Podcasts by Total SF
A San Francisco culture podcast featuring celebrity guests, non-celebrity guests, personalities from the San Francisco Chronicle and a celebration of Bay Area life. Hosted by culture critic Peter Hartlaub and columnist Heather Knight and recorded on the streets, hilltops, parks and landmarks of San Francisco. The pair's focus on the whimsy and wonder of San Francisco began in 2018 when they rode every bus, train, cable car and street car in the city in one day. They believe in highlighting the eccentric characters, independent bookstores, burger joints and bars that make the bay so great.
Further podcasts by San Francisco Chronicle pop culture critic Peter Hartlaub
Podcast on the topic TV und Film
All episodes
Eight reasons why we still love San Francisco from 2022-02-25T11:00
After seeing yet another high-profile attack about "the decline of San Francisco," hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight return to the San Francisco Chronicle's podcast studios to discuss the myt...
ListenSecrets of Grace Cathedral! from 2022-02-18T11:00
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco was declared "a house of prayer for all people" when its first cornerstone was laid down in 1910, and the worship center has carried that pledge for more than a cen...
ListenThis chill S.F. spot is our pandemic MVP from 2022-02-11T11:00
What has flower pianos, yoga on the meadow and magnolia blossoms and is free to San Franciscans? Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight pay a visit to the San Francisco Botanical Garden, ...
ListenAn interstellar book club, with Charlie Jane Anders from 2022-02-04T11:00
Science fiction author Charlie Jane Anders sits down outside the Exploratorium to talk about indie bookstores, the importance of mentors and her book "Victories Greater Than Death" — the latest Tot...
ListenSing-alongs, drag queens and Keanu Reeves: All hail the Castro Theatre from 2022-01-28T11:00
Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight are joined by Chronicle arts and culture columnist Tony Bravo to talk about The Castro Theatre, and the changes set to happen when Another Planet Entertainme...
ListenSan Francisco needs a pep talk (on a Ferris wheel) from 2022-01-21T11:00
Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight meet up with Bishop Megan Rohrer and record a podcast episode in their most unusual location yet — on the Ferris wheel in the music concourse at Golden Gate ...
ListenCleaning San Francisco's dirty streets — with Hunter Pence? from 2022-01-14T11:00
Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub spend a Sunday afternoon cleaning up trash in North Beach, after Refuse Refuse SF founder Vincent Yuen put out a Twitter call to Hartlaub, Knight and Hunter Pence,...
ListenA perfect day in San Francisco (Best of 2021) from 2022-01-01T08:01
Total SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub break down their perfect day in San Francisco in this flashback episode, , creating an hour-by-hour list of things to do and places to go in the cit...
ListenGood times with "curmudgeon" Quentin Kopp (Best of 2021) from 2021-12-29T11:00
Quentin Kopp is a former San Francisco supervisor, state senator and judge — but he's known to local journalists as the most prolific angry letter-writer in the city. In this flashback episode from...
ListenCan the Tree Twins save San Francisco? from 2021-12-22T11:00
Married couple Michael Morris and David Sweeney started putting on festive light-up tree costumes for a TV-20 "Dance Party" episode seven years ago. They got such a great reaction, they upped the c...
ListenNewman. Redford. Hanks ... and Ruthe Stein from 2021-12-17T11:00
After interviewing celebrities (mostly) for the San Francisco Chronicle for the past 50 years, Ruthe Stein has written a memoir of her experiences — "Sitting Down with the Stars: Interviews with 10...
ListenMuni driver on his "Shang-Chi" viral moment from 2021-12-10T11:00
Mc "Mack" Allen spent most of the pandemic with his dream of becoming a Muni driver put on hold. But he's driving buses now — part of the new class of Muni drivers — and his tweet thread about the ...
ListenSecrets of Golden Gate Park! from 2021-12-03T11:00
Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight head to Golden Gate Park to announce their new audio tour of the park, "Secrets of Golden Gate Park: gunfire, graft and a 90-year-old fish." In this...
ListenA boatload of S.F. history with Gary Kamiya from 2021-11-24T11:00
Gary Kamiya, who penned the ultimate San Francisco history book "Cool Gray City of Love," is giving nautical history tours. Total SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub take a boat trip through...
ListenSecrets of the Cliff House! from 2021-11-19T11:00
The future of the Cliff House restaurant space is in limbo, but it remains a destination, after the Cliff House Museum moved into the gift shop and set up an exhibit showing the history of entertai...
ListenThe best views in San Francisco, ranked from 2021-11-12T11:00
Total SF co-hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight pick their all-time favorite views in San Francisco, including Mt. Davidson, the Bernal Heights rock and two different views from modes of public...
ListenColma’s dead tell us their tales from 2021-10-29T10:00
For Total SF's first Halloween episode, hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub meet with Terry Hamburg, director of the Cypress Lawn Heritage Foundation, for a tour of some of the Colma-based memo...
ListenSecrets of the Painted Ladies! from 2021-10-22T10:00
George Horsfall lives in one of the Painted Ladies homes in San Francisco, and he's not just happy to live in the tourist landmark — he wants to share it with the world. Total SF hosts Peter Hartla...
ListenWhy we swam in the San Francisco Bay from 2021-10-15T10:00
Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight dive in the San Francisco Bay with "Why We Swim" author Bonnie Tsui, as a warm-up for their Total SF Book Club event on November 17 at the San Francisco Publ...
ListenCellos, JFK Drive and the car-free future from 2021-10-08T10:00
Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight drive into a nearly empty museum concourse parking garage to make a point: that there's plenty of room for cars to park in Golden Gate Park, and Joh...
ListenBooks on a bike in the Tenderloin District from 2021-10-01T10:00
Alicia Tapia combines books and biking with the Bibliobicicleta, a rolling library that was funded by a Kickstarter and has brought joy and reading to San Francisco. Tapia meets Total SF hosts Pete...
ListenFinding treasure at S.F.'s SCRAP center from 2021-09-24T10:00
Total SF visits SCRAP, the hidden arts and crafts wonderland in the Bayview District of San Francisco. Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight tour the non-profit and meet staffers and volunteers (...
ListenStreet performers: The underrated heartbeat of S.F. from 2021-09-17T10:00
While the cable cars made headlines, another heartbeat of the city has also returned — the San Francisco street performer. Total SF co-hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight hop an F-line from the...
ListenA perfect day in San Francisco from 2021-09-10T10:00
Total SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub break down their perfect day in San Francisco, creating an hour-by-hour list of things to do and places to go in the city, without telling each othe...
ListenTrue stories from the Chronicle's funniest writer from 2021-09-03T10:00
Steve Rubenstein, the longest tenured reporter at The Chronicle, joins Total SF co-hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to talk about what the San Francisco Chronicle newsroom was like in 1976, ...
ListenSecrets of Sutro Tower! from 2021-08-27T10:00
Sutro Tower may be the most beloved landmark among San Francisco residents, and now we all have a PhD in the Sutro's history and present. Sutro spokesman Dave Hyams joins co-hosts Peter Hartlaub an...
ListenA final trip back to the Circle Star Theatre from 2021-08-20T10:00
The Circle Star Theatre is hard to describe now that it's gone, with it's odd rotating stage and parade of music and comedy acts in the late Decembers of their careers. (Sinatra! Ella Fitzgerald! R...
ListenReady for more 'People Behaving Badly'? from 2021-08-13T10:00
Reporter Stanley Roberts, who created the popular "People Behaving Badly" segment on KRON, wants to come back to San Francisco. Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight catch up with Roberts, who mo...
