Kristi Yamaguchi’s Golden State

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson chats with Olympic gold medalist, bestselling author, and Bay Area native Kristi Yamaguchi. The figure skating icon reflects on her childhood in Fremont, her first time on the ice...

Episode 122 of the California Now Podcast podcast, hosted by Visit California, titled "Kristi Yamaguchi’s Golden State" was published on May 20, 2025 and runs 32 minutes.

May 20, 2025 ·32m · California Now Podcast

0:00 / 0:00

Summary

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson chats with Olympic gold medalist, bestselling author, and Bay Area native Kristi Yamaguchi. The figure skating icon reflects on her childhood in Fremont, her first time on the ice at a Hayward mall, and her unforgettable 1992 World Championship win in Oakland. “It truly was a huge homecoming,” she says, recounting the joy of competing on local ice surrounded by family, friends, and longtime supporters. Yamaguchi also discusses her nonprofit, Always Dream, which promotes early childhood literacy through book donations, digital reading tools, and personalized coaching for underserved families. “Reading does truly unlock the ability to dream,” she shares. She also opens up about writing her bestselling children’s book Dream Big, Little Pig and the honor of being immortalized as a Barbie doll in Mattel’s Inspiring Women series. A proud Californian, Yamaguchi highlights some of her favorite local experiences, including hiking near Mount Diablo, catching a musical in San Francisco, and cheering on the San Jose Sharks. “Oracle Park, if you're a baseball fan—or even if you're not—you’ve got to go visit and you’ve got to watch some of those splash landings from the home runs,” she says. Finally, she recommends her favorite local rinks for skaters of all skill levels.

Episode Description

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson chats with Olympic gold medalist, bestselling author, and Bay Area native Kristi Yamaguchi. The figure skating icon reflects on her childhood in Fremont, her first time on the ice at a Hayward mall, and her unforgettable 1992 World Championship win in Oakland. “It truly was a huge homecoming,” she says, recounting the joy of competing on local ice surrounded by family, friends, and longtime supporters.

Yamaguchi also discusses her nonprofit, Always Dream, which promotes early childhood literacy through book donations, digital reading tools, and personalized coaching for underserved families. “Reading does truly unlock the ability to dream,” she shares. She also opens up about writing her bestselling children’s book Dream Big, Little Pig and the honor of being immortalized as a Barbie doll in Mattel’s Inspiring Women series.

A proud Californian, Yamaguchi highlights some of her favorite local experiences, including hiking near Mount Diablo, catching a musical in San Francisco, and cheering on the San Jose Sharks. “Oracle Park, if you're a baseball fan—or even if you're not—you’ve got to go visit and you’ve got to watch some of those splash landings from the home runs,” she says. Finally, she recommends her favorite local rinks for skaters of all skill levels.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Google Live Video Verification: Explained

Apr 10, 2026 ·15m

Why “We’re Different” Is Killing Your SEO

Apr 4, 2026 ·14m

It’s a Family Affair: Inside South Hills High School Championship Cheer Team

Mar 26, 2026 ·58m

090: The Mission Walker Part 2 with author Edie Littlefield Sundby

Mar 26, 2026 ·48m

Website Accessibility in 2026: What Every Business Needs to Know

Mar 20, 2026 ·17m

089: The Mission Walker with author Edie Littlefield Sundby Part 1

Mar 19, 2026 ·42m

Similar Podcasts

Found Voices™ with Carolyn Ziel Carolyn Ziel Welcome to Found Voices™A podcast about writing and voice and creativity and what I like to call creative mindfulness. I believe that when you find your voice you shift your life. At least that has been my experience and the experience of so many others I know: fellow writers and creatives who I have sat with in writing class and those I teach. When you find your voice you can't help but put it out into the world. This could be through movement, dance, cooking, painting, other art forms, and, of course, for me it is through writing and now this podcast.The process of uncovering your voice interests me, the beginning, the middle and what comes after. There is so much more to say about this, but for now I'll share, I'm in Southern California. I'm open to suggestions regarding topics, possible guests and more. Reach out. Let me know what you think. How you found your voice and listen....Welcome to Found Voices™ COSTA MESA NOW City of Costa Mesa COSTA MESA NOW features conversations with the Costa Mesa Mayor and guest City Council Members focusing on the issues, policies and people that make Costa Mesa the crown jewel of Orange County, California.The Costa Mesa City Council is comprised of one directly-elected Mayor and six City Council Members elected by district. Each episode, the Mayor and rotating guest Council Members will focus on news and highlights from the featured representative’s district.Lively conversations on the podcast may include interviews with city officials, community volunteers, residents and members of the business community who will discuss various happenings in and around the city, all with the goal of informing viewers about important topics that impact the Costa Mesa community. Local SEO in 10 Magnified Media This is your go-to podcast for answers about how you can grow your local business online - easily and quickly! Brought to you by local SEO experts Magnified Media in Walnut Creek, California, in each 10 minute episode our digital marketing expert Adam Duran answers your questions on how you can get more leads for your business - fast! Remember, if you’re not taking care of this part of your business RIGHT NOW, you can bet your competitors are! Join us each week for answers to your questions on how best to harness the power of the internet to grow your business. The Beautiful Sky (US) The Beautiful Sky (US) The Beautiful Sky is based in California. Northern California. Where the sky can be seen (when the fog clears!)Our main influences are: Snow Patrol (sometimes), Keane (hard to compete with!), The Killers (early material was awesome), and various great tracks here and there from many different styles. If you are other ideas, let us know!Our full-length album "Strangers" is due out in February 2014 and we are now releasing some of the tracks one by one.Enjoy and spread the word. Connect with us and Link to www.thebeautifulsky.com

URL copied to clipboard!