LA Made: The Barbie Tapes from LAist Studios

Listen • 32:24

Episode 3

Listen • 32:24

The Barbie Tapes: When Girls--and Barbie--Could Do Anything

In this episode, Ruth and Elliot Handler are gone, and the new Mattel team, led by a man who feared the volatility of the toy business, diversified the company and made a big gamble on electronics. It didn’t work. Fortunately, Barbie ends up in the sure hands of some trailblazing women executives, who could see that the culture was moving in a direction very compatible with Barbie’s persona. From the workforce to the workout, Barbie was a doll of her times.

This podcast is supported by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.
Listen • 32:36

Episode 2

Listen • 32:36

The Barbie Tapes: Battle of the Bulge

For Barbie, the cultural upheaval of the 60s and 70s incites one identity crisis after another as Mattel tries to keep up with the times. On top of that, she has a new boyfriend to deal with. Ken's creation is a big hit for Barbie fans, but he’s facing a few growing pains of his own. In this episode, we investigate Ken's origin story, delve into the inner workings of Mattel, and hear how Barbie's inventor, Ruth Handler, was ousted from her own company.

This podcast is supported by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Show your support for LA Made: Blood, Sweat & Rockets today!

LAist Studios relies on your listener support to power the podcasts you love. Your donation today enables us to create more great podcasts for you.

Monthly Donation One-Time Donation

$5/mo

$15/mo

$30/mo

$60

$180

$360

Listen • 30:58

Listen • 30:58

The Barbie Tapes: A Toy is Born

When Barbie arrives on the toy scene in 1959, her celebrity is instantaneous, and not just because of her controversial appearance. Worldwide, Barbie is still the best-selling doll of all time. But Barbie has always been more than just a doll - she's a cultural touchstone. From prototype to prestige, this episode kicks off the origin story of Barbie as told by her creators in their own words.

This podcast is supported by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.
Listen • 1:08

Listen • 1:08

Introducing LA Made: The Barbie Tapes from LAist Studios

Season 2 of “LA Made” tells the true story of the making and marketing of the most famous doll in the world, Barbie, told by the people who did it. We’ll hear from Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler, who spent years trying to convince her own company to make a teen aged fashion doll.

From LAist Studios, “LA Made: The Barbie Tapes,” coming July 6, 2023.

M.G. Lord

Host, Writer

Antonia Cereijido

Host and Sound Designer, LAist

Shelley Lewis

Writer and Editor, LAist

Minju Park

Producer and Sound Designer, LAist

Shana Naomi Krochmal

Vice President, LAist Studios - Podcasting

Episodes

Listen • 4:45

Listen • 4:45

Introducing LA Made: Blood, Sweat & Rockets

From NASA sending astronauts to the moon to billionaires launching themselves into space, there’s something about the cosmos that inspires people to attempt the impossible. But none of those things might have happened if it weren’t for a group of unsung engineers in Pasadena back in the 1930s. They risked it all for the sake of blowing stuff up and changing the world. They were known as the “Suicide Squad.” This is their story.
Listen • 25:43

Transcript

Episode 1

Listen • 25:43

Blood, Sweat & Rockets: The Suicide Squad

Meet the Suicide Squad: Jack Parsons, Frank Malina, and their crew. They're a band of young engineers, chemists, and mathematicians who saw the limitless potential of aerospace before the field was even a field. In an effort to earn credibility, the squad plans a dramatic experiment — a critical proof of concept — to showcase a technology they believe could be the future of humanity. Will it succeed — or fail spectacularly?

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/ROCKETS

Transcript