulnerability
- [22:54] The importance of relational support
- [32:52] Creating access and opportunity in the creative economy
- [43:35] Turning a $1M gift into transformational community-based housing
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- David’s Harp Foundation – Empowering youth through music, media, and mentorship
- Brandon Steppe TEDx Talk – On honesty and human connection
- Prebys Foundation Workforce Initiative – Supporting career pathways for youth
Take Action:
- Listen First – Practice “flashlight first” in your own conversations.
- Invest in Creativity – Support programs that give young people tools to tell their stories.
- See Youth as Talent – Hire, mentor, or collaborate with local young creators.
- Value Relationship – Support programs that center relational care, not control.
