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
Trailer: Introducing The Finest
San Diego's creative scene is thriving in unexpected ways. Musicians are crowdfunding their careers. Tea culture is evolving. A painter's lost dreams spark a bold new vision. The city's last alt-weekly falls, but its rebellious spirit fights on. And in a rare conversation, the city's outgoing and incoming poets laureate dig into the power of words. The Finest takes you behind the scenes of art and culture in San Diego, connecting you to the people making it happen.
Coming Soon
Premieres April 3
Premieres April 10
Premieres April 17
Premieres May 1
Premieres May 8
Premieres May 15
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.