Best San Diego Magazine Podcasts (2024)

1
Troy Johnson - Chief Content Officer of San Diego Magazine and Food Network Host 52:03

42m ago52:03

52:03

Ryan asked me to write this intro myself since my writing gets credit and blame for a lot of things in my life. I was born and raised in San Diego, the city often written off as the souvenir cup of California. When my writing career managed not to flop and I landed a gig on Food Network, every agent or manager much smarter than me said the same thi…

1
How The Mental Bar Became Encanto’s Third Place 1:00:08

25m ago1:00:08

1:00:08

#348 This week on Happy Half Hour, Tommy and Daneyel Walker of The Mental Bar serve more than just coffee—they tell us about the cultural haven they built in Encanto. Their hallmark is comfort food and signature drinks like "Sexual Chocolate," a cold brew mixed with strawberry lemonade, and other drinks with adaptogens. When floods devastated the a…

1
Episode 234: Simon Bisley & Kevin Eastman on HEAVY METAL magazine 54:14

19h ago54:14

54:14

2000 AD welcomed two giants of the comics world to a panel at San Diego Comic Con this year – Sláine and Lobo artist Simon Bisley, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles creator Kevin Eastman – to discuss one of the most famous comics of all time,. Heavy Metal. Kevin was Heavy Metal's owner/publisher for more than 20 years and in a candid and wideranging…

1
What went wrong at Veterans Village of San Diego? 46:10

11h ago46:10

46:10

A local nonprofit that serves homeless veterans is now prohibited from offering them treatment for substance use disorder. We learn why. Then, we hear about how the new KPBS "true crime" podcast, Free Jane, came to be.

1
The Story Behind San Diego’s Most Legendary Cocktail 44:13

6d ago44:13

44:13

#347 In this week’s episode, we dive into the history of San Diego’s iconic Bali Hai, a restaurant that’s been a cornerstone of San Diego’s tiki culture for 70 years. Our guests are the Baumanns, the family who’s been running the show since the beginning, pouring more Mai Tais than anyone in town—and making sure you don’t have more than two in one …

1
Craig Dubitsky - Co-founder + CEO at Happy Products 56:27

1d ago56:27

56:27

Craig Dubitsky has built a career out of turning everyday products into something people can’t help but love. As the Co-founder & CEO of happy™ Products and the mind behind hello® products, Craig shares with Ryan how he made the pivotal decision to focus solely on his mission and cut out the other noise in his entrepreneurial mind. He explores the …

1
San Diego voters to weigh in on lots of sales tax measures 45:10

6d ago45:10

45:10

San Diegans will be voting on multiple sales tax measures in this fall’s election, so we learn about what they are and how they'd work if passed. Plus, a closer look into why the San Diego Unified School District fired its superintendent.

1
Katie McKenna - Speaker, Leadership Coach, and Bestselling Author 43:19

8d ago43:19

43:19

Katie McKenna, a professional speaker, leadership coach, and bestselling author, turned a life-altering accident into a powerful story of resilience. On a sunny morning in Brooklyn, Katie was run over by an 18-wheeler, an ordeal that she miraculously survived after 10 hours of emergency surgery. In her conversation with Ryan, Katie recounts that ha…

1
Episode 233: Gail Simone, Ram V & Abigail Harding on HORROR! and ROMANCE! at SDCC - The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast 50:20

11d ago50:20

50:20

Horror! Romance! At San Diego Comic Con, Gail Simone, Ram V & Abz Harding headed up a fantastic panel exploring the worlds of 2000 AD‘s incredible new genre anthologies Misty and Roxy: from reviving classic scares to kickstarting spicy stories of love and intrigue! Get the Misty collection: https://shop.2000ad.com/catalogue/RCS2352P/misty-2024-spec…

1
Investigating migrant crime wave narrative and a San Diego foster care charity 45:30

18d ago45:30

45:30

Is a migrant crime wave really sweeping across American cities? The data says no. Plus, a local foster care charity is taking some heat for its questionable financial practices.

