2018

S1.E1 ∙ Episode 101

Sat, Nov 17, 2018

Impact's premiere episode on Spectrum News 1 is a retrospective featuring content from its inception in 2001 to 2018. Exploring genres like food, religion, professions, animals, social justice issues, and more, the audience is introduced to our show.

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S1.E2 ∙ Episode 102

Sat, Dec 01, 2018

Impact Episode 102 explores the social implications of China's one-child policy, our need for aesthetically perfect produce, an organization that commemorates bicyclists killed by motorists, and a school that teaches hip hop to kids. Aging with One Child, produced by Mengchen Liu, looks at China's controversial one child policy and how it is taking a toll on an aging population. Imperfect, produced by Magali Gauthier, takes on America's need for perfect-looking produce and how it leads to an enormous amount of food waste. Ghost Bikes, produced by Sarah Politis and Nicolette Kelegian, introduces two activists who raise awareness of the dangers that cyclists face every day. And Hip Hop School of Arts, produced by Ashley Velez, takes us into a school that teaches Hip-Hop culture as a way to keep kids focused on art and off the streets.

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S1.E3 ∙ Episode 103

Sat, Dec 15, 2018

Impact Episode 103 profiles a family divided by borders, an artist keeping an ancient craft alive, and a mother teaching her child to communicate through technology. La Guerra, produced by Erin Ramirez, Eliana Velasco and Jillian Littleton, chronicles a family's struggles, as they're separated by U.S. immigration policy. Three sisters who are left behind, give us their perspectives on holding the family together. The Art of Michoacan, produced by Jasmine Espy, features an old world folk art, deeply rooted in Mexican tradition. In this documentary short, we meet a craftsman in Los Angeles who is keeping this ancient art form alive. And My Name is Maceo, produced by David McAlpine and Lexie Cook, introduces us to a young boy who cannot speak. Born with a disability, and through patience, persistence, and technology, he is slowly learning how to communicate with the world around him.

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S1.E4 ∙ Episode 104

Sat, Dec 29, 2018

Impact Episode 104 centers on a life transition: young students becoming young engineers, cancer patients becoming survivors, and stray animals becoming human companions. Rockets in the Projects, produced by Kate Greenberg, Damini Verma and Caleigh Wells, is about a group of at-risk youth in South Los Angeles who are part of a science education program. Their mentors are scientists, engineers, and police officers. By building rockets together, they're building bridges. Fighting Cancer, by Robert Kolanz and Kaitlin Propeck, introduces us to a football player, a reporter, a professor, and a mother, who all have something in common. They are among the one million Americans diagnosed with cancer every year. And in Forever Home, by Jenna Pittaway, we visit a woman in Central California who cares for hundreds of abandoned cats while she tries to find them homes.

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S1.E5 ∙ Episode 105

Sat, Jan 12, 2019

Impact Episode 105 looks at how sports can have a profound impact on people's lives. They can help develop meaningful relationships, heal old, painful wounds, and challenge stereotypes. Coach Goss, produced by Alexander Duplessis, Melody Jiang, and Nicholas Ring, focuses on a high school football coach who has been mentoring students for half a century. His tough love approach resonates, creating a loving family at home and on the field. Dance Was There, produced by Sarah Mitchell and Sarah Hansen, introduces us to a former Marine with PTSD who uses dance to cope with civilian life and heal from his past trauma. And in Breaking Barriers, produced by Kimberly Leoffler and Emily Thornburg, we meet two brave teens who are quick on their feet while busting stereotypes. One tackles dance, and the other just tackles.

