In this episode, Dr. Farina King and Eva Bighorse sit down with Joseph Perez (who is of Nooksack descent), an actor, U.S. Army veteran, Bronze Star recipient, and law student, to discuss his inspiring journey of resilience, service, and purpose. Joseph reflects on his recent acting roles, including appearing alongside Emma Stone in The Curse, and his commitment to increasing Indigenous representation in the entertainment industry. He also shares how his studies in Native American Law and Entertainment Law, along with his new YouTube channel, JD Ready, are helping him advocate for Indigenous communities and mentor aspiring law students. Together, they discuss the power of pursuing dreams, overcoming adversity, and inspiring Indigenous youth and people from all backgrounds to embrace their potential and create positive change through storytelling, education, and perseverance.

Resources:

JD Ready on YouTube

@realjosephperez on Instagram

Joseph Perez on IMDb

Cupertino (TV Series 2026) on IMDb

"Q&A with Nooksack Actor Joseph Perez" by Kaili Berg

"Rising Star Joseph Perez On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry"