Social Venture Podcast with Joe Mkhitaryan

In this episode of the Social Venture Podcast, we sit down with Glendale City Treasurer candidate David Gevorkyan for a deep conversation about leadership, accountability, community, and the future of Glendale. David opens up about why he decided to step into politics, what he believes is going wrong in local government, and why financial transparency matters now more than ever for Glendale reside...

Los Angeles is spiraling — wildfires, crime, homelessness, political chaos, celebrity activism, and culture wars all colliding at once. In this episode, we break down Spencer Pratt’s shocking rise in the LA mayoral race, surging to 22%, trailing Karen Bass ahead of the June 2 primary. Pratt says he’ll LEAVE Los Angeles if he loses, while blasting city leadership over the Palisades Fire disaster, h...

The guys dive into another chaotic day in politics, media, and culture. We break down the viral claim that President Donald Trump is “seriously considering” making Venezuela the 51st state after comments reportedly made to Fox News’ John Roberts — following Trump’s earlier jokes tied to Venezuela’s baseball success and massive oil reserves. Is it trolling, strategy, or something bigger? Then we he...

This episode gets wild. We’re breaking down power, money, and the people behind the headlines — and things don’t go the way you’d expect. From political influence to behind-the-scenes dynamics, this conversation pulls zero punches. In this episode:The real story behind the headlinesMoney, influence, and perceptionWhat’s actually happening vs. what you’re toldUnfiltered takes you won’t hear anywher...

This week, Joe and Producer Tom—no prep, no script, just a raw back-and-forth on the stories everyone’s talking about but not always willing to dig into. They kick things off with the latest wave of alien controversies, breaking down why the conversation around UFOs and government disclosure keeps resurfacing—and whether any of it actually holds weight or if it’s just another cycle of hype. From r...

Big names, bigger narratives, and a lot of noise to cut through. In this episode, we take a step back and really break down three major stories dominating headlines right now — and more importantly, what they actually mean beneath the surface. We start with King Charles III and his presence on the global stage as attention shifts toward his relationship with the United States. Is this just ceremon...

Chaos, scandal, and the stories everyone is talking about. We break down the latest fallout surrounding Trump, the disturbing assassination plot that has the internet buzzing, and the growing questions around security failures. Then we dive into the viral Florida “Target lawnmower stunt” after people allegedly rode lawnmowers into a store in one of the wildest clips of the week. Plus, the DHS suga...

In this episode, the guys go live to react in real time to the California governor race debate, breaking down every moment as it unfolds. From policy clashes to unexpected soundbites and candidate slip-ups, nothing gets past the crew as they unpack what’s actually being said versus what’s just political theater. Expect sharp commentary, heated takes, and plenty of off-the-cuff reactions as the deb...

This episode goes deep into some of the most intense and controversial stories shaping today’s global conversation. We start with the shadowy world of Iranian arms networks, breaking down the story of Shamim Mafi — who he is, how these operations function behind the scenes, and what it reveals about the broader geopolitical landscape. This isn’t just about one — it’s about how power, money, and in...

In this episode, we break down some of the wildest narratives shaping today’s political and cultural conversation—from Donald Trump portrayed in almost mythic terms, to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, to controversial ideas about free groceries in New York City, to a shocking real-world act of bravery in Oklahoma, and the ever-present debate over taxes. This isn’t just about what’s happening...

This week, the guys dive into the chaos surrounding Donald Trump and his wild social media threats toward Iran—including talk of wiping out an entire civilization before suddenly pivoting to a ceasefire. They break down the viral acronym “TACO”—short for “Trump Always Chickens Out”—a phrase critics have been using to describe his pattern of escalating tensions and then backing off at the last minu...

In this episode, we dive into a packed lineup of headlines shaping business, culture, and global conversation. First, we break down Larry Fink’s bold vision for the future of finance and his push toward the tokenization of the U.S. dollar—what it means, why it matters, and how it could transform the global economic system as we know it. Then, we shift to Hollywood as Disney gears up for the live-a...