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S1.E6 ∙ Episode 106

Sat, Jan 26, 2019

In Impact Episode 106, we go behind the scenes of a star-studded high school basketball team, learn a new theory of how ancient people came to America, and visit a Los Angeles mosque that has progressive ideas about religious leadership. Break the Rim, produced by Aaron Siegel, Scott Furniss and Max Goldwasser, features some of the top high school basketball players in the country and goes behind the scenes to see what it takes to become the best. Kelp Highway, produced by Alexander Wowra, unravels a theory of how Native Americans navigated their way to North America. And Breaking Tradition, produced by Rafael Garcia, Jr. and Kailyn Norwood, explores how Islam is deeply rooted in customs passed down from previous generations, but we meet a group of women who are breaking with tradition.

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S1.E7 ∙ Episode 107

Sat, Feb 23, 2019

In Impact Episode 107, we meet the family of a disabled young woman who is entering adulthood, visit a conservation center that protects an endangered species of primates, and talk to a family cultivating a small farm in urban Los Angeles. In Kendall, produced by Caitlyn Hines, we meet a southern California family who faces long-term care decisions for their disabled family member, Kendall. Nearly 5 million adults in the United States have intellectual or developmental disabilities, and 75% of them are cared for by their families. In The Gibbon Center, produced by Max Schwartz and Rachel Scott, we visit a conservation center that promotes the study and care of gibbons through public education and habitat preservation. And in Urban Farming, produced by Ana Luisa Gonzalez, we visit a small farm, just three miles from downtown Los Angeles. The Flores family shows us that sustainability is possible by farming in a densely populated urban setting.

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S1.E8 ∙ Episode 108

Sat, Feb 09, 2019

In Impact Episode 108, we spend time in a faith-based addiction center, profile a musically-inclined robot, learn a bit more about knives, and investigate Islamophobia in the United States. Sober, produced by Evan Pondel, centers around a different kind of drug rehab center. Led by Rabbi Mark Borovitz, Beit T'Shuvah is the first addiction treatment facility centered in Judaism, the 12 Steps, and psychotherapy. Dub Robot, produced by Lauren Hanano and Alejandra Rubalcava, profiles sound engineer and musician Brian Wallace shows off his time machine and introduces us to Jamaican dub music. Knives, a short produced by Samuel Osborn, introduces us to a man who has a love of sharp objects. And Islamophobia, produced by Kiran Alvi, Sabrina Elfarra, and Asim Bharwani, gives perspective to this complex and harrowing issue through an unlikely friendship.

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S1.E9 ∙ Episode 109

Sat, Mar 09, 2019

In Impact Episode 109, we hear harrowing tales from World War II, explore the arts through ancient traditions and modern practices, and venture through downtown Los Angeles to witness a historic revitalization effort. Survival, produced by Michael Green, uncovers a piece of his family's history through the lens of his own grandparents. Bernie and Adele Green tell us their stories of survival through one of the greatest atrocities in human history, the Holocaust. Kendo, produced by Samuel Osborn, takes a look at the ancient martial art and how Japanese-Americans are keeping old world traditions alive through new generations. Charlotte, a documentary short produced by James Cutchin, showcases a French-born artist who has paved her own path in the City of Angels. And Revitalizing Broadway, produced by Vanessa Okoth-Obbo, takes a look at the ongoing revitalization efforts in downtown Los Angeles. While the luster of Broadway has faded since the early 20th century, there are projects underway to restore some of its glory.

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S1.E10 ∙ Episode 110

Sat, Mar 23, 2019

In Impact Episode 110, we head to Las Vegas to spend time with drag queens and bodybuilders. Then later in the show, we take part in a bizarre movie-going experience. The Other Side of Drag, produced by Sean Patrick Lewis, Andrea Kowalchik, and Nicole Fukuoka, takes us beyond the wigs and the makeup and into the world of drag queens. These men are often stigmatized for their lifestyles, but they find solace in dressing and performing as women. Female Bodybuilder, produced by Tallie Johnson, enters the competitive world of bodybuilding, with our guide, a 65-year-old woman named Ruby Pikes. Ruby may be older than most of her peers, but she is certainly giving them a run for their money. And Rocky Horror Picture Show, produced by Xin Li and Casey Prottas, showcases a diverse group of performers who put an odd spin on an iconic film. At the Nuart Theater in Los Angeles, The Rocky Horror Picture Show becomes the nexus of a musical and a film, creating an immersive experience for the audience.

