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"Unpacked in Santa Cruz" is a homegrown podcast hosted by Michael Howard that dives into the lives, stories, and salty moments of people who call this coastal community home—or have been shaped by it in some way. Whether it's a deep conversation with local surfers opening up about mental health, or a peek behind the curtain of someone who started a one-of-a-kind food spot right here in town, every episode brings something real.
You’ll hear from folks who found healing behind the lens, built businesses from scratch, or chased massive waves thanks to a lifetime spent around our local waters. These aren’t just interviews—they’re conversations that reflect the heart and soul of Santa Cruz. Raw, reflective, and rooted in community, Unpacked in Santa Cruz brings local voices to the surface.
62 Episodes
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The story starts with following Chris Balthasar from a Swiss-American childhood in Philadelphia and winds through Hollywood backlots, a B-movie alligator, and a surreal day in a Sonic the Hedgehog suit getting heckled by Tony Danza all day-then pivots into law, environmental advocacy, and a move to Santa Cruz that finally felt like home. Chris takes us on a winding road with uncommon honesty, connecting big breaks and bigger heartbreaks to the simple habits that keep him grounded: food ...
What happens when a kid from São Paulo lands in Santa Cruz and discovers a town where surfing, jiu-jitsu, and community can actually shape the way you live? We go deep with Rafael Eboli—longtime local, Cafe Brazil mainstay, and black belt professor at Claudio Franca Jiu Jitsu Academies—on how a six-month plan turned into a life built around waves, trust, and family. Rafael shares why Santa Cruz clicked: the ocean as a daily classroom, in a culture that rewards respect over noise, and a gym w...
Mercy isn’t the word most people expect from a fighting art—but that’s exactly where we start. We sit down with Master Claudio Franca, who left Rio de Janeiro in the mid-90s with little more than a gi, a surfer’s heart, and a mission to plant Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Santa Cruz long before it anybody have ever heard of it. He opens up about early challenge matches, skeptical onlookers, and how a rough surf town learned to love the “gentle art” that wins with control, not damage. From choosing ...
A shy kid from Live Oak skates to school, paddles out at Pleasure Point, and learns quickly that lineups have rules you won’t find on the beach signs. Then a jiu-jitsu academy opens behind his house, and everything changes. Nathan Mendelsohn’s story isn’t a straight line from surf to mats; it’s a layered map of belonging—how a combat art became a family, how Brazil reshaped a Santa Cruz mindset, and how loyalty can feel both territorial and generous depending on which door you walk through. ...
Aiming to stop conflict nearly broke us; learning to create peace brought us back. That’s the arc we explore with our guest, Graseilah Coolidge—born in Iowa, raised in Venezuela through coups and shutdowns, trained in nonproliferation, and recruited into intelligence after 9/11. The work was high‑stakes and mission‑driven, until a harsh realization landed: data doesn’t always drive decisions when agendas are in play. When that worldview cracked, she didn’t double down on noise; she went to th...
What does it truly mean to coach youth sports in today's hyper-competitive world? In this candid conversation, host Michael "Coach Powers" Howard sits down with Little League coaches Matt Kuhn and Frank Schonig to unpack the beautiful mess that is youth baseball in Santa Cruz County. The trio begins by sharing their uniquely Santa Cruz upbringings – from Frank's "mountain boy" childhood with dirt bike tracks and paintball courses on 10 acres of redwoods to Matt's journey from Ben Lomon...
Ever wonder what it's like to grow up inside "a bubble within a bubble"? Neil Sprenkel takes us into the unique world of Capitola, California—where neighborhoods feel like sanctuaries and surf spots become territories with unwritten rules that shape young lives in profound ways. When his parents divorced during his seventh grade year, Neil found himself drawn deeper into surfing—not just as a sport, but as therapy. "I would go underwater and scream until I felt that energy leave my body," he...
Have you ever looked in the mirror and suddenly realized you've been playing a role in your own life? After mysteriously disappearing for five months, I'm finally breaking the silence to share the profound revelation that stopped me in my tracks. What began as a celebratory moment—watching my podcast metrics climb after a wonderful interview with Natalie—transformed into an existential crisis during what should have been a dream surf trip to Chile. Picture this: perfect left breaks (heaven f...
A quiet retail revolution is unfolding in Santa Cruz, and Natalie Wegrich of Toasted Jewelry stands at its forefront. From the mountains of Scotts Valley to the beaches of Pleasure Point, Natalie's entrepreneurial journey captures the essence of what makes our coastal community special—authenticity, craftsmanship, and an unapologetic pursuit of happiness. With the tick-tick-tick of hammers in her workshop, Natalie and her team of eight women create affordable, high-quality jewelry that captu...
