
San Diego Tonight with Joe Vecchio
San Diego Tonight, hosted by Joe Vecchio in 2017, featured lively conversations with newsmakers, community leaders and interesting people from across San Diego and beyond. Guests brought their expertise, experiences and perspectives to discussions about the issues and stories affecting the region.
Explore this collection of 39 podcast episodes from 2017, covering local politics and public policy, business, arts and culture, social issues and community life. The archive features conversations with elected officials, civic leaders, authors, experts and other notable voices, creating a fascinating snapshot of San Diego and the topics people were talking about in 2017.
June 2, 2017
Bill Press, Denny Tedesco, Eric Gomez with Canopy SD and Bree Walker
This program features a wide-ranging mix of politics, entertainment, business and media, with conversations featuring nationally known political commentator Bill Press; Denny Tedesco, director of the acclaimed pop music documentary The Wrecking Crew; Eric Gomez, CEO of cannabis incubator SD Canopy; and former television news anchor and reporter Bree Walker.
June 1, 2017
Justin Brooks, Jeff Marston, Fritzi Gros-Daillon
This program features conversations with Justin Brooks of the California Innocence Project on the fight to overturn wrongful convictions; Jeff Marston of the Independent Voter Project on elections, political reform and independent voters; and Fritzi Gros-Daillon of Household Guardians on helping older adults live safely and independently in their homes.
May 31, 2017
Laurie Black, Mary Ball, Rachel Peniche, Dr. David Taylor
This program focuses on mental health and community resources, with Community Co-Host Laurie Black joined by Mary Ball, President and CEO of Alzheimer’s San Diego, as well as Rachel Peniche, Executive Director, and Dr. David Taylor, Program Director, of the Vista Hill Foundation.
May 30, 2017
Julie Potiker, Landon Donavan, and Charlene Seidle
Community Co-Host Julie Potiker joins the program for conversations with Landon Donovan, U.S. soccer’s all-time leading scorer, and Charlene Seidle, Executive Vice President of the Leichtag Foundation, discussing sports, community and philanthropy.
May 26, 2017
George Varga, JW August, Jessica Johnson, Jose Sinatra
This program features veteran San Diego Union-Tribune pop music critic George Varga, veteran television news producer and investigative journalist J.W. August, and Jessica Johnson of Hidden San Diego. Plus, legendary entertainer Jose Sinatra phones in during the Varga interview for some unexpected laughs.
May 25, 2017
Fred Price, Donna Frye, Kathi Diamant
This program examines San Diego’s controversial Soccer City proposal, with SDSU alumnus Fred Pierce raising concerns about the proposal’s process, provisions and potential pitfalls. Former City Councilmember Donna Frye joins by phone to offer her criticism of the plan and discuss private meetings between the mayor and a developer. Also joining the program is television personality, actress and author Kathi Diamant.
May 24, 2017
Julie Potiker, Michael Rosenberg, Steve McCormick, Jordan Peimer, Blanca Bergman, Cara Potiker
This two-hour program is dedicated to the San Diego arts community, with Joe Vecchio and Community Co-Producer Julie Potiker joined by Michael Rosenberg and Steve McCormick of La Jolla Playhouse, Jordan Peimer of ArtPower at UC San Diego, and Blanca Bergman and Cara Potiker of Art Unites.
May 23, 2017
Laurie Black, Omar Passions, Laura Kohn, Howard Blackson, Nicole Capretz
Community Co-Producer Laurie Black is joined by County Supervisor candidate Omar Passons, education advocate Laura Kohn, urban planner and designer Howard Blackson, and climate action expert Nicole Capretz for conversations about local government, education, urban planning and San Diego’s future.
May 22, 2017
Joeffry Gordon, Bill Lanuette
This program features Dr. Jeoffry Gordon, a leading advocate for single-payer healthcare, and noted journalist, author and policy analyst Dr. Bill Lanouette, discussing nuclear power and energy policy.
May 19, 2017
Peggy Pico, Walter Murray, and Harry Ryan
This program features veteran television reporter and anchor Peggy Pico, now Development Director at the Community Resource Center in Encinitas, along with San Diego actor Walter Murray and Harry Ryan of Ryan Brothers Coffee, for conversations about community, the arts and local business.
