How To LA

Episodes

Listen • 50:06

Listen • 50:06

This Old House Radio Hour: Designing for Disaster: How Los Angeles Builds Back Smarter + Saving The Outsider’s House + Four DIY Fixes: Chimneys, Circuits, Ceilings, and Steam

This week on This Old House Radio Hour—what does it mean to rebuild not just homes, but entire communities?

Sunset Magazine editor-in-chief Hugh Garvey joins us to discuss the magazine’s special issue devoted to the rebuilding of Altadena and Pacific Palisades in the wake of January’s devastating wildfires. Sunset, a voice in California architecture for over 125 years, has assembled an extraordinary coalition of architects, planners, artists, and historians. Together, they offer not just a plan, but a call to action—for fire-resilient homes, culturally grounded design, and a West that can weather what’s coming.

Then we travel from the hills of Los Angeles to the streets of Tulsa, where Danny Boy O’Connor—from House of Pain—takes us inside his remarkable second act. After bottoming out, he bought a run-down house for $15,000... and it just happened to be the house from The Outsiders. What followed was a full restoration, a pilgrimage, and a new life. We take a tour of the Outsiders Museum and meet the community that made it possible.

Later, Cheap Old Houses is back—Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein spotlight a dreamy 1870s Victorian in Fredonia, Kentucky and an off-the-grid cabin on federal forest land in Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, both for under $100,000.

Plus, another round of House Rules, our listener-powered game that tests your home renovation know-how. And in The Simple Fix, we show you how to find a stud in your baseboard—without breaking the wall.

And as always, we’re taking your calls. Got a house problem, project hurdle, or just need a little advice? Call us at (877) 864-7460.

All that and more, coming up on This Old House Radio Hour.

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Listen • 15:14

Listen • 15:14

Revival House: The Egyptian Theater (REDUX)

#181: Revival House – our weekly love letter to vintage and indie theaters across LA – will be back next week. Today, we're revisiting the episode from last fall that inspired the series, profiling the recently reopened Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.

Original episode description below.

The historic Egyptian Theater in Hollywood officially reopened its doors after a three-year closure and extensive renovation. It's sale to Netflix in 2020 drew some criticism but moviegoers so far have been enthusiastic about it being able to sit in its seats once again to watch a film.

The theater has a long history in Los Angeles. When Sid Grauman first opened it in 1922 it helped establish Hollywood as a destination and the city as a place for the movies.

How to LA producer Victoria Alejandro caught a movie herself at the Egyptian and joined host Brian De Los Santos to talk about the significance of it opening back up.

Additional Guests: Ross Melnick, theater historian who teaches film and media at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and Grant Moninger, Artistic Director at the American Cinematheque
Listen • 15:31

Listen • 15:31

Abortion Pill Access At California Universities? Well…

#241: California universities are supposed to provide abortion medication to students who are need of it, thanks to a law that went into effect early in 2023. But a lot of students don't know this as many of these campuses fail to mention it.

In their latest reporting, LAist senior health reporter Jackie Fortiér and higher education correspondent Adolfo Guzman-Lopez recently put the spotlight on this issue and how students are trying to fill the silence.

Guest: LAist senior health reporter Jackie Fortiér

Read Jackie and Adolfo's reporting here:

California Universities Are Required To Offer Students Abortion Pills. A Lot Just Don't Mention It

Where California Universities Go Quiet On Abortion, Students Fill In The Silence
Listen • 25:37

Listen • 25:37

Building A Music Community To Feel Less Alone

#240: For the next installment of our finding community series, we're talking music!

Writer's 'Round LA is a Nashville-style, singer-songwriter showcase and hang for artists and non-artists alike. Think a 60s or 70s era Laurel Canyon open mic night. Good vibes all around.

Today, producer Megan Botel explores how people are creating strong connections and building community through groups like Writer's 'Round LA.

Guests: Greg Gilman, singer, songwriter for Greg in Good Company and founder of Writer's 'Round LA; Kat Hamilton, curator for Writer's 'Round LA and singer-songwriter.

