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 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.

GUEST

Kristi Yamaguchi

RESOURCES

Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic gold medalist, world champion figure skater, bestselling children’s book author, and founder of the early literacy nonprofit Always Dream.

Always Dream
California Questionnaire: Kristi Yamaguchi 
San Francisco Bay Area
Fremont
Hayward
Southland Mall
San Mateo
Dublin
St. Moritz Ice Skating Club
Disneyland
Arroyo Grande
Santa Maria
Oakland
San Jose
Los Angeles
Bakersfield
San Diego
Sacramento
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
San Francisco
Napa Valley
Lands End
Muir Woods
East Bay
BroadwaySF
Iron Horse Trail
Los Trampas Wilderness Regional Preserve
Mount Diablo State Park
Wayfare Tavern
Chotto Matte
San Francisco 49ers
San Jose Sharks
San Francisco Giants
Oracle Park
San Ramon
City Center
Yerba Buena Ice Skating Rink
Yountville
Newport Beach
Orange County

ABOUT THE HOST

Soterios Johnson, formerly the local host of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition on New York radio station WNYC, has been the host of the California Now Podcast since its inception in 2018.

OUR TEAM

Host, Soterios Johnson
Editorial Director, Jené Shaw 
Producer, Kate Eplboim
Technical Producer, Jessica Marshall
Theme music, Aaron Taos