The Crown City Podcast

Episode 54: President and CEO of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association Paul Little joins the podcast and dives deep into the unique history and mission of the Chamber, from its beginnings as the Board of Trade in 1888 to its modern-day role in supporting and growing the local economy. Paul shares invaluable insights into his multifaceted career, highlighting key moments from working as a steelworker building submarines to his extensive public service career on the Pasadena City Council. He also brings to light the Chamber's agile response to COVID-19, detailing how the organization has evolved to help local businesses thrive in challenging times. Listeners will learn about Pasadena's diverse economic landscape, the importance of community engagement, and the Chamber's efforts to provide tailored support to its members. The episode wraps up with Paul Little sharing his perfect day in Pasadena, offering a local perspective on the best spots to eat, drink, and explore this vibrant city. The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.  The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org. For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

Episode 53: Actor, producer, writer, and much-loved content creator Malia Miglino, known affectionately as LA History Girl, shares fascinating tales from her life, weaving together stories from her eerie childhood home in Seattle to her brave move to Los Angeles at 18. She opens up about her journey from working in makeup on film sets to embracing her passion for history and content creation during the pandemic, leading to her striking success on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Malia's insight into the Victorian era in Los Angeles and her role as a historical researcher on 'Haunted Discoveries' offers a glimpse into her deep love and respect for history. With a touch of humor and sincerity, Malia discusses the evolution of her comfort in front of the camera, her groundbreaking work in making history accessible to younger generations, and her recent collaboration with Visit Pasadena. This episode explores Malia's personal and professional growth and delves into broader topics such as the importance of storytelling in history, the challenge of preserving historic sites, and the unique, often untold stories of Los Angeles that captivate both natives and newcomers alike.The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.  The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org. For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

Episode 52: Historian and Author Roberta H. Martinez joins the podcast to shed light on the rich tapestry of Latino history, culture, and resilience. Raised in East Los Angeles, Roberta brings a personal perspective to understanding the Latino community’s roots and reach in Pasadena and beyond. Through her own story and work, Martinez explores the multifaceted nature of Los Angeles' history, emphasizing the diversity and interconnectedness within the community. The discussion touches on the importance of recognizing and preserving Latino history in Pasadena, including Roberta's efforts in publishing her book 'Latinos in Pasadena.'The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.  The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org. For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

Episode 51: Pasadena Now's Managing Editor Andre Coleman, joins the podcast to share his journey growing up in Altadena and how Watergate inspired him to pursue a career in journalism. During this engaging conversation, Andre discusses the current state of local news and his responsibility to the community as a trusted source of information. In addition to being a journalist and columnist, Andre is an accomplished playwright and storyteller. He penned Blackbirds Volume 1, an audiobook series released in 2021 that follows a family struggling with race and justice in the Jim Crow era. To subscribe to Pasadena Now’s essential daily newsletter, please visit www.pasadenanow.com. For more information and links to Andre’s Blackbirds audio series, please visit https://blackbirdsaudio.com/.  The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.  The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org. For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

Episode 50: Nature Boy Products Founder and Artisan Jacob Quetant joins the podcast to talk about how he turned his passion into a successful business that serves the health and wellness of his customers. Jacob shares insights from growing up in Pasadena, describes his path to creating artisan beard care products, and talks about the legacy he wants to build as a creator and entrepreneur. The conversation closes with a discussion about the community he has created with Nature Boy Products and how he would spend the perfect day in Pasadena. For more information, please visit www.natureboyproducts.com and follow Jacob on social media for the latest news and updates. The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.  The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visit www.pasadenamedia.org. For more information and to support The Crown City Podcast, please visit us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com.

Episode 49: Author and Publisher Pamela McColl joins the podcast for a special Holiday Episode to discuss her book Twas The Night - The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem in celebration of the bicentennial of the iconic poem “Account of A Visit From St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore on December 23, 1823.During our conversation, Pamela discusses her journey in art and history and how it led to a personal ten-year project researching and curating a book on “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Expanding on the poem’s theme, we talk about its impact on the spirit of the Holiday Season and how its message of kindness and generosity has stood the test of time. For more information, please visit twasthenightbook.com and follow Pamela on Instagram at twasthenight_artandhistory for the latest news and updates. This marks the 49th episode of The Crown City Podcast and the last for 2023. Thank you all for your love and support and I will see you next year! The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. As a special gift for Hannakuah, Mika and Russell released the beautiful original Hebrew version of their featured song “All the Right Here” - “Tamid K’Rovim.” Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information and updates on their live shows.  Finally, a special thank you to Christine Johnson from San Marino Toy & Book Shoppe. Please support them and all small businesses this holiday season. To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast.

Episode 47: The Nextdoors’ Mika Larson and Russell Mark join the podcast to talk about the role music and the arts have played in their lives and how they have built a unique sound in East Pasadena. As a duo, Mika and Russell have performed locally but also hosted shows in the Midwest, and in 2022, they released their debut album, Linda Vista - an ode to Americana music. We talk about their backgrounds growing up in Minnesota and Arizona, respectively, the origins of The Nextdoors, and their recently released music video for their song Awaken. For more information about Mika’s work, please visit https://www.mikalarsonphotography.com and https://www.weddingsbymika.com and follow her on social media. Russell’s production company can be found at https://hiwheelentertainment.com. And for the latest from The Nextdoors, Please follow them on social media and YouTube and at https://nextdoorsmusic.com  To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast.

Episode 46: Merch Motel’s Barkev Msrlyan joins the podcast to discuss his journey from growing up in Pasadena to how his interest in design led him to launch Merch Motel, a retro-inspired brand built around historic places and vintage signs. With Merch Motel, Barkev has hosted events, produced one-of-a-kind collectibles, hosted his own podcast, and released wonderfully made videos. For more information, please visit https://merchmotel.com and follow Barkev on social media, listen to Merch Motel Radio, and watch his videos on YouTube. The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visit nextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information and updates on their live shows. The Crown City Podcast can be found on most platforms, as I recently joined Acast.To support the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on your favorite podcasting app or sponsor us at www.thecrowncitypodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thecrowncitypodcast.