Hey hey!

I’m Marie, KCRW’s newest Audience Intern, and I’m so thrilled to make my Insider debut! As a part of the LA County Arts & Culture internship program, I’m lucky enough to join the KCRW team for the summer. I’m also a proud UCLA Bruin — I’ll be starting my senior year (cry) in the fall. 

During just these past two weeks at KCRW, I’ve been able to put my Communication major to the test, writing content for the 5 Things To Do newsletter (catch me on the most recent!) and drafting appeals for upcoming KCRW events. I’m so happy to be at KCRW, where my nine-to-five is filled with things I’m genuinely excited about — music, entertainment, and culture. I love when I hear segments of Morning Becomes Eclectic and recognize a song — most recently, I recognized one by my all-time favorite artist, Maggie Rogers. Music is my passion, and I get to learn new songs every day as they play through the office speakers. 

Originally from Washington DC, this is my first summer spent in LA, away from home. Safe to say, it’s been an adjustment — both good and bad. I’ve definitely been missing the home-cooked meals, my Harry Styles cardboard cutout I can’t bring on the plane, and my beautiful car that transports me anywhere I want. But, in LA I have something new and exciting: independence. I can make my own routine and explore the city to my heart’s desire. KCRW has naturally encouraged this exploration — I’m learning about niche LA communities, and I’m set to attend some upcoming Summer Nights events in neighborhoods I’ve yet to venture. 

Of course, adulting IS hard, and I’ve certainly come to this realization. Now, my summers are becoming laundry, meal-planning, and grocery shopping, all while I’m supposed to juggle work and a social life. I can’t help but reminisce on my childhood summers where my biggest worry was whether or not I’d be tall enough for the waterslide. There was something so magical about this innocent freedom. But, adulting does unlock new kinds of magic — I’m talking about taking that first sip of a crisp, salty-rimmed margarita, trying a new baking recipe for a movie night with your best friends, or challenging yourself physically and seeing the results (shoutout to any fellow runners). 

Fostering the essence of a childhood summer, I’m determined to make this summer count. Beyond my working hours, I hope to get out in LA and enjoy everything the city has to offer. Even if I do just one special activity a week, I’ll be happy. Just because I’m kinda, sorta an “adult,” doesn’t mean I can’t have a memorable summer. 

I’ll be back for an update later this month :) Until then, find some time to get outside, put on your favorite tune, and soak up the sun!

Cheers to July 🥰

Marie Siemietkowski-Needham
Audience Intern

Evolution on Trial — the Scopes Case Still Reverberates

One hundred years ago, a substitute teacher in Dayton, Tennessee, was charged with the crime of teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. At the time, it was illegal in Tennessee to "teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible.” The trial, which was orchestrated to be a media spectacle, foreshadowed the cultural divisions that continue today.

President Trump Says U.S. Will Resume Sending Weapons to Ukraine After Pausing Last Week

After briefly pausing weapons shipments to Ukraine, the Pentagon reversed course following pressure from President Trump and the escalation of Russian attacks. The move will help Ukraine defend itself while the U.S. works “to secure a lasting peace and ensure that the killing stops.” "They're getting hit very hard now," President Trump said, and reiterated his disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Want Better Bakes? Here’s What Your Ingredients Actually Do

Some say baking is an art, but when you think about it, executing precise ingredients, timing, and temperature makes it much more of a science. And if you’ve ever baked anything, you’ll notice your kitchen transforms into a chaotic chemist station by the time you make it to the oven. Tune into this interview with pastry chef and author Nicola Lamb, where she’ll share her knowledge in the service of better bakes.

Second Opinion: Cleared for Market but Not Proven to Work

Many newly approved drugs may not be as tested — or effective — as patients assume. Investigative journalists Jeannie Lenzer and Shannon Brownlee report that FDA standards have quietly loosened, allowing medications to reach the market without solid proof they improve health outcomes. Dr. Michael Wilkes shares his view on the matter — get more second opinions every week in your inbox when you subscribe.

See Possibility at Trinity College, Hartford CT

We are Trinity College, a historic college built on independent thought and real-world engagement. We come from a long line of visionaries who bring bold ideas to life.

At Trinity, education is made stronger by a sense of belonging, and grounded by the expectation that the knowledge gained in and beyond the classroom will lead to meaningful change. Students, faculty, and staff encourage each other to pursue their ambitions.

At Trinity, the liberal arts meet the real world. Through more than 200 credit-bearing internships, research, and immersive experiences, students engage with their community to transform our dynamic world. Trinity’s network of devoted alumni provides lifelong opportunities for our graduates, and the Career and Life Design Center provides the tools students need to become agents of their own future.

Lot to Give, Lot to Gain

Got a vacant lot, dusty cabin, or inherited fixer-upper you’ve been dodging? Turn that “maybe someday” property into a real^(estate) impact by donating it to KCRW! Any location, any condition — if there’s equity, we’ll take care of the heavy lifting (yep, even loans and liens). Your real estate fuels local tunes, global news, and meaningful community — and makes you a KCRW Champion for a year.