Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

How To LA

We’re here to help curious Angelenos connect with others, discover the new, navigate the confusing, and even drive some change along the way. Host Brian De Los Santos brings you stories about L.A., for L.A., by L.A. — with your help. Like you, we know this city is unique, and that’s why it’s one of the reasons we love it.
Episodes
  • How To LA logo (graphical text) with LAist Studios logo (graphical text) with 6th street bridge in the background; with red to orange vertical gradient as background color
    Listen 50:06
    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.

    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.

  • How To LA logo (graphical text) with LAist Studios logo (graphical text) with 6th street bridge in the background; with red to orange vertical gradient as background color
    Listen 24:30
    Hey there! After 317 new episodes, the How to LA team is turning the page. We won't be producing weekly episodes anymore, but you'll hear our reporting on LAist 89.3 FM, on our website and on social media. Before we exited the party, we wanted to hang out with our homies, comadres and contributors one last time.

    Thank you for lettings us in your homes, speakers and communities. Follow along at LAist.com/newsletters and Instagram

    Guests:
    Gab Chabrán, LAist food editor

    Cato Hernández, LAist reporter

    Joshua Letona, LAist social media producer

    Erin Stone, LAist reporter

    Antonia Cereijido, LAist Studios host

    Monica Bushman, LAist Studios producer

    Victoria Alejandro, LAist Studios producer

    Hasta luego, friends ❤️
    Hey there! After 317 new episodes, the How to LA team is turning the page. We won't be producing weekly episodes anymore, but you'll hear our reporting on LAist 89.3 FM, on our website and on social media. Before we exited the party, we wanted to hang out with our homies, comadres and contributors one last time.

    Thank you for lettings us in your homes, speakers and communities. Follow along at LAist.com/newsletters and Instagram

    Guests:
    Gab Chabrán, LAist food editor

    Cato Hernández, LAist reporter

    Joshua Letona, LAist social media producer

    Erin Stone, LAist reporter

    Antonia Cereijido, LAist Studios host

    Monica Bushman, LAist Studios producer

    Victoria Alejandro, LAist Studios producer

  • Listen 21:41
    #311: The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have wrapped, and right now in the sports world (or at least here in the U.S.) a lot of the focus is shifting to the start of football season. But today on How To LA, we’re focusing on the increased attention that women’s sports have seen in recent years, and how that's playing out in L.A. Helping us do that are some Angel City ultra fans, the club's co-founder and president, some long-time Sparks fans, and Sparks players Azurá Stevens and Dearica Hamby.

    #311: The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have wrapped, and right now in the sports world (or at least here in the U.S.) a lot of the focus is shifting to the start of football season. But today on How To LA, we’re focusing on the increased attention that women’s sports have seen in recent years, and how that's playing out in L.A. Helping us do that are some Angel City ultra fans, the club's co-founder and president, some long-time Sparks fans, and Sparks players Azurá Stevens and Dearica Hamby.

  • How To LA logo (graphical text) with LAist Studios logo (graphical text) with 6th street bridge in the background; with red to orange vertical gradient as background color
    Listen 14:35
    Hey there! We’re bringing you another episode of How to LA as part of LAist climate solutions week. 

    Today’s episode is from 2023. It features our former associate editor and one of my favorite journalists, Aaricka Washington. She took me on a hike in Silver Lake, and we foraged for plants! And yes we did get audio of us tasting some of them. Hope you enjoy the exploration of our urban environment. 

    (And be sure to check out more stories at LAist.com!) 

    REDUX: Digging up community — and some fruit — in front of your neighbor's garden
    Hey there! We’re bringing you another episode of How to LA as part of LAist climate solutions week. 

    Today’s episode is from 2023. It features our former associate editor and one of my favorite journalists, Aaricka Washington. She took me on a hike in Silver Lake, and we foraged for plants! And yes we did get audio of us tasting some of them. Hope you enjoy the exploration of our urban environment. 

    (And be sure to check out more stories at LAist.com!) 

  • Listen 7:42
    Here at LAist, it’s Climate Solutions week, and we’re focusing on the future of food. How food and agricultural systems are tackling climate pollution and adapting to a changing planet. And why Southern California is at the center of how climate change impacts the food we eat, grow, and sell.
    So today on How to LA, we’re bringing you a throwback episode from 2022. It was one of our first episodes, and it focused on produce from a Compton farm. You’ll get to hear how the founders of Alma Backyard Farms set up a community service that engages local residents and employs formerly incarcerated people — all in the name of good food. 
    Guests:
    Erika Cuellar and Richard Garcia, co-founders of Alma Farms

    Here at LAist, it’s Climate Solutions week, and we’re focusing on the future of food. How food and agricultural systems are tackling climate pollution and adapting to a changing planet. And why Southern California is at the center of how climate change impacts the food we eat, grow, and sell.
    So today on How to LA, we’re bringing you a throwback episode from 2022. It was one of our first episodes, and it focused on produce from a Compton farm. You’ll get to hear how the founders of Alma Backyard Farms set up a community service that engages local residents and employs formerly incarcerated people — all in the name of good food. 
    Guests:
    Erika Cuellar and Richard Garcia, co-founders of Alma Farms

  • Listen 18:46
    #310: Today, we're meeting up with one of our favorite L.A. based influencers, Drew Tillman
    Drew's known online for his date ideas in different pockets of this wonderful city, and in this episode, he's joining the How To LA team to take host Brian De Los Santos on a walking date around WeHo. We make the most of a beautiful Sunday by exploring spaces with delicious food and a strong community focus. Listen in to learn how to get curious about your city, and to hear some special spots in WeHo get a shoutout. 
    Don't forget to check out LAist on Instagram and TikTok too, for a video component to this episode!  Guest: Drew Tillman

