Podcast Summary
From natural waterway to concrete channel: The LA River's transformation: The LA River, once a natural waterway teeming with wildlife, was transformed into a concrete channel filled with trash and smelly water in the late 1930s, sparking environmental battles, gentrification, and displacement.
The LA River, which runs through the heart of Los Angeles, has undergone a significant transformation from a wild, natural waterway to a concrete channel filled with trash and smelly water. This transformation, which began in 1938 after a historic flood, was driven by a desire to prevent future disasters and improve the city. However, this process also involved environmental battles, gentrification, and displacement of communities like the one where reporter Lewis Sahagan grew up. Sahagan, who recently retired after 43 years at the LA Times, has chronicled the stories of this urban river throughout his career. Growing up on a ranch near the LA River, he had a close relationship with nature and cherished the wildlife that once thrived there. The river's history and the impact of its transformation on communities and the environment continue to be significant themes in Sahagan's work.
From utility man to distinguished journalist: Determination and a passion for storytelling can lead to remarkable career success, even from unconventional beginnings. Diverse environments and knowledgeable conversations can ignite a love for learning and set the stage for a fulfilling career.
Determination and a passion for storytelling can lead to remarkable career success, even if the path isn't traditional. Louis Ahegan, a renowned California journalist, started at the LA Times as a utility man, but his curiosity and fascination with the bustling newsroom led him to a distinguished reporting career. His journey serves as a reminder that background and educational background don't necessarily dictate one's future. Additionally, the importance of diverse environments and the power of knowledge and conversation cannot be overstated. Ahegan's early experiences in the newsroom, filled with individuals discussing philosophy, Zen, and baseball, ignited his love for journalism and set him on a path to uncovering untold stories for over 40 years.
Unexpected opportunities from determination and learning: Determination and a willingness to learn can lead to unexpected opportunities and a successful career.
Determination and a willingness to learn and take on new challenges can lead to unexpected opportunities. Louis Hagen started as a copy messenger at the LA Times with no journalistic aspirations, but his encounter with book editor Digby Deal led him to review books for the paper despite his lack of expertise. This experience marked the beginning of over 200 book reviews and a successful career as a writer. Hagen was motivated to write about California and share stories with his community, especially those that represented his working-class upbringing. After decades of writing about the state, Hagen's legacy reflects his dedication to sharing untold stories and bringing readers to new and unfamiliar places.
The Heroic Adaptation of Desert Tortoises: Female desert tortoises lay extra eggs to increase species survival during drought, and a journalist, after 43 years at the LA Times, now enjoys the freedom of retirement with a new e-bike.
The speaker, a journalist who chronicled the struggle between wildlife and humans in one of the fastest growing regions on Earth, is proud of sharing the story of desert tortoises and their adaptation to survive in the midst of historic drought. He considers female tortoises as heroes for laying more eggs than they can physiologically handle, ensuring the species' survival. He left his job at the LA Times after 43 years due to feeling the need to step aside, and now enjoys the freedom of time with a new e-bike, finding joy in simple pleasures despite being seen as an oddity by others.
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