Best Anime Protagonist Podcasts (2025)

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E11: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: A Spy Is Born 57:07

1d ago57:07

57:07

Martinis shaken, not stirred. Fast cars and shiny shoes. Villain monologues and absurd gadgets. From shagadelic parodies to suave 007 and serialized stories, we’re taking aim at spy movies. Guests: Actress Rose McIver (“Ghosts,” “iZombie”); writer/showrunner Raamla Mohamed (“Little Fires Everywhere,” “Reasonable Doubt,”); and writer/director Mark A…

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179 - Checking in On An Old [WEEB] 2:50:38

3d ago2:50:38

2:50:38

Spring 2025 Seasonal Anime We're Watching Episode Overview: 2025 is flying by, and we're somehow already halfway into the Spring 2025 season! Join Cole, Mike, and Jay as they cover the anime worth watching (and some not worth watching) this season! Also, a critically-acclaimed game keeps eluding Jay's grasp, Mike's upset about price increases, Cole…

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Imperfect Paradise: How the Rent Brigade took on LA’s landlords 39:27

7d ago39:27

39:27

In the days after LA’s early-January wildfires, tenant advocate Chelsea Kirk noticed a trend: rent gouging. Rents were shooting up past their legal limit. In the wake of the fires, as natural disaster collided with LA’s severe housing shortage, we trace how a collective of volunteers organized themselves to bring rent gouging to light in LA County.…

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Girltaku 176: Underrated Anime of 2024 56:46

8d ago56:46

56:46

There's so much anime coming out these days that it can be impossible to watch them all. As a result, some really good anime fall through the cracks. We only had time to discuss 6. Anime Discussed: Oblivion Battery, Viral Hit, The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic, Nina The Starry Bride, Yatagarasu, and Train to the End of the World…

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E10: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Hollywood Plays Itself 1:12:50

8d ago1:12:50

1:12:50

Today we’re talking about the only truly noble pursuit there is — making movies! To honor the greatest industry in the world, this live episode of NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING is all about movies… about movies. Guests: Writer/actor Ashley Nicole Black (“A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “Shrinking”); writer/actor Paul Scheer (“Black Monday,” “The League”); and w…

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178 - [WEEB]s On The Slope 1:56:53

10d ago1:56:53

1:56:53

Kids on the Slope Anime Review + Our Favorite Concerts Episode Overview: With legendary anime director, Shinichiro Watanabe's, newest work hitting the scene this season, Jay tasked the boys to check out one of his previous works; the adaptation of a Jazz-themed Josei drama known as Kids on the Slope! Tune in to find out how jazzed AniPro was with t…

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Imperfect Paradise: From ranchers with guns to gurus with crystals: How extremism in the American West has evolved 26:03

14d ago26:03

26:03

When Portland, Oregon-based reporter Leah Sottile began covering extremism in the American West a decade ago, she was interviewing ranchers, fundamentalist Mormons and “sovereign citizens” who did not believe the federal government should own land. During the pandemic, she began noticing that New Age wellness leaders were talking about many of the …

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E9: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves 1:01:13

15d ago1:01:13

1:01:13

Legend has it that women have been a pivotal part of the film industry since its conception, even though some corners of the internet get really angry if you say that. But this week on NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING, our guests Lauren Lapkus, Jackie Tohn, and Michael Urie get to the bottom of the mystery that is women in film (in an episode written and prod…

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177 - Taking Pictures of [WEEB] 1:53:01

17d ago1:53:01

1:53:01

Mono Manga Review & Underrated Anime Settings Episode Overview: Mike is back from the promised land of Japan to join Cole and Jay once again for a review of Laid Back Camp's sister manga; Mono! Tune in to find out if Afro's new follow up lives up to their previous work! Also, Mike catches up with the boyz, AniPro discusses their favourite, and most…

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Imperfect Paradise: Can Oakland point the way for the future of liberal cities 34:50

21d ago34:50

34:50

Journalist Alexis Madrigal is obsessed with the port of Oakland. He even has a tattoo of a shipping container! In his new book, The Pacific Circuit, he makes the case that Oakland is where the real-world impacts of globalization are felt, and serves as a warning for other port communities. He documents the impact that the tech/logistics industry ha…

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Girltaku 175: Spring 2025 Anime Watchlist 55:08

22d ago55:08

55:08

We talk about the anime we've watched so far for Spring of this year!

