History

Rowan Jacobsen travels deep into the Bolivian Amazon to uncover the chocolate's origins.

from Good Food

Essayist and poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil explains the laborious process of cultivating vanilla and the fragile state of its existence.

from Good Food

The new book “Den of Spies” chronicles the Reagan campaign’s efforts to delay the release of U.S. hostages in Iran to hurt President Jimmy Carter’s re-election chances.

The arms-for-hostages ‘October Surprise’ helped propel Reagan to White House

The new book “Den of Spies” chronicles the Reagan campaign’s efforts to delay the release of U.S. hostages in Iran to hurt President Jimmy Carter’s re-election chances.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The origin story of Miss Pamela Des Barres, the original queen of the groupies, author of the iconic memoir, I’m With the Band.

The true story of Pamela Des Barres, queen of the Groupies

The origin story of Miss Pamela Des Barres, the original queen of the groupies, author of the iconic memoir, I’m With the Band.

from Lost Notes

In 1973, fourteen-year old Valley girl Lori Lightning found herself as one of the teenage rulers of the Hollywood music scene.

When the Baby Groupies descended on the Sunset Strip

In 1973, fourteen-year old Valley girl Lori Lightning found herself as one of the teenage rulers of the Hollywood music scene.

from Lost Notes

Brigit Binns reflects on her dysfunctional LA childhood and how it delivered her to the kitchen and writing.

All that glitters isn't gold in Brigit Binns' new memoir

Brigit Binns reflects on her dysfunctional LA childhood and how it delivered her to the kitchen and writing.

from Good Food

An audio folk story examining the tradition of Black watermelon long-haulers, who drive to farms in the South for watermelon and sell them in Black neighborhoods around the US.

Chasing the Watermelon Man

An audio folk story examining the tradition of Black watermelon long-haulers, who drive to farms in the South for watermelon and sell them in Black neighborhoods around the US.

from Lost Notes

An audio folk story examining the tradition of Black watermelon long-haulers, who drive to farms in the South for watermelon and sell them in Black neighborhoods around the US.

Chasing the Watermelon Man

An audio folk story examining the tradition of Black watermelon long-haulers, who drive to farms in the South for watermelon and sell them in Black neighborhoods around the US.

from Special Programming

Archaeologist Tate Paulette explores ancient beers.

How ancient Mesopotamians made beer

Archaeologist Tate Paulette explores ancient beers.

from Good Food

The Line Fire has scorched The Keller Peak Fire Lookout Tower, which has been around for nearly 100 years, making it the oldest observatory in the Angeles National Forest.

Line Fire destroys historic lookout tower in SoCal. Can they rebuild?

The Line Fire has scorched The Keller Peak Fire Lookout Tower, which has been around for nearly 100 years, making it the oldest observatory in the Angeles National Forest.

from KCRW Features

Before streaming music, full albums were released on Tuesdays and required great preparation. KCRW examines the impact of a Sept. 11, 2001, release date on a few high-profile LPs.

Jay-Z, Ozomatli, Bob Dylan released albums on 9/11. What was the impact?

Before streaming music, full albums were released on Tuesdays and required great preparation. KCRW examines the impact of a Sept. 11, 2001, release date on a few high-profile LPs.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In December, a distinguished scholar of genocide told KCRW there wasn’t proof of Israel committing genocide in Gaza. He’s since changed his mind.

Prominent genocide scholar reevaluates the situation in Gaza

In December, a distinguished scholar of genocide told KCRW there wasn’t proof of Israel committing genocide in Gaza. He’s since changed his mind.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Lost Notes speaks with Gloria Jones (“Tainted Love”) for a wide-ranging and intimate conversation about her life and career.

Gloria Jones In Conversation

Lost Notes speaks with Gloria Jones (“Tainted Love”) for a wide-ranging and intimate conversation about her life and career.

from Lost Notes

USC Professor Geoff Cowan played a pivotal role in the reforms that came out of the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. Now he’s back in the Windy City for 2024’s DNC.

Tale of two conventions: Reflections on DNC 1968 and 2024

USC Professor Geoff Cowan played a pivotal role in the reforms that came out of the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. Now he’s back in the Windy City for 2024’s DNC.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The founder of Famous Amos Cookies, Wallace “Wally” Amos, died this week at age 88.

Son of late ‘Famous Amos’ reflects on dad’s joy and optimism

The founder of Famous Amos Cookies, Wallace “Wally” Amos, died this week at age 88.

from KCRW Features

The documentary “Sugarcane” reveals the painful history of Catholic-run boarding schools in the U.S. and Canada, where thousands of Native children suffered horrific abuse.

Inside the forced separation of Native kids and their parents in US and Canada

The documentary “Sugarcane” reveals the painful history of Catholic-run boarding schools in the U.S. and Canada, where thousands of Native children suffered horrific abuse.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In 1994, new records from bands such as The Cranberries, Massive Attack, Beck, and Portishead made their way into the American mainstream, thanks partly to KCRW.

A pivotal year for music from The Cranberries, Massive Attack, Beck

In 1994, new records from bands such as The Cranberries, Massive Attack, Beck, and Portishead made their way into the American mainstream, thanks partly to KCRW.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

How Lionel Richie and a Soul Train dancer helped take break dancing from the streets of LA to the Olympic stage, 40 years before becoming an official Olympic sport in Paris.

Breaking's 1984 LA Olympics debut: The untold story before Paris

How Lionel Richie and a Soul Train dancer helped take break dancing from the streets of LA to the Olympic stage, 40 years before becoming an official Olympic sport in Paris.

from KCRW Features

The new Hollywood Sign Digital Time Capsule is a place for everyone to submit art, photos, essays, and audio clips of what the iconic block letters mean to them.

Hollywood Sign Digital Time Capsule: What stories will you share?

The new Hollywood Sign Digital Time Capsule is a place for everyone to submit art, photos, essays, and audio clips of what the iconic block letters mean to them.

from KCRW Features

Podcast host and food historian Jessica Gingrich reports on the story of Robert King, who survived 31 years in prison where he cut sugarcane.

The brutal history of sugar cane and the sweet taste of Louisiana pralines

Podcast host and food historian Jessica Gingrich reports on the story of Robert King, who survived 31 years in prison where he cut sugarcane.

from Good Food