L.A. Meekly: A Los Angeles History Podcast
- Episodes
- 214
- Released
- monthly
- Latest episode
- Jun 1, 2026
About the podcast
L.A. Meekly is a monthly comedy podcast about Los Angeles history put out by comedians Greg Gonzalez and Daniel Zafran that battles the idea that LA has no history by delving in the weird, unbelievable and, occasionally, haunted details from the past of their native city.
License: All rights reserved.
Episodes 214
Good Night and Good Grief (The End)
The long and winding road has led us to this moment: our final episode. 13 long years will be discussed, dissected and deliberated on this our double stuffed goodbye. Come for the musical numbers, stay for the …
Show notes
The long and winding road has led us to this moment: our final episode. 13 long years will be discussed, dissected and deliberated on this our double stuffed goodbye. Come for the musical numbers, stay for the tears. testtest
...Yawn Tomorrow (Our Final Topics)
In this, our final research based episode, we're covering the last few topics we've always wanted to cover before it's too late and we're sealed up in our retirement pyramid. We'll be discussing pie maker …
Show notes
In this, our final research based episode, we're covering the last few topics we've always wanted to cover before it's too late and we're sealed up in our retirement pyramid. We'll be discussing pie maker Monroe Boston Strause (22:42), the court case of Perez v Sharp (35:27), Joan Didion (53:29) and things that were planned but never built around LA (1:27:04).Hear Today...(Topics we Always Wanted to Cover)
For the next couple months: Everything. Must. Go. Leading up to our emotional final episoe we'll be covering all the topics we've always wanted to while we still can. This month we'll be talking about the Man …
Show notes
For the next couple months: Everything. Must. Go. Leading up to our emotional final episoe we'll be covering all the topics we've always wanted to while we still can. This month we'll be talking about the Man From Mars Bandit (24:39), Van de Kamp's Bakery (31:25), Drive-In movie theaters (1:03:08) and Hollywood Bloody Friday (1:38:23).The L.A. Meekly Junk Drawer: Part V
It's that time of year when the junk in your drawer ends up the junk on the curb. Spring is here so we're cleaning out the L.A. Meekly Junk Drawer and covering some stories that didn't quite fit into other …
Show notes
It's that time of year when the junk in your drawer ends up the junk on the curb. Spring is here so we're cleaning out the L.A. Meekly Junk Drawer and covering some stories that didn't quite fit into other episodes. We'll be doing the Rattlesnake Killer (20:30), Pedro Gonzalez (50:20) and Lawn Chair Larry (1:09:18).The Revolution Will not be Podcasted (Activists)
Viva la Revoluti...pod?! This month we're going to be covering some big names in activisim and revolution from the annals of Los Angeles history. We'll be covering the anarchist Ricardo Flores Magon (19:00) …
Show notes
Viva la Revoluti...pod?! This month we're going to be covering some big names in activisim and revolution from the annals of Los Angeles history. We'll be covering the anarchist Ricardo Flores Magon (19:00), the Brown Beret Gloria Arellanes (44:43) and the socialist Upton Sinclair (1:18:48).In it to Kin it (Family Businesses)
This month make sure to NEVER go against the family because we are covering a few of Los Angeles' most notable family run businesses. We'll be stepping into an Andy Gump (20:22), stepping through some stained …
Show notes
This month make sure to NEVER go against the family because we are covering a few of Los Angeles' most notable family run businesses. We'll be stepping into an Andy Gump (20:22), stepping through some stained glass at Judson Studios (34:39) and stepping into line at Porto's (1:06:31).Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah: The 13th (Haunted Tales)
It's the most wonderful time of the year or, should we say, the most punderful crime of the scare...ear. No, I suppose we shouldn't. Welcome in to our 13th annual telling of creepy and chaunted tales from Los …
Show notes
It's the most wonderful time of the year or, should we say, the most punderful crime of the scare...ear. No, I suppose we shouldn't. Welcome in to our 13th annual telling of creepy and chaunted tales from Los Angeles. This year we're covering Igor's Alley in Long Beach (19:15), the Buried Man of Burbank (27:03), the haunted Cobb Estate (38:17) and the alien encounters in Big Tujunga Canyon (57:29). This episode best enjoyed at night.Hometown Zeros (Our Hometown Neighborhoods)
This month we're giving thanks and taking names. For the time of Thanksgiving and returning to hometowns, we are delving into the histories of our hometown neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Greg with his precious …
Show notes
This month we're giving thanks and taking names. For the time of Thanksgiving and returning to hometowns, we are delving into the histories of our hometown neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Greg with his precious Elysian Heights (15:39) and Daniel with his beloved Granada Hills (53:11).Murder, He Podcasted (Celebrity Murders)
The Halloween season is here so that means we're getting eerie and disturbing but NOT creepy and haunted (TM). We'll be covering the cases of a celebrity who was murdered (allegedly) in Thelma Todda (16:48) and …
Show notes
The Halloween season is here so that means we're getting eerie and disturbing but NOT creepy and haunted (TM). We'll be covering the cases of a celebrity who was murdered (allegedly) in Thelma Todda (16:48) and a celebrity who was a murderer (allegedly) in Robert Blake (1:03:50).Now That's What I Call Musings (Punk & Rap Music in LA)
In this, our longest episode ever, we are diving, if not deep then at least long into two major LA music scenes: punk (16:26) and rap (1:47:53). And, yes, our new friend Aux Cable is sitting in so you can …
Show notes
