Name Drop San Diego

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Name Drop San Diego is a weekly podcast from The San Diego Union-Tribune celebrating people who have shaped San Diego and been shaped by it. Join hosts Abby Hamblin and Kristy Totten each Tuesday as they get to know the people who make San Diego proud.

Abby Hamblin & Kristy Totten


    • Jan 11, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 37m AVG DURATION
    • 91 EPISODES

    5 from 23 ratings Listeners of Name Drop San Diego that love the show mention: san diego, jon, city, looking forward, excited, new, love, great.


    Ivy Insights

    The Name Drop San Diego podcast is an absolute gem for anyone interested in getting to know the vibrant city of San Diego and its inhabitants. Since its launch last year, this podcast has consistently delivered insightful and interesting episodes, introducing listeners to a diverse range of individuals from local heroes to famous musicians and actors. Hosted by Abby Hamblin and Kristy Totten, their interviews are always engaging and provide a deep dive into the lives and experiences of their guests.

    One of the best aspects of The Name Drop San Diego podcast is its ability to showcase the rich tapestry of people in San Diego. Each episode highlights a different individual, giving listeners a chance to learn about their unique stories, passions, and contributions to the community. Whether it's hearing about the struggles and triumphs of local heroes or getting behind-the-scenes insights from renowned artists, this podcast never fails to captivate its audience with its diverse range of guests.

    Another aspect that sets The Name Drop San Diego apart is its casual yet engaging feel. Listening to this podcast feels like having a conversation with friends who are passionate about their city. Abby and Kristy's warm and genuine interviewing style creates an atmosphere that is both relatable and informative. They effortlessly bring out the best in their guests, allowing them to share personal anecdotes, insights, and even thought-provoking perspectives on various topics related to San Diego.

    While there may not be any glaring flaws in The Name Drop San Diego podcast, one aspect that some listeners might find lacking is more variety in terms of interview subjects. While the show features an impressive array of personalities within San Diego, it would be interesting to see them explore beyond the boundaries of their city as well. This could provide a broader perspective on regional connections or even create opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges.

    In conclusion, The Name Drop San Diego podcast is an absolute must-listen for anyone who wants to delve deeper into the heart and soul of America's Finest City. Abby Hamblin and Kristy Totten have created a podcast that is not only informative but also deeply engaging and relatable. With each episode, listeners are treated to fascinating stories, diverse perspectives, and a genuine sense of connection to the city of San Diego. Whether you're a local or new to the area, this podcast will undoubtedly leave you feeling more connected and inspired by the incredible people who call San Diego home.



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    Latest episodes from Name Drop San Diego

    Moscow

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 14:10


    Reporting dire news out of America and at home, Russian news anchor Viktor Antonov attempts to guide his audience through what may be the beginning of the end. Everywhere is a battlefield. ‘SIGN OFF' is a branded podcast from LA Times Studios paid for by Bleecker Street and LD Entertainment in support of the film ‘I.S.S.' only in theaters January 19th.

    Minot

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 15:36


    Following a wave of cyber attacks against the U.S., news anchor Maria Mason finds herself at the center of an escalating crisis where the International Space Station emerges as a strategic foothold. ‘SIGN OFF' is a scripted, branded podcast from LA Times Studios paid for by Bleecker Street and LD Entertainment in support of the film ‘I.S.S.' only in theaters January 19th.

    Sabrina Goosby comes from a long line of community builders

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 34:42


    Sabrina Goosby's family moved to San Diego in the late 1800s and were among the first Black families to move to the area. In the spirit of giving back, Sabrina has been an advocate for foster children for more than 30 years.

    Dr. Natalie Rodriguez teaches students and learns from patients

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2022 32:44


    Dr. Natalie Rodriguez is the associate director of the Student-Run Free Clinic, which treats underserved communities in the region. Dr. Rodriguez's family emigrated from Cuba, and she's a first generation college graduate that took a nonlinear path into medicine. In this interview, she talks about how her upbringing shaped her as a doctor and how she shares her story to show students there's not just one way to reach your goals.

    Jim and Carmen Beaubeaux have lived on the road since 2016

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2022 38:54


    Jim and Carmen Beaubeaux have living in an Airstream trailer since 2016, traveling around the United States using the 4-3-2 model: Drive four hours, stop by 3 p.m. and stay for at least two weeks.

