In our 94th episode, the tables are turned, as Young Oak Kim Academy’s history teacher Marika Tripodes interviews us for a new program with students there. Our convo includes thoughts on J.T. the L.A. Storyteller as historicism, how one discovers and “protects” their story at an early time in their lives, connections between music andContinue reading EPISODE 94 – HOW L.A. STORIES SAVE LIVES →

In our 93rd installment we connect with Gina Viola (@GinaForLA), the grassroots and people-powered candidate for the mayor’s office of Los Angeles in the 2022 primary. We discuss Viola’s recent calls to participate in the CSULA debate between mayoral candidates taking place this Sunday, May 1st, as well as the “weak mayoral system” in LosContinue reading EPISODE 93 – GINA VIOLA FOR MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES →

For our 92nd episode, J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast is honored to feature Ananya Roy (@ananyaUCLA), Professor of Urban Planning, Social Welfare, and Geography at UCLA and the inaugural Director of the UCLA Luskin Institute on Inequality and Democracy. Roy is also co-author of (Dis)Placement: The Fight for Housing and Community after Echo Park Lake,Continue reading EPISODE 92 – DR. ANANYA ROY ON ECHO PARK DISPLACEMENT →

For our 91st episode, Dr. Rocio Rivas (@RocioRivas1111) and I have an extensive discussion on public schools in Los Angeles, including the ongoing challenges posed by charter schools and the private “philanthropists” behind many of them. Originally migrated from Mexico to the K-town area at two years old, Rivas graduated from Reseda high school asContinue reading EPISODE 91 – DR. ROCIO RIVAS FOR LAUSD BOARD DISTRICT 2 →

In our 90th episode, we sit down with Fatima Iqbal-Zubair, who is running for Assembly District 65 (formerly known as Assembly District 64), which contains the cities of Watts, Compton, Carson and Wilmington, and Harbor Gateway, among others. Fatima tells us about her motivation to enter the race for this seat as an educator andContinue reading EPISODE 90 – FATIMA IQBAL-ZUBAIR FOR ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 65 →

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 theContinue reading EPISODE 89 – DANIELLE SANDOVAL FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 15 →

Fellow John Marshall Barrister Carolyn “Jiyoung” Park (@ParkforJudge) joins us for the 88th episode of the podcast and our first interview with a practicing attorney! We discuss Jiyoung’s campaign for Judge of the Superior Court of L.A. County, office 118. Jiyoung also shouts out her slate, the Defenders of Justice, where she’s joined in herContinue reading EPISODE 88 – “JIYOUNG” PARK AND THE DEFENDERS OF JUSTICE SLATE IN L.A. COUNTY →

We publish the podcast’s first ever English & Spanish-translated episode, recorded live with David Kim (@DavidKimForCA) for his campaign’s monthly Livestream. Share it with the vecindario‘s mamas, tios and tias, primos, and more! And for the full version, check out David’s YouTube channel. Thanks also to Patricia Canton for translating on the subjects of gentrification,Continue reading EPISODE 87 – FROM REDLINING TO REPARATIONS WITH DAVID KIM →

In our 86th episode, we connect with Bryant Odega (@BryantOdegaLA), a born and raised resident of the Harbor Gateway neighborhood of L.A.’s south side who is now running for council district 15, which includes the neighborhoods of San Pedro, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Wilmington, and Watts. Bryant and I discuss his upbringing as the childContinue reading EPISODE 86 – BRYANT ODEGA FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 15 →

In our 85th episode, we connect on a call with Jimmy Biblarz (@jimmybiblarz), a queer life-long resident and sociologist from the Pico-Robertson area, or “Synagogue Row,” who is also running to represent Council District 5 this year. We discuss Jimmy’s struggle with being evicted from his home in his adolescent years, as well as waysContinue reading EPISODE 85 – JIMMY BIBLARZ FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 →