1
The Royal Family of San Diego Taco Shops: A Deep Dive with Jorge Farfan of Lolita’s 37:52

19d ago37:52

37:52

#346 This week, the HHH crew revisits a favorite episode with Lolita's Mexican Food, an iconic family-owned business celebrating 34 years in the burrito biz. Jorge Farfan shares the story behind the beloved chain, the evolution of their authentic recipes (Cali burrito, anyone?), and the challenges of running a multi-location restaurant. Farfan reve…

1
Danita Johnson - President of Business Operations at D.C. United 38:17

16d ago38:17

38:17

If you could pick up your phone right now and call the 18 year old version of yourself, what advice or feedback would you give that 1.0 person? On this episode, Danita Johnson, a member of Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and ESSENCE Power 40 Class of 2023, shares her answers. Danita, currently serving as the President of Business Operations f…

1
CSU, UC schools establish new encampment and protest rules 46:14

21d ago46:14

46:14

California’s public colleges are welcoming students back, but the new year comes with new restrictions curbing student protests. Plus, Escondido is seeing a rise in youth gang violence — we discuss what the city is doing to tackle the problem.

1
Cracking the Code of Picky Eaters: San Diego-based Hidden Foods is Revolutionizing Family Mealtime 51:18

27d ago51:18

51:18

#345 This week’s Happy Half Hour dives into the challenges of parenting picky eaters with special guest Kendra Vallone Matthews, founder of Hidden Foods Co. Kendra shares her journey from golf pro to hidden food expert, revealing how her frustration with her child’s picky eating led her to create a line of nutrient-packed foods that taste great and…

1
Denise Lee Yohn & Steven Morris - Spirituality in the Workplace 54:02

22d ago54:02

54:02

Courageous or Outrageous? Does spirituality have a place in the workplace? Denise Lee Yohn and Steven Morris, two of the most respected voices in brand leadership and corporate culture, believe the answer is a yes. Denise, an in-demand keynote speaker and bestselling author of What Great Brands Do, and Steven, a brand and culture-building expert be…

1
Episode 232: Simon Bisley, Gail Simone & Hayden Sherman on The 2000 AD San Diego panel! 40:35

29d ago40:35

40:35

It's San Diego Comic Con – and the 2000 AD panel is CHOCK full of top talent! Listen to Gail Simone, Simon Bisley, and Hayden Sherman as they talk to Molch-R at SDCC about Thrills past, present, and future! Please be aware that audio quality is variable due to the live nature of the panel. The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast is the award-winning podcast that t…

1
Californians to vote on minimum wage bump 46:10

28d ago46:10

46:10

California voters will weigh in on a ballot measure this November that would increase the statewide minimum wage to $18 an hour.

1
This San Diego Non-Profit Focuses on Cooking Stoves, the Number One Killer in the World (Seriously) 1:00:07

1M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

#344 Our guest on this week’s podcast is Bill Toone, the founder of ECOLIFE Conservation and a celebrated conservationist. Our chat is filled with emotional highs and lows, as Toone reflects on the milestones that defined his fascinating career and the seemingly coincidental moments that led him to found ECOLIFE, an organization that prioritizes im…

1
Jeremy Lowenstein - CMO at Milani Cosmetics 52:22

1M ago52:22

52:22

Jeremy Lowenstein, a global brand strategist and marketing visionary, has been instrumental in catapulting Milani to the forefront of the beauty industry as the leading multicultural brand. His experience at beauty giants like Aveda and Sally Hansen has equipped him with a unique ability to craft compelling brand stories that resonate across divers…

1
School is back in session, what does this year bring? 45:56

1M ago45:56

45:56

The start of a new school year is nearly here. KPBS Roundtable takes a look into some of the issues facing San Diego schools. Plus, artificial intelligence is making its way into the classroom — but has its implementation been too much too soon?

