AirTalk

When does a public apology backfire? One Olympian may have just found out (0:30)

The evolving landscape of marijuana in the United States (17:26)

A check in on California’s trucking industry (51:01)

Fewer 16-year-olds are on the road; what’s factoring into it? (1:21:31)   

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In the face of federal funding cuts, LA County considers new sales tax to fill gap (0:30)

Meta’s smart glasses are posing serious privacy concerns (20:01)

How do we fix education? A new book has some ideas (35:45)

Food delivery took off during the pandemic. Where does it stand today? (51:30) 

PetTalk: Following the Puppy Bowl and Westminster Dog Show, we answer listeners vet-related questions (1:18:36)   

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The LA Mayor’s race field is set — is it anyone’s game? (0:30)

Older drivers are more prone to driving mistakes — should we limit their driving? (29:39)

As the Winter Olympics continue, a look ahead to LA28’s (51:08) 

SoCal History: Route 66, “The Mother Road,” turns one hundred (1:09:15)   

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The Winter Olympics kick off this morning. What is different about these games? (0:30)

Birding is booming. But why is the hobby soaring (16:59)

Food Friday: Kurrypinch brings more than just a pinch of love to its dishes for Angelenos (38:21) 

FilmWeek: “Dracula,” “Sirāt,” “Pillion,” and more! (51:44)  

Feature: Director Joachim Trier on his nine-time Oscar-nominated film ‘Sentimental Value’ (1:20:43)  

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LA City Latest: Mayor Bass allegedly edits after-action report, mayoral race updates (0:30)

What goes into the music that plays people off at the Oscars?(17:44)

How one man changed the publishing industry forever (32:35) 

What are the best practices for handling invasive species? (51:28)  

Prenuptial arrangements are tough, but often necessary (1:08:38)  

TV Talk: ‘Tell Me Lies,’ ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins,’ and more! (1:28:52)  

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Have you ever wondered who is behind all the walk-on and walk-off music at the Oscars ceremony? The music that plays when an award nominee walks on-stage to accept the award, or the music that plays them off when their speech goes on too long. Today on AirTalk, we sit down with composer and lead music arranger for the Academy Awards, Chris Walden. Walden writes all the walk-on and walk-off music for the ceremony. Because winners are not known until the live broadcast, Walden must plan for all contingencies, arranging over 115 pieces of music, each unique to every possible winner. We talk to Walden about what goes into preparing music for the ceremony.

Chris Walden is the founder and artistic director of the Pacific Jazz Orchestra. He will be conducting the 40-piece hybrid big band and string orchestra for a Valentine’s Day performance at The Soraya called “Love Inside Out,” headlined by vocalist Veronica Swift. The concert is on Saturday, February 14, at 8:00 pm. Many of the ensemble's players also perform in the Academy Awards orchestra. You can get tickets here.

What do the Washington Post layoffs say for the rest of news media? (0:30)

AMC theaters in Burbank were the highest-grossing in the nation last year (19:13)

Aging through the eyes of motivation. How do we stay active? (37:32) 

How much do genetics play a role in longevity? Here’s what recent research tells us (51:53)  

Forty novels in, Michael Connelly keeps writing and we keep watching (1:06:54)  

What’s your favorite legal or legal-ish piece of television? (1:29:46)  

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Why California is years late on required disaster reports — and why it matters for the next big fire (0:30)

How do you cope with hearing loss? (18:22)

A check in on “safe parking” zones as Pasadena weighs implementing one  (51:05) 

Broadway composer Marc Shaiman charts his life in new memoir (1:20:49)  

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Recapping the 2026 Grammy Awards (0:30)

A check in on the 2026 California Governor’s race (16:30)

How old is too old to sleep with a stuffed animal?  (32:29)

Here’s how state legislators are trying to address insurance-related problems post-LA fires (51:56) 

How is the Bari Weiss CBS era shaping up?(1:03:53) 

SoCal History: How Tom Bradley became a trailblazer, Los Angeles's longest-serving mayor (1:25:18) 

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ICE roundup: Don Lemon arrested, “ICE Out” protests, and protestor surveillance (0:30)

How does AI affect the job application process? (19;21)

Food Friday: Latest from LAist  (45:58)

FilmWeek: ‘Send Help,’ ‘The Moment,’ ‘A Poet,’ and more! (51:39) 

Feature: Santa Barbara International Film Festival (1:22:35) 

Feature: The many adaptations of ‘A Star is Born’ are explored in a new book (1:29:01) 

Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency