Storied: San Francisco

Latest Episodes:

S2E39, Part 2: Susan Goldstein and the San Francisco Archives Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

What if, in the early days of your new job, you were tasked with these two things: 1. Moving a fabled city's collection of thousands of historical records (official papers, photos, ephemera, etc.) to a new building, and 2. Essentially establishing and adding to that city's archives. That's what life was like for San Francisco city archivist Susan Goldstein back when the public library moved into its current building.

In this podcast, Susan talks in-depth about her work and our city's official archive. If you're half the history nerd that we are, get ready. And be sure to listen through to hear how you can experience the collection first-hand.

If you missed Part 1 with Susan, when she talked about her life leading up to the job at SFPL, please go back and listen.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

S2E39, Part 1: Susan Goldstein's Evolution as an Archivist Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

San Francisco city archivist Susan Goldstein was drawn to history from a young age. She left her childhood home in Southern California to go to college out east. After a stint in Phoenix, she went to Austin where she worked in photo archiving at the University of Texas. In 1984, she came to the Bay Area to work on union archives at SF State.

In this podcast, she talks about her evolution as an archivist and historian. She goes into detail about her work at SF State, which brought her face to face with our city's rich labor union history.

Check back Thursday for Part 2, when Susan will tell us more about her work as San Francisco city archivist.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

S2E38, Part 2: Uncle Damien on Finding Inspiration Aug 22, 2019

Show notes

Uncle Damien is doing his part to make a positive difference in the world.

In this podcast, Uncle Damien (Damien Posey) talks about Uncle Damien Speaks, his motivational speaking work. He found inspiration through a stint in federal prison, Rudy Corpuz and United Playaz, and fellow motivational speaker Eric Thomas. Damien ends the podcast talking about his love of San Francisco and doing what he can to be a positive influence himself.

If you missed Part 1, when Damien walked us through his troubled youth, please go back and listen.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

S2E38, Part 1: Uncle Damien' Storied Youth Aug 20, 2019

Show notes

Motivational speaker Uncle Damien went through a lot to get here.

In this podcast, Damien Posey, who was born and raised in San Francisco, talks about the journey that got him to where he is today. It's a story of a young man who had no positive male role models, who got shot at a young age, and who ended up in federal prison. But without those bad circumstances and decisions, he might never have become Uncle Damien, an inspiration for youth in San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Check back Thursday for Part 2, when Damien will tell us all about his work and what it is he loves about San Francisco.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

Bonus Episode: Patrick O'Malley's Songs Aug 17, 2019

Show notes

Patrick played some songs for us when we recorded. Three of those songs are featured here (the fourth appears at the end of Part 2). Patrick's album Welcome to the End of the Empire, is available from Bottom Feeder Records. Enjoy!

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

S2E37, Part 2: Patrick O'Malley on Housing, Public Transit, and His Music Aug 15, 2019

Show notes

For Patrick O'Malley, music and politics evolved side-by-side.

In this podcast, Patrick talks about how he came to understand housing policy, both in San Francisco and statewide in California, through his day job. He goes on to tell us about some public-transit advocacy work he's done in light of Google busses and ride share companies in the city. He ends the episode talking about the various music projects he's been part of, including his solo act, much of which involves political and social commentary.

Be sure to listen to the entire episode—after the outro, you can hear one of Patrick's songs.

If you missed Part 1, when Patrick talked about growing up in Southern California and coming to San Francisco in the late-1990s, please go back and check that out.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

S2E37, Part 1: Patrick O'Malley on His Political Awakening in San Francisco Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

Patrick O'Malley started playing guitar at an early age. But it wasn't until his time in Santa Barbara that his music took on a new meaning for him—one of political activism.

In this podcast, Patrick talks about growing up in Southern California and his arrival in San Francisco in the late-1990s. Among other things, he points to the write-in mayoral candidacy of Tom Ammiano in 1999 that really sparked something in him.

Patrick will be playing tonight (Aug. 13) at Simple Pleasures Café. You can find his latest record, Welcome to the End of the Empire, on BandCamp.

Check back Thursday for Part 2, when Patrick will talk more about politics in San Francisco, the state, and the U.S.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

S2E36, Part 2: Penelope Houston on Archiving the SF Punk Scene Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

In this podcast, Avengers vocalist Penelope Houston talks about the legendary Sex Pistols show at Winterland that the Avengers opened. It's a story that includes Sid Vicious ODing (but surviving) at the afterparty. She goes on to talk about her solo musical career and resurrecting the Avengers. She ends with her work at the SF Public Library putting together its punk rock collection.

If you missed Part 1, when Penelope talked about growing up and moving to San Francisco, please go back and listen.

Penelope will be playing a solo show Aug. 30 at the Ivy Room in Albany.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

S2E36, Part 1: Penelope Houston's Days in the Early SF Punk Scene Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

Penelope Houston's family moved around the country quite a bit when she was a kid, eventually settling up in Washington state long enough for her to go to high school. She came to San Francisco to go to the Art Institute for visual arts, but quickly started going to shows and became friends with other kids who wanted to be up on stage.

In this podcast, Penelope talks about the nascent San Francisco punk scene of 1977. The episode ends with her and her friends forming their own band—the now legendary Avengers. Go check out Penelope's solo show, Aug. 30 at the Ivy Room in Albany.

Check back Thursday, when Penelope will share the story of the Avengers and the show they played at Winterland with the Sex Pistols.

We recorded this podcast in June 2019 at the Rare Books Room at the San Francisco Public Library.

Film photography by Michelle Kilfeather

S2E35 Ken Walton on Founding StreetFoto San Francisco Jul 30, 2019

Show notes

Ken Walton grew up in Sacramento always considering San Francisco a special place. He got inspired to do street photography after watching a documentary about Vivian Maier. In 2016, he founded StreetFoto San Francisco, an annual international street photography festival. We caught up with Ken at this year's festival and chatted with him about San Francisco in 1990s and what street photography means to him.

Photo by Ken Walton

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