The Issue Is

Carson Jones is the first zookeeper/gay rights activist to sit down for "The Issue Is:" podcast.    At 24, he's also the youngest guest.    He's the openly gay son of Alabama's Democratic Senator Doug Jones.    Jones ended up in one of the most closely watched Senate races in recent history when he defeated Judge Roy Moore.    Carson Jones achieved Internet fandom with his "side eye" to Vice Presi...

This week, a special edition of “The Issue Is:” from the California Democratic Convention in San Francisco.    14 presidential candidates will be on hand plus 5,000 delegates and guests.    Our guests:   Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) will join us one on one at our set   Plus our panel of CA’s top political reporters:   Carla Marinucci; Politico Melanie Mason: Los Angeles Times Joe Garofoli; San Francisco C...

This week on "The Issue Is:," exclusive one on one conversations with four women making news.    SENATOR KAMALA HARRIS:  California Senator Kamala Harris discusses her presidential campaign. She describes her strategy for winning California & what sets her apart in the presidential race.    Harris responds to the abortion restrictions being passed, explains her proposed executive actions on gu...

Governor Gavin Newsom wants to dramatically change the healthcare system in California. He believes if every Californian is forced to buy healthcare it will lower premiums for everyone. He wants to extend Medi-Cal benefits to all undocumented immigrants under 26 years old. The Governor also weighs in on laws restricting abortions in Alabama, Georgia, and elsewhere. Newsom supports boycotts of the...

Mike Murphy is one of the most experienced consultants in Republican politics. And, he's at war with President Trump. In this extended interview with Elex Michaelson, Murphy talks about his past clients like Jeb Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John McCain, Mitt Romney and more. He describes why he became a Republican even though he grew up in a Democratic household. And, he breaks news that he'll soo...

Mayor Pete Buttigieg is the fastest rising star in the Democratic presidential race. He's looking to make history as the first President who is a millennial, gay man, Afghanistan veteran.  We spoke at the Abbey in West Hollywood for a one-on-one, exclusive interview. Among the topics: his vision, toughness, facing off against Joe Biden, President Trump, gay rights, and Game of Thrones.  Then, we b...

It's the 1 year anniversary edition of "The Issue Is:" Marianne Williamson is a Democratic candidate for President of the United States.  She wants to redefine the role of President---and believes the chief executive should be a wise, moral leader.   We talk about her views on reparations, healthcare, college, marijuana, and more.   Plus, our panel weighs in on the 2020 campaign & Attorney Gen...

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR 'THE ISSUE IS'! On this episode, we talk to Areva Martin, one of our first panelists on The Issue Is.  Areva Martin is one of the most quoted legal commentators in the country. She’s a leader in the fields of civil rights & care for families with special needs.  She went from a housing project in St. Louis to Harvard Law School where she was classmates with Miche...

In this episode, we talk about the presidential race. He may be the front runner in the polls, but now that Joe Biden is actually in the race, can he overcome being old and white? Our panelists are Melissa Rivers, Jessica Levinson, and Shawn Steel We also talk to Washington State Governor Jay Inslee who says he's the best candidate to tackle climate change. And entertainment reporter and film mave...

Ben Lyons is an expert in the intersection between politics, sports and entertainment. He’s the host of the Lion’s Den podcast on Podcast 1 and the “Mostly Football” show on Yahoo! In this conversation with The Issue Is, he talks about his iconic father and grandfather, how he got involved in the entertainment industry so young, the best movie coming out you’ve never heard of, and why sports stars...

In this episode, we talk to Governor Gavin Newsom about his first 100 days, plus the release of the redacted Mueller report.  We also have Democratic Congressman Harley Rouda from Orange County. Our panel this week is Jessica Yellin, Stuttering John Melendez and Gianno Caldwell. ----------  The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson is California's only statewide political show, broadcast from FOX 11 Stud...

