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Off-Ramp

Exploring Southern California with John Rabe

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  • Enjoy a Dodger home opener with no labor issues, no Covid, no parking or traffic headaches ... and a guaranteed Dodger victory!
    We get it if you're a little sour on Major League Baseball right now, but turn that lemon into lemonade by checking out this whole episode of Off-Ramp recorded at the 2015 Dodger home opener. We got Justin Turner, Vic the Brick, Roz Wyman & Richard Montoya debunking the Chavez Ravine myth, the iconic organist Nancy Bea Hefley, pitcher John Rabe being lustily booed, an in-depth interview with then-GM Farhan Zaidi, and a lot more. All you need is a Dodger Dog, a michelada, and a bag of peanuts.

    Originally broadcast April 11, 2015.

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    (Off-Ramp theme music by Fesliyan Studios.)

  • "Moonface" and "Vermont Avenue" podcast star James Kim couldn't talk to his parents - literally - because of First Language Attrition
    Today, James Kim is a successful podcast host, producer, and writer. You know him from "The Competition," "Moonface," and "Vermont Avenue," which won Tribeca's first Best Podcast award. And he's just wrapped up a project with Disney.

    But ten years ago, he was a fresh-faced Off-Ramp intern with a problem: he couldn't talk to his parents because he's first generation Korean-American and had lost his Korean when he learned English. 

    John Rabe pretty much forced him to do a first-person Off-Ramp piece about it, and it seemed to set in motion a major change for the better in James' life. 

    Bonus! James joins us to set up his piece from the Off-Ramp archive, and then hangs around to talk with John about life, love, and work ... including some tips for podcast aspirants.

    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

    (Off-Ramp theme music by Fesliyan Studios.)

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  • Note from John Rabe
  • Message From John Rabe: This week Off-Ramp brings you the Monks of St. Catherine's Cathedral in the Sinai. The monks visited the Getty to kick-off the "Holy Image, Hallowed Ground" exhibit. Also, the Clippers announcer Ralph Lawler, Rose Bowl flea market finds and turkey talk. Happy Thanksgiving, -John (and Queena)
  • Midterm Madness; I Lost My Heart In San Francisco; Voting Block; The Comeback Kid; Rock en Spanglish; The Last Doughboy; The Wine House Rules; The Forgotten Veterans; Phys Ed Fizzles; My Barbarian; Whiteness; Full-bore Borat
  • New Scents; Free Laptop Bag Giveaway; The Haves, the Have-Nots and the Used-To-Haves; Alternate Route; Breaking the Rules of the Road; Spiritual Marketplace; Some botanas, por favor; The Everyday as Art; Give Me Some Lip; Reporter's Roundtable; The Rules of the Game
  • Saul Levine; Baptism By Ire; Motorcycle Writer; Sketches of Pain
  • Kinky in Los Angeles; Godzilla Released; Godzilla v. LAPD; George Takei and the voice of Godzilla; The Thill Ain't Gone; Norman McLaren; OCMA: HANK WILLIS THOMAS; The Vision Thing; Flaming Tri-Tip; Reporter's Roundtable; Call Sheet
  • Message from John Rabe: With cold and flu season upon us, we focus on germs. Or rather, how not to get them. This week, hand washing, flu shots, and the new sneeze. -John
  • Bob Kholos; OCMA Biennial; LA Smog; Sashimi and Wine; Tokyo's Ghibli Museum Park; TV on the Radio; Reporter's Roundtable