The Alameda Connection

Eitan Manhoff is the owner of Oakland’s Cape & Cowl Comics. Host Scott Piehler talks with Eitan about his journey from comics fan, to owning the store that was honored in 2023 with the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, given annually at San Diego Comic-Con to the best comic book shop in the world. Cape and Cowl makes their “Alameda Connection” on August 30th, when their annual Cape...

Kathy Weber is the Executive Director of The Downtown Alameda Business Association Host Scott Piehler talks with Kathy about DABA’s work in attracting new business to the Park Street area, advocating for existing business, and being the driving force behind beloved annual events like the Art & Wine Faire. Kathy also relates the challenges and rewards of starting as the Exec. Dir., just before...

Nick Luby is the Chief of the Alameda Fire  Department. Host Scott Piehler talks with Chief Luby about the 150 year history of AFD, the changing role of the Fire Service, and AFD’s successful, cutting edge C.A.R.E. team, which responds to those experiencing metal health crises. The C.A.R.E. team is providing solutions for those in need, while keeping police and ambulance personnel free to respond...

Patrick Russi is the Recreation Manager for the Alameda Recreation and Park Department. Host Scott Piehler talks with Patrick about the history of California’s 3rd-oldest Parks department, the many offerings of ARPD, Patrick’s lifelong career in Recreation, and just why it’s called “Recreation and Park,” and not “Parks and Recreation.” Show note: This episode originally aired on KCSM-HD2 on Sunday...

Denyse Trepanier is the Board Chair of Bike Walk Alameda. Host Scott Piehler talks with Denyse about BWA’s efforts to make Alameda a safer and more enjoyable place for pedestrians and cyclists. From dedicated bike lanes, to flashing crosswalks, to the Cross Alameda Trail, BWA has advocated for Alameda’s street safety since 1999. Show note: This episode originally aired on KCSM-HD2 on Sunday, May 3...

Karin. K. Jensen is the principal City Reporter for The Alameda Post, and the author of The Strength of Water: An Asian American Coming of Age Memoir. Host Scott Piehler talks with Karin about her journey from dancer to reporter to acclaimed author. Whether covering City Council for the Post, or relating the story of her mother’s journey from a Chinese laundry in Detroit to a life in the Bay Area,...

Abby Thorne Lyman is the Base Reuse & Economic Development Director for the City of Alameda. Host Scott Piehler talks with Abby about her career in public real estate, including managing all properties for the BART System. The conversation centers on the challenges and rewards of overseeing the ongoing conversion of NAS Alameda to Alameda Point, a parcel that many have called “The most desirab...

Nishant Joshi is the Chief of Police for the Alameda Police Department. Host Scott Piehler talks with Chief Joshi about perception vs. reality surrounding crime statistics, how policing has changed in the era of social media, the debate over technology vs. privacy, and how community involvement remains the key to successful law enforcement. Show note: This episode originally aired on KCSM-HD2 on S...

Sky Pace is the co-founder and CEO of Alameda Soda.   Host Scott Piehler talks with Sky about what it takes to start a company focused on the craft of soda, in a landscape dominated by multinational conglomerates. Sky discusses his journey from “Big Soda” to regional niche, and why a properly made soda should take you back to a simpler time.   Show note: This episode originally aired on KCSM-HD2 o...

Melanie Dixon is the President of The College of Alameda Host Scott Piehler talks with Melanie about the role of CoA and her sister colleges in the Peralta Community College District. CoA serves the community by providing an affordable, high-quality education that prepares students for success whether they are headed on to a four year institution, or directly to the workforce. CoA’s aviation and a...

Elissa Glickman is the Executive Director of The West Alameda Business Association. Host Scott Piehler talks with Elissa about WABA’s role in supporting the businesses of Alameda’s West End, notably those that occupy the historic Webster Street district. WABA not only supports existing businesses, they actively look to attract new businesses, and engage the community with events that spotlight all...

Sean Padilla is the creator and host of The Alameda Pulse. Host Scott Piehler talks with Sean about the creation and viral success of The Alameda Pulse, an Instagram-based social media channel dedicated to sharing the best of Alameda. By hosting events like The Alameda Dinner Club, Sean is using his influence not for clicks, but for community, offering Alamedans ways to connect in real life.  Show...

Host Scott Piehler talks with Gene about his time as Alameda’s Poet Laureate, and what led to the creation of The Food Bank Players, a theatrical troupe dedicated to presenting the classics with a modern twist, all while benefitting the Alameda Food Bank.   Show note: This episode originally aired on KCSM-HD2 on Sunday, April 5, 2026   Full show archive for all past episodes: https://www.youtube.c...

