For people near and far. Vicinity is a podcast about small businesses, neighborliness, and the magic of being in the vicinity of other creative and passionate humans. In our inaugural season, we talk about the phase when your business is up and running and things are starting to become more repetitive and operational. How do you stay inspired? This season is about the creative people you surround yourself with and what brings you joy?
Building Neighborhoods That Work – A Conversation with Julia Katz from Mercy Housing
What if your neighborhood wasn’t built for outsiders but with you in mind?
In this episode of Vicinity, we talk with Julia Katz, a commercial developer at Mercy Housing, who’s flipping the script on what affordable housing can be. Think: walkable streets, small local businesses, and spaces designed with real community input — not just city permits.
Julia shares her journey from growing up in NYC surrounded by neighborhood inequality, to working in women-led construction, to leading one of San Francisco’s largest public housing redevelopments.
Along the way, she opens up about grief, motivation, the myth of neutrality in development — and why she believes burrito access should be part of every city’s walk score...
8 Jul 2025
Geechi Taylor - Artisitc Director and President of Young Musicians Choral Orchestra/YMCO
Geechi Taylor, Artistic Director and President of the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra, shares his journey through music, mentorship, and community, highlighting the importance of guiding the next generation in this interview.
30 May 2025
Sabrina Mutukisna founder of Built Here Oakland
Sabrina Mutukisna, founder of Built Here Oakland, discusses her journey from a Sri Lankan immigrant family to launching a social enterprise, emphasizing community, resourcefulness, and redefining wealth through wellness in this interview.
8 May 2025
Naomi Peña Founder & CEO of The Art Party
Naomi Fierro Peña, Founder & CEO of That Art Party, discusses creating art and play experiences for BIPOC adults as a form of creative rest, in an interview with Ari Takata-Vasquez.
7 Feb 2022
#4 Marv Lahens
Designer Marv Lahens discusses his unique perspective in crafting goods, pushing digital fabrication boundaries, and connecting consumers to the making process in this interview.
31 Jan 2022
#3 Mike Nicholls
Creative Director Mike Nicholls discusses his award-winning design work, brand strategy, and community building through Umber Studios in an interview with Vicinity.
24 Jan 2022
#2 Brittany Luby
Designer Brittany Luby discusses her journey into freelance design, emphasizing the importance of community support and self-care, in an interview on building a values-driven brand.
17 Jan 2022
# 1 Joshua Farr
Artist Joshua Farr discusses his multi-disciplinary art, which captures the beauty found in the mundane aspects of daily existence in an interview on the Vicinity podcast.
22 Dec 2021
Introducing Vicinity- launching January 17th!
Host Ari Takata-Vasquez introduces Vicinity, a podcast exploring the intersections of small businesses, creativity, community, and the connections between passionate individuals.
Who has been a guest on Vicinity
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Geechi Taylor
Sabrina Mutukisna
Naomi Fierro Peña
Marv Lahens
Mike Nicholls
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
19,724
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
21
Social presence
0
YouTube
72
Engagement
32
Contact Vicinity
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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