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Listen • 37:07Listen • 37:07Last month, former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristen Crowley filed a legal claim against Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, alleging defamation, retaliation and negligence in the wake of Bass’ firing of her. It’s the latest chapter in a feud that erupted during the historic wildfires in January. In light of these new developments, we bring you our original episode from April 2025 about how Bass and Crowley’s feud came to be.
About Imperfect Paradise
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(she/her)
Imperfect Paradise is an award-winning weekly narrative podcast showcasing California stories with universal significance, hosted by Antonia Cereijido.
Each deeply reported story is driven by characters who illuminate aspects of American identity and underscore California's reputation as a home for dreamers and schemers, its heartbreaking inequality, its varied and diverse communities, its unique combination of dense cities and wild places.
New episodes premiere Wednesdays, with broadcasts on LAist 89.3 the following Sundays.
Supporters
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Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.
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This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.
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LAist Studios relies on your listener support to power the podcasts you love. Your donation today enables us to create more great podcasts for you.
Recent Stories
A new episode on Imperfect Paradise goes over the case.
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Incumbent L.A. District Attorney George Gascón faces a tough challenge from criminal defense attorney Nathan Hochman as Gascón seeks a second four-year term.Listen • 42:34 -
Self-described cynic Jill Replogle was asked to report on the celebrity mountain lion for LAist's new podcast, Imperfect Paradise: Lions, Coyotes & Bears. Along the way, she found herself converted to a fan.Listen • 50:06
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Lorena Ríos reflects on reporting “Return to Mexico,” a four-part series of LAist Studios podcast Imperfect Paradise.Listen • 39:57
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JB Hamby is California’s lead negotiator in the historic negotiation over one of the state’s most vital sources of water.Listen • 46:06
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Dancers at Star Garden demanded better working conditions — including protection from aggressive guests. Up next: An actual contract.Listen • 46:35
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For one devoted hobbyist magician, the members-only Los Angeles institution was too alluring to resist. But the love faded. 'Imperfect Paradise: The Castle,' Part 1.Listen • 28:31
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In December 2020, Sadie and Eddie Martinez were falsely accused of attempted kidnapping by a white woman who had been shopping at a Michaels craft store at the same time as them. This is the story of Sadie's fight to clear their names and bring her accuser to justice.Listen • 34:39
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Antonia Cereijido reflects on her motivation for hosting "Nury & The Secret Tapes," the four-part series for the new season of the LAist Studios podcast "Imperfect Paradise"Listen • 40:45
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LAist investigates illicit dumping at three Antelope Valley sites.Listen • 28:35 -
Price gouging exploded after LA fires. Community rent hike investigators ask: Where are the charges?More than 1,300 Zillow listings appeared to illegally raise rents in the early days after the fires. Four months later, few criminal cases have been filed.
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Alexis Madrigal's new book makes the case that Oakland is both a sacrificial landscape and a nexus of global tradeListen • 34:50
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How the conflict between two key leaders played out, each side's accusations and what the LAFD budget numbers reveal.Listen • 36:13
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A recent UCLA report found that Black Altadena residents were disproportionately affected by the Eaton Fire. What will one family decide to do next?Listen • 40:25
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Researcher Renée DiResta delves into how she became interested in disinformation and became the target of a right-wing conspiracy.Listen • 39:40
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Many writers, actors and animators see artificial intelligence as a villain. But for some filmmakers, AI is a powerful democratizing tool.Listen • 34:04
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Lots of people in Hollywood are using AI, especially in animation. They're just reluctant to talk about it.Listen • 35:31
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La Tierra de la Culebra Park was established in the early 1990s by guerilla artist Tricia Ward in Highland Park. In the decades since, the neighborhood has been dubbed “ground zero” for gentrification.Listen • 36:32
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New Imperfect Paradise episode looks into the region's fire management practices.Listen • 35:18
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