Podcasts about los angeles department

This week on eLEXYfy, we're joined by the powerhouse that is Aura Vasquez, a renewable energy advisor, environmental advocate, Afro-Latinx changemaker, public speaker, and fellow podcaster. From city government to grassroots movements, Aura is known for turning bold ideas into actionable change.In this episode, we dive into how her intersectional identity informs her work, what she learned as a Commissioner for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and why visibility is a form of activism. We talk about storytelling, accountability, climate justice on social media, and the power of building community from LA to Colombia.Aura also shares her top tips for anyone looking to live more sustainably and gives us a sneak peek at what's coming next in her world.Whether you're new to climate conversations or already in the advocacy trenches, this episode will leave you feeling inspired to walk the talk.

In this episode of Anchored by the Sword, I'm joined by Naomi Overton—CEO, author, and general editor of Every Woman's Bible. Naomi's heart for people shines through every word as she shares her powerful journey of growing up serving in the orphanages of Tijuana, Mexico, and how a rainy day and a little girl's home changed everything.From that defining childhood moment to leading global ministries like MOPS and Stonecroft, Naomi walks us through her freedom story—a life marked by reconciliation, restoration, and God's vision for flourishing. We also dive into the incredible backstory of Every Woman's Bible—how it came to be, what makes it different, and the worldwide team of women who made it happen.You'll hear about: • Why Ephesians is her anchor • The power of crossing barriers in Jesus' name • How her mission was shaped by love and justice • What it means to truly embrace every woman • Why this Bible is both solid in theology and full of invitationWe also talk about how Every Woman's Bible isn't just another women's Bible—it's an embrace. A place where your story meets God's story and you're reminded you belong.

The St. Francis Dam, or the San Francisquito Dam, was a concrete gravity dam located in San Francisquito Canyon in northern Los Angeles County, California, United States, that was built between 1924 and 1926. The dam failed catastrophically in 1928, killing at least 431 people in the subsequent flood, in what is considered to have been one of the worst American civil engineering disasters of the 20th century and the third-greatest loss of life in California history.The dam was built to serve the growing water needs of the city of Los Angeles, creating a large regulating and storage reservoir that was an integral part of the Los Angeles Aqueduct. It was located in San Francisquito Canyon, about 40 miles (64 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles.However, a defective soil foundation and design flaws led to the dam's collapse just two years after its completion. Its failure ended the career of William Mulholland, the general manager and chief engineer of the Bureau of Water Works and Supply (now the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power) You will find the full transcript behind the show notes: https://interspanish.buzzsprout.comIf you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: InterSpanishPodcast@gmail.com Please visit my socials: Website: https://interspanish.buzzsprout.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuy74tWny908FqEX3VSixHXGbCu1IL3Zq Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/319567492909061 Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Intermediate_Spanish/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/interspanish/

ASCE members know Rossana D'Antonio as a member of the Society's Board of Direction. She is the executive director for NV5, a global consulting firm. Prior to that, she was the deputy director of the Los Angeles Department of Public Works. And she's been very active throughout ASCE - especially in sustainability and advocacy efforts. But what you might not know is the tragedy that struck her family nearly two decades ago when her brother - a professional pilot - died in a plane crash. D'Antonio found purpose in her grief. She spent years investigating the crash, learning about the aviation industry, and working to ensure similar accidents never happen again. And now she's telling her story in a book. "26 Seconds: Grief and Blame in the Aftermath of Losing My Brother in a Plane Crash" publishes on May 12 and is available for pre-order today through Simon & Schuster. In episode 175 of ASCE Plot Points, D'Antonio talks about brother, the book, and what we need to know about aviation safety.

Inside this Episode with Mitch HamptonI read an enormous amount of books in a given year, partially for the great pleasure it creates in me and partly as my project of lifelong learning, itself probably identical in pleasure. Verba's work on Violeta Parra - one of the giants in Latin American music in general and  Chilean music in particular as well as a leading visual artist and scholar - was one of the books in this new year of 2025 that taught me an enormous amount, not only about music but History and other matters. I found my episode with Verba - someone who has deep and involved careers in music performance as much as scholarship - a delight from beginning to end and I hope our audience gets to learn more about the genius that was Violeta Parra.Dr. Verba's BioEricka Verba is Director and Professor of Latin American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. Her research interests include the cultural Cold War, the role of music in social movements, and the intersection of gender and class politics in twentieth-century Latin America. She has received grants from the National Endowment from the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the Fulbright, and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. She is a founding member of SCALAS (Southern California Association of Latin American Studies) and the recipient of the E. Bradford Burns Award for service to the Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies. She is the author of the book Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra. Her interest in Violeta Parra dates back to her early teens in the 1970s when she became friends with a Chilean family of musicians and artists who taught Verba her first Violeta Parra songs and guided her political awakening to the brutality of the Pinochet dictatorship and the role of the US government in installing and supporting it. As a musician and founding member of the US-based New Song groups Sabiá and Desborde, she has been performing Parra's music since 1976. In 1980, she wrote her undergraduate honors senior thesis on Parra's autobiography in verse. In 1996, She was the musical director and arranger for a tribute concert to Violeta Parra, supported by an Artists in the Community grant from the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department and recorded and released as Desborde, Tribute Concert to Violeta Parra. As a professor of Latin American History since 2004, she has welded her research on the history of women in Chile with her interest in Parra to acquire a deeper understanding of the social context and gender dynamics that shaped Parra's life. Suffice to say, Verba's book represents the culmination of a decades-long curiosity about Violeta Parra and engagement with her work. #folkmusic #chile #guitar #communism #marxist-leninism #fascism #salvadorallende #1940s #1950s #1960s #alanlomax #peteseeger #painting #dance #sculpture #feminism #latinamerica #southamerica #nicanorparra #angelparra #violetawenttoheaven #biennalearte #louvrepalace #albertcamus #existentialism #jeanpaulsartre #picasso #earlbrowder #paulrobeson #woodyguthrie #l'escale #france #paris #argentina #folklorista #chileannewsong Links to her socials:Website:https://erickaverba.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericka_verba/More about her new book: THANKS TO LIFE A Biography of Violeta Parra "A stunning achievement. This comprehensive analysis of Parra's life provides an unparalleled opportunity to appreciate one of Latin America's greatest artists. Thanks to Life is an outstanding piece of biographical work on a world-class artist whose legacy continues to shape Latin American music and culture." —Heidi Tinsman, author of Buying into the Regime: Grapes and Consumption in Cold War Chile and the United States For media inquiries contact: Nanda Dyssou, Publicist nanda@corioliscompany.com (424)-226-6148 

On the latest episode of the Debtwire Municipals Muni Lowdown podcast, Managing Editor Paul Greaves and Curation Editor Stephanie Fagnani speak with Andrew Flynn, managing director of California Municipal Advisors about the municipal market.Andrew provides a brief overview of his role as a municipal advisor.The discussion shifts to Andrew sharing his “tree analogy” that explains his financial advisory approach with public sector clients.Andrew then segues into his view of muni market health now and what level of concern he has around the increasing frequency and intensity of climate risk events.The conversation turns to Andrew's perspective on the recent ratings actions by S&P Global Ratings with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.Andrew transitions into how he advises his public sector clients to contemplate and address pension fund liabilities.The podcast closes with Andrew offering his contrarian perspective on challenges that “places of growth” (California, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, etc.) will face during an economic downturn.#muniland #climaterisk #pensions #economy #municipaladvisors

Our book is: Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra (UNC Press, 2025), by Ericka Verba, which explores the life of Chilean musician and artist Violeta Parra (1917–1967). Parra is an inspiration to generations of artists and activists across the globe. Her music is synonymous with resistance, and it animated both the Chilean folk revival and the protest music movement Nueva Canción (New Song). Her renowned song "Gracias a la vida" has been covered countless times, including by Joan Baez, Mercedes Sosa, and Kacey Musgraves. A self-taught visual artist, Parra was the first Latin American to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in the Louvre. In this remarkable biography, Dr. Ericka Verba traces Parra's radical life and multifaceted artistic trajectory across Latin America and Europe and on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Verba paints a vivid and nuanced picture of Parra's life. From her modest beginnings in southern Chile to her untimely death, Parra was an exceptionally complex and talented woman who exposed social injustice in Latin America to the world through her powerful and poignant songwriting. This examination of her creative, political, and personal life, flaws and all, illuminates the depth and agency of Parra's journey as she invented and reinvented herself in her struggle to be recognized as an artist on her own terms. CW: suicide Our guest is: Dr. Ericka Verba, who is Director and Professor of Latin American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. She has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the Fulbright, and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. She is a founding member of SCALAS (Southern California Association of Latin American Studies) and the recipient of the E. Bradford Burns Award for service to the Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies. She is the author of the book Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is the creator, producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast. Listeners may enjoy this playlist: Remembering Lucille I'm Possible Dear Miss Perkins Sophonisba Breckinridge The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! You can support the show by downloading or sharing episodes. Join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 240+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Our book is: Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra (UNC Press, 2025), by Ericka Verba, which explores the life of Chilean musician and artist Violeta Parra (1917–1967). Parra is an inspiration to generations of artists and activists across the globe. Her music is synonymous with resistance, and it animated both the Chilean folk revival and the protest music movement Nueva Canción (New Song). Her renowned song "Gracias a la vida" has been covered countless times, including by Joan Baez, Mercedes Sosa, and Kacey Musgraves. A self-taught visual artist, Parra was the first Latin American to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in the Louvre. In this remarkable biography, Dr. Ericka Verba traces Parra's radical life and multifaceted artistic trajectory across Latin America and Europe and on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Verba paints a vivid and nuanced picture of Parra's life. From her modest beginnings in southern Chile to her untimely death, Parra was an exceptionally complex and talented woman who exposed social injustice in Latin America to the world through her powerful and poignant songwriting. This examination of her creative, political, and personal life, flaws and all, illuminates the depth and agency of Parra's journey as she invented and reinvented herself in her struggle to be recognized as an artist on her own terms. CW: suicide Our guest is: Dr. Ericka Verba, who is Director and Professor of Latin American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. She has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the Fulbright, and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. She is a founding member of SCALAS (Southern California Association of Latin American Studies) and the recipient of the E. Bradford Burns Award for service to the Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies. She is the author of the book Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is the creator, producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast. Listeners may enjoy this playlist: Remembering Lucille I'm Possible Dear Miss Perkins Sophonisba Breckinridge The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! You can support the show by downloading or sharing episodes. Join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 240+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Our book is: Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra (UNC Press, 2025), by Ericka Verba, which explores the life of Chilean musician and artist Violeta Parra (1917–1967). Parra is an inspiration to generations of artists and activists across the globe. Her music is synonymous with resistance, and it animated both the Chilean folk revival and the protest music movement Nueva Canción (New Song). Her renowned song "Gracias a la vida" has been covered countless times, including by Joan Baez, Mercedes Sosa, and Kacey Musgraves. A self-taught visual artist, Parra was the first Latin American to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in the Louvre. In this remarkable biography, Dr. Ericka Verba traces Parra's radical life and multifaceted artistic trajectory across Latin America and Europe and on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Verba paints a vivid and nuanced picture of Parra's life. From her modest beginnings in southern Chile to her untimely death, Parra was an exceptionally complex and talented woman who exposed social injustice in Latin America to the world through her powerful and poignant songwriting. This examination of her creative, political, and personal life, flaws and all, illuminates the depth and agency of Parra's journey as she invented and reinvented herself in her struggle to be recognized as an artist on her own terms. CW: suicide Our guest is: Dr. Ericka Verba, who is Director and Professor of Latin American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. She has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the Fulbright, and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. She is a founding member of SCALAS (Southern California Association of Latin American Studies) and the recipient of the E. Bradford Burns Award for service to the Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies. She is the author of the book Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is the creator, producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast. Listeners may enjoy this playlist: Remembering Lucille I'm Possible Dear Miss Perkins Sophonisba Breckinridge The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! You can support the show by downloading or sharing episodes. Join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 240+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/latin-american-studies

