Big Fish Stories

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 family still lives on the San Francisco Bay Bridge, but where?   This is the tale of the Bay Bridge Troll.   This story was originally reported for the KQED podcast Bay Curious.

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

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! Plus, our guest Peter Fenton (Author of Abandon All Hope) shares a personal story of a family tragedy that changed the way he lives, and the way he makes resolutions.- To support our work, join us on Patreon.

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. - Thanks to California's Great America, Alaina Duffield, KALW, Lisa Morehouse, Abukar Adan, and Josh Taylor. - Follow us on Twitch!

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! - 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 lifetime. Plus, Chris shares how he got caught in the act and forced out of the closet in high school. - You can contact Christopher Beale on Twitter, and connect with the show at StereotypesPodcast.org.

  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) - To see photos from the event, and read the written version in Outword Magazine, click here. To read the print version in 3 minutes on Medium, click here. To support my work with a monthly gift, and pick up cool bonuses from this and our sister podcast Theme Park Pulse: The Game, click here! RESOURCES GAPAAsian Pacific FundSan Francisco LGBTQ Community CenterSacramento Asian ResourcesSacramento LGBTQ Community Center

  If there is one piece of good news about the COVID-19 Pandemic its that more people recover from COVID-19 than die from it. In the state of California, so far, 40,000 people have died from COVID-19. But that’s out of more than 3 million diagnosed cases. Those people who recover, and quarantine...eventually return to work. That got me thinking - what kind of reception are they receiving in the workplace? The DeLeons have both experienced COVID-19 and both returned to work. That is where the similarities end.   Special thanks to Angel & Ray DeLeon from Palmdale, CA for their story. Check out Angel's crafts here. - - - More information on my work at ChristopherJBeale.com. To support me with a monthly gift, check out the No Midnight Media Patreon.  

  How does coffee go from the field - to your cup? Is coffee addictive, and how can YOU positively impact the people who grow it? What's the difference between 'local' coffee and Starbucks?   On this episode, Josh Taylor on how to navigate the complicated world of coffee. - - - For more information on Christopher's work head to ChristopherJBeale.com, for more podcast content from No Midnight Media head to NoMidnightMedia.com. - - -  

  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 forced out of their homes with no idea when they’ll be able to return - or if they’ll have a home to return to. This is the story of one such family waiting for answers. - LINKS Napa Valley Register Cal Fire Support our work on Patreon. Theme Park Pulse: The Game

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 grandfather. "80 Fish!" - Mark Act 3 - Best Day Ever A bolt of electricity! Tom and I finally catch a kokanee! "My legs are a little wobbly." - Chris - Connect with Christopher on Twitter at @RealChrisJBeale, and support his work on Patreon with a monthly gift. - It's like that popular NPR quiz show...except, for theme park fans! Check out Theme Park Pulse: The Game - every other week.