15 Years in LA Pod

Sam Adler

15 Years in LA - A storytelling podcast chronicling my journey through 15 unforgettable years in Los Angeles—from my move in August 2010 to today, 2025. I’ll be sitting down with friends, family, colleagues, and fellow dreamers who were there with me through the highs, lows, chaos, and magic of life in LA. Together, we’ll revisit the moments that shaped us, the city that changed us, and the stories that deserve to be told.

  1. From Boca to the LA Stage: A Conversation with Lexie Skye (Part 2)

    15 APR

    From Boca to the LA Stage: A Conversation with Lexie Skye (Part 2)

    Send us Fan Mail In Part 2 of our conversation with Lexie Skye, we dive deeper into her improv journey and the spaces that helped shape her as a performer.  Lexie shares her experience training at WGIS (World’s Greatest Improv School), the Los Angeles-based improv school founded by Will Hines, Sarah Claspell, and Jim Woods, and how its unique philosophy challenged her to grow both on and off stage. She also talks about The Shared Experience, another LA-based improv school, founded by James Mastraieni and how different approaches to their theatre helped expand her range, instincts, and confidence as a performer.  Lexie goes into how the indie improv scene focuses on ensemble connection and emotional truth, which influenced the way Lexie shows up on stage. Lexie has performed across some of LA’s most beloved comedy spaces, including Upright Citizens Brigade, WE Improv, WGIS, Shared Experience and The Pack Theater, along with various indie stages throughout the city, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the improv scene. A special moment in this episode: Lexie’s partner Marco Torres also joins us and makes an appearance on the show, where we interview him and get to hear his perspective as well. Shout out to The Sauce improv team and Sahil Desai from WGIS + The Sauce for giving Lexie and her team Nepo Mommy their first big encouragement to begin their journey into the indie improv scene!  This episode is all about trust, growth, and finding your voice in LA’s ever-evolving comedy scene. Whether you’re an improviser or just love hearing about the creative grind, Part 2 is full of insight, heart, and behind-the-scenes perspective. Plus, a fun note: Jim Woods can be seen in Season 2 of Jury Duty on Amazon Prime Video, bringing his improv sensibility to the screen. Support the show

    1hr 16min
  2. Nearly 20 Years in LA: Growth, Grit & Creativity: Behind the Brush with Laura Raczka

    8 JAN

    Nearly 20 Years in LA: Growth, Grit & Creativity: Behind the Brush with Laura Raczka

    Send us Fan Mail Kicking off the first episode of 2026, I sit down with my dear friend Laura Raczka for a long overdue catch-up. We talk about how we first met, her nearly 20-year journey living and working in Los Angeles, and the realities of building a creative life in the entertainment industry. Laura shares insights into her career specializing in makeup across print, fashion shoots, modeling, music videos, film, and television along with her work in special FX makeup for horror projects and the highs, lows, and behind-the-scenes moments that come with the industry. At the time of recording, Laura was in the middle of getting ready and packing for Paris Fashion Week, sharing her excitement about what she was looking forward to and the journey ahead, including her upcoming travel to the Sahara Desert. Since recording and releasing this episode, she’s returned from both Paris and the Sahara and had an incredible experience, which we’ll be recapping in a future episode. We also bond over our shared love of surfing, the Venice lifestyle, and what it means to stay grounded while navigating a constantly evolving city. A relaxed, honest conversation about growth, resilience, creativity, and catching up with a dear friend. Where to Listen: 🎧 15 Years in LA is available on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2goWp40h9kHnxIMuyTCC1D Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/15-years-in-la-pod/id1838539073 Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2535726 Follow the Show: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/15.years.in.la.pod/ Follow Laura Raczka: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura_raczka/ Support the show

    1hr 54min

About

15 Years in LA - A storytelling podcast chronicling my journey through 15 unforgettable years in Los Angeles—from my move in August 2010 to today, 2025. I’ll be sitting down with friends, family, colleagues, and fellow dreamers who were there with me through the highs, lows, chaos, and magic of life in LA. Together, we’ll revisit the moments that shaped us, the city that changed us, and the stories that deserve to be told.