The Crown City

Episode 62: Storied Lane Marketing Founder & Consultant Katelyn Barchowsky Dec 24, 2024

Storied Lane Marketing Founder & Consultant Katelyn Barchowsky joins the podcast to discuss her transition from Pennsylvania to Pasadena, driven by a passion for guiding small businesses. Katelyn recounts her professional experiences across various marketing realms, culminating in the founding of Storied Lane Marketing, a firm deeply inspired by her grandmother's trailblazing legacy. Her journey reflects her commitment to small businesses, offering accessible, big-agency expertise tailored to their unique needs. Throughout this episode, Katelyn discusses marketing strategies, the importance of authenticity and storytelling, and navigating the challenges small businesses face in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Katelyn also shares valuable insights on community involvement, the significance of giving back, and her role as Chair of the Board of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for small business owners, marketers, and anyone passionate about fostering community and sustainable business practices. Tune in for a heartwarming and motivational conversation that underscores the importance of personal and professional connections and celebrates the unique spirit of Pasadena's business community.

The episode can be viewed on Pasadena Media’s Arroyo Channel and YouTube.

The podcast features music by Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, visit www.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

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Episode 61: Author and Historian Michael Logan Nov 26, 2024

Episode 61: Author and historian Michael Logan joins the show for a deep dive into the fascinating history of Pasadena’s Busch Gardens. Michael, the author of The Original Busch Gardens, shares how his move to Pasadena and passion for restoring Craftsman homes sparked a profound interest in the city’s rich cultural heritage. What began as a personal hobby of collecting postcards grew into an ambitious, years-long research project that culminated in his definitive book on the iconic gardens.

Michael explores the history and enduring impact of Busch Gardens, highlighting its architectural beauty, cultural significance, and surprising ties to Hollywood classics like Gone with the Wind and The Adventures of Robin Hood. Michael’s insights offer listeners a rare glimpse into the magic of this historic site, including the remnants that still exist today. This episode is a compelling blend of history, storytelling, and nostalgia—a must-listen for Pasadena residents, history buffs, and anyone who cherishes the stories that shape a community’s identity.

For more information and to purchase Michael Logan’s book, please visit theoriginalbuschgardens.com.

The episode can be viewed on Pasadena Media’s Arroyo Channel and YouTube.

The podcast features music by Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, visit www.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 60: Pawandeep Khinda and Santokh Singh Khinda from All India Cafe Nov 06, 2024

Episode 60: Pawandeep Khinda and Santokh Singh Khinda, the dynamic father-daughter duo behind All India Cafe in Old Pasadena join the podcast to share their family’s story that has taken them from India to the bustling culinary scene of Pasadena, California. Listen as Santokh shares his rich history of growing up on a farm, gaining invaluable cooking experience in Germany, and blending Indian authenticity with a touch of Italian influence. Discover the health benefits and the philosophy of Indian food, and how it plays a significant role in their cooking.

Pawandeep details her upbringing in the family business and her impact on expanding and modernizing All India Cafe’s menu. Marvel at their stories of overcoming challenges, adapting to changing customer needs, especially during the pandemic, and the influence of social media in today's dining landscape.

Learn about their menu innovations, like the fusion of Indian spices with pasta and the introducing of more vegan and vegetarian dishes that cater to modern dietary trends. The episode also delves into their commitment to authenticity, family values, community involvement through the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association, and the joys and trials of working in a family business. It's an episode brimming with passion, culture, and culinary excellence!

All India Cafe is located at 39 South Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena, CA and 316 North Brand Boulevard in Glendale, CA. For more information, please visit All India Cafe.

The episode can be viewed on Pasadena Media’s Arroyo Channel and The Crown City Podcast: Episode 60 - All India Cafe.

This episode is part of a unique collaboration with the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce to tell the stories of the small businesses that make Pasadena such an incredible place to live, work, and visit.

The podcast features music by Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, visit www.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 59: Urban Planner Melissa Lee Oct 09, 2024

Episode 59: Melissa Lee, Principal in Charge of Urban Planning and Community Health at Public Works Partners, joins the podcast to share her unique perspective on urban planning, community health, and the evolving fabric of Pasadena.

A fifth-generation Pasadenian, Melissa delves deep into her journey - from her family’s historic roots in Pasadena to her transformative experiences in urban planning across New York and New Orleans. This engaging conversation includes Melissa’s career shift towards urban planning and public policy following 9/11 and her transformative roles in the community, including working for the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority post-Hurricane Katrina.

With her professional and heartfelt personal insights, Melissa provides historical context, wisdom, and anecdotes that celebrate the spirit of Pasadena and an inspiring vision for the future of our cities.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please www.nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.t hecrowncitypodcast.com

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Episode 58: Alhambra Mayor Sasha Renée Pérez Sep 18, 2024

Episode 58: Alhambra Mayor Sasha Renée Pérez joins the podcast for this special election episode. The Democratic candidate for California’s State Senate, District 25, Mayor Pérez discusses her journey growing up in Alhambra and her background in community activism and policy making.

Mayor Pérez shares stories of her family’s deep roots in the community and the pivotal moments that inspired her to run for the Alhambra City Council and champion issues like education, homelessness, and small business support. This conversation highlights Mayor Pérez’s legislative priorities and policy models, which she aims to take to Sacramento if elected to the California State Senate. Whether it's tackling the homelessness crisis with innovative local partnerships or advocating for affordable public education, Mayor Pérez discusses her commitment to collective action.

For more information, please visit https://www.sashareneeperez.com/.

This episode can be viewed on Pasadena Media’s Arroyo Channel and YouTube.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit www.nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com

Special Note: The Crown City Podcast is dedicated to amplifying the voices of our diverse community, ensuring that every story is heard and valued. Our mission is to foster open dialogue and create a platform where people from all walks of life can share their experiences, perspectives, and ideas. In line with this commitment to inclusivity and fairness, The Crown City Podcast remains politically neutral and does not endorse any political candidate. By focusing on the voices of the people rather than political agendas, we can build a stronger, more united community.

