#269: Today, we’re coming to you from the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, where we had the chance to speak with some dope local authors about their work, about Los Angeles, and how it all connects for them. In this episode, my conversation with Héctor Tobar, the Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and novelist.

#269: Today, we’re coming to you from the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, where we had the chance to speak with some dope local authors about their work, about Los Angeles, and how it all connects for them. In this episode, my conversation with Héctor Tobar, the Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and novelist.

How to L.A. aims to drop a little knowledge about ALL the things that affect the people of Los Angeles, whether that’s something that makes our city great (tacos!) or something that we need to work on, like the alarming number of traffic collisions. We serve the curious Angeleno who wants to better connect with our city, discover the new, navigate the confusing and even drive some change along the way. 

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. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

How to L.A. aims to drop a little knowledge about ALL the things that affect the people of Los Angeles, whether that’s something that makes our city great (tacos!) or something that we need to work on, like the alarming number of traffic collisions. We serve the curious Angeleno who wants to better connect with our city, discover the new, navigate the confusing and even drive some change along the way. 
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. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

How To LA

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Héctor Tobar: Why LA Is A Land Of ‘Strugglelitude’ (And Opportunity)

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 week on This Old House Radio Hour&mdash;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&rsquo;s special issue devoted to the rebuilding of Altadena and Pacific Palisades in the wake of January&rsquo;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&mdash;for fire-resilient homes, culturally grounded design, and a West that can weather what&rsquo;s coming. Then we travel from the hills of Los Angeles to the streets of Tulsa, where Danny Boy O&rsquo;Connor&mdash;from House of Pain&mdash;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&mdash;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&mdash;without breaking the wall. And as always, we&rsquo;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

MIDROLL

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

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 <a href="https://laist.com/how-to-la">our website</a> 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 <a href="https://laist.com/newsletters">LAist.com/newsletters</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laistofficial">Instagram</a>.  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 ❤️

#317: LAX tends to be a place that Angelenos avoid if they can help it, but today we're taking you there to check out a very cool, but not very well-known museum. It's one of 64 museums that are featured in a new book titled, “Also On View: Unique and Unexpected Museums of Greater Los Angeles.” Guests: author Todd Lerew; Jean-Christophe Dagohoy Dick, president of the Flight Path Museum

#317: LAX tends to be a place that Angelenos avoid if they can help it, but today we're taking you there to check out a very cool, but not very well-known museum. It's one of 64 museums that are featured in a new book titled, “Also On View: Unique and Unexpected Museums of Greater Los Angeles.” Guests: author Todd Lerew; Jean-Christophe Dagohoy Dick, president of the Flight Path Museum

Héctor Tobar: Why LA Is A Land Of ‘Strugglelitude’ (And Opportunity)

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