In this, our longest episode ever, we are diving, if not deep then at least long into two major LA music scenes: punk (16:26) and rap (1:47:53). And, yes, our new friend Aux Cable is sitting in so you can listen to the music along with us.Hotel it Like it is (Hotels)
Room for two? Shared bed? An extra cot? You got it because this month we're checking into some of the most iconic hotels in Los Angeles. We get the bed, you get the cot. We'll be going over the history of the …
Show notes
Room for two? Shared bed? An extra cot? You got it because this month we're checking into some of the most iconic hotels in Los Angeles. We get the bed, you get the cot. We'll be going over the history of the Sportsmen's Lodge (21:48), the Hollywood Roosevelt (41:22) and the Chateau Marmont (1:12:15).Heir and Space (Aerospace Industry)
Look! What's that up in the sky? It's a bird? It's a plane? It's a plane. This month we're diving into one of the foundational industries in Los Angeles history: aerospace. We'll be covering the companies and …
Show notes
Look! What's that up in the sky? It's a bird? It's a plane? It's a plane. This month we're diving into one of the foundational industries in Los Angeles history: aerospace. We'll be covering the companies and the men behind them of Douglas (27:32) and Hughes (1:00:22).Surfin' Bacardi (Tiki and Surf)
Surfs up, glasses down. To kick of summer we're diving into two pillars of the hot months of the year: Tiki culture (17:00) and surfing (58:27).
Songs the City Taught us (LA Songs)
Hey Mr. DJ (Daniel and Jreg) put a record on. This month we're going to be talking about AND listening to a smattering of some of the most iconic songs about Los Angeles. We'll discuss some of their backstory …
Show notes
Hey Mr. DJ (Daniel and Jreg) put a record on. This month we're going to be talking about AND listening to a smattering of some of the most iconic songs about Los Angeles. We'll discuss some of their backstory and what they say about the city. Come for the ones you expect; be angry at the ones we missed.The L.A. Meekly Junk Drawer: Part IV
Spring is here and our drawers are loaded. That means it's time to empty them out in another junk drawer episode of topics that never found a home in other episodes. We'll be covering the Los Angeles Pigeon …
Show notes
Spring is here and our drawers are loaded. That means it's time to empty them out in another junk drawer episode of topics that never found a home in other episodes. We'll be covering the Los Angeles Pigeon Farm (20:24), the geographic center of Los Angeles (34:09) and the Bella Union Hotel shootout (46:55).L.A. Womans (Trailblazing Women)
For Women's History Month we're covering some notable women who made an impact on Los Angeles. We've got the first woman there was: the La Brea Woman (14:24), mental health pioneer Agnes Richards (23:20) and …
Show notes
For Women's History Month we're covering some notable women who made an impact on Los Angeles. We've got the first woman there was: the La Brea Woman (14:24), mental health pioneer Agnes Richards (23:20) and suffragette Caroline Severance (43:33).My Scuzzy Valentine (Houses of Ill Repute)
This ValenTINE's Day we're doing the most romantic thing we can think of and going to a couple houses of ill repute. This month we'll be covering the history of Jumbo's Clown Room (29:52) and Chippendale's (45:59).
The Itty Bitty City Committee (Ethnic Enclaves)
In light of bad people trying to destroy the very fabric of our country, this month we're highlighting that which they want to destroy. We'll be covering some of our favorite ethnic enclaves of Los Angeles …
Show notes
In light of bad people trying to destroy the very fabric of our country, this month we're highlighting that which they want to destroy. We'll be covering some of our favorite ethnic enclaves of Los Angeles including Little Ethiopia (16:22), Historic Filipinotown (32:55) and Koreatown (51:25).Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah Part: XI(for an)I (Haunted Stories)
At long last it's here: our annual Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah. Hide the children. Hide the elf on the shelf. Hide the afikoman (wrong Jewish holiday but still). This year we'll be covering the haunted …
Show notes
At long last it's here: our annual Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah. Hide the children. Hide the elf on the shelf. Hide the afikoman (wrong Jewish holiday but still). This year we'll be covering the haunted Wolf's Lair (15:17), the Dog Woman of Watts (30:13), the Hollymont Hauntings (39:24) and the dreaded Lamb Mortuary (47:07). This episode best enjoyed after dark.YOUltide (Holiday Traditions)
This holiday season we're putting the yu back in yultide as we asked YU, dear listener, your favorite LA holiday time traditions. We'll be going over all of those as well as our own and a some historic old …
Show notes
This holiday season we're putting the yu back in yultide as we asked YU, dear listener, your favorite LA holiday time traditions. We'll be going over all of those as well as our own and a some historic old holiday traditions from Los Angeles of yesteryear.Our Little Secrets (Secret Societies)
What's the secret word? That's ok, we don't remember either so just come in. This month, to throw you into spooky season, we'll be covering the history of some of Los Angeles' secret societies. We'll be …
Show notes
What's the secret word? That's ok, we don't remember either so just come in. This month, to throw you into spooky season, we'll be covering the history of some of Los Angeles' secret societies. We'll be covering the Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America (17:06), the Philosophical Research Society (26:25) and the Magic Castle (52:37).Gossip Ghouls (Louella Parsons & Hedda Hopper)
This month we're juicing Hollywood and getting into the two matrons of juicy Hollywood gossip. We'll be covering Louella Parsons (17:26) and Hedda Hopper (45:07) and their legendary feud.