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Episode 57: Betty and Rob Poquez of Bricks & Minifigs Pasadena Sep 04, 2024

Betty and Rob Poquez of Bricks & Minifigs Pasadena join the podcast to share their fascinating journey from established careers in industrial-organizational psychology and media production to becoming proud owners of a one-of-a-kind LEGO store. Betty and Rob share the serendipitous way LEGO entered their lives during the pandemic, igniting a passion that led to creating a community hub for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages.

The conversation delves into their unique store offerings, from vintage sets and rare minifigures to bulk LEGO pieces perfect for sparking creativity. Additionally, Betty and Rob discuss the importance of sustainability, the community response, and their exciting plans for future events and growth. Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with insights on entrepreneurship, community building, and the timeless joy of LEGO. Whether you're a lifelong LEGO fan or new to the brick-building world, this episode is sure to captivate and inspire.

This episode is part of a unique collaboration with the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce to tell the stories of the small businesses that make Pasadena such an incredible place to live, work, and visit.

The episode can be viewed on Pasadena Media’s Arroyo Channel and YouTube.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visitwww.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us atwww.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 56: Pasadena City Councilmember Tyron Hampton Jul 17, 2024

Pasadena City Councilmember for District 1 Tyron Hampton joins the podcast for an engaging conversation about his experiences as a fifth-generation Pasadena resident, small business owner, and elected official.

Councilmember Hampton shares personal stories about his background, offering listeners a glimpse into his deep-rooted connections with the city. He recounts his upbringing, schooling, and loyalty to his alma mater, John Muir High School. He discusses his mentors and significant influences, notably his father, and how these figures shaped his commitment to community and civic engagement. Councilmember Hampton shares insights from his time in public service, beginning with the Pasadena Unified School District Board and leading to his eventual role on the Pasadena City Council.

The conversation delves into Pasadena’s sense of community, touching on the city’s challenges and Councilmember Hampton’s efforts to address them, such as reducing bureaucracy for small businesses, improving infrastructure, and tackling housing affordability and homelessness. Councilmember Hampton emphasizes the significance of maintaining Pasadena’s interconnectedness and small-town feel while navigating national and international issues that impact local governance.

The episode can be viewed on Pasadena Media’s Arroyo Channel and YouTube.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

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Episode 55: Award-Winning Author Naomi Hirahara Jun 26, 2024

Award-winning author Naomi Hirahara joins the podcast to talk about her journey from growing up in the Pasadena area to her career as a reporter and mystery writer. Reflecting on her Japanese American heritage, she shares how her background and rich experiences have shaped her acclaimed works.

Naomi discusses her transition from reporting to fiction writing, providing keen insights into her creative process and the significance of her characters. She talks about her numerous novels, which often feature compelling themes of resilience, justice, and multiculturalism, and dive into complex historical contexts, from the internment camps at Manzanar to post-war Japanese American communities. She also opens up about her love for sports, diving into her personal experiences as an athlete and sports enthusiast.

Naomi’s latest project, a historical mystery set in 1903 Pasadena titled “Crown City,” will be published in 2025.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 54: President and CEO of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association Paul Little Jun 12, 2024

Episode 54: President and CEO of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association Paul Little joins the podcast and dives deep into the unique history and mission of the Chamber, from its beginnings as the Board of Trade in 1888 to its modern-day role in supporting and growing the local economy. Paul shares invaluable insights into his multifaceted career, highlighting key moments from working as a steelworker building submarines to his extensive public service career on the Pasadena City Council. He also brings to light the Chamber's agile response to COVID-19, detailing how the organization has evolved to help local businesses thrive in challenging times.

Listeners will learn about Pasadena's diverse economic landscape, the importance of community engagement, and the Chamber's efforts to provide tailored support to its members. The episode wraps up with Paul Little sharing his perfect day in Pasadena, offering a local perspective on the best spots to eat, drink, and explore this vibrant city.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

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Episode 53: L.A. History Girl Malia Miglino May 22, 2024

Episode 53: Actor, producer, writer, and much-loved content creator Malia Miglino, known affectionately as LA History Girl, shares fascinating tales from her life, weaving together stories from her eerie childhood home in Seattle to her brave move to Los Angeles at 18. She opens up about her journey from working in makeup on film sets to embracing her passion for history and content creation during the pandemic, leading to her striking success on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Malia's insight into the Victorian era in Los Angeles and her role as a historical researcher on 'Haunted Discoveries' offers a glimpse into her deep love and respect for history.

With a touch of humor and sincerity, Malia discusses the evolution of her comfort in front of the camera, her groundbreaking work in making history accessible to younger generations, and her recent collaboration with Visit Pasadena. This episode explores Malia's personal and professional growth and delves into broader topics such as the importance of storytelling in history, the challenge of preserving historic sites, and the unique, often untold stories of Los Angeles that captivate both natives and newcomers alike.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

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Episode 52: Historian and Author Roberta H. Martinez Apr 30, 2024

Episode 52: Historian and Author Roberta H. Martinez joins the podcast to shed light on the rich tapestry of Latino history, culture, and resilience. Raised in East Los Angeles, Roberta brings a personal perspective to understanding the Latino community’s roots and reach in Pasadena and beyond.

Through her own story and work, Martinez explores the multifaceted nature of Los Angeles' history, emphasizing the diversity and interconnectedness within the community. The discussion touches on the importance of recognizing and preserving Latino history in Pasadena, including Roberta's efforts in publishing her book 'Latinos in Pasadena.'

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 51: Pasadena Now's Managing Editor Andre Coleman Apr 10, 2024

Episode 51: Pasadena Now's Managing Editor Andre Coleman, joins the podcast to share his journey growing up in Altadena and how Watergate inspired him to pursue a career in journalism.

During this engaging conversation, Andre discusses the current state of local news and his responsibility to the community as a trusted source of information. In addition to being a journalist and columnist, Andre is an accomplished playwright and storyteller. He penned Blackbirds Volume 1, an audiobook series released in 2021 that follows a family struggling with race and justice in the Jim Crow era.

To subscribe to Pasadena Now’s essential daily newsletter, please visit www.pasadenanow.com.

For more information and links to Andre’s Blackbirds audio series, please visit https://blackbirdsaudio.com/.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 50: Nature Boy Products Founder and Artisan Jacob Quetant Feb 28, 2024

Episode 50: Nature Boy Products Founder and Artisan Jacob Quetant joins the podcast to talk about how he turned his passion into a successful business that serves the health and wellness of his customers.

