HB Unplugged

08/28/2026

Reading by the 3rd grade changes everything. Bringing local leaders into the classroom to inspire the next generation—Huntington Beach style 📚✨

Catch the full episode of HB Unplugged on YouTube 🔗🎙️

08/27/2026

Helicopters on the school field and SWAT robots for reading day? 🚁🤖 That’s how Surf City raises the bar for our kids!

Watch the full conversation with Deanna Garza on YouTube now 🔗🎙️

04/24/2026

🏀👑 Grit, Championships & Huntington Beach Through and Through 🌊🏙️

Episode 36 of HB Unplugged features Gabrielle Samiy—Miss Huntington Beach, California State Basketball Champion, city council candidate, and proud HB native.

✨ In this episode, Gabrielle opens up about:
✅ Winning the California State Championship in 2023 at Orange Coast College — inscribed ring, matching tattoos, and all
✅ Getting her car stolen, her eligibility challenged, and her spirit tested across two difficult college programs before finding the right team
✅ Losing Miss Huntington Beach the first time — and coming back to win it after the late Lee Love told her she wanted the headline "former Miss HB as HB mayor"
✅ Running for Huntington Beach City Council in 2022 and why local politics — not national — is where real change happens
✅ Growing up the daughter of an Iranian immigrant father and an HB native mom, with deep roots in the Glenmar neighborhood and a love for this city that runs bone-deep

This is a raw, inspiring episode about what it looks like to keep showing up — through the losses, the setbacks, and the chaos — until the third time becomes the charm.

HB Unplugged - Episode 36: Gabrielle Samiy

04/24/2026

🌊 The Real Story of Surf City — From the People Who Lived It 🏄

Episode 34 of HB Unplugged features Steve Wheat—Huntington Beach native born in 1947, family historian, and the man who holds the untold stories of the city's most legendary roots.

✨ In this episode, Steve opens up about:
✅ His Greek step-grandfather Harry Bckery — a childhood stowaway who sold hot dogs between San Francisco buildings and built one of the city's first great venues, the Golden Bear
✅ The real origin of Zach's at the pier — named after Hall of Fame Brooklyn Dodger Zack Wheat, Steve's great-great-uncle from the 1920s
✅ How John Severson, founder of Surfer Magazine, accidentally burned down the first surf shop in Huntington Beach — and Gordy didn't find out for 10 years
✅ Growing up between HB and Ketchikan, Alaska — catching salmon by hand and performing an Indigenous dance in kindergarten without knowing where he learned it
✅ A Huntington Beach of oil rigs, open fields, and a Golden Bear packed with locals who loved Harry Bckery like family

This is the episode for everyone who thinks they know HB — because Steve Wheat knows where the real stories are buried.

1 like. "Episode 34 - Steve Wheat on HB History, Surf Culture & Legendary Roots"

04/24/2026

🏄 One Mayor. Every Business. One Huntington Beach. 🌊
Episode 33 of HB Unplugged features Mayor Casey McKeon—third-generation HB resident, four-year city council member, and the driving force behind Minute with the Mayor and Streamline HB.

✨ In this episode, Casey opens up about:
✅ Launching Minute with the Mayor — a viral business spotlight series that crashed the city website on day one and now has 40+ businesses in queue
✅ Streamline HB — the permitting reform that increased permits by 23% year-over-year and is being replicated by other cities
✅ Honoring veterans at every council meeting with American Legion Post 133
✅ Crime down 27%, historic homeless reductions, and a Main Street that feels safe again
✅ Why spotlighting local businesses has nothing to do with politics — and everything to do with community

This is a conversation about what it looks like when a leader genuinely loves his city and goes all in to prove it.

HB Unplugged – Episode 33: Mayor Casey McKeon on Local Business & Streamlining HB

12/27/2025

👨‍🍳🔥 Food, Service & Heart for the Community 🔥👨‍🍳

Episode 32 of HB Unplugged features Chef Andrew Gruel—award-winning chef, Slapfish founder, philanthropist, and Huntington Beach City Council member.

🎙️ In this episode, Andrew opens up about:
✔️ Building a global food brand from a single food truck
✔️ Leading wildfire relief efforts & helping first responders
✔️ Supporting restaurant workers during the pandemic
✔️ Family, faith, and community-first leadership
✔️ Why Huntington Beach is one of the most special cities in America

This is a raw, inspiring conversation about doing the right thing—even when no one’s watching.

📺 Watch on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdmTAj9eVKY

🎧 Listen on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5sOx91eZRBxekkFk6oideG?si=beWguIAvStuf9Dii_bmg9A

This week on HB Unplugged, we welcome Chef Andrew Gruel—celebrated chef, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Huntington Beach City Council member.Andrew shares...

11/21/2025

🌴 Meet the new face of the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce! 🌴

Episode 31 of HB Unplugged features Max Daffron — HB native, economic developer, and the new President & CEO of the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce.

🎙️ Hear how Max is bringing fresh energy and a unified voice to our local business community:
✔️ Reviving the Chamber after years without a leader
✔️ Strengthening connections between city & small businesses
✔️ Supporting HB entrepreneurs with advocacy & opportunity
✔️ Returning home to raise his family right here in Surf City 🌊

👉 A powerful, hometown story about leadership, community, and the future of Huntington Beach.

📺 Watch on YouTube
https://youtu.be/M5U992IHYJQ?si=AutyihxqEDaXUUxd

🎧 Listen on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mfgXWhhAyVVs5I5MFPd83?si=VcLvufvuQqeJnV8gBgqMeA

This week on HB Unplugged, we’re joined by Max Daffron, the new President & CEO of the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce.Born and raised in HB, Max shares...

11/05/2025

🏄‍♂️ Discover the Hidden History of Huntington Beach 🏄‍♂️

Episode 30 of HB Unplugged features Chris Epting — author, historian, and creator of Hidden Huntington Beach.

🎙️ Dive into the real stories behind Surf City:
✔️ Frank Lloyd Wright Jr.’s forgotten tower design
✔️ Elvis Presley’s martial arts lessons in HB (yes, really!)
✔️ Golden Bear legends from Peter Gabriel to Meat Loaf
✔️ Creating Hidden Huntington Beach & preserving local landmarks
✔️ The touching story of the Robin Samsø memorial at the pier

📺 Watch on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyq6QUKAY9I

🎧 Listen on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7qAQutbT0yci5HadezfcNe?si=mr7lhI5vSaOIKS-Xtf_5qA

This week on HB Unplugged, Mel Craig and Don Ramsey welcome Chris Epting — author, historian, and creator of Hidden Huntington Beach.Chris has documented the...

10/03/2025

Ask meta! 😉

10/02/2025

🌊 From $80 in Maui to shaping Surf City, USA 🌊

Episode 29 of HB Unplugged features Brett Barnes — restaurateur, surf coach, and community leader behind Dukes Huntington Beach and Surf City Nights.

🎙️ Hear Brett’s incredible story:
✔️ Moving to Maui at 15 with just $80 & chasing surf dreams
✔️ Rising through Hawaii’s restaurant scene to open Dukes HB
✔️ Creating Surf City Nights & revitalizing downtown
✔️ Coaching HB’s high school surf team & supporting the Surf Museum

👉 A true story of aloha, leadership, and community impact.

📺 Watch on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w5HS5ZvjdQ

🎧 Listen on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6c2jU7bm6fW4g49LZsHmSn?si=HBh7B2JuQL21dQMVNWDHYw



Duke's Huntington Beach

This week on HB Unplugged, Mel Craig and Don Ramsey welcome Brett Barnes — restaurateur, surf coach, and Surf City community builder.Brett’s story is one of ...