EPISODE 69 – YOUTH HOMELESSNESS IN L.A. WITH ROBIN PETERING

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In our 69th episode, we chat with Robin Petering (@robinpetering), the executive director of Lens. Co, a research and advocacy company committed to ending youth homelessness in Los Angeles. We speak with Robin about her journey from community-based clinics in Oregon as an undergrad student to her PHD program at USC, which she completed in 2017. Robin and I discuss the definition of “youth homelessness,” including what we do not know about youth experiencing housing insecurity given our current frameworks. We also shout out the Hello Dogtown podcast, a podcast by and for youth with lived experiences of homelessness. Hello Dogtown is produced by Lens Co in partnership with Safe Place for Youth and funded by the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health Innovations 2.

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EPISODE 68 – METRO’S NEXTGEN WITH KENNY UONG

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In our 68th episode, we chat with Kenny Uong, a Junior undergraduate student studying Metro and Urban Planning at Cal State Northridge, and one of the most recognizable figures for the urban planning community in Los Angeles today. Kenny and I discuss the roots of his passion for all things Metro, the importance of bus-only lanes for transportation service, Metro’s NextGen rollout, and more. See if you can keep up with Kenny’s various adventures via public transpo on Twitter at @_KennyUong_.

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EPISODE 67 – HUGO SOTO-MARTINEZ FOR CD-13

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In our 67th episode, we chat with Hugo Soto-Martinez. Hugo recently announced his candidacy for the office of the 13th Council District at L.A. City Hall. In this interview, he describes his background as the son of two immigrants who worked as street vendors through South Central Los Angeles, his experience organizing with domestic and service workers as a part of Unite Here Local 11, policy goals he’s interested in for CD-13, and how folks can get involved with his campaign. Learn more about Hugo at his new campaign website.

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Kenny Uong: Metro is the way to Go

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Traveling in Los Angeles is not a fuss,

if everyone rides Metro Rail or Metro Bus.

Going with a friend, you can’t say no,

Since Metro is the way to go!

The county is connected

via public transportation.

Together, we are one big nation.

When we take transit everywhere,

We feel courageous, like a bear.

It’s always exciting 

to soar over the traffic

that is causing all of the havoc.

Passengers wait for the train to arrive,

after a work day from nine to five.

Surfing the internet or reading a book,

then into the distance, they all look.

For only a dollar seventy-five,

you don’t have to drive.

To request a stop while riding the bus, simply pull the cord.

But for heaven’s sake, please don’t pull it if you are bored!

A public transit enthusiast like me,

would always use transit to get from Point A to Point B.

I definitely feel positive and free,

when I am not the one who’s driving, you see.

From skyline to sea,

or from SFV to SGV,

people all know

that Metro is the way to go!

K.U.

Kenny Uong is an avid transit rider and transit advocate who is currently an Urban Studies and Planning Major at Cal State Northridge. Having grown up in a household that relied on public transit to get around the region and seeing firsthand how unreliable transit service negatively affects riders, he strives to help improve it in the near future. Kenny originally published this poem in 2016.

EPISODE 66 – EUNISSES HERNANDEZ, LA DEFENSA AND MEASURE J

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In our 66th episode, we chat with Eunisses Hernandez, the co-founder and executive director of La Defensa, a community-based organization dedicated to decarcerating the largest jail population in the U.S, that is, the L.A. County Jail. Eunisses and I delve into her upbringing in Highland Park, as well as how the Great Recession informs her current work in policy-making and advocacy for communities of color. We also discuss her fundamental role in not just passing but overseeing the implementation of Measure J as a part of the Re-Imagine LA Advisory Committee, and even a brand new app that Eunisses and her organization have designed for court attendees called Rate My Judge, which goes live this Monday, July 12th! A galvanizing conversation for any and all organizers through the city.

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J.T. the L.A. Storyteller: A TRAILER

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For those who search for and find their podcasts on Spotify, our first official trailer is now live!

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J.T. EXCLUSIVE 02: SERGIO MORALES ON FOUNDING HIS OWN BARBERSHOP IN CYPRESS PARK

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Listen to barber and entrepreneur, Sergio Morales, describe his journey from work as a security guard in downtown Los Angeles for the BID (Business Improvement District), to opening up his own barbershop in Cypress Park, Los Angeles. Sergio also describes a new certification he just got for scalp micro-pigmentation. To get in touch with him and schedule your haircut, find Sergio’s Instagram: @southpawcuts.

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