Real Talk with OVOV Wed, 14 Oct 2026 10:40:32 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2637149 en-us © 2026 Real Talk with OVOV yes 2fb1309c-a786-5f57-919d-d6394668834d Our Voice, Our Vote AZ episodic false What happens when Arizona leaders leave the podium and pull up a seat?


Real Talk with OVOV is where the people behind the titles, headlines, and policies come to have honest conversations about who they are, where they come from, and what’s happening in the communities they serve.


Hosted by Amber Rivera, each episode brings Arizona lawmakers, community leaders, changemakers, and everyday voices together for candid conversations about housing, education, culture, identity, opportunity, politics, and life in Arizona.


Expect laughter, tough questions, unexpected stories, different perspectives, and conversations that might make you say, “I never thought about it that way.”

This isn't just another political podcast.


It’s a place to pull up a seat, get comfortable, and get real about Arizona.


🎙️ Real Talk with OVOV
Real People. Real Stories. Real Arizona.


]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Our Voice, Our Vote AZ https://storage.buzzsprout.com/xqooqidcmhy4t8zjmjqv6l72koc1?.jpg Real Talk with OVOV https://www.buzzsprout.com/2637149 Loud Vs. Heard with Communications Expert Denise Thomas Loud Vs. Heard with Communications Expert Denise Thomas What if everything you thought you knew about being a good communicator was wrong?

You don't have to be the loudest person in the room to make an impact. But what happens when you have something important to say and nobody seems to be listening?

In this episode of Real Talk with OVOV, host Amber Rivera sits down with Denise Thomas, founder of The Effective Communication Coach and author of The Only One in the Room, for an honest, powerful, and sometimes hilarious conversation about finding your voice, navigating difficult conversations, and learning how to communicate with confidence.

Drawing from 19 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies, Denise challenges some of our biggest communication myths and shares what it really takes to become a leader who doesn't just speak, but makes people feel heard.

In this episode, we're getting into:

  • Why being the loudest person in the room doesn't make you the best communicator
  • The difference between what you intended to say and how your words actually impact others
  • What to do when your ideas are ignored, dismissed, or credited to someone else
  • Why avoiding difficult conversations doesn't protect your peace
  • The communication gap between generations
  • How to become a better listener and connect with people who think differently
  • Why great leaders don't create followers — they create other leaders
  • How to reclaim your confidence when you've been made to feel like your voice doesn't matter

Denise also shares the unexpected encounter with Stephen Covey that helped inspire her journey to becoming an author.

The biggest takeaway? Your voice has value. You deserve to be heard. And you don't have to shrink yourself to make other people comfortable.

Whether you're navigating the workplace, building your confidence, leading a team, or learning to advocate for yourself, this conversation is for you.

💬 LET'S TALK: Have you ever been the only one in the room, or felt like your voice wasn't being heard? Share your experience in the comments.

👍 Like this episode, subscribe to Real Talk with OVOV, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that their voice matters.

About Real Talk with OVOV

Real Talk with OVOV goes beyond the titles to have honest, people-centered conversations about leadership, community, power, and the people shaping Arizona's future.

Follow Our Voice, Our Vote Arizona on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @OVOVAZ

#RealTalkWithOVOV #DeniseThomas #FindingYourVoice #EffectiveCommunication #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #CommunicationSkills #Confidence

]]> What if everything you thought you knew about being a good communicator was wrong?

You don't have to be the loudest person in the room to make an impact. But what happens when you have something important to say and nobody seems to be listening?

In this episode of Real Talk with OVOV, host Amber Rivera sits down with Denise Thomas, founder of The Effective Communication Coach and author of The Only One in the Room, for an honest, powerful, and sometimes hilarious conversation about finding your voice, navigating difficult conversations, and learning how to communicate with confidence.

Drawing from 19 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies, Denise challenges some of our biggest communication myths and shares what it really takes to become a leader who doesn't just speak, but makes people feel heard.