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E8: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Time After Time After Time 1:13:20

22d ago1:13:20

1:13:20

Some people think space is the final frontier, but those people are wrong. It's actually time travel! Space, we've been there. But time travel has only happened in fiction. Still, just the thought of the possibility of rewriting the past is one we can't seem to shake, as evidenced by the movies that Hollywood continues to make about time travel — o…

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176 - Crunchyroll [WEEB] Awards 1:55:49

24d ago1:55:49

1:55:49

Crunchyroll Anime Awards Predictions & Switch 2 Price Reaction Episode Overview: The nominees for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards are here, and AniPro is ready to predict just what they think will win each category! Also, the Nintendo Switch 2 prices dropped, Jay’s watching anime, Cole returned to a forgotten game, Mike’s gone to a better place, and m…

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Imperfect Paradise: The fallout over LAFD funding: Bass vs. Crowley 36:13

28d ago36:13

36:13

Amid the devastating Palisades and Eaton Fires that killed more than two dozen people, a political conflict came sharply into focus surrounding the funding of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Finger-pointing as to who was to blame included former LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and LA Mayor Karen Bass. The two women would be lambasted for thei…

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E7: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: And the Oscar Goes To… 1:01:47

29d ago1:01:47

1:01:47

Hollywood is getting ready for luncheons and deleting old tweets, which is why this episode is all about the Oscars. When you give an awards speech in your bathroom mirror, we know what statue you’re pretending to hold. So this week on NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING, Oscar nominees Peter Straughan, Kris Bowers, and actress Caitlin Reilly duke it out for the…

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175 - [WEEB] Award Winter 2025 Anime 2:03:13

1M ago2:03:13

2:03:13

Winter 2025 Seasonal Anime Awards Episode Overview: Winter 2025 has come to a close, so you know what that means! It's time for AniPro to award all the best anime the season had to offer! Also, find out who won the Winter Draft, the boys' picks for Anime of the Season, and more! Topics & Timestamps: 00:00:00 - AniProPod #175 Intro 00:03:17 - Assass…

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Imperfect Paradise: Rebuild or leave? One Black family in Altadena decides their future after Eaton Fire 40:25

1M ago40:25

40:25

The biggest question hanging over most people in Los Angeles who lost homes in the Palisades and Eaton Fires is whether to rebuild or leave -- a question that's especially fraught for Altadena's Black community, who faced a long history of redlining. Charel Bailey’s parents have lived in Altadena since 1977, and she desperately wants them to rebuil…

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E6: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: We Love L.A. 1:09:48

1M ago1:09:48

1:09:48

Los Angeles has been through a lot this year. It’s hard to find a single person in Los Angeles who hasn’t been affected in some way by the recent wildfires. There’s so much to be sad and even scared about right now, but since we can’t fix all of that, we’re here to do what we know best — in the words of the great Donald O’Connor: “Make ‘em laugh.” …

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Girltaku 174: Anime Hiding Social Commentary 57:09

1M ago57:09

57:09

Media will naturally explore society, but sometimes, there are anime that we take a double take on and realize they're commenting on something specific about the world. We talk about some of those anime! Anime Discussed: BEASTARS, The Promised Neverland, Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie, Shangri-la Frontier, Golden Kamuy, Misfit of Demon King Academy, …

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174 - [WEEB] Race Horse Girls 1:48:01

1M ago1:48:01

1:48:01

AniPro is off to the races with their review of the overseas hit series about racing Horse Girls; Uma Musume: Pretty Derby! Also, Cole finds a brand-new obsession, Mike's drafting much more than anime, Jay comes into a ton of free time, and more! VOTE FOR LISTENERS' CHOICE HERE - https://forms.gle/jSCNTxrj8AdHq1yV7 Support AniPro: Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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Imperfect Paradise: When the disinformation machine comes for you 39:40

1M ago39:40

39:40

Renée DiResta joined the Stanford Internet Observatory to analyze how propaganda spreads online. But in 2023, she went from studying the online disinformation machine to becoming its target. We dive into what happened when a right-wing conspiracy made Renée its villain, as well as how disinformation has changed over the last three presidential elec…

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E5: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Sex, Drugs, and Public Radio 1:11:54

1M ago1:11:54

1:11:54

The troubled childhood, the meteoric rise to fame, the tragic fall… We all know the basic outline of a music biopic, so how hard can it be to write one? Find out (along with our guests!) in this episode of NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING. Guests: Writer/director Dana Ledoux Miller ("Moana 2"); actor Jason Ritter ("Matlock"); and writer Joshua Zetumer ("Say N…

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173 - [WEEB] Preview Spring 2025 2:04:22

1M ago2:04:22

2:04:22

The spring 2025 season of anime is right around the corner, and AniPro is here to give YOU the run-down on all the shows to look out for, this upcoming quarter! Also, Jay's in his PJs, Mike's trying to cram before the big trip, Cole dusted off his old console, and more! Support AniPro: Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/AniP…

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Girltaku 173: ESFJ Anime Characters 1:10:12

2M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

Our MBTI analysis is back! Raise your hands, ESFJs!