Our book is: Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra (UNC Press, 2025), by Ericka Verba, which explores the life of Chilean musician and artist Violeta Parra (1917–1967). Parra is an inspiration to generations of artists and activists across the globe. Her music is synonymous with resistance, and it animated both the Chilean folk revival and the protest music movement Nueva Canción (New Song). Her renowned song "Gracias a la vida" has been covered countless times, including by Joan Baez, Mercedes Sosa, and Kacey Musgraves. A self-taught visual artist, Parra was the first Latin American to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in the Louvre. In this remarkable biography, Dr. Ericka Verba traces Parra's radical life and multifaceted artistic trajectory across Latin America and Europe and on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Verba paints a vivid and nuanced picture of Parra's life. From her modest beginnings in southern Chile to her untimely death, Parra was an exceptionally complex and talented woman who exposed social injustice in Latin America to the world through her powerful and poignant songwriting. This examination of her creative, political, and personal life, flaws and all, illuminates the depth and agency of Parra's journey as she invented and reinvented herself in her struggle to be recognized as an artist on her own terms. CW: suicide Our guest is: Dr. Ericka Verba, who is Director and Professor of Latin American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. She has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the Fulbright, and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. She is a founding member of SCALAS (Southern California Association of Latin American Studies) and the recipient of the E. Bradford Burns Award for service to the Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies. She is the author of the book Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is the creator, producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast. Listeners may enjoy this playlist: Remembering Lucille I'm Possible Dear Miss Perkins Sophonisba Breckinridge The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! You can support the show by downloading or sharing episodes. Join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 240+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biography

Our book is: Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra (UNC Press, 2025), by Ericka Verba, which explores the life of Chilean musician and artist Violeta Parra (1917–1967). Parra is an inspiration to generations of artists and activists across the globe. Her music is synonymous with resistance, and it animated both the Chilean folk revival and the protest music movement Nueva Canción (New Song). Her renowned song "Gracias a la vida" has been covered countless times, including by Joan Baez, Mercedes Sosa, and Kacey Musgraves. A self-taught visual artist, Parra was the first Latin American to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in the Louvre. In this remarkable biography, Dr. Ericka Verba traces Parra's radical life and multifaceted artistic trajectory across Latin America and Europe and on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Verba paints a vivid and nuanced picture of Parra's life. From her modest beginnings in southern Chile to her untimely death, Parra was an exceptionally complex and talented woman who exposed social injustice in Latin America to the world through her powerful and poignant songwriting. This examination of her creative, political, and personal life, flaws and all, illuminates the depth and agency of Parra's journey as she invented and reinvented herself in her struggle to be recognized as an artist on her own terms. CW: suicide Our guest is: Dr. Ericka Verba, who is Director and Professor of Latin American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. She has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the Fulbright, and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. She is a founding member of SCALAS (Southern California Association of Latin American Studies) and the recipient of the E. Bradford Burns Award for service to the Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies. She is the author of the book Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is the creator, producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast. Listeners may enjoy this playlist: Remembering Lucille I'm Possible Dear Miss Perkins Sophonisba Breckinridge The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! You can support the show by downloading or sharing episodes. Join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 240+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/music

Our book is: Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra (UNC Press, 2025), by Ericka Verba, which explores the life of Chilean musician and artist Violeta Parra (1917–1967). Parra is an inspiration to generations of artists and activists across the globe. Her music is synonymous with resistance, and it animated both the Chilean folk revival and the protest music movement Nueva Canción (New Song). Her renowned song "Gracias a la vida" has been covered countless times, including by Joan Baez, Mercedes Sosa, and Kacey Musgraves. A self-taught visual artist, Parra was the first Latin American to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in the Louvre. In this remarkable biography, Dr. Ericka Verba traces Parra's radical life and multifaceted artistic trajectory across Latin America and Europe and on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Verba paints a vivid and nuanced picture of Parra's life. From her modest beginnings in southern Chile to her untimely death, Parra was an exceptionally complex and talented woman who exposed social injustice in Latin America to the world through her powerful and poignant songwriting. This examination of her creative, political, and personal life, flaws and all, illuminates the depth and agency of Parra's journey as she invented and reinvented herself in her struggle to be recognized as an artist on her own terms. CW: suicide Our guest is: Dr. Ericka Verba, who is Director and Professor of Latin American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. She has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the Fulbright, and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. She is a founding member of SCALAS (Southern California Association of Latin American Studies) and the recipient of the E. Bradford Burns Award for service to the Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies. She is the author of the book Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is the creator, producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast. Listeners may enjoy this playlist: Remembering Lucille I'm Possible Dear Miss Perkins Sophonisba Breckinridge The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! You can support the show by downloading or sharing episodes. Join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 240+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/academic-life

Our book is: Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra (UNC Press, 2025), by Ericka Verba, which explores the life of Chilean musician and artist Violeta Parra (1917–1967). Parra is an inspiration to generations of artists and activists across the globe. Her music is synonymous with resistance, and it animated both the Chilean folk revival and the protest music movement Nueva Canción (New Song). Her renowned song "Gracias a la vida" has been covered countless times, including by Joan Baez, Mercedes Sosa, and Kacey Musgraves. A self-taught visual artist, Parra was the first Latin American to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in the Louvre. In this remarkable biography, Dr. Ericka Verba traces Parra's radical life and multifaceted artistic trajectory across Latin America and Europe and on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Verba paints a vivid and nuanced picture of Parra's life. From her modest beginnings in southern Chile to her untimely death, Parra was an exceptionally complex and talented woman who exposed social injustice in Latin America to the world through her powerful and poignant songwriting. This examination of her creative, political, and personal life, flaws and all, illuminates the depth and agency of Parra's journey as she invented and reinvented herself in her struggle to be recognized as an artist on her own terms. CW: suicide Our guest is: Dr. Ericka Verba, who is Director and Professor of Latin American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. She has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the Fulbright, and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. She is a founding member of SCALAS (Southern California Association of Latin American Studies) and the recipient of the E. Bradford Burns Award for service to the Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies. She is the author of the book Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is the creator, producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast. Listeners may enjoy this playlist: Remembering Lucille I'm Possible Dear Miss Perkins Sophonisba Breckinridge The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! You can support the show by downloading or sharing episodes. Join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 240+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our book is: Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra (UNC Press, 2025), by Ericka Verba, which explores the life of Chilean musician and artist Violeta Parra (1917–1967). Parra is an inspiration to generations of artists and activists across the globe. Her music is synonymous with resistance, and it animated both the Chilean folk revival and the protest music movement Nueva Canción (New Song). Her renowned song "Gracias a la vida" has been covered countless times, including by Joan Baez, Mercedes Sosa, and Kacey Musgraves. A self-taught visual artist, Parra was the first Latin American to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in the Louvre. In this remarkable biography, Dr. Ericka Verba traces Parra's radical life and multifaceted artistic trajectory across Latin America and Europe and on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Verba paints a vivid and nuanced picture of Parra's life. From her modest beginnings in southern Chile to her untimely death, Parra was an exceptionally complex and talented woman who exposed social injustice in Latin America to the world through her powerful and poignant songwriting. This examination of her creative, political, and personal life, flaws and all, illuminates the depth and agency of Parra's journey as she invented and reinvented herself in her struggle to be recognized as an artist on her own terms. CW: suicide Our guest is: Dr. Ericka Verba, who is Director and Professor of Latin American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. She has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the Fulbright, and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. She is a founding member of SCALAS (Southern California Association of Latin American Studies) and the recipient of the E. Bradford Burns Award for service to the Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies. She is the author of the book Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is the creator, producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast. Listeners may enjoy this playlist: Remembering Lucille I'm Possible Dear Miss Perkins Sophonisba Breckinridge The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! You can support the show by downloading or sharing episodes. Join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 240+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening!

24 Dead, 12,300 Houses Burnt As US Battle Wildfires In Los Angeleshttps://osazuwaakonedo.news/24-dead-12300-houses-burnt-as-us-battle-wildfires-in-los-angeles/13/01/2025/#Issues #Carlifornia #Gavin #LosAngeles #Newsom #USA ©January 13th, 2025 ®January 13, 2025 4:54 pm Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner has confirmed that it has received over 24 dead bodies for examination from law enforcement agency following the ongoing wildfire disaster ravaging the capital city of California in the United States of America, US for than a week now, just as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CaL Fire stated on its website that over 19,300 people have sustained injuries, 12,300 houses burnt, and more than 40 thousands acres of lands destroyed. #OsazuwaAkonedo

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Martin Adams, former general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, blows up some right-wing myths about the water supply in Pacific Palisades, and talks with Alex Wagner about the realities of municipal water systems and ideas for adapting a system built for occasional residential fires to deal with a large scale, community-wide fire.

A citizen of the world, Jerri Allyn (she/he/shimmher) is a community-based artist, educator, and activist who promotes civic engagement. Her work provides a forum for diverse voices that look at issues comprehensively. While challenging traditional gender roles and highlighting the experiences of underrepresented communities, his art explores complex themes including power dynamics and the intersections of body autonomy, race, and social class. Jerri's diverse artistic practice encompasses various media: audio, video and sculptural tableaus, electronic billboards, 3-D books, and printmaking multiples, often culminating in site-oriented, interactive installations and performance art events. Allyn has exhibited internationally and received numerous prestigious awards. These include a Rockefeller Foundation Residency in Italy, an International Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Residency in Mexico, and grants from the Joan Mitchell Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, New York Foundation for the Arts, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Lightening Fund, and The National Tanes Fund. Fr more information and research: Website link to Sx Cele popup, Safiya page. Safiya's Myth Busters. Ongoing Programs: Sx Celebrated: Comprehensive Sex Ed, Body Positive Movement, Sx Worker Rights - Human Rights Watch. Installation shot of work-in-progress popup, Sx Celebrated: Expanding Erotic Power, The Art Room, Los Angeles, CA, USA, Sept 28, 2024; photo: Cheri Gaulke. Safiya with photomontage portrait: Sapphrodite Goddess of Paraphilias / Safiya Discover an inner Deity, Sappic Energies, Erotic, Intimate needs? Your paraphilias are safe with me. Photo Montage, archival digital print on canvas, handsewn fabric frame, hung on rod; 6'H x 4'L; 2024.   Excerpt of Performance: Stripper Co-op Dancers Seize the Means of Production, pictured: Kayla Tange, photo: Dan Monick.

