West Side Stories Petaluma

Jack Miller recalls facing a pivotal life decision as a college senior in 1967 - join the alluring hippie culture or pursue medicine. His memorable interview at UCSF leads to deep self-reflection. Chapters: 1. The Allure of the Hippie Movement (00:00 - 01:15) 2. A Flower Child's Invitation (01:15 - 02:38) 3. Staring Down the Future (02:38 - 04:12) 4. Making a Fateful Choice (04:12 - 05:18) 5. The...

Ray Engan recalls a memorable night as a college senior trying to sneak into an upscale bar, ending with a chance encounter, an audacious lie, and an inspiring lesson about chasing dreams. Chapters: Sneaking Into the Safari Bar (00:00 - 01:29) A Fortuitous Catch (01:29 - 02:34) Pulling Off the Ruse (02:34 - 04:43) The Owner's Perspective (04:43 - 05:53) An Unforgettable Lesson (05:53 - 06:49) Show...

Dr. Kirk Pappas recounts a tense encounter with a divisive stranger while on a cab tour in Belfast, leading to an ominous warning from his Irish guide about the parallels between the Troubles and the rising tensions in America. Chapters: A Chance Encounter in Belfast (00:00 - 00:49) Political Provocations in the Cab (00:49 - 02:29) Visiting the Peace Wall (02:29 - 03:25) An Ominous Warning (03:25...

Bobby shares a humorous story from his youth about navigating connections to organized crime while growing up in an Italian American family in New York City. Show Notes: Bobby moved from Hell's Kitchen in NYC to Santa Barbara, CA 27 years ago He went to an all-boys high school in NYC where many kids had mob connections In senior year, a mobster's son asked Bobby to help him cheat on a history exam...

Bonnie shares how a childhood injury led to her studying esoteric philosophies and having an awakening around her soul's sacred contracts. She reflects on how adversity shaped her spiritual journey. Show Notes: - Bonnie's traumatic injury and coma as a child - Her abusive upbringing and family dysfunction - Discovering "sacred contracts" - agreements with the universe around learning - Realizing h...

In this episode, we chat with Bil Lepp, an award-winning storyteller and author, about the art of storytelling. Bill shares his experiences of crafting and telling stories, how he keeps his audience engaged, and what he does when a story is not going well. We also discuss the differences between storytelling and stand-up comedy, the importance of trust between the storyteller and the audience, and...

In this episode, Patty shares her harrowing experience on a whale-watching tour that turned into a nightmare. She tells the story of how the rough seas and choppy waves made everyone on the boat sick, and how the captain's pursuit of the whales only made things worse. She also shares how the experience affected her for years to come. Next Bill tells the story of his first kiss, which ended in disa...

In this episode, Ken Gallegos tells the story of how his common sense saved him from a potentially deadly situation. He shares his experience of dating a Reagan Republican and meeting her gun-toting father. Gallegos recounts the night he narrowly avoided getting shot and how he used common sense to get himself out of a dangerous situation. Chapters: Introduction Meeting Julianne Julianne's Father...

In this episode, Janet shares a personal story of overcoming bureaucracy and fighting for her mother's right to travel. She recounts the challenges she faced when trying to obtain a Real ID for her 91-year-old mother and the absurdity of the situation. From dealing with outdated systems to proving her mother's citizenship, Janet's story highlights the need for common sense in government agencies....

In this episode, we follow the story of a father and son who set out on a kayaking adventure in British Columbia to bridge the growing gap between them. From dodging killer whales to encountering bald eagles, they faced challenges that ultimately helped to melt the ice in their relationship. Chapters: Introduction Growing Apart Planning the Adventure First Day on the Water Wildlife Encounters Stru...

Madelyn Claire shares her hilarious and relatable experience navigating airport common sense. From getting to the airport too early to dealing with TSA, Madeline's mishaps will have you laughing out loud. Tune in to hear her story and learn some valuable airport tips along the way. Chapters Introduction The Problem with Common Sense The Cheese Danish Debacle TSA Troubles The Frozen Bear Head Defea...

In this heartwarming episode, Ray Engan shares the story of how he and his friend Billy attempted to scientifically prove the existence of Santa Claus on a California Christmas Eve. Join us as we relive the magic of the holiday season and learn about the power of belief. Chapters: Introduction Billy's Shoebox The Gravity Machine Scientifically Proving Santa Claus Exists The Low Toe Conclusion Inte...