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E4: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Foreign Exchange 55:54

2M ago55:54

55:54

Like most of America, Hollywood has a…weird relationship with the rest of the world. The land of The Oscars, Westerns, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is afraid of subtitles and loves to remake an international hit in English. Say bonjour to the NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING episode all about foreign films! Guests: Writer Zach Baylin (“King Richard,” “The Order…

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172 - Arrow In The [WEEB] 1:53:15

2M ago1:53:15

1:53:15

This week, the boys review the cult hit manga; Love Bullet! Also, Jay's credits finish, Mike's still going to Japan (it's true, we checked), Cole's rediscovering an old love, and more! Support AniPro: Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/AniProPod Send us a Mailbag: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anipropod.com/mailbag Use code "ANIPRO" f…

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Imperfect Paradise: Meet the filmmakers who love AI 34:04

2M ago34:04

34:04

It’s hard to find people in Hollywood who are willing to speak publicly about their enthusiasm for AI, for fear of being seen as “siding with the machines.” And yet, many people are quietly using the technology already. In this episode, we interview two enthusiastic early adopters of AI in filmmaking about how they’re using it, its strengths and li…

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Girltaku 172: Trope Dissection - Overpowered Protagonists 1:00:31

2M ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Overpowered protagonists are one of the most popular tropes in anime, and we dissect what makes them so good as well as when they fail Anime Discussed: SAO, Misfit of Demon King Academy, Jobless Reincarnation, The Eminence in Shadow, Solo Leveling, One Punch Man

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E3: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Beginner's Luck 1:08:57

2M ago1:08:57

1:08:57

This episode of NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING is all about breakthrough stars. We'll focus on film and television debuts and first-timers who struck gold, because if there's anything we’re certain that Hollywood loves, it's someone who's younger and more talented than the last young and talented person. Guests: Actress and singer Jasmine Cephas Jones (“Ham…

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171 - Pot of [WEEB] 1:37:18

2M ago1:37:18

1:37:18

Picture this: you're at the end of a rainbow, and a pot filled with your dearest materialistic desire lies before you. What is in the pot? This week, the boys discuss the most desired things in the anime/gaming circles. Also, Mike's Japan trip draws nearer, Jay reacts to an unimaginable event, Cole's hanging with the boys, and more! Support AniPro:…

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Imperfect Paradise: How AI became a Hollywood villain – especially for animators 35:31

2M ago35:31

35:31

Hollywood taught us to be afraid of a super powerful artificial intelligence that will one day conquer humanity. So not surprisingly, many screenwriters and actors are very skeptical of AI, and concerns about AI were central to the Hollywood labor strikes in 2023. But animators may actually be the most at risk of losing their jobs to AI. In this ep…

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E2: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Here We Go Again 1:00:56

2M ago1:00:56

1:00:56

From the team behind the first episode of NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING comes a second episode that’s bigger, bolder, and more explosive…That’s right, it’s a sequel! In this week’s episode, we take a page out of Gladiator II’s book and pit your favorite Hollywood minds against each other in the Colosseum…aka, make them play games in a small, enclosed studi…

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170 - [WEEB] Make Predictions 1:57:52

2M ago1:57:52

1:57:52

This week, AniPro puts their intuitions to the test as they predict how well upcoming shows are going to fare with the anime community; but with a twist! Also, Mike's going to a better place, Jay's watching a colossal tussle, Cole's up to his usual antics, and more! Support AniPro: Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/AniProPo…

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Imperfect Paradise: Highland Park: Land of the snake 36:32

2M ago36:32

36:32

Tucked away in Highland Park - a neighborhood that’s been dubbed “ground zero” for gentrification - sits a small park dotted with native plants and spiraling mosaic sculptures. La Tierra de la Culebra Park was established in the early 90s by guerilla artist Tricia Ward. In the decades since, the neighborhood has transformed massively and a battle h…

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Girltaku 171: Anime Envy 57:35

2M ago57:35

57:35

Envy is a pretty ugly thing in real life, but when used in stories correctly, it becomes fascinating. We break down envious moments and scenes in anime that's stood out to us Anime mentioned: Mob Psycho, Spy x Family, My Happy Marriage, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, March Comes in Like a Lion, Haikyuu…

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NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Growing Pains 1:16:35

2M ago1:16:35

1:16:35

What makes a blockbuster, or a box office bomb? The truth is, as famed screenwriter William Goldman put it, “Nobody knows anything.” Join us each week as we put your favorite actors, directors, and writers through the wringer (aka through a series of games) to see if they’ve got what it takes to make it in this wild town. This episode is all about …

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169 - This Little [WEEB] Went To Market 1:54:37

2M ago1:54:37

1:54:37

Almost nice. This week, the boys take a look at a KyoAni darling anime: Tamako Market. Does it hold up to the reputation the studio has with the anime community? Also, the boys rate snacks (including mochi), our listeners are once again presented with a fantastic choice, and more! Support AniPro: Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patre…

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Girltaku 170: Winter 2025 Anime - Midseason Check In 56:04

3M ago56:04

56:04

We got delayed due to the awards, so it's already time for a midseason check in. It's mature b/c uh, one of the anime was raunchier than we thought!