May 18, 2017
Ford Winslow, Dr. Joe, Carol Witkin, Lauren Cooper, Jorge Loaiza
This program features Dr. Joe Witkin, founding member of Sha Na Na, and Carol Witkin, along with Lauren Cooper and Jorge Arturo Reyes Loaiza of Del Mar’s Free Flight exotic bird sanctuary. Plus, cybersecurity expert Ford Winslow discusses global hacking threats and practical online safety precautions.
May 17, 2017
Julie Potiker, Christopher Yanov, June Love
Community Co-Producer Julie Potiker is joined by Christopher Yanov, founder and president of Reality Changers, to discuss the organization’s work helping young people prepare for college and future opportunities. Also joining the program is June Love, a Reiki Master Teacher.
May 16, 2017
Laurie Black, Marcela Escobar-Eck, James Brown, Larry Baza
Community Co-Producer Laurie Black is joined by Marcela Escobar-Eck and architect James Brown for a discussion of land use and development in San Diego. Also, Larry Baza, Chair of the City Arts Commission, discusses the future of the arts and the impact of the city budget.
May 15, 2017
Colin Parent, Matthew Schiff
This program features La Mesa City Councilmember Colin Parent for a conversation about local government and community issues, along with Matthew Schiff, Marketing Director of the San Diego History Center, discussing San Diego’s history and the work of preserving and sharing the region’s story.
May 12, 2017
Caitlin Rother, Brooklyn Dippo
This program features best-selling true-crime author and vocalist Caitlin Rother, along with Brooklyn Dippo, editor of the University of San Diego student newspaper, discussing her research into gun-control rhetoric, political polarization and how language shapes the debate over gun legislation.
May 11, 2017
Lorine Wright, Joe Tash
This program takes a look at all things North County, with editor Lorine Wright and journalist Joe Tash discussing local journalism and the stories and issues covered by their weekly community newspapers. John Rippo, editor of The Espresso newspaper, joins the conversation with additional perspective on North County news and community life.
May 10, 2017
Julie Potiker, Dr. Mimi Guaneri, Dr. Diana Weiss-Wisdom, Linda Vazin
Community Co-Producer Julie Potiker presents a program focused on healing and well-being, featuring integrative medicine expert Dr. Mimi Guarneri, psychologist Dr. Diana Weiss-Wisdom, and mind-body wellness practitioner Linda Vazin for conversations about physical, emotional and relationship health.
May 9, 2017
Laurie Black, Greg Daniels, Ron Donoho
Community Co-Producer Laurie Black is joined by Dr. Greg Daniels, a leading cancer researcher at UC San Diego, for a conversation about cancer research and treatment, along with veteran San Diego journalist, writer and editor Ron Donoho discussing local media and journalism.
May 8, 2017
Vince Hall, Ford Winslow
This program features Vince Hall, CEO of Feeding San Diego, discussing hunger relief and food insecurity in the region, along with Ford Winslow, CEO of ICE CyberSecurity, for a conversation about cybersecurity, emerging threats and protecting information in an increasingly connected world.
May 5, 2017
Fred Pierce, The San Diego Chicken
Joe is joined by Fred Pierce, President and CEO of Pierce Education Properties, along with Bill Degischer and Ted Giannoulas, the man behind the legendary San Diego Chicken, for a lively mix of conversation about business, San Diego and one of the city’s most iconic entertainers.
May 4, 2017
Gavin Newsom, Amy Gonyeau, Don Bauder
This program features California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, along with Amy Gonyeau, COO of the Alpha Project, and veteran journalist Don Bauder for conversations spanning California politics, homelessness and community issues, and San Diego news and public affairs.
May 3, 2017
Gabriel Wisdom, Russ Nailz Dr. Richard Levak
Community substitute producer Gabriel Wisdom is joined by San Diego comedy favorite Russ T Nailz and psychologist Dr. Richard Levak for a lively program blending comedy, psychology and conversation.
May 2, 2017
Bonnie Dumanis, Summer Stephan
San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis joins the program with members of the DA’s office for a wide-ranging discussion of public safety and community programs, including Summer Stephan on human trafficking, Oscar Garcia on hate crimes, Harrison Kennedy on collaborative courts, and Jeffery “J.J.” Anderson on the CARE Center.
May 1, 2017
Bill Powers, Aviva Daley, Jose Gonzales
This program features world-class diver and Power Scuba president Bill Powers, along with Aviva Paley and Jose Gonzales of Kitchens for Good, discussing their innovative approach to tackling food waste and unemployment through culinary training and community programs.