ListenSan Francisco's beloved libraries are back from 2021-08-06T11:00
City librarian Michael Lambert discusses how librarians stepped up as disaster service workers during the COVID-pandemic, but are reopening all branches but one this month. Lambert, a former compet...
ListenInto the lion's den with "curmudgeon" Quentin Kopp from 2021-07-30T10:00
Quentin Kopp is a former San Francisco supervisor, state senator and judge — but he's known to local journalists as the most prolific angry letter-writer. in the city Total SF co-hosts Peter Hartla...
ListenPage Street tribute and the return of S.F. from 2021-07-23T10:00
Co-hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight record on the Page Street Slow Street, and draft their favorite things that are back since San Francisco reopened. After expressing opinions about the rem...
Listen"Online piano bar for hippies," with David Gans from 2021-07-16T10:00
Singer/songwriter David Gans has played 450 (nearly) consecutive Facebook Live streams since the pandemic began, and continues to play for the community he's built - even as in-person shows resume....
ListenNever leaving San Francisco, with Daniel Handler from 2021-07-09T10:00
"A Series of Unfortunate Events" author Daniel Handler AKA Lemony Snicket joins Total SF to talk bookstores, swimming in the Bay and why he's tripling down on San Francisco when others are leaving....
ListenAdam Savage is ready for crowds again from 2021-06-25T10:00
TV host and maker Adam Savage has been holed up in his Mission District "cave" workshop for much of the pandemic. But he's ready for crowds again, planning the Aug. 28-29 SiliCon convention, which ...
ListenSecrets of Angel Island! from 2021-06-18T10:00
Angel Island State Park is our pick for the official post-pandemic paradise of Total SF, with its biking trails, includible views, old buildings and ... did we mention the views? Hosts Heather Knig...
ListenSF's spiritual spaces, with Bishop Megan Rohrer from 2021-06-11T10:00
Bishop-elect Megan Rohrer returns to Total SF to share some of their favorite spiritual spaces in San Francisco — places where people can feel centered and reflect and revive. Hosts Peter Hartlaub ...
ListenCrosstown Trail: The epic hike SF needs right now from 2021-06-04T10:00
The Crosstown Trail is the hike San Francisco needs right now, traversing the city on a 17-mile diagonal and daring the walker or biker to fall in love with the city again. Hosts Peter Hartlaub and...
ListenRenel Brooks-Moon has more to say from 2021-05-28T10:00
Giants PA announcer Renel Brooks-Moon has been a pandemic MVP on social media, continuing to cheer on the Giants and the city of San Francisco, while also speaking her truth about Black Lives Matte...
ListenThe little Boat Tram that could ... save San Francisco from 2021-05-21T10:00
The beloved Boat Tram streetcar line is back after a pandemic hiatus and hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight are reporting on the first voyage of the beloved transit icon. Interviews include S....
ListenHunter and Alexis Pence go to bat for San Francisco from 2021-05-19T10:00
After Hunter Pence retired from the Giants last year, Hunter and Lexi Pence decided to stay in San Francisco, exploring the city with fresh eyes and tripling down on their support of indie coffee h...
ListenNo Safeway? No Amazon? No problem! from 2021-05-14T10:00
Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight record in Chinatown's Portsmouth Square to give an update on the halfway point of the 30-Day Small Business Challenge. The Total SF co-hosts discuss the rule...
ListenThe murders that made San Francisco from 2021-05-07T10:00
"The Murders that Made Us" author Bob Calhoun joins Total SF host Peter Hartlaub on the patio of Red's Java House to talk about Gold Rush-era hoodlums, serial killers, cult leaders and other histor...
ListenMoscone Center is the new Disneyland from 2021-04-30T10:00
As the so called "master of disaster" for S.F. Department of Emergency Management, executive director Mary Ellen Carroll had been preparing for an earthquake. But she got a pandemic, and found a ho...
ListenChronicle sports editor Christina Kahrl blazes a new trail from 2021-04-23T10:00
New San Francisco Chronicle sports editor Christina Kahrl was the first out transgender sports reporter, and takes over leadership of The Chronicle's Sporting Green at an important time for athleti...
ListenMayor London Breed: Shop locally — now! from 2021-04-14T10:00
San Francisco Mayor London Breed joins Total SF to introduce the Small Business 30-Day Challenge, where San Francisco residents are urged to avoid chain stores and shop local for an entire month. T...
ListenCar-free JFK Drive is not segregationist, with David Miles Jr. from 2021-04-09T10:30
Golden Gate Park activist David Miles Jr. has been roller skating in the park since 1979, and he's stunned by the accusations from two supervisors that car-free JFK Drive is segregationist and "rec...
ListenTom Ammiano: "Kiss My Gay Ass" from 2021-04-02T10:00
Tom Ammiano was ahead of his time as a San Francisco supervisor, Assemblyman and the first openly gay member of the SF Board of Education. But he still has stories to tell — about working as a teac...
ListenA total San Francisco book club! w/ "Home Baked" author Alia Volz from 2021-03-26T10:00
Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight introduce the Total SF Book Club, interviewing "Home Baked" author Alia Volz. The San Francisco memoir, featuring Volz growing up around her cannabi...
ListenUltrarunner Luke Wicker, and a tribute to Mt. Davidson | Total SF from 2021-03-19T10:00
Ultrarunner Luke Wicker joins the Total SF crew to talk about how he conquered every San Francisco peak in one 65-mile day, and pay tribute by recording on the top of Mt. Davidson, Wicker's favorit...
ListenJFK Drive car-free forever, and Slow Streets draft | Total SF from 2021-03-12T11:00
The Total SF team makes a case for keeping JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park car-free forever, and conducts a Slow Streets draft, picking which of the SFMTA reduced traffic street should stay forever -...
ListenCraig Brewer, "Coming 2 America" director raised in Vallejo | Total SF from 2021-03-05T11:00
Craig Brewer, whose love for filmmaking started in Vallejo, talks about falling in love with movies, old school video rental shops and his new film "Coming 2 America." Brewer, who also directed "Hu...
ListenDrag performer D'Arcy Drollinger fights to save the Oasis | Total SF from 2021-03-03T11:00
In a special bonus Total SF, D'Arcy Drollinger talks about being a drag performer and small business owner, and the fight to save the Oasis nightclub with an old school telethon. Co-hosts Peter Har...
ListenCable car tribute (and how the Chronicle almost killed them) | Total SF from 2021-02-26T11:00
With cable cars gone from San Francisco indefinitely, co-hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight pay tribute to the landmark transit, with wild history (including the time The Chronicle tried to ki...
ListenSlow Streets tribute, and Amos Goldbaum interview | Total SF from 2021-02-19T11:30
Artist Amos Goldbaum talks about his new mural on the Sanchez Slow Street, as co-hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight make their first in-person podcast recording in a year. Hartlaub and Knight ...
ListenDr. Bob Wachter on COVID, communicating and why he loves SF | Total SF from 2021-02-12T11:30
Dr. Bob Wachter, UCSF Medical Center chair of the Department of Medicine, joins hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to talk about how he got to San Francisco, his emergence as a go-to on Twitte...
Listen"Always Be My Maybe" tribute, with Vanessa Hua | Total SF from 2021-02-05T11:30
""A River of Stars" and "Deceit and Other Possibilities" author Vanessa Hua joins hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to pay tribute to "Always Be My Maybe," the 2019 Netflix movie starring Ali...
ListenS.F. school names we can get behind (a Total SF draft) from 2021-01-29T11:30
Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight talk about the San Francisco Board of Education approval to rename 44 schools, they defend Dianne Feinstein as worthy of the school name she's set to lose — and th...
