Pacific Standard Time

The San Francisco Standard
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Pacific Standard Time is the SF Standard’s weekly news podcast about the people and ideas driving San Francisco's future — and their ripple effects across the country. Hosted by Emily Dreyfuss and Jesse Alejandro Cottrell. New episodes Wednesdays.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Can you afford to have a family in SF?

    San Francisco has the lowest rate of children per capita of any U.S. city — and if you've ever tried to afford childcare here, you know why. This week, host Emily Dreyfuss is joined by SF Standard head of audio Sophie Bearman, who reported on the real cost of raising kids in the city, to talk about why even families earning $400,000 a year feel squeezed. They also make the case for why, despite it all, SF is a pretty magical place to raise a family — plus the debut of a new segment, "Psst," where they share a hidden gem about the city you won't want to miss.

    31 min

  2. 13 MAR

    The median home in SF now costs $2M. Let's talk about that

    This week on the show, hosts Jesse Alejandro Cottrell and Emily Dreyfuss take a look at where the San Francisco housing market stands in 2026 — and who it's actually working for — with SF Standard real estate reporter Emily Landes. Landes explains what's driving SF's latest housing surge: AI workers cashing out before their companies even IPO, rock-bottom inventory, and a median home price that just crossed $2 million. Plus, we explain the "Dirt Alley" saga, and play a quiz game called "What Did It Sell For?!" More reading: ⁠The Wishlist: Buying a home on an educator’s salary required an act of God⁠ ⁠They thought they bought a home. They ended up with ‘Dirt Alley’⁠

    43 min

  3. 6 MAR

    How we investigated alleged sex crimes of an SF social climber

    Army veteran and San Francisco nightlife fixture Michael “Mickey” Gerold led a seemingly charmed life of private clubs and powerful friends. But his ex-girlfriend Emilia London claims that behind closed doors, he arranged for her to have sex with men for money. The earnings, totaling more than $100,000, went completely to fund Gerold’s lifestyle, London said. On this week’s episode of “Pacific Standard Time,” SF Standard reporter Anya Schultz discusses her blockbuster investigation into alleged sex crimes, explains what motivated London to share her allegations publicly, and details how she stumbled across the story at San Francisco Family Court. More reading: Inside the allegations against a San Francisco social climber accused of sex crimes One man’s trail of alleged abuse through SF’s private club scene

    44 min

  4. 27 FEB

    Amjad Masad spoke out for Palestine. Silicon Valley ghosted him

    This week on “Pacific Standard Time,” Replit CEO Amjad Masad tells us about the intense backlash he has faced for being outspokenly pro-Palestine — and Silicon Valley’s “only contrarian.” And Casey Newton of Platformer and the “Hard Fork” podcast drops by to gab about getting engaged and his reaction to Wired’s “gay tech mafia” story. More reading: He was called a ‘terrorist sympathizer.’ Now his AI company is valued at $3B Q&A: What it’s like to have AI coworkers, according to Replit CEO Amjad Masad For more information and episode transcripts, visit ⁠⁠sfstandard.com/pacific-standard-time⁠⁠. Support this podcast from The San Francisco Standard by becoming a member: ⁠www.sfstandard.com/member⁠.

    48 min

  5. 20 FEB

    AI writes the code now + The Castro Theatre’s glow-up

    This week on “Pacific Standard Time," reporter Rya Jetha explains why the tech world is in a frenzy over AI’s capabilities — and why many rank-and-file engineers are facing an unsettling existential crisis. Plus, reporter Astrid Kane takes us inside the Castro Theatre’s high-stakes makeover. Was the controversy worth the result? (Spoiler: It’s glorious.) More reading: AI writes the code now. What’s left for software engineers? The Castro Theatre is officially back: Here’s who graced the grand reopening For more information and episode transcripts, visit ⁠⁠sfstandard.com/pacific-standard-time⁠⁠. Support this podcast from The San Francisco Standard by becoming a member: ⁠www.sfstandard.com/member⁠.

    36 min
  6. The SF teachers strike + governor candidate Matt Mahan

    10 FEB

    The SF teachers strike + governor candidate Matt Mahan

    There’s a new way to catch “Pacific Standard Time” — we’ve added video to our podcast.  We’ll continue to drop new episodes each week, with hosts Emily Dreyfuss and Jesse Alejandro Cottrell covering the latest news affecting San Francisco and the Bay Area. This week on “Pacific Standard Time”: News and business editor Kevin Truong on the teachers strike that has shut down San Francisco public schools. Plus, Emily’s kids drop by the office to explain what they’re doing — and what they’re worrying about — now that schools are closed. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan explains why he entered the California governor’s race and makes the case as to how his experience  has prepared him for the top state office. More reading: Live updates: SFUSD teachers strike coverage San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan enters gridlocked race for California governor For more information and episode transcripts, visit ⁠⁠sfstandard.com/pacific-standard-time⁠⁠. Support this podcast from The San Francisco Standard by becoming a member: ⁠www.sfstandard.com/member⁠.

    46 min
  7. Sleep hacking, peptides, and orgies: How SF is finding joy in 2026

    30 JAN

    Sleep hacking, peptides, and orgies: How SF is finding joy in 2026

    For a lot of people, 2025 was a rough year — and 2026 isn’t proving much better. So amid difficulty and despair, “Pacific Standard Time” hosts Emily Dreyfuss and Jesse Alejandro Cottrell wanted to discover the ways people are embracing joy. At the first live taping of “Pacific Standard Time,” Dreyfuss and Cottrell talked about the big and small ways San Franciscans are finding joy this year. They interviewed The Standard’s Zara Stone about the way techy self-optimizers are tracking and tweaking their way toward joy and Bonobo Network founder William Winters about what the city’s robust orgy community can teach us about building community. Background reading: Silicon Valley is done watching you sleep. Now it’s getting handsy in the bedroom Everyone has a Chinese peptide dealer now The new laboratory for happiness science: A Silicon Valley rave What do you eat at a San Francisco orgy? Caterers describe the spread For more information and episode transcripts, visit ⁠sfstandard.com/pacific-standard-time⁠.Support this podcast from The San Francisco Standard by becoming a member: www.sfstandard.com/member.

    58 min
  8. Chefs can't stomach their menu prices either

    21 JAN

    Chefs can't stomach their menu prices either

    It’s not just you. San Francisco chefs are “mortified” by how much it costs to eat at their restaurants. That’s according to Sara Deseran, an editor-at-large at The Standard who covers food and dining. She talked to chefs and restaurant owners who are trying to price their menus without scaring away customers. This week on “Pacific Standard Time,” Deseran sits down with host Emily Dreyfuss to discuss how chefs feel about their menu prices, what factors are influencing costs, and what diners can do to feel a little better when settling the tab. ‘It’s embarrassing’: SF chefs are mortified by their own menu prices Chicken, red sauce, and influencers gone wild: 10 trends that defined the year in eating

    24 min
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About

Pacific Standard Time is the SF Standard’s weekly news podcast about the people and ideas driving San Francisco's future — and their ripple effects across the country. Hosted by Emily Dreyfuss and Jesse Alejandro Cottrell. New episodes Wednesdays.

Information

  • Creator
    The San Francisco Standard
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit

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