Jacob shares insights from growing up in Pasadena, describes his path to creating artisan beard care products, and talks about the legacy he wants to build as a creator and entrepreneur. The conversation closes with a discussion about the community he has created with Nature Boy Products and how he would spend the perfect day in Pasadena.

For more information, please visit www.natureboyproducts.com and follow Jacob on social media for the latest news and updates.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org.

For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 49: Author and Publisher Pamela McColl Dec 20, 2023

Episode 49: Author and Publisher Pamela McColl joins the podcast for a special Holiday Episode to discuss her book Twas The Night - The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem in celebration of the bicentennial of the iconic poem “Account of A Visit From St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore on December 23, 1823.

During our conversation, Pamela discusses her journey in art and history and how it led to a personal ten-year project researching and curating a book on “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Expanding on the poem’s theme, we talk about its impact on the spirit of the Holiday Season and how its message of kindness and generosity has stood the test of time.

For more information, please visit twasthenightbook.com and follow Pamela on Instagram at twasthenight_artandhistory for the latest news and updates.

This marks the 49th episode of The Crown City Podcast and the last for 2023. Thank you all for your love and support and I will see you next year!

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. As a special gift for Hannakuah, Mika and Russell released the beautiful original Hebrew version of their featured song “All the Right Here” - “Tamid K’Rovim.”

Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information and updates on their live shows.

Finally, a special thank you to Christine Johnson from San Marino Toy & Book Shoppe. Please support them and all small businesses this holiday season.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast.

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Episode 48: Piper + Enza’s Rita Ho-Bezzola Nov 22, 2023

Episode 48: Piper + Enza’s Rita Ho-Bezzola joins the podcast to discuss the road she has taken from growing up in Taiwan and becoming a concert pianist to becoming the Founder and CEO of Piper + Enza.

During this engaging conversation, we talk about everything from the demands of family businesses to how going through Covid as a parent inspired Rita to launch Piper + Enza - a company built to provide children with engaging stories and toys and parents with expert resources to serve their family’s physical and mental wellbeing.

For more information, please visit piperandenza.com and follow them on Social Media for the latest news and information. As we head into the holiday season, please check out their store for some great items for your little ones!

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information and updates on their live shows.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app, or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 47: The Nextdoors’ Mika Larson and Russell Mark Oct 26, 2023

Episode 47: The Nextdoors’ Mika Larson and Russell Mark join the podcast to talk about the role music and the arts have played in their lives and how they have built a unique sound in East Pasadena.

As a duo, Mika and Russell have performed locally but also hosted shows in the Midwest, and in 2022, they released their debut album, Linda Vista - an ode to Americana music. We talk about their backgrounds growing up in Minnesota and Arizona, respectively, the origins of The Nextdoors, and their recently released music video for their song Awaken.

For more information about Mika’s work, please visit https://www.mikalarsonphotography.com and https://www.weddingsbymika.com and follow her on social media.

Russell’s production company can be found at https://hiwheelentertainment.com.

And for the latest from The Nextdoors, Please follow them on social media and YouTube and at https://nextdoorsmusic.com

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 46: Merch Motel's Barkev Msrlyan Oct 19, 2023

Episode 46: Merch Motel’s Barkev Msrlyan joins the podcast to discuss his journey from growing up in Pasadena to how his interest in design led him to launch Merch Motel, a retro-inspired brand built around historic places and vintage signs. With Merch Motel, Barkev has hosted events, produced one-of-a-kind collectibles, hosted his own podcast, and released wonderfully made videos.

For more information, please visit https://merchmotel.com and follow Barkev on social media, listen to Merch Motel Radio, and watch his videos on YouTube.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information and updates on their live shows.

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, as I recently joined Acast.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 45: Found Coffee’s Annie Choi Sep 20, 2023

Episode 45: Found Coffee’s Annie Choi joins the podcast to discuss creating a community at Found Coffee, the shop she opened in 2015 in Eagle Rock.

While coffee has always been a part of her life, Annie’s journey took her from La Crescenta to UC San Diego and then a career in post-production, where she worked on some pretty big shows but was unhappy. She took an unpaid internship at one of her favorite coffee shops, and started her second career as a barista and eventually the owner of her own wonderfully bright and warm shop.

Found Coffee is located at 1355 Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock (Los Angeles), California.

For more information, please visit foundcoffeela.com and follow Annie on Social Media for the latest news and information about the shop.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information and updates on their live shows.

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, as I recently joined Acast.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast. I am also experimenting with Substack and you can subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 44: Esotouric’s Kim Cooper and Richard Schave Aug 30, 2023

Episode 44: Esotouric’s Kim Cooper and Richard Schave come on the podcast to talk about their journey as guides and preservationists dedicated to keeping the stories and places of old Los Angeles alive.

In a far-reaching conversation, we talk about the responsibility of storytelling, the return of their famous bus tours after COVID-19, and an ongoing preservation battle over the B’nai B’rith Lodge on South Union Avenue in Downtown. This special episode was recorded at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, and we discuss its role as one of the world’s great independent research libraries.

On Saturday, September 9th, Kim and Richard will host their Pasadena Confidential Crime Bus Tour.

For more information, please visit https://esotouric.com/ and follow them on Instagram and subscribe to their incredible Substack newsletter.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information and updates on their live shows.

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, as I recently joined Acast.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast. I am also experimenting with Substack and you can subscribe here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 43: Exploring Pasadena’s Julia Long Aug 16, 2023

Episode 43: Exploring Pasadena’s Julia Long joins the podcast to share her story of growing up in Pasadena, her adventures traveling and working in museums as a curator, and how she returned to Southern California.

With a love of history, Julia founded Exploring Pasadena - a walking tour project focused on what makes our area so interesting and unique. This summer, she joined the Pasadena Museum of History as Curator of History and Exhibitions and is already working on some amazing exhibits to celebrate the Museum’s centennial.

For more information about Julia’s walking tours, please visit www.exploringpasadena.com and follow her on Instagram.

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information and updates on their live shows.