ListenTwin Peaks tribute, and other pandemic things we want to keep | Total SF from 2021-01-22T11:40
Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight pay tribute to Twin Peaks, which has been car-free for most of the pandemic but perhaps not for long. Hartlaub shares some Twin Peaks history, including plan...
ListenKirk Thatcher interview - stories from the punk on the bus | Total SF from 2021-01-15T11:30
After the success of the Total SF "Star Trek IV" movie night, host Peter Hartlaub interviews Kirk Thatcher, who played the punk on the bus and was an associate producer on the film. In addition to ...
ListenStories from the San Francisco Chronicle archive | Total SF from 2021-01-08T11:30
The Chronicle archive has photos dating back to the 19th Century. Total SF host Peter Hartlaub and librarian Bill Van Niekerken share secrets from the archive, including their favorite 1906 earthqu...
ListenSaying goodbye to a horrible and heroic 2020 | Total SF from 2021-01-01T08:01
Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight talk about the highs, lows and pure heroism in 2020, and predict good things for San Francisco in 2021. Hartlaub and Knight also end the year with a...
ListenPaula Poundstone in the Chronicle archive | Total SF flashback from 2020-12-29T11:00
In this flashback podcast to a Total SF recorded on Dec. 31,, 2019, Paula Poundstone returns for her annual end-of-year trip to the San Francisco Chronicle archive. During the recording, right befo...
ListenNathan Tan on graffiti, SF and "Uncle Nate's Creativity Time" | Total SF from 2020-12-23T11:00
Nathan "Nate1" Tan was a graffiti artist in his teens, then became a clothing designer creating the NewSkool line that specialized in hip-hop influences and San Francisco civic pride. He started a ...
Listen"Star Trek IV" tribute, with Carly Severn and Taylor Kate Brown | Total SF from 2020-12-16T11:30
"Star Trek IV" is "the one with the whales" and it's also the one featuring San Francisco. Carly Severn and Taylor Kate Brown join host Peter Hartlaub to pay tribute to the 1986 film, covering the ...
ListenMichael Pritchard gives a pandemic pep talk | Total SF from 2020-12-10T11:30
Comedian and social worker Michael Pritchard returns to give us a motivational speech for the end of 2020. Pritchard re-joins host Peter Hartlaub and Chronicle homelessness reporter Kevin Fagan to ...
ListenAndrew Stanton and Bob Pauley interview | "Toy Story" at 25 from 2020-11-27T11:30
With "Toy Story" turning 25 years old on Thanksgiving 2020, we spoke with Pixar's Andrew Stanton and Bob Pauley about the making of the movie. "Finding Nemo" and "WALL-E" director Stanton and "Toy ...
ListenPixar archive stories, with Jonas Rivera and Christine Freeman | "Toy Story" at 25 from 2020-11-24T11:30
Pixar producer Jonas Rivera and senior historian Christine Freeman join Total SF host Peter Hartlaub to tell stories from the Pixar archive on the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking computer an...
ListenA tribute to "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" | Total SF from 2020-11-20T04:27
Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight pay tribute to and break down the 1993 film "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit," joined by @sisterractivism superfan Sarah Katz-Hyman and a cameo from "Sister ...
ListenTeen metal band Iron Front | Total SF from 2020-11-10T11:30
One of the positives of the pandemic has been live music, and no band has rocked a front porch harder than teen East Bay death metal quintet Iron Front. Band members Topey Plourde (vocals, senior i...
ListenA new official flag for San Francisco? | Total SF from 2020-11-02T11:30
Total SF interviews Brian Stokle, a San Francisco resident who created a new San Francisco flag, and has distributed 200 this year — mostly since the shelter in place started. Stokle and S.F. flag ...
ListenA very San Francisco engagement, with poet Kevin Dublin | Total SF from 2020-10-27T10:30
This interview and live podcast features Kevin Dublin, a Bay Area poet and educator who proposed to his girlfriend on the SkyStar observation ferris wheel at Golden Gate Park. Dublin joined Total S...
ListenRichard Nixon rode on BART, and other transit stories from Mike Healy | Total SF from 2020-10-26T02:15
Michael C. Healy joins Total SF to talk about his years as a BART spokesman, which started before the transit agency opened in 1972. Host Peter Hartlaub and current BART chief communications office...
ListenBart Shepherd interview, Steinhart Aquarium director | Total SF from 2020-10-23T04:35
With the California Academy of Sciences reopening to the public on Oct. 23, Total SF is joined by Bart Shepherd, the senior director of Steinhart Aquarium. Shepherd and host Peter Hartlaub talk abo...
ListenEmperor Norton interview | Total SF from 2020-10-20T10:00
San Francisco legend Emperor Norton joins Total SF co-hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to talk about the early years of San Francisco and answer Knight's lightning round. Also on the podcast...
ListenOur favorite Bay Area hikes during the pandemic | Total SF from 2020-10-15T00:00
With the pandemic leading to more outdoor hiking opportunities, co-hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight share their favorite hikes during the pandemic. Selections include multiple hikes on the 4...
ListenLooking back at Orange Skies Day, with Jessica Christian | Total SF from 2020-10-09T10:30
On the one-month anniversary of the day the skies turned orange in San Francisco, host Peter Hartlaub and SF Chronicle photographer look back at the phenomenon known as Orange Skies Day in the Bay ...
ListenMuni lines we miss the most, with Muni Diaries | Total SF from 2020-10-07T01:50
Total SF invites our Muni Diaries friends Tara Ramroop and Eugenia Chien to talk about our last Muni rides before the pandemic, our hopes for Muni's future and pick the Muni lines we miss the most....
ListenRaina Telgemeier interview | Total SF indie bookstore tribute from 2020-09-29T10:30
Raina Telgemeier is one of the most popular authors in Bay Area history, selling millions of copies of her young adult graphic novels including "Smile," "Ghosts" and her most recent memoir "Guts" —...
ListenWhat should we put in our 2020 Time Capsule? | Total SF from 2020-09-25T00:00
We're putting together an official "2020 Can Take the 38 Geary-Rapid Straight to Hell" Time Capsule. What should we put in it. Co-hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight offer their suggestions, in...
ListenThe great stairways of San Francisco, with Alexandra Kenin | Total SF from 2020-09-22T11:00
Urban Hiker founder Alexandra Kenin comes on Total SF to talk about her project personally climbing and documenting San Francisco's 900+ public stairways, and sharing some of her favorites. Hosts P...
ListenCorte Madera theater tribute, with Jason Snell and Beth Spotswood | Total SF from 2020-09-18T01:00
With Cinemark announcing that it's done with the Corte Madera theater, host Peter Hartlaub invites two of his Mill Valley friends - The Incomparable host Jason Snell and Alta magazine digital edito...
ListenJorma Taccone interview | Total SF indie bookstore tribute month from 2020-09-14T10:00
Jorma Taccone, director of "MacGruber," co-director of "Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping" and member of The Lonely Island music/comedy group, has written a children's book. The Berkeley native co...
ListenOfficer Edith interview, SF Animal Care&Control | Total SF from 2020-09-08T00:15
Lt. Eleanor Sadler from San Francisco Animal Care&Control has been bringing joy to Twitter and Instagram as "Officer Edith" for years. Sadler joins hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to talk a...
ListenJoe Talbot and Jimmie Fails - "The Last Black Man in San Francisco" | Total SF flashback from 2020-09-05T01:00
In a flashback episode from June 4, 2019, “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” director Joe Talbot and star Jimmie Fails come to The Big Event archive studio to talk about the scrappy road to maki...
ListenChris Colin interview, Six Feet of Separation publisher | Total SF from 2020-09-02T01:00
When the shelter in place started, Chris Colin founded the newspaper Six Feet of Separation, written entirely by children with Colin acting as publisher. After national attention including a positi...