Godfather of SURVIVAL Marcello Surjopolos, a survival specialist and preparedness expert joins HEROparanormal to discuss surviving in an emergency scenario. Marcello owns Thrivalist.com and FoodStorageDepot.com. His clients include the Navy Seals, The State of Texas, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Swedish Armed Forces, Redfora, and thousands of families like yours.

Learn how the 2024 DMEC Emerging Leader Award winner is helping employees return to work while providing them with access to resources that help them learn new skills and expand their horizons. Hear about the creative approaches Tamisha Waters, senior personnel analyst I for the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, has taken and her dedication to finding mutually beneficial solutions to leave management challenges! More resources:Read more about the inaugural DMEC Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award and the 2024 DMEC Emerging Leader Award winner in the @Work magazine article Celebrating Leadership and Innovation in Disability and Absence ManagementThe True Payoff to Integrated Disability ManagementDMEC Awards

Jason Hunter, a former employee of Riverside Public Utilities, is still looking for answers regarding contracting activity he witnessed at the organization years ago. Bolstering his claims of wrongdoing is the fact that some of the individuals involved in the alleged activity are now serving prison sentences for later activities at Los Angeles Department of Water & Power. It's a wild story complete with employee harassment; police harassment; Federal Bureau of Information raids on LADWP offices; and conflicts of interest, as well as shell companies, luxury cars and beachfront condos.Hunter alleges that after years of seeking the truth and seeking an audit of the contracting activities he witnessed more than a decade ago, the alleged crimes were never punished. He is still waiting for the City of Riverside to perform the audit, which nobody can seem to complete.Check out the latest episode of People in Power to hear the whole story.

From a young age, Robert Glassman worked hard to perfect his abilities as a public speaker.  When he was in high school, his parents enrolled him in a Dale Carnegie program to develop confidence speaking in front of strangers.  From high school to law school, Robert was a perennial class president and accustomed to giving planned speeches before large audiences.  Join Rahul and Ben as they discuss with Robert the advantages and challenges of transitioning his public speaking skills to success in the courtroom.  Robert talks about how he developed expertise in handling high-profile cases involving injuries to children while in the care of the public schools, and lessons learned from his first experience examining witnesses at trial to recently obtaining an eight-figure jury verdict the day after his forty-first birthday. About Robert Glassmanhttps://www.panish.law/glassman.htmlRobert Glassman is a partner at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP where he represents plaintiffs in large and complex personal injury cases and is a recognized leader in the Los Angeles legal community.Recognized by the Daily Journal as among the 2023 Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 in California, Mr. Glassman has also been named a “Rising Star” in Personal Injury litigation by Law360 and recognized as a “Rising Star” by the Super Lawyers publication since 2013 where he has been consistently selected as one of the “Up-and-Coming 100 Southern California Rising Stars”, the list of lawyers who rank at the top of the Super Lawyers' Rising Stars list.His work on three high-profile school injury cases –  Lee v. Pupil Transportation Cooperative, Pierce v. Murrieta Valley Unified School District, and Sepulveda v. Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District – led to significant reforms at the school districts where the tragedies occurred and helped to establish new child safety laws in California.Mr. Glassman also represents victims and survivors of sexual abuse, including ‘Jane' who filed suit against her abusers in the high-profile case against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.A three-time Consumer Attorneys of California Consumer Attorney of the Year finalist for his work on Lee v. Pupil Transportation Cooperative, Pierce v. Murrieta Valley Unified School District, and Sepulveda v. Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District, Mr. Glassman has also been recognized as a 2023 California Lawyer Attorney of the Year for his work on Sepulveda v. Yucaipa-Calimesa Unified School District.Mr. Glassman currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers Los Angeles Young Lawyers division and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Los Angeles Chapter.SOME OF MR. GLASSMAN'S MOST NOTABLE TRIAL VERDICTS INCLUDE:Diao v. Southern California Gas Company (Los Angeles jury awarded a $19,786,818 to injured plaintiff following a gas explosion at home in San Gabriel, CA). The judgment was recently upheld on appeal.Dillon v. City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles jury awarded $11,045,000 for a motorcyclist who suffered serious injuries following a collision with a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) vehicle.)Crenshaw v. Land O'Lakes, Inc.(Kings County jury awarded $6.45 million to Corcoran State Prison correctional officer after motorcycle crash in Hanford, CA).  For the work Mr. Glassman and firm partner Brian Panish did on the Crenshaw case, it was recognized by The Daily Journal as a Top Ten Verdict of 2010.Gil v. Anderson (Los Angeles County jury awarded $2,000,969 to a man who was injured when his vehicle was struck from behind by a large commercial plumbing van)Ortega v. Lim (San Diego County jury awarded $1,957,500 for a man who suffered a back injury after his pick-up truck was struck by another vehicle whose driver was distracted and ran a red light at an intersection.)Kluthe v. Charles Doherty Concrete(Vista, California jury awarded a $1,552,917.56 verdict for a young man who suffered a back injury after his vehicle was struck by a cement dump truck that ran a red light at an intersection)SOME OF MR. GLASSMAN'S NOTABLE SETTLEMENTS INCLUDE:Lee v. Pupil Transportation Cooperative($23,500,000 for the parents of Hun Joon “Paul” Lee, a 19-year-old non-verbal autistic student who tragically died aboard a Whittier school bus after the driver left him behind to engage in a sexual tryst with a co-worker)Sepulveda v. Yucaipa-Calimesa Unified School District ($15,750,000 for the mother of 13-year-old Adilene Carrasco who suffered an asthma attack at school and died as a result of the district's failure to follow its own safety protocols)Pierce v. Murietta Valley Unified School District($11,000,000 for the family of a middle school student who drowned during a school-sponsored swim party)Palmstrom v. City of Pasadena ($7,150,000 for a toddler who suffered severe injuries after she was trapped beneath a 20-foot eucalyptus tree branch that had fallen onto her while playing on a preschool playground)Agu v. UC Regents ($4,750,000 for the parents of a Cal Berkeley football player with sickle cell trait who died during an off-season conditioning drill)Mr. Glassman has also secured eight-figure settlements in a wide range of cases including $32.6 million in a products liability design defect case, $16 million in a premises liability case, $12.45 million in a motor vehicle collision case, and $10 million in a dangerous condition of public property case involving a fallen tree.He is a member of the executive committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Judicial Appointments Committee (JAC) which responds to the governor's requests to evaluate individuals under consideration for appointment to the Superior Court bench.Prior to working at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, Mr. Glassman clerked at the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office in the Major Crimes Division where he worked on high profile murder prosecutions and in the Preliminary Hearing Unit where he conducted dozens of preliminary felony hearings.  Mr. Glassman also previously worked on Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer's Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.In 2020, Mr. Glassman also led the collaboration between Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP and The Children's Rights Clinic at Southwestern Law School (CRC) to provide legal representation to low-income children in the areas of school discipline, special education, and personal injury. Under his direction, clients will be represented by the firm in the area of personal injury while Southwestern law students participating in the Children's Rights Clinic will represent clients in the areas of special education and school discipline under the supervision of Southwestern Law School Professors.An alumnus of the Whitfield School in St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. Glassman also provided an invaluable opportunity in 2021 for the current and future students at his alma mater with the creation of the Glassman Leaders Program. During the program, two selected students — one junior and one senior — develop their public speaking and leadership skills through on-and off-campus coursework and mentorship. Participants also attend an eight-week Dale Carnegie course, which focuses on building communication skills for business people and students alike.Mr. Glassman attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA where he obtained his B.A. degree in English.  Following college, Mr. Glassman obtained his law degree from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles where he served as president of the student body, and was a member of the Trial Advocacy Honors Program. GLASSMAN'S PREVIOUS LEADERSHIP POSITIONS INCLUDE:President, Los Angeles County Bar Association BarristersNickel Club President (Southwestern Law School's Young Alumni Association)Political Chair, New Lawyers Division, Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaStudent Body President, Southwestern Law School, Los Angeles, CAClass President, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.Senior Class President, Whitfield School, St. Louis, MO.Mr. Glassman is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia, California, and United States District Courts throughout California.

Remi Kessler began documenting homelessness in Los Angeles in 2015. He produced and directed THE ADVOCATES, a full-length feature documentary providing a sweeping look at the history and causes of LA's homeless crisis and an intimate view of the tireless work of advocates striving to create better lives for their homeless clients. The film premiered at the 2018 Los Angeles Film Festival, followed by a successful festival run, multiple community screenings frequently moderated by Remi, and worldwide distribution and streaming. Since THE ADVOCATES, Remi produced and directed a series of six films for UCLA and the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health which are utilized to educate social workers and graduate students on mental illness and homelessness. He is currently producing "Homele$$, Inc" on the high cost of housing and why is it so high?  For more information about Carole Dean and From the Heart Productions visit www.FromtheHeartProductions.com. 

Chinatown (1974) is a neo-noir crime thriller, directed by Roman Polanski from a screenplay by Robert Towne. Based loosely on the Owens Valley water wars in Los Angeles from the early twentieth century, the film follows private investigator J.J. (“Jake”) Gittes (Jack Nicholson) as he pursues a series of leads that take him into the dark underbelly of power and corruption in 1930s Los Angeles. A woman claiming to be "Evelyn Mulwray” initially hires Gittes to follow her husband Hollis, whom she suspects of infidelity. Gittes discovers that Noah Cross (John Huston), the father of the real Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway), had Hollis, his former business partner and head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, killed. Hollis had learned of Cross's plan to force famers in the Northwest valley to sell their land by cutting off their irrigating water and purchasing it through dummy syndicates on the cheap with the aim of developing the land into valuable Los Angeles real estate. Gittes also learns that the young woman he falsely suspected Hollis of having an affair with is Evelyn's sister and daughter—the product of Evelyn's rape by Cross when she was fifteen. While Gittes ultimately unravels the mystery, he is unable to stop the powerful Cross from achieving his goals or prevent the tragic fate that awaits Evelyn. My guest to talk about this venerated New Hollywood era classic is Emeritus Professor John Walton of the University of California, Davis.Timestamps:0:00    Introduction3:37     Chinatown's historical and literary elements6:28     How the film adapts historical events and figures 12:13    The private investigator in film and popular culture18:09   Jake Gittes and the power structure24:27   “Either you bring the water to LA, or you bring LA to the water”28:17    The private eye and the police32: 56  The mystery and impenetrability of power35:00  How Chinatown affects perceptions of the water wars38:43   Public law affecting water allocation and management40:05  The formalities of law and the power structure beneath it44:15   “The Defects of Total Power” Further reading:Brownstein, Ronald, “The 1970s Movie that Explains 2020s America,” The Atlantic (June 20, 2024)Hoffman, Abraham, Vision or Villainy: Origins of the Owens Valley-Los Angeles Water Controversy (1981)Kahrl, William L., “The Politics of the California Water: Owens Valley and the Los Angeles Aqueduct, 1900 – 1927,” Hastings West-Northwest J. Envt'l L. & Policy, vol. 6, nos. 1 & 2 (2000)Libecap, Gary D., “Chinatown: Owens Valley and Western Water Reallocation – Getting the Record Straight and What It Means for Water Markets,” 83 Texas L. Rev. 2055 (2005)Walton, John, “Film Mystery as Urban History: The Case of Chinatown,” Cinema and the City (M. Shiel & T. Fitzmaurice, 2001)Walton, John, The Legendary Detective: The Private Eye in Fact and Fiction (U. Chicago Press (2015) Law on Film is created and produced by Jonathan Hafetz. Jonathan is a professor at Seton Hall Law School. He has written many books and articles about the law. He has litigated important cases to protect civil liberties and human rights while working at the ACLU and other organizations. Jonathan is a huge film buff and has been watching, studying, and talking about movies for as long as he can remember. For more information about Jonathan, here's a link to his bio: https://law.shu.edu/faculty/full-time/jonathan-hafetz.cfmYou can contact him at jonathanhafetz@gmail.comYou can follow him on X (Twitter) @jonathanhafetz You can follow the podcast on X (Twitter) @LawOnFilmYou can follow the podcast on Instagram @lawonfilmpodcast

In the latest episode of Public Power Now, Janisse Quiñones, the new Chief Executive Officer and Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, provides an overview of the steps the utility is taking to meet its goal of transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2035 and discusses her long-term goals for LADWP.