In this episode, we hear a story about the experience of getting dressed up for prom. Thea Daniels shares her experience taking her sons to Men's Warehouse to pick out their prom outfits. We explore the importance of dressing up and how it can make us feel confident and empowered. Chapters Introduction - Thea Daniels introduces the topic of dressing up for prom The Men's Warehouse Experience - The...

In this episode, we hear a wild story about a group of moms and their kids at a park, a mysterious mound of candy, and a trip to the ER. Tune in to hear Lendri Purcell's hilarious and harrowing tale of motherhood and mayhem. Chapters Introduction The Scene at Oak Hill Park The Discovery "I Only Had Four" The ER Visit Toxicology Reports Lessons Learned Conclusion Interesting Things Mentioned Free R...

In this episode, Christine Feldman shares her teenage adventure with her sister visiting their cousins stationed at Fort Ord in California. What started as an innocent drive turned into a misadventure when they found themselves lost in a restricted area of the base. Listen to this hilarious and heartwarming story of how they stumbled upon an unexpected reunion and the consequences that followed. C...

Join us for a hilarious and heartwarming trip down memory lane with Melanie. She talks about her adventures traveling Europe on a shoestring budget in the 1970s. From hitchhiking with a fake female friend to camping in secret to avoid hostel fees, Melanie shares her wild and unconventional stories from the road. Podcast Episode Chapters Introduction Melanie's Background and Travel Philosophy Hitch...

In this episode, the first story takes a dark turn when the first storyteller reveals that a local priest whom a family trusted turned out to be a pedophile who abused one member of the family. The storyteller shares her experience of confronting the priest and his struggles with the aftermath of the abuse. The second storyteller shares a nostalgic story about his father's job as a milkman in the...

Leslie shares the story of her bid for program chairman in sixth grade, running against the most popular boy in school. With the help of her love for The Sound of Music, she delivers a performance that changes her life. Leslie's story is a reminder that sometimes all it takes is a little courage and creativity to succeed. Chapters Introduction Leslie's Childhood and Dreams of Being Program Chairma...

Patty, a woman who learned the importance of having a goal and not just working hard for the sake of working hard. She discusses the impact that a small phrase from her father had on her life and how it affected her work ethic. Chapters Introduction Patty's Story Impact of a Small Phrase Working Hard Without a Goal The Importance of Relaxing Conclusion Show Notes West Side Stories Petaluma: websit...

In this episode of West Side Stories Petaluma, Eric shares a heartwarming tale about a father and son's love for baseball. The story takes us on a journey from childhood dreams to adult realities, reminding us that sometimes the best things in life come when we least expect them. Chapters Introduction The Moonshot Summer in Sweden Antibiotic Ointment The Big Yellow Bat A Father's Love The Return o...

In this episode of West Side Stories Petaluma, host Dave Pokorney shares the story of Lindry Pius, a woman who found unexpected joy in the face of loss. Lendri shares her experience of losing a baby and her journey to adoption, ultimately leading to the birth of her son Paxton. Chapters Introduction Lindry's Story The Landscape of Grief The Adoption Process Taking a Risk Unexpected Joy Conclusion...

Josephine Smith shares a story about her experience with swinging for the fences in her relationship with her neighbors. She talks about how she had to step outside of her comfort zone to understand where they were coming from and how she was able to find a solution that worked for everyone. Chapters Introduction Josephine's Story Swinging for the Fences Understanding Your Neighbors Finding a Solu...

In this episode, host Dave Pokorney welcomes Bonnie McNamara to share her story of addiction and recovery. Bonnie shares her experience of the three chapters in an alcoholic's career: fun, fun with trouble, and trouble. From the February 23 show Swinging for the Fences. Chapters Starting young The hook Trouble A moment of clarity The road to recovery Show Notes West Side Stories Petaluma Alcoholic...

Welcome to the live show! This week we talk with two incredible storytellers, Jessica Morell and Rick Roberts. Live off the Land - Jessica Morell Two Lives - Rick Roberts The Story Behind the Story episodes are recorded live on the last Wednesday of the month at Brooks Note Winery - https://www.brooksnotewinery.com and Westside Stories Petaluma is on the second Wednesday of every month at the Poll...

Solo Shot - Mary Tilbury from the January, 2023 show Start from Scratch. This podcast episode features the story of Mary, a California girl who moves to New York in search of her dreams. With her art degree from the Academy of Art in San Francisco, Mary joins forces with her boyfriend, a talented musician, to pursue their passions in the city that never sleeps. Mary recounts her journey of startin...