Inside the Issues: The Podcast

Actor Sacha Baron Cohen risked his life playing the fictional Kazakh journalist Borat in "Borat Subsequent Movie Film," where he bunked with QAnon believers, punked Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani, and attended and then fled a pro-gun rally. Host Alex Cohen sits down with Baron Cohen and his co-star Maria Bakalova to get the behind-the-scenes of this extreme comedy. 

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Alex's Twitter handle: @alexcoheninla

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Almost everyone knows Disney's iconic song A Spoonful of Sugar, but not many are aware of its distinct Southern California connection to vaccines. Host Alex Cohen sits down with producer Jeffrey Sherman, whose personal polio vaccine story inspired his father and uncle to pen the lyrics to the classic Mary Poppins song.

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Alex's Twitter handle: @alexcoheninla

Where to register to get a vaccine:

• CVS
• Ralphs
• Walgreens 
• Rite Aid 
• Carbon Health
• Kaiser Permanente 

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Have an idea for our "News in Haikus" segment, or just want to ask Alex a question? There are three ways to get in touch:

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Korean American filmmaker Eugene Lee Yang, known for his work with the Try Guys, was putting the finishing touches on his documentary We need to talk about anti-Asian hate when news broke of the horrific shootings in Atlanta, Georgia. In this week's episode, Yang breaks down why the model minority myth can be so dangerous and how anti-Asian racism in America traces back to a lack of education and understanding of Asian American history. 

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Alex's Twitter handle: @alexcoheninla

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Have an idea for our "News in Haikus" segment, or just want to ask Alex a question? There are three ways to get in touch:

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Gov. Gavin Newsom launched his anti-recall campaign this week, making appearances on The View, CNN, and MSNBC. Meanwhile, recall organizers say they are confident they have enough signatures to trigger a recall election. In this episode, host Alex Cohen sits down with none other than former Gov. Gray Davis, the only California governor to have been recalled. Davis looks back on 2003 when he faced his own recall election and was eventually replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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Alex's Twitter handle: @alexcoheninla

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Have an idea for our "News in Haikus" segment, or just want to ask Alex a question? There are three ways to get in touch:

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Cancer patient-turned-doctor-turned-filmmaker Dr. Ryan McGarry has had quite a year. Weeks after the release of Netflix's "Pandemic," which he executive produced, the coronavirus hit the U.S., and the virus soon consumed his life. In this week's special episode looking back at a year of COVID-19, Alex Cohen sits down with McGarry, who mourns a special relationship lost during this time and shares a story about a patient he will never forget. 

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Alex's Twitter handle: @alexcoheninla

How to Write a Letter to Congress About Student Loan Issues

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Have an idea for our "News in Haikus" segment, or just want to ask Alex a question? There are three ways to get in touch:

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More people have died of COVID-19 in California than in any other state in the nation. While California has finally seen case numbers decline, the funeral industry is still under tremendous strain. This week, host Alex Cohen and mortician Caitlin Doughty discuss what this pandemic has revealed about America's attitude toward death. 

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Alex's Twitter handle: @alexcoheninla

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Have an idea for our "News in Haikus" segment, or just want to ask Alex a question? There are three ways to get in touch:

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Last fall, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón defeated two-term incumbent Jackie Lacey. His victory marked the first time a sitting DA had been unseated in the county in two decades. Gascón took that victory and ran with it, pushing for progressive policies that he promised voters during his campaign. Those policies have been met with some criticism, and this week, host Alex Cohen sits down with Gascón to hear his side of the story.

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Alex's Twitter handle: @alexcoheninla

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Have an idea for our "News in Haikus" segment, or just want to ask Alex a question? There are three ways to get in touch:

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Now that Los Angeles County has met the statewide threshold to reopen elementary schools, will L.A. Unified School District bring students back to campus? Many parents have been calling for the reopening of campuses, but the decision is a complicated one. Host Alex Cohen sits down with LAUSD board President Kelly Gonez to discuss the decisions being made regarding students' education. 

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Alex's Twitter handle: @alexcoheninla

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Have an idea for our "News in Haikus" segment, or just want to ask Alex a question? There are three ways to get in touch:

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California is trying to vaccinate as many people as possible and as quickly as possible. And yet, new variants are emerging throughout the world at a dizzying rate. This week, SoCal in 17 provides extensive coverage on the latest information and insight into vaccine hesitancy. Host Alex Cohen receives an update from Dr. Jerry Abraham, who is heading vaccine distribution at a South L.A. health center. Then Alex gets insight from Bishop Kenneth Ulmer of Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood on vaccine hesitancy within the Black community.

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Alex's Twitter handle: @alexcoheninla

Vaccine information for 5 counties within great L.A.

• L.A. County
• Orange County
• Riverside County
• San Bernardino County
• Ventura County

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Have an idea for our "News in Haikus" segment, or just want to ask Alex a question? There are three ways to get in touch:

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As part of our celebration of Black History Month, Rep. Maxine Waters joins host Alex Cohen to talk about former President Donald Trump's Senate impeachment trial. The congresswoman is fired up about the trial and shared a few cautionary words for Republicans fearful of political blowback if they vote to convict. She also weighs in on colleague Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's controversial social media posts and claims.

IN THIS EPISODE

Alex's Twitter handle: @alexcoheninla

GET IN TOUCH

Have an idea for our "News in Haikus" segment, or just want to ask Alex a question? There are three ways to get in touch:

SoCal in 17 page

On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17

Call 424-209-8764 and leave us a voicemail!​​