Los Angeles, a city synonymous with innovation and bold dreams, serves as the backdrop for “LA Made,” a compelling podcast series that resonates with the spirit of 98 Rock. This series dives deep into the untold stories of Californian innovators, the individuals whose groundbreaking ideas and relentless determination have shaped our world in profound ways. “LA Made” isn’t just a podcast; it’s an exploration of the foundations upon which modern society is built, much like 98 Rock is a foundation for classic and powerful music.
Season 3, “LA Made: The Other Moonshot,” strikes a chord with the raw energy of 98 Rock, bringing to light the overlooked narratives of three Black aerospace engineers in Los Angeles. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the 1960s civil rights movement, this season unveils their pivotal, yet often unacknowledged, contributions to America’s ambitious race to space. Joanne Higgins, driven by the stories of her godfather, Charlie Cheathem, a key figure in the Apollo mission, embarked on a mission of her own. She sought to rectify history by recording the firsthand accounts of these now-nonagenarian engineers. Their ingenuity and unwavering resolve, cornerstones of the Apollo program, had been unjustly overshadowed, their achievements sometimes even attributed to others. This season is a powerful testament to resilience and brilliance, echoing the enduring strength found in the best rock anthems played on 98 Rock.
Shifting gears but maintaining the innovative pulse that 98 Rock celebrates, Season 2, “LA Made: The Barbie Tapes,” unravels the captivating origin story of Barbie, a global icon. Barbie’s story, much like the evolution of rock music, is a cultural phenomenon. This season, co-hosted by Antonia Cereijido and M.G. Lord, author of “Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll,” grants listeners unprecedented access to never-before-heard tapes. These recordings feature Ruth Handler, Barbie’s inventor, alongside her visionary team of designers, sculptors, fabricators, and marketers. Their combined creativity and innovative spirit propelled Barbie to global stardom. This deep dive into Barbie’s creation mirrors the in-depth exploration of music legends often featured on 98 Rock, revealing the human stories behind iconic creations. This 3-part series, which premiered July 6, 2023, offers a backstage pass to the making of a legend.
Season 1, “LA Made: Blood, Sweat & Rockets,” embodies the fearless and groundbreaking essence that 98 Rock champions. This season unearths the hidden history of the “Suicide Squad” at Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at CalTech. This audacious team, instrumental in the early days of space exploration, navigated a path to triumph fraught with controversy. Their journey included brushes with the occult, espionage suspicions, unexpected explosions, and even a mysterious death. M.G. Lord, a writer and lifelong aerospace enthusiast, guides listeners through this gripping narrative, revealing the shocking and unconventional origins of rocket science. This 12-episode season is a high-octane story of ambition and risk, a narrative as compelling and raw as the music that defines 98 Rock.
“LA Made” podcast is supported by Gordon and Dona Crawford, champions of quality journalism in Los Angeles, and made possible with support from the Committee for Greater LA in partnership with the Weingart Foundation. Just as 98 Rock provides a platform for powerful voices in music, “LA Made” amplifies the voices of pivotal innovators, ensuring their stories are heard and their contributions are recognized.