In this episode, we break down a wild intersection of sports, politics, and global power. We start with Venezuela’s historic World Baseball Classic win over Team USA—a huge cultural moment that quickly turned political after comments from Donald Trump stirred controversy online. What should have been just a championship became something bigger. Then we dive into the complicated and, some would arg...

In this episode, Joe sits down with John Armenian—a former insider in the U.S. defense industry who has worked with some of the most powerful contractors in the world, including Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. John pulls back the curtain on how the defense industry really operates—from weapons development and government contracts to the hidden forces shaping global conflict. The conversatio...

In this episode we break down several major stories dominating the news right now. From the escalating tensions surrounding Iran and what it could mean for the region, to the controversy around Gabriela Moura being labeled a “plus-size” Victoria’s Secret Angel, we dive into the cultural and political debates driving headlines. We also discuss the disturbing news involving Emir Balat and Ibrahim Ka...

The world is watching a rapidly escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran — but the real questions go deeper than the headlines. In this episode we break down the war from every angle:Is this truly “America First”, or something else entirely? Who actually benefits from a war like this? Are nations acting independently… or are there puppets and puppeteers behind the scenes? Wh...

In this episode, we jump from cartel power and real-world violence tied to El Mencho in Mexico, to the viral political optics of Gavin Newsom trying a painfully awkward style of outreach to Black voters — and how performative politics can backfire fast. We wrap on a lighter note with how the United States men's national ice hockey team and the United States women's national ice hockey team...

In this week’s episode, we dive into the groundbreaking AI Apex trailer and what it could mean for the future of storytelling — from reshaping how movies are made to possibly rewriting the rulebook for Hollywood as we know it. We also pay tribute to the legendary civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, who passed away at 84, reflecting on his enduring impact on American history and justice. Next,...

This week on the podcast, we dig into one of the biggest cultural touchpoints of the year — the Super Bowl. We break down the ratings numbers, the social media backlash, and why a game meant to unite the country sparked unexpected controversy, from halftime show criticisms to polarized viewer reactions. But that’s just the kickoff. We also turn our attention to the political arena, where Attorney...

In this episode of the Social Venture Podcast, Esther Kim Varet joins us for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about one of the most controversial moments from her public commentary — her comparison of the Trump administration to authoritarian regimes, and why she believes that historical parallels still matter in today’s political climate. Esther also addresses the online conspiracies and pe...

In this episode of the Social Venture Podcast, we sit down with Chip Conley — legendary hotelier, New York Times bestselling author, and founder of both Joie de Vivre Hospitality and Modern Elder Academy (MEA Wisdom) — to explore what it truly takes to lead, grow, and find purpose in business and in life. Chip shares the full journey — from transforming boutique hotels and building one of America’...

In this episode of the Social Venture Podcast, we take a deeper, more grounded look at two stories that—on the surface—feel completely unrelated, but are colliding in the same media moment: renewed attention around the Jeffrey Epstein files and online speculation surrounding so-called “JMail” references, alongside a noticeable shift in how major artists are using the Grammy stage to engage directl...

In this episode of the Social Venture Podcast, Dr. Peter McCullough delivers a sobering message that frames the entire conversation: the one who controls the antidote controls the world. We take a deep dive into how COVID reshaped modern medicine, public trust, and global power structures — and who was truly steering the response behind the scenes. Dr. McCullough breaks down how control replaced c...

In this episode, we break down how modern political tribes create their heroes, villains, and martyrs. We look at why Alex Pretti has become a symbolic figure for the left — and how Nicki Minaj has emerged as an unlikely icon for the right. This isn’t about defending or attacking either figure. It’s about understanding how culture wars work, why movements need symbols, and how outrage, identity, a...

In this episode, we take on some of the most controversial political and cultural debates shaping America right now — and nothing is off the table. We break down whether NATO actually benefits the United States, or if American taxpayers are carrying the burden for everyone else while getting little in return. We also debate Gavin Newsom’s leadership, questioning whether his actions represent bold...