Michelle Keller is an assistant professor of gerontology and the Leonard and Sophie Davis Early Career Chair in Minority Aging at the USC Leonard Davis School. She spoke to us about her research focused on improving patient-clinician communication, medication management, and the identification of dementia in minority older adults. Here are highlights from our conversation. On polypharmacy “When it comes to older adults and medications, it's important to understand that while medications can be incredibly beneficial for treating various conditions, they can also present really unique risks in this population. Older adults often take multiple medications at the same time. This is what we call polypharmacy.” “Older adults can be more sensitive to certain medications, they might experience side effects more intensely or even at lower doses than younger individuals. … This is particularly true for medications that affect our central nervous system, our brain, right? So, thinking about medications that are sedating or that have some sort of psychoactive effect. These medications, especially when they're combined together, can lead to things like confusion, dizziness and an increased risk of falls.” On her study of interventions to address polypharmacy “What we found in this study was that interventions to address polypharmacy can do a great job of reducing medications which are potentially harmful, identifying which medications people should be taking, improving the appropriateness of the medications people are taking, and reducing the total number of medications. So thinking about outcomes related to medications, what we have found is that it is really hard to change more downstream clinical outcomes, things like mortality, falls, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits. We did find that interventions that had multiple components; in other words, where a clinician is meeting face to face with a patient, reviewing their medications, reviewing all the chronic diseases that they have, along with their full patient history of what has happened to them in the past, those interventions tend to have a greater effect on mortality. So in other words, those types of interventions are reducing the risk of that someone actually dies.” “We also found that falls decrease when patients fully stop potentially harmful medications. These may be medications where somebody is feeling very dizzy or that make people feel very dizzy or drowsy, medications that may control somebody's blood sugar a little bit too much… So, their blood pressure's a little too low and they may actually fall as a result of these medications. But what we found was that stopping medications such as benzodiazepines, which are often taken for sleep or anxiety, can take months. These types of medications can have withdrawal effects. And so it's really, really important for somebody to work very closely with a healthcare provider to slowly taper these medications down to try to reduce those withdrawal effects.” “What we have found in working with other researchers and clinicians is that when patients team up with a healthcare provider, such as their primary care physician or clinical pharmacist who's embedded in the healthcare system, they really are able to stop taking some of these medications, and they feel a lot better. They feel much more energy, they're able to do the things that they really enjoy. They have a greater quality of life. But it's something that just takes time.” On the Empower Intervention for benzodiazepines “The typical recommendation for benzodiazepines is that they really should be taken short-term. These are medications that physicians typically recommend somebody take for a maximum of four weeks. What we have found in some of our research is that people are actually taking these for years, if not decades. And so stopping these medications can be quite challenging, and sometimes patients aren't fully convinced about why they should be stopping these medications. So, we took an intervention that started in Canada. It was developed by researchers in Quebec, and this is called the Empower Intervention. And what we did is we tailored it to a health system here in the US. The Empower Intervention is a really great brochure that contains some pretty striking facts about benzodiazepines.” “To give you some examples of benzodiazepine, these are like your Xanax, your Ativan, your Klonopin; these are the medications that we're talking about here. These brochures highlighted some really interesting facts, such as the fact that they can be harmful or linked to hip fractures and car accidents, and they can make people feel very tired and weak. What we did for this intervention is we sent these brochures to about 300 people along with a letter from their primary care physician, emphasizing that these medications can be harmful if taken for too long and especially among older adults. So what we did for this study is we compared patients who had received these brochures to patients who did not receive them. So they're going on usual care. Their physicians may have mentioned something to them, this was our control group, right? We didn't send anything to this particular group.” “We reviewed the medical records for both groups, and we looked at what kinds of medications they had been prescribed. And what we found is that patients who received the brochures were really activated. You know, when they received this messaging they would send messages in the patient portal to their physicians saying, ‘I didn't know that there were these risks of these medications. I would really like to come in and talk to you about them.' They made appointments to start tapering down these medications. What we found was for every 10 brochures that we sent, one person completely stopped taking these medications, which is a really good return on investment. This is a simple intervention. It has now been done in some other health systems in the US, particularly the Veterans Affairs health system.” On challenges in de-prescribing “I think some of the challenges that physicians face in de-prescribing is that de-prescribing takes a lot of time. As we all know, our primary care visits are very short; physicians, particularly in the primary care setting, are really rushed through their visits. And so I think having some of these conversations can just be something that's challenging. I also think they're quite complex conversations to have. They may not have received the training, for example, on how to taper a medication in a safe way so that a patient does not feel withdrawal effects. And I do think that there is something about getting physician buy-in … they are concerned [that] if they bring it up, the patient may be angry with them; they may be upset. And so I think really showing physicians ways in which this can be brought up that are really framed around ‘how do we center the patient's health and quality of life' – I think those are still questions that we as researchers are working on.” On the role of caregivers “It's really important for caregivers to be aware of the medications their loved ones are taking for many reasons. I think they can be amazing advocates in helping bring up potential side effects during doctor's visits. So, for example, if a caregiver is noticing that someone is feeling drowsy or doesn't have that much energy or is feeling dizzy, any sort of cognitive impairments such as those that may be seen in dementia, [they] may actually be a result of medication side effects. So, I think really becoming an advocate for somebody when seeing the doctor is one really important thing that caregivers can do.”  “Another area where caregivers can play a really important role is among people with dementia. People with dementia can have really some challenges in managing their medications. They may miss doses, they may take several medications twice, so they may have an overdose, or they may take the wrong medication altogether. So, caregivers can play really pivotal roles in helping somebody manage medication changes. There have been some early interventions looking at how to engage caregivers and persons with dementia. And some of the challenges that those researchers have seen is that there [is] often more than one person actually caring for somebody with dementia. And so, engaging that whole group of people who may be working with that person has been a real challenge.” On challenges facing patients with language barriers  “There is research showing that patients with language barriers have a greater risk of being hospitalized or re-hospitalized because of some of the communication challenges that come with medication management. So, you can imagine that, for example, older adults and their caregivers with language barriers may have a difficult time understanding medication instructions, which can lead to improper use. So when and how to take medications, recognizing potential side effects, understanding the purpose of each medication. And on top of that, you can layer on things, like if somebody doesn't have a great understanding of the condition. We call that disease literacy, or they may have health literacy issues.” “Right now, a mentee and I are working on this review of interventions that have been done specifically for patients with language barriers focused on improving medication management. And what we found was that interventions that really engaged people from communities with language barriers have been some of the most effective ways to really help people learn about which medications are working really well for them, how to improve medication adherence and other important outcomes. So, for example, an intervention that we found was researchers engaged folks in the community, co-created videos about medications in the community and why it was important to take them. And then when they actually distributed these interventions, they made sure that both in terms of the videos and some of the other educational materials that were handed out to folks that these really were very tailored both language-wise, literacy-wise, and culturally tailored to the communities that they were serving.” On new dementia medications and disparities in the diagnosis of dementia  “We are learning that older Black and Latino adults tend to get diagnosed with dementia once the disease has progressed more. And what that means is that they may not have received some of the kind of services that may help them or their families. So, for example, they may not have received enough support to be able to plan for the rest of their lives, or their families may not necessarily have received caregiving support early on in disease progress.” “I think in regard to these particular dementia medications, for example, if older adults are diagnosed with dementia at a place where they're no longer eligible to receive these medications, I think that'll be a really pretty serious health equity issue. So, I am really interested in how we make sure that people are getting diagnosed in time to make them eligible for really potentially beneficial treatments that may help them down the road.” On effective strategies for de-prescribing  “The most effective strategies that we see de-prescribing these medications is offering something else. So, for example, some of the most evidence for insomnia really exists around the use of using cognitive behavioral therapy. There's also been well-done systematic reviews that have found evidence that music or acupuncture may help people with insomnia. … I think one thing that's very important to think about when we de-prescribe medications is what else can we offer people? We're not just leaving people in the lurch and saying, ‘We're taking this away and we're leaving you with nothing.' We're actually able to offer them some non-pharmacological options as well.” Transcript Speaker 1 (00:02): One thing that's very important to think about when we de-prescribe medications is: what else can we offer people? We're not just leaving people in the lurch and saying, we're taking this away and we're leaving you with nothing. We're actually able to offer them some non-pharmacological options as well Speaker 2 (00:17): From the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, this is Lessons in Lifespan Health, a podcast about the science and scientists improving how we live and age. I'm Orli Belman, Chief Communications Officer. On today's episode: how Professor Michelle Keller is working with older adults, caregivers and clinicians to manage the use and potential overuse of high risk medications. Michelle Keller is an Assistant Professor of Gerontology and the Leonard and Sophie Davis Early Career Chair in Minority Aging at the USC Leonard Davis School. Her research is focused on improving patient-clinician communication, medication management, and the identification of dementia in minority older adults. Hi, Michelle. Welcome and thank you for joining us today. Speaker 1 (01:06): Thank you so much for having me. Speaker 2 (01:08): I wanna start by asking you to talk about older adults and medications. We can all understand why medications are beneficial, but when it comes to older adults, what are some of the ways they can be problematic? Speaker 1 (01:19): Absolutely. So when it comes to older adults and medications, it's important to understand that while medications can be incredibly beneficial for treating various conditions, they can also present really unique risks in this population. So older adults often take multiple medications at the same time. This is what we call polypharmacy. Polypharmacy can increase the risk of drug interactions, right? So I like to think of the example of a suitcase, right? So imagine that you are packing up, getting ready to go to a trip. You start putting one thing into the suitcase, gets a little heavy, but you can manage it, right? You're suddenly adding more and more things and the suitcase is getting heavier and heavier to the point where you actually throw out your back at the airport, right? This is really what I think of when our bodies are kind of processing multiple medications at once with the additional challenge that some of these drugs may actually interact with one another. Speaker 1 (02:15): This is why it's so important for patients to talk to their doctors about the medications they're taking and the potential risks of each medication as people get older. I think one thing that people don't often think about is that when clinical trials are being done, often many clinical trials have excluded older adults. So we don't always have a great sense of how these medications work in older adult populations. And on top of that, they may exclude people with chronic conditions who are already taking a variety of other medications. And so as a result, what is happening now is that we have many people who are taking these medications, and it hasn't been well tested in these populations. It hasn't really been, you know, we don't have a clear sense of what is happening when all of these medications are being taken together. So polypharmacy can really increase the risk of drug interactions. Speaker 1 (03:09): As I was saying, when one medication affects another, and this can lead to a variety of adverse effects. So for example, if someone is taking multiple medications that make you feel drowsy or sleepy when you stack them on top of each other–thinking again about that suitcase, that can lead someone to have an increased risk of falls, potentially a fracture resulting from those falls, car accidents if they're feeling very drowsy or dizzy and other medications can increase our risk of internal bleeding. Another thing that's really important to think about for older adults is that as we get older, our bodies undergo various changes that can alter how our medications are absorbed, distributed, and actually excreted from the body. So for example, kidney and liver function can really decline with age. And so that can actually affect how well we process the drugs through our body. Speaker 1 (04:05): What that means is that drugs may stay in our bodies for longer periods of time leading to more side effects or adverse effects. The last thing I really wanted to bring up is this idea of how things change as we get older. So we maybe have been taking a medication for many years, but as we get older because of the changes that are happening within our body, some medications, which were fine for us when we were younger, are now gonna lead to more serious adverse effects now that we're older. So older adults can be more sensitive to certain medications, so they might experience side effects more intensely or even at lower doses than younger individuals. They might feel the effects. So this is particularly true for medications that affect our central nervous system, our brain, right? So thinking about medications that are sedating or that have some sort of psychoactive effect. Speaker 1 (05:04): These medications, especially when they're combined together, can lead to things like confusion, dizziness, and an increased risk of falls. One medication which people often take to help them sleep is Benadryl or Tylenol PM. This medication is actually a drug that's really recommended to avoid in older adults because it can be very sedating, making people feel very drowsy throughout the day. And it actually also has the effects on the brain and has been associated with a higher increased risk of dementia. So these are medications that again, we don't think of as generally harmful, but again, in an older person might really be an issue. Speaker 2 (05:46): That's a really helpful example 'cause that's just an over the counter medication that anyone can get, even without a doctor. You recently published two papers looking at interventions for addressing polypharmacy. The first one was a review of several studies. What did you learn in that review about the effectiveness or not of programs that are designed to reduce harmful polypharmacy? Speaker 1 (06:08): So we reviewed several systematic reviews. These are collections, as you mentioned, of numerous studies to understand how well interventions to address polypharmacy are working. Many of these interventions include a process called de-prescribing, which is the process of systematically reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be beneficial or might be causing harm, particularly in older adults. The goal of deprescribing is to optimize an individual's medication regimen to improve their overall health and quality of life. What we found in this study was that interventions to address polypharmacy can do a great job of reducing medications which are potentially harmful, identifying which medications people should be taking, improving the appropriateness of the medications people are taking, and reducing the total number of medications. So thinking about outcomes related to medications, what we have found is that it is really hard to change more downstream clinical outcomes. Speaker 1 (07:11): Things like mortality falls, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits. We did find that interventions that had multiple components, in other words where a clinician is meeting face-to-face with a patient, reviewing their medications, reviewing all the chronic diseases that they have along with their full patient history of what has happened to them in the past, those interventions tend to have a greater effect on mortality. So in other words, those types of interventions are reducing the risk that someone actually dies. We also found that falls decrease when patients fully stop potentially harmful medications. So these may be medications that make people feel very dizzy or drowsy medications that may control somebody's blood sugar a little bit too much and so they're actually feeling very low blood sugar or medications where their blood pressure is overly controlled. So their blood pressure's a little too low, and they may actually fall as a result of these medications. Speaker 1 (08:12): But what we found was that stopping medications such as benzodiazepines, which are often taken for sleep or anxiety, can take months. These types of medications can have withdrawal effects. And so it's really, really important for somebody to work very closely with a healthcare provider to slowly taper these medications down, to try to reduce those withdrawal effects. And because it takes so long to fully stop these medications, it's hard for studies to really find an effect unless they're following that person for a long period of time, which studies often don't. And so that's one of the challenges that we've seen in the research is that studies haven't followed people for enough time. Or at the time that they're measuring some of these clinical outcomes, not enough time has gone by to really see the full effects. So what we have found in working with other researchers and clinicians is that when patients team up with a healthcare provider such as their primary care physician or clinical pharmacist who's embedded in the healthcare system, they really are able to stop taking some of these medications and they feel a lot better. They feel much more energy, they're able to do the things that they really enjoy. They have a greater quality of life, but it's something that just takes time. Speaker 2 (09:28): And I imagine it's something you have to balance when someone really might need a medication to treat something and then managing the side effects. That's really interesting. I know the second study looked at a particular intervention and this was the use of educational materials for benzodiazepines. What led you to explore this area and what did you find? Speaker 1 (09:49): Great question. So benzodiazepines are, as I mentioned earlier, medications that are often used for sleep or anxiety. The typical recommendation for benzodiazepines is that they really should be taken short term. These are medications that, you know, physicians typically recommend somebody take for a maximum of four weeks. What we have found in some of our research is that people are actually taking these for years, if not decades. And so stopping these medications can be quite challenging and sometimes patients aren't fully convinced about why they should be stopping these medications. So we took an intervention that started in Canada. It was developed by researchers in Canada, in Quebec, and this is called the Empower Intervention. And what we did is we tailored it to a health system here in the US. The Empower Intervention is a really great brochure that contains some pretty striking facts about benzodiazepines. Speaker 1 (10:45): To give you some examples of benzodiazepine, these are like your Xanax, your Ativan, your Klonopin. These are the medications that we're talking about here. These brochures highlighted some really interesting facts such as the fact that they can be harmful or linked to hip fractures and car accidents and they can make people feel very tired and weak. What we did for this intervention is we sent these brochures to about 300 people along with a letter from their primary care physician, emphasizing that these medications can be harmful if taken for too long and especially among older adults. So what we did for this study is we compared patients who had received these brochures to patients who did not receive them. So kind of they're going on their usual care, their physicians may have mentioned something to them. This was our control group, right? We didn't send anything to this particular group. Speaker 1 (11:40): We reviewed the medical records for both groups and we looked at what kinds of medications they had been prescribed. And what we found is that patients who received the brochures were really activated. You know, when they received this messaging, they would send messages in the patient portal to their physicians saying, I didn't know that there were these risks of these medications. I would really like to come in and talk to you about them. They made appointments to start tapering down these medications. What we found was for every 10 brochures that we sent, one person completely stopped taking these medications, which is a really good return on investment. This is a simple intervention. It has now been done in some other health systems in the US, particularly the Veterans Affairs health system. And you know, groups have found similar effects. We also found that the probability that someone in the intervention group completely stopped their medications was about 10% greater compared to the group that did not get the brochure. Speaker 1 (12:41): So again, you know, for a cheap simple intervention, we were pretty excited about these results. What's been really interesting is I just came back from two conferences, the US De-Prescribing Research Network and the Society for General Internal Medicine Annual Meeting. And we find that other researchers are also finding that engaging patients in reducing these potentially harmful medications is actually one of the most effective forms of deprescribing. There have been plenty of studies where researchers have actually engaged physicians and those have not been as successful. So what I'm really excited about in terms of thinking about future interventions is, how do we really engage patients in learning about what are the best options for them to manage their health? Speaker 2 (13:28): So you just said that physicians, it's been a little harder to see change in their prescribing behaviors. What do we know about ways they can introduce the idea of reducing or stopping a medication? Speaker 1 (13:39): Yeah, I think it's a great question. I think communicating when, how and why a medication should be reduced or stopped can be really challenging. What researchers have found is that when physicians focus on improving a patient's quality of life, that is what is most effective. So for example, thinking about stopping or reducing certain medications can give somebody more energy, help them move around better, they're not feeling as unsteady on their feet or dizzy. They can think more clearly because they're no longer feeling feelings of brain fog or sleepiness or drowsiness. I think these can be some really effective messages. I think some of the challenges that physicians face in de-prescribing is that de-prescribing takes a lot of time. As we all know, our primary care visits are very short. Physicians, particularly in the primary care setting, are really rushed through their visits. And so I think having some of these conversations can just be something that's challenging. Speaker 1 (14:41): I also think they're quite complex conversations to have. They may not have received the training, for example, on how to taper a medication in a safe way so that a patient does not feel withdrawal effects. And I do think that there is something about getting physician buy-in, in terms of, they are concerned about, you know, if they bring it up, the patient may be angry with them, they may be upset. And so I think really showing physicians ways in which this can be brought up that's really framed around, how do we center the patient's health and quality of life? I think those are are still questions that we as researchers are working on. Speaker 2 (15:17): We've talked about physicians and obviously patients themselves. How about caregivers? What role can they play in helping address some of these issues? And are there interventions that especially aim to include them? Speaker 1 (15:28): Yeah, great question. I think it's really important for caregivers to be aware of the medications their loved ones are taking. For many reasons. I think they can be amazing advocates in helping bring up potential side effects during doctor's visits. So for example, if a caregiver is noticing that someone is feeling drowsy or doesn't have that much energy or is feeling dizzy, any sort of cognitive impairments, right? So, such as those that may be seen in dementia, may actually be a result of medication side effects. So I think really becoming an advocate for somebody when seeing the doctor is one really important thing that caregivers can do. Another area where caregivers can play a really important role is among people with dementia. People with dementia can have some challenges in managing their medications. They may miss doses, they may take several medications twice, so they may have an overdose or they may take the wrong medication altogether. So caregivers can play really pivotal roles in helping somebody manage medication changes. There have been some early interventions looking at how to engage caregivers and persons with dementia. And some of the challenges that those researchers have seen is that there are often more than one person actually caring for somebody with dementia. And so engaging that whole group of people who may be working with that person has been a real challenge. Speaker 2 (16:54): Are there particular challenges faciing under-resourced communities or populations with language barriers? I imagine some of this communication is even harder in these cases. What do you think needs to be done in these areas? Speaker 1 (17:09): Absolutely. There is research showing that patients with language barriers have a greater risk of being hospitalized or rehospitalized because of some of the communication challenges that come with medication management. So you can imagine that for example, you know, older adults and their caregivers with language barriers may have a difficult time understanding medication instructions, which can lead to improper use. So when and how to take medications, recognizing potential side effects, understanding the purpose of each medication. And on top of that, you can layer on things like, you know, if somebody doesn't have a great understanding of the condition, right? So we call that disease literacy. Or they may have health literacy issues, or on top of that, we may even have literacy concerns where the person does not know how to read or has a limited ability to read. So layering on all these challenges can really make it difficult to both manage your medications and communicate with physicians about their concerns or side effects regarding medications. Speaker 1 (18:14): Right now, mentee and I are working on this review of interventions that have been done specifically for patients with language barriers focused on improving medication management. And what we found was that interventions that really engaged people from communities with language barriers have been some of the most effective ways to really help people learn about which medications are working really well for them, how to improve medication adherence and other important outcomes. So for example, an intervention that we found was researchers engaged folks in the community. They co-created videos about medications in the community and why it was important to take them. And then when they actually distributed these interventions, they made sure that both in terms of the videos and some of the other educational materials that were handed out to folks, that these really were very tailored both language wise, literacy wise, and culturally tailored to the communities that they were serving. Speaker 2 (19:16): Another area I wanna touch on is your work improving doctor patient communication. And I'm curious if your background as a newspaper reporter has informed your research in this area, and what are some of the ways that patients lose out when communication is not clear? Speaker 1 (19:32): So I think a lot about how we can help clinicians communicate complex information about medications and other treatments in simple, accessible ways. Which is really something that I aimed to do as a reporter, right? When I worked as a reporter, oftentimes I would take studies from medical journals and I would break them down in a way that was really easy and accessible for the public to read. And so that is really something that I'm very interested in. How do we help clinicians do the same thing? Or if we're designing interventions for patients, how do we do something similar? How do we make the risks and benefits of medications very clear to people so that they're able to make the best decisions about those for their health? So one area that I'm really interested in is these new medications for dementia that have come out, which are the anti amyloid medications. These medications have some pretty potentially serious side effects such as brain bleeding and swelling. And I'm working on a research proposal thinking about, how do we best present these medications to patients in a way that they feel like they're able to make the best decisions for themselves and their loved ones? I think it'd be really critical, particularly in terms of health equity for people to have a very good sense of how these medications can potentially help but also understand the serious risks associated with the new dementia medications. Speaker 2 (21:02): And speaking of dementia, I think you've also looked at the diagnosis of dementia and whether or not there's differences in minority populations. Is that something you can tell us a little bit about? Speaker 1 (21:14): Absolutely. So that is an area of research that I'm actually just starting to get into because what we are learning is that older black and Latino adults tend to get diagnosed with dementia once the disease has progressed more. And what that means is that they may not have received some of the services that may help them or their families. So for example, they may not have received enough support to be able to plan for the rest of their lives, or their families may not necessarily have received caregiving support early on in disease progress. I think in regards to these particular dementia medications, for example, if older adults are diagnosed with dementia at a place where they're no longer eligible to receive these medications, I think that'll be a really pretty serious health equity issue. So I am really interested in, how do we make sure that people are getting diagnosed in time to make them eligible for really potentially beneficial treatments that may help them down the road? So I'm thinking about how do we train physicians who are working in under-resourced settings, which may serve large proportions of black and Latino older adults, how to diagnose dementia in a primary care setting, and working with some colleagues in the Los Angeles Department of Health Services on how we can think about making physicians feel more confident, their diagnosis of dementia among older adults. Speaker 2 (22:40): And I wanna go back to sleep and anxiety because I know that's something that affects so many people at all ages. If these interventions are successful and people are able to stop taking some of these medications, are there strategies or interventions that we know might work for helping them with the initial conditions they were struggling with to begin with? Speaker 1 (23:01): Yeah, absolutely. I think that's a really good question because sleep and anxiety are things that can really affect somebody's quality of life and functioning, right? The most effective strategies that we see de-prescribing these medications is offering something else. So for example, some of the most evidence for insomnia really exists around using cognitive behavioral therapy. There's also been really well done systematic reviews that have found evidence that music or acupuncture may help people with insomnia. So I think one thing that's very important to think about when we de-prescribe medications is what else can we offer people? We're not just leaving people in the lurch and saying, we're taking this away and we're leaving you with nothing. We're actually able to offer them some non-pharmacological options as well. Speaker 2 (23:48): That's a really helpful note to end on. Thank you for joining us, and I know that people are really gonna benefit from learning about all you've been working on and all your work that's gonna continue in the future. Speaker 1 (23:59): Thank you so much for having me today. It's been a real pleasure. Speaker 2 (24:02): That wraps up this lesson in Lifespan Health. Thanks to Professor Michelle Keller for her time and expertise and to all of you for choosing to listen. Join us next time for another Lesson in Lifespan Health, and please subscribe to our podcast@lifespanhealth.usc.edu. Lessons in Lifespan Health is supported by the Ney Center for Healthspan Science.

