Inside the Issues: The Podcast

California Senate leader Toni Atkins — who has repeatedly made history in state politics — joins us to talk about her experiences as an openly gay legislator.

She also discusses her work at Southern California clinics, which offer abortions and how that has shaped her views on reproductive rights.

Get in Touch

Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

In this Episode

• Find Sen. Toni Atkins on Twitter: @SenToniAtkins

California's First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom joins us to talk about gender and guns. On the gender front, she responds to a recent ruling by a judge overturning a state law which requires companies based in California to have at least one woman on their boards. Siebel Newsom shares why that's important, plus, how she plans to fight back against the decision. As the mother of four young kids, the First Partner responds to this week's horrific mass shooting in Texas.

Get in Touch

Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

In this Episode

• Find Jennifer Siebel Newsom on Twitter: @JenSiebelNewsom
• California Partners Project work on Women and Board

After the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, millions of dollars poured into the accounts of the Black Lives Matter Global Foundation Network.

Critics, including BLM leaders, have complained about how the money has been spent. This week, investigative journalist Sean Campbell joins host Alex Cohen to discuss the investigation on the organization and its acquisition of a $6 million house in Studio City.

One of Black Lives Matter's original founders, Dr. Melina Abdullah, also joins us to respond to the concerns.

Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

• Find Sean Campbell on Twitter: @Sean_Kev
• Find Melina Abdullah on Twitter: @DocMellyMel
• Black Lives Matter LA: "This is not a Drill" sessions
• Read Sean's article

This Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, host Alex Cohen is joined by voiceover artist Rosalie Chiang who got a huge break when she landed the leading role of Meilin Lee in the Disney/Pixar film "Turning Red."

Chiang shares what it was like to go through puberty at the same time as her animated character.

Get in Touch

Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

In this Episode

• "Turning Red" movie: @PixarTurningRed
• Find Rosalie Chiang on Instagram: @rosaliecchiang

This Mother's Day weekend, we are joined by local author and mom Anna Malaika Tubbs. Her new book, "The Three Mothers," shines a light on the difficult and often overlooked work of Black mothers, and explores the lives of the women who birthed and raised Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin.

She and host Alex Cohen also talk about the best gifts one can give to mothers everywhere. Hint: It's NOT flowers or chocolate!

Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

• Find Anna Malaika Tubbs on Twitter: @annas_tea_

On April 29, 1992, a jury in Los Angeles found four police officers not guilty of use of excessive force in the beating of Rodney King. A video of that beating had gone viral and had set the city on edge.

In this week's episode, we hear about the days of unrest that followed which resulted in more than 50 deaths and approximately a billion dollars worth of damage. First, journalist Héctor Tobar talks about covering the story for the LA Times, and former LA County district attorney Gil Garcetti, who is also Mayor Eric Garcetti's father, shares how the experience influenced his career as the region's top prosecutor.

Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

• Find Héctor Tobar on Twitter: @TobarWriter
• Find Gil Garcetti on Instagram

This Earth Day weekend, "SoCal in 17" brings you a special episode featuring Wade Crowfoot, California's Natural Resources Secretary, talking about the drought. Crowfoot explains why he and Gov. Gavin Newsom do not think it is time just yet for mandatory water cutbacks.

Plus, Sanden Totten from the "Brains On!" podcast drops by to talk about their new book, "Earth Friend Forever," and how to talk to kids about sustainability without freaking them out.

Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

• Find Wade Crowfoot on Twitter: @wadecrowfoot
• Find Sanden Totten on Twitter: @sandentotten
• Find "Brains On!" on Twitter: @brains_on

The contest to replace Eric Garcetti as the next mayor of Los Angeles is heating up. Which candidate will get your vote?

This week, we bring you a special episode, featuring four of the leading candidates. They shared their stances on everything from homelessness to traffic with host Alex Cohen at a forum sponsored by the LA Business Council.

Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

• Find Karen Bass on Twitter: @KarenBassLA
• Find Joe Buscaino on Twitter: @JoeBuscaino
• Find Kevin de Leon on Twitter: @kdeleon
• Find Mike Feuer on Twitter: @Mike_Feuer
• Find the Los Angeles Business Council on Twitter: labctweets

Frustration over years of watching Muslim women depicted as either super timid and ruled by men or hypersexualized, casting director Serena Rasoul decided it was time for a change. Through a partnership with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, Rasoul developed "Surviving to Thriving: Muslim Women on Screen Test."

Rasoul and filmmaker Iman Zawahry join host Alex Cohen to talk about how Hollywood can do better on this front.

Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

• Find Serena Rasoul on Twitter: @serenarasoul and @MuslimCasting
• Find Iman Zawahry on Twitter: @imanzawahry
• Find the Geena Davis Institute on Twitter: @GeenaDavisOrg
• Muslim Women On-Screen Test

On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden's pick for the Supreme Court. Rep. Barbara Lee joins us to discuss Jackson's confirmation hearing and how race and gender shaped the intense questioning Jackson faced as the first Black woman nominated to the court.

Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla