Being Social Podcast

In this episode of Being Social, we’re joined by Kristin Martinez, VP of Events for the San Diego Food + Wine Festival, to talk about what goes into planning one of San Diego’s biggest food and wine events. With more than 20 years of festival history, there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes to bring it all together.

Kristin shares what it takes to coordinate hundreds of exhibitors, create memorable experiences, and make sure attendees, chefs, and sponsors all get something out of the festival. We talk about the importance of hospitality, the little details that can make or break an event, and how listening to attendees and vendors helps the festival evolve year after year.

We also get into the connections that happen behind the scenes, from chefs building relationships with each other to attendees discovering new favorite restaurants. Kristin shares how the festival is working toward its zero-waste goal through food recovery programs, battery-powered operations, and other sustainability efforts.

Plus, we talk about what makes the festival special, what Kristin is most excited about this year, and her tips for making the most of your experience, whether you're a longtime attendee or going for the first time.

Question of the Week:
What’s your favorite local event, and what makes it memorable for you?

Follow us:

@beingsocialpod

Kristin Martinez:

San Diego Food + Wine Festival: https://sandiegowineclassic.com/

Jean:

@commonplacesd + https://commonplacegroup.com/

Viviana:

@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

Upcoming Events Mentioned:

• San Diego Food + Wine Festival: November 6–8, with additional events and experiences beginning November 1.
• Keep an eye on our social media for a Being Social giveaway featuring tickets to the festival!

Music Credit:

Original intro music created by David East

Don't forget to like, subscribe, follow, and share Being Social! We'll see you next week.

Politics and friendship can be a complicated combination. In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when you and your friends don’t see eye to eye politically, how much shared values matter, and when differences become too big to ignore.

We talk about whether you can be close friends with someone with very different political beliefs, how social media can make political disagreements harder, and setting boundaries both online and in real life.

We also get into having political conversations with friends and family, knowing when to speak up when someone says something offensive or discriminatory, and how asking questions can sometimes open the door to a better conversation.

With the midterm elections coming up, we talk about voting, why people sometimes don’t vote, and how making politics more accessible and less intimidating could help more people participate.

Want to register to vote or check your registration?
https://registertovote.ca.gov/

Plus, we introduce a new segment designed to deepen connections. This week’s question: How do you hope the people in your life see you?

Question of the Week:
How do you navigate friendships when you and your friends have different political beliefs or values?

Follow us:
@beingsocialpod

Jean:
@commonplacesd + https://commonplacegroup.com/events/

Viviana:
@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

Upcoming Events Mentioned:

• San Diego Gather Postcard Writing + Book Swap: October 12 at Duck Foot in Leucadia.
• San Diego Gather Ballot Education Event: October 13 at AleSmith. A nonpartisan journalist will break down the propositions and help make the ballot easier to understand.

Music Credit:
Original intro music created by David East

Don't forget to like, subscribe, follow, and share Being Social! We’ll see you next week.

Friendships can change a lot when kids enter the picture. In this episode, we’re talking about what it’s like to have close friends who are parents when you don’t have kids yourself, and how those differences can affect a friendship.

We talk about the perspective that childfree friends can bring to conversations about parenting, while also recognizing that there are parts of parenthood we simply can’t understand from the outside. We get into knowing when to offer your opinion, when to keep it to yourself, and how to be supportive without overstepping.

We also talk about the reality of having different lifestyles, expectations, and priorities in a friendship, and how you can still show up for each other even when your lives look very different. Sometimes being a good friend means offering a different perspective, and sometimes it means just listening.

Plus, we talk about putting yourself out there, how much we’ve grown socially, and why creating judgment-free spaces where people can connect and be themselves is such an important part of friendship.

Question of the Week:
How do you navigate friendships when you and your friends have very different lifestyles or priorities?

Follow us:

@beingsocialpod

Jean:

@commonplacesd + https://commonplacegroup.com/

Viviana:

@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

Upcoming Events Mentioned:

• Books & Brews Oktoberfest Meetup: October 2 at La Mesa Oktoberfest.
• Books & Brews Author Event: October 15 featuring San Diego author Lizzete S. Tupas and her book Always on a Tuesday. Location to be announced.
• Books & Brews / AFSP Walk: October 17 in Liberty Station. Register to participate in person or virtually and support suicide prevention awareness and fundraising.

