PeppTalks in the Media
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PeppTalks in the Media 〰️
2026
Jeanne’s next public appearance will be speaking at:
TEDX
Quail Hill Women
We Are: The Power of Collective Courage.
Women build change through relationship, not isolation. We are redefining innovation through human connection
Thursday March 19th, 2026
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Merage JCC
1 Federation Way
Irvine, CA 92603
Jeanne will be honored by Working Wardrobes
Friday, March 27th, 2025 at
The Power Within: A Luncheon Celebrating Resilience, Style and Purpose
Join Jeanne for the Power Within - a premier luncheon experience recognizing the strength,style and stories of Orange County’s most inspiring women. This signature event showcases community-nominated #powerwomen - survivors, leaders, and changemakers - whose personal and professional triumphs reflect the transformative power of confidence purpose, and community partnership.
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Balboa Bay Resort
1221 West Coast HWY
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Media 2025
Media 2025
In 2025 we fought to keep Sam Woodward and other dangerous sociopaths and psychopaths in prison! We don’t need calculating killers out on the street when they are 45 years old so that they kill again!!!! I don’t want to have to worry about Blaze’s killer coming after me, my children, jurors, witnesses or prosecutors. This is a matter of judicial integrity and a promise California made to me when they gave him a sentence of life without possibility of parole!
Hetty Chang at NBCLA news did a great piece on the Pepptalks with Jeanne podcast and we affirmed our commitment to Blaze it Forward as we celebrate Pride 2025. We are delighted to be part of the local LGBTQ community as allies that want to raise awareness and give the support that we wish our son Blaze received as a young gay man who just wanted to be accepted and do good in this world.
Media 202
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Media 202 〰️
2024 was a big year for the Bernstein Family and the end of a nearly seven year battle to get a conviction of the man that killed their oldest son.
The 20/20 premiere on January 3, 2025 of the 2 hour episode “The Last Text” can be watched on demand on Youtube and HULU. This episode took 7 years to complete and follows the journey of Blaze’s family from his disappearance on January 2, 2018 until the verdict on July 3rd 2024. It also includes original post trial footage and interviews of Beaue Bernstein and Jeanne Pepper.
There is also a one hour 48 hours episode featuring our family that premiered at the end of the trial on September 27, 2024. This episode was nominated for and won a GLAAD award for best in long form Journalism (March 2025 GLAAD Media Awards)! You can access the episode here.
”Blaze was a brilliant, colorful and charismatic young man who shined a light in the lives of all the people and communities he touched. Those who knew him best describe Blaze as a modern day renaissance man, blending scholarly achievement and artistic creativity with intellectual curiosity”
Suggested Topics for your speaking engagement:
How positive action in the face of trauma can change your life and give you the inspiration to turn trauma into triumph.
How to protect our children from internet predators, internet extremism and bullying.
Not in My Backyard: Why its not enough to support the LGBTQAI community if you are not prepared for the day your children tell you it is their community. How to support children when they “come out” and what to avoid.
How the #BlazeitForward movement began and real life stories of those who were helped by both giving and receiving,
The story of the Bernsteins’ 19 year old son’s life and death and how bullying and fear played a part in his death.
Why adults/parents need to understand TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, Tinder and other secretive agendized apps that are both assisting predators and extremists who want to either recruit or openly harm your vulnerable and unaware children. What we can do to keep our kids safe and why its so important to understand these mechanisms before opportunity strikes. An engaging discussion with the audience about their experiences and fears.
Sentencing on Friday November 15th, 2024 was the last time the Bernstein family appeared in court. At that time they addressed the court and read Victim Impact Statements. Access those statements here. There is also a Press Statement and video presentation that you can access here. Jeanne has been actively interviewing with news outlets including the press and you can watch and see her latest video media here. You can read her latest interview on November 18th with The Advocate here.
Jeanne continues to host and publish her podcast PeppTalks with Jeanne. With the conclusion of the judical process, she will be available to speak freely about the case and her story for public speaking engagements. Jeanne can be booked to speak at your conference, fundraising, professional group meeting or educational event.
For Booking Information click here.
PeppTalks with Jeanne was at the OC Fair Grounds on 10/5/2024 for the 2024 Blaze it Forward OC Pride Parade and Festival. Jeanne Pepper and her husband Gideon Bernstein were the Grand Marshals this year. To see pictures and video footage from the event - check out our media gallery!
Eagle feather and Bear River Massacre Book given to Jeanne Pepper by Darren Parry, Chief of the UT Shoshone 2023.
A hand painted rock with a picture of Blaze Bernstein gifted to the Bernsteins and displayed at the rock garden in Borrego Park, Foothill Ranch, California. 2018