In this episode, our co-hosts Estela and Juana delve deep into the often overlooked but critically important topic of mental health for those living with AiArthritis diseases. They discuss the significant impact these health challenges have on both the body and the mind, supported by eye-opening statistics that 52% of patients with autoimmune diseases are diagnosed with a mental health condition within a year. Tune in to hear Estela and Juana break down the science behind these connections, share their personal experiences and provide practical strategies to manage mental health while navigating life with AiArthritis diseases.   Episode Highlights:  Defining AiArthritis diseases and their comprehensive impact on mental health Discussion on the challenges of living with unpredictable flares Juana's personal experience with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus and their impact on her mental health Importance of self-care strategies such as rest, nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness techniques. Benefits of therapy, counseling, and connecting with social support groups. Volunteer with AiArthritis : https://bit.ly/AiArthritisVolunteerApp Donate to Support the Show: https://www.aiarthritis.org/donate  Follow AiArthritis on all social media platforms @IFAiArthritis Sign up for our Monthly AiArthritis Voices 360 Talk Show newsletter! HERE   Connect with our Co-Hosts: Estela is the President and co-founder of Looms for Lupus, a nonprofit providing advocacy and support for those affected by Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and mental health issues. With over 30 years in healthcare, she currently supports private practices with electronic medical records and office workflows. Estela co-founded Looms for Lupus in 2011 after her sister's near-fatal battle with Lupus and Immune Thrombocytopenia, channeling her passion into empowering and supporting the community. She collaborates with initiatives to increase diversity in clinical trials and advocates both locally and nationally.   Connect with Estela: Facebook:@estelamata @looms4lupus Instagram: @estela_mata @looms4lupus Twitter: @estelamata @looms4lupus LinkedIn: @Estela Mata-Carcamo Website: www.looms4lupus.org   Juana is the co-founder of Looms for Lupus, a nonprofit supporting Lupus survivors, their families, and caregivers. Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus in 2009, she facilitates bilingual support groups and advocates nationally for Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Mental Health. Juana has served as a patient advisor, consumer advocate, and is a member of several advisory councils and task forces. Professionally, she is a Children's Social Worker for the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services.   Connect with Juana: Facebook: Juana Mata Instagram: @juany_mata Twitter: @Matajuanamata LinkedIn: Juana Mata   AiArthritis Voices 360 is produced by the International Foundation for Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Arthritis. Visit us on the web at www.aiarthritis.org/talkshow. Find us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook (@IFAiArthritis) or email us (podcast@aiarthritis.org).  Be sure to check out our top-rated show on Feedspot! 