    #310: Today, we're meeting up with one of our favorite L.A. based influencers, Drew Tillman
    Drew's known online for his date ideas in different pockets of this wonderful city, and in this episode, he's joining the How To LA team to take host Brian De Los Santos on a walking date around WeHo. We make the most of a beautiful Sunday by exploring spaces with delicious food and a strong community focus. Listen in to learn how to get curious about your city, and to hear some special spots in WeHo get a shoutout. 
    Don't forget to check out LAist on Instagram and TikTok too, for a video component to this episode!  Guest: Drew Tillman

  • Listen 16:38
    #309: Today we are back with our summer series about places to explore and discover in Los Angeles. We’ve done parks, museums, road trip, and this time we are talking about happy hour! The neighborhood spots featured include: Big Bar in Los Feliz, The Raymond 1886 in Pasadena, and Chulita in West Adams.

    #309: Today we are back with our summer series about places to explore and discover in Los Angeles. We’ve done parks, museums, road trip, and this time we are talking about happy hour! The neighborhood spots featured include: Big Bar in Los Feliz, The Raymond 1886 in Pasadena, and Chulita in West Adams.

  • How To LA logo (graphical text) with LAist Studios logo (graphical text) with 6th street bridge in the background; with red to orange vertical gradient as background color
    Listen 20:46
    In honor of the American Cinematheque's "Friend of the Fest" program, we're rerunning their feature from our mini-series, Revival House! Victoria Alejandro is one of the podcasters invited to present a film this year. This Sunday, 8/25 at the Egyptian Theater, she'll be introducing the 80s classic "To Live and Die in L.A." You can find tickets here: https://www.americancinematheque.com/now-showing/laist-presents-to-live-and-die-in-l-a-8-25-24/

    Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, screening 1500 movies a year in three iconic theaters across Los Angeles, the American Cinematheque has a movie for everybody, every night of the week. In this episode, How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro jumps into the history of these movie theaters and this programming group to shine a light on a little L.A. moviegoing history and spotlight the future of the American Cinematheque in this city.

    Check out our deep dive into the Egyptian Theatre's history and reopening here:  https://omny.fm/shows/howtola/revival-house-the-egyptian-theater-redux

    Guests: Professor and historian Ross Melnick, American Cinematheque artistic director Grant Moninger, Programmers Imani Davis and Cindy Flores, Senior Film Programmer Chris Lemaire

    REDUX: Catching a movie with the American Cinematheque
    In honor of the American Cinematheque's "Friend of the Fest" program, we're rerunning their feature from our mini-series, Revival House! Victoria Alejandro is one of the podcasters invited to present a film this year. This Sunday, 8/25 at the Egyptian Theater, she'll be introducing the 80s classic "To Live and Die in L.A." You can find tickets here: https://www.americancinematheque.com/now-showing/laist-presents-to-live-and-die-in-l-a-8-25-24/

    Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, screening 1500 movies a year in three iconic theaters across Los Angeles, the American Cinematheque has a movie for everybody, every night of the week. In this episode, How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro jumps into the history of these movie theaters and this programming group to shine a light on a little L.A. moviegoing history and spotlight the future of the American Cinematheque in this city.

    Check out our deep dive into the Egyptian Theatre's history and reopening here:  https://omny.fm/shows/howtola/revival-house-the-egyptian-theater-redux

    Guests: Professor and historian Ross Melnick, American Cinematheque artistic director Grant Moninger, Programmers Imani Davis and Cindy Flores, Senior Film Programmer Chris Lemaire

  • Listen 13:18
    #308: It's like, totally wild that we haven't talked about the "Valley girl" accent yet. This week on How To LA, the team hits the streets to ask Angelenos about the origin of the accent...turns out, no one's really sure where it comes from. Except LAist reporter Caitlin Hernandez, who did a deep dive on the history of the iconic Valley sound. They join us to give the 411. It's like, so awesome, right?

    Read Caitlin's LAist story here.

    Guests: Caitlin Hernandez, man on the street interviews from Max, Calvin, and Monse on Wilshire. 

    #308: It's like, totally wild that we haven't talked about the "Valley girl" accent yet. This week on How To LA, the team hits the streets to ask Angelenos about the origin of the accent...turns out, no one's really sure where it comes from. Except LAist reporter Caitlin Hernandez, who did a deep dive on the history of the iconic Valley sound. They join us to give the 411. It's like, so awesome, right?

    Read Caitlin's LAist story here.

    Guests: Caitlin Hernandez, man on the street interviews from Max, Calvin, and Monse on Wilshire. 

  • Listen 21:46
    #307: Today we're heading out with LAist's Gab Chabrán to test some tasty cool drinks in L.A. — that's "cool" as in temperature, but also meaning something a little unique.
    We stopped for boba (and other tasty tea and coffee drinks) at Hey Hey on Sunset, sampled fermented Mexican drinks (tepache and pulque) at Mírate in Los Feliz, and finally tried out kava nectar (new to both me and Gab) at Kavahana in Santa Monica.

    #307: Today we're heading out with LAist's Gab Chabrán to test some tasty cool drinks in L.A. — that's "cool" as in temperature, but also meaning something a little unique.
    We stopped for boba (and other tasty tea and coffee drinks) at Hey Hey on Sunset, sampled fermented Mexican drinks (tepache and pulque) at Mírate in Los Feliz, and finally tried out kava nectar (new to both me and Gab) at Kavahana in Santa Monica.

Support & Credits

Brian De Los Santos, Host
Victoria Alejandro, Producer
Megan Botel, Producer
Monica Bushman, Producer
Evan Jacoby, Producer
Aaricka Washington, Associate Editor
Megan Larson, Executive Producer