1
How Sam The Cooking Guy Won the Internet 38:55

1M ago38:55

38:55

#343 Sam the Cooking Guy is our guest on this week’s Happy Half Hour. The YouTube star, cookbook author, and local restaurateur is sitting pretty at 3.7 million YouTube followers and just opened his latest restaurant, called Basta, in Little Italy (He’s also got Not Not Tacos, Samburgers, Graze, and Coo Coo’s Nest). In classic Sam style, the food f…

1
Walter Geer - Chief Creative Officer of Innovation at VML 41:04

1M ago41:04

41:04

Sportbike racer, track & field All-American, multi-patent holder, biometric lab creator, The Wall Street Journal’s Marketers That Matter Visionaries, and Adweek’s 50 Most Important People are just a few of Walter Geer’s self-earned accolades. Currently the Chief Creative Officer of Innovation at VML, he has developed commercials, ad experiences, pr…

1
Episode 231: Why was Steve Dillon one of the greatest artists of all time? 1:02:02

1M ago1:02:02

1:02:02

When Steve Dillon passed away unexpectedly in 2016, comics lost one of its greatest talents. This episode, marking the release of The 2000 AD Art of Steve Dillon Apex Edition, we discuss his legacy and talk to those keeping his memory alive. Tanya Celine is Steve's daughter-in-law and organises The Steve Dillon Exhibition. Since its launch at the P…

1
Looking into San Diego's mega shelter proposal 46:12

2M ago46:12

46:12

We look at the city of San Diego's plans for a 1,000-bed mega shelter. Then, a conversation about the effort by San Diego County supervisors to rein in profanity and threats at public meetings.

1
Stella Jeans’ Secret Sauce is its Milk 42:43

2M ago42:43

42:43

#342 We’ve never met anyone who felt merely “so-so” about local craft scoop shop Stella Jean’s and its mostly salty other half, Pop Pie Co., so Troy and I decided to have its founders and owners, Steven Torres and chef Gan Suebsarakham onto the podcast to find out what makes their treats so special (spoiler alert: in part, it's the dairy). Pop Pie …

1
Scot Chisholm - CEO, Founder, and Investor 57:35

1M ago57:35

57:35

Be fierce with the fierce. Scot Chisholm is a four-time founder with over 20 years of experience in building and leading companies. He founded Classy, which he scaled to over $100 million in revenue and led significant strategic investments and acquisitions, including the sale of Classy to GoFundMe in 2022. Currently, Scot is building Highland, a p…

1
The rise of Kamala Harris and what it means for California 46:15

2M ago46:15

46:15

President Biden has withdrawn as a presidential candidate in the 2024 Presidential election, and now California-born Vice President Kamala Harris takes center stage. Plus, Comic-Con makes its return to the Convention Center. We'll check out some of the events.

1
Idyllwild Arts Alumni: Teale Sperling, Senior Manager of Preschool Television for Mattel 20:03

2M ago20:03

20:03

Teale Sperling is the Senior Manager of Preschool Television for Mattel. Some of her producing and development credits include: the upcoming Barney Reboot on MAX, Barbie Vlogs digital series on YouTube with over 11 million subscribers, Fireman Sam preschool TV series, The Toy Box competition series on ABC and the Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie d…

1
Organic Food Pioneer Ran Every Day for Six Years…Twice 34:32

2M ago34:32

34:32

#341 We can’t get enough good produce here at San Diego Magazine. That’s why we brought on to Happy Half Hour Jimbo, himself, of Jimbo’s Naturally, the natural foods grocer that is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Jim “Jimbo” Someck is not only a real, actual person (many fans of the chain have wondered over the years), but a native New Yorker who…

1
Kevin Swanepoel - CEO at The One Club 45:07

2M ago45:07

45:07

Kevin Swanepoel is CEO of The One Club, the world's foremost non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating the global creative community. Through The One Club, he directs prestigious award shows like the One Show, ADC Annual Awards, and Young Guns, as well as several education related initiatives. In his conversation with Ryan, Ke…

