150 episodes

The Muni Diaries podcast is where you'll hear true stories that happened on public transportation in San Francisco and the Bay Area, presented by the editors of MuniDiaries.com. Since our launch in 2008, we've gathered stories from more than 4,000 transit riders. To submit your own story, or read more bus tales, visit MuniDiaries.com.

Muni Diaries Muni Diaries

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 32 Ratings

The Muni Diaries podcast is where you'll hear true stories that happened on public transportation in San Francisco and the Bay Area, presented by the editors of MuniDiaries.com. Since our launch in 2008, we've gathered stories from more than 4,000 transit riders. To submit your own story, or read more bus tales, visit MuniDiaries.com.

    Ep. 151: Katy Birnbaum on the Power of Streets to Divide or Connect Us

    Ep. 151: Katy Birnbaum on the Power of Streets to Divide or Connect Us

    Where most people see a desolate street, Katy Birnbaum sees a celebration and the regeneration of community waiting to happen. But it didn't start out that way. Katy grew up in a car-dependent suburb where the streets isolated her and her family. In this story from our November 2023 live show, Katy shares how moving to San Francisco transformed her relationship to streets, how Muni connected her to the things most important to her, and how she decided to give back.
    Katy is the founder of Into The Streets, a San Francisco-based cultural production studio dedicated to bringing people together in the streets. Katy previously led the open streets department at the nonprofit Livable City, revamping the Sunday Streets SF program and stewarding it for 7 years. For more about Katy’s work check out www.intothestreetssf.com.

    Have a Muni story you'd to share? Email us your pitch at muni.diaries.sf@gmail.com.

    Photo by Emily Huston

    • 16 min
    Ep. 150: Once Upon a Muni Train with Baruch Porras-Hernandez

    Ep. 150: Once Upon a Muni Train with Baruch Porras-Hernandez

    It's not every day you're swept off your feet by a handsome stranger on the subway. But when Baruch Porras-Hernandez rides Muni, anything can happen. We were thrilled to have Baruch back on the Muni Diaries Live stage in November with the story of a fleeting romance from his past, and the unexpected turn it takes.
    Baruch is a writer, performer, and standup comedian who’s done storytelling shows all over California. He’s won the Moth in LA, headlined at About Last Night, is a three-time winner of Best of Bawdy, and won first place at Oakland’s Story Showdown. You can hear more stories from Baruch on the Muni Diaries podcast in Episode 43 and Episode 70.
    Have a Muni story you'd to share? Email us your pitch at muni.diaries.sf@gmail.com.
    Photo by Emily Huston

    • 21 min
    Ep. 149: A Look Ahead to 2024

    Ep. 149: A Look Ahead to 2024

    Happy New Year, Muni Diaries fam! We've got stories from our November live show, exciting in-person podcasting events, and more already queued up for you in 2024. Here's a sneak peek of what's on deck.
    A heartfelt thanks from all of us at Muni Diaries to everyone who shared your Muni stories with us in 2023, sent us your bus photos, tuned in to the podcast, attended our live shows and art market, and helped us celebrate 15 years of Muni Diaries.
    Have a Muni story you'd like us to feature in 2024? Email us your pitch at muni.diaries.sf@gmail.com.

    • 5 min
    Ep. 148: Tanea Lunsford Lynx "Used to Live Here"

    Ep. 148: Tanea Lunsford Lynx "Used to Live Here"

    Tanea Lunsford Lynx, an artist and educator, joined us at Muni Diaries Live in April 2023 to perform her poem, I Used to Live Here, a piece evoking the magic of relatives living a mere Muni ride away, the otherworldly dimension between West Portal and Van Ness stations, and the soothing something about 24-hour Church Street Safeway light. She was one of the San Francisco-born-and-raised artists featured in Muni Raised Me, an exhibit exploring what truly public transit means to those who depend on it—and are ultimately shaped by it.

    You might remember Tanea from Muni Diaries podcast Eps. 140 and 141, when she brought her students to Muni Raised Me to perform original poetry about everyone's favorite school bus. And don't forget to check out Muni Raised Me co-curator Meymey Lee in Ep. 144.

    • 14 min
    Ep. 147: Serious spooky szn scaries at the Legion of Honor

    Ep. 147: Serious spooky szn scaries at the Legion of Honor

    Have you been to the Legion of Honor at night? We haven't. And we definitely won't be going after this story.
    Muni operator and Muni Haiku Battle champion Mc Allen reminds us of what can go bump (and wrong) on a late-night run. Originally shared at Muni Diaries Live in April 2023, it's the perfect accompaniment to the seasonal festivities. 
    Mc will be back at the Muni Diaries Live 15th anniversary show on Nov. 2, 2023, to battle for the title of Muni Haiku champion. Get your tickets today!

    • 22 min
    Ep. 146: A leather jockstrap and a dream—how a Mission barbershop kept on keeping on

    Ep. 146: A leather jockstrap and a dream—how a Mission barbershop kept on keeping on

    Jill Sutherlin didn't set out to become the caretaker of a beloved Mission barbershop, but life is funny that way. Her story takes us and The Refinery Grooming Club through the pandemic, the ups and downs of recovery, and the sacred spaces we cultivate for our communities. Jill performed this story at Muni Diaries Live in April 2023.
    Hear stories like these and more at the Muni Diaries Live 15th anniversary show on Nov. 2, 2023 at Rickshaw Stop. Get your tickets today!
    Photo by Emily Huston.

    • 25 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
32 Ratings

32 Ratings

J.L. Braswell ,

Bravo to Alex Randall!

Great story Alex Randall shared about his love with San Francisco. This is my most favorite episode of this podcast followed by the Mr. Boston episode. Episodes or stories like this that talk about San Francisco and how people love the city like I do for 20 years since 2003 bring a smile to my face! Alex did a great job with his story he shared I think it was back in November at Green Apple Books the episode was recorded, but I really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed it where I had the urge to reach out to Alex on his Instagram and waiting to hear back. No rush. Keep up the great work with this podcast! 5 stars you all deserve it! Thank You!

Sfrose1974 ,

Love the diverse local stories!

Enjoyable mix of new and old stories about the greatest city. As all are ‘linked’ by public transportation, this is a wonderfully diverse podcast.

pilar rebar ,

organic.biz

such great stories! want more!

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