Robert Petersen

The Hidden History of Los Angeles

History EN ↓ 95 episodes

The Hidden History of Los Angeles podcast explores the lesser known aspects of L.A. history. Contrary to the commonly held belief that L.A. does not have any history, Los Angeles has a rich and colorful history. You just have to dig a little deeper to find it.

Author

Robert Petersen

Category

History

Podcast website

hiddenhistoryla.libsyn.com

Latest episode

Oct 9, 2025

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Episodes

Kathy Fiscus and an Interview with William Deverell HHLA67 19.08.2021

This episode features an interview with historian William Deverell regarding his latest book, "Kathy Fiscus: A Tragedy That Transfixed The Nation."

Dootsie Williams HHLA66 02.08.2021

Dootsie Williams was a trailblazing black music executive and entrepreneur who left an impact on the music industry and his community. 

Spiritual L.A. and an Interview with Catherine Auman HHLA65 15.06.2021

This episode features an interview with Catherine Auman about her book "Guide to Spiritual L.A.: The Irreverent, the Awake, and the True."

Chicana Artivistas and an Interview with Martha Gonzalez HHLA64 01.06.2021

This episode features an interview with Martha Gonzalez, lead singer of the L.A. band Quetzal, about her book "Chicana Artivistas: Music, Community, and Transborder Tactics in East Los Angeles." 

We Heart L.A. Parks and an Interview with Andrea Richards and Teena Apeles HHLA63 18.05.2021

This episode features an interview with Andrea Richards and Teena Apeles about their book "We Heart L.A. Parks," a coloring and activity book for all ages.  

Abandoned Los Angeles and an Interview with Jason Horton HHLA62 11.05.2021

This episode features an interview with Jason Horton about his book "Abandoned and Historic Los Angeles: Neon and Beyond."

Bunker Hill and an Interview with Nathan Marsak HHLA61 16.03.2021

This episode features an interview with historian Nathan Marsak regarding his new book "Bunker Hill Los Angeles."

Big Santa Anita Canyon and an Interview with Maggie Moran HHLA60 04.02.2021

With a short trip into the mountains near Los Angeles, in Big Santa Anita Canyon, you can step back in time to the Great Hiking Era of the early 20th century. This episode also features an interview with Maggie Moran, owner of Adams Pack Station, regarding the current situation in the canyon after the Bobcat Fire.

L.A. Names: Rodeo Drive HHLA59 26.11.2020

This episode explores the history behind one of L.A.'s most famous streets, Rodeo Drive. 

Becoming Los Angeles and an Interview with D.J. Waldie HHLA58 11.10.2020

This episode features an interview with D.J. Waldie about his new book "Becoming Los Angeles: Myth, Memory, and a Sense of Place. 

Malcolm X in L.A. HHLA57 16.09.2020

This episode explores the time Malcolm X spent in Los Angeles, which included a high speed car chase on the freeway, an assassination attempt, and an L.A.P.D. shooting. 

L.A. Names: Wilshire Boulevard HHLA56 01.08.2020

This episode explores the origin of the name Wilshire Boulevard. 

Set the Night on Fire and an Interview with Jon Wiener HHLA55 15.07.2020

This episode features an interview with Jon Wiener regarding his new book, Set the Night on Fire: L.A. in the Sixties, which he co-authored with Mike Davis. The book provides a comprehensive history of the civil rights movement in Los Angeles during the 1960s. 

Discovering Griffith Park and an Interview with Casey Schreiner HHLA54 01.07.2020

This episode features an interview with Casey Schreiner regarding his new book "Discovering Griffith Park: A Local's Guide."

L.A. Sounds: Carol Kaye HHLA53 09.06.2020

Carol Kaye is a Los Angeles musician you have definitely heard, but likely haven't heard of. 

The City Beneath and an Interview with Susan Phillips HHLA52 23.04.2020

This episode features an interview with Susan Phillips about her book The City Beneath: A Century of Los Angeles Graffiti .

Disney and an Interview with Chris Nichols HHLA51 08.03.2020

This episode examines Disney history in Los Angeles and features an interview with Chris Nichols about his book Walt Disney's Disneyland. 

Guy Clark's L.A. Freeway HHLA50 19.12.2019

What can a country song about driving on Los Angeles freeways tell us about our city? This episode examines Guy Clark's song L.A. Freeway and the city's connection to country music. 

The Autograph Book of L.A. and an Interview with Josh Kun HHLA49 03.12.2019

The episode features an interview with Josh Kun about his latest book, The Autograph Book of L.A.

Sponsored: Introducing Detective Trapp 19.11.2019

Anaheim investigator Julissa Trapp is not like other detectives. She's the only woman on the homicide squad, and a skilled chameleon: undercover cop in vice stings, crime-scene commander, patient confidante of killers. A master interrogator, she invokes her personal experience – and deepest griefs -- as a tool to elicit confessions. When a young woman's body is found at a trash-sorting plant, Trap...

Lost LA and an Interview with Nathan Masters HHLA48 15.10.2019

The fourth season of KCET's Emmy winning documentary series Lost LA premieres October 15 so I sat down with the show's host, writer and L.A. historian Nathan Masters, to talk about the show and upcoming season.

Mills Place HHLA47 14.09.2019

On Mills Place in Old Town Pasadena there is a historical plaque which doesn't tell the whole story. 

Sponsored: Introducing Man in the Window 15.08.2019

From the partnership that brought you Dirty John, comes Man in the Window. Pulitzer prize winning reporter Paige St. John investigates The Golden State Killer, and traces his path of devastation through the eyes of his victims. Listen now at wondery.fm/hiddenhistory

Lesser-Known L.A. Movies and an Interview with Phoef Sutton and Mark Jordan Legan HHLA46 01.08.2019

This episode explores the lesser-known Los Angeles movies and features an interview with Phoef Sutton and Mark Jordan Legan of the podcast Film Freaks Forever. 

Freeway Soundwalls HHLA45 05.06.2019

There are thousands of miles of freeway soundwalls across the United States, but their origin can be traced to Los Angeles.

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