My First Day

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We want to tell you about an exciting new season of KPBS Explore podcast, "Rad Scientist." Recent events involving the killing of unarmed Black people have brought discussions about racism to the forefront, including at scientific institutions. This season of KPBS Explore podcast "Rad Scientist" is centered on Black scientists, from graduate students to faculty to those who have left the ivory towers. They study bug microbiomes, autism, neural prosthetics and more. But they will also discuss how racism has impacted their scientific journey. First episode drops Sept. 2. Subscribe here: https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/rad-scientist/

A young Faiza Warsame arrives in San Diego and cannot understand why she no longer hears the call to prayer as she once did in Africa. About the show: My First Day is a KPBS Explore series that explores these important days through people who came to San Diego from elsewhere, and now call it home. About the producer: Andrew Bracken is a documentary mediamaker working with audio, video, and interactive media. He is the creator, producer, and host of the KPBS podcast My First Day. Follow the show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfirstdaystories/ Contact: myfirstdaystories@gmail.com

Meshate Mengistu gets on a plane for the first time and moves to a new land to live with a father she cannot remember. About the show: My First Day is a KPBS Explore series that explores these important days through people who came to San Diego from elsewhere, and now call it home. About the producer: Andrew Bracken is a documentary mediamaker working with audio, video, and interactive media. He is the creator, producer, and host of the KPBS podcast My First Day. Follow the show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfirstdaystories/ Contact: myfirstdaystories@gmail.com

Khaddy Dublin endures a chaotic upbringing and seeks an escape in the Navy. Later, she reconnects with her homeland through food. About the show: My First Day is a KPBS Explore series that explores these important days through people who came to San Diego from elsewhere, and now call it home. About the producer: Andrew Bracken is a documentary mediamaker working with audio, video, and interactive media. He is the creator, producer, and host of the KPBS podcast My First Day. Follow the show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfirstdaystories/ Contact: myfirstdaystories@gmail.com

Rose Schindler is a holocaust survivor, who managed to make it out of the notorious nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau during World War II. About the show: My First Day is a KPBS Explore series that explores these important days through people who came to San Diego from elsewhere, and now call it home. About the producer: Andrew Bracken is a documentary mediamaker working with audio, video, and interactive media. He is the creator, producer, and host of the KPBS podcast My First Day. Follow the show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfirstdaystories/ Contact: myfirstdaystories@gmail.com

Irene Predazzi arrives in San Diego seeking balance between her scientific career and her love of horseback riding. About the show: My First Day is a KPBS Explore series that explores these important days through people who came to San Diego from elsewhere, and now call it home. About the producer: Andrew Bracken is a documentary mediamaker working with audio, video, and interactive media. He is the creator, producer, and host of the KPBS podcast My First Day. Follow the show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfirstdaystories/ Contact: myfirstdaystories@gmail.com

Fernando Zweifach López Jr. escaped a difficult childhood growing up in the Imperial Valley and discovered a new life a short drive—yet a whole new world—away. About the show: My First Day is a KPBS Explore series that explores these important days through people who came to San Diego from elsewhere, and now call it home. About the producer: Andrew Bracken is a documentary mediamaker working with audio, video, and interactive media. He is the creator, producer, and host of the KPBS podcast My First Day. Follow the show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfirstdaystories/ Contact: myfirstdaystories@gmail.com

Frank Nasworthy came for surfing, but revolutionized skateboarding along the way. About the show: My First Day is a KPBS Explore series that explores these important days through people who came to San Diego from elsewhere, and now call it home. About the producer: Andrew Bracken is a documentary mediamaker working with audio, video, and interactive media. He is the creator, producer, and host of the KPBS podcast My First Day. Follow the show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfirstdaystories/ Contact: myfirstdaystories@gmail.com

Omni Hampton grew up in a military family, traveling from place to place. She swore she’d never marry a military member. That was before she became a navy wife and mother.

This is Andrew Bracken from My First Day. I just wanted to drop in and quickly say I hope everyone is hanging in there in this new reality in which we find ourselves. My First Day will be back soon with new episodes. Until then, stay safe and sound.

