myBurbank Talks

Can adopting solar energy transform your home and your wallet? Discover the surprising benefits and hurdles Burbank residents face while transitioning to sustainable energy solutions. Join us in this episode of "The Week that Was and the Week that Will Be" as we celebrate Charlie Huff, the latest Word of the Week champion, and nostalgically compare the new McCambridge Park mural to its b...

Ever wondered how a simple traffic stop could unravel a web of serious criminal activity? Our latest episode promises to uncover the complexities of effective policing and the controversies that sometimes accompany it. We scrutinize the 2023 annual report by the Independent Police Monitor on the Burbank Police Department, highlighting a routine traffic stop that led to the discovery of tools for s...

Can regulating short-term rentals save your neighborhood? Or might a strict ban be the only way to maintain housing affordability? Join us on this riveting episode as John and Jenny dissect the Burbank City Council's decisive move to ban STRs like Airbnbs. We promise you'll gain a deep understanding of the financial and regulatory challenges at play, from the potential revenue of transie...

What if your city council candidates could speak directly to you about their platforms? This week on myBurbank Talks Weekly Podcast, we will tell you about the podcasts with Dr. Emily Weisberg and Emma Panero for exclusive interviews that offer firsthand insights into their visions for Burbank. We also hear about Lew Stone, a former firefighter captain and high school basketball coach, in a heartf...

Editor's Note: Emma sent the following statement to myBurbank after the podcast to clarify her position on the subject of a Rent Cap: " To clarify, during the discussion about a potential rent cap, the proposed ordinance I refer to is drafted by the Burbank Tenants Union, not City Council. This is important to note because the proposed ordinance is not official. Instead, it essentially s...

How does one man go from coaching to battling blazings and then to shaping union policies? Join us on myBurbank Talks Coaches Corner as we welcome Lew Stone, a true legend in the firefighting and union communities. Lew takes us through his incredible journey, starting with his early days at the Burbank Fire Department in 1981, where he swiftly rose to the rank of captain. He shares compelling acco...

myBurbank reporter, Ashley Erikson, sits down with the creators of Dark & Dirty Hearts, that shares all things love and books. Jackie Remery-Pearson and Colleen Harris are friends, girl moms, and avid readers, that have built a business around dark and dirty romance books. They share all the juicy details of the book tok world, book boyfriends, kinks, and how their honest reviews have helped t...

What if you had the power to influence the future of education in your community? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Emily Weisberg, the unopposed candidate for the Burbank Board of Education District 2, as she takes us on a fascinating journey from her early days in Chicago and Cincinnati to her influential role in Burbank. Discover how a passion for education at 16 set her on a pa...

What if the future of Burbank hinged on the visions of local leaders? We'll highlight the Rent Control Study Meeting video, debate the City Council's new public comment rules, and explore the contentious topic of banning gas-powered equipment in the city. And don't miss "The Civility of Albert Cashier," the latest musical sensation hitting the Colony Theater. But that&apos...

What does it take to transform from a war refugee to a dedicated public servant and education advocate? Join us on "My Burbank Talks" as we sit down with Dr. Armond Aghakhanian, the incumbent candidate for the Burbank Unified School District's Board of Education. Dr. Aghakhanian opens up about his inspirational journey, districting changes, and the challenges of transitioning to dis...

Ever wondered how a game show producer transitions into a bakery owner and then a city council candidate? Join us for a compelling conversation with Eddy Polon on My Burbank Talks: Meet the Candidate. Eddy brings his rich, multifaceted background to the table, sharing stories from his days as a head writer and judge on Tic-Tac-Toe, to pioneering online versions of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, to...

myBurbank reporter Ashley Erikson sits down with Lisa Dyson and Andrea Daveline to talk about their roles in the new Colony Theatre musical, “The Civility of Albert Cashier.”  The powerful and moving new musical tells the true-story of a Civil War soldier whose life defied definition and who served his country all while keeping the secret that he was born Jennifer Hodgers. Lisa who is currently th...

