47 episodes

Imperfect Paradise is an award-winning weekly narrative podcast showcasing California stories with universal significance, hosted by Antonia Cereijido. Each deeply reported story is driven by characters who illuminate aspects of American identity and underscore California's reputation as a home for dreamers and schemers, its heartbreaking inequality, its varied and diverse communities, its unique combination of dense cities and wild places. New episodes premiere Wednesdays, with broadcasts on LAist 89.3 the following Sundays.

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.

Imperfect Paradise LAist Studios

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 460 Ratings

Imperfect Paradise is an award-winning weekly narrative podcast showcasing California stories with universal significance, hosted by Antonia Cereijido. Each deeply reported story is driven by characters who illuminate aspects of American identity and underscore California's reputation as a home for dreamers and schemers, its heartbreaking inequality, its varied and diverse communities, its unique combination of dense cities and wild places. New episodes premiere Wednesdays, with broadcasts on LAist 89.3 the following Sundays.

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.

    The Castle: Part 2

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

    • 34 min
    The Castle: Part 1

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

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

    • 25 min
    People vs. Karen: Part 4

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

    • 20 min
    People vs. Karen: Part 3

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

    • 42 min
    People vs. Karen: Part 2

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

    • 28 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
460 Ratings

460 Ratings

Reyoktam ,

My new favorite podcast

Great show with real journalistic integrity. So many times broadcast news drops a story once the headlines are pushed out by the newest topic with no follow up. This podcast does a deep dive into the stories that affect all of us and the way we move forward as a society.

Dr. Grullón ,

Latinos are not a monolith

The nuri episodes failed to elevate the voices that are most affected by antiblackness in latinidad…Black Latinos themselves. Let’s not forget that latinidad is not a racial category.

Jaunty6270 ,

Impressive

This podcast is seriously amazing! The thoroughness and thoughtfulness of the reporting is impressive. Thank you for reporting on these issues. I love the local perspective.

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