How To LA

Episodes

Listen • 14:56

Listen • 14:56

Vietnamese Workers Fuel Nail Salons. So Why The Low Pay?

#260: Tens of thousands of Vietnamese immigrants rely on nail salons as an economic powerhouse: a an attractive option that lets them work hard and express their creativity, all without needing to learn English. But worker pay can sometimes dip below minimum wage, depending on individual manicurists' client lists.

This wouldn't be a legal problem if the manicurists were classified as "Gig Workers," and until recently that's exactly what most salons did. But advocates for salon workers – and even industry advisors representing employers – say that manicurists do not meet the criteria to be classified that way. Instead they should be hourly employees, and receive benefits like sick pay, vacation days, and at least a minimum wage.

LAist's Asian American Communities reporter Josie Huang shares her reporting with us at the salon near work. To learn more about her report, check out her article on LAist.com

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Listen • 27:08

Listen • 27:08

REDUX: Composer And LAUSD Grad Kris Bowers On His 'Last Repair Shop'

#243: We're bringing you an encore presentation of our interview with composer Kris Bowers about the documentary short he co-directed called "The Last Repair Shop." The film won an Oscar this past Sunday. This episode originally aired on February 27, 2024.

Today we’re talking to pianist, film composer and LAUSD alumnus Kris Bowers. Bowers has composed the scores for films like "Green Book," "King Richard" and "The Color Purple," and streaming series like "Dear White People" and "Bridgerton."

But that LAUSD part of his resume is very relevant to one of his latest projects.

It’s a short documentary that Bowers co-directed (along with Ben Proudfoot) called “The Last Repair Shop." It's all about the technicians who work in a repair shop downtown, fixing and tuning the more than 100,000 instruments the district provides to students, free of charge.

In addition to an Oscar nod, the film has also inspired a $15 million capital campaign — to raise funds for the repair shop and for a student apprenticeship program.
Listen • 14:11

Listen • 14:11

REDUX: Everything You Need To Know About SoCal's Wildflower Bloom

#90: We're bringing back an episode from last wildflower season to kick off this one! Last year was a very wet winter, and this one was no different. This episode original aired on April 14, 2023.

Happy wildflower season! Have you seen all the wildflowers popping up around the city and beyond lately? Our very wet winter has paid off, and SoCal's spectacular array of wildflowers is our reward. Today, botanist Evan Meyer tells us all about SoCal's special bloom.

California is one of the few places in the world that experiences this explosion of color beginning each spring. Learn how the state's Mediterranean climate produces our unique wildflower seasons and – most importantly – how to responsibly enjoy the blooms without disturbing the delicate ecosystem.

Guest: Evan Meyer, executive director of the Theodore Payne Foundation
Listen • 18:11

Listen • 18:11

Down To Feast, with LA Try Guy: Westchester

#251: You know this podcast LOVES our food episodes, so we're teaming up with someone who loves LA's food scene as much as we do: Alex Cottrell, better known as LA Try Guy. In this new segment, Down To Feast, Brian and Alex show each other their favorite meal in the neighborhood. This first one is in Westchester, so next time you're going to LAX (or next time you're in the need of some ridiculously delicious Jamaican food) you've got some solid recommendations to choose from.

Best Chicken Sausage Sammich (Brian): The Coffee Company

Best Oxtail (Alex): Hungry Joes

Music in this episode composed by: Austin Cross, Cortex, Dexter Thomas, Makoto Matsushita, Moon Mullins, The Sweet Enoughs
Listen • 22:39

Listen • 22:39

Revival House: The Gardena Cinema's Fight to Stay Open

#250:

As we continue our series "Revival House," How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro is taking us to the South Bay of LA. We're checking out the Gardena Cinema, which pivoted to revival screenings relatively recently.

The theater has been owned by the Kim family since 1976, and is now a non-profit run by Judy Kim and a team of 40 volunteers. Kim has saved the cinema from closures a handful of times now, and has also built up an incredible community of folks dedicated to keeping the cinema running.

Join us as we explore this theater's past and future.

Guests: Theater owner Judy Kim and volunteers Adela Tobon, Bill DeFrance, Cifen, and Conor Holt.
Listen • 17:19

Listen • 17:19

For The Love Of Griffith Park

#249: Who needs Central Park when we have Griffith? Griffith Park is smack in the middle of LA - but did you know it's also central to LA's development as a city? The 4,200 acre park has a LOT of history, from 1960's social & political movements, to Spanish colony-era land deals, to Tongva villages.

Today we're walking along the park's historic Ferndell trail with LA Explained reporter, Caitlin Hernandez, to learn more about what makes this place so special.
Listen • 10:46

Listen • 10:46

It's Election Day! When Will We Know Results?

#248: The primary is on, L.A.! You can still fill out your ballot and drop it off or go in person to a voting center until 8pm. And to check out where the closest one to you is go to LAVote.net.

Now we all know turnout for local elections is not great in L.A., even if there’s a presidential candidate on the ballot. But why? And why should you participate? (One big reason: some races – including any with only two candidates – will be decided in today's election)

Brianna Lee, Engagement Producer for Civics and Democracy at LAist, walks us through these questions and has all the info you need for voting today.
Listen • 8:49
Listen • 8:49

How To Prep For Tomorrow's Primary: Voting And Criminal Justice
#247: The March primary is tomorrow, folks!

But don't worry, we got you.

LAist has a Voter Game Plan — it's super helpful voter guide with information on what’s on the ballot. It also includes shortcuts broken down by issues that really matter to Angelenos — like homelessness and the climate emergency.

Today, we're talking about another one: public safety.

Guest:
- Brianna Lee, Engagement Producer of Civics & Democracy for LAist
Listen • 26:22
Listen • 26:22

Social Calendar: Make Staying Up Late Cool Again
#246: Hey, How to LA listeners! We’re back with another social calendar to talk about the interesting, fun, new happenings in the city.

Guests: Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido and Frank Shyong, LA Times columnist who writes about the diaspora, culture, politics. AND he shares great food content on his social channels with some of the most interesting spots to grub in LA.
Here’s what each person pitched for YOUR social calendar:
- The Wiz at The Pantages in Hollywood until March 3. Or catch "Chicago" next.
- Late-night coffee shops in Koreatown! Make staying up late cool again.
  Cafe Mak
  Awesome Coffee
  TPO Coffee
  About Time Cafe
- Gardening! Take advantage of the rain, and it almost being spring