56 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. 

    Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker: Bonus

    Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker: Bonus

    LAist Correspondent Emily Guerin gives us insights into the making of The Gen Z Water Dealmaker series. In this bonus episode, Emily speaks with Luke Runyon, the co-director of The Water Desk at the University of Colorado-Boulder's Center for Environmental Journalism about how she thought through the series that follows the epic negotiation over the Colorado River's future during the current historic water crisis.

     

    Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradiseListen to Reimagining Democracy for A Good Life, hosted by longtime equity advocate Angela Glover Blackwell. Available now at policylink.org/reimagining-democracy or wherever you get your podcastsSupport for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

    • 37 min
    Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker Part 4

    Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker Part 4

    Host Antonia Cereijido speaks with negotiations expert Victoria Medvec about how to make the best possible deal. Medvec also helps  identify ways the Colorado River water rights representatives could still change tactics and reach an agreement before time runs out.

    Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradiseListen to Reimagining Democracy for A Good Life, hosted by longtime equity advocate Angela Glover Blackwell. Available now at policylink.org/reimagining-democracy or wherever you get your podcastsSupport for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

    • 24 min
    Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker Part 3

    Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker Part 3

    JB Hamby and the other lead negotiators on the Colorado River have to come up with a long term solution to manage the river in the face of climate change. Will they reach a deal before it’s too late? 

     

    LAist correspondent Emily Guerin examines how JB's position on water has dramatically evolved since he first won office a few years ago. She brings us back to the current water negotiations as the conflict between the Upper and Lower Basins becomes very public, and JB struggles to convince Imperial Valley farmers that they need to cut back.

     

    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 & LAist Studios present 'Inheriting'

    NPR & LAist Studios present 'Inheriting'

    Japanese American Incarceration. The Third World Liberation Front. The 1992 Los Angeles Uprising. What you think you know isn’t always the full story. Inheriting is a show about Asian American and Pacific Islander families that explores how the past is personal. Hosted by NPR’s Emily Kwong, we go deep with families on how their most personal, private moments are part of history.

    How can I support? Inheriting is entirely funded by supporters like you. If you want to hear future seasons of Inheriting, donate at LAist.com/Inheriting and click on the orange box to help us make Season 2.

    • 3 min
    Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker: Part 2

    Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker: Part 2

    JB Hamby is the dealmaker from California, and at 28 years old, he’s the youngest and least experienced among the representatives from the seven states involved with the Colorado River water negotiations. LAist correspondent Emily Guerin explores the beginnings of Hamby’s understanding of water growing up in the Imperial Valley, a desert farming area in California.

     

    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.

    • 33 min
    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

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
1.2K Ratings

1.2K Ratings

alohaangellily ,

Imperfect Paradise is Perfect

Each story from California City to the Nuri Martinez exposé is fascinating. Emily Garin is a thoughtful writer and storyteller keeping me anxiously waiting each week for the next episode to drop. Keep up the excellent work! And thanks!!

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.

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