Is it harder for young people to find a committed partner? Is the next generation transforming courtship gender roles, or entrenching them in the online space? I hit the streets, go to university, torture my girlfriend, and investigate polyamory to check on the state of modern dating.

 Music:

I Turn My Camera On (John McEntire Remix) by Spoon

Water No Get Enemy by Fela Kuti

My partner’s family, who’s been hunting for generations, takes me along for my first hunt. I get a glimpse into the hunting culture of mountainous northern Nevada, learn what hunting means to one family, and take my first ever shot at a living thing.

On this episode, we meet Michael DeLucca, owner of DD Cycles, and local extraordinaire. Mike's lived in the city 60 years, knows everyone, and has an opinion on everything. Mike's a data guy--he's really into the numbers, so I figured if I researched and compiled some graphs to show him, maybe I could change his mind on some of his more controversial opinions.

Join us in the workshop as we debate whether San Francisco is a prosperous place to live, whether there were more irish slaves than black, and whether the civil war was about slavery, or money. 

From a music festival to a therapists couch, journey with me as I discover the real dangers (and benefits) of mind-altering substances, and meet the professionals helping users process their psychedelic experiences. I speak with the executive director of E.R.I.E. (Entheogenic Research Integration Education), the founder of psychedelictimes.com, a psychotherapist helping set up a Ketamine Clinic, and another offering Psychedelic Integration Services, mixed with stories from the festival grounds.

Music:

Phalanges - G Jones and Bleep Bloop

Reach Out - Nphonix (Om Unit Remix)

WitchHunty - Bruxa

Hallucinations 2 - YUNG $AM V

Day n Days - Moresounds

This week I examine the notion that online social interactions could be chemically as fulfilling as in-person interactions. It's been found that oxytocin (the "cuddle chemical") is released after social media use, but can that be believed? I battle with the internet and confer with Dr. Love to decipher the conflicting studies. 

I interview folks on the street about small talk, what it's good for, its pitfalls, and whether or not it's necessary. Topics range from common ice breakers to microaggressions as I seek advice from the bonafide conversation coach, Beacon Driscoll. 

Musical Credits: ALL CAPS by G Jones and Bleep Bloop, Superstition by Stevie Wonder, Here Comes the Judge by Peter Tosh. A very special thanks to all the crosswalk signals, street performers, and cable cars who also appear in this episode. 

I follow the eccentric Joaquin around for a day while he shows me the ins and outs of trash collection, and shares some messages from the galaxy.  

With help from the SFFD and the citizens of San Francisco: The Big One, a podcast about earthquake (and disaster) safety in the bay.

Musical Credits (in order of appearance): It's Coming Down by Cake, Overload by Fracture, Ephemeral Epiphany by Cestladore, Time To by Analogue Monsta, and Wet Weather (Inside) by Was Legit. 

An Introduction