AirTalk

Today on AirTalk, the latest on the 2024 Paris Olympics. Also on the show, listeners share their favorite Olympic memories; we get a taste of Los Angeles breakfast burritos with the co-owners of Cofax Coffee; our FilmWeek critics review the latest releases; Larry Mantle interviews writer-director Sean Wang and actor Izaac Wang on their new film ‘Dìdi (弟弟);’ and more.

It’s hard to make a city like Paris, France any more of a spectacle than it already is. But tonight, at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic games, it will attract billions of viewers from around the world, and millions of in-person spectators. Behind the scenes, barricades and checkpoints have turned the city into a fortress as the city prepares for an Olympic first – an opening ceremony unfolding outside the security of a stadium. Joining us today on AirTalk is Chris Bumbaca, USA Today sports reporter following the Olympics; he’s at the games in Paris.

The Olympic games date back 3,000 years to Ancient Greece, with the first broadcast beginning in 1936 for the Berlin games. Ever since, the global sporting event has created moments that have lodged themselves in our collective memory. Like during the 2008 games when Michael Phelps took home the most gold medals in Olympic history, or in 1996 when Muhammad Ali, despite having Parkinson’s, carried the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony, or when Florence Griffith Joyner, aka "Flo-Jo," dominated the 100 and 200 meters sprints at the 1988 Summer Games and set a record that still stands day. Today on AirTalk, we’re asking listeners which Olympics moments do you remember? Maybe it’s one from childhood or maybe it was the last Summer games. Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

Today on AirTalk, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a sweeping executive order on Thursday that will direct California state officials to dismantle thousands of homeless encampments on state property. Also on the show, we say farewell to retiring LAist hosts Susanne Whatley and Nick Roman; new book ‘California Eden’ maps out California’s horticultural heritage; we explore a new CalMatters investigation that reveals a lack of oversight at California homeless shelters; our TV critics review the latest shows; and more.

Have you felt completely overwhelmed when deciding what new show to watch these days? Us too. There’s just so much content out there between network TV and numerous streaming platforms. Each week, we will try to break through the noise with TV watchers who can point us to the must-sees and steer us clear of the shows that maybe don’t live up to the hype. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching with Steve Greene, freelance TV critic, and Jen Chaney, television critic for Vulture.

Today on AirTalk, the latest on Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential candidacy and President Biden’s upcoming Oval Office address. Also on the show, we preview the latest season of Imperfect Paradise from LAist Studios; LA County Sheriff Robert Luna stops by to update us on the developments in his department; we examine why the personal check is dying; and more.

Today on AirTalk, we take a deeper look into Vice President Kamala Harris’ background as a prosecutor in California, how her policy stances have evolved over time, and how these merge into her presidential candidacy. Also on the show, listeners share their favorite California swimming holes to beat the heat; we examine how President Biden stepping down might impact voter turnout; listeners share their favorite objectively touristy activity to do in Los Angeles; and more.

Passing the Mantle is a new podcast from LAist Studios about family, curiosity and the things that change — and stay the same — across generations. In this episode, Larry and Desmond talk about their own mental health journeys and how the openness to which people talk about their experiences has evolved since Larry was coming of age. Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

With President Joe Biden ending his reelection bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year. Democrats are set to hold their convention in Chicago on Aug. 19-22. What was supposed to be a coronation for Biden now becomes an open contest in which nearly 4,700 delegates will be responsible for picking a new standard-bearer to challenge Republican Donald Trump in the fall. The path ahead is neither easy nor obvious, even with Biden endorsing Harris. There are unanswered questions about logistics, money and political fallout. With Biden stepping aside, Democrats technically start with an open convention. But realistically, his endorsement pushes Democrats into murky territory. The immediate burden is on Harris to solidify support across almost 4,000 delegates from the states, territories and District of Columbia, plus more than 700 so-called superdelegates that include party leaders, certain elected officials and former presidents and vice presidents. Today on AirTalk, we’re taking the full two-hours to analyze Biden’s decision, what happens next and hear from you. Call us at 866-983-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com. With files from the Associated Press.

Today on AirTalk, we get the latest on the global technology outage. Also on the show, we break down former President Donald Trump’s republican nomination acceptance speech from last night’s Republican National Convention; screenwriter turned therapist Phil Stark discusses mental health in the entertainment industry; we preview the upcoming LAist Ice Cream Social; our FilmWeek critics review the latest releases; Larry talks with director Josh Margolin and actor June Squibb about their new film ‘Thelma;’ and more.

Today on AirTalk, Elon Musk announced on Tuesday that he is moving the X and SpaceX headquarters out of California. Also on the show, we examine the science behind breakfast; we discuss this morning’s Emmy nominations; Larry Mantle and his son Desmond preview the latest ‘Passing the Mantle’ podcast episode from LAist Studios; author Albert Camarillo stops by to talk about his new book ‘Compton in My Soul: A Life in Pursuit of Racial Equality;’ and more.