ListenChuck Prophet interview | Total SF from 2020-08-21T01:05
San Francisco singer/songwriter Chuck Prophet returns to talk about his life in San Francisco during his longest touring break in decades, his last gig before the shutdown and his new album, "The L...
ListenPeter Schwartz interview | Total SF from 2020-08-11T10:00
Peter Schwartz has been working as a futurist and scenario planner for more than 45 years, and he says the pandemic is an event like no other in his lifetime. But he also remains optimistic about w...
ListenStephan Pastis interview | Total SF indie bookstore tribute month from 2020-08-04T10:00
"Pearls Before Swine: comic strip artist Stephan Pastis was a lawyer who hated his job before starting the strip 20 years ago. The Santa Rosa resident still feels pressure to perform, which has led...
ListenJasmine Guillory interview | Total SF indie bookstore tribute month from 2020-07-30T10:00
Romance novelist Jasmine Guillory joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the five novels she's written in the last three years, including the new one "Party of Two." The Bishop O'Dowd grad and lif...
ListenJudd Winick interview | Total SF indie bookstore tribute from 2020-07-20T10:00
Total SF welcomes Judd Winick, author and former "The Real World" cast member, to talk about the 20th anniversary of his AIDS education graphic novel "Pedro and Me" — and to pay tribute to his favo...
ListenPandemic reading list and indie bookstore tribute | Total SF in Exile from 2020-07-14T00:00
Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight talk about what they've been reading during the shelter in place, and pay tribute to the Bay Area independent bookstores and comic book shops they hope will ...
ListenHow to create an SF bike utopia, with Lily Janiak | Total SF in Exile from 2020-07-09T10:00
Chronicle theater critic Lily Janiak joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about her bike-first lifestyle as a critic, and her thoughts about the future of bicycling in San Francisco. With the San Fran...
ListenChronicle homelessness reporter Kevin Fagan | Total SF in Exile from 2020-07-06T10:00
The San Francisco Chronicle reporter Kevin Fagan is once again at the center of the reporting on a new homelessness project, talks about his own experience with homelessness. He also introduces two...
ListenExtra Spicy hosts Soleil Ho and Justin Phillips | Total SF in Exile from 2020-06-25T10:00
Chronicle restaurant critic Soleil Ho and food writer Justin Phillips return to Total SF to introduce their new podcast Extra Spicy. Ho and Phillips talk to host Peter Hartlaub about how they met, ...
ListenDavid Perlman tribute and final interview | Total SF in Exile from 2020-06-22T10:00
After last week's death of David Perlman at age 101, host Peter Hartlaub and reporter Kevin Fagan pay tribute to the legendary former Chronicle science writer, who started at the newspaper in 1940 ...
ListenRenel Brooks-Moon interview | Total SF flashback from 2020-06-20T00:00
This Total SF flashback is an interview with Renel Brooks-Moon, longtime Bay Area radio personality, and public address announcer for the San Francisco Giants since 1999. Recording on Aug. 13, 2019...
ListenAudrey Cooper exit interview&"Pursuit of Happyness" breakdown from 2020-06-16T00:00
Chronicle editor-in-chief Audrey Cooper returns to Total SF after her surprise announcement that she'll take over as editor of public radio powerhouse WNYC. Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight ...
ListenRev. Megan Rohrer interview | Total SF in Exile from 2020-06-11T10:00
Fresh off their appearance on "Queer Eye" Season 5, Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer joins Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight. They talk about Rohrer's first time visiting San Francisco, ministr...
ListenHunter and Alexis Pence interview | Total SF in Exile from 2020-06-01T10:00
San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence and "Let's Get Lexi" creator Alexis Pence join Total SF to talk quarantine life, walk-up songs, best SF cheeseburgers and make a special announcement — ...
ListenThe lost Jeffrey Tumlin episode | Total SF in Exile from 2020-05-20T10:00
In an episode recorded on March 5 more than a week before the shelter in place, Jeffrey Tumlin joined hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to talk about his early love of San Francisco, and the ...
Listen"Contagion" breakdown, with Audrey Cooper&Heather Knight | Total SF in Exile from 2020-05-14T10:30
Total SF breaks down "Contagion," The Steven Soderbergh film was not considered a San Francisco classic (or even an S.F. movie) when it came out in 2020, but it has become iconic for its clairvoyan...
ListenSF quarantine house draft, with Heather Knight | Total SF in Exile from 2020-05-01T01:10
Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight make a round-by-round draft of the San Francisco residents they'd want in their quarantine house, battling each other for Marc Benioff, Hunter Pence and a fe...
ListenTotal SF "Inside Out" movie night pre-show | Total SF in Exile from 2020-04-23T16:30
Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight talk about their fifth Total SF Movie Night #5, a Saturday 4/25 screening of "Inside Out" with pizza and pillow fort making challenges. They also talk about ...
ListenThe 5 greatest SF movies, with Heather Knight | Total SF in Exile from 2020-04-11T02:15
Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight reunite to rank their five favorite San Francisco movies to watch while sheltering in place — this is a happy podcast and all of the movies are funny, action...
ListenWhat the hell do we do with our kids? | Total SF in Exile from 2020-04-03T00:00
Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight reunite to talk about some more good news in San Francisco, commiserate over the recent school closures, and share ideas for what to do with kids in the coro...
ListenChronicle health reporter Erin Allday | Total SF in Exile from 2020-03-31T02:10
Host Peter Hartlaub interviews San Francisco Chronicle health reporter Erin Allday, who has been at the center of the newsroom's coronavirus coverage. Part of the Total SF "Meet a Chronicle Colleag...
ListenThe all happy news episode, with Heather Knight | Total SF in Exile from 2020-03-27T01:00
Hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight podcast together for the first time since the coronavirus crisis forced San Francisco Chronicle reporters to work from home. Hartlaub and Knight share some g...
ListenChronicle photographer Jessica Christian | Total SF in Exile from 2020-03-19T10:30
Chronicle photographer Jessica Christian joins Total SF in Exile to talk about Sunol, her first jobs and covering the coronavirus. She joins host Peter Hartlaub in his new living room studio, greet...
ListenWarriors beat writer Connor Letourneau | Total SF from 2020-03-16T10:30
The first episode of Total SF in Exile - recorded in host Peter Hartlaub's living room in the work from home era — is an interview with San Francisco Chronicle beat writer Connor Letourneau. This "...
ListenThe San Franciscan magazine co-founders Erica Messner and Amanda Legge from 2020-03-06T04:10
The new magazine The San Franciscan put out its second episode, and Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight invited co-founders Erica Messner and Amanda Legge on to discuss their endeavor....
ListenKari Byron interview, with Jenny Buccos from 2020-03-03T00:10
Total SF welcomes co-host Kari Byron, the former "MythBusters" host who talks about San Francisco, her former job at The Chronicle, Muni, bike lanes and (most of all) her new project Crash Test Wor...
ListenHerb Caen tribute, with Gordon Harvey from 2020-02-25T00:00
Gordon Harvey lives in Alabama, but his heart is in San Francisco. The history professor created the Twitter account Herb Caen Daily (@HerbCaenDaily), sharing famous quotes from the legendary Chron...
ListenSF Gay Men's Chorus members Chris Verdugo and Michael Tate from 2020-02-21T11:00
Gay Men's Chorus executive director Chris Verdugo and 18-year member Michael Tate visit the San Francisco Chronicle, to talk about the Chorus' past, present and future with hosts Peter Hartlaub and...
