Last week at Night Lizard Brewing Company on State Street in Santa Barbara a gathering of creatives, thinkers, and storytellers came together for a platform unlike any other: PechaKucha Night.
Originating in Japan, PechaKucha (Japanese for “chit-chat”) is a storytelling format that’s as challenging as it is captivating. Each speaker gets exactly 20 slides, shown for 20 seconds each, and the slides advance automatically. That’s 6 minutes and 40 seconds to deliver a compelling narrative — no more, no less.
The format forces presenters to distill their ideas down to their most essential, visual, and emotionally resonant core. It’s fast-paced, energetic, and beautifully concise — which is why it’s caught on in over 1,200 cities around the world.
🎥 Watch the Full Presentation Here:
This PechaKucha night was part local speaker series, part social experiment in storytelling brevity. A diverse lineup of presenters shared their passions and insights in front of a full house — with cold craft beers and warm applause fueling the vibe.
Our very own Jacob Tell, Chief Dreamer of District216, took the stage second and delivered a powerful, visually rich presentation titled “Normalizing Psychedelics with Conscious Community.”
In just under seven minutes, Jacob explored the cultural stigma around psychedelics, his own awakening through music and community, and how District216 is forging a new kind of social club — one rooted in connection, healing, and transformation. With stunning imagery and a deeply personal story arc, Jacob’s talk resonated strongly with the crowd. Several attendees shared that it was their first time hearing psychedelics talked about with such clarity, intention, and heart.
Some were so inspired they decided to attend the District216 Marquee Event later that weekend — a beautiful reminder that ideas shared with authenticity can ripple out into real-world impact.