April 28, 2017
Jack Dean, Neil Senturia
This program features Jack Dean of PensionTsunami.com discussing the public pension crisis, along with entrepreneur, author and former television writer Neil Senturia, CEO of Blackbird Ventures, for a conversation about entrepreneurship and his support of Defy Ventures, an organization helping incarcerated individuals develop business and entrepreneurial skills.
April 27, 2017
Doug Moore, Vince Bartolotta, Dave Walters
This program spotlights the San Diego Nice Guys, a charitable organization dedicated to giving a “hand up” to San Diegans in need. Community Co-Hosts Doug Moore, Vince Bartolotta Jr. and Dave Walters discuss the organization’s charitable work, community programs and commitment to helping local individuals and families.
April 26, 2017
Gabriel Wisdom, Jeff Prescott, Mike Berger
Veteran San Diego radio personalities Gabriel Wisdom, Jeff Prescott and Mike Berger take a trip down memory lane, sharing stories and memories from their years on the San Diego airwaves, including their time at AM 760 KFMB and the personalities and experiences that shaped local radio.
April 25, 2017
Laurie Black, Rabbi David Singer, Laurie Coskey, Nancy Chase
Community Co-Producer Laurie Black is joined by Rabbi David Singer, Director of UC San Diego Hillel; public policy expert Nancy M. Chase of The Chase Group and Public Policy Partners; and Dr. Laurie Coskey, President and CEO of United Way of San Diego County, for conversations about community, public policy and civic engagement in San Diego.
April 24, 2017
David Feifel, Bobbi Brink
This program features neuropsychiatrist Dr. David Feifel discussing innovative treatments for depression, PTSD and anxiety, along with Bobbi Brink, founder of Lions, Tigers & Bears, on rescuing and providing sanctuary for exotic animals.
April 21, 2017
Todd Elvins, Steven Bhaerman
Engineer and entrepreneur Dr. T. Todd Elvins of Citizens’ Climate Lobby discusses climate policy, the organization’s proposed carbon fee and dividend approach, and bipartisan efforts to address climate change.
April 20, 2017
Todd Carlson, Ron Blair, Debbie Giaquinta
Todd Carlson, Ron Blair and Debbie Giaquinta discuss the San Diego Nice Guys, their decades of charitable work, and the organization’s mission to help local families and individuals get back on their feet.
April 19, 2017
Julie Potiker, Dr. Bret Scher, Amanda Ringnalda
Community Co-Producer Julie Potiker is joined by cardiologist and author Dr. Bret Scher to discuss practical approaches to better health, and wellness expert Amanda Ringnalda on meditation, yoga, Ayurveda and well-being for people and their dogs.
April 18, 2017
Laurie Black, Eric Swalwell, Van Diver, Stephen Skinner
Congressman Eric Swalwell discusses the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Navy veteran Shawn VanDiver addresses national security and foreign policy, while cybersecurity expert Stephen Skinner discusses email security, online fraud and election cybersecurity.
April 17, 2017
Dallin Young, Ab Nevarez
A lively discussion about cannabis legalization with Dallin Young, Executive Director of the Association of Cannabis Professionals, and A.B. Nevarez of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps.
April 13, 2017
Paul Palmer
Former KFMB-AM and B-100 General Manager Paul Palmer shares stories from San Diego radio history, chats with Geni Cavitt and Joe Bauer, and revisits memorable interviews with The Beatles and Phyllis Diller.
April 12, 2017
Julie Potiker, Rabbi Shai Cherry
Joe, John and Jared discuss staying sane with Community Co-Host and mindfulness expert Julie Potiker, followed by Rabbi Shai Cherry on the rise in racial and religious intolerance and his own experience with antisemitism.
April 11, 2017
Laurie Black
Former Port Commissioner and Downtown San Diego Partnership president Laurie Black discusses her life and career, along with the growing homelessness crisis in San Diego.
April 10, 2017
Bill Lerach Hour 2
Renowned securities attorney Bill Lerach discusses his storied legal career, recovering billions for defrauded investors and Holocaust victims, as well as the pension crisis, Social Security, philanthropy and his life beyond the courtroom.
April 9, 2017
Bill Lerach Hour 1
Securities attorney Bill Lerach discusses his landmark career recovering billions for defrauded investors and Holocaust victims, along with the pension crisis, Social Security, philanthropy and his interests beyond the courtroom.


