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Imperfect Paradise

LAist Studios

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Imperfect Paradise is an award-winning weekly narrative podcast showcasing California stories with universal significance, hosted by Antonia Cereijido. Each deeply reported story is driven by characters who illuminate aspects of American identity and underscore California's reputation as a home for dreamers and schemers, its heartbreaking inequality, its varied and diverse communities, its unique combination of dense cities and wild places. New episodes premiere Wednesdays, with broadcasts o ...
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Is It Too Early to Celebrate Christmas? (11.17.25) 16:26

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The awkward time between Halloween and Thanksgiving has come around, but for some, this obviously means...Christmas? Whether you choose to embrace the music and movies, or frown at these early festivities, people had things to say about this contested debate. Dive into the reasons behind both sides—from the holiday nostalgia to the holiday stress, …
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California's new public preschool program for 4-year-olds: Exploring transitional kindergarten 31:40

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All four-year-olds in the state of California now have access to a free preschool program in their local school district. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a plan to expand the state’s transitional kindergarten, or TK, program in May 2021, as part of a broader move to create the largest free early education program in the U.S. So what does transitional kind…
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‘Taken: The Agents Raiding Communities and the People Trying to Stop Them’ from Latino USA & CalMatters 50:18

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This special episode on Imperfect Paradise is from our friends at Latino USA and CalMatters. It tracks the rise of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, a key figure in the Trump Administration’s deportation efforts and explores the consequences of the raids to the people captured here in LA and around the country. Support LAist Today: https://LAist.…
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Horror Unleashed: An Interview with The Fear-Eaters' Vice President Christian (11.10.2025) 17:55

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This week, Alexandria interviews The Fear-Eaters Vice President Christian. From Ridley Scott's Alien to Bram Stoker's Dracula, join the two for a lively discussion of the film genre. Reported by Alexandria Robertson and Ritika Senthil Kumar Edited by Ashley Thomas and Sean Watanabe KUCI Instagram: www.instagram.com/kucinews/…
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Who pays for the 2028 Olympics? LA taxpayers may be on the hook 29:57

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In less than a thousand days, Los Angeles will be hosting the summer Olympics. Many cities worldwide have been put into debt by the games, so what could they mean for Los Angeles? LAist reporter Libby Rainey joins Imperfect Paradise to look back at the history of the games when LA last hosted them, the financial outlook for the city, and what role …
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No Kings Day: Student Activism in a Divided America (10.27.25) 10:44

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As political tensions rise across the nation, a student at UC Irvine found a simple way to make their voice heard. London Jones, a second year Journalism student, took to the streets at the No King’s Day protest in Huntington Beach, not just to speak out, but to listen. Through the interview, we learn about her experience and how important student …
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Sticker Culture at UCI (11.1.25) 10:27

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UCI's first vendor fair of the school year kicked off just before (and the day of) Halloween, and students had plenty to shop for throughout the week. But looking further into this sea of vendors and exciting products emerges a popularized phenomenon that Anteaters are no strangers to: stickers. Today, we're discussing all about the meaning behind …
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Why the site of the largest methane leak in US history still hasn’t been shut down 30:50

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Regulations on gas storage facilities have been tightened since the detection of the Aliso Canyon leak, which started in 2015 and lasted nearly four months. But residents remain worried about long term health effects following the leak. LAist Climate and Environment Reporter Erin Stone discusses the 10-year anniversary of the disaster and what’s st…
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A Pre-med Student's Journey: Interview with Krina Ghadia (10.26.25) 15:23

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Join us as we sit down with Krina Ghadia, President of the American Medical Student Association at the University of California, Irvine. Krina shares her insights and practical advice for students on the pre-medical path, offering tips for navigating coursework and extracurriculars. She also recounts personal stories and lessons learned from her ow…
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All About Prop 50 + An Interview with Stephen Campbell (10.25.25) 9:26

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News Intern Tvisha Yerramalli discusses essential facts about Proposition 50, voter registration, and polling locations near UC Irvine. The segment features special guest Steph Campbell, Director of the League of Women Voters’ Orange County Chapter. Recorded by Tvisha Yerramalli Edited by Piyush Vaishnava…
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How becoming a US citizen just got harder under the Trump administration and what it means for Angelenos 21:51

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The Trump administration’s immigration policies have resulted in raids and protests in Southern California and across the country, and the administration has also moved to tighten who gets citizenship. Recently, the federal government pushed out new guidelines for naturalization. The situation has raised fundamental questions around what it means t…
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KUCI My Favorite Sandwich (10.18.25) 6:40

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For this segment, news intern Ritika humorously reviews Chick-fil-A’s $10 Spicy Deluxe—red chicken, sharp lettuce, soggy tomato, no onions, stiff cheese. As a Hindu avoiding beef, it’s her go-to “burger” experience, blending cultural identity with fast-food nostalgia. She reflects on how food shapes belonging and hopes for more inclusive, affordabl…
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Prop 50: Is California’s redistricting push a threat to democracy or a defense of it? 31:03

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Proposition 50 is part of a nationwide battle over control of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Californians are being asked to take a side: Should the state be temporarily allowed to redraw congressional maps to counter the Trump administration and redistricting in Texas? LAist Civics & Democracy Correspondent Frank Stoltze and Civics & Democ…
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An LA Commission created to tackle city government scandals is being stymied 20:51