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, as I recently joined Acast.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 38: Author & Illustrator Marla Frazee Mar 22, 2023

Episode 38: Marla Frazee joins the podcast to talk about her journey growing up in the Los Angeles area and how illustrating her best friend’s book in the third grade started an illustrious career as an author and illustrator. For A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever and All the World, Marla has been recognized twice as a Caldecott honoree, a distinction for being one of the best children’s book illustrators in the country.

In February 2023, Marla’s latest book, In Every Life, was published. It is a project with a Pasadena connection and a continuation of Marla’s incredible voice as an author and illustrator, blending intimate portraits and vast landscapes to share a timeless message. Over a plate of cookies and fruit, we discuss the importance of children’s books and how she creates stories that impact children and adult readers alike.

For more information about Marla, please visit her website at www.marlafrazee.com.

Special Guest: Marla Frazee

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Audible, iHeart and many others.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

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Episode 37: Filmmaker Pablo Miralles Mar 08, 2023

Episode 37: Pablo Miralles joins the podcast to discuss growing up in Altadena and attending Pasadena’s iconic John Muir High School. After a college professor submitted a music video he filmed to a student film festival and he won, Pablo embarked on a career in filmmaking and storytelling.

In 2008, Pablo founded Arroyo Seco Films to create films, TV, and digital media productions that entertain and challenge. He co-wrote, co-directed, and co-produced “Gringos at the Gate” - a film about the soccer rivalry between Mexico and the US and his most recent film is the award-winning documentary "Can We All Get Along? The Segregation of John Muir High School.” It is a powerful film about Pasadena's history, California's public education, and community diversity.

You can stream “Can We All Get Along?” at www.pbs.org/video/can-we-all-get-along-ssbdcv and purchase it on Vimeo.

For more information on Pablo and Arroyo Seco Film’s current projects, including the upcoming “The Owen Brown Story,” please visit their website at https://arroyosecofilms.com/.

Special Guest: Pablo Miralles

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Audible, iHeart and many others.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

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Episode 36: Councilmember-Elect Jason Lyon Oct 26, 2022

Jason Lyon joins the show to discuss his life in public service and how he went from growing up in North Carolina and wanting to make documentary films to pursuing a law career in California.

Since moving to Pasadena with his family, Jason has served on several critically important city commissions and boards, including the Historic Preservation and Planning Commissions and the Board of Zoning Appeals. These experiences, along with his non-profit work, provided Jason with invaluable knowledge and reinforced his passion for public service. In June of 2022, Jason was elected to the Pasadena City Council for District 7 and will take office in December. Jason shares why he choose to run for public office, his views on creating a unified city, his priorities on the City Council, and we close our conversation with his perfect day in District 7.

Special Guest: Jason Lyon

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Audible, iHeart and many others.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

The Crown City Podcast is proud to be sponsored by Zencastr, an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives podcasters studio-quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how.

Go to zencastr.com/pricing and enter promo code thecrowncitypod to get 30% off your first three months with a PRO account along with a 14-day free trial. Zencastr is the modern web-based solution for both the everyday and professional podcaster.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 35: Pat Amsbry Oct 12, 2022

Pat Amsbry joins the show to discuss his journey from advertising and owning a small business to why he is running for the PUSD Board for District 3.

A product of public schools, Pat has an interesting history. His family could not lottery into PUSD to accommodate his son’s special needs, so they had to explore private school options. However, believing that our community should better support its local schools, Pat and his wife created Friends of Madison Elementary, a non-profit donor-advised fund that provides charitable and educational support for students and their families and teachers and staff. Pat discusses his top priorities for PUSD, including improving 3rd Grade reading and accountability, and we close our conversation with his perfect day in The Crown City.

To learn more about Pat and his campaign, please visit www.pat4pusd.com and to support Friends of Madison Elementary, please visit www.friendsofmadison.org.

Special Guest: Pat Amsbry

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Audible, iHeart and many others.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

The Crown City Podcast is proud to be sponsored by Zencastr, an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives podcasters studio-quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how.

Go to zencastr.com/pricing and enter promo code thecrowncitypod to get 30% off your first three months with a PRO account along with a 14-day free trial. Zencastr is the modern web-based solution for both the everyday and professional podcaster.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 34: Patrice Marshall McKenzie Sep 28, 2022

Episode 34: Patrice Marshall McKenzie joins the show to talk about the role that Pasadena public schools had in her success, her journey in education policy, and why she is running for the PUSD Board for District 5.

Believing that public education is a community benefit, Patrice has championed collaboration and policies to not only improve schools but other important operations like how contracts are awarded. Since 2015, Patrice has worked for LAUSD Board Member Dr. George McKenna and currently serves as his Deputy Chief of Staff. Showing her commitment to improving Pasadena schools and preparing them for the future, Patrice co-chaired the “Yes on Measure O” campaign, which raised $516 million in bonds to upgrade schools and infrastructure. Patrice shares her vision for Pasadena public schools and how we can make PUSD a premier school district, and we close our conversation with her perfect day in Pasadena.

To learn more about Patrice and her campaign, please visit www.patricemarshallmckenzie.com

And https://www.patrice4pasadena.com

Special Guest: Patrice Marshall McKenzie

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Audible, and many others.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

The Crown City Podcast is proud to be sponsored by Zencastr, an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives podcasters studio-quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how.

Go to zencastr.com/pricing and enter promo code thecrowncitypod to get 30% off your first three months with a PRO account along with a 14-day free trial. Zencastr is the modern web-based solution for both the everyday and professional podcaster.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 33: Pasadena Wine Shop’s Nicole Lalagüe Sep 14, 2022

Episode 33: Pasadena Wine Shop’s Nicole Lalagüe joins the show to talk about her career as a sommelier and how a car accident inspired her to open up her own wine store in the Green Street Village.

After working for the Thomas Keller Group and managing local sales and distribution for some of the best wines in the world, Nicole opened the Pasadena Wine Shop in May 2022. The store carries a diverse and curated selection of wine, but more importantly, it offers each guest the opportunity to find their next perfect bottle. Nicole shares her unconventional path in the industry, what makes wine so unique, and her ideal day in Pasadena.

For more information and to support The Pasadena Wine Shop, please visit www.pasadenawineshop.com. The Pasadena Wine Shop is located at 1055 East Green Street and is open from Tuesday to Sunday.

