In a Minute with Evan Lovett

Normally, companies are nameless, faceless, soulless entities. . .but there are four L.A. Companies that transcend just "doing business" - in fact, these four companies are BELOVED for their significant roles in L.A.'s history, culture, & communities. From sole proprietors to Mom & Pops, businesses are the lifeblood of Los Angeles - but these are the four that make the L.A. Mount Rushmore of Companies. Let's get into it!

Before there was Disneyland, Bob Gurr was part of Walt Disney's secret team. One of the original Disney Imagineers, Gurr designed Matterhorn, Autopia, Monorail, Haunted Mansion and anything on wheels at Disneyland. A true Disney legend, he is also an L.A. Native and regales us with stories of how L.A. has changed over his 90+ years - and what he likes best about Disneyland, even if he didn't design it!

In 1969, UCLA Computer Science Professor Leonard Kleinrock led a team of scientists in a project to get two computers to 'talk' to each other. Lo and behold, the experiment worked. . .and ARPAnet was created, laying the groundwork for the internet. Nearly 60 years later, Kleinrock is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at UCLA, still teaching - and still creating groundbreaking work, including forays into AI. A wildly endearing, vivacious, witty intellect, meet the man I call "the Vin Scully of Computer Science" - a person that truly belongs on the Los Angeles Mount Rushmore.

KROQ was an L.A. institution for decades, but they hit rock bottom a decade ago, plummeting to 23rd in the ratings. But thanks to Kevin Klein & Ally Johnson, KROQ is back on top as a purveyor of culture & great music in L.A. We talk to Klein/Ally about their origin stories, how they dealt with years of near-failure, and what the secret was to the station's miraculous turnaround.

L.A. City Controller Kenneth Mejia ran a grassroots campaign to win his election in 2022. He's still upholding his campaign promises by pushing for transparency in L.A.'s finances. The first Filipino to win citywide office in Los Angeles, Mejia's unorthodox approach has created unprecedented attention for a position that is often opaque. And of course we get into his origin story and vision for the future of Los Angeles. . .and his favorite Filipino foods!

I sit down with my dog Zoey. . .and Matt Nelson, the creator of WeRateDogs, Thoughts of Dog, founder of the 15/10 Foundation and host of the podcast The Dogs Were Good (again) to find out how Matt took his love of dogs worldwide. He's compiled more than 25 million followers while helping place so many deserving pooches in loving homes. Hear how Matt turned his viral fame into real-world impact through his 15/10 Foundation, supporting dogs in need and giving back to the community that’s made him famous. And let's find out what rating he's going to give Zoey!!! @dog_rates @dog_feelings

I sit down with worldwide phenomenon Kaskade, discussing how a kid from Chicago ended up in L.A. as the post popular DJ/producer/songwriter in the world. It was that origin in Southern California that was a life changing move and inspiration for his signature sonic sound. He also opens up about how his career put him in a position to be a PIONEER of the Las Vegas pool party scene, the first DJ ever at a Super Bowl, and having the largest single-day concert by an electronic artist. This is a true peak behind the curtain of one of the most popular acts this century.

From pop-up to pitmaster, Burt Bakman describes his unlikely rise from realtor to one of L.A.'s most revered BBQ pitmasters. An Israeli immigrant, Burt tells us how one fateful trip to Austin inspired his beloved Trudy's Underground Barbecue, which led to Slab, and working alongside Wolfgang Puck. A true 'Only in L.A.' story with a one-of-a-kind figure. . . .and of course, there's his Daily Hummus!

The first Latina elected to a Citywide office in Los Angeles HISTORY, Hydee Feldstein Soto is the 43rd City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles. Her inspirational story as a Jewish Puerto Rican is symbolic of the opportunity in world's melting pot of L.A. Her no-nonsense approach is a breath of fresh air in a world of bureaucracy, and her track record of fighting corruption and human trafficking shows that her intelligence, leadership can lead to real progress.

Thrilled to have my dear friend, as well as a partner of L.A. in a Minute, Mr. David Yerulshalmi of Injuryneeds on the podcast to tell his unreal story! His upbringing and how he dealt with and overcame adversity. . . much of it self-inflicted, to become a Power Attorney in Beverly Hills is truly inspiring! This is first time really opening up, and I'm honored to have him here with me to share it. This is a Can’t Miss Episode for all you ambitious folks out there!

The Los Angeles media landscape is getting a huge jolt as the California Post launches today for print & digital. With the continued struggles of the L.A. Times and the Daily News anodyne coverage, News Corp. and the New York Post see the opportunity for "A new era of common sense and accountability in California" and Los Angeles. We sit down with Dylan Hernandez & Jack Harris, two recent defectors from the L.A. Times, to get the inside scoop.

Eli Lipmen, Executive Director of MoveLA joins the show to discuss The Future of Transportation in Los Angeles. As L.A. races to ‘be transit-ready’ for the World Cup, Super Bowl, & Olympics, will the billions spent have a substantial impact on our City? Lipmen talks about the funding from Measure R & Measure M and what progress is being made throughout our city from the billions of dollars generated.

L.A. is the land of film, and there have been thousands of movies made about L.A. These are the Top 5 Films that Define MY L.A. - and I want your feedback. What did I miss? What shouldn't have made the top 5? Also - do you know the FIRST movies ever made in L.A.? And the consummate L.A. movie that you MUST watch but haven't heard of? Let's get into it!

As L.A. continues to rebound in 2026, here are 10 things that will absolutely be on your radar. 2:40 - #1: The Mayoral Election 4:56 - #2: NBA All-Star Weekend Returns to L.A. (Feb. 13-15, 2026) 7:09 - #3: The FIFA World Cup Comes to Los Angeles (June 11-July 19, 2026) 10:08 - #4: ICE Raids, Immigration Enforcement, and a city on Edge 11:15 - #5: Hollywood at a Crossroads 12:30 - #6: LAX Automated People Mover (est. Fall 2026) 15:04 - #7: Affordable Housing 18:25 - #8: Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (est. Sept. 22, 2026) 21:16 - #9: Burbank Airport's New Terminal 23:12 - #10 "L.A. In a Minute" & "In a Minute w/ Evan Lovett"

My wife Irene of Designstiles joins the show to give you the REAL answers to all your questions. From our L.A. faves to the “secret tunnels” to how we met - and how she tolerates me! - we get into it in an AMA that is completely unfiltered, and maybe just a little bit adorable!