{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Kristi Yamaguchi\u2019s Golden State","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. \u201cIt truly was a huge homecoming,\u201d 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. \u201cReading does truly unlock the ability to dream,\u201d she shares. She also opens up about writing her bestselling children\u2019s book Dream Big, Little Pig and the honor of being immortalized as a Barbie doll in Mattel\u2019s 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. \u201cOracle Park, if you're a baseball fan\u2014or even if you're not\u2014you\u2019ve got to go visit and you\u2019ve got to watch some of those splash landings from the home runs,\u201d she says. Finally, she recommends her favorite local rinks for skaters of all skill levels. ","author_name":"California Now Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/www.visitcalifornia.com\/podcast","html":"