Podcasts

San Diego is known as America’s Finest, but that distinction isn’t defined by city limits. We are a region of people, art and movements redefining our communities and expressions. The Finest is a podcast that highlights the emerging voices and dynamic forces driving change. Through personal stories and critical perspectives, each episode brings forward the artists, advocates and ideas pushing boundaries in the region's cultural landscape and deepening our understanding of why we are America’s Finest.

These are cross-border stories that connect us. Border people often inhabit this in-between place. From KPBS and California Humanities, “Port of Entry” tells personal stories from this place — stories of love, hope, struggle, and survival from border crossers, fronterizxs, and other people whose lives are shaped around the wall. Rooted in San Diego and Tijuana, we are a transborder podcast for transborder people. We live life on la linea. Have you checked out our podcast in Spanish? If so, Take our survey. ¿Hás escuchado nuestro podcast en Español? Participa en nuestra encuesta.

Satisfy your celluloid addiction with the Cinema Junkie podcast, where you can mainline film 24/7. This film and entertainment series is run by KPBS Film Critic Beth Accomando. So if you need a film fix, want to hear what filmmakers have to say about their work, or just want to know what's worth seeing this weekend, then you've come to the right place

From the underground scene to your speakers, KCR College Radio presents Basement Beats. This series highlights local talent featuring live performances and interviews, all recorded and produced by San Diego State University students. Each episode is a deep dive into a unique, reinvented sound straight out of SoCal, bending genres and introducing you to unimaginable music. From folk to hardcore, we’ve got it all! Rediscover the classic genres you fell in love with through the new generation of talent. Enjoy the sounds and get to know the bands! Get up close and personal with these musicians from their early beginnings to the present day. Learn about the inspirations, their creative processes, and what drives them forward in this competitive industry. Basement Beats, in collaboration with KPBS, brings live music straight to you, followed by an intimate Q&A with the musicians. Enjoy these front-row seats as you listen in!

Voices del Valle is a youth-led podcast spotlighting powerful coming-of-age stories from California’s Imperial Valley. Told through the eyes of local teens, each episode dives into real experiences of growing up in a rural, tight-knit, and culturally rich border community. From navigating mental health and multigenerational households to chasing dreams in sports, music, and media, these stories reveal the resilience, creativity, and identity of young people forging their own paths. Whether facing homelessness or finding purpose through podcasting, Voices del Valle captures what it truly means to come of age in el Valle — with honesty, heart, and hometown pride.

Rap Diego: An Audio Documentary uncovers the untold story of a significant music revolution in San Diego. It chronicles the underground rap movement that launched numerous artists into the spotlight and fostered a subculture that ultimately became mainstream and influential worldwide. This narrative unfolds in four acts, narrated by those who experienced it firsthand—producer Parker Edison; editor Chris Reyes; and cultural attaché J. Smith. Audiences will have the opportunity to hear early music and performances that have rarely, if ever, been heard by the public.

What comes to mind when you think of American culture? The Parker Edison Project works to expand the cliché answer to that question. It's a podcast that zooms way in on what really makes a culture — food, music, style, sex, fashion and more. Join host and co-creator Parker Edison for insightful conversations about creativity and community, all through the lens of Black America. This is the Parker Edison Project, a sonic exploration of culture as a lifestyle, where each episode starts with a thought-provoking talk and ends with a musical bang.