Here are the musicians you heard in the episode, check them out!

Leah Ashton, listen to her latest album here.

Erica Dawson (who has a show coming up).

Dylan Kanner, who played the open mic. Check out his dreamy music.

Greg In Good Company, check out their new single, "Home."
Listen • 21:29

Listen • 21:29

Cheap Fast Eats #12: Boyle Heights

#239: Cheap Fast Eats is back! Did you miss us? It's our monthly segment featuring LAist food editor Gab Chabrán and all his favorite spots to grab a quick and inexpensive meal throughout L.A. This time we're in Boyle Heights - the true East Side, for those who know.

Come along as we eat our way through some rainy day comfort food.

Restaurants featured in this episode: Pioneer Chicken, Brooklyn Ave Pizza, Mariscos Jalisco

For Gab's full list of Cheap Fast Eats in Boyle Heights, check out his article on LAist.com:
https://laist.com/brief/news/food/cheap-fast-eats-chow-down-in-historic-boyle-heights-for-10
Listen • 16:54

Listen • 16:54

Revival House: The New Beverly Cinema, Always On Film

#238: As we continue our series "Revival House," How to LA producer Victoria Alejandro is taking us to The New Beverly Cinema over in Fairfax, where movies are always on film.

The theater, owned by Quentin Tarantino, has a long history as complex as LA's. Join us as we explore the building's history and discover what makes it a special place to catch a double feature today.

Guests: Theater and operations manager Jules McLean, projectionist Danielle Wakin, and film professor and theater historian Ross Melnick.
Listen • 13:31
Listen • 13:31

Lion Dancers, Dragon Parades and Dumplings: Lunar New Year In LA
#237: Today we’re talking about Lunar New Year and how it’s celebrated in this city — from the 125th anniversary of the Golden Dragon Parade to a student-run lion dance team at UCLA.

Guests:
- Jenny Lin, board member of the Chinese American Museum
- ACA Lion Dance team coordinators: Kristine Ly, Laura Kubiatko and Samuel Lu
- Alexis Wong, former ACA Lion Dance team coordinator
- Scarlett Yen, event manager of the Golden Dragon Parade, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles
Upcoming Lunar New Year events:
- Golden Dragon Parade, Saturday February 17th
- Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival, Sunday February 18th
- Spring Fest at the Chinese American Museum, March 2nd
*Editor's note: This episode has been updated with a clarification about the origins of the Golden Dragon Parade in L.A.
Listen • 26:39

Listen • 26:39

Looking for Love in LA? We Tried Speed Dating And You Can Too

#236: Sick of dating apps? It's almost Valentine's Day, so How To LA is mixing things up...and going speed dating! It's part of series we are running with every Tuesday, over the next 4 weeks, that examines feelings of loneliness in this town and how people are dealing with it by making new connections in the city.
Given this time of year, we are going with romantic connections. In a city that's perceived as being very hard to date in, speed dating is gaining in popularity, especially among Gen Z.
How To LA host Brian De Los Santos and producer Megan Botel went to two speed dating events – one for straight folks and one for LGBTQ folks – to check out how this whole thing works and give you some tips!
They also speak to dating and relationship expert Damona Hoffman for some advice.
Guests: Damona Hoffman, certified dating and relationship coach and author of "F The Fairytale"; Andrea Ramirez, founder of The Next Fun Thing (Love In LA); David Greenberg, chief operating officer of The Next Fun Thing (Love In LA)
Listen • 9:21
Listen • 9:21

How To Prep For The Primary Election: The Climate Crisis
#235: It’s an election year folks and Los Angeles has a primary coming up March 5th — just a month away!

But don't worry, we got you.

LAist has a new Voter Game Plan. It's a super helpful voter guide with information on what’s on the ballot and it includes short cuts broken down by issues that really matter to Angelenos — like criminal justice, homelessness and affordable housing.

Today, we're talking about the climate emergency.

Guest:
- Brianna Lee, Engagement Producer of Civics & Democracy for LAist