51 episodes

Deep in the Mojave Desert, there is a little town with a big name and a bizarre history: California City. For decades, real estate developers have sold a dream here: if you buy land now, you’ll be rich one day. Thousands of people bought this dream. Many were young couples and hard-working immigrants looking to build a better future. But much of the land they bought is nearly worthless.  In this new podcast from LAist Studios, host Emily Guerin tells a story of money, power and deception. 

California City LAist Studios

    • News
    • 4.6 • 39 Ratings

Deep in the Mojave Desert, there is a little town with a big name and a bizarre history: California City. For decades, real estate developers have sold a dream here: if you buy land now, you’ll be rich one day. Thousands of people bought this dream. Many were young couples and hard-working immigrants looking to build a better future. But much of the land they bought is nearly worthless.  In this new podcast from LAist Studios, host Emily Guerin tells a story of money, power and deception. 

    Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker: Part 1

    Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker: Part 1

    The Colorado River is in the midst of one of the worst water crises in recorded history. Climate change and overuse are taking a significant toll. Seven states, including California, must compromise and reach a solution to prevent the river from collapsing.

    In late 2023, the tensions were running high between the major players in the water world as they convened at the annual Colorado River conference in Las Vegas. LAist Correspondent Emily Guerin was there, seeking to learn as much as she can about the people with the most power on the river.

     

    Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradiseSupport for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

    • 41 min
    NPR Host Tonya Mosley on ‘She Has A Name,’ Reporting Her Family’s Own True Crime

    NPR Host Tonya Mosley on ‘She Has A Name,’ Reporting Her Family’s Own True Crime

    She Has A Name is set against the backdrop of the drug epidemic in 1980s Detroit. The new podcast hosted by NPR's Tonya Mosley blends elements of investigative journalism and memoir to tell a story about loss and redemption, mending broken family ties, and the trauma experienced by countless individuals who've lost loved ones to violence.

    Listen to all episodes of She Has A Name from APM Studios and Truth Be Told Presents here. 

    CONTENT WARNING: This episode of She Has A Name includes discussion of some heavy topics, including murder and other acts of violence. Listener discretion is advised.

    For support and resources, please visit:

    Project Cold CaseNational Organization for Victim AssistanceVictimConnect Resource Center

     

    Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

    • 54 min
    Imperfect Paradise presents The Forgotten Revolutionary Redux: Part 7

    Imperfect Paradise presents The Forgotten Revolutionary Redux: Part 7

    Part 7: 

    Adolfo learns about the dangers of Santa Barbara’s bluffs and gets a second opinion on Oscar’s death report. 

    CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions about fatal injuries and suicide.

    The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers services to talk to a skilled counselor. If you are feeling distressed and need to talk to a counselor, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit https://988lifeline.org/.

     

    Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradiseSupport for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    • 38 min
    Imperfect Paradise presents The Forgotten Revolutionary Redux: Part 8

    Imperfect Paradise presents The Forgotten Revolutionary Redux: Part 8

    Part 8:

    Adolfo finds new information about the night Oscar died, and has to have a difficult conversation about what really happened to Oscar.

     

    Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradiseSupport for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    • 43 min
    Imperfect Paradise presents The Forgotten Revolutionary Redux: Part 5

    Imperfect Paradise presents The Forgotten Revolutionary Redux: Part 5

    Part 5:

    Was Oscar going to leave the Chicano student movement? Adolfo discovers new information about Oscar’s last months. 

     

    Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradiseSupport for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    • 45 min
    Imperfect Paradise presents The Forgotten Revolutionary Redux: Part 6

    Imperfect Paradise presents The Forgotten Revolutionary Redux: Part 6

    Part 6:

    Adolfo reckons with his own relationship to his past and the Chicano student movement. And he finds someone who may have clues about what happened the night Oscar died. 

     

    Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradiseSupport for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    • 33 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
39 Ratings

39 Ratings

gina-bo-beena ,

Where dreams go to die

Very deep dive. Great reporting. Interviews are surreal. Grifters are grifters are grifters.

Dvdmanman ,

Great reporting, production and storytelling

This podcasts reports on a long running land ownership scam in the California desert. The story is captivating and binge worthy. It has a streak of neo-noir storytelling throughout. The music is edgy, gives the show a sinister atmosphere and makes the story feel urgent. It also pairs well with the host’s deep calming voice. The writing is great and the production overall places this podcast among the best of the genre.

Nidd02 ,

What is the direction?

I started off interested but then felt like the podcast wasn’t concise and clear anymore. It’s an interesting fact that the lawyer responsible for helping people get their money also killed his wife. However, why are we interviewing him about it while he’s in jail? I wanted to learn about this piece of land and more about people who invested in it.

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