    Anthony Pretto grew up at Kobey's Swap Meet

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2022 28:10


    Working at his family's swap meet, Anthony Pretto has come across some pretty great finds. As a kid, he collected Pokemon cards and Beanie Babies; as a newlywed, he and his wife furnished their home with antiques; and most recently, he scored two 8-foot-tall nutcracker decorations to adorn his front door at Christmastime. The price tag? A steal at $100.

    Happy holidays from Name Drop San Diego

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2021 0:32


    Happy holidays, y'all!

    Deacon Jim Vargas knows respect and resilience go hand in hand

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2021 19:29


    Deacon Jim Vargas is the president and CEO of Father Joe's Villages. In this interview he shares his path to becoming ordained, what he's learned working with people in need and where he plans to go next.

    Nonprofit executive Lisette Islas starts her day with a dance party

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 35:10


    Lisette Islas is the chief impact officer at MAAC, an anti-poverty nonprofit here in San Diego. MAAC helps locals with housing, education, upward mobility and more. Lisette is a true community champion and really believes in paying it forward.

    Kaci Brown brings her Kumeyaay ancestors back home

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2021 36:08


    Kaci Brown is a member of the Barona band of the Kumeyaay Nation. She's an archaeologist and a community contributor at the U-T, where she's written about lessons we can all learn from Native culture. She has an incredible life story, beginning with a milk carton ad.

    Drag icon Amber St. James on confidence and coming out

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2021 35:39


    Amber is a nonbinary drag queen who incorporates social justice themes and commentaries into their art.

    Expert horticulturist Ari Novy says it's OK to kill plants

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 33:27


    Ari Novy is the president and CEO of the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas. He is an expert horticulturist and a fourth generation florist.

    Astronomer Lisa Will studies the stuff between stars

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2021 32:16


    Dr. Lisa Will is a professor of astronomy and physics at San Diego City College and she's also the resident astronomer at the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. She oversees not one but two planetariums, and just generally loves everything related to space and sci-fi.

    stars studies astronomers balboa park fleet science center lisa will
    Chef Lan Thai approaches food as medicine

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2021 30:40


    Chef Lan Thai AKA Chef Lando is the owner of the Enclave restaurant at JuneShine Ranch in Scripps Ranch, where she cooks farm-to-table Asian fusion cuisine.

    Brian Hu, professor and professional movie watcher

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2021 34:57


    Brian is an associate professor of film at San Diego State University and the artistic director of the San Diego Asian Film Festival, which basically means he gets to watch movies for a living.

    Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, first Latina mayor of National City

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2021 42:35


    Mayor Sotelo-Solis is the first ever Latina to hold her position. She's a third generation resident of National City and a proud poli-sci graduate of UC San Diego. Plus, she has really amazing style. We'll talk about that, as well as family, life philosophy and -- I totally wasn't expecting this -- but zombie apocalypse escape plans.

    Brit Bennett, NYT bestselling author of 'The Vanishing Half'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2021 28:45


    Brit Bennett is the author of "The Vanishing Half," about twin sisters from the South who choose to live in two different worlds, one black and one white.

    Dr. Susan Bukata, chair of Orthopaedic surgery at UC San Diego

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2021 36:51


    Dr. Bukata is one of only four women to hold this position in the United States.

    Lisa Easterly, CEO of the San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2021 26:36


    Lisa Easterly is the CEO of the San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence, which promotes innovation and excellence in the region's cyber community. We talked about jobs, diversity in the industry, and of course about Lisa.

    Joaquin 'Quino' McWhinney, singer of 'Baby I Love Your Way'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2021 32:57


    Today's guest is Joaquin McWhinney, AKA Quino, the singer behind the 1994 hit "Baby I Love Your Way." His band, Big Mountain, formed in San Diego in the '80s and that song took them to the top of billboard charts and all around the world.

    babies san diego singer quino big mountain mcwhinney baby i love your way
    Cody Hooven, COO of San Diego Community Power

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2021 32:57


    Cody Hooven is the COO of San Diego Community Power, which just inked a big deal with San Diego County to purchase its power. In general, she is a problem solver, champion of the environment and lover of the outdoors.

