03/28/2024
Some of you may know that, a few years ago -- pre-COVID19 -- when podcasts were still "reasonably" fresh, I had an idea for a podcast version of Nobody Drives in LA. Originally I thought I'd interview car-free Angelenos on their favorite transit routes. I quickly realized, though, that buses and trains were pretty loud -- and that I don't know anything about producing or editing. A few people gave me hints and encouragement but I finally realized that I really needed someone else to help out. I think that I've found that person -- although I don't want to introduce him right now. I also found out that the Los Angeles Public Library's Central Library has a free podcast studio in its amazing Octavia Lab.
Rather than try to record on bikes, buses, trains, or walks -- we're going to record in the lab. We already recorded a "pilot." This guy seems to know what he's doing and although I haven't heard the final edit, what I heard sounded good -- better than some podcasts I regularly listen to, actually -- at least those ones where guests are recorded over Zoom or a phone.
I don't have a timeline for the podcast but, obviously, when it comes out I'll share it everywhere that I can think of. I imagine we'll cover current transit topics like Metro considering hiring more Ambassadors or cops, the battle over the Gondola to Dodger Stadium, the battle over the Sepulveda Pass, the battle over Metro's Bike Share (and, ideally, some less heated issues -- Access to Hollywood, the OC Streetcar, the LAX People Mover, open streets events, &c.
We'd also like to have some "evergreens" that we can drop at any time. Those are what I want the bulk of episodes to be about, actually, because I'm creating this podcast, primarily, for car-free Angelenos and the potentially car-free Angeleno... the car-free curious. So, if you're a car-free Angeleno or know any car-free Angelenos who'd like to talk about both the joys and tribulations of car-free living in Los Angeles, let me know!