Special Guest: Nicole Lalagüe

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Audible, and many others.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

The Crown City Podcast is proud to be sponsored by Zencastr, an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives podcasters studio-quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how.

Go to zencastr.com/pricing and enter promo code thecrowncitypod to get 30% off your first three months with a PRO account along with a 14-day free trial. Zencastr is the modern web-based solution for both the everyday and professional podcaster.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 32: My Zero Waste Store’s Cheryl Auger Aug 24, 2022

Episode 32: My Zero Waste Store’s Cheryl Auger joins the show to talk about her upbringing and career in engineering, project management, and cybersecurity and how a chance conversation changed how she viewed plastic and recycling.

In the summer of 2020, Cheryl opened My Zero Waste Store to reduce our dependence on plastics and to offer customers a more sustainable shopping experience. As of June 2022, My Zero Waste Store has eliminated more than 3.1 million pieces of plastic and recently received a 2022 Sustainable Earth Small Business Award. In addition to owning My Zero Waste Store, Cheryl is an environmental activist and leader of BAN SUP, a group dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for local and statewide legislation to reduce plastic in our communities.

For more information and to support Cheryl’s shop, please visit www.myzerowastestore.com and her advocacy organization BAN SUP at www.bansup.net. My Zero Waste Store is located at 25 South El Molino Avenue in the heart of Playhouse District.

Special Guest: Cheryl Auger

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Audible, and many others.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

The Crown City Podcast is proud to be sponsored by Zencastr, an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives podcasters studio-quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how.

Go to zencastr.com/pricing and enter promo code thecrowncitypod to get 30% off your first three months with a PRO account along with a 14-day free trial. Zencastr is the modern web-based solution for both the everyday and professional podcaster.

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Episode 31: Historian Bill Deverell Jul 28, 2022

Episode 31: Historian Bill Deverell joins the show to discuss his interest in the American West, the importance of studying our past, and his excellent podcast series Western Edition.

Bill originally considered following his father’s footsteps of being a doctor before dedicating himself to exploring the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Following professorships at UC San Diego and CalTech, Bill became a teacher at USC and then the Director of the Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West and one of the founding directors of the Los Angeles Service Academy. In 2021, Bill and the Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West launched Western Edition, a wonderful podcast series that explored our relationship with fire in season one and Los Angeles’ Chinatown in season two.

For more information and to support Bill’s work, please visit https://dornsife.usc.edu/icw and https://laserviceacademy.org.

For information and to listen to the Western Edition podcast, visit https://apple.co/3S26pdk

Special Guests: Bill Deverell

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and many others.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

The Crown City Podcast is proud to be sponsored by Zencastr, an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives podcasters studio-quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how.

Go to zencastr.com/pricing and enter promo code thecrowncitypod to get 30% off your first three months with a PRO account along with a 14-day free trial. Zencastr is the modern web-based solution for both the everyday and professional podcaster.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 30: Tournament of Roses’ Senior Event Manager Mariela Spillari Jul 13, 2022

Episode 30: Tournament of Roses’ Senior Event Manager Mariela Spillari joins the show to talk about the impact of her hard-working family, how she got involved with large-scale event planning, and her favorite part of a parade.

Born in Guatemala and raised in New York, Mariela has built a successful career in one of the most stressful and demanding jobs imaginable. Before joining the Tournament of Roses to work on the most recognized parade in the world - The Rose Parade - Mariela was an event manager at Macy’s, where she worked on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Fourth of July Fireworks, among countless others. In 2019, she joined LA Pride as Producer of the LA Pride Parade, an experience that has had a tremendous impact on her personally.

For more information and to support Mariela’s work, please visit https://tournamentofroses.com and https://lapride.org

Special Guests: Mariela Spillari

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and many others.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

The Crown City Podcast is proud to be sponsored by Zencastr, an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives podcasters studio-quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how.

Go to zencastr.com/pricing and enter promo code thecrowncitypod to get 30% off your first three months with a PRO account along with a 14-day free trial. Zencastr is the modern web-based solution for both the everyday and professional podcaster.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 29: PCC Board of Trustee Sandra Chen Lau Jun 01, 2022

PCC Board of Trustee Sandra Chen Lau joins the show for a conversation about the role education had in her early life, her work with non-profits and higher education, and why she ran for the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees in 2018.

Raised in Monterey Park after her family immigrated from China, Sandra attended Rio Hondo College before earning her bachelor’s degree from UC Riverside and a master’s degree from UCLA. As a non-profit philanthropy executive, she has worked to improve higher education while at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, UCLA, and USC. Sandra joined the PCC Board of Trustees to help bring some governing stability to such a storied institution and her mission continues as PCC faces new headwinds following Covid. Among other topics, we talk about falling enrollment, the rising cost of higher education, parenthood, and some of her favorite places around Pasadena.

To learn more about Sandra and her campaign, please visit www.sandraforpccboard.com.

Special Guest: Sandra Chen Lau

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and many others.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

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Episode 28: Lauretta Records’ CEO Katrina Frye May 18, 2022

Lauretta Records’ CEO Katrina Frye joins the show for an in-depth discussion about her early involvement in the arts, the state of the music industry, why it was important to create an independent music label, and how she empowers artists to build long-term careers.

Born and raised in San Luis Obispo, Katrina has built her career in arts management with incredible experiences such as being a band manager, a successful entrepreneur, and now as the founder of Lauretta Records. Believing that music is currently in a renaissance, Katrina works to create a sustainable platform for Lauretta Records’ emerging artists by breaking them into what she calls the new radio - television and film.

For more information about Lauretta Records, please visit www.laurettarecords.com, follow them on all social media platforms and listen to the work of their amazing artists on Spotify and SoundCloud.

Special Guests: Katrina Frye

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and many others.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

The Crown City Podcast is proud to be sponsored by Zencastr, an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives podcasters studio-quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how.

