Episodios

  • Welcome to Foo Howser™ (Formerly Californiography)
    Jul 4 2025

    🎧 The podcast is back and it’s got a new name!

    Formerly known as Californiography, the show is now officially called Foo Howser™. Same host, same love for California’s history, food, people, roadside attractions, and everything in between… just with a name that matches the brand.

    In this trailer, I’m breaking down why the name changed, what’s staying the same, and what to expect in this new chapter of the podcast.

    Hit follow so you don’t miss the new episodes — coming soon to Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, and wherever you listen.

    Let’s keep exploring this great big backyard of ours we call California!🌴


    Music: "Squoosh!" By Jimit
    #FooHowser #CaliforniaHistory #PodcastTrailer #YourHistoryHomie

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    Menos de 1 minuto
  • Interview with Eric Craig from The South LA Recap
    Jul 25 2023

    In this episode I sit down and chat with Eric Craig from The South LA Recap. The South LA Recap is an online platform where he explores the vast history, neighborhoods, businesses, and people in South Los Angeles.

    Eric talks about his background and how it informs his work, I got to ask him questions about some of my favorite South LA Recap videos, and he shared a 1-Day South L.A. itinerary that foodies and history nerds can appreciate. 


    Follow The South LA Recap My Whittier on social media and at the links below:

    • Instagram: @southlarecap
    • YouTube: youtube.com/@SouthLARecap
    • Website: SouthLARecap.com


    Check out the History of Fatburger video here:

    https://tinyurl.com/5cbxvpun


    Check out my YouTube here (Don't forget to subscribe!): youtube.com/@californiography

    Follow me on social media:

    • Instagram @Californiography
    • TikTok @Californiography_
    • Twitter @Californiograph
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    1 h y 4 m
  • Duelin' Dips: The History of the French Dip Sandwich
    Jul 11 2023

    In this episode we dig into the history of the French Dip Sandwich and the 2 L.A. restaurants that claim to be the originators. We’ll take a look at each one’s origin story and examine the evidence to back each up. I’ll also tell you which one I believe the most, which one I prefer, and give you my go-to order at each one. 

    If you haven't seen my video on the French Dip Sandwich you can watch it on my YouTube channel: https://tinyurl.com/33pvn5bf

    (Don't forget to subscribe!)

    Follow me on social media:

    Instagram @Californiography

    TikTok @Californiography_

    Twitter @Californiograph

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    11 m
  • Interview with Bobby Ruiz of My Whittier
    Jun 26 2023

    In this episode I sit down for my 1st interview and chat with Bobby Ruiz of My Whittier. My Whittier is a social media platform where Bobby shares a local's perspective on all things Whittier, CA. He highlights small businesses, promotes community events, and explores the history behind iconic Whittier spots. He's also the person who encouraged me to start this podcast, so you know he had to be my 1st guest.

    Bobby shares his memories of growing up in Whittier, his inspiration for starting My Whittier, his favorite places to eat, and we discuss some notable Whittier locations like Oceanic Arts and the Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility.

    Follow My Whittier on social media and at the links below:

    • Instagram: @MyWhittier
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/mywhittier
    • YouTube: youtube.com/@MyWhittierTV
    • Podcast: https://shorturl.at/kluAT
    • Website: mywhittier.com

    Check out my YouTube here (Don't forget to subscribe!): youtube.com/@californiography

    Follow me on social media:

    • Instagram @Californiography
    • TikTok @Californiography_
    • Twitter @Californiograph
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    39 m
  • "Harpin' Boont:" The Secret Language of Boonville, California
    May 20 2023

    In this episode we "harp boont" and talk about the history of "Boontling;" the secret language of Boonville, California. One of the theories as to how it was created involves adults wanting to discuss taboo topics in front of the youngsters without them knowing what they were saying, so you know we're going to cover some of the words they created to talk about "adult topics." We're definitely going to get PG-13 in this episode.

