Live From LA County

What does the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs actually do and how does it impact your everyday life? In this episode of Live from LA County, host Rodney Collins sits down with Rafael Carbajal, Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA), to discuss how the department protects consumers, supports workers, empowers small businesses, and helps res...

In this episode of Live from LA County, host Rodney Collins sits down with Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang to discuss the role of the Assessor’s Office, how property valuesare determined, why transparency matters, and how technology is helping modernize services for residents and businesses. Host: Rodney CollinsProducers: Tina Curry, Ramla Javed, Alban Kalasa, Mark Whitney, Sofia KhanEdi...

What does a modern public library really do? In this episode of Live From LA County , we sit down with SkyePatrick, Director of LA County Library , to discuss how libraries are evolving to meet the needs of communities across Los Angeles County. From literacy and digital access to workforce resources and innovation, Skye shares how LA County Library is helping residents thrive far beyond bookshelv...

In this episode of Live From LA County, host Rodney Collins sits down with Oscar Valdez, Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller, for a behind-the-scenes conversation on public finance, accountability, transparency, and the systems that help keep one of the nation’s largest local governments running. Oscar shares his journey through public finance, his transition into LA County, the importance of fi...

In this episode of Live From LA County, host Rodney Collins sits down with Kelly LoBianco, Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, for a conversation about workforce development, economic equity, community empowerment, and the work being done to support workers and businesses across Los Angeles County. Kelly reflects on her journey to LA County, why Los Angeles became her chosen home,...

In this episode of Live from LA County, we sit down with Maral Karaccusian, Director of Aging and Disabilities, to discuss the County’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations through inclusive, equitable services. Maral shares insights on leadership, the evolving needs of aging communities, and how LA County is strengthening systems of care for individuals with disabilities. Host: Rodney...

What does the District Attorney actually do and how is the role evolving in Los Angeles County? In this episode of Live from LA County, we sit down with the County’s District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman to explore the balance between public safety, accountability, and fairness. From the history of the office to modern approaches focused on proportional outcomes and collaboration, this conversation...

In this episode of Live from LA County, host Rodney Collins sits down with Erika Anzoategui, Director of the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender’s Office. Erika shares insights into the critical role public defenders play in protecting constitutional rights, advancing equity in the justice system, and supporting rehabilitation and second chances. This conversation explores leadership, acc...

In this episode of Live from LA County, host Rodney Collins sits down with Marcia Mayeda, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control. Marcia shares what it takes to lead one of the largest animal care systems in the country. From public safety and humane enforcement to adoptions, disaster response, and community partnerships, this conversation highlights how animal ca...

Dr. Ferrer discusses what it takes to lead public health in one of the most complex and diverse regions in the country. From crisis response and health equity to prevention strategy and workforce leadership, this conversation explores how LA County works to protect and improve the health of nearly 10 million residents. Host: Rodney Collins Producers: Tina Curry, Ramla Javed, Alban Kalasa, Mark Whi...

In this episode of Live from LA County, we sit down with David J. Carroll, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development, to discuss how the County is transforming its approach to youth justice. David shares why LA County is shifting away from punishment-centered systems toward a youth development model grounded in care, accountability, and opportunity. The conversation explor...

This episode of Live from LA County features Sarah Mahin, the new Director of LA County’s Homeless Services and Housing, as she takes on one of the region’s most urgent and complex challenges: ending homelessness. Sarah shares her vision for reshaping how the County responds to homelessness emphasizing urgency, transparency, and trust. Drawing on her experience in both government and advocacy, Sar...

Director Lisa Garrett leads HR for the nation’s largest county workforce nearly 100,000 employees across 40 departments. In this episode, she shares her LA story (Inglewood → UCLA → Southwestern Law), how HR is modernizing recruitment, telework, and talent pipelines, and why purpose-driven work keeps people in public service. A candid conversation on leadership, belonging, and the many places a Co...

