the memory palace

Explore the heartfelt stories behind Club Baghdad, a family-owned nightclub that encapsulates cherished memories. Discover hidden treasures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reflecting the complexities of American life. Delve into the delicate craftsmanship of glass flowers at Harvard, celebrating the fusion of art and science. Finally, ponder how memory and storytelling evolve with societal changes, revealing the intricate tapestry of personal narratives in our understanding of history.

In this engaging discussion, Pablo Torre, a leading voice in sports media, dives into the complexities of storytelling and nostalgia. He shares his unique approach to memory, especially reflecting on Filipino American experiences and the collective journey of voices. They unpack the intriguing story of Charlie Faust, an immigrant who made a surprising mark in baseball history. The conversation also touches on the challenges of authentic storytelling versus algorithm-driven pressures, celebrating the art of independent media and personal narratives.

Discover an innovative handheld device that analyzes metabolism through breath, offering personalized health insights. Dive into the fascinating life of Adolf Sutro, the visionary behind San Francisco's iconic Sutro Baths. Celebrate 16 years of storytelling, with an upcoming book melding podcast tales and personal memoirs. Explore the vital role of listener support in independent media and the power of community engagement to spread the word about beloved books.

Pre-order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org, on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, or directly from Random House.This episode was originally released in October 2019.The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. I have recently launched a newsletter. You can subscribe to it at thememorypalacepodcast.substack.com.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Pre-order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org, on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, or directly from Random House.The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. I have recently launched a newsletter. You can subscribe to it at thememorypalacepodcast.substack.com. Music Riverside by Ann Annie Walking to Town by Lullatone Alice Lake by North Americans Gone for a Wander by Domenique Dumont NotesThe definitive source on Ferminia Sarras (as far as definitive can be in her case) A Mine of Her Own: Women Prospectors in the American West, 1850-1950 by Sally Zanjani. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Discover the captivating life of Ken Allen, an orangutan whose clever escapes captivated audiences at the San Diego Zoo. Learn about the transformative efforts made to improve animal welfare and how two dedicated individuals played a crucial role in Ken's life. The podcast also dives into the balance zookeepers must maintain between animal care and enrichment. Plus, get a sneak peek into exciting updates and creative storytelling plans for the future.

The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show and independent media, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. I have recently launched a newsletter. You can subscribe to it at thememorypalacepodcast.substack.com. Music Swiming by Explosions in the Sky Walking Song by Kevin Volans and the Netherlands Wind Ensemble I Walk on Guilded Splinters by Johnny Jenkins Seduction by the Balanescu Quartet Lunette by Les Baxter and Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman Running Around by Buddy Ross September by Giles Lamb NotesThis episode was pieced together from a ton of little fragments but I wanted to steer folks to a couple of resources in particular: this excellent article from a few years back in the Toronto Star by Katie Daubs, and this documentary from filmmaker, Amy Nicholson, that primarily uses the Zipper as a way to talk about changes at Coney Island but has some great details from Harold Chance and his sons.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The podcast discusses the removal of certain jobs from a disability claims list, showcasing unique professions like processing microfilm and cutting press clippings. It reflects on obsolete jobs lost to technological advancements and societal changes, highlighting the decline of roles like dance hall hosts and telegraph agents.

The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show and independent media, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate.  I have recently launched a newsletter. You can subscribe to it at thememorypalacepodcast.substack.com. This episode was originally released in 2016 in the days after the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. It is re-released every year on the anniversary of the incident. A note on notes: We’d much rather you just went into each episode of The Memory Palace cold. And just let the story take you where it well. So, we don’t suggest looking into the show notes first.Notes and Reading:* Most of the specific history of the White Horse was learned from "Sanctuary: the Inside Story of the Nation's Second Oldest Gay Bar" by David Olson, reprinted in its entirety on the White Horse's website.* "Gayola: Police Professionalization and the Politics of San Francisco's Gay Bars, 1950-1968," by Christopher Agee.* June Thomas' series on the past, present, and future of the gay bar from Slate a few years back.* Various articles written on the occasion of the White Horse's 80th anniversary, including this one from SFGATE.Com* Michael Bronski's A Queer History of the United States.* Radically Gay, a collection of Harry Hay's writing.* Incidentally, I watched this interview with Harry Hay from 1996 about gay life in SF in the 30's multiple times because it's amazing.Music* We start with Water in Your Hands by Tommy Guerrero.* Hit Anne Muller's Walzer fur Robert a couple of times.* Gaussian Curve does Talk to the Church.* We get a loop of Updraught from Zoe Keating.* We finish on Transient Life in Twilight by James Blackshaw Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.A Note on Notes:I always prefer that the listener goes into each episode cold, not knowing what it's going to be about. So, you might want to tread carefully, as there are spoilers in the notes below. Music L'espagne pour memoire by Michel Portal Find me Tomorrow from Christophe Beck's score to Charlie Countryman The old Soviet philharmonic plays some Shostakovich. The London Symphony Orchestra plays The Blue Danube Waltz. We hear Walt by Mother Falcon. Sombolero by Luiz Bonfa Notes Like a lot of people below, say, 55, I first heard about Olga Fikotova-Connolly when reading her obituary in the New York Times. By far the best thing you can do if you want to know more about her is track down her out-of-print memoir, The Rings of Destiny, which, despite its rather puffed-up title, is so warm and detailed and intimate. It's a delight.  You might also enjoy this late-in-life interview with Olga as well.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices