Unpacked

Unpacked

Peculiar stories from real life. Hosted by Christopher Beale & Josh Taylor

Episodes

September 7, 2022 15 mins
The Loma Prieta Earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area on October 17, 1989. The quake and the community galvanization that followed birthed a mystical protector forged from iron. His f...
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Swipe through the modern phenomenon of app-based romance. Featuring VidaSelect CEO Scott Valdez, and a true story about a San Francisco Grindr-hookup that sparked a relationship.

Hosted & Produced by Christopher J. Beale and Josh Taylor

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Why do we make New Year's Resolutions?

You'll discover that this tradition has evolved over time. In this episode, Christopher Beale and Josh Taylor dive into the history of New Year's resolutions, Auld Lang Syne, Methodist watch night services and popping champagne!

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December 9, 2021 9 mins

An Unpacked bonus featuring an announcement about the future of the podcast, and Christopher is at California's Great America with a short story about how the pandemic changed one person's approach to the job they love.

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Thanks to California's Great America, Alaina Duffield, KALW, Lisa Morehouse, Abukar Adan, and Josh Taylor.

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Unpacked will return! In the meantime check out episode one of Christopher Beale's new podcast Stereotypes - Straight Talk from Queer Voices. Listen and subscribe!

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Everyone's coming out is different. Some folks can't come out, and for many — when we finally do — we discover that there are more questions on the other side.

Meet Rae, a gender non-binary person who has learned to treat coming out as a process the length of a lifetim...

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Last weekend - San Francisco's LGBTQIA community gathered to mourn with the Asian community, to speak and - in San Francisco's long tradition of activism...to march.

"Enough is Enough!" - Michael Nguyen (GAPA)

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To see photos fr...

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February 22, 2021 10 mins

 

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January 11, 2021 15 mins

 

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The Glass Fire - which as of writing this has burned more than 60,000 acres near California's wine country - is displacing entire communities. Whole families...

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September 9, 2020 30 mins

From Lake Berryessa in California to Big Fish Lake in Minnesota - two big fish stories, 3 acts, 30 minutes.

Click here for a written transcript of the episode.

Act 1 - The First Attempt  
An educational but completely empty-handed fishing trip to Lake Berryessa.

"I think I'd like to lose a finger." - Tom

Act 2 - Grandpa Hal   

Mark recounts the final fishing trip he shared with his beloved gran...

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June 1, 2020 20 mins

After two nights of demonstrations against police brutality that ended in riots and looting - Oakland protesters took to the streets Sunday to take back the narrative, Black Lives Matter.

Special thanks to Youth Radio Media and their volunteers, to my neighbor for the up-close video of the looting, and to the demonstrators on Sunday for allowing me access and making me feel welcome.

SOURCES:
NB...

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May 11, 2020 20 mins

The story of a San Francisco man recovering from a confirmed case of COVID-19.

"My heart starts beating so fast Wednesday night. Really, Really, Really fast. I get this numbness all over my body. My legs are falling numb. I have a hard time getting up. And I'm like, Oh my God. This is it. I'm gonna die." - Armando Zambrana

<...

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May 1, 2020 18 mins

The Zayner family's house is one of those spaces where people are always coming and going on the weekends. Come as you are...B.Y.O.B and smoke 'em if you got 'em. Wit...

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April 24, 2020 6 mins

This morning was so unusual I had to share it with you. I witnessed a crime here in Oakland and it shook me.

"I just witnessed my first crime in Oakland, like right in front of me, I saw it. I tried to help." - Christopher J. Beale

Have you ever witnessed a crime? Share it with me at (213) 935-0513. If you have helpful information about the crime featured in this story, call Oakland Police at (510) 777...

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Meet Adam Green, an Oakland High School teacher who, thanks to coronavirus, has a unique problem. How do you teach music to 140 students...from home?

SOURCES:
NBC Bay Area
San Francisco Chronicle

Special thanks to the Oakland Pub...

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March 19, 2020 12 mins

 

Coronavirus is changing everything here in California. Our jobs. Our commutes. Our religious and social practices. Social isolation will probably be the phrase that defines 2020, and ...

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December 30, 2019 23 mins

Would you move across the state for something you really wanted, and really believed in? What if if came with a 3 hour commute...each way? Plus - a brief history of migration and gentrification, from a reluctant gentrifier in Oakland.

I hope you enjoy this bonus episode of Unpacked, and I'll talk to you in 2020! - Kory

SOURCES/MENTIONS:
Mix 96 & Now 100.5
SF Gate
"Sound Reporting" by Jonathan Kern

If you would like to support the w...

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October 28, 2019 23 mins

On this episode of Unpacked, the true story of a trip to London, and Oxford. When Amanda finds herself spending the night in a centuries old house, she alone has an encounter with the spirit world that was way too close for comfort.

Happy Halloween from Unpacked!

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This episode is based on the real-life experience of Unpacked listener Amanda Garcia. Otherwise written, as well as edited, sound designed ...

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Bret Iwan and Kory answer your questions as we bring Unpacked presents: Bret, Mickey & Walt to a close!

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To see photos of Bret's house, follow his design business on Instagram, @BungalowModern. You can follow Bret at @Bret_Iwan, and follow Kory at @KoryOnTheRadio! Follow Jack at @JackKMilliken!

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This episode was written and hosted by Jack Milliken, recorded by Christopher "Kory" Beale. Bonus content ...

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Bret Iwan spends a decade establishing himself as the voice of Mickey Mouse! But, finds himself in a creative rut, when an old hobby from his childhood sparks creativity and dreams of the future!

We follow Bret & Cory into Disneyland for the premiere of Fantasmic 2.0 and visit Bret's home on the finale of Bret, Mickey & Walt.

To see photos of Bret's house, follow his design business on Instagr...

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