Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

​Mike Lynch paid his dues in San Francisco. His business, Babylon Burning, which he's owned since 1999 and which has been open since 1976, recently attained legacy status with the city.

In this podcast, Mike talks about what it means to own a small business here. He shares his aim to support other local businesses, reflects on how the city has changed over the years, and discusses the things he still loves about San Francisco.

We recorded this podcast at 63 Bluxome Street in August 2018.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

Mike Lynch grew up in Maine. In the 1980s, so many of his New England friends had moved to San Francisco that he decided to give it a try. More than 30 years later, he owns a business and a home and has a family.

In this episode, Mike talks about the printing jobs he had, which eventually led him to the shop he owns today--Babylon Burning in SoMa.

Sidenote: Mike's shop made the Storied: SF T-shirts, hats, and koozies that we have for sale on our store page. Buy one today to support your favorite San Francisco podcast.

Check back Thursday for Part 2.

We recorded this podcast at 63 Bluxome Street in August 2018.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

Pepper Alexandria is a belly dancer and dance instructor these days. She puts on a big show every year called Carnival of Stars. She moved to San Francisco in 1968, in the heyday of the hippie movement.

In this podcast, Pepper talks about shows she went to, bands she knew, and venues they played at. She shares stories of underground comix and their parties, which she often danced at. She ends the show with a history of her belly dancing career, which includes studying for a time in Egypt.

We recorded this episode at Pepper's home in Berkeley in August 2018.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

Kevin DeMattia has bartended and barbacked at Big Heart City, the Black Cat, the Blind Tiger, and the Chi Chi Club. He eventually got introduced to Bender's in the Mission. From the first time he set foot in the bar, Kevin felt like he was home. He got a job there, and right as he felt he had hit his stride in San Francisco, Bender's burned down.

In this episode, Kevin walks us through his jobs in the city, leading up to his eventual co-ownership of Bender's and Emperor Norton's Boozeland in the Tenderloin. In the podcast, Kevin also shares some great history behind the spot that is now Zeitgeist.

We recored this podcast at Boozeland in August 2018.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

It's 2004. September 11 wasn't even three years removed yet. But Kevin DeMattia had a thing for climbing large buildings and structures, and Sutro Tower was calling his name.

​In this podcast, Kevin, who co-owns Bender's Bar and Grill in the Mission and Emperor Norton's Boozeland in the Tenderloin, shares the story of conquering the 977-foot TV and radio antenna tower that has become quite the iconic symbol of San Francisco.

Check back Thursday for Part 2, when Kevin will trace his bartending history, which leads to his co-ownership of two bars in the city today.

We recored this podcast at Emperor Norton's Boozeland in August 2018.

Image courtesy PMell2293

In this episode, San Francisco Giants Executive VP of Communications Staci Slaughter shares stories about opening the team's new stadium in China Basin—PacBell Park, as it was known back in 2000. She tells stories about Barry Bonds, playoff games, World Series wins, and parades down Market Street. She ends the podcast with some reflections on Giants fans.

We recorded this podcast at AT&T Park in June 2018.

Photo courtesy the San Francisco Giants

​Staci Slaughter grew up going to Giants games at Candlestick Park. In the 1990s, she got a job in Mayor Frank Jordan's office, where she helped with the effort to keep the baseball team in San Francisco. After Jordan's left office, Staci found a job in the Giants' front office, where she's been for 22 years now. Today, she's the Executive VP of Communications for the ballclub.

In this podcast, Staci takes us through her career in baseball, leading up to the team's eventual move from Candlestick Park to a new stadium. Check back Thursday for Part 2.

We recorded this podcast at AT&T Park in June 2018.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

Darryl Lim grew up in San Francisco and saw first-hand the devastation that AIDS wrought on the city's gay community.

In this podcast, Part 2 of Darryl's story, he talks about what it was like to watch friends and loved ones die of the disease and suffer the stigma of having it. He talks about his own experience with AIDS and what it was like, after living in a few other cities, to come back home to San Francisco.

If you missed Part 1, please go back and listen.

We recorded this podcast in Hayes Valley in August 2018.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

​Darryl Lim was born in San Francisco and raised in North Beach. In this podcast, Darryl, who is a skin care professional these days, shares the great things about his childhood, including cafes, bookstores, clubs, and the schools he went to. He talks about going to Esalen when he was 11, and the influence that hippies had on him.

Check back Thursday for Part 2, when Darryl will talk about living with AIDS.

We recorded this podcast in Hayes Valley in August 2018. 

Film photography by Pedro Lange-Churión

Gordon Szeto loves taking photographs. The San Francisco native found photography as a teenager, and after a run with his family business, he fell back in love with the art. These days, Gordon co-owns Glass Key Photo, a camera and film store located in the Polk Gulch.

In this podcast, Gordon talks about his love of photography—specifically, film photography. He shares thoughts on what makes San Francisco such a special place, to live, to work, and to take photos.

We recorded this podcast at Glass Key Photo in August 2018.