ListenVan Mission, East Cut and other fake SF neighborhoods from 2020-02-15T00:00
After reading Sam Whiting's story about the new so-called "Van Mission" neighborhood, Total SF calls an emergency podcast to determine what is and isn't a real neighborhood in San Francisco. Our te...
ListenVilaska Nguyen on comedy, being a public defender and his SF supervisor run from 2020-02-13T11:30
Vilaska Nguyen is an attorney in the S.F. Public Defender's office and stand-up comedian. He also is announcing his candidacy for District 7 supervisor, to replace Norman Yee. In this Total SF/SF C...
ListenWestern Neighborhoods Project hops in an SF time machine from 2020-02-03T11:00
Western Neighborhoods Project executive director Nicole Meldahl and co-founder David Gallagher join Total SF host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the San Francisco historical organization, its impress...
ListenTom Tolbert on his first years in the Bay Area, Alameda life and Manute Bol from 2020-01-27T11:30
KNBR host Tom Tolbert joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about his first memories of San Francisco, and how a kid who grew up near Long Beach made the Bay Area his home. The former Warriors forward ...
ListenA tribute to "Bullitt," with Heather Knight and Eric Kingsbury from 2020-01-23T11:30
Episode 115 is a tribute to the movie "Bullitt," the Steve McQueen classic with arguably the greatest car chase in history. Host Peter Hartlaub is joined by Chronicle columnist Heather Knight and f...
Listen"Roll Over Easy" radio hosts Chris Bunting and Luke Spray from 2020-01-20T23:30
"Roll Over Easy" is a popular radio show and podcast on the online radio station BFF.fm, where hosts Chris Bunting and Luke Spray spread joy and San Francisco love every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. In th...
ListenThe Big Event podcast becomes Total SF from 2020-01-16T11:30
Peter Hartlaub is joined by Heather Knight to explain The Big Event podcast's transition to Total SF. All the old The Big Event episodes will remain and the general vibe of the podcast won't change...
ListenShea Serrano on his journalism start, favorite SF films and "Movies and Other Things" from 2020-01-13T11:00
Author and journalist Shea Serrano visits the San Francisco Chronicle to give his origin story as a writer, and talk about and his new book "Movies and Other Things." On Serrano's first visit to S....
ListenPaula Poundstone on bike messenging, "M*A*S*H" and her perfect comedy dream from 2020-01-07T11:00
Paula Poundstone returns for her annual end-of-year trip to the San Francisco Chronicle archive. During the recording, right before her New Year's Eve show, Poundstone talks to host Peter Hartlaub ...
ListenWendy Tokuda interview — memories of KPIX, Dave McElhatton and more from 2019-12-05T11:30
Former KPIX and KRON anchor Wendy Tokuda visits the San Francisco Chronicle archive studio, to talk about her former co-anchor Dave McElhatton, work with at-risk students, her family's history in J...
ListenThe greatness of "Sister Act," and a case for "Sister Act 2" from 2019-12-03T11:30
With the third #TotalSF movie night approaching fast on Dec. 5, the Chronicle's Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight welcome "Sister Act" superfan and Sisteractivist Sarah Katz-Hyman, who runs the @Si...
ListenByron Cobb interview — SF Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest champion from 2019-11-26T05:15
A crossover The Big Event and City Insider episode, where hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight interview Byron Cobb, the reigning Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest champion and eight-time winner. P...
ListenIntroducing ... your new 49 Mile Scenic Route from 2019-11-15T00:00
Announcing the finish of the #TotalSF reboot of the 49 Mile Scenic Drive, the 81-year-old route with the seagull signs that needed an update. Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub talk about what they ...
ListenPacifica Taco Bell tribute, with Paolo Lucchesi from 2019-11-11T17:51:11
Episode 103 of The Big Event is a tribute to the Pacifica Taco Bell, and a talk about fast food with (at the time of the recording) Food Editor Paolo Lucchesi. Host Peter Hartlaub and Lucchesi talk...
ListenJoey Avery and Andrew Orolfo interview — rising comedians release Pier 69 album from 2019-11-06T11:30
Joey Avery and Andrew Orolfo are rising comics in the Bay Area comedy scene, who have been considering a move to Los Angeles. They joined two friends, Mark Smalls and Dauood Naimyar, and recorded a...
ListenScott Sampson interview — new Cal Academy director is Dr. Scott on "Dinosaur Train" from 2019-10-23T10:30
Episode 100 of The Big Event is an interview with Scott Sampson — new executive director of the California Academy of Sciences and "Dr. Scott" on the PBS children's show "Dinosaur Train." Host Pete...
ListenMarc Benioff interview — on values, S.F. and his trailblazing grandfather Marvin Lewis from 2019-10-15T10:01
Episode 99 is an interview with Salesforce co-founder and CEO Marc Benioff, who has a new book "Trailblazer," and writes about his foundational relationship with his grandfather, former San Francis...
Listen49 Mile Makeover IV: Overrated Twin Peaks, with Heather Knight from 2019-10-09T10:30
Episode 98 of The Big Event is the fourth 49 Mile Makeover podcast, where host Peter Hartlaub and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight report a big breakthrough on their new 49 Mile Scenic Route....
ListenLeslie Sbrocco interview — The Big Event flashback from 2019-10-03T10:30
In this flashback episode from 2018, "Check, Please! Bay Area" host Leslie Sbrocco joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the show's origins, why they ply guests with wine before a show, her spark...
ListenBest and worst Warriors jerseys all time, with Ann Killion and Tony Bravo from 2019-09-30T10:30
Episode 97 of The Big Event is a tribute to Golden State Warriors jerseys. With the team announcing new jerseys for Chase Center, host Peter Hartlaub is joined by The Chronicle's Tony Bravo and Ann...
ListenTotal SF: Warriors president Rick Welts interview, with Heather Knight from 2019-09-24T03:50
Warriors president Rick Welts joins the San Francisco Chronicle's #TotalSF team Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight for a The Big Event/SF City Insider podcast crossover. Welts makes the case to add ...
ListenKFOG radio tribute, with Peter Finch, Renee Richardson and Irish Greg McQuaid from 2019-09-17T10:00
Episode 95 of The Big Event is a tribute to KFOG, with three classic KFOG veterans: longtime morning show newsman Peter Finch, DJ Renee Richardson and producer Irish Greg McQuaid. After talking abo...
ListenMarine World Africa U.S.A. tribute — The Big Event flashback with Jill Tucker from 2019-09-12T10:30
In this The Big Event flashback, Chronicle education reporter Jill Tucker joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about covering the 2017 Wine Country Fires, and then pay tribute to the 1970s/1980s amuse...
Listen49-Mile Makeover III: What should stay and go on the new scenic route? from 2019-09-07T10:00
Episode 94 of The Big Event is a hard look at the 49-Mile Scenic Drive - and what should stay and go for the new #TotalSF 49-Mile Scenic Route. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight and ...
Listen49-Mile Makeover II: Heather&Peter argue, meet some new friends from 2019-09-02T07:30
Episode 93 of The Big Event is a both-feet-first jump into the 49-Mile Makeover. #TotalSF founders Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight will be covering the existing 49-Mile Scenic Drive route on Sept...
Listen"The Rock" tribute — SF Cinema Greatest of All Time, with Audrey Cooper and Heather Knight from 2019-08-29T10:30
Episode 92 of The Big Event is a tribute to "The Rock," the 1996 movie starring Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery. Host Peter Hartlaub, Chronicle columnist Heather Knight and editor-in-chief Audrey Coo...
ListenJohn Travolta interview — on fandom, history and "The Fanatic" from 2019-08-26T10:30
Episode 91 of The Big Event is a John Travolta visit to The Chronicle. The actor goes through his archive photo file, talks about fandom and his new film “The Fanatic,” a drama/horror movie is abou...