Nicole Neeman Brady is a real standout in the world of water. An entrepreneur, an intrapreneur fund manager, mentor to countless emerging water professionals, she has packed a lot into her time in the sector. She's currently a managing director with Renewable Resources Group, where she oversaw the raising and deployment of the $927 million sustainable Water Impact Fund, the largest of its kind ever. She is also a public servant of considerable standing, having just left the board of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which is the largest municipality in the US with an annual operating budget of $7.5 billion. And she previously served on the Colorado River Board of California. As you will hear, she's a deeply smart, generous, and reflective person with a fascinating career. Please enjoy my conversation with Nicole Neeman Brady.  Subscribe to The Fundamental Molecule here: https://www.burntislandventures.com/the-fundamental-molecule For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fundamental-molecule/id1714287205 ----------- Nicole shares details from her transformative journey from early days at high-profile firms like McKinsey and Goldman Sachs to her pivotal role in pioneering distributed water treatment solutions. She discusses the challenges and strategies in water management amid climate change, the complexities of board governance, and the impact of strategic decisions on environmental sustainability. Throughout the episode, Nicole offers insights into water rights investing, the dynamics of the SPAC market, and the crucial role of storytelling in advocating for environmental issues. Episode Highlights: 0:00 Start 0:49 Introduction 2:00 Nicole's journey to the water sector 6:35 The Renewable Resources Group (RRG) 9:16 Fundraising around water 11:54 Investing in water rights 14:37 SPAC markets 19:11 Serving on the LADWP board 22:55 Running an effective board 27:09 The role of a board Chair 29:30 Nicole's perspective on MBAs and YPO 32:49 The future of water as an investable area 35:16 Communicating the water story Links: Burnt Island Ventures:  https://www.burntislandventures.com/ Nicole Neeman Brady:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neemanbrady/ Quotes: “I saw the critical need for innovative solutions in water management.” “It can be a tremendous and clear opportunity to find a way to monetize water, to make investments in the sector while addressing water security challenges and really promoting sustainable and environmental good practices.” "My water journey…really began with a deep fascination and passion for sustainability and resource management." "We wanted to focus on distributed water treatment, really under the thesis that much like the energy sector, water too would move from large scale projects to more distributed solutions." "I think there's been a much more notable recognition of the climate change's impact on water sources and their lack of durability and resiliency." “We have to embrace storytelling as a strategic priority.” “If you feel like you're drowning in problems, there's always a solution waiting to be distilled.”

Los Angeles is No. 1 on the 2024 list of ASCE Best Places for Civil Engineers. That's three straight years for L.A., if you're keeping track at home. So what's the city's secret to success? What's so special about the civil engineering scene there? Ruwanka Purasinghe, P.E., M.ASCE, civil engineering associate for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and president-elect of the ASCE Los Angeles Section, has some answers. In episode 165 of ASCE Plot Points, Purasinghe talks about, yes, what makes Los Angeles such a great place for civil engineers.

Cat Packer, Director of Drug Markets and Legal Regulation, Drug Policy Alliance joins Blunt Business for a 2-part interview where we first discuss the need for a comprehensive approach to cannabis policy reform that prioritizes social equity and harm reduction. We talk about the importance of addressing social equity concerns, such as the concentration of unlicensed activity in local jurisdictions, and responsible and equitable enforcement strategies to encourage consumers and businesses to participate in the legal market.We also delve into Cat's experience from her previous tenure where she served as the first executive director of the city of Los Angeles Department of cannabis regulation, leading efforts to advise and implement cannabis business Licensing and Regulation in the world's largest cannabis market.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this special episode of the Fast Forward Podcast, we celebrate International Women's Day with an all female panel on gender equality in the mobility sector, from CoMotion LA '23. Joining us for the discussion: Laura Rubio-Cornejo, General Manager, City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation; Hilary Norton, California Transportation Commissioner and Executive Director & Founder of FASTLinkDTLA; Katherine Perez, Principal, ARUP; Heather Anderson, Associate Vice President, HNTB. These types of discussions underscore the crucial need to include women in decision-making roles at all levels and illuminates the diverse range of challenges and opportunities that women face within the mobility sector. ———————————— Join us next at CoMotion MIAMI '24, May 6-7. Save 50% off on your pass, discount ends March 13: www.comotionmiami.com/register ———————————— Join a powerful network of startups and get a chance to pitch infront of VCs, key players, sign up to be part of the CoMotion Innovators 2024 Cohort. Learn more: comotionmiami.com/comotion-innovators ———————————— LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/CoMotionNEWS Twitter: twitter.com/CoMotionNEWS YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCUdylw5XdxHdaXi-1KGwJnQ

In our first episode of 2024, our guest is Anselmo Collins, Senior Assistant General Manager – Water System, at the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP). We speak with Anselmo about LADWP's efforts to ensure safe and reliable water service to more than 4 million residents, in the face of climate change, a burgeoning population, and the ever-present threat of earthquakes. Join host Davion and Anselmo for this insightful discussion about water resilience in the City of Angels.

