The student-turned-staffer tried to get ‘SC to do the right thing, but when they hesitated, he alerted the Feds. — Zachary Ellison is a well-spoken journalist, a Trojan, and a whistleblower. He spent years at USC as a grad student and was quickly hired as a university staffer. When he saw something was wrong, he tried to have it resolved and eventually called it out. He was summarily terminated. Zachary…

Scott was a convicted drug dealer who was able to turn the corner once he learned to open his heart to animals — Every once in a while I will get a passenger in the back of my Uber who I am all, “no, you really need to be on my podcast.” Scott was one of those rare individuals. Even though our trip from the grocery store to his ranch-style home in Northridge…

Joe Bernardo, one of the hosts of ‘This Filipino American Life,’ on growing up and raising a family in Northridge — I have this theory that Filipinos are the nicest people on the planet. Joe embodied this theory when he arrived at the Hear in LA HQ with a box of delicious chocolate treats I quickly devoured. Then he commenced to tell me in his calm, smooth style, how he has…

Joan Macrise came to LA to provide aid to others, but it was LA that gave her a precious gift. — Every now and then I chat it up with someone in my Lyft or Uber and they are such a delight I invite them onto the podcast. Joan Macrise was one of those people. Joan, her mother, and I were cruising through Koreatown a few months ago, when she explained…

And, despite the rock ‘n roll selfie snarl, is the sweetest man you’ll meet — Is Scott Sterling your friend? You’d be lucky if he was. Not only is he super knowledgeable and fun and empathetic and loveable, but he can see into the future, which can be helpful. Way back when The Weeknd was giving away his music via MP3s and cassettes, Scott called…

Asher has ditched Austin in favor of the 818 where he hopes to get people high. — Twenty-four years ago Asher Garber moved from LA to Austin after tragedy struck his family, and now decades later he has come back. Asher is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. He has a soft voice and a huge smile, he’s gentle, loves pets, is generous with his…

The Van Nuys activist turned politician is seeking to fill the former Council President’s seat in a very different way. — Antoinette Scully opens the door of her apartment in Van Nuys with a huge smile. As is customary for many of our interviews, she receives a box of Girl Scout cookies as a thank you for granting us an hour of her time. She sets them down next to a…

The native Angeleno on his lowest lows, highest highs and working for the underserved of Skid Row — It’s hard to call him simply by his first name because he’s one of those people who commands respect without saying a word. Christopher Mack — or Mr. …

She works on Skid Row, lives in a notorious South LA neighborhood, and keeps her head on a swivel — If your first introduction to the Jungles, the nickname of the lush Baldwin Village neighborhood, is via the Oscar-winning Training Day, you’ll probably be nervous visiting there. And for sure you may feel the urge to park your car under a bright street lamp if you arrive on a chilly…