The beautiful, coastal paradise of Santa Cruz, California hides a complex reality beneath its postcard-perfect veneer. In this raw conversation, longtime local Brady Muller pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to call this tourist destination home – especially when you're watching it transform before your eyes. Brady's story weaves through the neighborhoods of his youth – from the "jewel box" near the beach to the developments behind the mall – painting a picture of a community that...
What happens when four men from the Santa Cruz surf community strip away their tough exteriors and speak honestly about depression? This raw, powerful conversation breaks new ground as host Michael Howard and guests Jack Akrop, Neal Kearney, and Nick Borelli share their personal journeys through mental health struggles. Michael opens with his story of battling depression since age 12, masking sadness with anger, and creating an identity as "the nice angry guy" in the lineup - a strategy that...
What happens when a chef decides to break away from the late-night restaurant grind and bring high-quality, seasonal food directly to the people? For Cam Meyers, it meant creating Melrose Cafe, a "parking lot restaurant" that's transforming the Santa Cruz farmers' market scene one focaccia sandwich at a time. Growing up in Santa Cruz's midtown neighborhood, Cam's culinary journey took her from local restaurant kitchens to the remote wilderness of Alaska, where she spent three years as execut...
When Nick Borelli paddled out on his boogie board in 1980s Santa Cruz, he instantly became an outcast in a culture that prized standing on surfboards above all else. "If you boogie boarded, you were persona non grata," host Michael Howard explains, "the bottom of the totem pole." But this relegation to surf culture's lowest rung gave Nick a perspective few others share—one that would eventually inform his remarkable photography and approach to life. In this deeply personal conversation, Nick...
When Jack Akrop paddles out at Mavericks or charges massive waves at Jaws, he's drawing on lessons learned from a lifetime spent in and around Santa Cruz waters. But his path to becoming a respected big wave surfer wasn't the typical grom-to-pro pipeline story we often celebrate. As Jack reveals in this vulnerable conversation, he started as "a boogie boarder at the bottom of the totem pole" who was actually terrified of the ocean. His journey weaves through baseball fields at Bellarmine Hig...
When Steve Schwinn first visited Santa Cruz as a child, surfing at Four Mile Beach with his older brother, something clicked. Despite moving fourteen times throughout his youth—from Texas to the Netherlands to Minneapolis, through various California cities, back to Texas, then to Cleveland and Rhode Island—Santa Cruz exerted a magnetic pull that would eventually make it his permanent home. In this deeply personal conversation, Schwinn shares the winding path that led him to establish Iron Ho...
What does a competitive surfer from Santa Cruz's Midtown have to do with revolutionizing our food systems? Everything, as it turns out. In this riveting conversation, Joe Schirmer—owner of Dirty Girl Farms and lifelong Santa Cruz local—takes us on his remarkable journey from riding waves to cultivating some of the region's most sought-after organic produce. But this isn't just a career change story; it's a window into how our food systems shape everything from personal health to commun...
What happens when you leave behind the only life you've known to rediscover yourself? Moana's journey from Los Angeles to the shores of Santa Cruz reveals how changing your environment can transform your understanding of who you are. Growing up across various Los Angeles neighborhoods, Moana developed a chameleon-like ability to adapt while secretly yearning for genuine connection. Despite her natural empathy and talent for drawing people out, something was missing. After ending a long-term ...
Chris Yeh, our talented guest and coding virtuoso, shares his personal journey from the burgeoning computer science department at UCSC to becoming a notable figure in the tech world, all while maintaining his roots in the vibrant Santa Cruz community. We explore his daily commute over Highway 17 and the unique challenges and rewards that come with living in a place known for its laid-back lifestyle, even as it becomes intertwined with the fast-paced tech industry. Chris's story is a testament...
What happens when a small-town Wyoming upbringing meets the vibrant chaos of Utah's EDM scene? Join me and my guest, Nick Mari, as we explore this intriguing intersection and uncover a journey marked by trials and triumphs. From adapting to contrasting environments like Oklahoma and encountering the unexpected world of underground raves, to confronting the grip of addiction and finding solace in the discipline of jujitsu, Nick's story is a testament to resilience and the human spirit. Through...
What if the essence of a town could be captured in the stories of its people? Join us as we journey through the heart of Santa Cruz, California, with Rueben Case-Gabbard, the insightful manager of Verutti's Liquor Store. Born at the now-closed Community Hospital in 1982, Ruben takes us back to his childhood in Soquel, where his family lovingly restored a Victorian house. Through Ruben's vivid recollections, we explore the transformation of the area, from orchards to condos, and the ever-evolv...
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