What The Hal?

228: In Depth: Trigger Warnings, Depression Treatment, Diseases

Bridgette Stumpf, the Executive Director of Network for Victim Recovery of DC, joins Hal to talk about the need for trigger warnings on movies such as the recent “It Ends With Us." Then, hear from Dr. Andrew Leuchter, Director of UCLA TMS, on the expansion of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the treatment of depression in teens. Finally, Dr. Matt Waxman, emergency physician and professor, chats with Hal about health threats both current and on the horizon.

227: In Depth: Back to School

This week, Hal Eisner is joined by pediatrician Dr. Connie Bartlett, transitional kindergarten educator Christine Colbert and Learnville's Carrie Lyn.

226: In Depth: Found/LA and Molly Malone's

Hal is joined by the founder of Dermalogica, Jane Wurwand, who also founded the nonprofit foundation FOUND/LA which helps launch deserving entrepreneurs. Then, Damian Hanlon, the owner of Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, discusses the fire that shut down the LA entertainment icon.

225: In Depth: Saving LA's Gems: Cliftons and Old Town Music Hall

Andrew Meieran, the Proprietor of Clifton’s Republic, joins Hal to discuss the reimagining of the former Clifton’s Cafeteria. Then, Old Town Music Hall Executive Director, Angie Hougen tells Hal about the history of the beloved El Segundo venue and why people love it.

224: In Depth: Disability Pride, Mychal's Cafe, San Bernardino Animal Services

Kimberly Cohn, the Chief Marketing Communications Officer for Easterseals of Southern California and Andy Arias, a national policy expert for marginalized communities, join Hal to discuss Disability Pride Month.

223: In Depth: Parks and Summer Activities

Norma E. García-González, Director of Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, and Cynthia Babich, Founder and Director of the Del Amo Action Committee, join Hal to talk about the opening of Wishing Tree Park after 30 years of activism.

222: In Depth: New Laws, Supreme Court Homeless Issue

Troy Vaughn, the CEO of the Los Angeles Mission, joins Hal to talk about the recent Supreme Court ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson. Then, hear from legal expert Ugo Lord about some of the California laws that went into effect July 1.

221: In Depth: Benadryl Challenge

The Benadryl Challenge is a social media challenge where kids are encouraged to take large amounts of Benadryl and take videos of themselves hallucinating.

220: In Depth: Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center

We feature the Madrona Marsh Nature Center, which has been preserved as a green oasis in the middle of Torrance. Learn about what makes the marsh special and take a tour of the nature center.

219: Home Kitchens and Revolution Carts

218: In Depth: Habitat for Humanity, Nicolas Junior High tiny homes

The CEO for Habitat for Humanity in the San Gabriel Valley joins Hal to talk about their new project to buy and rehabilitate homes in the El Sereno area. Then, hear about the recent project at Nicolas Junior High, which allows woodshop students to participate in the building of a tiny house.

217: In Depth: Hollywood Fringe Fest, Disability Film Awards

Lois Neville and Ellen Boudreau Den Herder, co-directors of the Hollywood Fringe Fest, give us a preview of the festival that features some of the less mainstream performance artists. Then, hear from actor and comedian Nic Novicki, the founder of the Disability Film Challenge, which is back for an 11th year. Also, Lee Pugsley, winner of Best Film "Audio Description" in the Disability Film Awards, talks about his experience.

216: In Depth: Volunteers of 'Together in Service'

Victor Dominguez, President, YMCA-LA , Robert Sausedo, President/ CEO of Community Build, and Dr. Wilma Franco, Executive Director of SELA Collab, join Hal Eisner to talk about the volunteer project "Together in Service."

215: In Depth: New LA DEA Chief and Addiction Doctor

Matthew Allen, the new Special Agent in Charge of the DEA in Los Angeles, joins Hal to talk about his new job and his goals. Also, Dr. Itai Danovitch , the Chair of the Cedars-Sinai Department of Psychiatry, joins us to talk about addiction and how it is treated.

214: In Depth: Too Good To Go and Waymo

Sarah Soteroff with Too Good To Go tells Hal about the app that lets businesses make good use of their excess food so that it doesn’t go to waste. Also, Lauren Schwendimann with Waymo talks about how the driverless car service is being received in LA and Santa Monica.

213: In Depth: AI, Nudes, and TikTok

AI expert Chris Mattmann joins Hal to talk about the recent rash of AI nudes that teens have been sharing at local high schools and middle schools and how easy they are to create. Then, California State Senator Josh Becker weighs in on new legislation that could help curb abuses of artificial intelligence. Also, USC professor Karen North discusses the future of TikTok.

