Urban Planners, geek out! Michelle Rivera, of UCLA’s Masters in Urban and Regional Planning program, connects with us to talk about her journey towards this esteemed graduate program. Shout outs and discussion items include Michelle and I’s coming out of UC Davis (go Aggies!), the importance of nonprofit work for learning the how-tos of communityContinue reading EPISODE 116 – MICHELLE RIVERA IS GOING TO PARIS THIS FALL; LEARN HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT HER →

The Barcelona Barrios Excursion is fast-approaching, and the best way to stay tuned in is with a membership through patreon.com/jimbotimes, which helps support expenses for the journey. Also note that this Thursday, April 6th, we join forces with Michelle Rivera, of UCLA’s Masters in Urban Planning program (MURP). Michelle and I will be discussing notContinue reading CONSIDER YOURSELF INFORMED! →

Nicole Banister, also known as the host of Nikki Banz Live, recently accepted the Peace Corps’ Franklin H. Williams Emerging Leaders Award for work that exemplifies the advancement of world peace and friendship. Nicole was also featured on Episode 62 of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast as the Founder and Commissioner of My Basketball Team.Continue reading EPISODE 115 – NICOLE BANISTER AND I DISCUSS BARCELONA, TRAVELING THE WORLD, AND SO MUCH MORE →

Today yours truly hops online via @jimbotimes not once but twice to talk about our upcoming Barcelona Barrios Excursion! First, at 11:30 AM PDT with Nicole Banister. Then, once again at 6:00 PM PDT for those of you who can’t make the morning chat or who simply want to learn more. It’s going to beContinue reading FIND US ON INSTAGRAM LIVE TODAY! →

L.A. City Council Member Marqueece Harris-Dawson (@mhdcd8) discusses Karen Bass’ new Inside Safe program, Measure HHH ($1.2 billion dollars for homeless services), affordable housing, Renter’s Rights to Counsel in L.A., getting LAPD off traffic stops in L.A. since it disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities, and more. I also had a great time going throughContinue reading EPISODE 114 – L.A. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER HARRIS-DAWSON ON KAREN BASS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND LAPD’S TRAFFIC STOPS →

This update notes the second day of SEIU Local 99’s work stoppage and strike, as well as the recent L.A. County Motion to rename Grand Park to Gloria Molina Grand Park in honor of the former L.A. City Council and L.A. County Supervisor’s legacy for local government and Latina women in Los Angeles. Our updateContinue reading L.A. VS BARCELONA THIS SPRING →

Mara Tatevosian (she/her/hers) is a fellow for Outfest Fusion’s 2022|2023 Film Programming Fellowship and a queer Armenian-Iranian-American filmmaker and curator. We discuss this year’s Outfest Fusion QTBIPOC Film Festival, which takes place both online and in person across theaters everywhere in Los Angeles from March 24th – April 2nd. We also discuss the origins ofContinue reading EPISODE 113 – MARA TATEVOSIAN ON OUTFEST FUSION QTBIPOC FILM FESTIVAL →

A reminder for this evening and then some. First up, the Outfest Fusion QTBIPOC Film Festival takes over Los Angeles online and in person starting next Friday; the festival is the largest of its kind for LGBTQUIA+ communities in the city and features “dramas, comedies, documentaries, short films, special events and more.” Mara Tatevosian (@maratatevos)Continue reading OUTFEST FUSION FILM FESTIVAL, UTLA RALLY AT GRAND PARK, AND MORE UPDATES →

A super-brief update from yours truly due to some technical issues with my microphone over these last few days. Our photo for this episode is provided by Al Seib of the Los Angeles Times. First up, this Saturday, March 4th, the LAPD and L.A. City Council Member Tim McOsker are hosting a Gun Buyback programContinue reading GUN BUYBACK THIS WEEKEND AND THE NEW J.T. WEATHER REPORT →

Hugo Soto-Martinez joins the podcast for the third time and for the first as the official Council Member for CD-13. We discuss the new council member’s plan for the district, his office’s strategy on combating homelessness, his office’s coordination with Mayor Bass’ Safer Inside initiative and L.A. County to bring unhoused people indoors, and theContinue reading EPISODE 112 – COUNCIL MEMBER SOTO-MARTINEZ NOTES UPCOMING TOWN HALLS IN ECHO PARK →