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 • 13:57

Transcript

Listen • 13:57

How I Got Started: Comedian, Ashley Ray

#54: The City of Angels is made up of some pretty exciting people, from all sorts of backgrounds with all kinds of interests. This year, we're putting the spotlight on some folks we think you should know about... and demystifying how they got to where they are in life. From musicians and writers to changemakers and activists, we’re sitting down with some dope Angelenos and getting INTO it in our new segment, “How I Got Started.”

This first chat is with the fabulous Ashley Ray. She’s a stand-up comedian, podcast host, TV writer, and television critic. Find her on Twitter @theashleyray, or her website Theashleyray.com

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Listen • 11:32

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Listen • 11:32

'Abnormal Is Normal' When It Comes To SoCal Weather

#53: We've had record rain in California since the start of the year, brought on by atmospheric rivers and bomb cyclones. There's been massive flooding and at least 19 deaths in parts of the state. It's got people talking about whether this is just what normal is supposed to look like after years of drought, or if all these back-to-back storms really were some sort of natural abnormality. How much does this have to do with climate change, and can we expect this extreme weather more often from now on? How to LA host Brian De Los Santos gets some perspective from Alex Hall, a professor in the Atmospheric and Oceanic Scientist Department at UCLA.

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Listen • 14:41

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Listen • 14:41

Exploring Fairfax: Where Hype Meets History

#52: For our first episode of 2023, HTLA is headed back to our roots: exploring LA's neighborhoods. This stop? Fairfax – one of the oldest AND newest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. From Canter's Deli and a handful of remaining Judaica stores, to RipNDip and Supreme, this is one of those neighborhoods that's got something for everyone. So join host Brian De Los Santos as HTLA listener Patrick Vukovich takes him on a tour of the district and its history.

Guest: Patrick Vukovich, television producer and LAist listener.

Note: A previous version of this story included incorrect information about redevelopment at CBS Television City. The updated plan is available here: https://planning.lacity.org/development-services/eir/tvc-2050-project-0

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Listen • 15:53

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Listen • 15:53

City Controller Kenneth Mejia Wants To Be Transparent

#51: Kenneth Mejia made history this fall when he was elected as the first Asian American controller in L.A. He's young, 32. He has corgis, rides a scooter, and has been painted as a leftist. In other words, he comes off kinda cool...for an accountant. Mejia joins a couple of other political newbies who rode a progressive wave into office this year. But L.A. needs some work. How will he and some of the other new folks work with everyone else to get things done, and make some change?

Guests: Kenneth Mejia, LA City Controller; Frank Stoltze, LAist's Civics and Democracy Correspondent

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Listen • 7:12

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Listen • 7:12

Well, We've Had a Wild 2022. How About You?

#50: For our 50th episode (and second to last before 2023!) HTLA host Brian De Los Santos reflects on the changes this year brought him. Then our crew at LAist and some of our listeners share their wildest moments of 2022.

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Listen • 11:36

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Listen • 11:36

Shining A Light On Antisemitism In LA County

#49: WARNING: There are events discussed in this episode that might be upsetting for some.

It's Hanukkah, a time for Jewish people to come together with friends and family, light the menorah and exchange gifts. But this year feels a little more solemn. Hate crimes, and particularly antisemitic ones, are on the rise in LA County. The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles recently held its second annual Shine A Light event at Grand Park in Downtown LA. Mayor Karen Bass and other political officials joined jewish leaders to raise awareness of the rising rates of antisemitism and discuss how to fight against the hate. HTLA producer Megan Botel was there and interviewed one woman whose mother was killed during an attack on a synagogue in 2019.

Guests: Hannah Jacqueline Kaye, daughter of Lori Gilbert Kaye, who was killed at Chabad of Poway in San Diego; Randi Grossman, Lori Gilbert Kaye's sister; Jeffrey Abrams, L.A. regional director of the ADL

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Listen • 14:27

Listen • 14:27

P-22 Dodged Cars So His Fellow Cats Could Run

(Update) #23: He was known as the “Ghost Cat”. The “Brad Pitt” of Lions. The Old Man (in the cougar world). Any news of P-22 dominated the headlines, and his likeness inspired art all over the city.

LA's one and only lion king was euthanized on Dec. 17 after severe injuries, likely from impact with a car. He leaves a huge legacy, including a wildlife crossing that is currently being built that will allow LA's wildlife to better roam without risk.

Today we're revisiting the episode we published earlier in the year about the crossing.

The largest wildlife crossing in the WORLD will cross over 10 lanes of the 101 freeway - the deadliest road for mountain lions - to connect the Santa Monica Mountains with the Simi Hills. We revisit the episode with Miguel Ordenaña, the guy who first discovered P-22 using a motion-activated cameras. He and HTLA host Brian De Los Santos talk about what this crossing will mean for this city, and what it takes for projects like these to break ground.

Guest: Miguel Ordenaña, community science manager at the Natural History Museum.
Listen • 12:40

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Listen • 12:40

The Basic Girl Holiday Special

#48: Heads up L.A., this next episode is all fluff. Cause it's the holidays. And you know what that means? Time to get basic! This cozy time of year has that ability to bring the most basic parts out in all of us, right? Host Brian De Los Santos and producer Megan Botel define what it really means to be a basic girl and take you on an LA basic girl journey - holiday edition. Explore pumpkin spice lattes, the Original Farmers Market, peppermint bark, selfies with Santa, overpriced candles and a holiday pop up bar in the Arts District, complete with fake snow.

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