Go to zencastr.com/pricing and enter promo code thecrowncitypod to get 30% off your first three months with a PRO account along with a 14-day free trial. Zencastr is the modern web-based solution for both the everyday and professional podcaster.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 27: Lindy Hop Dancers Ellie Jay and Mike Foncannon Apr 27, 2022

Lindy Hop Dancers Ellie Jay and Mike Foncannon join the show for an enjoyable conversation about dancing, their passion for swing, how they came together as partners, and what brought them to Pasadena in 2021. Los Angeles and Pasadena have a rich history in Lindy Hop, and Ellie and Mike have brought their unique style to this energetic and artistic scene.

Ellie and Mike come from different backgrounds but share a love of dance. They are the creatives behind Sunny Side Syncopators, a social club and dance production company, teach swing and Lindy Hop at the Athletic Garage Dance Center and participate in competitions, such as the International Lindy Hop Championships (Check out their Open Classic Preliminary routine from 2019).

For more information about Sunny Side Syncopators, please visit www.sunnysidesyncopators.com and follow them on social media (including their YouTube channel) for details on all the fun trouble they get into, whether it be teaching a local class or just enjoying a night out dancing.

Special Guests: Ellie Jay and Mike Foncannon

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

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Episode 26: CivitasLA’s Dwayne Gathers Apr 13, 2022

CivitasLA’s Dwayne Gathers joins the show for a discussion about his work in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors and why he launched the Los Angeles-focused podcast to uplift civic discourse and elevate emerging community voices.

Born and raised in New York, Dwayne worked at both the US State Department and Department of Housing and Urban Development before serving the state of California by building connections with South Africa. Since the summer of 2020, he has hosted the CivitasLA podcast to bring people together to discuss some of the most pressing issues we face and the opportunities to work together to build a stronger and more diverse Los Angeles.

For more information about CivitasLA, please visit www.civitasla.com, follow the show on social media and listen and subscribe to Los Angeles’ premier community conversation.

Special Guest: Dwayne Gathers

The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and many others.

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

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Episode 25: Semolina Artisanal Pasta’s Leah Ferrazzani Mar 09, 2022

Semolina Artisanal Pasta’s Leah Ferrazzani joins the show to share how her love of food took her on a journey from drying pasta in her home’s laundry room to producing some of the finest US-grown organic fresh and dry pasta around.

Originally from New York, Leah left behind her career as a food and wine writer to launch Semolina Artisanal Pasta in 2014. Since then, she has expanded their wonderful pasta selections and are now featuring inspired sandwiches at their shop and “pasta lab” at 1976-1978 Lincoln Avenue in Pasadena.

For more information about Semolina Artisanal Pasta and to see where you can purchase it, please visit them at www.semolinapasta.com and follow them on social media for updates on what they are doing and to see some of the delicious things they are creating.

Special Guest: Leah Ferrazzani

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

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Episode 24: Councilmember Jessica Rivas Feb 23, 2022

Councilmember Jessica Rivas joins the show to talk about growing up in a family of public servants, her early legal career, and why her family was drawn to Pasadena.

In February of 2021, Councilmember Rivas was appointed to the City Council to fill the vacant seat of now Mayor Victor Gordo. While having only been on the Council for a little over a year, she has a long record of public service. Councilmember Rivas was on Pasadena’s Commission on the Status of Women and the Northwest Commission all the while working as Deputy County Counsel with Los Angeles County and serving our country with the US Army Reserve.

In this thoughtful discussion, Councilmember Rivas shares her vision of serving the greater good, some of the critical issues facing Pasadena, running for public office, and several of her favorite places to visit in District 5.

For more information about City Council District 5, please visit https://www.cityofpasadena.net/district5/ and follow on it Twitter and Instagram.

To learn more about Jessica and her campaign, please visit https://www.jessforpasadena.com/.

Special Guest: Councilmember Jessica Rivas

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

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Episode 23: Breakthru Fit Studios’ Michelle and Phil Dozois Feb 09, 2022

Breakthru Fit Studios’ Michelle and Phil Dozois join the show to talk about their personal fitness journeys, owning Pasadena’s premier fitness club, and repositioning their business in the age of covid.

Following the mandatory lockdowns, Michelle and Phil quickly pivoted to streaming classes so that people could maintain their physical and mental health during such a challenging time. In December 2020, they were forced to formally close the gym they worked so hard to build, but their story did not end there. They regrouped and opened Breakthru Fit Studio at 2700 East Foothill Boulevard in 2021 all the while continuing their popular streaming options to reach fitness enthusiasts around the world.

Michelle and Phil’s story is one of overcoming countless obstacles so they could focus on their core mission of improving the lives of their clients.

For more information on Breakthru Fit Studios, please visit them at www.breakthrufitness.com and follow Michelle and Phil on social media platforms.

Special Guests: Michelle and Phil Dozois

To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

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Episode 22: Greetings Tour’s Victor Ving Jan 19, 2022

Greetings Tour’s Victor Ving joins the podcast to talk about how his fascination with graffiti growing up in Queens eventually led him to pack up an RV in 2015 to tour and install their now-famous postcard style public art throughout the country.

When Covid hit, his family decided to park the RV and make Pasadena their new home and they have already made their mark on our community. They have murals in Pasadena (Highlight Coffee at 2071 Lincoln Avenue) and Altadena (Altadena Hardware at 849 East Mariposa Street), just closed a successful campaign for a new installation in Altadena, and are on the hunt for the perfect wall in our beloved city.

For more information and to support Greetings Tour, please visit them at www.greetingstour.com and follow them on all social media platforms.

Special Guest: Victor Ving

To support the podcast, please leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

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Episode 21: Brandon Lamar Dec 29, 2021

Brandon Lamar joins the podcast for a great conversation about youth engagement, serving the community, and his decision to run for Pasadena City Council.

We also talk about the most important issues impacting his neighborhood, his service as Chair of Pasadena’s Human Relations Commission, and his vision for one Pasadena.

For more information and to support Brandon, please visit him at www.BrandonforPasadena.com or www.bdlamar.org and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.

Special Guest: Brandon Lamar

To support the podcast, please leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

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Episode 20: Hood Liberation's Nadia Elhawary Nov 10, 2021

Hood Liberation’s Nadia Elhawary joins the podcast to talk about her experience growing up in Pasadena, why she became an educator and counselor, and how the social justice movement of 2020 inspired her to further get involved in her community.