Albert M. Camarillo grew up in Compton amid segregation. His father had moved there decades prior from Michoacán, Mexico, with Compton being one of the few places where Mexican immigrants were allowed to reside. Camarillo's Compton was characterized by racial strife as Black and Latino families moved in and former white residents moved out, taking with them much of the city's resources. In the 1960s when Camarillo left for college, he became one of only 42 Mexican American students to attend UCLA that year, later becoming the first Mexican American to receive a doctorate in history, founding the specific focus of Chicano/a studies. Now, almost 5 decades later, Camarillo returns to the neighborhood he grew up in his new book Compton In My Soul: A Life in Pursuit of Racial Equality, using his own family history to chronicle Compton's historical record. Today on AirTalk, Albert M. Camarillo, professor of history at Stanford University and author of Compton In My Soul: A Life In Pursuit of Racial Equality joins Larry to talk about his new book and how his childhood in Compton informed his career as a historian.

On the second episode of Passing the Mantle, Larry and Desmond go back to their teenage years to discuss their formative time in high school. Larry went to Hollywood High’s alternative school in the 70s, and Desmond attended the Polytechnic School in Pasadena until 2019 — and their experiences were very different. So we want to hear from you: What about your parents’ or child’s experience in high school surprised you? Are you glad you went to school when you did, or do you feel like you would’ve had a more fitting experience in another time? Call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com. Desmond joins Larry to preview this week’s podcast episode and talk about what made their high school experiences so unique.

You know the phrase. Maybe your parents said it. Maybe your doctors said it. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” But is that really true? Turns out, it’s much more complex. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the science behind breakfast, whether you really need it for good health, tips for optimizing nutrition whether you’re a breakfast stan or breakfast skipper. Joining to discuss is Dr. Zhaoping Li, center director and division chief of clinical nutrition and professor of medicine at UCLA Health. We also want to hear about your relationship with breakfast. Need it? Hate it? What have you found works for you and what’s your advice for others? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.

Today on AirTalk, former President Donald Trump taps Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate. Also on the show, what to do about having too many work meetings; author Paul Haddad stops by to talk about the birth of Los Angeles and his new book ‘Inventing Paradise: The Power Brokers Who Created the Dream of Los Angeles;’ we discuss the etiquette of check splitting at a restaurant; we preview Day 2 of the Republican National Convention; and more.

“Los Angeles is a city that should not exist.” So reads the first line of Paul Haddad’s latest book Inventing Paradise: The Power Brokers Who Created the Dream of Los Angeles. L.A., he writes, has no natural features that would lend themselves to sustaining millions of residents. And yet, Los Angeles does exist. And not only that, it’s the second-largest city in the country and known the world over for its beautiful weather, diverse population and being the home of American film, among many other things. So, why does a city that shouldn’t exist…exist? As Haddad writes, it was willed into existence despite the odds being stacked against it. And while there are many people one could point to as seminal to the story of Los Angeles’ existence, Haddad focuses on six individuals who had particularly significant influence on the city’s growth. They include investor and newspaper publisher Harry Chandler, businessman Phinneas Banning, one of the founders of the former town, now neighborhood, of Wilmington and the “Father of the Port of Los Angeles” and railroad magnate Henry Huntington, just to name a few. Today on AirTalk, Paul Haddad joins Larry to talk about his new book.

Passing the Mantle is a podcast from LAist Studios about family, curiosity and the things that change — and stay the same — across generations. In this episode, Larry Mantle and his son Desmond, 23, go back to their teen years to talk high school and how the norms of what’s accepted — and not accepted — in the classroom have changed from the 1970s to now. Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Today on AirTalk, we get the latest on Saturday’s shooting at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania and talk about the response from American leaders, the history of violence in American politics, and how the Republican National Convention is preparing. Also on the show, Larry Mantle talks with author Mark S. Walton on his new book ‘Unretired: How Highly Effective People Live Happily Ever After;’ we examine how summer jobs for teenagers have changed; and more.

Today on AirTalk, we explore a new lawsuit that alleges LA city leaders of 'thwarting' a Venice homeless housing development. Also on the show, we look into who best to turn to when seeking advice; we dig into Filipino comfort food with the co-owner of Spoon & Pork; our FilmWeek critics review the latest release; Larry Mantle interviews actor Colman Domingo on his new film ‘Sing Sing;’ and more. Spoon & Pork (40:31)

Today on AirTalk, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office filed a lawsuit against an Airbnb influencer for illegally listing properties on vacation rental platforms. Also on the show, the latest on the Kroger and Albertsons merger; author Nicola Twilley stops by to talk about her new book ‘Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves;’ we rundown what to expect from the upcoming Republican National Convention; our TV critics review the best TV of the year so far; and more.