A native New Yorker, Aaron Bianco moves to sunny San Diego for his husband’s work. He soon learns that the little things can mean a lot, while missing good bagels and rain along the way. Later, his deep faith is put to the test. About the show: My First Day is a KPBS Explore series that explores these important days through people who came to San Diego from elsewhere, and now call it home. About the producer: Andrew Bracken is a documentary mediamaker working with audio, video, and interactive media. He is the creator, producer, and host of the KPBS podcast My First Day. Follow the show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfirstdaystories/ Contact: myfirstdaystories@gmail.com Photo taken by Joe Bianco, December 2018 at the couple's home in San Diego, Calif.

Ron Patterson finds it difficult to be around other people, leading to a life on the streets of Ocean Beach. Later, Ron makes a major change and seeks to leave homelessness behind. About the show: My First Day is a KPBS Explore series that explores these important days through people who came to San Diego from elsewhere, and now call it home. About the producer: Andrew Bracken is a documentary mediamaker working with audio, video, and interactive media. He is the creator, producer, and host of the KPBS podcast My First Day. Follow the show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfirstdaystories/ Contact: myfirstdaystories@gmail.com

"My First Day" returns for season 3 starting early 2020. Join us as we explore stories of those who have come to San Diego from elsewhere, and now call it home. Whether traveling thousands of miles over oceans, or just a short drive across the desert, the moments we have starting a new life are not easily forgotten.

Veerabhadran "Ram" Ramanathan makes a major scientific breakthrough, and finds another discovery later in life.

Ben Betz’s life as a Navy Seal is all-encompassing. Then, he leaves and begins his search for a new identity.

Poet Rae Armantrout sees changes in her body, leading her to a life-altering discovery.

Idzai and Thelma Mubawai adjust to life in the United States and re-connect with their homeland through a familiar pursuit.

Paul Ryu arrives in Kansas from South Korea at age nine and quickly discovers new talents and confidence. When he heads off to college, however, he is presented with new challenges.

Play-by-play announcer Beth Mowins and her journey to be the first woman to call a Monday Night Football game.

Robert Lopez, later known as El Vez, plays his first punk rock show at age 16, in the early days of the genre.

Shira Robbins goes to medical school to become a doctor, unsure of where it will take her.

Reggie Robertson arrives on the campus of University of California at Berkeley, and struggles with how to be a football player and a student.

Anna Tarabrina came to California and quickly fell in love. A routine doctor's visit put her love story on fast-forward.

When Charles McPherson first saw "Bird" Charlie Parker play he said, "I want to be that." Now, he's one of the most renowned saxophonists in San Diego.

Jane Via discovered a passion for Catholicism early in her life. Her strong faith ultimately forces her to test the boundaries of the Church she so dearly loves — and even faces excommunication.

Ben Betz goes to Coronado Island to become a Navy SEAL.

Artists Einar and Jamex de la Torre think they're taking a vacation. But they soon learn they’re leaving their home in Mexico for a new life in a new country.

He’s from an isolated Alaskan island. Cy Kuckenbaker, after receiving a devastating Christmas gift, leaves for San Diego and promptly begins a necessary early-life crisis.

Victoria Barana came as a wide-eyed 19-year-old from Brazil looking for an adventure and to learn English. She found a lot more along the way, including a visit from Dad.

Famo Musa and her family came from Somalia when she was young; everything felt foreign. Now with an American family of her own, she strives to make memories she missed years ago.

David Bejarano is a well-known San Diego lawman. But his life here bloomed from pure romance.

Magda Marquet is from a country you may have never heard of. Following the emerging biotech industry, Magda leaves her small home behind for a big American experience. And a car.

Jack Ensch seeks adventure. Leaving the Illinois cornfields behind, he starts a new life as a fighter pilot. It's the Vietnam War.

Mo Farazian is an Iranian engineer with a lifelong fear of dogs. After arriving late to a new university, the last residence has seven pets. Meanwhile: The 2016 Election sows seeds of doubt.

Leaving the Iraq war behind, the Naoom family sought new roots. In the U.S. they face foreign challenges: birthday budgets, new medicines, and a tough job market. Was the long wait worth it?

As a child new to San Diego, Donna Frye loved exploring local wildlife. Now, it's vanishing. So she's fighting to save it, and the memories within.

Walter Lam arrives in San Diego in the dead of night. He's a Ugandan refugee trying to build a new life. Walter faces his hardest days here — and some uniquely American experiences, like Burger King.