In this episode, we're getting into:

  • Why being the loudest person in the room doesn't make you the best communicator
  • The difference between what you intended to say and how your words actually impact others
  • What to do when your ideas are ignored, dismissed, or credited to someone else
  • Why avoiding difficult conversations doesn't protect your peace
  • The communication gap between generations
  • How to become a better listener and connect with people who think differently
  • Why great leaders don't create followers — they create other leaders
  • How to reclaim your confidence when you've been made to feel like your voice doesn't matter

Denise also shares the unexpected encounter with Stephen Covey that helped inspire her journey to becoming an author.

The biggest takeaway? Your voice has value. You deserve to be heard. And you don't have to shrink yourself to make other people comfortable.

Whether you're navigating the workplace, building your confidence, leading a team, or learning to advocate for yourself, this conversation is for you.

💬 LET'S TALK: Have you ever been the only one in the room, or felt like your voice wasn't being heard? Share your experience in the comments.

👍 Like this episode, subscribe to Real Talk with OVOV, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that their voice matters.

About Real Talk with OVOV

Real Talk with OVOV goes beyond the titles to have honest, people-centered conversations about leadership, community, power, and the people shaping Arizona's future.

Follow Our Voice, Our Vote Arizona on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @OVOVAZ

#RealTalkWithOVOV #DeniseThomas #FindingYourVoice #EffectiveCommunication #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #CommunicationSkills #Confidence

]]> Our Voice, Our Vote AZ Buzzsprout-19921336 Sun, 11 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0700 3117 full false Black Men Have Lost the Plot on Democracy Black Men Have Lost the Plot on Democracy How do you know what to trust in elections?

On this episode of Real Talk with OVOV, host Amber Rivera sits down with Avery Xola, Voter Education Manager for the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, for a conversation about elections, civic education, misinformation, and how Arizonans can find reliable information about the voting process.

From the impact of TikTok and social media echo chambers to common misconceptions about democracy, Avery breaks down some of the biggest challenges facing voter education today. He also shares his path into public service, why he compares his work to being Spider-Man, and how comic books became an unexpected tool for making civic education easier to understand.

In this episode:
🎙️ How misinformation and information overload affect voters  
🗳️ What the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission does  
📱 Social media, echo chambers, and finding trustworthy election information  
🏛️ Why civic education doesn’t have to be partisan  
🦸🏾 How superheroes and comic books can make civic education more accessible  
📋 Why understanding the entire ballot—including local races and propositions—matters

Whether you follow Arizona elections closely or simply want to better understand how the process works, this episode offers a practical look at voter education and the people working behind the scenes to help Arizonans navigate elections.

Real Talk with OVOV brings conversations about politics, culture, community, and the issues shaping Arizona directly to the green couch.

▶️ Listen to the full conversation and subscribe for more episodes of Real Talk with OVOV.

#RealTalkWithOVOV #Arizona #VoterEducation #CivicEducation #ArizonaElections #MediaLiteracy #Misinformation

]]> How do you know what to trust in elections?

On this episode of Real Talk with OVOV, host Amber Rivera sits down with Avery Xola, Voter Education Manager for the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, for a conversation about elections, civic education, misinformation, and how Arizonans can find reliable information about the voting process.

From the impact of TikTok and social media echo chambers to common misconceptions about democracy, Avery breaks down some of the biggest challenges facing voter education today. He also shares his path into public service, why he compares his work to being Spider-Man, and how comic books became an unexpected tool for making civic education easier to understand.

In this episode:
🎙️ How misinformation and information overload affect voters  
🗳️ What the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission does  
📱 Social media, echo chambers, and finding trustworthy election information  
🏛️ Why civic education doesn’t have to be partisan  
🦸🏾 How superheroes and comic books can make civic education more accessible  
📋 Why understanding the entire ballot—including local races and propositions—matters

Whether you follow Arizona elections closely or simply want to better understand how the process works, this episode offers a practical look at voter education and the people working behind the scenes to help Arizonans navigate elections.

Real Talk with OVOV brings conversations about politics, culture, community, and the issues shaping Arizona directly to the green couch.

▶️ Listen to the full conversation and subscribe for more episodes of Real Talk with OVOV.

