Bay Curious

Over the past 40 years, Afghans have steadily immigrated to the East Bay town of Fremont, hoping to start new lives close to others who share their language and culture. We trace four waves of immigration and check in with Afghans who've chosen to settle in Fremont. Additional Resources: How Did Fremont Become Known As 'Little Kabul'? Read the transcript for this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Asal Ehsanipour. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsay and everyone on Team KQED.

Claudia Falconer, an architect and Julia Morgan enthusiast, and Victoria Kastner, a historian and author with decades at Hearst Castle, dive into the legacy of pioneering architect Julia Morgan. They discuss her architectural innovations and whimsical designs, emphasizing her role in shaping the Bay Area's landscape. Key topics include Morgan's collaboration with Phoebe Hearst, her challenges as a female architect, and her lasting influence in creating community spaces for women. Their conversation celebrates how Morgan's vision continues to inspire today.

Nearly one in three Daly City residents identify as Filipino, according to 2019 Census data. Bay Curious listener Ricky Tjandra wondered what makes this town just south of San Francisco such an international hub of Filipino life. We dig into more than a hundred years of history between the U.S and the Philippines and talk to current residents of Daly City. Additional Resources: In Daly City, the Bayanihan Spirit Is Alive and Well Read the transcript for this episode How Daly City Became One of the Most Densely Populated Cities in the Country Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Amanda Stupi. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsay and everyone on Team KQED.

Alameda is the second most populous county in the Bay Area, after Santa Clara. Oakland is the biggest city, but the county stretches all the way out to Livermore in the east and Fremont in the south. It’s a big swath of land and about half of it is unincorporated, including two areas known as Cherryland and Ashland. Bay Curious listener Sam Hopkins wondered what it means for an area to be unincorporated and the history of these two communities. Additional Resources: 150,000 People Live in Unincorporated Alameda County. What Does That Mean For Them? Read the transcript for this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Brian Krans. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsay and everyone on Team KQED.

In this engaging conversation, reporter Lisa Morehouse shares her journey on the California Zephyr, a scenic train route that delves into the rich tapestry of food and history. Learn about the importance of communal dining experiences aboard the train and the significant impact of railroad workers on the Civil Rights Movement. Morehouse also highlights the transformative role of railroads in boosting California's agriculture. The discussion paints a vivid picture of how travel, culture, and social progress are intricately linked.

The island of Alameda has produced some great baseball players. Hall of Fame hitter Willie Stargell even has a street named after him! Some of those ballplayers were Japanese American. In the years between World War I and World War II, the Alameda Taiiku-Kai thrived with great players like Sai Tawata leading the team and the community. Bay Curious listener Sam Hopkins saw a plaque commemorating the team's home plate and wanted to learn more about the team's history. Additional Resources: Rediscovering a Japanese-American Baseball Team in Alameda, Nearly Lost to Time Read the transcript for this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts Special thanks to the Japanese American National Museum for use of the Topaz prison camp clip. That documentary was a gift of Dave Tatsuno, in Memory of Walter Honderich. This story was reported by Brian Watt. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Alana Walker, Holly Kernan and everyone on Team KQED.

The Transamerica Pyramid, located in downtown San Francisco, is a skyline staple. But when it was proposed, people hated the idea of a towering symbol of capitalism so close to neighborhoods like North Beach and Chinatown. Turns out the block where the pyramid stands has a long and storied history. We dig into all that, as well as how public perception of the pyramid's place in the skyline has changed over the past 50 years. Additional Resources: The Transamerica Pyramid at 50: From 'Architectural Butchery' to Icon Read the transcript for this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Carly Severn. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Alana Walker, Holly Kernan and everyone on Team KQED.

On a Daly City beach just south of Fort Funston there's a large tunnel carved into the cliff. Bay Curious listener Francisco Alvarado noticed it one day while walking his chihuahua, Little Bean, down the beach. The tunnel is large enough for a person to stand up and several feet wide, so of course Francisco's mind started racing. What could this mysterious tunnel be? Is it a remnant of life long ago? Or could it be something as mundane as a drain outlet? We head to Phillip Burton Memorial Beach, as it's technically called, with a geologist to find some answers. Additional Reading What Is That Massive Tunnel on the Beach South of Fort Funston? Read the transcript for this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Katrina Schwartz. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Alana Walker, Holly Kernan and everyone on Team KQED.

In this engaging discussion, Anna Mistele, a computer science major from Stanford, and Morgan Sung, host of the KQED podcast Close All Tabs, unpack the enigmatic PayPal Mafia. They delve into how this influential group, including figures like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, has shaped both Silicon Valley and political landscapes. The conversation explores the origins of these billionaires in apartheid-era South Africa and their lasting impact on contemporary U.S. policies. Tune in for insights on tech culture and its intersection with global politics!

Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, a KQED reporter, dives into the savory world of bacon-wrapped hot dogs and their cultural significance in the Bay Area. She shares the inspiring story of a Nicaraguan vendor overcoming adversity, shedding light on the challenges faced by street food sellers. The podcast also explores the unique Sonoran hot dog and its elaborate toppings, while discussing the nostalgia and community ties surrounding this iconic snack. Discover the resilience of vendors striving for recognition amidst a vibrant culinary landscape!