ListenChuck Prophet interview — on music, SF and saluting The Rubinoos from 2019-08-21T10:30
Episode 90 of The Big Event is a The Bands We Follow episode, with Chuck Prophet saluting a band he's been following since childhood — The Rubinoos. With host Peter Hartlaub and Chronicle pop music...
ListenRenel Brooks-Moon interview — SF Giants public address announcer from 2019-08-13T10:30
Episode 89 of The Big Event is an interview with Renel Brooks-Moon, longtime Bay Area radio personality, and public address announcer for the San Francisco Giants since 1999. Brooks-Moon visits the...
Listen49-Mile Makeover Part I: Scenic drive needs a reboot from 2019-08-09T10:30
Episode 88 of The Big Event is an introduction to the 49-Mile Scenic Drive makeover, where host Peter Hartlaub and Chronicle columnist Heather Knight begin the process of looking at the 80-year-old...
ListenDwight Clark tribute, with Brian Murphy, Matt Maiocco and Brad Mangin from 2019-08-05T10:00
Episode 87 of The Big Event is a tribute to Dwight Clark, the San Francisco 49ers great who died in 2018 after a battle with ALS. With the book "Letters to 87" coming out on Aug. 7, 2019, host Pete...
ListenEar Hustle co-hosts Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor from 2019-08-01T10:00
Episode 85 of The Big Event is an interview with Ear Hustle co-hosts Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods, who created one of the biggest hits of the current podcast boom, bringing visitors inside San Que...
ListenSony Metreon 1999 tribute, with John King and Paolo Lucchesi from 2019-07-25T10:00
Episode 84 of The Big Event is a tribute to the Sony Metreon, the 1999 mall that was supposed to redefine the urban entertainment experience, but failed within a few years. Host Peter Hartlaub is j...
ListenWill Durst interview — on San Francisco, and his new Chronicle column from 2019-07-22T10:30
Episode 83 of The Big Event is a conversation with Will Durst, who is about to start a new column with the San Francisco Chronicle. Durst, who has been involved in the Bay Area comedy scene since t...
ListenApollo 11 moon landing tribute with David Perlman from 2019-07-15T10:30
Episode 82 of The Big Event is an interview with David Perlman, who covered the Apollo 11 moon landing for the San Francisco Chronicle on July 20, 1969. Science writer Perlman, 100, who retired fro...
ListenGolden Gate Park roller skating tribute, with David Miles Jr. from 2019-07-11T10:30
Episode 81 of The Big Event is a history of the Skate Patrol and Golden Gate Park roller skating tribute with David Miles Jr., the park's "Sk8father" who has been made roller skating in San Francis...
ListenDan the Automator interview — on living in S.F. and "Always Be My Maybe" from 2019-07-08T10:30
Episode 80 of The Big Event is an interview with Dan "the Automator" Nakamura, the San Francisco native who has made unexpected and memorable music with Handsome Boy Mordeling School, the Gorillaz ...
ListenAdam Savage interview — The Big Event flashback from 2019-07-04T10:30
In Episode 79 of The Big Event is a flashback episode to November 2018. TV star and maker Adam Savage joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about living in San Francisco, his past working in local thea...
ListenJerry Rice interview — The Big Event flashback from 2019-06-26T10:30
This bonus flashback The Big Event episode is a 2018 interview with 49ers great Jerry Rice, who appears in the documentary "In Search of Greatness," now available for download on iTunes and Amazon....
ListenJonas Rivera interview — "Toy Story 4" producer and Oakland A's superfan from 2019-06-17T07:30
Episode 77 of The Big Event is an interview with Jonas Rivera, producer of Pixar's "Toy Story 4," which is out on June 21. Rivera started working as a Pixar intern before the original "Toy Story" c...
ListenOracle Arena tribute, with Ann Killion and Demian Bulwa from 2019-06-12T10:30
Episode 76 of The Big Event is a tribute to Oracle Arena, home of the Golden State Warriors for most of the last half century, and premiere Bay Area concert venue. Host Peter Hartlaub is joined by ...
ListenJoe Talbot and Jimmie Fails interview — "The Last Black Man in San Francisco" from 2019-06-04T10:30
“The Last Black Man in San Francisco” director Joe Talbot and star Jimmie Fails come to The Big Event archive studio to talk about the scrappy road to making the indie movie that the longtime frien...
ListenTaron Egerton interview — "Rocketman" star talks about Elton John and visiting S.F. from 2019-06-02T10:30
Episode 73 of The Big Event is an interview with Taron Egerton, who plays Elton John in the new biopic "Rocketman." Host Peter Hartlaub talks asks Egerton about his friendship with Elton John, his ...
ListenTotal SF Live! with Amanda Guest, Emily Silverman, Tara Ramroop and Eugenia Chien from 2019-05-28T07:30
A crossover episode of The Big Event and San Francisco City Insider podcasts, recorded live on May 16, 2019, at the Betabrand Podcast Theater in the Mission District. San Francisco Chronicle pop cu...
ListenPenelope Houston interview — the Avengers singer, on performing and punk rock history from 2019-05-20T11:00
Episode 72 of The Big Event is an interview with Penelope Houston, lead singer of the legendary 1970s punk band the Avengers. Houston joins host Peter Hartlaub and Chronicle music critic Aidin Vazi...
Listen"The Game" tribute — SF Cinema Greatest of all Time, with Beth Spotswood from 2019-05-14T10:30
Episode 70 of The Big Event is a tribute to the 1997 movie "The Game," by David Fincher. Chronicle columnist Beth Spotswood and The Big Event host Peter Hartlaub celebrate the greatness of the movi...
ListenLeah Garchik interview — Chronicle columnist on her 47-year career from 2019-05-01T10:30
Chronicle columnist Leah Garchik announced in her May 1 column that in June, she will leave the newspaper after 47 years. Host Peter Hartlaub and reporter Steve Rubenstein sat down with Garchik to ...
ListenKaseem Bentley interview — San Francisco comedian and his new album "Lakeview" from 2019-04-30T10:30
Kaseem Bentley, the son of a Muni bus driver, moved to Los Angeles a couple years ago. But he came back to record his debut comedy album, "Lakeview," filled with crowd interactions, storytelling an...
ListenArt Spander interview — sports writer has covered Warriors since 1965 from 2019-04-25T10:30
Episode 69 of The Big Event is a conversation with Art Spander, the former San Francisco Chronicle journalist who started covering the Warriors for the newspaper in 1965. Now in his 80s, Spander co...
ListenThe Bands We Follow — The Avett Brothers, with Ann Killion from 2019-04-15T10:30
Episode 68 of The Big Event is The Bands We Follow with San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Ann Killion. Killion talks to host Peter Hartlaub about The Avett Brothers, who she has seen in conc...
ListenTotal SF: Tribute to the Richmond District, with Heather Knight, Supervisor Sandra Fewer and more from 2019-04-09T10:30
Episode 67 of The Big Event is a tribute to the Richmond District. Recorded at the historic Balboa Theatre before their screening of "So I Married an Axe Murderer," host Peter Hartlaub and San Fran...
ListenMichael Pritchard interview — SF comedian rejected Hollywood for social work from 2019-04-01T10:00
Episode 66 of The Big Event is an interview with Michael Pritchard, a Bay Area comedian and social worker. Pritchard was one of the biggest rising stars in the early 1980s, winning the San Francisc...
Listen"So I Married an Axe Murderer" tribute, with Audrey Cooper and Heather Knight from 2019-03-21T11:00
Episode 66 of The Big Event is a tribute to the 1993 San Francisco movie "So I Married an Axe Murderer," which was filled with strife during production and was a box office disaster, but has endure...
