Meet Thad Carhart: Writing About Place

Meet Thad Carhart: Writing About Place

Author: A Julie Sunshine Production November 20, 2025 Duration: 16:03

It took Thad Carhart a long time to believe he could be a writer. He worked a whole slew of jobs from State Department interpreter to Apple marketer before he found his true love. During a self-imposed sabbatical in Paris, he wrote his first memoir, The Piano Shop on the Left Bank, and much to his surprise, it became a New York Times bestseller.

Thad tells us stories of life as a military brat, why he became a lawyer but never practiced, his undying love of San Francisco, and why the Dolphin Club will be the subject of his next book.


The cold, swirling waters of the San Francisco Bay are a character in themselves, but the true heart of this place beats within the 2000 Stories from the Dolphin Club. This podcast, an intimate production from A Julie Sunshine Production, isn't about athletic feats, though they happen daily. It's about the people. Each conversation pulls back the curtain on a unique, saltwater-stung community, revealing the personal histories and unexpected motivations that draw individuals to this iconic, challenging stretch of water. You'll hear from lifelong rowers with hands like weathered driftwood and newcomers confronting their fears one stroke at a time. The stories collected here form a mosaic of human experience-tales of loss, resilience, quirky routines, and quiet camaraderie forged in the fog. It’s a deep dive into the journals of daily life, exploring how a shared, almost ritualistic engagement with the natural world shapes culture and identity. Listen to this podcast for unvarnished, often humorous, and profoundly human accounts from inside the clubhouse and out on the open bay, where every member has a tale worth hearing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 59

2000 Stories from the Dolphin Club
Podcast Episodes
Meet Maggie Lonergan: Piloting Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:24
Maggie Lonergan got her start swimming at night and she still prefers nocturnal swims in the bay. Only problem: the sauna isn't open late enough...and she might just love the sauna more. Hear about winning the official S…
Meet Phil Gaal: Aging Graciously and Gratefully [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:53
In just a few days, on October 25th 2025, Phil Gaal will swim across the Golden Gate for the 16th time. That's a feat for anyone, of any age, but at 90, it's truly golden. Phil exudes a joy for life and endless curiosity…
Meet John Ingle: The Music Man [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:43
You may know him as the Dolphin Club's manager, but John Ingle is far more than the job title. He's also a professional musician, nature lover, chef, traveler, friend, spouse, proud Dad, and I'm sure I left out a few. Wo…
Meet the Kirks: Siblings Without Rivalry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:07
Some siblings squabble. The Kirk siblings swim! And they've intentionally created a home away from home at the Dolphin Club where they can enjoy their passion for open water swimming and be together as adults in their 20…
Meet Jon Nakamura: The Escape Artist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:47
Some people collect marble polar bear bricks. Others like Jon Nakamura prefer belt buckles -- especially brass ones with the Escape from Alcatraz logo on them. It's an iconic race and he's an iconic, lifetime Dolphin mem…
Meet Lindsay Stripling: The Artist's Way [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:54
Lindsay Stripling is an artist in more ways than one. Yes, she paints and illustrates as a passion and profession. But she also is honing the art of teaching, helping college students and adults to discover their creativ…
Meet Rebecca Groves: Swimming in the City [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:27
We are quite a lucky bunch to have an urban swimming oasis at Aquatic Park. But there is still much of the San Francisco Bay where access is limited and swimming is forbidden. That's what Rebecca Groves is committed to c…
Meet Zack McCune: Seeking and Finding Joy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:02
Ever been on Wikipedia? Got thoughts on the Dolphin Club brand? Are there spirits in the wooden boats? What are young fathers thinking about? 15 or so minutes was nowhere enough time to cover the life and loves of Zack M…
Meet Laura Morton: Picturing Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:08
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. With photojournalist Laura Morton it may be worth a whole lot more. Laura sees the world through her view finder and tells us all captivating stories about what many of us do…
Meet Marie Sayles: Connecting to Nature and People [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:19
At every opportunity, including her current job at the Bay Area Ridge Trail, Marie Sayles encourages deeper and more meaningful connections to nature -- on land or in water. She's always inspiring others to get outdoors…