DHS Director Dr. Christina Ghaly joins Rodney Collins to unpack how LA County’s health system works 4 hospitals, 23 clinics, EMS, correctional health, probation youth care, harm reduction and ODR and why equity, language access, and measurable outcomes drive decisions. She reflects on Housing for Health (90%+ two-year housing stability), LA General & Harbor trauma leadership, and a new strateg...

LA County’s Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey C. Ukpo explains why our system is independent of law enforcement, how his office conducts ~13,000 death investigations a year, and how findings drive public-health prevention (from safe infant sleep to emerging substance alerts). He discusses equity, staff well-being (in-house psychologist), cross-department collaboration, and what grief, meaning, and j...

SD Director Michael Owh joins Rodney Collins to unpack how Internal Services powers LA County from IT, radios, facilities and fleet to $2B in procurement, EV charging , and disaster response. Hear his take on standardizing e-procurement, digital equity (Delete the Divide, community broadband), and practical AI plus the leadership lessons behind “no wrong door” service. Host: Rodney CollinsProducer...

Director Amy J. Bodek joins Rodney Collins to unpack how LA County Regional Planning shapes daily life land use, zoning, sustainability, housing, and long-range vision for unincorporated communities. From drones and data to equity, history, and community voice, this episode explains how planning balances policy, place, and people. Host: Rodney CollinsProducers: Ramla Javed, Alban Kalasa, Mark Whit...

Director Jim Zenner (LA County Military & Veterans Affairs) joins Rodney Collins to discuss leadership with lived experience, the Veteran Peer Access Network (VPN), plans for veteran treatment courts, partnerships with VA/CBOs, and coordination on homelessness & housing. He also covers SkillBridge pathways for service members, staff wellbeing, and how residents can volunteer or support vet...

LA County’s Public Defender Ricardo D. García joins Rodney Collins for a candid conversation about client-centered representation, Community Outreach Court, expungement clinics, and leading the nation’s largest public defender office. He shares his LA story, what “flipping the pyramid” in leadership looks like, and how technology (including AI) and community partnerships expand access to justice....

This episode features Mark Pestrella, Director of LA County Public Works, leading the nation’s largest municipal public works agency. He walks through how Public Works touches everyday life—from capturing stormwater in dams for groundwater recharge and preventing floods after wildfires, to maintaining roads and transit options (including the Beach Bus), managing sewers and wastewater issues, and p...

In this episode, Dr. Lisa H. Wong, Director of the nation’s largest public mental health system, shares how LA County is transforming care from crisis response to recovery grounded in hope, equity, and community.  🔍Highlights You Won’t Want to Miss: • 988 & Care Court: How new crisis pathways and collaborative courts are changing outcomes. • Equity & Access: Bottom-up anti-racism work (AR...

Did you know that one Los Angeles County department quietly impacts nearly everything you eat, buy, and use — yet most people have never heard of it? In Episode Six, we sit down with Kurt Floren, Agricultural Commissioner/Director of Weights & Measures, to uncover why his team calls themselves “The Biggest Little Department in the County.”🔍Why you should listen:• 🌱 Learn how the department s...

Listen to Kurt Floren as he shares his experience interviewing for a leadership position. Does he ultimately secure the job? Clip from LiveFrom LA County Podcast - Episode 6 "Your Food, Your Gas, Your Wallet: Kurt Floren"   Host: Rodney Collins Producers: Ramla Javed, Flavio Guzman Magaña, Tina Curry Editor: Alban Kalasa Guest: Kurt Floren

This episode features a visionary conversation with Norma Edith García-González, Director of LA County Parks & Recreation. From advancing equity and public health to building community through shared spaces, discover the vision driving one of the largest park systems in the nation. 🔍 In this episode, you’ll learn:• What should be within walking distance for everyone.• Why the department of “f...

What opportunities can a summer job lead to? Clip from Live From LA County Podcast - Episode 5"The Power of Parks: Building Healthier, More Connected Communities with Norma Edith García-González"Host: Rodney CollinsProducers: Ramla Javed, Flavio Guzman Magaña, Tina CurryEditor: Alban KalasaGuest: Norma Edith García-González