This week, we feature Fred Rogers, former owner of the popular bar The Elephant Walk, along with guest host Gerard Koskovich, Historian at the GLBT Historical Society. The Elephant Walk, located in the Castro, was known for hosting disco star Sylvester in the 70’s and 80’s and serving daily brunch until 3:00 pm. It was a sanctuary as the rapidly transitioning neighborhood became a hub for the LGBTQ+ community. After Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone's assassination, The Elephant Walk became ground zero for the ensuing White Night Riot, thrusting the bar and the city of San Francisco into the national spotlight.

Tune in to hear our conversation with Fred and Gerard about the Castro's history and The Elephant Walk's fascinating story during these troubling times.

Meet Fred Rogers and Gerard Koskovich!

Renowned photographer Jim Marshall captured photos of the 20th Century’s most iconic musicians like Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, and many more. From famous shots on stage at major events like Woodstock, to intimate moments with second-to-none access, Marshall’s work is held in private and public museum collections worldwide. He likewise shot over 500 album covers and was posthumously awarded a Grammy for his contribution to the music industry. Marshall met his untimely death in 2010, and his legacy is preserved by his former assistant Amelia Davis and her wife Bonita Passarelli, trustees of his estate. Tune in to this incredible interview that we had with Amelia and Bonita in March 2024.

To learn more about Jim Marshall, please visit: https://www.jimmarshallphotographyllc.com/

Kevin Cline originally moved to San Francisco with intentions of returning home to the South after saving money through bartending. However, he quickly fell in love with the city and decided to make it his permanent home. Despite opportunities at iconic establishments like Bix, Cline ultimately preferred a slower pace, leading him to found The Front Porch—a Southern-style restaurant in the Southern Mission neighborhood. The restaurant embodies its name, offering a welcoming and easy atmosphere where patrons are encouraged to linger as if on their own front porch. As Kevin puts it: “We are good people serving good food to good people.”

Meet Kevin Cline!

https://www.thefrontporchsf.com/

Debi Durst is a versatile performer, director, and producer with extensive experience in improv, theater, and comedy. She’s best known for work in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and has acted with Marin Shakespeare Company, earning her the 2015 BATCC Award. As a proud SF native, Debi successfully renamed the location of Comedy Day in Golden Gate Park to Robin Williams Meadow in 2017. Debi is also a huge SF Giants fan.

Will Durst's multifaceted career spans columns, books, radio, TV, acting, voiceovers, and stand-up comedy. He’s renowned for his outrageous wit as one of the nation's top political satirists, being praised by The New York Times as "possibly the best political comic in the country.” Will currently writes a syndicated humor column for various publications including The San Francisco Chronicle, Esquire, and The New York Times.

In 2006, Will teamed up with political icon Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. to co-host the award-winning Will & Willie Show. Starting as a weekly radio talk show, the Will & Willie Show has evolved into periodic podcasts, TV, and radio talk shows from iconic venues in San Francisco, featuring insightful and entertaining commentary on the day's news, delivered live and off the cuff by Will and Willie.

In December 2022, Jae and Susan had a great time chatting with Debi and Will Durst. Tune in to our hilarious conversation about comedy, politics, baseball and animation. You won’t want to miss hearing from these comedy legends.

Sobia A. Shaikh is a San Francisco-based fashion, travel, and lifestyle Social Media Influencer and Digital Content Creator. She blends her advertising and fashion design background with a passion for cooking, food, and travel, and works with top clients like Valentino, Orlane Paris, and Nestlé. Sobia regularly collaborates with clients in New York and Paris, but stays rooted in her love for San Francisco, where she resides with her husband and two children.

Sobia moved to San Francisco to work in fashion with a custom clothing and handbag business after receiving a degree in Advertising & Photography from the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan, her home country. Today, she graces the cover of San Francisco Magazine's latest Fashion Issue, and we are thrilled to share her story.

For more information about Sobia, please visit: www.shaikhenandstirred.com

Meet Sobia A. Shaikh!

At over 90 years old, Everett Brandon is still an active force for change. After earning a Juris Doctor degree from UC Berkeley School of Law, Everett moved to San Francisco to participate in the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs. This immersive program provided him with valuable internships with various San Francisco City departments and institutions. Soon, he embarked on a journey with the NAACP as a field Secretary for the West Coast Region. In the early 1960s, he founded PACT (Plan of Action for Changing Times), a still-thriving non-profit that aids minority students in pursuing college and discovering new career paths.

Everett also served as former Public Affairs Officer for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and was Vice-Chair on the Marin City Community Service District Board. In celebration of his 90th birthday, the Marin County Board of Supervisors awarded Everett an official commendation for his activism.

Everett is a lifelong civil rights leader, and we were honored to hear how he joyfully continues to serve others in the Bay Area and beyond.

Meet Everett Brandon!

George Frederick Gund IV is the President of Gund Real Estate Group and trustee of the George Gund Foundation, and a native San Franciscan. Beyond his professional roles, George finds solace and purpose as a nature photographer, using his lens to bridge people with the roots of real food. Hailing from the Gund Family's legacy in the food industry, George is deeply invested in cultivating this connection.

In his trustee role for the family foundation, dedicated to enhancing human well-being and societal progress, George is on a mission to make a meaningful impact in his grandfather's hometown of Cleveland and beyond. What we found most impressive about George is his belief that wealth comes with a responsibility to actively contribute. He doesn't just advocate for donations; he advocates for sleeves rolled up, hands-on service to benefit everyone. Tune in to hear more about George’s incredible work.

Meet George Gund IV!

Lori Augustine is the Vice President of the San Francisco International Airport Hub for United Airlines — the first woman to hold this position. She is responsible for the safety and execution of all operations at United's premier international gateway to the Asia-Pacific region. Recently, Lori served as United’s Vice President of airport operations domestic line stations, in which she was responsible for overseeing all of United's non-hub domestic airports.

Lori was recognized in 2023 by the San Francisco Business Times as the Bay Area's most respected and successful LGBTQ+ leader with the Business of Pride Outstanding Voices Award. She is also a founding member of the Western chapter of uIMPACT, United's business resource for women.

Upon meeting Lori, one instantly recognizes a leader: strong in presence, yet kind, patient, and sincere. We were honored to meet her at SFO to learn about her meteoric rise and the legacy that she continues to create for those who follow.

Meet Lori Augustine!

Adrian Burrell is a rising media artist, storyteller, and writer. His upcoming book "Sugarcane and Lightning" is a visual story of his family’s journey from Louisiana to Oakland during the Great Migration. Using photography, film, installation, and experimental media, Burrell’s work delves into issues of race, class, and intergenerational dynamics through collective storytelling.

A thoughtful, intelligent, and warm young man, Adrian’s work is receiving well-deserved attention from organizations like the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and San Francisco Magazine — for which he was the December issue’s cover star! Please enjoy our interview with Adrian, recorded on his grandmother’s porch this January.

Meet Adrian Burrell!