Locals Guide to San Jose

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson explores the vibrant city of San Jose alongside four lifelong locals, creatives, and business owners.  

First, Johnson talks with sisters Be'Anka Ashaolu and Jeronica Macey of Nirvana Soul Coffee. The co-owners share how their business has grown into a much-loved cornerstone of San Jose’s burgeoning coffee community. “There are just so many different types of people who feel comfortable coming into our shop, which was exactly what we wanted,” shares Ashaolu. The dynamic duo give Johnson the full Nirvana Soul experience, from taking in the shop’s vibrant atmosphere to a quick study in ordering off the extensive menu. “We have a honey lavender [coffee], but you can also get a banana chai or a white rose,” says Macey. Ashaoluand Macey also name a handful of their favorite local restaurants and black-owned businesses in the area. 

Next up, Johnson talks with Jo Lerma-Lopez, the chef and owner of Luna Mexican Kitchen. Before delving into her restaurant, Lerma-Lopez shares stories from her time owning a neighborhood record shop and independent music label. “For us, it was really about making a change in the music industry and continuing to keep control of how Latino artists at English radio stations are represented,” she voices. The Michelin-lauded chef then discusses her holistic approach to cooking. “I just wanted to take food back to what was,” she says, “and we went thousands of years back to the foundation of our ancestors, which is corn.” Lerma-Lopez guides Johnson through Luna's must-try dishes and offers recommendations for other noteworthy restaurants and stops in San Jose.

Finally, Johnson talks art and culture with Daniel Garcia, photographer, founder, and creative force behind Silicon Valley’s Content Magazine. As an artist himself, Garcia explains what moved him to create the publication. “I started Content Magazine in 2012 because I started running into a lot of artists that I felt like weren't getting recognition…so I was like, let's just tell the stories,” he says. The two discuss San Jose’s thriving creative scene, during which Garcia reveals the indie art galleries, under-the-radar museums, and unique live performances he frequents. Garcia adds, “I'm just really blessed to be saturated in a community where I can take in all these kind of different expressions from other people, and that really gets me going.”

GUESTS

Be'Anka Ashaolu and Jeronica Macey, co-owners of Nirvana Soul Coffee

Jo Lerma-Lopez, chef and owner of Luna Mexican Kitchen

Daniel Garcia, founder of Content Magazine

RESOURCES

Be'Anka Ashaolu and Jeronica Macey are the sisters and co-owners behind Nirvana Soul Coffee with locations in San Jose and Cupertino. 

San Jose

Nirvana Soul Coffee

Nirvana Soul Roastery Tours

Hula Bar and Kitchen

SAP Center

Headspace Studios

Jackie's Place

Back A Yard Caribbean Grill

Island Taste Caribbean Grill

Rollati

Con Azucar Café

La Victoria

San Pedro Square Market

San Jose Juneteenth Festival

Jo Lerma-Lopez is the chef and owner of the Michelin-lauded Luna Mexican Kitchen, as well the founder of Upstairs Records. 

Luna Mexican Kitchen

Upstairs Records

Bauman College

New Almaden

Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Willow Glen

Thrift Box

Bertucelli’s La Villa

Children's Discovery Museum

Santana Row

Daniel Garcia is the founder and creative force behind Content Magazine, a quarterly print publication featuring the innovative and creative people of Silicon Valley.

Content Magazine

Silicon Valley

Kaleid Gallery

Anno Domini

Empire Seven Studios

Citadel Art Studios

1Culture Gallery

Content Magazine Podcast

San Jose Earthquakes

Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose

MACLA

San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles

SJZ Break Room

Fuse Gallery

The Pear Theatre

Mountain View

City Lights Theater Company

Art Ark

San Jose Stage Company

Mama Kin

Petiscos

Lacàphê

Fox Tail Fermentation Project

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, John Godfrey
Producer, Kate Eplboim
Technical Producer, Jessica Marshall
Theme music, Aaron Taos