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S1.E111 ∙ Episode 111

Sat, Mar 30, 2019

In Impact Episode 111, we explore the spirit of human perseverance in the face of tragedy here and abroad. Home in the Heart, produced by Ben Mohay, shows how a Hungarian scouting program is keeping heritage alive for generations to come. America is home to many immigrants who seek refuge during times of conflict, and in the 1960s, Los Angeles welcomed a Hungarian community that is an important part of our culture. Ojai Fires, produced by Samuel Ribakoff, introduces us to Ojai, California, one of the communities devastated by fire in recent years. Our story shows that compassion and resilience have helped this small town where so many lost their homes. Between climate change, people living closer to nature, and man-made factors, California has seen a significant increase in wildfires.

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S1.E112 ∙ Episode 112

Sat, Apr 13, 2019

In Impact Episode 112 we embark on a different kind of quest through L.A. We meet a network of budding DJs, a fiercely independent musician, and people committed to growing their own produce in the heart of our city. Crossfade, produced by Bruno Correa, follows several young DJs as they navigate the Los Angeles nightclub scene. Do It Herself, produced by Julia Gibson, introduces us to Taleen Kali, an independent artist trying to break into the music industry on her own. And in Urban Gardening, produced by Priyadarshini Sen, we meet a young family and a local organization that are examples of how city dwellers can get in on the farming act.

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S1.E113 ∙ Episode 113

Sat, Apr 27, 2019

In Impact Episode 113, we go to an equestrian center whose mission is connecting people to horses, and then we take a look at immigration policy in the U.S. through the story of man formerly detained by ICE. Rose Bowl Riders, produced by Wulan Kenjiahan, we meet the organization that has spent over 60 years promoting greater access to horses for families in Pasadena.Nestled at the foot of the historic Arroyo Seco and Angeles National Forest, Rose Bowl Riders provides a venue for skilled equestrian riders to compete in exhibitions and bond with horses. The Waiting Game, produced by Amber Bragdon and Joshua Cohen, follows a former detainee as he tells of his dream to build a life in California, only, his dreams were shattered when he was held at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, one of the most controversial immigrant holding facilities.

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S1.E114 ∙ Episode 114

Sat, May 11, 2019

In Impact Episode 114, we discover what it truly means to persevere from a paralympic athlete, how learning is a challenge for one woman in and out of the classroom, and how an off-hand joke turned into a blossoming business. In Paralympics, produced by Victoria Berggren and Chanele Czopp, we meet a US Paralympic athlete who overcomes multiple setbacks as he trains to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. In Read My Voice, produced by Chinwai Christy Wong, we meet a hearing-impaired woman from China who speaks three languages but hearing is a challenge for her. We follow along as she decides to take on a new language, American Sign Language. All Flavor No Grease, produced by JT Arowosaye, Aziza Kasumov and Sanika Bhargaw, takes us to the streets of Watts, California to see a new food truck. All Flavor No Grease was founded by Keith Garrett after a friend joked that he should start selling tacos. Now, it's one of the most bustling taco trucks around.

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S1.E115 ∙ Episode 115

Sat, May 25, 2019

In Impact Episode 115, we go inside an organization that uses music to help seniors with dementia, talk to car enthusiasts embracing the culture of low-riding, and visit a growing cohort within the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Spoiler alert, they're not men. Memory of Music, produced by Alejandra Ramos, focuses on the effects that music, especially singing, can have on people with dementia. Our story introduces us to an organization that has a music therapy program. Slow and Low, produced by Helen Arase, explores the subculture of low-riding. And Female Firefighters, produced by Sarah McGrew, we meet pioneering women who are joining the ranks at the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Fewer than 5% are on the job now, but that number is growing.

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