2018

S2.E1 ∙ Episode 201

Sat, Sep 28, 2019

In Impact Episode 201, we spend time at an addiction-recovery center, open the Impact archives for a story about Freeganism, and meet a gardener who's turning empty lots into community food sources. Road to Hope, produced by Brittany Hope, Taylor Edghill and Garrett Schwartz, sheds light on a supportive sisterhood and a willingness to change. These principles are part of what's expected inside a place called The Hope House, a live-in rehabilitation program for women dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction. Freeganism features activists who hunt for food waste, where their efforts center on dumpster diving. And in Master Gardener, produced by Emily Fuller, we meet a man who turns unused dirt lots in Los Angeles into plentiful gardens. His dream is to transform the byproducts of urban sprawl into food sources for a community network.

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S2.E2 ∙ Episode 202

Sat, Oct 12, 2019

In Impact Episode 202, we explore diverse communities across southern California through change-making individuals. We meet an Armenian veteran who fights for LGBTQ equality, a trans woman standing up against hate crimes, and a Haitian immigrant with "temporary status" in the United States. Embracing Community, produced by Asligul Armagan, Sanaya Chandar and Ketaki Sharma, explores the intersection between modern and traditional cultures as a mother and her son work toward acceptance of his identity as both an LGBTQ individual and an Armenian. In I Am Chandi, produced by Tarangini Ruff, Aziza Kasumov and Dani Endlich, we meet an HIV-prevention activist who is standing up for herself and her community to put a stop to these hate crimes. And in Temporary Status, produced by Lauren Floyd, we explore the opportunities and the disadvantages that some Haitian immigrants experience while living under the Temporary Protected Status system.

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S2.E3 ∙ Episode 203

Sat, Oct 26, 2019

In Impact Episode 203, we explore a south Los Angeles high school football team bringing hope to the community, the deep bonds of lowrider bike culture, and a rapper whose music is preserving and passing on an ancient language. Football, produced by Keith Demolder, is a sport that fosters a special connection between family, friends, and fans. At Manual Arts High School, that bond is something even greater. This team gives young men an opportunity to overcome the everyday struggles they encounter in their community. Lowrider Bikes, produced by Jocelyn Woods and William Nguyen, dives into the culture and the skill interwoven into the artform. Members of the low-rider community break down stereotypes and give us a look into how their creative expression is grounded in their family roots. And in Trilingual Rapper, produced by Claudia Buccio, we meet a trilingual musician who works to preserve his native culture by rapping in English, Spanish, and the ancient language Mixtec.

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S2.E4 ∙ Episode 204

Sat, Nov 09, 2019

In Impact Episode 204, we meet an artist who has turned his disillusionment into beauty, give the next generation a platform to talk about social media platforms, and follow a hair stylist who cuts hair for the homeless when he's not cutting hair for celebrities. Randyland, produced by Erica Feldfeber and Daniela Silva, we meet the Randy behind the large assemblage of colored glass bottles looming over Echo Park. That sculpture is called "Phantasma Gloria", and it only exists in a place called Randyland. In Lost Generation, produced by Sophia Kim and Mason Leib, we spend time with a group of high school students who, like their peers, are steeped in social media day in and day out. They speak candidly about its effects on them. And in Beyond the Cut, produced by Rachel Sherman, we meet a man who's using his personal experience with addiction and homelessness, and his stylist qualifications, to serve the homeless population of LA.

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S2.E5 ∙ Episode 205

Sat, Nov 23, 2019

In Impact Episode 205, we meet three Asian-American artists working toward their dreams that are often against their parents' expectations, and we enter the world of doulas, women who help pregnant women through the birth process. In A Doula in the Room, produced by Arlissa Norman, we meet a man who lost his wife during childbirth, and we learn about doulas, women who are helping to solve this problem. The Centers for Disease Control has said that there is a higher risk of mortality during childbirth for black women and Native Americans. And in 626 Creatives, produced by Denise Chan, we meet three Asian-Americans who are pursuing their dream careers in the arts. And they came from the San Gabriel Valley, area code 626.

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S2.E6 ∙ Episode 206

Sat, Dec 07, 2019

In Impact Episode 206, we follow the struggles of street vendors in Los Angeles and see that brewing beer doesn't always require a brewery. In Street Vendors, produced by Emily Fuller, we meet Danny and Merced, two vendors in Los Angeles. We see what it takes for them to do their work within L.A.'s regulatory environment. In South Central Brewing, produced by Jordan Winters, we follow three craft beer lovers as they strive to create a taste of South Los Angeles through the artform of homebrewing.