We continue our investigation into the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). While looking into what happened the night Joseph Chacón died, reporter Deepa Fernandes finds out that another baby, Draco Ford, had passed away in the same foster home two months earlier. Why weren't the foster children, including Joseph, immediately removed after Draco died? We also delve into the difficult decisions social workers have to make and the systemic problems of the foster care system in the U.S. as a whole. This episode originally aired in July of 2021.

In the early 1980's my radio home was KMPC Radio in Los Angeles and it was my honor to lend my talents to the efforts of the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. It was at one of the annual Christmas parties for foster children that I had the pleasure of interviewing some of the stars who had come out for the event. In this episode, you'll hear my conversation with these very special celebrities, beginning with a very young, Melissa Gilbert. Next up, one of the most familiar voices in the history of television, Ed McMahon It's been said that being affectionately insulted by my next guest can be considered a badge of honor. I agree! Enjoy my conversation with Mr. Warmth, himself…Don Rickles My final guest conversation from 1980 is with the one and only, Cher! Merry Christmas!

Hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle discuss recent stories from NREL:       The LA100 Equity Strategies project, developed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in collaboration with NREL and the University of California, Los Angeles , envisions a future where Los Angeles achieves 100% clean electricity by 2035 through community-driven approaches. The project, born out of two years of community engagement, outlines strategic pathways to address inequities in the current energy system, focusing on issues such as affordable clean energy access, workforce development, and community involvement to ensure a just and inclusive transition to renewable energy. Ben Maurer, a scuba diver and ocean enthusiast working with NREL, leads the Waterborne Plastics Assessment and Collection Technologies project (WaterPACT) to address the issue of waterborne plastics. Through collaborative efforts with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and various partners, Maurer's team collects data on plastics in major rivers, including the Mississippi, Delaware, Columbia, and Los Angeles rivers, aiming to develop solutions to prevent plastic pollution from reaching the ocean and create a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. contribution to global ocean emissions. This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Joe DelNero and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Transforming Energy: The NREL Podcast is created by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. We express our gratitude and acknowledge that the land we are on is the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute peoples. Email us at podcast@nrel.gov. Follow NREL on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook.

Increasing rents and home prices, gentrification, and historic inequities have contributed to a major housing crisis in Los Angeles. Yet, L.A. has a rich residential legacy that includes innovative housing design, successful housing developments, and leadership in historical preservation. Panelists will draw upon their interrelated recent books on housing, architecture, and preservation to offer compelling approaches to help address L.A.'s housing crisis. Frances Anderton covers Los Angeles design and architecture in print, broadcast media, and public events. She is the author of Common Ground: Multifamily Housing in Los Angeles and co-producer of the short film, 40 Years of Building Community. For many years, Anderton hosted the radio show, DnA: Design and Architecture, on KCRW. She is adjunct faculty at the USC School of Architecture. Ken Bernstein is a Principal City Planner for the Los Angeles Department of City Planning where he directs L.A.'s historic preservation policies. He serves as lead staff member for the city's Cultural Heritage Commission and oversaw the completion of SurveyLA, a multi-year citywide survey of historical resources. He is adjunct faculty at the USC Price School of Public Policy and the author of Preserving Los Angeles: How Historic Places Can Transform America's Cities. Liz Falletta is a professor of Architectural and Urban Design, Vice Chair of Urban Planning and Spatial Analysis, and faculty director of the Executive Master of Urban Planning at the USC Price School of Public Policy. She is the author of By Right, By Design: Housing Development vs. Housing Design in Los Angeles, an interdisciplinary study of significant Los Angeles housing design precedents and developments that offers insights for future housing production in L.A. and beyond. Moderator: Todd Gish is an urban designer, licensed architect, and adjunct professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy. He is a published author on planning and architectural subjects (especially housing) and trained historian with extensive expertise in the research and analysis of buildings, sites, land uses, and urban environments.

African American entrepreneurship has a long and fascinating history in Los Angeles. The period from the 1920s to the 1960s was the era of “race enterprises,” in which black entrepreneurs specifically catered to black consumers. Collectively these enterprises supported a growing middle class and one of the highest rates of African American homeownership in the country. As rich as this history is, so little is discussed in regards to Black business in Los Angeles. So MHD and co-host Chavonne bring it to the surface in an enriching conversation with independent public historian, writer, and researcher Yolanda Hester!Yolanda Hester is an independent public historian, writer, and researcher. She is interested in highlighting lesser documented stories and helping them find their way to the historical record. Her work has included exploring the history of Black business in LA (Community and Commerce) for The Center For Oral History Research at UCLA, consulting on the history of The Shindana Toy Factory for KCET (Shindana Toy Company: Changing the American Doll Industry), as well as projects for the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and The National Urban League. She currently manages the oral history project for Arthur Ashe Legacy at UCLA. Her most recent essay The Legacy of Shindana Toys: Black Play and Black Power can be found in The American Journal of Play. Resources:www.yolandahester.comwww.library.ucla.edu/location/library-special-collections/discover-collections/online-exhibits/community-commerce-oral-histories-african-american-businesses-los-angeleswww.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/episodes/shindana-toy-company-changing-the-american-doll-industryEpisode Spotify Playlist

Sandeep Vaheesan (@sandeepvaheesan) joins Scott Ferguson on the Superstructure podcast to discuss the still-undecided political significance of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Their conversation focuses on Vaheesan's article, “The IRA is Still Being Formed: An Episode in America's Past Contains Important Lessons for How We Move Forward in Greening the Economy,” published recently in Democracy: A Journal of Ideas. While present left debate about the IRA tends to split over whether the legislation ultimately breaks with or confirms the tenets of neoliberal governance, Vaheesan turns our attention to the ongoing contestation over the bill's implementation across heterogeneous domains. Vaheesan puts the current struggle into perspective by reflecting on the historical fight surrounding the construction and operation of the Boulder (a.k.a. “Hoover”) Dam. In the case of the federal provisioning of the Boulder Dam in the 1920's, a strong public utility—the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power —was well positioned to control water and power as public goods, despite efforts by the conservative Hoover administration to wholly privatize the process. What is more, the success of this project laid the groundwork for later rural electrification programs under FDR's New Deal. Today, Vaheesan sees similar potential for public control over the IRA's implementation because the legislation crucially extends investment and production tax credits, which were formerly available only to for-profit entities, to community-controlled public and cooperative electric utilities. For this reason, the meaning and fate of the IRA remains up-for-grabs. Should community-controlled public and cooperative electric utilities seize hold of the IRA's democratic potentials, Vaheesan suggests, the process stands to build significant capacities for a more expansive Green New Deal. Ferguson and Vaheesan close their conversation by considering the social construction of and  disputes about public money in both contemporary and historical contexts. Vaheesan is legal director of the Open Markets Institute and author of a forthcoming book titled, Democracy in Power (University of Chicago Press) on the history and future of cooperative and public power in the United States.  Visit our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/MoLsuperstructureMusic: “Yum” from “This Would Be Funny If It Were Happening To Anyone But Me” EP by flirting.http://flirtingfullstop.bandcamp.comTwitter: @actualflirting

Are you curious to learn more about how Infrastructure L.A. will affect Los Angeles's water landscape?  In this episode of SCWC, we are joined by three esteemed experts from Los Angeles County Public Works and the LA Department of Water and Power. They'll provide cutting-edge insights into the implications of this ambitious undertaking for water supply management and beyond—don't miss it!  Joining the discussion is Mark Pestrella, the CEO and Director of Los Angeles County Public Works, bringing his expertise on infrastructure development and its implications for the county.  Our second guest is Marty Adams, the general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, who will enlighten us on the crucial role of water supply management in this monumental initiative. Thirdly, we have Anselmo Collins, the senior assistant general manager of the water systems for LADWP and the chair of the Infrastructure Initiative's Water Committee. His insights into the integration of recycled water and sustainable practices will be instrumental in understanding the far-reaching impact of Infrastructure L.A. on LA's water landscape. So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let's embark on this enlightening journey through the world of Infrastructure L.A. and its profound implications for the future of water in Los Angeles.

IBM is selling The Weather Channel to a private equity firm, Man on probation arrested after it was discovered he had multiple weapons, 'Chucky' mask in his possession, Woman used a spicy tortilla chip to start house fire according to police, Fleeing suspect crashed into a Los Angeles Department of Corrections bus and was immediately arrested

Joining Chuckie & Marty on Toking With The Stars is Maha Haq aka High Maha, Entrepreneur & Twitch Streamer that has dedicated over a decade to the commercial cannabis space. High Maha is an independent consultant for retailers, consumption lounges, brands, and events where she has a proven track record of successful projects with multi-state operators and high-profile cannabis companies. Most importantly, Maha sits on the board of the Los Angeles chapter of NORML & is also an instructor for cannabis science classes at Oaksterdam University in Oakland, CA. Maha also serves as a Head Coach for the Social Equity Development Program within the City of Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulations, where she guides social equity business operators as a resource for licensees. Don't miss High Maha's livestreams of her segment, “Dabby Hour” on Twitch, Monday to Thursday at 7pm PT which features a glass collection and an assortment of consumption devices. Maha unboxes, reacts to, and honestly reviews cannabis products in real time, and keeps count of her dabs on her trusty puff counter. As a cannabis industry commentator, Maha delves into the latest cannabis trends, news, and culture, offering insightful discussions. Be sure to check her out on IG @highmaha.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power asked NREL to help them figure out what would it take to get LA's entire grid running on 100% renewable energy by 2045, their study called the LA100 said it wasn't just possible to make the switch; it was possible to do it a decade sooner. So LADWP changed their goal. Instead of converting the grid by 2045, they'd do it by 2035. The scale of that transition is immense. Almost 4 million residents live within the city limits. Pulling it off would make LADWP the largest municipal utility in the country to run on 100% renewable energy.As director of power system planning at the utility, Jason Rondou and his team are tasked with figuring out how to deploy hundreds of gigawatts worth of wind, solar, and long term storage to meet the city's growing energy demands.And if done right, the city's transition could create nearly 10,000 new jobs and bring in $60 to $90 billion of new investment for the city.This week, Brad talked with Jason about the policies and programs LADWP is using to clean up the city's grid, and the ways that a public utility like theirs is uniquely suited to the challenge.This podcast is produced by GridX. GridX is the Enterprise Rate Platform that modern utilities rely on to usher in our clean energy future.