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168 - [WEEB] Of The Century 1:57:30

3M ago1:57:30

1:57:30

Naoki Urasawa's works are known by many to be one of the most consistent, engaging, and top-notch manga you can find in the medium. This week, the boys put that claim to the test as they review one of his most prolific works: "20th Century Boys". Also, the boys critique the internet's hottest conspiracy theories, and more! Support AniPro: Patreon:⁠…

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167 - Checking In With the [WEEB]s 1:59:40

3M ago1:59:40

1:59:40

Winter 2025 is well underway, and the boys have been watching (mostly) everything the current season of anime has to offer. What's good? What's bad? What's mid? Stay tuned and find out! Also, do titles ruin stories, Pokémon lives rent-free in the minds (and hearts) of many, the boys contemplate the inner, psychological complexities of 50% robot, 50…

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166 - Getting Married to [WEEB] 1:44:17

3M ago1:44:17

1:44:17

You are cordially invited to AniPro's bachelor parties. This week, the boys help each other set up a fun bachelor party with their favourite anime characters! Also, the anime feel-good story of the week, The Colors Within's box office numbers cause intrigue, and more! News Stories: The Color's Within Anime Earns $378,022 In Opening Weekend - https:…

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LA Made: The Other Moonshot - Part 2: Spring Loaded to Failure 45:06

3M ago45:06

45:06

In this episode of "LA Made: The Other Moonshot": Were these three engineers set up to fail? The space race starts to hit debilitating roadblocks, and the Black aerospace engineers are beginning to feel the weight of the workplace — and the clock ticking. Shelby, Nate and Charlie develop different ways to cope with the pressure. A tragedy during an…

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Girltaku 169: Our Winter 2025 Anime Watchlist 1:04:14

3M ago1:04:14

1:04:14

We discuss all the various anime we're watching this season - turns out we're watching very different ones from each other!

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LA Made The Other Moonshot - Part 1 Ignition Starts 44:55

3M ago44:55

44:55

In this first episode of "LA Made: The Other Moonshot": America aims for the moon. President John F. Kennedy stands proudly behind the mission to advance the country and welcomes a diverse team to get the job done. That team includes three Black engineers who have a studded background — Charlie Cheathem, Nathaniel LeVert and Shelby Jacobs. However,…

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165 - [WEEB] Love Lain 2:05:36

3M ago2:05:36

2:05:36

We're all connected. This week, the boys dive into the Wired and take a look at the cult-hit anime, Serial Experiments Lain! Also, Nintendo has a new console on the way, what we, as a community, think of lost media, and more! Support AniPro: Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/AniProPod Send us a Mailbag: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/…

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Imperfect Paradise: Is it possible to build a fire-proof house? 42:26

4M ago42:26

42:26

Some of the most striking images to come out of the Los Angeles wildfires are photos of a single intact house, surrounded by rubble. We wondered: why do some houses burn down and not others? Is it possible to build a fire-proof house? Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido, correspondent Emily Guerin, and host of the LAist Studios podcast The Bi…

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164 - The Fourth Annual [WEEB]ies 1:55:09

4M ago1:55:09

1:55:09

It's time for the moment you've been waiting for; it's the Fourth Annual WEEBie Awards! You voted, we tallied, and now AniPro is here to announce what you, the lovely listeners, thought was the best anime had to offer in 2024! Also, the boys like breakficks, set each other up on a blind date, and more! Support AniPro: Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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Imperfect Paradise: Why fires happen in Southern California — and how we can prevent them 35:18

4M ago35:18

35:18

The same factors that make Los Angeles an appealing place to live, like large urban scale development intertwined with nature, are also the reason we need a fundamentally different approach to fire. Host Antonia Cereijido and science reporter and host of LAist podcast The Big Burn Jacob Margolis dive into what makes Southern California’s ecology un…

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S3Introducing LA Made: The Other Moonshot (Coming January 29) 2:28

4M ago2:28

2:28

When Joanne Higgins was growing up in Compton in Los Angeles, she heard her godfather, Charlie Cheathem, tell stories about his key role in the Apollo mission to the moon. As an adult she realized that his experiences — and those of other Black engineers — had been left out of the history books. She set out to record for the first time the accounts…