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A charter reform commission was created in 2024 in response to multiple Los Angeles city government scandals, including the leak of a racist tape featuring City Council President Nury Martinez. One of the commission’s aims was to modify the LA charter, which is basically the city’s constitution. But reports indicate that this commission is struggli…
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Reports about failures in response to the January LA fires and a 2018 fire have striking similarities 23:27

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A new report details the Eaton and Palisades fires, including failures in the emergency response. But this report bears striking similarities with another -- which chronicled the response to the 2018 Woolsey Fire in Southern California. LAist science reporter Jacob Margolis discusses the reports and what they mean for L.A. County moving forward. Th…
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How union organizing is being upended by private universities in Southern California 17:35

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Big companies like Amazon and SpaceX are claiming that the National Labor Relations Board – an independent federal entity in charge of overseeing unionizing efforts – is unconstitutional. In addition to those companies, colleges like the University of Southern California and Loyola Marymount University are also joining the movement to push back aga…
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Why California's protest law is flawed and the consequences to protesters 24:29

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After the George Floyd protests of 2020, California took steps to rein in violent policing of protests by passing laws restricting how law enforcement uses less-lethal weapons, like tasers and rubber bullets. But high profile protests in 2024 and 2025 – including this summer’s protests against the ICE raids in Los Angeles – have revealed major flaw…
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The Huntington Beach library at the center of America’s culture wars 32:06

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Censorship efforts at libraries nationwide have increased steadily over the last several years. In the 2023 - 24 school year, more than 10,000 book bans were counted in the country’s public schools. These efforts have become a cornerstone of a larger national debate over cultural influences and parents' rights to restrict those influences. LAist Or…
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An update to the Bass vs. Crowley feud 37:07

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Last month, former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristen Crowley filed a legal claim against Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, alleging defamation, retaliation and negligence in the wake of Bass’ firing of her. It’s the latest chapter in a feud that erupted during the historic wildfires in January. In light of these new developments, we bring you our original…
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Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is officially in prison. What questions remain? 28:13

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Disgraced former Orange County supervisor Andrew Do reported to federal prison in Arizona on August 15th. Do had been found guilty of accepting bribes in exchange for directing millions of taxpayer dollars to a nonprofit that was supposed to be feeding hungry seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of those dollars were diverted elsewhere. N…
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The cost of becoming a teacher in California. Who can afford to do it? 39:39

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Across the U.S., states are constantly in the midst of teacher shortages. California's teaching prep and residency programs are supposed to be part of the solution. But many hopeful teachers struggle to balance their passion with the risk of debt and high cost of living. Imperfect Paradise guest host and K-12 Senior Reporter Mariana Dale and LAist’…
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Deputies severely beat a man struggling with mental health issues. Where are the records? 24:58

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Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputies severely beat Joseph Perez in 2020, then arrested him. His mom Vanessa alleges that she had previously told law enforcement that Perez has a serious mental illness and would need to be placed in a psychiatric facility. Mother and son believe the deputies used unnecessary force on Perez and are the center of…
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Despite three 911 calls, how did two men with disabilities die in their home during the Eaton Fire? 30:10

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West Altadena residents Anthony Mitchell Sr. and his son Justin Mitchell were stuck at home when the Eaton Fire erupted Jan. 7. Both had disabilities, and to evacuate, they needed help. Mitchell Sr. and family members called 911 multiple times as the fire spread. But first responders didn't make it in time to evacuate the father and son. Seven mont…
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The dirty secret of trash: Illegal dumping in the Southern California desert 28:35

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Diapers, concrete and construction debris. The open secret about trash in Southern California is that some of the waste people assume is being properly handled is actually being disposed of on remote sites in the California high desert. The state agency in charge of waste, CalRecycle, has said the scale of illegal dumping has become an emergency. L…
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Inheriting: Leialani & The Occupation of Guam 38:31

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In honor of Guam Liberation Day on July 21, this week we feature an episode from the Inheriting podcast. It's about a CHamoru woman untangling the deeply complex history between the U.S. and the island she was raised on. Leialani Wihongi-Santos is CHamoru and was raised on the island of Guam with a distorted view of history. She was taught that the…
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How one man rebuilt his life, 100 miles at a time 49:34

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Struggling with addiction and reentry after multiple stints in prison, Cesar Quijano discovers ultrarunning, a hobby that turns into his addiction and salvation. Through Cesar’s story to complete a 100-mile race, Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido and producer Lucy Copp explore urgent questions around what support people need to successfully…
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Are Latino pollsters helping or hurting the Democratic cause? 53:08

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As Democrats confront declining Latino support across three consecutive presidential elections, a fierce debate is unfolding within the party: Are Latino advocacy groups and polling firms helping or hurting the Democratic cause? Critics argue that a flawed messaging strategy — and a complacent advocacy infrastructure — have led to Latino voters dri…
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Trading in the American Dream for the Mexican Dream 26:30

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For decades, there’s been a persistent story about Mexican immigrants crossing the border for a better life in the United States. But there’s a new trend emerging: Mexicans and Mexican Americans, disillusioned with American politics, moving to Mexico for a more fulfilling life. In the second episode of a three-part collaboration with Latino USA, Im…
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