    Joel John Roberts, CEO of People Assisting the Homeless

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2021 26:04


    Joel is the CEO of PATH, also known as People Assisting the Homeless. He lives in downtown San Diego and over the past 25 years has grown a small Los Angeles transitional living home into a statewide operation serving more than 140 communities.

    Beth Demmon, beer and cider expert

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2021 32:38


    Beth Demmon is a San Diego-based freelance journalist who writes about beer and cider. She's had a bunch of amazing bylines including Playboy, Vice, Thrillist, Eating Well and the Union-Tribune's very own Pacific Magazine.

    Maya Reddy, founder of Queer Asian Social Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2021 48:07


    Maya Reddy is the founder of Queer Asian Social Club, a San Diego-based collective that promotes Asian/Pacific Islander/Southwest Asian and Desi visibility.

    Shawn VanDiver, co-founder of the Truman Project's SD chapter

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2021 36:12


    Shawn is a Navy veteran and the co-founder of the San Diego chapter of the Truman National Security Project. He's hyper involved in San Diego and sits on several boards including the San Diego Convention Center, and the public policy committee of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

    Mitch Silverstein, ocean protector and San Diego Surfrider manager

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2021 34:16


    Mitch is the San Diego chapter manager of the Surfrider Foundation, a volunteer-driven organization that protects our beaches and oceans. Under his leadership, the group advocates for clean water, beach access, limiting plastic consumption and more. Mitch himself has been mostly single-use plastic-free since 2008.

    Minh Lê writes children's books about family and creativity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2021 35:52


    Minh writes picture books and comics and is a childhood policy expert for the federal government. He's the award-winning author of Drawn Together, Lift, The Perfect Seat, The Green Lantern Legacy and Let Me Finish, one of NPR's best books of 2016. He recently moved to San Diego with his wife, who is from here, and their two sons.

    Margaret Leinen, director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2021 38:46


    Margaret Leinen joined UC San Diego in 2013. In addition to directing Scripps, she's been the vice chancellor and the dean of marine sciences.

    director uc san diego scripps scripps institution of oceanography margaret leinen
    Fernando Z. López, executive director of San Diego Pride

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2021 33:47


    Growing up in El Centro, Fernando Zweifach López Jr. never thought they'd end up as the executive director of San Diego Pride, an organization with a mission to create a world free of prejudice and bias. But looking back, the trajectory makes perfect sense.

    Bobby Rubio, Pixar artist and writer-director of 'Float'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2021 42:08


    San Diego native Bobby Rubio grew up going to Comic-Con and loving comics. Now he creates his own and works as a story artist for Pixar.

    Toni Atkins, California Senate President Pro Tem

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2021 27:39


    Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins is one of the most influential politicians in California, and she got her start here in San Diego. On this episode, she discusses LGBTQ rights and her own coming out story, her SB 9 housing bill and why she loves Dolly Parton.

    Rafael Payare, music director of the San Diego Symphony

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2021 35:36


    Rafael Payare, music director for the San Diego Symphony, has conducted orchestras all over the world, but his approach always remains the same, no matter the location. "I go all in, or nothing -- completely," Payare said.

    Bobbi Brink, owner of Lions, Tigers & Bears

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2021 27:00


    When Bobbi Brink walks by the creatures she's cared for over nearly 20 years, she can tell you the name of each animal and the typically tragic backstory of where and why it was rescued. Lions, Tigers & Bears is a big cat and exotic animal rescue located in Alpine.

    Composer Lei Liang's inspiration comes from Tiananmen Square, under the sea

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 41:30


    Award-winning UC San Diego composer Lei Liang was just a teenager when he participated in the now-infamous 1989 pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, but the experience still influences his life.

    Ken Layne, journalist, author and founder of Desert Oracle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 48:26


    Ken Layne is behind Desert Oracle, a zine, radio show and now book by the same name.

    Shawn Walchef, owner of Cali Comfort BBQ

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2021 37:22


    Shawn Walchef's efforts to make Cali Comfort BBQ a digital-first restaurant paid off during the pandemic and now he's opening up shop at the new Barrio Food Hub.

