Gary Phillips is happily married, lives in a Craftsman in Arlington Heights and writes about whatever he damn well pleases: the LA dream — Gary Phillips should be on everyone’s podcast with that impressive baritone voice and genial disposition. The talented writer lives in a 100 year-old Craftsman in the oft overlooked Arlington Heights neighborhood with his wife and family on a block lined with trees, next door to a woman in her 90s…

The activist, world traveler, and dad who brings his child to City Hall to speak truth to power — Jason Reedy, as you will hear, is an intelligent, thoughtful Angeleno who cares for his mind, body, and spirit. He’s a well-read vegan marathon runner who can easily talk about Christianity or Islam as well as world history. On top of that he’s a kind, funny, and devoted parent who…

And how Rick Caruso could change everything if he could get AMC and the Cheesecake Factory to do one thing — Jon Peltz is a fantastic journalist and editor who up until recently worked for Knock LA, the independent news outlet that you get sent to if you Google LASD Gangs due to their LA Sheriff Dept database. Over the years he’s written for WIRED, Billboard Magazine, the A.V. Club, Playboy…

The co-founder of the People’s City Council on guns, a healthy lifestyle, and coming out in the sweetest way — Sabrina Johnson arrived with the most delicious cheeseburger I’ve had in a very long time, and a tall can of beer. Both from Koreatown. And just like her, unexpectedly amazing. We met at the Robinson Space which — among other things — is the HQ of the People’s City Council…

Richard Horgan, a Canadian who indirectly won the immigration lottery, has brought his love of entertainment to the web for decades — Richard Horgan is a long time digital entertainment reporter and writer whose Twitter feed has been essential reading for those of us who love the inside-Hollywood chatter. Horgan immigrated here with his wife from Canada through the Windsor-Detroit border on Oct 31, 1993. …

The writer of The 30 Rock Book on blogs, podcasts, Echo Park, and his 15 years at the Pasadena NPR station — Mike Roe is a writer, editor, screenwriter, husband, a native Californian and sadly, one of the many who were axed by KPCC earlier this summer. Following the trend, just yesterday KPCC’s CEO decided to lay himself off. Fret not though Mike was quickly picked up by The Wrap who know…

Phil Stark got his start with South Park, then wrote for That ’70s Show, created Dude Where’s My Car, and now is here to help — Phil Stark’s story is not common. It’s the fantasy we’re told happens in Hollywood all the time. But this rarely happens, which is one reason we stay away from talking with too many people in The Industry. We’re not here to propagate the myth that you can just show up…

And fighting for justice for his sister, Mely, who was murdered by the LAPD at Trader Joe’s — Albert Corado is who you’d want as a neighbor, a friend, and an activist. He’s relentless. He’s more idealistic than you can imagine. And best of all, he doesn’t quit. Both Spanish and English was spoken in the North Hollywood home he grew up in, but this native Californian could…

The Spectrum 1 News anchor is now on in the mornings to welcome you to a brand new day. — For being so young, Kate has experienced a lot in a short period of time on the air of Spectrum’s LA news station. She was dramatically detained by the LAPD on camera near Echo Park Lake while waiting to report on the activity there. When the former Sheriff claimed there…