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S2.E7 ∙ Episode 207

Sat, Dec 21, 2019

In Impact Episode 207, we have three stories about some creative artisans. We meet violin makers, a man working to keep traditional music instruments alive, and some graffiti artists who talk about their art. Violin Maker, produced by Jiahui Lin, follows two violin makers who share their love for the instrument, and their process of how they are preserving an old world craft. In Ancient Sounds, produced by Yingjie Wang, we meet an interesting character, a self-taught artist who brings us some of the sounds of ancient Mexico with instruments that he creates and plays. And Freehand Graffiti, produced by Claire Heddles, introduces some graffiti artists from the past whose works have become part of the iconic art look of Los Angeles.

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S2.E8 ∙ Episode 208

Sat, Jan 04, 2020

Impact Episode 208 features people fighting against stereotypes to be able to succeed in their field. We meet women breaking into stand-up comedy, and high school students following their passion for tap dance. Funny as a Woman, produced by Yaman Wen, follows a group of Asian women meeting the challenge of being in a male dominated industry. And in Winging It, produced by Gabrielle Gonta, a group of high schoolers prepare for a national dance competition. Join us as we dive into the world of tap dancing.

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S2.E9 ∙ Episode 209

Sat, Jan 18, 2020

In Impact Episode 208, southern California is a backdrop for stories about community art and athletics. We watch a high-tech team bring a futuristic 60 ton sculpture back to life, we meet people who create art from trash, and then we turn our lens to a game of pickup basketball. Triforium, produced by Chuhan Jie, introduces us to an unusual sculpture in downtown Los Angeles. When artist Joseph Young designed the Triforium sculpture in the 1970's, the technology required to completely fulfill his vision didn't yet exist. Today, however, thanks to an effort known as The Triforium Project, the sixty-foot high musical installation is getting a second chance to inspire awe. Zero Waste Art, produced by Alexandra Chan, we meet up with some artists who are doing their part to address the fact that the U.S. is expected to run out of room in landfills by 2036. And in Pickup Basketball, produced by Jocelyn Woods and William Nguyen, we go between Fairfax and LaBrea, where there's a community basketball court at Pan Pacific Park. On weekend mornings you can find neighborhood players who have staked their claim to the courts for an ongoing game of pickup basketball.

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S2.E10 ∙ Episode 210

Sat, Feb 22, 2020

In Impact Episode 210, we reach into our archives to bring inspiring stories to our Spectrum audience. Since our inception in 2001, Impact's mission has been to introduce students to documentary so that they can profile people from Los Angeles and beyond. Looking back we found stories that are just as important today as they were when they were originally produced. One thing is certain, Impact students are always digging for stories that are interesting and often bring little-known slices of the world around us.

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S2.E11 ∙ Episode 211

Sat, Mar 21, 2020

In Impact Episode 211, we meet a team of hard-hitting roller skaters, see how one man is embracing his ancestry through rugs, and spend time with veterans of the Vietnam War. In Roller Derby, produced by Sam Schwartz, we meet Angel City Derby, a competitive women's skating league in L.A. Stick around and meet some of the players from the team. In Woven in Time, produced by Shusha Minasian, we meet a man who honors his family's traditions with the age-old process of weaving rugs. And in The Walking Wounded, produced by Meagan Burke, we meet Vietnam veterans who are finally being honored for their service.

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S2.E12 ∙ Episode 212

Sat, Apr 11, 2020

In Impact Episode 212, we feature stories about two very different immigrant experiences. First, we meet a famous Argentinian painter who shares his history of hardships that lead him to artistic success in America. Then, former Russian citizens talk about fleeing their country to avoid persecution or even death just for being true to themselves. A New Era, produced by Colin Charles Dale, profiles artist Fabian Perez. When he arrived in the United States at the age of 29, he was an Argentinian immigrant with nowhere to go and a dream of becoming a professional painter. Today, Perez is well-known, throughout the world, as a figurative artist. He lives a rich life, but the road to get here was paved with struggle. System Rejected, produced by Shusha Minasian, we see the reason for an increase in Russian asylum seekers that centers on a political atmosphere against people having their own beliefs about who they are.

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