Talking NorCal
Talking NorCal
Active NorCal
The Talking NorCal Podcast is the official podcast of Active NorCal. Hosts Zach and Brien O'Brien will take you through the stories of the week in Northern California as well as insightful interviews with the leading outdoor enthusiasts and tell stories of their adventures in NorCal.
40th Anniversary of the Alpine Meadows Avalanche w/Jared Drake, Steven Siig & Chip O'Brien
On this episode of Talking NorCal, we dive deep into the deadly avalanche of March 31, 1982 at Alpine Meadows that killed 7 people. Zach is joined by filmmakers Jared Drake and Steven Siig to discuss their new documentary 'Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche' where they talk about the event, creating the award-winning film and debuting it to the community who was impacted by the tragedy (7:40). Then, Zach is joined by Chip O'Brien for a literary review of 'Wall of White,' the 2009 book by Jennifer Woodlief going in-depth into the tragedy and telling the human stories behind the avalanche (28:27).
Mar 31, 2022
1 hr 15 min
Goodbye Bob, Historic DEEPcember & Top Active NorCal Stories of 2021
On this episode of the Talking NorCal podcast, Zach and Bob discuss the incredible numbers behind the DEEPcember snowstorms in Northern California (1:53). Then, we break down the Top 10 Active NorCal Stories from 2021 (25:23). Finally, we say goodbye to Bob as the producer and co-host of Talking NorCal (57:35).
Jan 1, 2022
1 hr 13 min
Historic Snowfall, NorCal Christmas Wishes & the Story of Tahoe Blue Vodka w/Matt Levitt
On this edition of Talking NorCal, Zach and Bob break down the numbers from the most recent storm and outline the historic precipitation so far in Northern California (1:35). Then, they get into the news of the week including the father and son arrested for starting the Caldor Fire, the brand-new documentary telling the story of the deadly 1982 avalanche at Alpine Meadows, and the final update from investigators on the mysterious death of the family hiking in California (11:14). Then, they sit down with Matt Levitt to learn the story about Tahoe Blue Vodka and their commitment to philanthropy in the Tahoe Basin (35:39). Finally, Zach and Bob talk about their local Christmas wish list this year (1:04:30).
Dec 16, 2021
1 hr 14 min
Controversial Cannabis Tax, Scary Bear Attack & Cleaning Up Lake Tahoe w/Colin West | Talking NorCal
On this episode of Talking Zach and Bob break down the news of the week including California DWR announcing their water allocations in anticipation of extreme drought, the trailblazing gray wolf found dead in California, the details of a woman's near-deadly bear attack in Tahoe, the NorCal Christmas tree at the U.S. Capitol and cannabis farmers rallying against increasing state taxes (6:07). Then, they sit down with the Founder and Executive Director of Clean Up the Lake Colin West, who discusses removing 18,000 pounds of garbage from Lake Tahoe and stories from underwater on Big Blue (40:22). Finally, Zach and Bob discuss their recent experience at the Sacramento Kings game (1:12:15).
Dec 5, 2021
1 hr 21 min
Giant Sequoias Decimated, NorCal Breweries Win Big and Photographing the Lassen Pack w/ Randy Robbins
On this episode of Talking NorCal, Zach and Bob break down the news of the week including 20 percent of the world's giant sequoias burned in NorCal fires, a college teacher charged with starting fires around the Dixie Fire, E. coli testing results on the American River, Chinook salmon attempting to spawn in a graffiti filled channel in the Bay Area and the upcoming La Nina winter. Then, they sit down with Randy Robbins to discuss his groundbreaking photography of the Lassen Pack. Finally, they talk about the NorCal breweries who won big at the Great American Beer Festival and what's on the menu for Thanksgiving dinner.
Nov 25, 2021
1 hr 7 min
The Quintessential Tahoe Film? Reviewing the Star-Studded Smokin' Aces
On this episode of Talking NorCal, Zach and Bob review the quintessential Tahoe film - Smokin' Aces - starring Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta, Jeremy Piven, Andy Garcia, Ben Affleck, Alicia Keys and Common.
Nov 3, 2021
49 min
Historic Atmospheric River, Active NorCal Milestones and 'Van Life' Stories with Adam Marland
On this episode of the Talking NorCal podcast, Zach and Bob discuss the historic late-October storm that slammed Northern California including its category 5 designation, the astounding increase in snowpack and water levels, 141-year rain record broken and the massive landslide on Highway 70 (1:51). They finish up the news of the week by discussing the cause of the tragic and odd hiking death of a family in the Sierra (28:01). Then, they sat down with Chief Exploration Officer of Michelob Ultra Adam Marland who discusses how he won the contest, the truth about 'Van Life' and his future journey as an outdoor photographer and blogger (33:25). Finally, Zach and Bob discuss recent milestones for Active NorCal (1:20:37).Follow Adam Marland's Journey at https://www.wedreamoftravel.com/
Oct 27, 2021
1 hr 29 min
Storms End Drought, Famous Bear Killed, and the Road to the Olympics with Robby Burns
On a brand-new episode of Talking NorCal, Zach and Bob discuss the sudden change in weather and potential end of the drought in Northern California (2:01). Then, they break down the news of the week including the viral search for a woman in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Lake Tahoe dropping below its natural rim, 'Kings Beach Bear' being shot and killed at a campground, the historic train tunnel now fully exposed on Shasta Lake, the end of the 212-day dry streak in Sacramento and Arcata decriminalizing magic mushrooms (4:43). Then, they sit down with Robby Burns to discuss his life as a professional snowboarder, traveling the world with the U.S. snowboard team, growing up in Mount Shasta and his upcoming journey to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing (40:00). Finally, Bob asks Zach about his controversy with the California Wolf Watch (1:13:45).
Oct 22, 2021
1 hr 24 min
Palisades Tahoe, Shasta's Sunken Ship, and a Forest Management/Climate Change Discussion with Joanna Nelson
On this episode of the Talking NorCal Podcast, Zach and Bob discuss the news of the week including S*** Valley changing its name, the proposed name change to Patrick's Point, KNP Complex Fire in Sequoia National Park, the mysterious sunken boat in Shasta Lake, First snow of the season on Mt. Shasta, a new state-owned outdoor utopia and a the opening of the elevated boardwalk in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods (3:35). Finally, Zach sits down with Joanna Nelson from the Save the Redwoods League to discuss the unique forests of Northern California and how to manage them during our current state of climate disruption (43:27).
Sep 24, 2021
1 hr 21 min
Creating Cannabis Experiences with Amy O'Connor of Humboldt Social. Plus, NorCal Has a New Wolf Pack
On this episode of Talking NorCal, Zach and Bob discuss the news of the week including Northern California's newest wolf pack, Kevin Spacey filming in Dunsmuir, the Antelope Fire moves into Lava Beds National Monument and the most recent update from the tule elk controversy in Point Reyes (2:27). Then, they sit down with Amy O'Connor of Humboldt Social to discuss cannabis experiences in NorCal,  how they can keep the growing legal market local and the best places to visit on the North Coast (23:30).
Sep 15, 2021
1 hr 5 min
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