Most parents in San Francisco complain about the public schools. Even if they've never stepped foot in them. Sandra Halladey, decided to do something about all the myths and misconceptions. From her leadership role at Parents for Public Schools to her new passion for creating radio stories, she's become a fierce advocate and storyteller for what's going right in public education.

From journalist and editor of leading magazines to singer and actor, Mark Robinson has become a master of second acts. And he's doing it with gusto. He's performing in plays and singing in clubs with the same passion he gives to everything. Hear about his past and current career and how they have both nourished his heart and soul.

From the ripe old age of 12, Felicia Lee thought swimming could be more than just a passion. She moved away from her family home, trained with the best (yes, we're talking Michael Phelps), swam at Stanford, and became a professional swimmer seeking to win an Olympic medal. While the medal didn't happen, her journey in and out of the pool is heroic, humbling, and heartfelt.

Some of us are optimists, and then there's Andrew Jordan Nance. He's a man of many talents and careers who has found himself on the stage, behind the stage, on runways, and in classrooms teaching mindfulness to kids. It's a life well lived and loved, because he's approached it with a "what's the best that can happen" attitude. We talk about growing up as a CODA (child of deaf adults), being gay in a straight world, and what makes his hands tingle in and out of the water.

Gabriella Cross and Aniko Kurczinak are awesome individuals in their own right, but, as sisters, their kindness, humor, wisdom...and bossiness really shine. Their experiences growing up with Hungarian immigrant parents, dealing with the untimely death of a husband, and swimming together have created bonds that are tighter than anything I've seen or heard. It's a joy to behold.

What do yoga and swimming have in common? Can you get to know someone after 28 years of knowing them? Why is the Dolphin Club a second home for so many? Anne Barbaret, with the wisdom of a teacher and her famously French accent, opens up about her life on and off the mat.

There are many artists at the Dolphin Club, but I think Marty Machado may be the only one who draws inspiration from his time spent working on container ships and fishing for salmon in Alaska. Hear about the joys and challenges of living at sea for up to six months at a time and trying to make a living as an artist while raising a family in the city.

Jeff Hanak is the consummate San Francisco restaurateur with a host of successful restaurants on his resumé like Chow, Park Chow, Nopa, Nopalito, Liholiho Yacht Club, and Good Good Culture Club. It's not been an easy road, but he finds joy in making sure hospitality is always on the menu.

Learn how he got into the business, why he's stayed, and how swimming in the Bay helps him cope with the chaos.

Laura Vartain Horn served for 12 years in the U.S. Attorney's Office as a federal prosecutor before moving to the private sector -- reluctantly because she absolutely loved her job, but not her public service salary. Her final case: prosecuting the assault on Nancy Pelosi's husband.

Hear about Laura's life in the courtroom, swimming from the Farallons, the challenges of working very full time and raising three boys with her husband, and why she relies on the Dolphin Club, and the sauna, in particular, for support and sanity.

Ask Joe Omran how he is on any given day and he'll always reply: "It's the best day of my life." Joe is truly living by those words, even in the midst of sorrows, struggles, the war in Palestine, and the chaos (especially during Covid) of running a revered Nob Hill grocery store, Le Beau Market.

In this episode of 2000 Stories from the Dolphin Club, hear how and why Joe has managed to stay so positive and feel so lucky day after day.