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AirTalk

with Larry Mantle

Larry Mantle hosts lively and in-depth discussions of city news, politics, science, the arts, entertainment, and more. Airs weekdays 9-11am on 89.3 FM and streaming online at LAist.com and the LAist app. Austin Cross hosts AirTalk Fridays — watch the Friday show live on Instagram (@laistofficial).

To comment, contact 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
AirTalk Tile 2024
Featured Episode
The first post-fire home in the Palisades has been built
Listen 1:39:02
Today on AirTalk: Post-fire rebuilding; Potential congressional review of US military strikes; Journey across the US by steakhouse; ChatGPT turns 3; L.A. County bans Kratom; Best TV and movie titles.
Today on AirTalk:
  • Post-fire rebuilding
  • Potential congressional review of US military strikes
  • Journey across the US by steakhouse
  • ChatGPT turns 3
  • L.A. County bans Kratom
  • What are the best tv & movie titles?

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Recent Episodes
  • Listen 1:05:51
    Today on AirTalk: Tenth anniversary of the San Bernardino shooting; Tattoos and health; Celebrities in commercials; New UCLA football coach; and DACA recipients.
    Today on AirTalk: Tenth anniversary of the San Bernardino shooting; Tattoos and health; Celebrities in commercials; New UCLA football coach; and DACA recipients.
  • Listen 1:39:02
    Today on AirTalk: Post-fire rebuilding; Potential congressional review of US military strikes; Journey across the US by steakhouse; ChatGPT turns 3; L.A. County bans Kratom; Best TV and movie titles.
    Today on AirTalk: Post-fire rebuilding; Potential congressional review of US military strikes; Journey across the US by steakhouse; ChatGPT turns 3; L.A. County bans Kratom; Best TV and movie titles.

Show your support for AirTalk today!

