“The immediacy of writing online has become part of my brain.”

by Brettany ShannonApril 12, 2018

Well, actually… this #LAHashtagsHerself conversation with Curbed’s Alissa Walker is amazing. Listen to Alissa talk about her journalistic practice dedicated to “looking at LA problems and trying to figure out how we can solve problems in a way that help the most people, whether it’s homelessness or transportation or housing or trying to get a ferry running in Santa Monica Bay,” and how she “welcome[s] people to challenge my ideas, to tell me that I’m wrong, because it only makes me want to find even better solutions to problems.”

Stream the interview on this page, or you can download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, or GooglePlay.

LA-Más: “Our proposal is going to be so radical because it’s going to be possible”

by Brettany ShannonMarch 29, 2018

LA-Más is changing the way we understand and experience Los Angeles communities. Listen to this great conversation to learn how Elizabeth and Helen achieve this. Spoiler alert: they collaborate and, as Elizabeth says, they seek out radical solutions within the possible approaches.

Stream the interview on this page, or you can download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, or GooglePlay.

Lisa Schweitzer on flourishing as the central human value of urban planning

by Brettany ShannonMarch 15, 2018

This season is about amplifying the important work that incredible women do in and for this city of Los Angeles, and I can think of no one better to open our current series than Professor of Urban Planning at USC, Dr. Lisa Schweitzer.

LA#Herself is produced by Aubrey Hicks, Jonathan Schwartz, and myself and mixed by Corey Hedden. Stream the interview on this page, or you can download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, or Google Play.

Lunch with a Leader: Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Councilmember, 8th District of Los Angeles

by Bedrosian CenterJanuary 25, 2018

Marqueece Harris-Dawson is a member of the Los Angeles City Council, representing District 8 since 2015. This 18 square-mile district geographically ranges from Baldwin Hills to Watts and all the middle-class neighborhoods in-between. From the greatest concentration of African American wealth to the least. Beautiful well-maintained homes to areas of blight. Within 18 months of being sworn in,…

What’s Lost in the Transition from Refugee to American Citizen

by Anthony W. OrlandoOctober 3, 2017

What becomes of a refugee when they’re no longer a refugee? We spend so much time talking about migration caps and vetting that we seem to ignore all the Americans living amongst us, trying to acclimate to their new country after the harrowing journey from their former homeland. Would it surprise you to learn that they start their new life in substantial debt? Or that they don’t have many of the basic items they need to live, let alone feel like a human being? Wouldn’t you like to know how you can help?

In this episode, Miry Whitehill tells us the inspirational story of how she started helping these former refugee families—and how she created an easy way for you to help them too. She created MirysList.org.

To listen to this episode of Our American Discourse, click the arrow in the player here. Or download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, or Google Play, Stitcher, or your favorite podcasting app – click the links or search “usc bedrosian.”

Mandatory Voter Turnout – The Right Solution?

by Bedrosian CenterOctober 2, 2017

In this last piece in his “mandatory voting” series, Matt explains why he sees requiring voter turnout as the solution we should pursue, over many different options.

The most common “feature” of our current system—and one that would be maintained with most of these other electoral changes—is that even if your view “wins” at the polls, that does not mean that you represent the majority, but rather the majority of the most privileged.

Barriers to a Mandatory Voter Turnout Law

by Bedrosian CenterSeptember 25, 2017

Matt Schauer, Master of Public Administration candidate (2018), returns to the topic of mandatory voting. In this post, he addresses some of the common arguments against the policy proposal as well as obstacles to implementation.

Last time I talked about the system that would be designed and the various benefits we would enjoy because of a mandatory voter turnout law. Now I cover some of the obstacles to overcome.

Requiring me to vote tramples my First Amendment right to free speech. How dare you!

The Extreme Benefits of Moderate Politicians

by Bedrosian CenterSeptember 18, 2017

Matt Schauer, Master of Public Administration candidate (2018), returns with a look at the benefits and drawbacks of mandatory voting.

You know your wacky neighbor or uncle always spouting some loony policy that no one seems to agree with, but somehow manages to be supported at election time, every time? These ideological extremists would be drowned out with a mandatory voting law.

How?

The High Cost of Low Voter Turnout

by Bedrosian CenterSeptember 12, 2017

In Matt’s second piece on mandatory voting, he asks about the cost of low voter turnout.

Our society is made up of a wide range of groups with very different needs and aspirations, and therefore have different requirements of their candidates at election time. Thus, who actually participates has real material consequences in our community. So out of those who do choose to vote, who specifically is turning out?

Why So Many Women Can’t Access Health Care

by Anthony W. OrlandoSeptember 6, 2017

In Imperial County, just outside San Diego, 5.5 percent of teenage girls become pregnant every year. Twice the rate in the rest of California. Why is teen pregnancy so rampant here, when it’s been declining to record lows statewide? And why has it received so little attention? My guest solved both of these mysteries. What she found will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about women’s health care—and the politics that determine whether it’s accessible for all.

In this episode, inspirational speaker and social work professor Melissa Bird brings us face-to-face with American women who form the very bedrock of their communities—and their incredible, invisible struggle to take care of themselves.

To listen to this episode of Our American Discourse, click the arrow in the player here. Or you can download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, or Google Play.

University of Southern California

Bedrosian Center

An applied research center at the USC Price School of Public Policy

civic engagement