It Matters

The Presidential Debate is the talk of the moment. Michael is joined by Ally Sammarco, a democratic strategist and ex-Republican, sr. digital editor for LA Magazine and Host of @Americas_Show among other things. Their conversation revolves around the a...

The Presidential Debate is the talk of the moment. Michael is joined by Ally Sammarco, a democratic strategist and ex-Republican, sr. digital editor for LA Magazine and Host of @Americas_Show among other things. Their conversation revolves around the aftermath of the presidential debate and the future of the Democratic Party. They discuss Biden's performance, the need for a conversation about his...

In this conversation, Michael and Cheyanne Daniels, the race and Politics reporter for The Hill and host of The Switch Up podcast, discuss the challenges of covering politics, the importance of black leaders, and the messaging strategies of Democrats. ...

In this conversation, Michael Starr Hopkins and Antjuan Seawright discuss the importance of the upcoming election and the consequences of not voting. They address Cardi B's statement about sitting out the election and emphasize the significance and imp...

In this conversation, Michael and Cheyanne Daniels, the race and Politics reporter for The Hill and host of The Switch Up podcast, discuss the challenges of covering politics, the importance of black leaders, and the messaging strategies of Democrats. They touch on the media's treatment of black leaders and the need for more authentic and relatable messaging to connect with black voters. She also...

In this conversation, Michael Starr Hopkins and Antjuan Seawright discuss the importance of the upcoming election and the consequences of not voting. They address Cardi B's statement about sitting out the election and emphasize the significance and importance of every vote. They highlight the accomplishment s and policies that have benefited the Black community under the Obama and Biden administra...

Rachel Bitecofer author of "Hit Him Where It Hurts", discusses the urgency of the current political climate and the need for Democrats to strategically counter Republican tactics. She emphasizes the importance of understanding voter behavior, the impac...

Rachel Bitecofer author of "Hit Him Where It Hurts", discusses the urgency of the current political climate and the need for Democrats to strategically counter Republican tactics. She emphasizes the importance of understanding voter behavior, the impact of polarization, and the historical realignment of party coalitions. Rachel highlights the power of messaging, the influence of right-wing media,...

Former Trump press secretary, Sean Spicer, discusses his experience in politics and the changes he has observed in the Republican Party. He reflects on the Trump administration and the impact of Trump's presidency on the political landscape. The conver...

Former Trump press secretary, Sean Spicer, discusses his experience in politics and the changes he has observed in the Republican Party. He reflects on the Trump administration and the impact of Trump's presidency on the political landscape. The conversation also touches on the 2020 election and the events of January 6th. Spicer shares his perspective on Trump's leadership style and his thoughts o...

Welcome to It Matters with Michael Starr Hopkins - a podcast where the past and present intertwine to shape our understanding of the political landscape. Each episode, join us as we invite prominent politicians, cultural icons, and influential activist...

Welcome to It Matters with Michael Starr Hopkins - a podcast where the past and present intertwine to shape our understanding of the political landscape. Each episode, join us as we invite prominent politicians, cultural icons, and influential activists to share information, their concerns, personal journeys and the moments that have shaped their political ideologies.

Heather Williams, President of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), discusses the importance of state legislatures in shaping policy and protecting rights. She highlights the role of state legislators in addressing issues such as abort...

Heather Williams, President of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), discusses the importance of state legislatures in shaping policy and protecting rights. She highlights the role of state legislators in addressing issues such as abortion legislation, gun control, and voting rights. Williams emphasizes the need for Democrats to engage with voters in all communities, including thos...

In our era of endless mass shootings, Vanderbilt professor Jonathan Metzl examines America’s deadly obsession with firearms through the lens of a shocking 2018 Waffle House shooting. He delves into the psyche of white male shooters, arguing the carnage...

In our era of endless mass shootings, Vanderbilt professor Jonathan Metzl examines America’s deadly obsession with firearms through the lens of a shocking 2018 Waffle House shooting. He delves into the psyche of white male shooters, arguing the carnage stems not from mental illness but toxic racism mixed with gun worship permeating society. As the deaths mount with no policy response, Metzl warns...

In this episode, Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, the President of NextGen America, discusses the political power of young people and the importance of engaging voters of color. She emphasizes the need for the Democratic Party to invest in communities of col...

In this episode, Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, the President of NextGen America, discusses the political power of young people and the importance of engaging voters of color. She emphasizes the need for the Democratic Party to invest in communities of color and tailor their messages to the diverse subsets within these communities. Ramirez also addresses the complexities of immigration and the misconc...

In this episode, Michael Starr Hopkins interviews Elie Mystal, the justice correspondent and host of the legal podcast, Contempt of the Court. They discuss various topics related to the courts and the political landscape. Elie shares his experience of ...

In this episode, Michael Starr Hopkins interviews Elie Mystal, the justice correspondent and host of the legal podcast, Contempt of the Court. They discuss various topics related to the courts and the political landscape. Elie shares his experience of being on SNL and then dives into the issue of judicial appointments. He highlights the failure of Democrats to keep up with Trump's pace in appointi...

In this episode, Michael Starr Hopkins interviews Nikki Fried, the Florida Democratic Party Chair and former Florida Agriculture Secretary. They discuss Fried's transition from private citizen to public figure, her experience working with Governor Ron ...

In this episode, Michael Starr Hopkins interviews Nikki Fried, the Florida Democratic Party Chair and former Florida Agriculture Secretary. They discuss Fried's transition from private citizen to public figure, her experience working with Governor Ron DeSantis, and the challenges faced by Florida Democrats. Fried also shares her advocacy for the Groveland Four and her stance on issues like marijua...

In this episode, Michael Starr Hopkins interviews Mark Caputo, a national political reporter, about Ron DeSantis' exit from the 2024 Republican primary campaign. They discuss the reasons for DeSantis' campaign failure, including his awkwardness and tre...

In this episode, Michael Starr Hopkins interviews Mark Caputo, a national political reporter, about Ron DeSantis' exit from the 2024 Republican primary campaign. They discuss the reasons for DeSantis' campaign failure, including his awkwardness and treatment of people. They also explore DeSantis' current position as governor and his potential future as a lame duck governor. The conversation touche...

Philip Schulman from American Bridge 21st Century joins the host, Michael Star-Hopkins, to discuss No Labels and its transformation over the years. They delve into the origins of No Labels and its initial goal of uniting Republicans and Democrats. Howe...