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EPISODE 99 – KAREN BASS, COMMUNITY COALITION, SOUTH LOS ANGELES AND THE FUTURE

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For our 99th episode, L.A. Times reporter Benjamin Oreskes (@boreskes) sits down to chat with us about Karen Bass’ upbringing through South Los Angeles as described by his profile of the congresswoman recently. We touch on Bass’ early years in Los Angeles, including when as a teenager she wrote letters in support of Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign, her various trips to Cuba to learn about healthcare and education systems there, her fight against the crack epidemic in South L.A. during the 1990s, and what else we can expect to learn from the L.A. Times about her and Rick Caruso four months before November 2022. Find Bass’ letter to the Times following their coverage of the crack cocaine epidemic’s impact on the Black community HERE.

J.T.

EPISODE 97 – GUSTAVO ARELLANO ON LATINOS AND JOE ROGAN, SHERIFF VILLANUEVA, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND MORE

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For our 97th episode, Gustavo Arellano (@GustavoArellano), author of the “¡Ask a Mexican!” column from The OC Weekly from 2004 – 2017, and now a columnist for the L.A. Times, as well as host of The Times: Daily News from the L.A. Times podcast, joins us for a dynamic conversation on the state of the world, particularly for Latinx communities in the U.S. Among other things, Arellano chats with us about “rancho libertarianism,” or what for a growing bloc of Latinx voters is belief in “rugged individualism, distrust of government and elites, conservative moral beliefs, a love of community and a hatred of political correctness — that are like catnip for Republicans,” in his words. We analyze just how such a political philosophy may play out in local elections and across the nation, especially given recent history in Orange County, and more; a can’t-miss convo on the culture at this time, for sure!

J.T.

EPISODE 89 – DANIELLE SANDOVAL FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 15

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In our 89th episode, we’re joined by longtime community leader Danielle Sandoval (@sandoval_for), a third-generation Angelena and mother of three children who is also currently running to represent Council District 15. We discuss the history of CD-15, especially Watts and the 1965 rebellion, and how L.A. Mayor Yorty’s refusal to create job programs in the community with federal dollars available at the time only fueled tensions leading up to, parallel to what’s happened to available COVID-19 relief money for communities over the last two years. We also note L.A. Ethics Commission data showing that Tim McOsker, another candidate for CD-15, has received more than $500,000 in campaign contributions from special interest groups; McOsker has also been endorsed by the outgoing incumbent for the office, Joe Buscaino, who’s occupied the seat for CD-15 since 2012. Learn more about Daniel at sandoval4la.com.

J.T.

EPISODE 78 – MALA MUÑOZ, LOCATORA RADIO

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In our 78th episode, we hop on a call with Mala Muñoz, one-half of the Locatora Radio Podcast! We discuss the origins of their special duo, as well as the challenges involved with being self-starters in an industry which still makes little room for Latinx women and culture. Mala also talks with us about her special relationship with her Grandma and their roots in none other than L.A.’s San Gabriel Valley; yours truly also fans out given that Locatora Radio Productions was a major inspiration for J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast during a special seminar Mala and Diosa held at Cahuenga Public Library in 2018. Learn more about Muñoz at locatoraradio.com, and follow her latest at the new Marijanuera podcast.

J.T.

EPISODE 77 – KENNETH MEJIA FOR CITY CONTROLLER

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For our 77th episode, we sit down for a chat with Kenneth Mejia, the millennial Filipino-American who is trailblazing in his race for the L.A. City Controller’s office. Kenneth and I discuss his upbringing in Los Angeles as the youngest of a single-parent household in the San Fernando Valley, as well as how he came to develop a passion for budgets over a decade, leading to his and his community’s special attention to the L.A. City budget today. We also discuss the actual meaning of “defunding the police” as it relates to public safety, as well as how folks out there interested in supporting his campaign can get involved. A can’t miss-session for voters everywhere in Los Angeles, but especially those in SFV, K-town, and then some.

J.T.