Ever wondered how growing up in an Armenian immigrant household shapes a future Congressional candidate? Join us as Dr. Alex Balekian, a Glendale-born physician and Republican candidate, takes us through his fascinating journey from a high-achieving student who graduated high school at 16 to a respected pulmonologist and lung cancer researcher at USC. Dr. Balekian offers an eye-opening look into h...

Curious about the latest buzz in Burbank? Brace yourself for a whirlwind update on local events, crucial civic issues, and community triumphs. Join me, Craig Sherwood, as we celebrate Angelo Sawin's creative contribution with his word "heritage" and address the urgent need for cooling centers due to the extreme heat affecting our elderly. We’ll also delve into vital conversations, i...

Can a strong leader with deep roots in the community turn the tide for Burbank schools? In this compelling episode of Meet the Candidate, we sit down with Dr. Tom Crowther, who brings decades of educational experience and a personal connection to Burbank. Tom shares his journey from a young boy moving to Burbank through his local education and on to earning a doctorate in educational leadership fr...

What if you had the chance to sit down with someone who’s been in the trenches of city administration, influencing the very fabric of your community? Join us as we chat with Judy Wilke, an inspiring public servant with deep roots in Burbank. We journey through her career, from her formative years in Burbank's school system to her academic pursuits at Cal State Long Beach and Woodbury. Learn a...

What’s the inside scoop on Burbank’s latest buzz? Find out as we celebrate Marcus Freeman's lucky win and lament the closure of Unincorporated Coffee. Despite this setback, there's a silver lining with the makeover of the once-weedy lot at Hollywood Way and Clark. We also highlight the importance of transparency as we grapple with the unreleased body camera footage from a recent incident...

What if local governance could truly reflect the needs and aspirations of its residents? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Chris Rizzotti, a dedicated candidate for Burbank City Council, as he shares his lifelong connection with Burbank and his unwavering commitment to public service. From his humble beginnings raising money for charity at the age of eight to his educational journey at...

What if local politics could be as engaging and entertaining as a night at a comedy club? This week on "Meet the Candidate," we sit down with John Parr, a dynamic city council candidate for Burbank, who blends comedic activism with a genuine passion for community development. Discover John's unique journey from the sandy beaches of San Juan Capistrano to the halls of Loyola Marymoun...

Ever wondered what it takes to keep a city running smoothly while addressing everyday challenges? Join us on "The Week That Was and the Week That Will Be" as we explore the latest happenings in Burbank. We kick things off by celebrating Riley Leonard, our Word of the Week champ, who bagged a $25 gift certificate to Hill Street Cafe. Next, get to know school board candidate Annie Markaria...

What if you could ensure a safer and more academically enriching environment for students? Join us as we sit down with Annie Markarian, a candidate for the Burbank Board of Education Trustee, Area 5, in the 2024 election. Annie takes us through her inspiring journey from North Hollywood to Burbank, enriched by her impressive academic credentials from USC and Loyola Law School. With a professional...

Special Edition recorded on a BurbankBus! Ever wondered how a city balances the needs of commuters, pedestrians, and residents all at once? Join us for a ride on a Burbank bus with Mayor Nick Schultz and Assistant Director of Community Development David Kriske as we explore the intricate world of Burbank's transportation initiatives. David, our very own traffic guru, brings his wealth of know...

Curious about how Burbank is shaping up its transportation and sustainability efforts? We've got you covered! Join us as we discuss the Burbank City Council's latest initiatives, including a new free fare program for students and some rather ironic debates about making council meetings shorter. Plus, we’ll share insights from the Chandler bike path’s 20th-anniversary celebration and refl...

Ever wondered how to make your city council meetings more efficient? Tune into this week's episode of myBurbank Talks for practical insights and recommendations that could revolutionize how local governance operates. We'll also share some heartwarming community stories, like Kathy Horan's delightful meal experience at Hill Street Cafe and George Reeves winning last week's gift...

Ever wondered how American westerns captured the imagination of British audiences, or how a family of immigrants revolutionized Hollywood? Our special guest, Graham Hill, grew up in England, mesmerized by Warner Brothers TV shows like "Cheyenne" and "Maverick." His journey led him to the heart of the American film industry, where he witnessed firsthand the transformation of the...