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  • Listen 1:34:48
    Russia's proposal to destroy Syria's chemical weapons is an alternative solution to U.S. military strikes. Could this avert a war with Syria? Then, Apple announced the updated features for the new iPhone. Will you be buying the latest one? Next, what are coffehouses doing to combat Wi-Fi Squatters, and what can a renter do to increase their chances of getting a place? Then, we're talking with author Katy Butler about everyone's right to refuse medical treatment to prolong life. Lastly, we will preview tonight's soccer match of USA vs.Mexico.
    Russia's proposal to destroy Syria's chemical weapons is an alternative solution to U.S. military strikes. Could this avert a war with Syria? Then, Apple announced the updated features for the new iPhone. Will you be buying the latest one? Next, what are coffehouses doing to combat Wi-Fi Squatters, and what can a renter do to increase their chances of getting a place? Then, we're talking with author Katy Butler about everyone's right to refuse medical treatment to prolong life. Lastly, we will preview tonight's soccer match of USA vs.Mexico.
  • Listen 1:34:49
    What will President Obama do if he fails to get lawmakers' approval for strikes in Syria? Could it could harm the President's agenda in foreign affairs? Then, what's the fate of California's Environmental Quality Act? And Matthew Cordle posted an online video, confessing to killing a man while driving drunk. Are public confessions good for society? Then, Governor Jerry Brown has announced a deal to relieve the state's prison population, and does anyone care about Samsung's new smartwatch? Lastly, we're talking with Author Jeffrey A. Hall on the five flirting styles. What makes a good flirt?
    What will President Obama do if he fails to get lawmakers' approval for strikes in Syria? Could it could harm the President's agenda in foreign affairs? Then, what's the fate of California's Environmental Quality Act? And Matthew Cordle posted an online video, confessing to killing a man while driving drunk. Are public confessions good for society? Then, Governor Jerry Brown has announced a deal to relieve the state's prison population, and does anyone care about Samsung's new smartwatch? Lastly, we're talking with Author Jeffrey A. Hall on the five flirting styles. What makes a good flirt?
  • Listen 47:31
    California is considering a law that would require motorists to keep a three-foot buffer between their cars and cyclists. Will it help to make cyclists safer or just inconvenience drivers? Then, Anthony Weiner is back in the news--this time in a video of a confrontation with a man who insults his wife. Was Weiner's response justified? And the IOC is meeting this weekend to, among other things, plan for the 2020 Olympic Games. Where will they be held? And what sports will stay or go? Then, Larry and our critics discuss this weekend's releases and we'll talk to an author to get a retrospective view of Roman Polanski and his iconic films. TGI-FilmWeek!
    California is considering a law that would require motorists to keep a three-foot buffer between their cars and cyclists. Will it help to make cyclists safer or just inconvenience drivers? Then, Anthony Weiner is back in the news--this time in a video of a confrontation with a man who insults his wife. Was Weiner's response justified? And the IOC is meeting this weekend to, among other things, plan for the 2020 Olympic Games. Where will they be held? And what sports will stay or go? Then, Larry and our critics discuss this weekend's releases and we'll talk to an author to get a retrospective view of Roman Polanski and his iconic films. TGI-FilmWeek!
  • Listen 1:34:54
    An earthquake off the coast of Alaska could cause a tsunami that would flood Long Beach and parts of Orange County, according to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey. What is the likelihood of this happening? Then, as the California food stamp bills heads to the Governor's office, why do so few people participate in the program? Next, should California stop letting pro athletes file workers comp claims, and would installing speed regulators on cars increase safety? Then, what are the moral issues with selective reduction in vitro pregnancies? Lastly, we'll talk with author Nicholas Schou about the underground marijuana trade.
    An earthquake off the coast of Alaska could cause a tsunami that would flood Long Beach and parts of Orange County, according to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey. What is the likelihood of this happening? Then, as the California food stamp bills heads to the Governor's office, why do so few people participate in the program? Next, should California stop letting pro athletes file workers comp claims, and would installing speed regulators on cars increase safety? Then, what are the moral issues with selective reduction in vitro pregnancies? Lastly, we'll talk with author Nicholas Schou about the underground marijuana trade.
  • Listen 1:34:43
    What are the U.S.'s options in Syria? Then, a recent study found Jews give at a much higher rate than other groups. How does Jewish giving impact Los Angeles? Then, what do you think of the new video screens at the Hollywood Bowl, and are Gen Y workers lazy in the workplace? Lastly, is Bigfoot real? We find out with author Donald and his book“Abominable Science!: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and Other Famous Cryptids.”
    What are the U.S.'s options in Syria? Then, a recent study found Jews give at a much higher rate than other groups. How does Jewish giving impact Los Angeles? Then, what do you think of the new video screens at the Hollywood Bowl, and are Gen Y workers lazy in the workplace? Lastly, is Bigfoot real? We find out with author Donald and his book“Abominable Science!: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and Other Famous Cryptids.”
  • Listen 1:34:48
    Congress debates military action against Syria. What do you think Congress should decide? Then, how do insurers decide which new treatments are worth top dollar? Next, the LAPD is cracking down on Crenshaw cruising. Do they need to do that, or is cruising just harmless fun? Then, we'll talk about a roundup of business deals including CBS reaching an agreement with Time Warner. Next, texting while driving is a huge problem, but should the sender of a text be held liable for distracting a driver? Lastly, Allstate released its annual America's Best Drivers report. Which cities do you think have the worst drivers?
    Congress debates military action against Syria. What do you think Congress should decide? Then, how do insurers decide which new treatments are worth top dollar? Next, the LAPD is cracking down on Crenshaw cruising. Do they need to do that, or is cruising just harmless fun? Then, we'll talk about a roundup of business deals including CBS reaching an agreement with Time Warner. Next, texting while driving is a huge problem, but should the sender of a text be held liable for distracting a driver? Lastly, Allstate released its annual America's Best Drivers report. Which cities do you think have the worst drivers?
  • Tyson Foods no longer uses cattle fed Zilmax growth hormone. Will other meat packers follow suit? Then, the Princeton Review released their annual list of party schools. Did your alma mater make the list? Next, we talk with author David Robertson on the toy empire Lego. How has the company managed to be so successful for so long? And later, we'll talk about the fear of flying. What is it that triggers the phobia? And should we consider regulating sugar like we do alcohol? What are the benefits and what are the drawbacks?
  • Listen 1:34:57
    John Kerry made his case for military intervention in Syria in a press conference this morning. Did he change your opinion of whether the US should take action? Then we'll discuss whether police wearing cameras on their person would improve their behavior and that of suspects. And later, our critics talk with Larry about the Labor Day weekend releases and we'll find out what's happening in the porn industry these days. TGI-FilmWeek!
    John Kerry made his case for military intervention in Syria in a press conference this morning. Did he change your opinion of whether the US should take action? Then we'll discuss whether police wearing cameras on their person would improve their behavior and that of suspects. And later, our critics talk with Larry about the Labor Day weekend releases and we'll find out what's happening in the porn industry these days. TGI-FilmWeek!
  • Listen 1:34:45
    The New York Times website was down for nearly two days because of an external attack. Other news organizations have suffered the same fate. What kind of damage can this type of hacking do? Next, Nissan plan to build the first self-driving car. Would you buy one? Then, is a post-college test the best way to judge a graduate's value to potential employers and what makes e-cigarettes so appealing? Lastly, author David Epstein says some people have a gene that affects their athletic abilities. Can you test for a sports gene?
    The New York Times website was down for nearly two days because of an external attack. Other news organizations have suffered the same fate. What kind of damage can this type of hacking do? Next, Nissan plan to build the first self-driving car. Would you buy one? Then, is a post-college test the best way to judge a graduate's value to potential employers and what makes e-cigarettes so appealing? Lastly, author David Epstein says some people have a gene that affects their athletic abilities. Can you test for a sports gene?
  • Today marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, where Martin Luther King Jr. once stood and delivered his dream for racial equality. Now President Barack Obama and former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter are set to speak at this same spot. NPR will be providing special coverage of the event on AirTalk. Then, should Congress be recalled to debate possible action in Syria? Lastly, Governor Brown proposes using the state’s emergency fund to keep prisoners behind bars. Is this a good plan?

Credits & Support

Larry Mantle, Host
Austin Cross, Host
Lindsey Wright, Senior Producer
Lucy Copp, Producer
Nicolas Perez, Producer
Manny Valladares, Associate Producer
Payton Seda, Associate Producer
Faheem Khan, Associate Producer
Courtney Eileen Fulcher, Apprentice News Clerk