Author Michael Arceneaux On Grief, Family, And His 'Badder Bitch' Glow Up

#270: Today, we’re coming to you once again from the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, where we had the chance to speak with some local authors about their work. In this episode: Michael Arceneaux, the New York Times-bestselling author of “I Can’t Date Jesus,” “I Don’t Want To Die Poor,” and his…

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

#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 journali…

Taking Up Space As A Black Cowgirl In Los Angeles

After Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" album came out, fans started wearing cowboy hats and talking about the historical presence of Black people in country and cowboy culture. But for LonDen Scott, it's not just a trend or a costume. It’s a way of life.  Scott grew up in Los Angeles and has been riding …

Some LA Pizzerias Are Banking On NY Tap Water For That Big Apple Flavor

While we in L.A. believe that we're producing truly great pizza right now — some are calling it a "pizza renaissance" — there are still those who believe that New York retains the bragging rights for pie-making perfection. It’s the decades-old deck ovens, the production process, the generational w…

Japanese Cinema And LA History Collide with 'Benshi'

More than a century after it began, the Japanese silent films get a renewed spotlight with the limited world tour of The Art of Benshi, coming to L.A. on April 19-21. It's part of a world tour traveling through Washington D.C., New York, Chicago and Tokyo. Benshi, derived from "katsudō benshi" or …

Japanese Cinema and LA History Collide with 'Benshi'

#268: HTLA is checking out some more movie history with a spotlight on the world tour, The Art of the Benshi, coming to L.A. on April 19-21. In this episode, HTLA producer Victoria Alejandro comes on to chat Japanese silent cinema and L.A. history with host Brian De Los Santos.  Benshi were the n…

Downtown LA's Ups And Downs — Past And Present: Part 2

#267: This is our second episode exploring downtown L.A. — part of our series on L.A. neighborhoods. Last time (episode #266), we covered some of the history of the area, and the ups and downs it's experienced over the years. Today, we’re looking at its present and possible future, largely through…

Downtown LA's Ups And Downs — Past And Present: Part 1

#266: It’s been a minute since we explored a L.A. neighborhood on How To LA. We’ve been to Little Tokyo, West Adams and Sylmar before. Now, we’re in downtown. But we’re not going to try to boil down the entire area in one episode.  Today, we’re going to get into the history of the ups and downs t…

The Case For L.A. Pizza

#265: It's time for another Food Fridays! And that means Gab Chabrán is hitting the streets with HTLA host Brian De Los Santos to grub on our favorite food: PIZZA. LA is going through what many artisans are calling a pizza renaissance right now. Hundreds of gourmet pizzerias have popped up around …

Revival House: The Long Road From Silent Films to Brain Dead Studios

#264:  Go back to the movies with us! We're still profiling LA's repertory theaters in Revival House cause there are SO MANY to check out! In this episode, we explore a cool space with some deep, messy history. Fashion label Brain Dead has taken over a site that some would consider....a little c…