ListenTotal SF: Neighborhood theater tribute, with Heather Knight and Adam Bergeron from 2019-03-07T12:00
Episode 65 of The Big Event is a tribute to San Francisco's neighborhood theaters, past and present. Balboa and Vogue theater proprietor Adam Bergeron joins host Peter Hartlaub and San Francisco co...
ListenSoleil Ho interview - new San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic from 2019-02-25T12:00
Episode 64 of The Big Event is an interview with new San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic Soleil Ho. Food editor Paolo Lucchesi and host Peter Hartlaub speak with Ho about her upcoming first r...
ListenTotal SF: Best and Worst Muni Lines, Part 1 from 2019-02-14T12:00
In Episode 62 of The Big Event, Muni thought leader MC Allen and Chronicle San Francisco columnist Heather Knight join host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the best and worst Muni lines in the city. I...
ListenJesse Thorn interview - with Lee Thorn and Kevin Fagan from 2019-02-11T12:00
In Episode 61 of The Big Event, Jesse Thorn, host of NPR's "Bullseye," owner of the Maximum Fun podcasting network and San Francisco native, comes to the archive podcasting studio. We also invited ...
ListenTribute to S.F. Snow Day 1976 - History and Stories with Bill Fox and Bill Van Niekerken from 2019-02-05T08:30
In Episode 60 of The Big Event, ex-SFPD officer, photographer and "Lands End" author Bill Fox joins host Peter Hartlaub snd Chronicle librarian Bill Van Niekerken to talk about Feb. 5, 1976 - the l...
ListenMy First Car - Chronicle Storytelling, with Lizzie Johnson and Susan Slusser from 2019-01-28T12:00
In Episode 59 of The Big Event, Chronicle fire reporter Lizzie Johnson and Oakland A's beat reporter Susan Slusser join host Peter Hartlaub to talk about their first cars. After a beginning segment...
ListenTotal SF: The Total Muni Baby Interview from 2019-01-21T12:00
In Episode 58 of The Big Event - and our fifth Total Muni episode - Chronicle reader Connor Skelly (and his infant son Finn!) talks about his Total Muni project - riding every Muni line with a baby...
ListenDavid Perlman interview - Happy 100th Birthday Dr. Dave from 2019-01-16T12:00
In Episode 57 of The Big Event, Chronicle science writer emeritus talks about his incredible San Francisco Chronicle career, which began in 1940 and ended with his retirement in 2017 at age 98. Per...
ListenBurrito Stories, Part II, with Burrito Justice and Heather Knight from 2019-01-10T12:00
In Episode 56 of The Big Event, San Francisco burrito expert and historian Burrito Justice join San Francisco columnist Heather Knight and host Peter Hartlaub, to talk about first burritos, best bu...
ListenPaula Poundstone interview - Paula returns to The Big Event! from 2018-12-26T12:00
In Episode 54 of The Big Event, Paula Poundstone is our first returning celebrity guest - coming to The Big Event archive studio in advance of her New Year's Eve show at the Nourse Auditorium. Poun...
ListenAdam Savage interview - "Mythbusters Jr." and living in S.F. from 2018-12-19T12:00
In Episode 53 of The Big Event, TV star and maker Adam Savage joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about living in San Francisco, his past working in local theater and special effects, and his new Sci...
Listen"The Princess Diaries" - SF Cinema GOAT with Kevin Fagan and Tony Bravo from 2018-12-13T12:00
In Episode 52 of The Big Event, host Peter Hartlaub is joined by San Francisco Chronicle reporter Kevin Fagan and Style reporter Tony Bravo to pay tribute to "The Princess Diaries." The 2001 film, ...
ListenBarry Jenkins interview - "If Beale Street Could Talk" from 2018-12-10T12:00
In Episode 51 of The Big Event, "Moonlight" and "If Beale Street Could Talk" director Barry Jenkins comes to the San Francisco Chronicle to speak with host Peter Hartlaub about his new movie - and ...
ListenLeslie Sbrocco interview - "Check, Please! Bay Area" from 2018-11-20T12:00
In Episode 50 of The Big Event, "Check, Please! Bay Area" host Leslie Sbrocco joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the show's origins, why they ply guests with wine before a show, her sparkling ...
ListenTotal SF: Cable car gripman Val Lupiz interview from 2018-11-16T12:00
In Episode 49 of The Big Event, host Peter Hartlaub and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight are joined by their cable car friends from Total Muni 2018 - Val Lupiz, Jeremy Whiteman and Frank Zepe...
ListenJerry Rice interview - "In Search of Greatness" from 2018-11-02T11:00
Episode 48 of The Big Event is an interview with San Francisco 49ers great Jerry Rice, who appears in the new documentary "In Search of Greatness." The wide receiver talks to host Peter Hartlaub ab...
ListenBurrito Stories: An afternoon of S.F. burrito history and storytelling from 2018-10-31T11:01
Episode 47 of The Big Event is a discussion of burritos in San Francisco, including the history of the Mission-style burrito, discussions about Chipotle and the Pacifica Taco Bell - the most beauti...
ListenRami Malek interview: "Bohemian Rhapsody" with Malek, Joseph Mazzello and Gwilym Lee from 2018-10-24T11:01
Episode 46 of The Big Event features "Bohemian Rhapsody" stars Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello and Gwilym Lee drop by The Big Event archive studio to talk about what it was like to play Freddie Mercury...
ListenTotal SF: Night of the Living Deadline Halloween Challenge from 2018-10-03T11:00
On the latest episode of "The Big Event," host Peter Hartlaub is joined by Tony Bravo, Heather Knight and Jill Tucker to talk about their best and worst Halloween costumes over the years - and disc...
Listen“Inside Out” – SF Cinema GOAT with Audrey Cooper and Heather Knight from 2018-09-28T10:30
Episode 43 of The Big Event podcast inducts “Inside Out” in the SF Cinema Greatest of All Time. Host Peter Hartlaub is joined by Chronicle editor-in-chief Audrey Cooper and columnist Heather Knight...
ListenTotal SF: Tourist traps we like, Part II from 2018-09-20T11:00
Episode 42 of The Big Event celebrates the best tourist traps in San Francisco, with reader feedback from our first episode, and a brutal rundown of our journey to Hard Rock Café at Pier 39 after t...
ListenJan Yanehiro and Richard Hart interview – “Evening Magazine” tribute from 2018-09-17T11:05
Episode 41 of The Big Event podcast is a tribute to the original “Evening Magazine,” the innovative TV newsmagazine that began in 1976 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hosts Jan Yanehiro (1976 to 199...
ListenNot dead yet ... The Big Event is back! from 2018-09-13T08:00
In a bonus episode of The Big Event, host Peter Hartlaub is happy to announce the podcast is back after our Apple Podcasts near-death experience, and ready to finish September strong. Heather Knigh...
Listen“The Joy Luck Club” tribute with Vanessa Hua from 2018-08-30T08:00
"A River of Stars" author Vanessa Hua joins host Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to induct "The Joy Luck Club" in the SF Cinema Greatest of All Time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...