Eduardo Acosta began his law enforcement career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in 1997. He has worked custody at the Pitchess Detention Center and the Inmate Reception Center. He also worked patrol at Century Station in Lynwood. In 2007, Eduardo later transferred to the South Pasadena Police Department. He worked patrol, detectives, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the West San Gabriel Anti-Crime Task force. The participating agencies in the task force were Pasadena PD, Arcadia PD, Monrovia PD, El Monte PD, Monterey Park PD, Parole Department and South Pasadena PD.In 2015, Eduardo later transferred to the Pasadena Police Department. There he has worked patrol and the Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Evaluation Team (HOPE). The HOPE Team is partnered with a clinician from the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health. The HOPE Team responds to individuals dealing with a mental health crisis and conduct mental health evaluations. The HOPE Team also conducts outreach services for individuals dealing with homelessness. Eduardo enjoys working out, running and mountain bike riding in the San Gabriel Valley Foothills.Instagram: @pasadenapd__________________SGV Master Key Podcast:www.sgvmasterkey.cominfo@sgvmasterkey.com

This bonus episode of Judaism Unbound is presented in partnership with Theatre Dybbuk. We are proud to feature their third season's fourth episode as a bonus episode here on Judaism Unbound's feed. In each episode, they bring poems, plays, and other creative texts from throughout history to life, all while revealing their relationships to issues still present today. Subscribe to The Dybbukast on Apple Podcasts, or anywhere else that podcasts are found.---------------------------------------------In this fourth of our five-episode series in partnership with the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University, we explore The Book of Tahkemoni, a collection of tales written in Hebrew in the early 13th century. Authored by Yehuda Alharizi who was born in Toledo, Spain in the middle of the 12th century, the book uses the structure of the Arabic literary form known as maqama.Dr. Jonathan Decter, the Edmond J. Safra Professor of Sephardic Studies, discusses the history of Jews in the region of The Book's creation and shares about the cultural influences and experiences present in Alharizi's work.This episode is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.Read the transcription for "The Book of Tahkemoni."

Juan Escobedo is a multi-talented award-winning actor, director.   He is also a very talented photographer with his photography being widely praised. The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs started publishing Mr. Escobedo's photography in 2012 as part of the City of Los Angeles Heritage Month Celebrations.    One of his most notable works of photography, Trash and Tears, was a series of photographs depicting models posing, surrounded by trash in an attempt to explore the issues of hoarding, mental health, poverty, and drug addiction.     Recently, the Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture launched the Collective Memory Installation as part of its Illuminate LA initiative.    Mr. Escobedo, was selected to exhibit his work titled, El Sombrero de Miguel Lopez, which pays homage to his late grandfather and one of our topics today.   #hispanic #latino #fineart #photography #photographer #film #filmdirector #california #losangeles #mexico #artsandculture #hispanicculture 

In 2021, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's supercomputer found that Los Angeles can hit 100% clean power within a decade and a half. But how will it be implemented in reality – in a way that benefits everyone? That's the $86 billion question for the city.  There are many other questions to answer: How will a utility serving four million residents phase out coal and gas, triple its yearly build-out of renewables and batteries, electrify 80% of homes and cars, build new transmission, and ramp up hydrogen and other forms of cutting-edge storage – all by 2035? This week, we dig into those challenges on stage with Marty Adams, general manager and chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The conversation was recorded live at the Intersolar North America conference in Long Beach, California. Come watch a live episode of The Carbon Copy! Canary Media and Post Script Media are hosting a live event at Greentown Labs in Somerville, Ma. on April 6. record a live episode of The Carbon Copy with some very special guests. Get your tickets today. The Carbon Copy is supported by FischTank PR, a public relations, strategic messaging, and social media agency dedicated to elevating the work of climate and clean energy companies. Learn more about FischTank's approach to cleantech and their services: fischtankpr.com. The Carbon Copy is supported by Scale Microgrids, the distributed energy company dedicated to transforming the way modern energy infrastructure is designed, constructed, and financed. Distributed generation can be complex. Scale makes it easy. Learn more: scalemicrogrids.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the best approach for preventing youth with substance use disorder? Learn from Dr. Sid Puri who reaches kids with SUD in LA County. "Prevention begins at birth or before." "It's the end of casual drug use" - because of fentanyl Dr. Siddarth Puri Dr. Puri is the Associate Medical Director of Prevention at the division of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) at the Los Angeles Department of Public Health and an attending on the addiction consult service at Los Angeles County-USC Hospital. He completed his medical education at UC Davis and his adult psychiatric residency and both his child and adolescent, and addiction psychiatry fellowships at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.

Recently, at The Celebration of America's Promise to Parents event, hosted by the Alliance Defending Freedom, Abigail Martinez, a grieving mother, shared a story that every single parent, pastor, and lawmaker in America needs to hear. Abigail's daughter Yaeli began to struggle with depression when she was in the 8th grade. Without communication with her mother, Yaeli was quickly funneled by personnel at her school towards the LGBTQ group, and then to an outside psychologist. Soon, Yaeli was being led by these adults towards a “social transition,” going by the name “Andrew” and increasingly presenting as a boy. All the while, she was urged to keep the details hidden from her family.  Once she caught wind, Abigail protested both the secrecy and the strategy of this counseling, urging the counselors to instead look into underlying issues of Yaeli's mental health. Instead, she was told that by refusing to call her daughter by her new name and pronouns, she was the problem. If anything happened to Yaeli, the school said, it would be Abigail's fault.  From that moment on, the system boxed her out at every turn. When Yaeli was 16, the school psychologist urged the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services to intervene, arguing that because her mom was “unsupportive” of her social transition, Yaeli would be better off living elsewhere. Yaeli was moved to a group home, where she started taking cross-sex hormones. Abigail was only allowed to see her daughter for one hour each week, supervised, and strictly warned not to bring up anything relating to her daughter's transition, including their Christian faith. If she did, her visitation rights would be revoked.   “If we keep [Yaeli] out of your home,” Abigail remembered being told, “she [will] have more chance to survive. She's not going to try to commit suicide.”  Instead, all the while, Yaeli's mental health continued to decline. The testosterone caused her constant pain, for which a doctor prescribed CBD oil. “She was taking the [cross-sex] hormones; she was not happy,” her mother said. “She changed her name, [but] was not happy, she adopted a dog because that was going to make her happy. None of it, everything that they've done, didn't work.”  At age 19, having moved out of the group home and pursued her new identity for about three years, Yaeli took her own life. As Abigail later told The Daily Signal, “I don't want any parent to go through this, because this pain never goes away. … You breathe and you can feel the pain.”  It's hard to imagine a tragedy like this could happen. It's hard to believe that a parent could lose custody to the state, simply for holding to a child's biological sex. What's not hard to imagine is that Yaeli Martinez will not be the last victim of these bad ideas, indoctrinated by state power. Local governments like Los Angeles County aggressively promote the doctrine of “gender-affirming care,” even if it means tearing a family apart. On a state level, one California senator has proposed a bill empowering courts to remove children, not just from California residents, but from anyone who travels to the state and whose children claim their parents do not support them in their gender identity or sexual orientation choices. A similar case recently unfolded in Ohio, where a county prosecutor charged a couple with “abuse and neglect” for seeking counseling instead of transition for their daughter. And in Michigan, it is very likely that a ballot initiative will be taken to the voters this November utilizing the language of “reproductive freedom” to usurp parental rights in similar ways. Through these laws, the state perpetuates grave evil. In the case of Yaeli Martinez, the silence of her church was even more tragic. When at the state-assigned group home, Yaeli repeatedly asked her mother when a pastor or youth leader might come visit. She had felt close to these leaders and was eager to see them. “[They] know I'm here, right?” Abigail remembered her daughter asking.  As Abigail said, “I asked them. I gave them the address.” But they never visited. Not Abigail. Not Yaeli. No public support from the pulpit. No private support either. Abigail Martinez has walked this path all alone.  In this, Abigail was the victim of a church culture designed around making people feel good and dodging difficult issues. Shame on them. Yaeli Martinez will not be the last teenager in crisis. That's why I'm grateful for churches that, with truth and grace, do show up for parents in need. Nobody wants this culture war over sex and gender, but we didn't choose this moment. To oppose state-sponsored trans ideology in law and in school is a necessary act of love.   No child should be harmed by state-sponsored lies. No parent should go through what Abigail Martinez went through. And absolutely no parent should go through what Abigail Martinez went through alone.  

Knowledge Bomb: Doctor G. reviews the TOP 10 WAYS to balance your estrogen. What are the symptoms of too much estrogen? What are the main causes of estrogen dominance? Why is the way we metabolize estrogen so important? How to we optimize estrogen metabolism? The top 10 ways to balance your estrogen. Special Guest Segment: Dr. Mike Dow joins the show to talk about intramuscular ketamine therapy. How is this one of the most powerful medicines for mental health? Can it reverse suicidality? Can it reverse depression? Is it a safe medicine? How does it differ from anti-depressants? Do anti-depressants work? How can this become more accessible to everyone? GUEST BIO: Dr. Mike Dow, M.S., Psy.D., Ph.D., is a New York Times best-selling author of eight books including The Sugar Brain Fix, The Brain Fog Fix and, in 2023, The Ketamine Revolution. Dr. Mike has been called “America's go-to therapist.” As a brain health, mental health, functional nutrition and addiction expert, Dr. Mike has hosted hit shows on several networks including TLC, Disney+, E! and VH1. He was a core team expert on The Dr. Oz Show, a recurring guest co-host on The Doctors, and has made regular appearances on Today, The Talk, Rachael Ray, Wendy Williams, Nancy Grace, Dr. Drew on Call and Canada's The Marilyn Denis Show. Dr. Mike began his career working with the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health before transitioning to private practice. He has a M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy, a Psy.D. in Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology. Mike also is trained in epigenetic counseling and functional nutrition. He is a graduate of USC where he was a Presidential Scholar and currently practices Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy at Field Trip. ADS: To make it easy, Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/healthyself. It's going to take all of us to end the climate crisis. Do your part today by signing up for Wren. Go to Wren.co/HEALTHYSELF, sign up, and they'll plant 10 extra trees in your name! Head over to chilisleep.com/DRG to learn more and save 30% off the purchase of any new sleep system. This offer is available exclusively for Dr. G listeners -- and only for a limited time! Become the best version of yourself and get 15% off Ned products with code DRG. Go to helloned.com/DRG or enter code DRG at checkout. If you're looking for some new seating, Check out Allform. Visit the link below or go to allform.com/healthyself for 20% off any sofa of your choice

Center Director Bob Shrum joins a panel of energy experts and industry leaders to discuss the latest national policies advancing cleaner energy and curbing the effects of climate change, in commemoration of Earth Day. Featuring: Bob Shrum - Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife Ted Bardacke - CEO, Clean Power Alliance Ivan Penn - Energy Correspondent, New York Times Jason Rondou - Director of Resource Planning, Development & Programs at Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Aura Vasquez - Chair of Climate Action Committee, Sierra Club Los Angeles Chapter; Former Commissioner, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power