Merry Christmas! It's that time of year, and in this special winter episode we examine what makes Christmas a very special holiday. 2 people not born in the the U.S. share with us their definition of what's real during Christmas: family tradition. You dont wanna miss it.

The song on the podcast is a cover by Michael Bublé "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" 2011 from the album 'Christmas".

Shingo is a young Japanese man who came to San Francisco 8 months ago to learn how to speak english. On his arrival the the US, he could barely introduce himself. After 8 months, he speaks about his journey, how he tasted Thanksgiving Turkey for the first time, and how there are no fat Santa Clauses in Japan, only skinny ones. This episode invites you to entertain the idea that engulfing yourself in a new society, in a new language, can be a powerful tool to understand who you are and your identity.

One of the greatest gifts you could ever give someone is time. But you don't have much of it so who do you give it to? 3 people share with us experiences on how it is to give of your time.

1. A motorcycle accident survivor inspires a student nurse.

2. Holy mama! brother's gift to sister is off the chain

3. The lesson: Asylum. A persecuted man leaves his country for the U.S., don't wanna miss it.

Thanks for checking it out

-Sean

Rick has been given "the look". Josh is waiting to be reimbursed. Michael cant believe what his girlfriend did at a party. This week, 3 men are interviewed in what is one of the worst moments in their life. On top of all the anger and animosity, they must find it in themselves to forgive the people they care about, who have hurt them.

Truly remarkable stories of people who have come to a complete stop pertaining to a significant piece in their life. It can be said that life is stop and go, but never gives instruction when. 4 guests are interviewed as we discuss how they put passion on hold in exchange for obligation. Also consisting of a story told by a young woman who's fervor for performing and teaching dance comes to an end, breaking her heart and moving into the next stage of adult life.

This week, 3 out-of-towners come to San Francisco in search of their dream and to experience what its like to take the biggest risk of their lives. Some have traveled from coast to coast and others from continent to continent. Including, the stories of of 2 people who's first language was not English and did not give into the fear of a different environment, but preserved through a culture unlike their own.

To kick off the release of Conversations Beyond the Bay, we bring to you a special Father's day episode. This week, stories about women and their relationships with their father. Including one daughter's struggle on her graduation day, to tell her father a secret that her mother has been seeing someone else.