This Is Zonk

Episode 0: Stories, Legacies & Life Lessons from Suburban LA

Episode Zero introduces “This is Zonk,” a limited series podcast born from a desire to leave a personal legacy for my kids—and welcome curious listeners everywhere. I grew up in the iconic “Zone”—the suburban Los Angeles communities within a 30-mile radius of Hollywood’s entertainment heartbeat. Through this podcast, I share my unfiltered memories of being a movie geek and coming of age surrounded by the movie industry, TV sets on neighborhood corners, and celebrities mingling with everyday life. But “This is Zonk” is about more than just being a movie geek. My journey is intertwined with the defining Gen X events and trends of the 1980s and 1990s: the raw impact of the Rodney King trial and the LA riots that followed, the jarring Northridge earthquake in 1994, and the rise of radio legends on KROQ who helped shape West Coast pop culture. I’ll reflect on what it meant to witness history not from a distance, but from my own neighborhood, sometimes just blocks away. This podcast is my way of capturing those moments—whether quirky, ordinary, or profound—that shaped me, so my kids and, maybe someday, their kids can hear them in my own words. Each episode is an honest look at how life, loss, humor, and unexpected challenges (like my wife’s recent cancer diagnosis) shift our perspective and remind us how fleeting everything is. You don’t have to be from LA or a child of the 80s or 90s to connect with these stories. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to grow up between the shimmering world of entertainment and the real realities of suburban life—or you’re just hungry for a heartfelt slice of Southern California history—you’re in the right place. So, whether you’re part of my family, part of my generation, or just looking for genuine stories about the unrepeatable spirit of the Zone, I invite you to listen. Welcome to “This is Zonk.”