The Hidden History of Los Angeles podcast is hosted and produced by Robert Petersen. When he is not working on the podcast, Robert is a Deputy Attorney General for the State of California. He is also a musician who has worked with a wide variety of artists including Snoop Dogg, Miguel, Mary Lambert, Benny Cassette, Pierre De Reeder (Rilo Kiley), Gwendolyn Sanford and Brandon Jay (Weeds, Orange is the New Black), and Aaron Freeman (Ween). Robert was born and raised in Pasadena and attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts where he majored in music. He received a BA in history from U.C. Berkeley and a law degree from UCLA.
If you have a question or comment, you can contact Robert at robert@hiddenhistoryla.com
Photo by John Rabe
Los Angeles Magazine listed the Hidden History of Los Angeles as one of the "podcasts about L.A. you must subscribe to ASAP."
CBS Los Angeles included the Hidden History of Los Angeles in their list of the "Best Locally-Focussed Podcasts About Los Angeles."
Smithsonian Magazine included the Hidden History of Los Angeles in their guide to "Learn the Script History of Your State With These Addictive Podcasts."
Stories from the Hidden History of Los Angeles have appeared on KPCC 89.3 FM:
Hidden History: Is this a mile marker in Pasadena? Or a tombstone?
Hidden History of LA: The murderous lover who lived in a Silver Lake attic
The Hidden History of LA: The mayor who helped lynch a man
Hidden History: Mack Robinson, Jackie's long overlooked brother
Happy 120th Griffith Park, but your founder was a jerk
Commemorating LA's Chinese Massacre, possibly the worst lynching in US history
“For the past three years, Robert Petersen has been schooling his Hidden History of Los Angeles podcast listeners on L.A.'s past, covering everything from city planning ... to how L.A. got its name. His podcast installments ... serve as a basic 101 introduction course to the city's history.”
Curbed LA wrote about an interview Robert did with John Rabe for Off Ramp on KPCC about the dirst lot at the corner of First between Browadway and Spring.
Robert was interviewed by LAist about the Hidden History of Los Angeles podcast.
“A podcast to bring you closer to L.A. … Each episode ranges from 5 to 20 minutes with exciting insight into places you walk past every day. You are left with a new fascination with Los Angeles and a sincere connection to the city you never really knew.”
“A recent podcast by Robert Petersen, publisher of Hidden History of Los Angeles, provides an excellent overview of LA’s early rail system, with a particular focus on the city’s first subway tunnel in downtown. I highly recommend you check it out.”
The Hidden History of Los Angeles was listed as one of the podcasts that LA chefs download.
The Hidden History of Los Angeles was listed as one of LA's best podcasts for kids.
Robert was quoted in an L.A. Times article about Josh Nelson's Discovery Project album 'Thy Sky Remains.'
Robert was interviewed about Los Angeles on NPR's Jazz Night in America.
Robert was featured as an alumni spotlight by UCLA School of Law.
Robert was interviewed by The Journalist regarding places to visit in Los Angeles.
Robert has been interviewed on Take Two on KPCC 89.3FM as part of their Throwback Thursday series which highlights Los Angeles history:
A plaque in Old Town Pasadena doesn't tell the whole story
The mystery of Irwindale's holes
Robert was interviewed on KQED's California Report Magazine about an auction of Native Americans that took place in 1850s Los Angeles
KQED's California Report Magazine
Robert was quoted in an LAist article about the history of the 2 freeway.
The Little Known History Behind LA's Most Tolerable Freeway
The Hidden History of Los Angeles was included in a Fodors.com article titled "10 Ways to Visit Los Angeles From the Comfort of Your Own Home."
Robert was interviewed about Los Angeles history on the Life Hacks LA podcast.
The Hidden History of Los Angeles podcast was featured in the article "8 Los Angeles Podcasts We’re Obsessed with Right Now."