    If you haven't seen my video on Boontling you can watch it on my YouTube and see what "Zeese" looked like: https://youtu.be/jfPhoZjbZtw

    (Don't forget to subscribe!)

    Follow me on social media:

    Instagram @Californiography

    TikTok @Californiography_

    Twitter @Californiograph

    You can learn more about Boontling and the history of Boonville by checking out these references:

    • “Boontling: An American Lingo” by Charles C. Adams
    • “A Wee Deek On Boont Harpin’s” by The Boontlingers Club
    • “English to Boontling” by Judy Belshe-Toernblom 
    • “Harpin’ Bont: A Small Town’s Secret Language” by Jacqueline Adams
    • “Images of America: Anderson Valley” by the Anderson Valley Historical Society pg. 33-42

    You can support the mission of the Anderson Valley Historical Society by purchasing the books from them here: https://www.andersonvalleymuseum.org/


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    13 m
  • Menagerie Madness: The Animal Farms of the Southland
    May 5 2023

    In this episode we talk about another one of my favorite subjects, the animal farms that were very popular in the early 20th century. 

    We take a road trip to visit four examples of these animal themed attractions that once dotted the Southland. 

    You can watch the videos I made about Gay’s Lion Farm and Cawston Ostrich Farm on my YouTube https://tinyurl.com/5ck6c8vf  (Don't forget to subscribe!)

    Follow me on social media:

    Instagram @Californiography

    TikTok @Californiography_

    Twitter @Californiograph

    You can learn more about the California Alligator Farm and Monkey Island by checking out these References:

    • “Those Queer and Always Interesting Animals:” The California Alligator Farm, Los Angeles, 1908-1930” by Paul R Spitzzeri. The Homestead Museum Blog, July 6, 2022. 
    • “Reptile Farm Gave L.A. a Wild Time” by Cecilia Rasmussen, The L.A. Times. Aug. 3, 1997.
    • “LAistory: Monkey Island” by Lindsay Williams-Ross, LAist. Jan. 23,2009. 
    • “Monkey Business: The Lost Monkey Islands of Los Angeles” by Hadley Meares, KCET. Oct. 5, 2017. 

    If you want to learn more about Gay's Lion Farm or Cawston Ostrich Farm, check out the video descriptions on YouTube, the references are listed there.


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    18 m
  • Los Chorizeros of East L.A. and the Importance of Baseball in Mexican American Communities
    Mar 18 2023

    In this episode we talk about Los Chorizeros, "the New York Yankees of L.A. Baseball" and the important role that baseball played in Mexican American communities in Los Angeles and beyond.

    You can watch the video I made about Los Chorizeros on my YouTube ⁠ https://tinyurl.com/Chorizeros-YouTube-Video (Don't forget to subscribe!)

    Follow me on social media:

    ⁠Instagram⁠ @Californiography

    ⁠TikTok⁠ @Californiography_

    ⁠Twitter⁠ @Californiograph

    You can read the article from Francisco E. Balderrama and Richard A. Santillan that I relied heavily on for this episode here:

    https://tinyurl.com/Chorizeros-Article 

    You can find the the list of "Mexican American Baseball In..." books here:

    https://tinyurl.com/MexicanAmerican-Baseball-Books

    You can learn more about the Institute for Baseball Studies here:

    https://tinyurl.com/Institute-for-Baseball-Studies

    You can learn more about the Latino Baseball History Project here:

    https://tinyurl.com/Latino-Baseball-Hist-Project



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    10 m
  • Programmatic Architecture or What Do a Tamale, Windmill, Chili Bowl, and Dinosaurs Have in Common?
    Feb 24 2023

    In this episode we talk about one of my favorite subjects: Programmatic Architecture. 

    We take a road trip to visit four examples of this architectural style and learn the history behind the iconic buildings.

    You can watch the my video playlist on Programmatic Architecture on my YouTube shorturl.at/FMQ36 (Don't forget to subscribe!)

    Follow me on social media:

    Instagram @Californiography

    TikTok @Californiography_

    Twitter @Californiograph

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    15 m