The Animal Cost of Homelessness

Monks and Merrill talk homelessness on Skid Row and its impact on both people and animals. After touching on a recent food safety story making headlines, they explore the delayed homeless count, the challenges facing local agencies, and what it will take to create meaningful change. 

Speed, Safety & Street Survival

Monks and Merrill tackle two stories that spark bigger questions about safety, responsibility, and public policy. They examine controversial comments about meth use among people experiencing homelessness and discuss new research showing that speeding saves little time while wasting fuel and money. …

The Military's New Testosterone Test

Monks and Merrill unpack the military's proposal to test service members' testosterone levels, with guest Dr. Jim offering medical insight into the benefits, risks, and misconceptions surrounding testosterone treatment. They also explore the broader cultural questions raised by the policy before sh…

LADWP Under Fire, Metro Profits & LAX's Long Wait

Hour 1- Monks and Merrill are diving right into the LADWP trunk line that ruptured and caused flooding and a sinkhole in WeHo. How often does LADWP replace their equipment? We get into it.  PLUS Metro recorded a $26.2 million increase but there are some contributing factors that we get into. AND LA…

Your Phone, Your Car, Your Data: The Insurance Debate

Hour 2- Monks and Merrill are diving into AB311 which would allow insurers monitor a driver's activity through their phone. Will it be voluntary or will it impose on out privacy? We break it down. PLUS what behavior triggered the DMV test retake and why are they being so hush hush about it? Not onl…

Boyle Heights, Bass & the Fallout

Hour 3- Officials have given Boyle Heights 45 days to clean up the mess from the Boyle Heights fire. But when will the odors end? We break it down on Monks and Merrill. PLUS we are breaking down the latest with Yusef Robb and Karen Bass. No law was broken evidently, but trust has been broken. AND t…

Smoke, Smell & Accountability

A warehouse fire in Boyle Heights left behind more than smoke—it sparked a public health concern, political scrutiny, and unanswered questions. In this episode, we break down the city's response, the ongoing odor affecting residents, the companies at the center of the crisis, and what accountabilit…

Government Gone Wrong

Monks and Merrill unpack the latest examples of government dysfunction. This episode examines Los Angeles' flawed street sweeping enforcement, the millions paid in legal settlements, and growing controversy surrounding the FCC's role in the proposed Paramount-Skydance merger. The hosts break down t…

Rethinking Homelessness

Monks & Merrill examine the growing homelessness crisis in Southern California, from Los Angeles' ongoing struggles to San Bernardino County's emerging approach. Featuring an interview with Derek Armstrong, the conversation explores accountability, affordability, mental health, and the policies sha…

Ancient Bones, Short Attention Spans & Anime's Rent Perks

Hour 1- Monks and Merrill are talking to John R. Johnson,  Curator Emeritus of Anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and an adjunct anthropology professor at UCSB about the bones off of the California coast that could change history. PLUS we need to read and author of Attentio…