Tara Pilbrow is the Executive Director of the West End Arts District. Host Scott Piehler talks with Tara about the importance of arts as a community and economic benefit, the annual favorite “Blues Brews, & BBQ,” and well as this year’s new offering: :Ocean Photgrapher of the Year.”    Show note: This episode originally aired on KCSM-HD2 on Sunday, March 29, 2026   Full show archive for all pa...

Jonathan DeLong is the Co-founder and Executive Director of the REAP Climate Center. Host Scott Piehler talks with Jonathan about regenerative systems, REAP’s mission as a jobs training facility for green careers, and the concept of nature as infrastructure.    Show note: This episode originally aired on KCSM-HD2 on Sunday, March 22, 2026   Full show archive for all past episodes:  https://www.you...

Margaret Fago is the President and Executive Director Board of The Frank Bette Center For The Arts.  Host Scott Piehler talks with Margaret about the history of the center as well as its namesake, plus their two major annual events: Alameda On Camera, and Plein Air Paintout.    Show note: This episode originally aired on KCSM-HD2 on Sunday, March 15, 2026  Full show archive for all past episodes: ...

Liz Warmerdam is the President of the Board of The Alameda Backyard Growers.   Host Scott Piehler talks with Liz about ABG, and the many services offered to Alameda, including the Project Pick Program, which donated over 15,000 pounds of produce from Alameda gardeners in 2025.   Show note: This episode originally aired on KCSM-HD2 on Sunday, March 8, 2026 Full show archive with all past episodes:...

Adam Dove is the owner of Saltbreaker and Saltbreaker at the Yard, located on Alameda Point.  Host Scott Piehler talks with Adam about the creation of a restaurant that caught the attention of the NY Times, the addition of the casual space at The Yard, and how restaurants can serve as anchors in revitalizing communities. Show note: This episode originally aired on KCSM-HD2 on Sunday, March 1, 2026...

Dave Smith is the Head Distiller at St. George Spirits, America’s first craft distillery. Host Scott Piehler talks to Dave about the history of St. George, the craft of distilling with local ingredients, and what it means to tell a story in a glass.  Show note: This episode originally aired on KCSM-HD2 on Sunday, February 22, 2026 Full show archive with all past episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@...

Alisa Rasera and John Brennan have served as co-chairs of the Social Justice Ministry at Christ Episcopal Church, home of the Alameda Warming Shelter Host Scott Piehler talks to Alisa and John about the Shelter, as well as the other programs that are reaching out to help Alameda's unhoused population.  Show note: This episode originally aired on KCSM-HD2 on Sunday, February 15, 2026 Full show...

Reka Saleh is one half of the husband-and-wife team behind nationally recognized Fikscue Barbecue, which was named to the New York Times list of "50 Favorite Restaurants in America." Host Scott Piehler talks with Reka about Fikscue's journey from barbecue novices to being named alongside the greatest pitmasters in the U.S. with their unique Texas/halal/Indonesian BBQ fusion. Show no...

Gia Schneider is the co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Natel Energy, the Alameda company devoted to making hydropower safer for fish.   Host Scott Piehler talks with Gia about this leading-edge technology that not only benefits wildlife, but directly benefits consumers by keeping hydroelectric dams generating, instead of taking them off-line to allow for seasonal fish runs.   Show note: T...

Stan Bunger is a Bay Area Radio Hall Of Fame honoree, the former morning news anchor for KCBS, and the author of "Mornings with Madden."    Host Scott Piehler talks with Stan about his Bay Area upbringing,  broadcasting career, love of Alameda, and what it was like to share the airwaves with the legendary John Madden. Plus, Stan discusses his current project: cataloging and archiving his...

Chef Henry Awayan is the proprietor of Whisk Cake Creations, and the author of "The Ube Baking Book: Decadent and Delicious Recipes with Filipino Purple Yam."  Host Scott Piehler talks with Chef Henry about his journey from Alameda to The Food Network, how a toilet paper cake saved his business, and what it means to be "The Ube King."  Show note: This episode originally aired o...

Liz Taylor is the President of Deep Ocean Exploration & Research, an Alameda company that creates submersibles that explore the deepest reaches of the oceans.  Host Scott Piehler talks with Liz about the science of submersibles, the offerings of the Deep Ocean Explore Dive Shop, and how you can do your part in preserving the lifeblood of Planet Earth.   Show note: This episode originally aired...