212: In Depth: New Tax Laws, Money and Investments, Real Estate

In segment one, Hal speaks with financial expert Shinobu Hindert about changes in the tax laws. Also, Suzanne Seini with Innovate Realty joins Hal to talk about a recent settlement with the National Association of Realtors that reinforces the ability of consumers to negotiate the commission of their real estate agents.

211: In Depth: Courthouse Troubles, Scaling Peaks

Hal speaks with Samantha P. Jessner – Presiding Judge, Superior Court of LA County, about the serious shortage of court reporters in the court system. Also, Jenn Drummond, a mountaineer and now an author who set a record by summiting the seven second-highest peaks in the world, talks about her new book.

210: In Depth: Mudslides, Mentors, Freedom, and Fashion

Joshua West, Professor of Earth Sciences & Environmental Studies at USC, joins Hal to talk about the earth movement brought on by the recent storm system. Then hear from Aquilla Toy and Adrienne Rose about their nonprofit organization, Mentors Inc., that provides support to those who are struggling. Also, Laverne Delgado talks about Freedom and Fashion, an organization that uses fashion to communicate with young women who may have been victimized by human trafficking or domestic or sexual vi...

209: In Depth: Valentine's Day

Dr. Jared Smith, distinguished engineer at Security Scorecard, joins Hal to talk about romance scams. Then, divorce attorney Sarah Intelligator discusses the dangerous "F words." Also, Michele Nealon from The Chicago School talks to Hal about the recent "epidemic" of loneliness.

208: In Depth: Stealing Copper, 'California Dream for All'

Councilmember Kevin de León joins Hal to talk about the task force he is working to establish to investigate the rash of copper wire thefts plaguing Los Angeles. Then, hear from Tony Olmos, the Public Works director in Pasadena, on the city’s approach to the copper thefts. Also, real estate expert Suzanne Seini joins Hal to talk about the 2024 California Dream for All program.

207: In Depth: Retail Theft

Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur talks with Hal about the newly-formed Select Committee on Retail Theft. Then, hear from Sergeant Ron Salary of the Torrance PD and Lieutenant Mike McComas of the LAPD about the law enforcement role in battling retail theft. Also, retail entrepreneur Rick Caruso joins Hal to talk about the retail perspective on these thefts.

206: In Depth: Culture and Institutions

In segment one, Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon and artist Rey Sepúlveda join Hal to talk about the creation of the SELA cultural center. Then, learn about the renovation of the Warner Grand theater as well as Wilmington's Banning Museum.

205: In Depth: Fentanyl, Snapchat, and Social Media Dangers

In segment one, Sam Chapman, Perla Mendoza and Matt Capelouto join Hal to talk about the parents’ suit against Snapchat over the deaths of their children from fentanyl poisoning. Then, hear from DEA LA Head Bill Bodner on the fight against fentanyl. Finally, Dr. Michele Nealon of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology about the recent change by Meta.

204: In Depth: New Laws

Learn more about the new California laws for 2024.

203: In Depth: CARE Court

In segment one, LACDMH Director Lisa Wong and the Honorable Samantha P. Jessner of the California Superior Court join Hal to talk about LA County's CARE Court. Then, Public Defender Ricardo D. Garcia discusses how the Public Defender's office will be assisting people who are referred to the system. Also, Diego Cartagena, Bet Tzedek CEO joins Hal to talk about the 50 years of free legal assistance the organization has provided to vulnerable Angelenos.

202: In Depth: Organ Transplants

Hal speaks with Steve Kammerer Jr., who received a heart transplant about two years ago. Hear from Dr. Irene Kim about the Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Transplant Program. Then, E’Tiffany Jones joins Hal to talk about the nonprofit tasked with the challenging but important role of sourcing organs for transplantation.

201: In Depth: Contractors and Shop Local

In segment one, Phil Washington explains what the EIP pledge is all about. Then, hear from Juan Garcia and Bethany White about how the LA Regional Contractor Development and Bonding program has helped their businesses compete with bigger businesses. Finally, Kelly LoBianco tells Hal about the county’s plan to get people to shop at and support local businesses.

200: In Depth: Thanksgiving Special

In segment one, In Depth looks back at the good news over the past year. Then, Marla Tellez is joined by Nick Kush, the co-founder of Legacy Expeditions. Also, take a look back at Debbie Pearl with Dream Fetchers.

199: Scams and hacks

Hal talks to cybercrime experts and the Better Business Bureau about how scams and hacks can affect business, kids, and you.