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Ep. 40: What Does it Take to Lead a Global City? (Feat. Eric Garcetti)

Published on: 22nd December, 2025

In this episode of MHD Off the Record, Council President Marquise Harris-Dawson sits down with former Los Angeles Mayor and U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti. Returning to his roots in the San Fernando Valley, Garcetti reflects on his journey from the youngest City Council President in LA history to representing the United States on the world stage.

Ambassador Garcetti served as the 42nd mayor of LA from 2013 to 2022 after 12 years on the City Council, including six as Council President. As mayor, he led major initiatives such as raising the city’s minimum wage to $15, securing the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and launching LA’s Green New Deal. He later served as U.S. Ambassador to India from 2023 to 2025, strengthening diplomatic and strategic ties between the two countries. He currently serves as Chair of C40 Cities, the global network of mayors focused on tackling the climate crisis.

Resources:

www.ericgarcetti.com

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About the Podcast

MHD Off the Record
Dive into the heart of South Los Angeles with Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson on MHD Off The Record—where culture drives leadership and community voices lead the way!
MHD Off the Record takes you inside Los Angeles City Hall with Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson. Each episode explores the culture, politics, and policies shaping life in Los Angeles from housing and homelessness to city planning, public safety, and immigrant rights.

Focused on uniting neighborhoods across the city, the MHD Off the Record podcast blends political insight with community-driven solutions. Listeners hear conversations with civic leaders, activists, and community stakeholders that reveal how multicultural organizing, music, and personal stories influence the direction of Los Angeles.

If you’re curious about how Los Angeles City Council makes decisions, want to learn about city resources, or care about the future of South LA and beyond, this podcast gives you the context and voices behind the policies that impact Angelenos every day.

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Marqueece Harris-Dawson