While Los Angeles gets ready for the Olympics and World Cup, residents watch trash pile up in the places tourists never see. Chuck, Norm, and Carlee trace the links between auto‑oriented growth, a strained city budget, and basic services that can’t keep up. Through one neighborhood organizer’s Saturday cleanups, they show how garbage exposes which streets are truly cared for.
ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES

"Talking Trash" by Alissa Walker, Torched.la (February 2026)
Chuck Marohn (LinkedIn)
Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn)
Carlee Alm-LaBar (LinkedIn)
Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

 



















This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Upzoned

Strong Towns

What LA’s Trash Problem Reveals About Its Streets

APR 1, 202646 MIN
Upzoned

What LA’s Trash Problem Reveals About Its Streets

APR 1, 202646 MIN

Description

While Los Angeles gets ready for the Olympics and World Cup, residents watch trash pile up in the places tourists never see. Chuck, Norm, and Carlee trace the links between auto‑oriented growth, a strained city budget, and basic services that can’t keep up. Through one neighborhood organizer’s Saturday cleanups, they show how garbage exposes which streets are truly cared for. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES "Talking Trash" by Alissa Walker, Torched.la (February 2026) Chuck Marohn (LinkedIn) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Carlee Alm-LaBar (LinkedIn) Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.