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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.

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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 16:20
    #289:

    "The deadly weed with its roots in hell" is here on Hollywood Boulevard! A new production of the musical "Reefer Madness," based on the cult classic 1936 black and white film, has opened in Los Angeles at the Whitley Theater.

    In this episode, HTLA producer Victoria Alejandro talks with host Brian De Los Santos about some Hollywood history, and brings us a chat with actress and producer Kristen Bell. 

    You can check out HTLA's earlier story on Hollywood history here: https://laist.com/brief/news/how-to-la/htla-up-close-and-personal-with-the-hollywood-sign

    Guest: Actress and producer Kristen Bell

    #289:

    "The deadly weed with its roots in hell" is here on Hollywood Boulevard! A new production of the musical "Reefer Madness," based on the cult classic 1936 black and white film, has opened in Los Angeles at the Whitley Theater.

    In this episode, HTLA producer Victoria Alejandro talks with host Brian De Los Santos about some Hollywood history, and brings us a chat with actress and producer Kristen Bell. 

    You can check out HTLA's earlier story on Hollywood history here: https://laist.com/brief/news/how-to-la/htla-up-close-and-personal-with-the-hollywood-sign

    Guest: Actress and producer Kristen Bell

  • Listen 20:37
    #288: Today, we're meeting up again with one of our favorite L.A. history lovers, Etan Rosenbloom (of Etan Does LA), to check out a special Los Angeles landmark. Hollyhock House, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1921, is the only UNESCO World Heritage site in the city of L.A. Guests: Etan Rosenbloom; Abbey Chamberlain Brach, curator of Hollyhock House

    #288: Today, we're meeting up again with one of our favorite L.A. history lovers, Etan Rosenbloom (of Etan Does LA), to check out a special Los Angeles landmark. Hollyhock House, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1921, is the only UNESCO World Heritage site in the city of L.A. Guests: Etan Rosenbloom; Abbey Chamberlain Brach, curator of Hollyhock House

  • 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 14:44
    #98: Today we're celebrating pride by revisiting our deep into the history of Queer LA. Our LA Explained reporter, Caitlin Hernández, took us back in time to explain how West Hollywood became recognized as a mecca for LA's gay community. It was part of their research for the LAist series, Queer LA, where Caitlin's highlighting the joy, culture, and history of queerness in this city.

    You can find more of their reporting at laist.com/QueerLA

    Music in this episode composed by: Rae Bourbon, Austin Cross, Kylie Minogue, Masayoshi Takanaka, Fats Waller, Woo.

    Archival audio courtesy of the Library of Congress.

    LA Explained: When LA's Gays Went West - REDUX
    #98: Today we're celebrating pride by revisiting our deep into the history of Queer LA. Our LA Explained reporter, Caitlin Hernández, took us back in time to explain how West Hollywood became recognized as a mecca for LA's gay community. It was part of their research for the LAist series, Queer LA, where Caitlin's highlighting the joy, culture, and history of queerness in this city.

    You can find more of their reporting at laist.com/QueerLA

    Music in this episode composed by: Rae Bourbon, Austin Cross, Kylie Minogue, Masayoshi Takanaka, Fats Waller, Woo.

    Archival audio courtesy of the Library of Congress.

  • 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 20:40
    #287: Join us behind the scenes at Studio B, HTLA's home base here at LAist Studios. Today we're talking about what it takes to make our show possible... Because here's the thing: we love making this show, but we can only do it with your support.

    To give you a little inspiration, Brian's putting HTLA's producers in the hotseat and asking them to share their favorite moments working on the show.

    How To LA — and ALL the other news content and podcasts from LAist — is Pubic Media. That means we only get funded if you, dear listener, decide to fund us.

    We want to keep bringing you stories for LA, by LA. Please help us do the work you love by becoming a member at LAist.com/joinHTLA.

    Thank you so much, and we'll see you with some architectural history tomorrow!

    ~team HTLA

    How We Make HTLA (We Need Your Help)
    #287: Join us behind the scenes at Studio B, HTLA's home base here at LAist Studios. Today we're talking about what it takes to make our show possible... Because here's the thing: we love making this show, but we can only do it with your support.

    To give you a little inspiration, Brian's putting HTLA's producers in the hotseat and asking them to share their favorite moments working on the show.

    How To LA — and ALL the other news content and podcasts from LAist — is Pubic Media. That means we only get funded if you, dear listener, decide to fund us.

    We want to keep bringing you stories for LA, by LA. Please help us do the work you love by becoming a member at LAist.com/joinHTLA.

    Thank you so much, and we'll see you with some architectural history tomorrow!

    ~team HTLA

  • 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 22:05
    #286: It's pride month, and today we're looking at how that's showing up in the classroom.

    In this episode, host Brian De Los Santos speaks with LAist reporters Caitlin Hernandez and Mariana Dale about what this school year was like for LGBTQ+ teachers in SoCal. In districts big and small, from struggle to joy, Hernandez and Dale heard it all, and they're here to share what they found with us. 

    You can find their digital story on LAist's website here: https://laist.com/news/education/lausd-lgbtq-los-angeles-county-chino-antelope-valley-teacher-student-support

    Guests: LAist reporters Caitlin Hernandez and Mariana Dale

    A Challenging Year for LGBTQ+ Teachers — Even in SoCal
    #286: It's pride month, and today we're looking at how that's showing up in the classroom.

    In this episode, host Brian De Los Santos speaks with LAist reporters Caitlin Hernandez and Mariana Dale about what this school year was like for LGBTQ+ teachers in SoCal. In districts big and small, from struggle to joy, Hernandez and Dale heard it all, and they're here to share what they found with us. 

    You can find their digital story on LAist's website here: https://laist.com/news/education/lausd-lgbtq-los-angeles-county-chino-antelope-valley-teacher-student-support

    Guests: LAist reporters Caitlin Hernandez and Mariana Dale

  • 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 26:28
    #285: Today, we’re bringing you my conversation with NPR’s Emily Kwong, the host of a new LAist Studios podcast called “Inheriting.” It’s about Asian American and Pacific Islander families, and explores how a single event in history can ripple through generations.

    'Inheriting' Makes AAPI History Personal
    #285: Today, we’re bringing you my conversation with NPR’s Emily Kwong, the host of a new LAist Studios podcast called “Inheriting.” It’s about Asian American and Pacific Islander families, and explores how a single event in history can ripple through generations.

  • 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 1:20
    WeHo Pride is THIS weekend! The three-day event celebrating everything LGBTQ will feature drag artists, gay pop icons, and lots and lots of glitter. To get a head start on the festivities, HTLA host Brian De Los Santos sits down with OUTLOUD festival founder Jeff Consoletti, and pop artist VINCINT, to talk about Pride at West Hollywood, and about what it means to be a queer icon. 

    Check out the full episode in the HTLA podcast feed.

    Are You Ready To Get WeHo Proud??
    WeHo Pride is THIS weekend! The three-day event celebrating everything LGBTQ will feature drag artists, gay pop icons, and lots and lots of glitter. To get a head start on the festivities, HTLA host Brian De Los Santos sits down with OUTLOUD festival founder Jeff Consoletti, and pop artist VINCINT, to talk about Pride at West Hollywood, and about what it means to be a queer icon. 

    Check out the full episode in the HTLA podcast feed.

  • 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 1:03
    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

    American Cinematheque's Year Round Film Fest
    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

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