ListenThe Bands We Follow – The Jam and Y&T, with Susan Slusser from 2018-08-23T08:00
Susan Slusser joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the bands they follow, including Paul Weller/The Jam and hard rock band Y&T. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
ListenTotal SF: Tourist traps we like, with Heather Knight and Paolo Lucchesi from 2018-08-16T08:00
San Francisco columnist Heather Knight and food editor Paolo Lucchesi join host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the S.F. tourist traps they tolerate and even like. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
ListenGreg Proops interview – The Big Event flashback from 2018-07-26T08:00
Comedian Greg Proops joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk San Francisco comedy and Bay Area nostalgia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Listen“Sister Act” – SF Cinema GOAT with Tony Bravo and Beth Spotswood from 2018-07-19T08:00
Tony Bravo and Beth Spotswood join host Peter Hartlaub to induct "Sister Act" into the SF Cinema Greatest of All Time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
ListenDaveed Diggs and Rafael Casal interview from 2018-07-13T08:00
"Blindspotting" co-writers and stars Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal join host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the new film set in Oakland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
ListenBay Area drive-in tribute with Tony Bravo and Jill Tucker from 2018-07-05T08:00
Chronicle style reporter Tony Bravo and education reporter Jill Tucker join host Peter Hartlaub to pay tribute to drive-in movie culture in the Bay Area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...
ListenBoots Riley interview, with Lakeith Stanfield from 2018-06-28T08:00
"Sorry to Bother You" writer/director Boots Riley and actor Lakeith Stanfield join host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the new film set in Oakland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...
Listen"Milk" - SF Cinema GOAT with Audrey Cooper and Heather Knight from 2018-06-21T08:00
Chronicle editor-in-chief Audrey Cooper and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight join host Peter Hartlaub to induct "Milk" into the SF Cinema Greatest of All Time. Learn more about your ad choice...
ListenJello Biafra interview from 2018-06-13T08:00
Former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra joins host Peter Hartlaub and sports editor Al Saracevic to talk about his politics, sports, San Francisco and his upcoming 60th birthday. Learn more abou...
ListenWill Durst interview from 2018-05-24T08:00
San Francisco comedians Will Durst and Debi Durst join host Peter Hartlaub and Chronicle columnist Heather Knight to talk comedy history, and why they still love San Francisco. Learn more about yo...
ListenAlden Ehrenreich interview from 2018-05-04T08:00
"Solo: A Star Wars Story" actor Alden Ehrenreich joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about his role in the new movie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
ListenTotal Muni 2018, Part IV: Requiem for a Felton from 2018-05-03T08:00
Chronicle columnist Heather Knight joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about Total Muni 2018, their successful attempt to ride every Muni line in one day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...
ListenTotal Muni 2018, Part III: "It's a Better Story if You Fail Miserably" from 2018-04-27T08:00
Chronicle columnist Heather Knight and photographer Jessica Christian join host Peter Hartlaub to talk about their attempt to ride every Muni line in one day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...
ListenHenry Winkler interview from 2018-04-15T08:00
Actor Henry Winkler joins host Peter Hartlaub at The Big Event podcast studio to talk about his new show "Barry" on HBO, and take a trip down memory lane as well. Learn more about your ad choices. ...
ListenTotal Muni 2018, Part II: No turning back, and Lou Seal is coming from 2018-04-13T08:00
Chronicle columnist Heather Knight joins host Peter Hartlaub in The Big Event podcast studio to talk about their upcoming attempt to ride every Muni line in one day. A date has been set for April 3...
ListenSF Giants Opening Day in 1958 from 2018-04-03T08:00
Chronicle librarian Bill Van Niekerken joins host Peter Hartlaub at The Big Event podcast studio to talk about the 1958 Opening Day for the San Francisco Giants, and answer reader questions about t...
ListenMarine World tribute with Jill Tucker from 2018-03-08T09:00
Chronicle education reporter Jill Tucker joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about covering the 2017 Wine Country Fires, and then pay tribute to the 1970s/1980s amusement park Marine World Africa U.S...
ListenJordan Peele interview from 2018-02-26T09:00
"Get Out" writer/director Jordan Peele joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the success of that movie, and his favorite San Francisco-based thrillers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...
ListenLarry Baer interview; Total Muni 2018, Part I from 2018-02-23T09:00
San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer and Chronicle columnist Heather Knight join host Peter Hartlaub in The Big Event podcast studio, in the San Francisco Chronicle's basement archive. Learn more ab...
Listen"The Birds" - SF Cinema Greatest of All Time from 2018-02-19T09:00
San Francisco Chronicle style reporter Tony Bravo and Chronicle columnist/Alta Journaldigital editor Beth Spotswood join host Peter Hartlaub in The Big Event podcast studio, in the San Francisco Ch...
ListenPhotographing Warriors with Scott Strazzante and Carlos Avila Gonzalez from 2018-02-08T09:00
San Francisco Chronicle photographers Scott Strazzante and Carlos Avila Gonzalez join host Peter Hartlaub at The Big Event podcast studio in the Chronicle's basement archive, to talk about what it'...
ListenMo Willems interview from 2018-01-30T09:00
Children's book author Mo Willems joins host Peter Hartlaub at The Big Event podcast studio, in the San Francisco Chronicle's basement archive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...
Listen“Mrs. Doubtfire” - SF Cinema Greatest of All Time from 2018-01-25T09:00
San Francisco Chronicle style reporter Tony Bravo and columnist Beth Spotswood join host Peter Hartlaub at The Big Event podcast studio, in the San Francisco Chronicle's basement archive. Learn mor...
ListenW. Kamau Bell interview from 2018-01-11T09:00
Comedian W. Kamau Bell of "United Shades of America" joins host Peter Hartlaub at The Big Event podcast studio, in the San Francisco Chronicle's basement archive. Learn more about your ad choices. ...
ListenPaula Poundstone interview from 2018-01-04T09:00
Comedian Paula Poundstone joins host Peter Hartlaub at The Big Event podcast studio, in the San Francisco Chronicle basement archive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
ListenBest hangover destinations of the Bay Area from 2017-11-30T07:00
Our experts discuss what makes a good restaurant for hangover food, and where you should go in the Bay Area when you're hung over - or coming down after a hard night of drinking. Learn more about y...
Listen“Moneyball” - SF Cinema Greatest of All Time from 2017-11-29T05:43:02
The Big Event inducts "Moneyball" into the SF Cinema Greatest of All Time. San Francisco Chronicle A's beat writer Susan Slusser visits and talks about her experiences covering the team during the ...
ListenA Bay Area story: The hardware store and the fire from 2017-11-29T00:36:42
Families lost nearly everything in the North Bay fires, but at a hardware store in Santa Rosa, remaining open despite a lack of power, gratitude and empathy prevail. Learn more about your ad choice...
ListenChronicle ranks the It’s Its from 2017-11-28T23:32:27
We rank the It's It ice cream sandwiches from best to worst, and talk about the legacy of the old school Bay Area company - which has added pumpkin spice and green tea flavors. Learn more about you...
ListenGreg Proops interview from 2017-11-28T23:12:16
Comedian Greg Proops joins host Peter Hartlaub at The Big Event podcast studio, in the San Francisco Chronicle's basement archive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Listen"Zodiac" - SF Cinema Greatest of All Time from 2017-11-17T22:12:48
The Big Event inducts David Fincher's 2007 movie "Zodiac" into the podcast's SF Cinema greatest of all time hall of fame. San Francisco Chronicle pop culture critic Peter Hartlaub is joined by Chro...
Listen"Zodiac" - SF Cinema Greatest of All Time from 2017-11-17T22:12:48
The Big Event inducts David Fincher's 2007 movie "Zodiac" into the podcast's SF Cinema greatest of all time hall of fame. San Francisco Chronicle pop culture critic Peter Hartlaub is joined by Chro...
Listen"Zodiac" - SF Cinema Greatest of All Time from 2017-11-17T22:12:48
The Big Event inducts David Fincher's 2007 movie "Zodiac" into the podcast's SF Cinema greatest of all time hall of fame. San Francisco Chronicle pop culture critic Peter Hartlaub is joined by Chro...
Listen