Music Credit:

Original intro music created by David East

Don't forget to like, subscribe, follow, and share Being Social! We'll see you next week.

Making a new friend is one thing, but how do you turn that first connection into an actual friendship? We’re talking about what happens after meeting someone you click with, from following up and making plans to figuring out how much effort to put into a new connection.

We discuss the importance of reciprocity, overcoming the fear of rejection, remembering names, using calendars and reminders, and being intentional about staying in touch. We also talk about friendship “levels,” treating friend dates like dating, and knowing when to keep trying or let a connection naturally fade.

Whether you meet people through events, social media, mutual friends, or a shared interest, building friendships takes initiative. Sometimes you have to be the one to send the invite or make the next move.

Question of the Week: What’s one thing you do to turn a new connection into a friendship?

Follow us:

@beingsocialpod

Jean:

@commonplacesd + https://commonplacegroup.com/

Viviana:

@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

Upcoming Events Mentioned:

• Commonplace Spanish Club: September 28 in Oceanside.
• Girls Who Paddle Witch's Paddle: October 4.
• San Diego Gather Rancho Bernardo Beer Festival Meetup: October 3.
• San Diego Gather Oktoberfest Meetup: October 2 at La Mesa Oktoberfest.
• San Diego Gather Crafting Event: October 22.
• Books & Brews October Book Club: October 15.

Music Credit:

Original intro music created by David East

Don't forget to like, subscribe, follow, and share Being Social! We'll see you next week.

This week on Being Social

This week on Being Social, we're talking about friendship and money, and why spending time with your friends doesn't have to be expensive.

We’re sharing our own experiences with splitting bills, navigating different financial situations, and figuring out how to be thoughtful about what our friends can comfortably spend. We talk about why it can be difficult to be upfront about money, how to say “that’s not in my budget right now,” and why being honest can actually strengthen a friendship.

We also get into the expectations that can make friendships feel expensive, from happy hours and dinners to planning outings with friends who may be in different stages of life. Plus, we talk about resentment, nickel-and-diming, paying people back, and how different approaches to money can affect a friendship.

And of course, we share some of our favorite low-cost and free ways to spend time together, including walks, picnics, beach days, sleepovers, game nights, book clubs, library trips, and finding free events in your community. Because friendship is about the time and experience, not how much money you spend.

Question of the week:
What’s your favorite way to spend time with friends that costs little to no money?

Music Credit:
Original intro music created by David East

Follow us:
@beingsocialpod

Jean:
@commonplacesd

Viviana:
@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

Resources Mentioned:
Ramit Sethi: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/iwt-about-us/

This week on Being Social, we're talking about bridesmaids, bachelorette parties, and all the friendship drama that can come with weddings.

We’re sharing our own wedding experiences, including how many bridesmaids we had and whether we’d make the same choices today. We talk about choosing your bridal party, friendship fallouts, and what it really means to be a good bridesmaid.

We also get into bachelorette party expectations, from destination trips and themed outfits to how much is too much to ask your friends to spend. Plus, we debate whether it’s okay to say no to being a bridesmaid and whether you even need official bridesmaids at all.

And of course, we wrap things up with a rapid-fire round covering destination vs. local bachelorettes, bouquet tosses, wedding favors, photo booths, and more.

Question of the week:
Would you say yes to being a bridesmaid if you knew it was going to cost you a lot of money and time?

Music Credit:
Original intro music created by David East

Follow us:
@beingsocialpod

Jean:
@commonplacesd

Viviana:
@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

This week on Being Social, we're talking about making friends as an adult with our guest, Jeannine Boisse.

Jeannine shares her own journey of moving to San Diego without knowing many people, finding community through Meetup and interest-based groups, and eventually turning her experiences into a deeper exploration of adult friendship. We talk about the awkwardness of showing up to events alone, figuring out how to meet people, and what it actually takes to turn an acquaintance into a friend.

We also talk about building communities around shared interests, including book clubs and Jeannine's movie club, DVD Collective, and how trying new things can challenge the assumptions we make about ourselves.

Plus, we dive into the documentary Join or Die and Robert Putnam's research on social capital and the decline of traditional social groups. We talk about why connection matters, how today's social clubs are creating new ways for people to meet, and why putting yourself out there can have a bigger impact than you might realize.

