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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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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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Recent Stories
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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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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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Larry Mantle has covered many disasters in his 40th year as host of LAist 89.3's AirTalk program. He says the scope of the Palisades and Eaton fires is still hard to process.Listen • 44:22 -
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Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, has won the race to run the largest prosecutors' office in the country.Listen • 24:25
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Mike Madrid says Democrats and Republicans have failed to unlock the Latino vote, which increasingly is U.S. born and growing rapidly.
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Patrisse Cullors shares her perspective on what's at stake in the 2024 US presidential election and reflects on the current state of the Black Lives Matter movement.Listen • 47:59
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The gender scholar and philosopher dives into how the far-right demonized gender ideology to galvanize their base, and reflects on how that’s played out on the political stage.Listen • 39:21
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Incumbent DA George Gascón and challenger Nathan Hochman offer their philosophies on the criminal justice system.Listen • 46:48
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