    Nan Sterman on why gardening is good for the soul and the planet

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2021 36:19


    Whether you’re a new or seasoned gardener, a houseplant fanatic or just someone who wants to grow basil on your windowsill, our guest this week has wisdom to share. She’s a botanist, a sustainability activist, a garden designer and a journalist with bylines in Sunset Magazine, the LA Times, Better Homes and Gardens and more.

    Tamera Kohler, CEO of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2021 35:34


    Tamera Kohler, CEO of the Regional Taskforce on the Homeless, somehow remains optimistic, despite all the obstacles in the way of ending homelessness in San Diego.

    Jesse Agler, lead broadcaster for the San Diego Padres

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2021 36:30


    Jesse Agler joined the Padres organization in 2014 and became the lead broadcaster — working side by side with Tony Gwynn Jr. — this season in 2021.

    Andrew Strong, director of the Office of Race and Equity

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 32:42


    Andrew Strong may just be getting started as director of San Diego County's new Office of Race and Equity, but his family has a history of fighting for racial justice.

    Jesse Perez, actor, director, University of San Diego educator

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 44:07


    How can classical theater better reflect modern times and more diverse audiences?That's what Jesse Perez, as director of the The Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program, has in mind as he teaches and directs Master of Fine Arts (MFA) students.

    Tommy Gomes, local seafood advocate and star of 'The Fishmonger' on the Outdoor Channel

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2021 35:45


    Tommy "The Fishmonger" Gomes is from a San Diego commercial fishing family and is committed to making sure locals eat fish that has been caught off the West Coast, especially in San Diego.

    JoAnn Fields, advocate for Filipinos and other communities of color in San Diego

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2021 36:42


    JoAnn Fields has been a vocal leader in the new movement to stop hate and violence toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. But she's also been a longtime advocate in San Diego County, fighting for better recognition and representation of Filipinos and all communities of color, especially in the South Bay.

    Matt de la Peña, New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal winning author

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2021 37:40


    Matt de la Peña is an author of young adult, middle grade and children's book originally from National City. He's also an SDSU professor and his latest release is "Milo Imagines the World."

    Tina Guo, metal cellist, as in 'heavy metal' plus cello

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2021 42:09


    Our guest this week is Tina Guo. She’s a classical and electric cellist whose playing has been described as “metal cello." Her epic work has appeared in movies like “Wonderwoman,” and the upcoming "Top Gun: Maverick" as well as video games like "Call of Duty."

    Ron Nehring, Republican Party leader, candidate and spokesperson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 40:28


    Californian Ron Nehring has a uniquely comprehensive view of the Republican Party over the last 20 years. He's worked in the GOP at every level, chairing the San Diego County Republican Party, chairing the California Republican Party and serving on the Republican National Committee. He also ran for lieutenant governor of California against Gavin Newsom in 2014 and was the national 2016 presidential campaign spokesman for Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

    Dean Nelson, writer and expert interviewer, on Oprah's royal interview and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2021 39:28


    Dean Nelson is the founder of the annual Writer's Symposium by the Sea in San Diego. He reacts to the famous Prince Harry and Meghan interview, shares stories from his travels and more.

    Kelly Marie Tran, star of Disney's 'Raya and the Last Dragon'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2021 27:43


    Kelly Marie Train is an actress from San Diego who you may have seen in "Star Wars," "Sorry For Your Loss," and other tv shows and films.

    Marisa Reichardt, author of YA contemporary novel 'A Shot at Normal'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2021 36:07


    Marisa Reichardt wrote "A Shot at Normal," about a teen who sues her parents for the right to be vaccinated, before the pandemic began, but now the anti-vax conversation is all the more timely.

    Makeda 'Dread' Cheatom, founder of the WorldBeat Cultural Center

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2021 42:40


    Makeda "Dread" Cheatom is a San Diego legend. She's the founder of the WorldBeat Cultural Center at Balboa Park. She started one of San Diego's first vegetarian restaurants, The Prophet, in the 1970s. And she's a radio DJ and concert organizer who has spent time with Radiohead, No Doubt, Shaggy, Sublime and more.

    Eric Pierson, film studies professor, on what makes movies magical

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2021 44:30


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