Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Podcast

Meet the Board Special Podcast Series Number 6 : Abby Arnold

Abby has also hosted four house parties to help Streetsblog/Santa Monica Next. Here she is (left) at our last one in 2018 with Santa Monica Planning Commissioner Leslie Lambert.

For all her life, Abby Arnold has been an advocate for a clean environment, people experiencing homelessness, and for other progressive causes in her beloved city of Santa Monica. Half a dozen years ago, when Streetsblog L.A. was launching a pilot program in Santa Monica to see if the "Streetsblog model" could work in smaller cities, Arnold was one of the first to volunteer for our steering committee and has been a fixture with our team ever since.

In today's Meet the Board interview series, we talk about politics in Santa Monica, what she would like to see us cover more in the future, and how non-profits should approach grant making with both governments and foundations. I'll give you a preview: she compares the process to dating.

In addition to Streetsblog/Santa Monica Next Arnold has been a leader with a who's who of advocacy groups including Santa Monica Forward, the League of Women Voters, and CLUE. She has also served on a variety of Santa Monica Commissions including a current stint on the Pier Commission.

This is the sixth podcast in our “meet the board” series.  To check out our past podcasts with Jon WeissCarter Rubin, Kris Fortin, Terra Curtis, or James Sinclair, click on their names.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Friday’s Headlines

It's mostly a good news headlines stack. That's nice.

February 20, 2026

Advocates Breathe Sigh of Relief: Transit Disaster Averted for Now

Governor Newsom signs Bay Area public transit loan to prevent severe service cuts.

February 20, 2026

The Week in Short Video: Conspiracy Theory Edition

EPA abandons even pretending to care about greenhouse gases, Brightline progress on L.A. -> Las Vegas

February 20, 2026

CalBike: Enforce Existing Laws, Don’t Create New Nuisance Ones

Sign the petition for better enforcement. Take the survey on e-bike experiences.

February 19, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines

Fresno County has a clear choice in November.

February 19, 2026

When The Suburbs Want To Opt Out of Funding Regional Transit

A messy transit funding fight in Dallas may have reached a pause — but some advocates fear the détente won't hold.

February 18, 2026
See all posts