Inside the Issues: The Podcast

"Watermelon head," "little pencil neck" and "sleazy" are just some of the PG-rated insults former President Donald Trump has called Rep. Adam Schiff. The Democrat from Burbank opens up about the impact it took on his home life and shares some of the funnier and scarier anecdotes from his new memoir "Midnight in Washington."

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In this Episode

• "Midnight in Washington" by Rep. Adam Schiff 

Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden's chief medical advisor, responds to recent allegations that he funded studies that abused beagles and covered up studies that led to COVID-19 at a lab in Wuhan, China. Fauci also weighs in on the upcoming rollout of Pfizer vaccines for kids ages 5 to 11. 

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In this Episode

• Photo of Gov. Gavin Newsom after getting the Moderna booster

The man, the myth, the maestro Gustavo Dudamel joins us this week to talk about the grand opening of the new permanent home of the Youth Orchestra LA in Inglewood. The Venezuelan conductor shares his thoughts on the value of learning and playing music amid a pandemic. Plus, he reveals how audiences have been changed by COVID-19 — for the better.

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Although many Los Angeles city employees have complied with the new vaccine mandate, there are still plenty of holdouts. For example, more than 870 firefighters recently filed an intent to sue over the new rule, seeking $2 million per plaintiff. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti sits down with us to discuss why he has such little patience for those who call the vaccine mandate an infringement of their rights. Plus, the mayor weighs in on the rights of protesters who show up at the homes of elected officials.

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Two SoCal Democrats tackling hot-button issues — offshore oil drilling and abortion — join us this week. Former Rep. Harley Rouda shares what it's like to see a massive oil spill hit the district he lost to Rep. Michelle Steel last fall. And Rep. Judy Chu opens up about her personal experiences with pregnancies, abortions and the current battle over reproductive rights in the U.S.

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After weeks of speculation, Rep. Karen Bass made it official. She's running to be the next mayor of Los Angeles, and she joins us to share why. Find out more about just how deep her LA roots go and why she almost didn't get into politics at all. Plus, we discuss what went wrong with the bipartisan police reform bill she co-authored and Congress failed to pass.

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Now that California's gubernatorial recall race is in the rearview mirror, the slightly vitriolic, always entertaining Larry Elder joins us to rehash what went right and wrong in his campaign to unseat Gov. Gavin Newsom. Plus, why he thinks he garnered most of the votes out of the recall candidates. His answer might surprise you.

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Although the 2021 gubernatorial recall election won't be certified until late October, Gov. Gavin Newsom achieved a clear and significant victory. So, was spending perhaps as much as $300 million of taxpayer money worth it? Are California's recall laws in need of a revamp? We dive into these questions with state Sen. Josh Newman and Rep. Karen Bass. Bass also weighs in on a possible run to be Los Angeles' next mayor. Plus, a cameo appearance from candidate Caitlyn Jenner, who might have garnered fewer votes than billboard star Angelyne.

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IN THIS EPISODE

• Rep. Karen Bass on Twitter: @RepKarenBass
• Sen. Josh Newman on Twitter: @JoshNewmanCA
• Caitlyn Jenner on Twitter: @Caitlyn_Jenner

For those opposed to the recall election, that pesky second question has proven vexing! This week, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis makes the case why keeping it blank is the best option, even though her sons want to write her in as their pick. California's first female lieutenant governor also opens up about her thoughts on that infamous French Laundry dinner. Plus, a special guest cameo from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti who says you don't have to love Gov. Gavin Newsom to "just say no" to the recall.

Missed our conversation with Larry Elder? Catch it here.

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IN THIS EPISODE

• Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis on Twitter: @EleniForCA
• LA Mayor Eric Garcetti on Twitter: @MayorofLA

Earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Assemblyman Rob Bonta to the role of California Attorney General after Xavier Becerra was confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. So far, the state's top cop has sprung into action in his first hundred days by combating hate incidents against the Asian American Pacific Islander Community and cracking down on privately owned prisons and immigration detention centers. Bonta joins "SoCal in 17" to discuss these actions and what he sees as his role as California's first Filipino attorney general.

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IN THIS EPISODE

• Rob Bonta on Twitter: @RobBonta and @AGRobBonta