The Upshot

Leah Rose talks to Chris Colin about his story “The Eden of Weed” from San Francisco Magazine's April 2016 issue. In his story Chris gets high and takes a trip to the Solar Living Center in Mendocino county, California. The Solar Living Center is an ecological-Epcot Center that was created by an enterprising environmentalist named John Schaeffer whose been at the forefront of the back-to-the-land movement since the 1970s. Last year Schaeffer updated the Solar Living Center by building a marijuana dispensary on the grounds. The dispensary is an added attraction to the Center whose renewable energy and permaculture exhibits attract 150,000 people per year. But with the pending legalization of recreational pot in California, the Solar Living Center could soon welcome busloads of weed-happy tourists. It’s a new era for Mendocino County which, as Chris writes, may soon become the Nappy Valley for weed.

Diana Kapp's story from the June issue of San Francisco Magazine focuses on two recent clusters of suicides among high school kids in Palo Alto, a largely affluent city that many believe encourages a culture of fierce competition and stifling academic pressure. Diana investigates why eight teenagers over the past 5 years have killed themselves and tries to pin down the various theories as to why. Some people believe suicide can become a trend, and a way to gain distinction in a cut throat environment, while others believe widespread depression and the drive for personal excellence over self care and awareness may be the cause.

In her latest piece for Medium's online magazine Matter, "What Strippers Can Teach Uber," writer Lauren Smiley investigates the circumstances behind a class-action lawsuit against Uber, Lyft, and other on-demand tech companies. Lauren's story details how a $40 billion company like Uber may be exploiting its workers through legal loopholes, and how one lawyer is fighting to get those workers the rights they deserve.

Writer Dashka Slater sits with host Leah Rose to discuss her story "The Fire on the 57 Bus in Oakland." Slater's story is about an agender teenager named Sasha who was set on fire while riding a public bus home from school in November of 2013. In her story, Slater also profiles Richard Thomas, the 16-year-old who set Sasha on fire. The result is a well rounded portrait of two young men who were forever changed after that day.

Host Leah Rose sits with Andrew Leonard to discuss his piece "Long Live the Empress" from the April 2015 issue of San Francisco Magazine. Andrew’s story takes a look at how the closure of an iconic Chinese restaurant and banquet hall called the Empress of China may be a sign that San Francisco’s Chinatown is on the brink of serious social and cultural change.

Host Leah Rose sits with writer Robin Rinaldi to discuss her personal essay, "Love in the Time of Plethora" from the February 2015 issue of San Francisco Magazine. Robin's essay explores her time spent living in San Francisco where she ended her marriage, lived in an orgasmic commune, and eventually found the passion she longed for.

Michael Pollan, the award winning food and agriculture writer, sits with host Leah Rose to discuss his latest piece "The Trip Treatment" from the February 9, 2015 issue of The New Yorker. Pollan's article takes a comprehensive look at the renaissance of psychedelic research and the doctors who are currently giving high doses of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, to people who are dying of cancer and battling addiction.

San Francisco Magazine's executive editor Gary Kamiya sits with host Leah Rose to discuss his new piece "The Outsiders" from the March issue of San Francisco Magazine. Gary’s story looks at homelessness in San Francisco, a 30 year-old problem that he says has been both chronic and humiliating. Homeless people have become signifiers of the city by the bay along with the Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars. “The Outsiders” examines how we often treat homeless people and what the city of San Francisco is doing to find innovative ways to provide resources to those who need it most.

Host Leah Rose talks with Julia Scott to talk about her article "Poly Love" from the February 2015 issue of San Francisco Magazine. Julia’s article looks at the group dynamics of polyamorous relationships and profiles married couples who manage to openly maintain relationships with outside partners, as well as people who are committed to multiple people at the same time. As if keeping up with one partner wasn’t hard enough, you can imagine, polyamorous relationships can get a little messy. Their three biggest pitfalls, Julia points out, are jealousy, time management, and lack of clarity. And while it may seem like poly people are just swingers in disguise, Julia found that many of the relationships are often more cerebral than sexy.

Host Leah Rose interviews Diana Kapp about her article "What Are You Running (And Running And Running) From?: Plumbing The Psychology Of Excessive Exercise" from the January 2015 issue of San Francisco Magazine. Diana investigates what drives obsessive exercisers and why it has become a rite of passage for over achievers in the Bay Area. Many of the athletes that Diana interviewed were middle-age professionals whose exercise routines seem to be more about exerting control over their lives than just getting in shape.

Leah Rose talks with Ellen Cushing about her cover story "The Smartest Bro in the Room" for San Francisco Magazine’s December 2014 Power Issue. Ellen's story takes a hard look at San Francisco’s most controversial startup turned international powerhouse, Uber, that in just five years now rakes in over $20 million a week, and is valued at roughly $18 billion. Ellen’s story begins in the midst of the company's massive PR effort to de-vilify Uber and its CEO Travis Kalanick. It’s unclear if it’s working though, especially after it’s senior vice president’s major snafu with the press just days before this story hit the stands.

Host Leah Rose sits with Lauren Smiley to talk about her article "I'm Rich. You're Hot.: The Cold Mathematics of Sugar Daddy Dating" from the November 2014 issue of San Francisco Magazine. In her piece Lauren explores the complicated world of online sugar daddy dating sites where the average man reportedly spends over $3,500 a month on dates. So of course Lauren asks the obvious question—are these sites just a veiled form of prostitution? Or are the people who use sugar daddy dating sites engaging in what she calls “erotic efficiency”?