“LA Made” is a compelling podcast series that dives deep into the narratives of bold Californian innovators and their transformative impact on the world. Each season meticulously unpacks the often-untold and surprising stories behind groundbreaking innovations that continue to shape our lives today.
Season 3, titled “LA Made: The Other Moonshot,” shines a light on the remarkable contributions of three Black aerospace engineers in Los Angeles. Set against the backdrop of the civil unrest of the 1960s, this season reveals their pivotal, yet often overlooked, roles in America’s race to space during the Apollo mission. Joanne Higgins, growing up in Compton, Los Angeles, was captivated by her godfather, Charlie Cheathem’s, stories of his crucial involvement in the Apollo mission. Later, she recognized the historical omission of his experiences, and those of other Black engineers. Driven by this realization, she embarked on a mission to document the firsthand accounts of these now-90-year-old men. Their ingenuity and unwavering determination, vital to the Apollo mission’s early successes, had been either ignored or attributed to others.
Season 2, “LA Made: The Barbie Tapes,” explores the fascinating origin story of Barbie, a global cultural icon. This season delves beyond the surface of the world’s most popular doll to uncover her true beginnings. Co-hosted by Antonia Cereijido and M.G. Lord, acclaimed author of “Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll,” the series presents extraordinary, never-before-heard interview tapes. Listeners will hear from Barbie’s visionary inventor, Ruth Handler, her innovative wardrobe designer, the talented sculptors and fabricators who brought her to life, and the ingenious marketers who propelled her to iconic status. This captivating 3-part series premiered on July 6, 2023.
Season 1, “LA Made: Blood, Sweat & Rockets,” unearths the concealed history of the audacious, pioneering, and ambitious team who shaped humanity’s pursuit of outer space. This season focuses on the early days of space exploration at Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at CalTech. Known as the “Suicide Squad,” this team’s journey to triumph was marked by a series of dramatic events, including controversies linked to the occult, a suspected spy ring, unexpected explosions, and even a mysterious death. Join writer and lifelong aerospace enthusiast M.G. Lord as she unravels their gripping story and reveals the surprising origins of rocket science in this extensive 12-episode season.
Support for the “LA Made” podcast is generously provided by Gordon and Dona Crawford, champions of quality journalism as a cornerstone of a thriving Los Angeles. This podcast is also made possible through the support of the Committee for Greater LA, in partnership with the Weingart Foundation.