Chain of Foods (Restaurant Chains)
Make sure you're hungry for this one, or not so that you don't faint from hunger. That's because we're talking about a few sitdown food chains that started in Los Angeles. We'll be covering The Coffee Bean & …
Show notes
Make sure you're hungry for this one, or not so that you don't faint from hunger. That's because we're talking about a few sitdown food chains that started in Los Angeles. We'll be covering The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (16:19), Bob's Big Boy (35:02) and IHOP (58:54).Flaw and Order (Sheriff's Department)
This month we're fighting the law and the outcome of who won? Yet to be determined. We're going over the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department including their early history (18:00) and the recent scandals …
Show notes
This month we're fighting the law and the outcome of who won? Yet to be determined. We're going over the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department including their early history (18:00) and the recent scandals surrounding former sheriff Alex Villanueva (53:23).Home on the Strange (2 Famous Transplants)
This month we're celebrating those of us not from here. Those of us...not of this world. We're covering two famous transplants whose main stories don't happen in Los Angeles but come to a conclusion here. We'll …
Show notes
This month we're celebrating those of us not from here. Those of us...not of this world. We're covering two famous transplants whose main stories don't happen in Los Angeles but come to a conclusion here. We'll be covering notorious cereal killer Belle Gunness (15:55) and daughter of someone else notorious Maria Rasputin (45:17).Sunkist Fruit Gems
It seems as if someone got Candy is Dandy in your L.A. Meekly. That's because we are bringing to you an episode of our other podcast Candy is Dandy on a topic close to the heart of Meeklings: Sunkist Fruit …
Show notes
It seems as if someone got Candy is Dandy in your L.A. Meekly. That's because we are bringing to you an episode of our other podcast Candy is Dandy on a topic close to the heart of Meeklings: Sunkist Fruit Gems. We get into the LA based history of these beloved gummy candies and then get to tasting. Listen in and, if you haven't already, jump aboard the Candy is Dandy train to get more Greg and Daniel!Automospiel (Cars)
Hop in. We just stole this podcast and we're going for a spin. This month we're getting into the car culture and history of Los Angeles. We'll be covering the very first cars and car factories that came to the …
Show notes
Hop in. We just stole this podcast and we're going for a spin. This month we're getting into the car culture and history of Los Angeles. We'll be covering the very first cars and car factories that came to the city (14:27), the emergence of low rider culture (41:45) and how it all unraveled (1:03:06).The L.A. Meekly Junk Drawer: Part III
Spring is here and junk is going in the trash. By junk we mean topics that never found a home and by trash we mean your ears. It's time for our annual junk drawer episode where we go over a hodgepodge of topics …
Show notes
Spring is here and junk is going in the trash. By junk we mean topics that never found a home and by trash we mean your ears. It's time for our annual junk drawer episode where we go over a hodgepodge of topics that didn't quite fit into other episodes. This time we'll be covering Captain "Mad" Jack Morgan (16:53), the Rubel Castle in Glendora (36:30) and the Siege of Fort Anthony (57:13).Talk-Umentaries (Los Angeles Documentaries)
As March arrives and madness descends upon us all, so too does a new episode of L.A. Meekly. This month we're talking docs and going over a handful of documentaries about Los Angeles that we feel captures …
Show notes
As March arrives and madness descends upon us all, so too does a new episode of L.A. Meekly. This month we're talking docs and going over a handful of documentaries about Los Angeles that we feel captures something about the city be it donuts, music, gangs or, perhaps...madness.You Gotta Be Kidnapping Me (LA's Worst Kidnappings)
The love month is here and what better way to celebrate (we guess?) than covering a few of Los Angeles' worst kidnappings. And that's worst in the sense of: these kidnappers had no idea what they were doing …
Show notes
The love month is here and what better way to celebrate (we guess?) than covering a few of Los Angeles' worst kidnappings. And that's worst in the sense of: these kidnappers had no idea what they were doing. Tune in to hear the stories of Mary Skeele (18:10) and Frank Sinatra Jr (45:39).
These are the latest 40 of 214 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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