"Off Press" — The Podcast of LMU Magazine

A visit to a Palos Verdes Peninsula beach in 2000 transformed LMU Englsh professor and poet Paul Harris into a student of rocks and geology. Harris talks about how rocks tell the story of earth's geologic history and humans' place within it.

Mega sports events, like the World Cup and the Olympic Games, usually promise huge revenue boosts to cities that host them. Los Angeles has held eight 2026 World Cup matches and will be home to the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. Economist Shirin Mollah discusses whether revenue from these events beats costs when it comes to L.A.'s bottom line.

Pope Leo, in his encyclical about artificial intelligence, says advancing technology must serve people, not profit. Allan Deck, S.J., LMU professor of theology, explains how Leo's message about A.I. is rooted in concern for human dignity, the value of work, and the common good.

Artist and illustrator Edel Rodriguez, who began drawing as a child, came to America from Cuba in the 1980 Mariel boatlift. Today, his political illustrations appear on magazine covers around the world. He discusses art, censorship, and freedom of expression at the intersection of politics and visual media.

Poet Dana Gioia, former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, talks about his roots in Los Angeles, his Catholicism, and his latest collection, "Meet Me at the Lighthouse."

Fernando Saldivar, S.J., who works on human rights at the LMU Loyola Law School International Human Rights Center, talks about the Catholic Church's stance on immigration, current U.S. immigration policies, and human rights issues.

Asylum seekers, refugees, and others seeking safety and a home in America are facing new hurdles in the sweeping changes in the U.S. immigration system. Linda Dakin-Grimm, a lawyer who works with separated families, discusses the changes taking place.

Immigration raids in Los Angeles have kept migrants from work, food shopping, and even atttending Sunday Mass. Kevin Sarabia, with the LMU Loyola Law School Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic, talks about the impact on the city's local communities.

The January 2025 wildfires likely are the biggest natural disaster in the history of the Los Angeles area. Fernando Guerra, professor and director of LMU's Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles, talks about the immediate and future impacts of the fires on the L.A.'s people, services, and budget.

Freeways both connect and divide the Los Angeles region. Nathan Sessoms, professor in the LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, describes the impact of building the 10 freeway through L.A.'s West Adams community.