27 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
    • 4.5 • 1.2K 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. 

    LAist Studios presents Imperfect Paradise: The Castle: Part 2

    LAist Studios presents Imperfect Paradise: The Castle: Part 2

    Part 2: Once inside the iconic members-only Magic Castle, queer hobbyist magician Carly Usdin starts to become disillusioned with the club. LAist Senior Producer Natalie Chudnovsky dives into how this comes to a head in 2020, when the Magic Castle faces allegations of racism and sexism. 

    For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise

    Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

    Go to Hellofresh.com/50imperfect and use code 50imperfect for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 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.

    • 34 min
    LAist Studios presents Imperfect Paradise: The Castle: Part 1

    LAist Studios presents Imperfect Paradise: The Castle: Part 1

    Part 1: When Carly Usdin moved to Los Angeles, they became obsessed with getting inside its iconic members-only club for magicians, the Magic Castle. LAist Senior Producer Natalie Chudnovsky tells the story.

    For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise

    Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

    Go to Hellofresh.com/50imperfect and use code 50imperfect for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 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.

    • 28 min
    Imperfect Paradise presents LAist Investigates: The Truth Inside California's Nursing Homes

    Imperfect Paradise presents LAist Investigates: The Truth Inside California's Nursing Homes

    Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido is joined by LAist reporter Elly Yu for a special single episode of LAist Investigates, the first of many to come episodes dedicated to one of our newsroom’s investigations. Elly breaks down the history and reality of treatment that led to the “warehousing” of mental health patients in nursing homes across California.

    Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

    Go to Hellofresh.com/50imperfect and use code 50imperfect for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 months!

    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.

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    • 25 min
    LAist Studios presents: Imperfect Paradise: People vs. Karen: Part 4

    LAist Studios presents: Imperfect Paradise: People vs. Karen: Part 4

    Part 4: LAist Correspondent Emily Guerin and Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido explore how and why Sadie and Eddie Martinez’s accuser, Katie Sorensen, went viral with her false accusation, plus how mom-fluencers can spread conspiracies. With insights from “Momfluenced” author Sara Peterson.  

    Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

     

    #SadieMartinez #ImperfectParadise #LAistStudios

    Go to Hellofresh.com/50imperfect and use code 50imperfect for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 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.

    • 20 min
    LAist Studios presents: Imperfect Paradise: People vs. Karen: Part 3

    LAist Studios presents: Imperfect Paradise: People vs. Karen: Part 3

    Part 3:  The white woman who falsely accused a Latino couple of attempting to kidnap her kids faces an investigation and goes on trial after her accusers fight to hold her accountable. Can the same criminal justice system that so-called Karens abuse be used to bring them to justice? LAist Correspondent Emily Guerin reports.

     

    Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

    #SadieMartinez #ImperfectParadise #LAistStudios

    Go to Hellofresh.com/50imperfect and use code 50imperfect for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 months! 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.

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    • 42 min
    LAist Studios presents Imperfect Paradise: People vs. Karen: Part 2

    LAist Studios presents Imperfect Paradise: People vs. Karen: Part 2

    Part 2: When a Latino couple, Sadie and Eddie Martinez, is falsely accused by a white woman of attempted kidnapping, their lives are upended as the accusation goes viral. LAist Correspondent Emily Guerin examines how the police’s investigation takes an unexpected turn and how the dark corners of the internet may have influenced the couple’s accuser. 

    CONTENT WARNING: Sensitive subject matter 

    Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

    Go to Hellofresh.com/50imperfect and use code 50imperfect for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 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.

    • 28 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
1.2K Ratings

1.2K Ratings

SweetChrissy483 ,

Fantastic!

California City has been a special interest of mine for a while, so when I heard about this podcast I was really hoping it would be good. It certainly was! I binged the entire thing while cleaning my house today haha.
I’m a bit suspicious of some of the low reviews. I can imagine some people in the Cal City area aren’t super happy about this series. Regardless, Im neither “liberal” nor “conservative” (those groups are super culty these days lol), Im a common sense type of person, a Christian, born and raised in Tennessee (and still live there, on my farm with my husband!). I would recommend that if you’re political sensibilities are so offended by the fairly vague comments of the journalist/host in this podcast, or if you are offended by the general idea that someone has different political views than you do: go touch some grass. Spend some time offline, and spend some time not talking about politics for a while. Seriously. You’re in a cult.

RefusedNickname ,

My home town

You have no idea the stories and things that go on in this town. Honestly. This place has always been something else and sure is not short of crazy stories and bad things. Not all bad… i guess. Its cool to hear these podcasts about the city i was raised in and still live in. Info i havent heard before. Honestly i didnt think anyone (outside of this town) even knew about cal city till the boys disappearing went national.

d00dles4science ,

Mind blowing, one of my fave podcasts!

Excellent podcast, fantastic reporting! Lived all over CA my whole life and never knew about this or even knew it existed; thought I knew CA like the back of my hand. Thank you Emily for not only this great podcast but helping uncover the truth and helping those affected by what happened in CA City. Love how Emily intertwines her own vulnerability into this story, you can see how she truly cares about it. I have listened to this podcast story probably at least ten times! Would love it if we could please get some more updates on what’s been going on in California City, where are these people now, the Wasteland Weekend crowd, water shortage situation, etc. The story is so captivating it makes me want to visit someday.

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