San Diego is known as America’s Finest, but that distinction isn’t defined by city limits. We are a region of people, art and movements redefining our communities and expressions. The Finest is a podcast that highlights the emerging voices and dynamic forces driving change. Through personal stories and critical perspectives, each episode brings forward the artists, advocates and ideas pushing boundaries in the region's cultural landscape and deepening our understanding of why we are America’s Finest. New episodes premiere Thursdays, starting April 3.
The Finest
San Diego is known as America's Finest, but that distinction isn't defined by city limits. We are a region of people, art and movements redefining our communities and expressions. The Finest is a podcast that highlights the emerging voices and dynamic forces driving change. Through personal stories and critical perspectives, each episode brings forward the artists, advocates and ideas pushing boundaries in the region's cultural landscape and deepening our understanding of why we are America's Finest. New episodes premiere Thursdays, starting April 3.
The Finest Hosted by Julia Dixon Evans
Episodes
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Artist Mary Jhun has been painting her "girls" for decades: surrealist silhouettes with intricate, dreamlike details. She's also struggled with sleep apnea her entire life, and when she introduced a CPAP machine to sleep better, she lost her dreams — and with them, her surreal, creative muse. -
Julianna Zachariou is making music in a world where streams pay pennies, forcing independent artists to get creative just to stay in the game. From crowdfunding to pushing for new legislation, she's fighting for change in the industry. -
Outgoing San Diego Poet Laureate Jason Magabo Perez passes the torch to incoming Laureate Paola Capó-García. Together, they discuss inspiring more people to pick up poetry, the challenges of being a "government artist" and how they're connecting San Diego's diverse communities through verse. -
Southeast San Diego's Shua opens up about his journey from signing a record deal as a teen to struggling to make ends meet. His story pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to survive as a musician today. -
Amy Truong and Lani Gobaleza's journey from viral success to reshaping the San Diego tea scene is a story of love, mindfulness and bold decisions. Tune in to hear their incredible story and how they're transforming the tea game. -
San Diego's creative pulse is louder than ever. The Finest brings you the artists, makers and disruptors redefining culture in the region.
Social Spotlight
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Side Notes
Explore news stories that sparked, informed or will shape episodes of The Finest.
What's shaping our storytelling?
The stories on The Finest tap into the pulse of San Diego's cultural scene, but the creativity doesn't stop when the mics turn off. Here's what's inspiring the team right now, from hidden gems to the latest ideas sparking our conversations.
Long runs on San Diego's canyon, mountain and lake trails are my go-to for recharging, finding peace and sorting through things in my head. I’ve also been inhaling audiobooks during commutes, while cooking or on neighborhood runs. My favorites this year are Brigitte Giraud's "Live Fast" and Sequoia Nagamatsu's "How High We Go in the Dark." Not sure I'll ever combine trail running and audiobooks though (a girl's gotta stay alert for mountain lions).
Anthony Wallace
Producer
As a newcomer to San Diego, I’ve spent the year exploring. Some of my favorite finds include the arrabbiatissima pasta at Cesarina, the Welcome Tu Las Californias festival in Tijuana, Tasty Noodle House in Convoy and Black’s Beach near Torrey Pines — for the views, not the optional nudity. Mornings mean Ocean Beach runs, evenings are for PARU’s blue chamomile tea and "The White Lotus."
Chrissy Nguyen
Editor
I’m currently deep into junk journaling: cutting, gluing and layering memories with no pressure to make the pages perfect. While that's my low-stakes creative outlet, my real ongoing epic is eating and drinking my way through every spot in the Convoy District. From hot pot feasts and bowls of noodles to chewy boba and soju adventures, it's all in the name of storytelling and maybe some overindulgent research.
Ben Redlawsk
Engineer
I’ve been chasing San Diego’s best views, from Kwaay Paay Peak in Mission Trails to Kate Sessions Park above PB. Watching the Mission Bay haze while dogs chase gophers under the grass has become one of my favorite pastimes. On colder weekends, I scour Kobey’s Swap Meet and thrift stores in search of well-worn, perfectly oversized grandpa sweaters to add to my growing collection.
The Finest is made possible in part by Prebys Foundation.
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