What The Hal?

She’s combining the worlds of country and Latin music together – and taking the world by storm. 

Dianña Parro is a singer and songwriter who began her career in her early teens. She began with gospel music then jumped to rap then rock and now country with a mix of Latin. 

She sits down with Hal Eisner for a one-on-one interview and gives us a look back on her life, music career and who inspired her.

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Being in a high school band is a great after-school activities, perfect way to make friends and of course gain new skills by playing an instrument.

In this podcast we speak with a bandleader and the LAUSD music director about its nearly 400 member band and how students benefit from music education.  The band performed in the Rose Parade and will be performing in the upcoming Martin Luther King Day parade.

Our guests include bandleader Ramon Mendez and LAUSD Music Director Tony White.

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Smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices can be a mystery to those who can't see very well. But the Braille Institute has classes to help those who are visually impaired learn how to use new devices and certain mobile apps.  In this podcast our guests include Jack Follman with the Braille institute instructor Nutsiri Kidkul and student Delores Mann.

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It's one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S., but still a lot of people have never heard of it. It combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong and is a game that appeals to all ages. Joining us in this podcast is Bill Green who runs Sports Tutor-- which gives pickleball lessons. With him are Peter Martinez and James Napikin- who are here to explain a little about this new craze.

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January is Human Trafficking Prevention month. It’s a time that shines a light on the issue and raises awareness.

In 2018, 10,949 cases of human trafficking were reported to the Polaris-operated National Human Trafficking Hotline. According to statistics from Polaris these cases involved 23,078 individual survivors; 5,859 potential traffickers and 1,905 trafficking businesses. Human trafficking is still one of the most under reported crimes and often times go unnoticed. 

Many people working in the hotel industry are now being trained on how to spot human trafficking and are learning ways to help the victim get to safety.

In this podcast we discuss ways to spot human trafficking, how to potentially give help to a victim and look at a few laws and tactics law enforcement is doing to help.

Our guests include former prosecutor Mary David and Elisabeth Gegner with Freedom Ride Project.

A community forum on legalization and decriminalization of prostitution will be held Jan. 15 in San Clemente. For information on the event click here. And in Downey a Human Trafficking Conference will take place on Jan. 11

The National Human Trafficking Hotline number is (888) 373-7888 or you can text Be Free (233733)

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A vacation on a cruise ship is relaxing, fun and enjoyable but within the past few months fears of infections on local cruise ships have rose. 

In November four people were hospitalized after getting sick aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship that had docked in San Pedro. On December 1st several other people became ill after returning from their cruise, also on a Norwegian ship. 

The illnesses were identified as being the norovirus. Despite that cruise line's bad luck -- we've seen that the norovirus can run through any place where a crowd of people are housed together. In this podcast we discuss ways to get yourself healthy and safe while traveling. Our guests include Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Leo Li MD and travel expert Angel Castellanos.

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From responding to house fires, natural emergencies and even the Rose Parade, volunteers with the Red Cross are always out in full force helping the people in their community. 

In Los Angeles there are roughly 8,000 volunteers and many help both in the local community as well as other states and overseas. 

In this podcast we speak with two volunteers who discuss what they do, why they do it and the satisfaction that comes with the job. Our guests include Red Cross Los Angeles Media Relation Marilyn Davila and volunteers Randy Ferman and Roxanne Schorbach.

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Los Angeles firefighter Eric Stevens is now in the fight of his life against ALS also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.  Stevens was diagnosed in August, just a month after his wedding. As shattering as that diagnosis was, Stevens and his family take comfort in the support of his fire department cronies and the public. 

In this podcast Stevens discusses his journey with ALS as well as clinical trials currently in the works that has helped a number of people. 

Our guests include Eric Stevens, his wife Amanda Stevens and his brother Brett Stevens.  

For more information and to find ways to help Stevens and so many others go to StevensNation.com.

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Knowing how to stop the bleed can help save a life. Launched in October of 2015 by the White House, Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and a call to action that encourages bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

Our guests include Melissa Barnes a trauma nurse at Providence Holy Cross medical Center and Doctor Richard Moore a trauma surgeon at Providence Holy Cross medical Center. 

In this podcast they discuss the specific techniques used as well as special tourniquets people can have on them in case of an emergency.  Classes on Stop the Bleed as well as getting tourniquets are available on Stopthebleed.org.

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Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson is opening up about his son’s struggle with drug abuse, mental illness and homelessness. Wesson recently put out a campaign ad featuring his search for his homeless son.
The ads feature his wife narrating as the councilman searches Skid Row.

In this podcast Wesson discusses the emotional and personal ad and his reason behind it. He also discusses the homeless crisis in Los Angeles and what is being done to help. 

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