In a far-reaching conversation, we talk about race and inequality and how we need to have these important conversations with open minds and love.

Believing that we need support and lift up businesses of color, Nadia has been especially focused on economic opportunity and equality through events like 626 Dena Day in June and Black Friday Market, which will be held on November 26th.

For more information and support her and Hood Liberation’s work, please visit www.hoodliberation.com and follow them on Instagram.

Special Guest: Nadia Elhawary

To support the podcast, please leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast

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Episode 19: Pasadena Picnic Co. Co-Owner Lena Kelly Oct 20, 2021

Pasadena Picnic Co. Co-Owner Lena Kelly joins the show to talk about creating unique locally inspired outdoor experiences for her clients, entrepreneurialism, and Mama Made, the non-profit she founded to support fellow mother-lead businesses or organizations.

Lena is a native of Texas but has embraced living in the Pasadena and Altadena areas. She has put her experience in communications and event planning to incredible use launching two impactful projects.

During the conversation, Lena shares some of the best advice she has received as well as what is in the future for Pasadena’s most unique event planners.

For more information and to book your next event with Pasadena Picnic Co., please visit www.pasadenapicnicco.com, and to support Mama Made, please visit them at www.mama-made.org. Follow them both on Instagram.

Special Guest: Lena Kelly

To support the podcast, please leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast.

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Episode 18: Journalist Justin Chapman Sep 19, 2021

Journalist Justin Chapman joins the show to talk about how his journey of covering the news started when he made some himself when he was elected to the Altadena Town Council at just 19 years old.

A native of Altadena, Justin was a child actor and was featured in commercials, television shows, and movies.

These varied experiences prepared him for a career covering local news. He was a contributing writer and reporter for the Pasadena Weekly before joining Pasadena Now in 2019.

In 2020, he launched the television program Well Read with Justin Chapman, and in April 2021, NewsRap Local with Justin Chapman. The monthly show, which is available on Pasadena Media’s TV channel and streaming apps (and YouTube), is a hyper-local news talk show that features noteworthy stories and a featured guest.

For the latest on Justin’s work, please visit him at justindouglaschapman.com and follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

Special Guest: Journalist Justin Chapman

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Episode 17: Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin Sep 08, 2021

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin joins the show to discuss how a trip to his local fire station as a young child would inspire him to pursue a career in helping others. He would go on to become a firefighter paramedic, a helicopter flight paramedic, and an accomplished department administrator.

Before coming to Pasadena, Chief Augustin was the Deputy Fire Chief for the Sacramento Fire Department, a position that put him in charge of 720 sworn and civilian employees, the daily operations of 24 fire stations, and an annual budget of more than $135 million.

Not knowing a single person in our city, Chief Augustin embraced the challenge and opportunity to lead the Pasadena Fire Department with an enthusiastic leadership style built around a passion for serving his community.

Special Guest: Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin

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Episode 16: Rick Cole, the Executive Director of CNU and Former Pasadena Mayor Aug 25, 2021

Episode 16: Rick Cole, the Executive Director of the Congress for the New Urbanism joins the show to discuss his work in addressing housing challenges, the importance of knowing and understanding our past, and how we need to create a foundation for a stronger Pasadena.

Rick served as a member of the Pasadena City Council for twelve years and was Vice Mayor from 1990-1992 and Mayor from 1992-1994. He is a recognized city administrator and executive that was the City Manager of Azusa, Ventura, and Santa Monica. In addition, he served as Los Angeles Deputy Mayor for Budget and Innovation.

Link to Rick Cole’s article “How a Black Pasadena Family’s Challenge to White-only Real Estate Covenants Culminated in the U.S. Supreme Court’s Landmark Ruling Outlawing them Across America.” in Pasadena Now, dated May 29, 2021 Link: https://bit.ly/3yewN8u

Special Guest: Rick Cole, Executive Director of the Congress for the New Urbanism and Former Pasadena Councilmember, Vice Mayor, and Mayor

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Episode 15: Trevon Sailor, Founder and CEO of Sailor’s Brew Coffee Aug 11, 2021

Trevon Sailor, Founder and CEO of Sailor’s Brew Coffee, joins the show to discuss his voyage and the origins of his family-owned single-origin coffee business.

Like Sailor’s Brew Coffee, Trevon has navigated an unconventional course. He is a Pasadena native that grew up in the Altadena area. Following years of service as an Airborne Ranger and Police Officer, Trevon is now dedicated to creating a business around quality coffee and an experience that can motivate and inspire his customers.

To purchase their coffee, please visit them at https://www.sailorsbrewcoffee.com/. Follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sailorsbrewcoffee/ and download their free app for a daily cup of motivation.

Special Guest: Sailor’s Brew Coffee Founder and CEO Trevon Sailor

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Episode 14: Nico Co-Founder and CEO Max Levine Jul 28, 2021

Max Levine, Co-Founder and CEO of Nico joins the show to talk about his journey into real estate investment, the problem with our current approach to housing, and how Nico helps build equity for its residents and community.

Nico Echo Park is a public benefit real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in rent-stabilized multifamily and mixed-use property. Considered to be the world’s first neighborhood real estate investment trust, Nico Echo Park offers local and non-local investors the ability to become shareholders in the properties it owns.

For more information and to get a copy of their offering circular and their 2020 Neighborhood Impact Report, please visit them at https://mynico.com and follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nicoechopark.

Special Guest: Nico Co-Founder and CEO Max Levine

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Episode 13: Melissa Woolf-Heger of Gold Line Pilates Jul 14, 2021

Melissa Woolf-Heger, Founder and Principal Instructor at Gold Line Pilates, joins the show to share her approach to serving her clients, how creativity and determination got her through the pandemic, and the incredible story of why she became an instructor (it involves sailing around the world).

Passionate about small businesses and supporting our community, Melissa also shares some advice to young entrepreneurs and lessons learned from a life well-lived.

For more information on Gold Line Pilates, please visit them at https://goldlinepilates.com

Special Guest: Melissa Woolf of Gold Line Pilates

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Episode 12: Community Advocate Blair Miller Jun 30, 2021

Episode 12: Blair Miller joins the show to talk about her journey in urban planning and affordable housing and lessons she learned from serving on several of the most important city commissions in Pasadena.

