Happy New Year!

Thank you for supporting Beyond The Fog Radio over the past four years. We're excited to announce our new project: the Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School Podcast!

Students from Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School in Bayview-Hunters Point, San Francisco, will host their own podcast, produced by Beyond The Fog Radio. The content will reflect their school experiences, and students will design the logo, website, name, and even compose their own theme music.

The first episode launches Wednesday, February 19, 2025 — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!

Thank you for your continued support,

Susan, Jae, Michaela, and our new Education Co-Host, Gregory Fischer

This year’s Holiday Special, we’re announcing our partnership with students at Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School in San Francisco. This week, we teamed up with the 6th-grade boys from Mr. Matthews’ advisory class to co-host.

Jae, Michaela, and the boys sat down with Ryan Stagg, co-owner of Bernal Bakery. During COVID, Ryan and his partner Danielle Banchero baked bread at home and used a pulley system to deliver it to customers in a basket. Four years later, their pandemic project is now a thriving bakery in Bernal Heights with spots at local farmers' markets.

We had a blast with Ryan, Danielle, and the students at Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School. Tune in to hear about Bernal Bakery’s journey, through the questions of our talented and bright young students.

Meet Ryan Stagg — and introducing the students of Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School!

Happy Holidays!

Huckleberry Youth Programs began in 1967, as a means to protect and help troubled and runaway teenagers who would otherwise be arrested and jailed. The organization began out of Huckleberry House in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, and more than fifty years later, it has expanded north into Marin County. To address the problems that these young people face, Huckleberry starts with the individuals — learning who they really are, rather than immediately trying to put them into categories. This approach allows Huckleberry to more effectively use its resources to be a force for good.

Doug Styles is the current Executive Director and CEO of Huckleberry Youth Programs. Born and raised in San Francisco, Doug wanted to understand how people interacted within an ever-growing multicultural world with an unequal distribution of resources. After over ten years at Huckleberry, Doug remains committed to helping the at-risk youth of San Francisco, Marin, and beyond. We were honored to hear Doug's story in his own words, and learn about how he continues to positively impact the lives of young people and their families.

For more information about Huckleberry Youth Programs, visit www.huckleberryyouth.org

Meet Doug Styles!

Foreign Cinema, a unique dining gem in San Francisco's Mission District, has delighted guests since 1999 with its California-Mediterranean cuisine and nightly outdoor film screenings. Renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, it also regularly hosts musicians, artists, and creatives.

Co-owners and chefs Gayle Pirie and John Clark, celebrated figures in San Francisco's culinary scene, have earned multiple James Beard nominations. Their story is one of passion—for each other, San Francisco, and food. What better way to honor Foreign Cinema’s 25th anniversary than a Thanksgiving Day special with Gayle and John?

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Meet Gayle Pirie and John Clark!

In the late 1960s, as young people flocked to San Francisco, Dr. David Smith responded by opening Haight Ashbury Medical Clinics (HAMC)—the first free medical clinic in the U.S., built on the belief that health care should be a right, not a privilege.

Two years later, Walter Littrell founded Walden House in the same neighborhood to support homeless youth facing substance use challenges. Today, Walden House provides mental health and addiction treatment across California, including programs within prisons and reentry services.

In 2011, David and Walter combined their missions, merging HAMC and Walden House to create HealthRIGHT 360, a national model for accessible community healthcare. Tune in to hear David and Walter's powerful stories and the impactful work their organizations have done for their communities.

Meet Walt Littrell and Dr. David Smith!

In the latest episode of our World of Nonprofits Series, we welcome Scott Lan, CEO of Cameron House, an organization with 150 years of history serving San Francisco’s Chinese community. Originally a girls' home protecting young Asian immigrants from the Yellow Slave Trade, Cameron House now offers services like counseling, domestic violence intervention, youth programs, leadership development, and more. With 20 years of experience in education and workforce development, Scott plays a key role in its success. Tune in to learn about his work with Cameron House and the organization’s vital place in the history of Asian immigrants in San Francisco.

For more information about Scott Lan and Cameron House, please visit: https://cameronhouse.org/about-us/history/

Meet Scott Lan, CEO of Cameron House!

This week we met Dr. Pegah Faed, the newest CEO of Safe & Sound, an SF-based non-profit organization that partners with communities and families to prevent and reduce the impact of childhood abuse, neglect, and trauma. Before joining, Pegah was Executive Director at First 5 Marin, leading efforts in policy, program development, and social change. She’s also helped shape strategies for First 5 Los Angeles. Pegah has a deep commitment to equity, having worked closely with Mayor London Breed on the "Our Children, Our Families Council." With degrees in Public Health from UC Berkeley, USC, and Loma Linda University, Pegah is dedicated to creating healthier, more just communities. Tune in to hear about the incredible work of Safe & Sound and how Pegah is helping her community thrive.

For more information about Dr. Pegah Faed and Safe & Sound, visit https://safeandsound.org/

Meet Dr. Pegah Faed!

This week, we’re joined by fifth-generation San Franciscans Beth Purcell and John Kohler. Beth, influenced by SF’s hippie movement, left at 16 to live in a school bus in Oregon. She later studied midwifery and lived off-grid in Hawaii before settling in Santa Cruz. Now a well-known artist, Beth enjoys making art, cooking, gardening, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

John Kohler kept his roots closer to home. He’s spent 30 years in Bay Area education and is an active member of the SF Historical Society. Now living in Oakland, John enjoys family time, cooking, and showing friends around his home city. Tune in to hear how 5 generations of San Franciscans influenced the lives of these wonderful natives!

Meet Beth Purcell and John Kohler!

Emily Winston grew up enjoying New York’s famous H&H Bagels. After moving to the Bay Area in 2010, she missed the bagels she loved and was devastated when H&H Bagels closed. Determined to recreate the bagels she longed for, Emily spent five years perfecting her recipe. Encouraged by friends and family, she eventually opened Boichik Bagels in November 2019.

Since then, Emily’s bagel business has grown to six locations around the Bay Area, along with a factory, with more expansion planned. Emily takes pride in using premium, organic ingredients and ensuring her staff is well-compensated and receives full benefits. Fun fact: her first shop in Berkeley was also the original location of the Bay Area’s famous Noah’s Bagels!

Tune in to this special episode where we hear about Emily’s story and how she turned an old childhood memory into the Bay Area’s newly beloved bagel.

For more information about Emily and Boichik Bagels, please visit: https://boichikbagels.com

Meet Emily Winston of Boichik Bagels!

This week, we invited former ABC News anchor Carolyn Tyler as a guest host to interview the Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. about the upcoming 2024 election and the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. is the first Black and longest-serving Speaker of the California State Assembly, and the first Black Mayor of San Francisco. He made a significant impact both in the Assembly, where he authored groundbreaking bills, and in San Francisco, where he oversaw major changes. Brown, now 90, met Kamala Harris 30 years ago when she was an Alameda County prosecutor.

Vice President Harris, born in Oakland and raised in Berkeley, is one of many national leaders from the San Francisco Bay Area. Tune in as we explore why this region has produced so many influential political figures with Carolyn Tyler and Willie Brown.