#RealTalkWithOVOV #Arizona #VoterEducation #CivicEducation #ArizonaElections #MediaLiteracy #Misinformation

]]> Our Voice, Our Vote AZ Buzzsprout-19896917 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:00:00 -0700 2162 full false She's the Attorney General. But first, she's a mom She's the Attorney General. But first, she's a mom What happens when you look beyond the title and get to know the person behind the office?

In this episode of Real Talk with OVOV, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sits down with Amber Rivera for a conversation that goes beyond politics and into the person behind the public role.

Mayes opens up about motherhood, ambition, family, losing her father, finding purpose, and what it means to balance life with the responsibility of serving Arizona. She also talks about her work as Attorney General, protecting consumers and families, corporate accountability, housing, civil rights, and why elections matter.

But this conversation isn't just about the Attorney General's office. It's about the experiences, values, and relationships that shape the people making decisions that affect our communities.

🎙️ Real conversations. Real people. Real ideas.

Listen, share, and tell us: What did you learn about the person behind the title?

#RealTalkWithOVOV #KrisMayes #Arizona #AttorneyGeneral #Motherhood #PoliticsAndPeople #OVOVAZ #RealTalk

]]> What happens when you look beyond the title and get to know the person behind the office?

In this episode of Real Talk with OVOV, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sits down with Amber Rivera for a conversation that goes beyond politics and into the person behind the public role.

Mayes opens up about motherhood, ambition, family, losing her father, finding purpose, and what it means to balance life with the responsibility of serving Arizona. She also talks about her work as Attorney General, protecting consumers and families, corporate accountability, housing, civil rights, and why elections matter.

But this conversation isn't just about the Attorney General's office. It's about the experiences, values, and relationships that shape the people making decisions that affect our communities.

🎙️ Real conversations. Real people. Real ideas.

Listen, share, and tell us: What did you learn about the person behind the title?

#RealTalkWithOVOV #KrisMayes #Arizona #AttorneyGeneral #Motherhood #PoliticsAndPeople #OVOVAZ #RealTalk

]]> Our Voice, Our Vote AZ Buzzsprout-19848799 Thu, 24 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0700 2427 full false The Arizona Legislature Is Like Second Grade | Quanta Crews Gets Real The Arizona Legislature Is Like Second Grade | Quanta Crews Gets Real What’s harder: raising three sons or surviving the Arizona Legislature?

In this episode of Real Talk with OVOV, Arizona Representative Quanta Crews gets real about motherhood, leadership, and what it means to show up as a Black woman in spaces where representation is still rare.

From calling the Arizona Legislature a lot like second grade, to becoming the “state aunty,” Quanta shares the funny, frustrating, and deeply personal moments that shaped her journey.

She opens up about:

✨ Raising three sons while serving her community
✊🏾 Being one of the few Black women in the Arizona Legislature
🗳️ Organizing, SB 1070, and why communities deserve co-governance
🖤 The truth about Black Arizona and why our communities are not a monolith
🙏🏾 Faith, ministry, self-love, and learning to protect your humanity
🌎 The Arizona she hopes to help build for the next generation

This isn't just a conversation about politics. It's about power, identity, family, community, and what it takes to create an Arizona that works for everybody.

Watch, share, and join the conversation.

]]> What’s harder: raising three sons or surviving the Arizona Legislature?

In this episode of Real Talk with OVOV, Arizona Representative Quanta Crews gets real about motherhood, leadership, and what it means to show up as a Black woman in spaces where representation is still rare.

From calling the Arizona Legislature a lot like second grade, to becoming the “state aunty,” Quanta shares the funny, frustrating, and deeply personal moments that shaped her journey.

She opens up about:

✨ Raising three sons while serving her community
✊🏾 Being one of the few Black women in the Arizona Legislature
🗳️ Organizing, SB 1070, and why communities deserve co-governance
🖤 The truth about Black Arizona and why our communities are not a monolith
🙏🏾 Faith, ministry, self-love, and learning to protect your humanity
🌎 The Arizona she hopes to help build for the next generation

This isn't just a conversation about politics. It's about power, identity, family, community, and what it takes to create an Arizona that works for everybody.

Watch, share, and join the conversation.

]]> Our Voice, Our Vote AZ Buzzsprout-19702976 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0700 2778 1 1 full false