Most importantly, we talk about giving yourself permission to be awkward. Because everyone feels it—you just have to be willing to show up, say yes, and make the first move.

Question of the week:
What's the most unexpected way you've made a new friend as an adult?

Music Credit:
Original intro music created by David East

Follow us:
@beingsocialpod

Jean:
@commonplacesd

Viviana:
@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

Mentioned in this episode:
Jeannine Boisse 

https://j9boisse.substack.com/

https://sandiegomagazine.com/author/jeannine-boisse/

https://www.instagram.com/dvdcollective/

https://www.instagram.com/j9.o.boi/

Join or Die - https://joinordiefilm.com/

Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam -http://bowlingalone.com/

This week on Being Social, we're talking about hobbies—why having things you enjoy outside of work can be so important, especially when it comes to making friends, finding community, and simply bringing more joy into your life. We talk about our own hobbies, from photography, painting, nails, reading, puzzles, movies, and board games to trying new things and figuring out what actually sticks.

We also talk about what makes something a hobby, whether watching TV counts, and why not every hobby needs to be productive, creative, monetized, or something you're particularly good at. We discuss the pressure to turn hobbies into side hustles, the self-doubt that can come with learning something new, and how social media can make us feel like even our hobbies need to look perfect.

Plus, we talk about why hobbies can get harder to maintain as we get older, how work and busy schedules can get in the way, and why it's worth making space for activities that simply make you happy. Most importantly, we talk about how hobbies can be one of the easiest ways to meet people and build friendships because you're already starting with something in common.

Because your hobby doesn't need to make money, look perfect, or become your next big thing. It just needs to bring you joy—and maybe introduce you to a few people along the way.

Question of the week:
What's your favorite hobby? And is there a hobby you've always wanted to try?

Music Credit:
Original intro music created by David East

Follow us:
@beingsocialpod

Jean:
@commonplacesd

Viviana:
@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

Mentioned in this episode:

@sandiegogpo

@magicpuzzleco

https://www.healthline.com/health/5-benefits-of-hobbies 

This week on Being Social, we're talking about family connections—how to stay connected with the family you genuinely want in your life, especially when distance, busy schedules, and life changes make it harder to spend time together. We share our own experiences with family traditions, making new memories, family dinners, game nights, themed nights, and finding creative ways to spend quality time together.

We also talk about the complicated side of family relationships, including boundaries, conflict, difficult conversations, and the reality that not every family relationship is healthy or worth maintaining. We discuss chosen family, the importance of having people who support you, and how family relationships can grow and change over time.

Plus, we share practical ways to stay connected—from FaceTime dates and cooking together to planning trips, volunteering, going on walks, starting family traditions, and simply making the effort to reach out. Because sometimes staying connected comes down to one thing: being intentional with your time and showing up for the people you love.

Question of the week:
What family tradition or activity helps you stay connected with your family? What do you do to make time for the people you love?

Music Credit:
Original intro music created by David East

Follow us:
@beingsocialpod

Jean:
@commonplacesd

Viviana:
@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

This week on Being Social, we're talking about community—what it actually means, why the word feels so overused, and the difference between having an audience and truly building a community. We share our own experiences creating Books & Brews, San Diego Gather, and Commonplace, and talk about what makes some groups feel genuinely connected while others can feel more like just another event.

We also dive into why community requires consistency, support, inclusivity, and a real sense of belonging. We talk about loneliness, the importance of in-person connection, why social media can't replace real relationships, and why finding community can get harder as we get older. Plus, we share practical ways to find your people—from joining recurring events and clubs to becoming a regular somewhere, talking to strangers, and even starting a community of your own.

Question of the week:
What does community mean to you? Do you feel like you have a community, and how did you find it?

Resources & Accounts Mentioned:
Ramel J. Wallace: @rameljwallace
CreativeMornings San Diego: @creativemornings_sd
Still Chill: @stillchill.ig
Psychology Today — “The Importance of Community”
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-the-wild-things-are/202307/the-importance-of-community

Music Credit:
Original intro music created by David East

Follow us:
@beingsocialpod

Jean:
@commonplacesd

Viviana:
@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc