A devastating pandemic is in the rearview, but for shoe shiner Jack, a new—and world-altering—crisis is just beginning.

In this opening installment of the SURFACE AREA podcast deep dive, we meet Jack, a man who's found a new, quiet rhythm to life after global upheaval. But a frantic encounter with a regular customer, the mysterious Silas, shatters his routine, thrusting a heart-shaped locket into his hand with a terrifying warning: "it means the future of this planet."

This episode plunges you into Jack's immediate aftermath: the bewildering loss of the locket, a sudden blackout, and a desperate, terrifying ascent up a dark metal shaft. Experience the raw shock as Jack breaks through to the "surface," only to find an existence of absolute barrenness and emptiness. Why is he here? What has happened to the world? And how does the sudden, miraculous reappearance of the golden locket connect to the beautiful, yet unnerving, stranger who now stands over him?

Explore the start of Jack's journey, his isolation, and the first steps onto a desolate new Earth in this deep dive into the novel, SURFACE AREA.

We all have our own versions of "the wheelie." That one thing we pour our hearts into, convinced it's the most important mission in the world. But what happens when life asks us to set our solitary pursuits aside and join in a shared effort? This podcast explores the moments that teach us the true value of connection. Our first story, "The Wheelie King of Harper Street (in His Mind)," follows a young boy's epic quest for imaginary glory and the powerful lesson he learns from a pile of unfolded laundry.

What can a kid's summer obsession with a kneeboard teach us about lasting happiness? In this episode, we unpack "The Aqua King of Lake Nacimiento" a story from the Trash Can Carl collection that perfectly captures youthful ambition and the quiet support of a parent.

We’ll analyze how the father’s "tyranny of turns" moment becomes a powerful lesson in shared joy. This isn't just a nostalgic story; it's a look at how we navigate passion, family dynamics, and our own inner "Aqua King." If you're looking for an episode that blends engaging narrative with meaningful life insights—and gives you "food for thought" for your own life—this is it.