We also discuss some challenges and opportunities Pasadena faces, what makes our city so special, and the most effective ways to create meaningful change in our community.

For more information on the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition, please visit www.pasadenacsc.org and to support Heritage Housing Partners, please visit them at www.hhphousing.org.

Special Guest: Blair Miller

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Episode 11: Pasadena CLSC’s Dennis Robinson Jun 16, 2021

Pasadena CLSC’s Dennis Robinson joins the show to talk about the responsibility of upholding his family’s legacy in our city, his own journey creating a Pasadena-focused brand, and the role that community plays in his life and in growing the business.

We also talk about the Rose City Market and 626 Dena Day on June 26th as Pasadena CLSC is a co-organizer of the event with Hood Liberation. Bringing together about fifty-minority owned vendors, the event will be held from noon to 7:00 pm at 2283 North Fair Oaks Avenue (Metropolitan Baptist Church).

For more information about Pasadena CLSC, please visit them at www.pasadenaclsc.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Special Guest: Pasadena CLSC Co-Founder and Creative Director Dennis Robinson

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Episode 10: Neon Retro Arcade’s Mia Mazadiego May 19, 2021

Neon Retro Arcade’s Mia Mazadiego joins the show to talk about how a Street Fighter II pinball machine changed her life and how her husband’s hobby of collecting vintage arcade games launched their business.

We also talk about the power of social media to help promote small businesses, her service to Old Pasadena, and the importance of community, especially during Covid.

For more information on Neon Retro Arcade, please visit them at www.neonretroarcade.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Special Guest: Neon Retro Arcade Owner Mia Mazadiego

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Episode 9: Dr. Thelma T. Reyna, PhD May 05, 2021

Dr. Thelma T. Reyna, PhD joins the show to discuss her literary journey from Kingsville, Texas to her founding of Golden Foothills Press, a Pasadena based micro indie press.

An award-winning author and poet, Thelma was a teacher and administrator for thirty-four years before becoming a publisher with the goal of fostering and supporting new voices and cultivating multicultural literary diversity.

For more information on Thelma’s work and to purchase her books, such as her latest full length poetry collection, Dearest Papa, or When the Virus Came Calling, an anthology she contributed to and edited, please visit www.goldenfoothillspress.com.

Special Guest: Dr. Thelma T. Reyna, PhD

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Episode 8: Linda Lee and Scott Unger of Kidder Mathews Apr 29, 2021

Episode 8: Kidder Mathews Executive Vice President Linda Lee and Senior Vice President Scott Unger join the show to discuss the state of the commercial real estate office market as we emerge from Covid-19 and the work from home era.

For more information on the latest commercial real estate news and analysis, please visit https://kidder.com/.

To view Linda and Scott’s current listings, please visit their team profile at https://kidder.com/teams/team-boyd/.

Special Guests: Linda Lee and Scott Unger

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 7: Dr. Yvette J. Saavedra, PhD Apr 21, 2021

Dr. Yvette J. Saavedra, PhD. joins the show to talk about her journey as a young historian and her fascinating book, Pasadena Before the Roses – Race, Identity, and Land Use in Southern California 1771-1890. The well-researched and thoughtful book profiles the many histories in Pasadena’s past that shaped what kind of city it would eventually become.

For more information and to purchase Professor Saavedra’s book, please visit Amazon (https://amzn.to/3enqWGf).

Her essay, “Pasadena, California, Was Born in Indiana During the Cold, Damp Winter of 1872” is available at Zócalo Public Square (https://bit.ly/DrSaavedra).

Special Guest: Dr. Yvette J. Saavedra, PhD.

This Episode is Dedicated to Tongva Elder Julia Bogany (1948-2021)

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Episode 6: Dr. Lynn M. Hudson, PhD Apr 07, 2021

Episode 6: Dr. Lynn M. Hudson, PhD. joins the show to talk about her upbringing in Pasadena and her excellent book, West of Jim Crow, which explores the ways California tried to control, contain, and restrict African Americans and the incredible courage of those that resisted and fought against this discrimination.

For more information and to purchase Professor Hudson’s book, West of Jim Crow / The Fight Against California’s Color Line, please visit Vroman’s (https://bit.ly/3dEAtZa) or Amazon (https://amzn.to/2OmXOWw).

Her book The Making of “Mammy Pleasant” / A Black Entrepreneur in Nineteenth-Century San Francisco is also available for purchase through Vroman’s (https://bit.ly/39Jt4Xc) or Amazon (https://amzn.to/2PCfXAk)

Special Guest: Dr. Lynn M. Hudson, PhD.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 5: Mr. Pasadena Michael Calderon Feb 03, 2021

Episode 5: Michael Calderon, known around town as “Mr. Pasadena,” joins the show to talk about the history of his famous nickname, his decades as a Tournament of Roses volunteer, and some great retail and restaurant recommendations.

For more information about Michael, please visit his website at https://mrpasadena.net/ and follow him on social media on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Meetup.

Special Guest: “Mr. Pasadena” Michael Calderon

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Episode 4: Pasadena NAACP Second Vice President Nicole Bernard Jan 13, 2021

Episode 4: Pasadena NAACP Second Vice President Nicole Bernard joins the show to discuss millennial voices, her involvement with community activism, and how having those uncomfortable conversations about race in America can move us forward.

For more information about the Pasadena NAACP, please visit its website at https://naacppasadena.org

Special Guest: Pasadena NAACP Second Vice President Nicole Bernard

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Episode 3: Tongva Elder Julia Bogany Dec 30, 2020

Tongva Elder Julia Bogany joins the show to discuss her personal journey in learning more about her heritage, the history of the tribe in Southern California, and her work to preserve the language and culture of the Tongva people.

For more information about Julia and her work, please visit her website at http://www.tobevisible.org/.

Special Guest: Tongva Elder Julia Bogany

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 2: Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek Oct 21, 2020

On Episode 2, Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek joins the show to discuss his history in Pasadena, how the City has changed (or not), his thoughts on several important issues, including police reform, housing, the state of small business, transportation, and how he remains optimistic about the future.

Special Guest: Mayor Terry Tornek

Follow the show at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com and on Instagram @crowncitypodcast

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