Unpacked In Santa Cruz

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 cl...

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 rou...

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, a...

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...

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...

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...

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 c...

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...

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 t...

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 sadn...

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 culi...

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...

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 to...

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...

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 ca...

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. Despi...

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 lifestyl...

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...

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...

Ever wondered how a child’s summer program could shape a future leader? In this episode, Michael Howard is joined by his son Brennan Howard, who shares his inspiring journey from a young participant in the Capitola Junior Lifeguards to becoming its director at 20, to then becoming a Lifeguard Captain for the first new license given in the US in 30 years. Brennan offers insights into how the progra...

What motivates a lifeguard to return to the sandy shores after years of pursuing a career in clinical counseling? Join us as Caleb Howard shares his incredible journey back to Santa Cruz, where the pull of the ocean waves and the call of family brought him home. With a background in trauma therapy and lifeguarding, Caleb opens up about the complexities of balancing a career in mental health with t...

What would you do if you found yourself at a crossroads, questioning everything you once held dear? Join us for an intimate conversation with Paul Locatelli as he shares his transformative journey, from growing up in the vibrant community of Santa Cruz to overcoming personal challenges like stuttering and learning disabilities. With honest reflections on his time as a youth in Santa Cruz, Paul ope...

How does a pizza shop employee become a successful entrepreneur in the vibrant community of Santa Cruz? Maddy Keith's story is one of love, resilience, and an enduring commitment to her hometown. Join us as we explore Maddy's incredible journey from flipping dough to managing surf shops and ultimately owning her own meat shop. Her tale is intertwined with the joys and challenges of growi...

Lucas Salles-Cuñha, a multifaceted leader in the fitness and swimming community, joins us to share his extraordinary journey across the United States, leading him to the serene shores of Santa Cruz. With roots in Southern California, a sojourn in Florida, and a return to the West Coast, Lucas narrates his transformation from a corporate insurance professional to a local community influencer. As th...