Unpacked In Santa Cruz
"Unpacked in Santa Cruz" is a homegrown podcast hosted by Michael Howard that dives into the lives, stories, and salty moments of people who call this coastal community home—or have been shaped by it in some way. Whether it's a deep conversation with local surfers opening up about mental health, or a peek behind the curtain of someone who started a one-of-a-kind food spot right here in town, every episode brings something real.
You’ll hear from folks who found healing behind the lens, built businesses from scratch, or chased massive waves thanks to a lifetime spent around our local waters. These aren’t just interviews—they’re conversations that reflect the heart and soul of Santa Cruz. Raw, reflective, and rooted in community, Unpacked in Santa Cruz brings local voices to the surface.
Unpacked In Santa Cruz
Latest Episodes
Episode 85: David McIntosh: What Happens When You Find Yourself In The Images You’ve Held About Life Become Real? We Are All About To Find Out.
Santa Cruz can feel like paradise and a pressure cooker at the same time, and that tension is where this conversation starts. I sit down with David McIntosh to unpack what “change” really looks like on the ground: a working class beach town sha...
Episode 83: Mark Allen: The GOAT Speaks: There Is No Pressure When You’re Being Yourself-But You Might Want To Pick That Jacket Off The Couch and Hang It
Santa Cruz can make a world champion feel like “just another guy in the lineup”. That’s exactly where this conversation starts. I sit down with Mark Allen, the GOAT and six-time Ironman World Champion, and lifelong surfer, to get un...
Episode 84: Hannah Selden: The Creative Crossroads, and Making Art In Santa Cruz Without Selling Your Soul-Why Avocado Toast Speaks To The Economics of Artists
Santa Cruz loves to call itself creative, but what happens when creativity becomes a commodity and everyone feels forced to hustle?I’m sitting down with local artist and designer Hannah Selden to unpack the push and pull of making art i...
Episode 82: James Reitano: Imposter Syndrome Pays Rent In Los Angeles, And What If The Future Depends On Who Lives 100 Feet From You
Santa Cruz can feel like paradise, a trap, and a time capsule all at once and that tension runs through our conversation with graphic designer and storyteller James Reitano. He grew up with Santa Cruz roots, found his way into the high-pressure...
Episode 81:Brian DeDeigo: Santa Cruz, Money, And Meaning: A Santa Cruz Realtor On Community, Wealth, and Growing Up Without Losing Yourself
Santa Cruz can feel like paradise until you look closer and realize how much pressure hides under the flip-flops. We sit down with longtime Santa Cruz realtor Brian Di Diego to talk about what it’s like to build a life in a small town where eve...