1
San Diego’s Soul Food Lumpia Truck Was Inspired by Cooking in the Panamanian Jungle 56:07

2M ago56:07

56:07

#340 This week’s Happy Half Hour features mother-and-son duo Lia and Spencer Hunter of Lia’s Lumpia. Their come-up story is a fascinating blend of family tradition, cultural preservation, and innovative culinary fusion that began long before the Hunters’ foray into food competition TV. Spencer learned how to roll the thumb-thin Filipino fried and s…

1
Episode 230: "I want to write Misty forever" - Gail Simone 1:17:02

2M ago1:17:02

1:17:02

Comics megastar Gail Simone joins us on The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast to chat about her revival of the legendary 'Misty', the late '70s horror comic aimed at girls. With the new anthology special out now, Gail and host Steve Morris discuss how and why horror comics work and Gail's obsession with British pubs, among much else! Things then get romantic (ki…

1
Carlsbad's SURFER magazine plans a revival with print 46:10

2M ago46:10

46:10

For decades, SURFER Magazine was called “The Bible” of surf culture. The Carlsbad-based publication went dormant during the pandemic. But now, it’s looking to make a comeback — and expand its reach.

1
Idyllwild Arts Alumni: Maya Osterman-Van Grack, Mirror Image Arts’ Executive Director of Programs 38:55

2M ago38:55

38:55

Maya Osterman-Van Grack is a graduate of Idyllwild Arts Academy and the University of Colorado where she graduated with a focus in applied theater through the Interactive Theatre Project (a theater ensemble utilizing Theatre of the Oppressed techniques to address social justice issues on campus). After graduating from the University of Columbia, Ma…

1
Molly Tschang - Founder of Abella Consulting and Say It Skillfully Inc. 46:42

2M ago46:42

46:42

Molly Tschang helps senior management and their teams Win As One. She has helped executives navigate over 80 mergers and acquisitions and the human after-effects of intense change. In her conversation with Ryan, Molly shares her notion that to be a good leader is to be a good coach. She points out that good leaders really want to know the truth, an…

1
Exploring San Diego's growing food and drink scene 46:15

2M ago46:15

46:15

From Michelin stars to its first James Beard award finalist, the San Diego-Tijuana region’s culinary scene is on the rise. We hear from local food and culture journalists about this dining revolution. Plus, San Diego is a well known beer destination, but it’s becoming known for other drinks too.

1
Idyllwild Arts Alumni: Marisa Hamamoto, Named to People Magazine’s “Women Changing the World.” 40:28

2M ago40:28

40:28

Marisa Hamamoto is a graduate of Idyllwild Arts Academy, and the first professional dancer to be named to People Magazine's “Women Changing the World.” She is a leading authority on disability inclusion and building a culture of belonging, Marisa has been named LinkedIn Top Voice, and has been featured on "Good Morning America", "NBC Today", amongs…

1
The Little Lion’s Chef Learned Everything from Her Grandparents at The Belgian Lion 54:36

2M ago54:36

54:36

#339 If your time spent in OB and Point Loma spans decades, not just years, you likely know all about the Coulon family, proprietors of the well-loved but now-shuttered Belgian Lion. And there’s a good chance that you also know about their granddaughters, Anne-Marie, Jacqueline, and Dominique, who own Point Loma’s The Little Lion, now entering its …

1
IN-Q - Poet, Songwriter, and Speaker 55:46

2M ago55:46

55:46

“Defining myself / Is like confining myself / So I undefined myself / To find myself”. IN-Q is an Emmy nominated poet, multi-platinum songwriter, world renowned keynote speaker, and the best-selling author of Inquire Within. The Never Ending Now, his recent spoken word album and poetry journal, explore the importance of creativity for emotional and…

1
Episode 229: Al Ewing & Boo talk zombies and sports comics! 1:12:19

2M ago1:12:19

1:12:19

It's the monster mash-up! The 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special is out now and packed with action-packed mash-ups of your favourite 2000 AD series, from Judge Alpha to Rogue/Dog! On this episode of The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast, we talk to writer Al Ewing and artist Boo Cook about jamming together two Thrill-powered classics: Harlem Heroes and Zombo! The gang also …

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