HB Unplugged

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 ...

09/25/2025

✈️ From Surf City streets to the skies above Huntington Beach 🌊

Episode 28 of HB Unplugged features Kevin Elliott — founder of Code Four and executive director of the Pacific Airshow.

🎙️ In this episode, Kevin shares:
✔️ Growing up in HB & starting Code Four with help from his mom
✔️ Producing events like the LA Galaxy’s Beckham era ⚽
✔️ How he transformed the Pacific Airshow into one of the largest in the U.S.
✔️ The community, patriotism & behind-the-scenes effort that make it possible

👉 A powerful story of vision, grit, and HB pride.

📺 Watch on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwPAwQUU6yg

🎧 Listen on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0d1jLou3nbvoiOEBGtwA4n?si=o-RwyCdeQmaX-TaG9kf1yg

This week on HB Unplugged, Mel Craig and Don Ramsey welcome Kevin Elliott — founder of Code Four and executive director of the Pacific Airshow.Kevin’s story ...

09/16/2025

🌊 HB surf culture, community, and legacy all in one episode!

Episode 27 of HB Unplugged features Billy Webb — president of Huntington Beach Board Riders and co-founder of Board Riders Café.

🎙️ Hear Billy’s story:
✔️ From Cleveland roots to HB surf life
✔️ The birth & growth of the Board Riders movement
✔️ Opening the Board Riders Café 🍳☕
✔️ Resilience, community, and why HB will always be home

👉 One of the most authentic episodes yet—celebrating what makes Huntington Beach so special.

📺 Watch on YouTube
https://youtu.be/r4R180pT-_s?si=2C5ydqDXm1FkeYrt
🎧 Listen on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/15RHgK59cEfs6GDfKL2hOM?si=EQjFqFBgTNady0jRcusDPA

This week on HB Unplugged, Mel Craig and Don Ramsey welcome Billy Webb — president of Huntington Beach Board Riders and co-founder of Board Riders Café.Billy...

08/28/2025

🇺🇸 From the jungles of Vietnam to the heart of Huntington Beach 🌊

Episode 26 of HB Unplugged features Mike Ali — veteran, restaurateur, and community leader behind Zach’s at the Pier and Zach’s Too.

🎙️ Hear Mike’s incredible journey:
✔️ From Vietnam veteran to HB business owner
✔️ Stories of Huntington nightlife in the ’60s–’80s
✔️ The history of Zach’s & serving families from around the world
✔️ His legacy of giving back to veterans & the HB community

👉 This is one of the most powerful, heartfelt stories we’ve ever shared on HB Unplugged.

📺 Watch on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8In-OlDeag

🎧 Listen on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/53CSTsneeB8Pp2GnLz439m?si=U8brPvx4QhqOTx-rzEddNQ

This week on HB Unplugged, Mel Craig and Don Ramsey welcome Mike Ali—a Vietnam veteran, restaurateur, and Huntington Beach icon.Mike’s story is one of resili...

08/13/2025

🏄‍♂️ Surf royalty in the house! 🏄‍♂️

Kelly Slater – 11x World Champion & surfing’s GOAT
David Nuuhiwa – Longboard legend & style master

Part 2 of our US Open of Surfing special brings together two icons to talk:

US Open of Surfing

🌊 Summers in HB during the OP Pro era
🌊 Epic Mexico surf trips & secret spots
🌊 The evolution of wave pool tech
🌊 Stories that connect generations of surfers

It’s the past, present, and future of surfing—told by the men who lived it.

📺 Watch on YouTube
https://youtu.be/qKARPb9leYA?si=oFp2JnkJqtR2LOjS

🎧 Listen on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6QwjRVYB83XXyeVT5fxt0d?si=hiZ2k2BVTSWpmPSJ5WzLhQ

Two legends. One unforgettable conversation.In this special US Open of Surfing episode, Kelly Slater—the GOAT with 11 world titles—and longboard master David...

08/08/2025

🌊 Surf City’s Biggest Week – Part 1! 🌊

We’re LIVE from the US Open of Surfing & Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach!

🎙️ In Part 1 of this 2-part special, HB Unplugged welcomes:
🏄 Duke Aipa – AIPA Surfboards legacy shaper
🏛 Mayor Pat Burns – HB’s own mayor
🏄 Casey McKeon & Ricky Blake – Surf history & community voices
👟 Steve Van Doren – Vans Shoes legend
🏄 Jeff Ho – Zephyr surf/skate pioneer
👕 Ren Spooner Team – Iconic Walk of Fame shirts
🏄 Don Kennedy – Surfing Walk of Fame Board
🌊 Kelly Slater & David Nuuhiwa – Legendary cameos!

From shaping bays to city hall, from surf legends to global brands—this episode captures the people, stories, and energy that make the US Open of Surfing one of HB’s biggest events.

📺 Watch now on YouTube
https://youtu.be/jST7_fWSjUk?si=w_4hTUCvBkAX-cSR

🎧 Listen now on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SxM0qLTPNG8zGUBqqlkQN?si=nqtu8068TgSS9BMTNY9QuA

Join HB Unplugged live from Surf City USA for Part 1 of our coverage at the US Open of Surfing and Surfing Walk of Fame.Mel Craig and Don Ramsey chat with su...

08/03/2025

🚐 From RV adventures to City Council!
Meet Butch Twining, a Huntington Beach original who’s gone from running a multi-million dollar family business to winning one of the city’s top civic seats. 👏

🎙️ In Episode 24 of HB Unplugged, Butch shares:
✅ What it's like growing up in HB since 1965
✅ How he scaled a $7M biz into $80M
✅ Why he says friends make the best clients
✅ And how he’s bringing real change to Surf City

🎧 Tune in now to hear one of HB’s most grounded, hardworking leaders—only on YouTube + Spotify!

👉 WATCH & LISTEN:
📺 YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8OSEte8GYM
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4egtDd9PphdN58J0G6ACKb?si=XAqmXR9-T8aHJFSUg0J0tg

On this episode of HB Unplugged, longtime Huntington Beach civic leader Butch Twining joins us to share the journey that took him from a 45-year career in th...