In this episode, we talk to Jessica Yellin. Jessica is a former CNN Chief White House Correspondent. She's now left and has written a new book called, "Savage News." ----------  The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson is California's only statewide political show, broadcast from FOX 11 Studios in Los Angeles. For airtimes and more information, go to TheIssueIsShow.com .

In this episode, we're not really talking about the breaking political news of the week, but instead we get some time with Kim Kardashian West, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley, and Ramin Setoodeh who wrote a book titled "Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of 'The View'". ----------  The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson is California's only statewide political show...

This is a special edition of The Issue Is podcast from the southern border. We were invited to be the White House pool reporter for part of this trip, so we drove down south to cover his visit. We got a chance to talk to the president during his border wall visit to Calexico. We also talked to democratic activist Tom Steyer. He recently held a town hall in Glendale talking about the need to impeac...

President Trump & top Republicans in the House are calling on Congressman Adam Schiff to resign following the partial release of the Mueller Report. The Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee became the face of the House's investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Schiff joins us to make his case for "collusion in plain sight". He says it may not have...

Be our guest, be our guest. Ann Coulter is, of course, one of the most prominent conservative authors out there -- 13 New York Times best-sellers. So what's Ann Coulter really like and what's the biggest misconception people have about her? Find the answer to those questions and more on this week's extra "The Issue Is:" podcast episode. ----------  The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson is California'...

This week on "The Issue Is:" Elex Michaelson speaks with Gloria Allred, featuring panelists Caroline Heldman and John Thomas. ----------  The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson is California's only statewide political show, broadcast from FOX 11 Studios in Los Angeles. For airtimes and more information, go to TheIssueIsShow.com .

This week's EXTRA episode of "The Issue Is:" podcast features a one-on-one conversation with Gen. David Petraeus. ----------  The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson is California's only statewide political show, broadcast from FOX 11 Studios in Los Angeles. For airtimes and more information, go to TheIssueIsShow.com .

Two strong women with two very different views. Tomi Lahren is one of the most prominent conservative voices in the country. She's a founding host of FOX Nation. Stephanie Miller is a progressive radio talk show host, author, and comedian. They debate the 2020 race, the President's national emergency, Governor Newsom's decision to end the death penalty, and the college admissions scandal. --------...

With California more important to the presidential race than ever before, we catch up with presidential candidates in Southern California.  Mayor Pete Buttigieg is already making history with his presidential run. He's a 37 year old, openly gay, Afghanistan war veteran. He currently leads the city of South Bend, Indiana. In his first ever visit to West Hollywood, he spoke with Elex Michaelson.   ...

In the same week that Orange County high school students create a swastika at a party, the House votes on an anti-hate bill directed at comments by Rep. Ilan Omar. We speak with Rep. Katie Porter, a Democrat from California's 45th district. She talks about the spat of Anti-Semitism, why she's opposed to the Green New Deal, and why she's undecided in the presidential race. Our interview includes a...

In this bonus podcast to "The Issue Is," Elex sits down with "Stuttering" John Melendez. Catch John's previous "The Issue Is" appearance at: https://audioboom.com/posts/6932418-17-antonio-sabato-jr-gloria-allred-stuttering-john-melendez . ----------  The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson is California's only statewide political show, broadcast from FOX 11 Studios in Los Angeles. For airtimes and more...

This week – political earthquake! An extraordinary national spectacle announcing a sitting president is a liar and more on live TV by a disbarred lawyer whose testimony triggered furious reaction. Was Michael Cohen’s testimony before Congress the first hearing of the impeachment process? And what about that summit with North Korea? Congressman Ted Lieu, member of the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary...

In this week’s special EXTRA episode… Elex sat down with a married couple with completely different political views. Katrina vanden Heuvel is the editor and publisher of “The Nation,” which is one of the top liberal magazines publications out there. Stephen Cohen is Katrina’s husband. He has written columns for “The Nation” about Russia but his view is very different from what most liberals think....

This week the issue is -- a disturbing hoax. From TV star to perp walk. Now the police say Jussie Smollett faked a racist, homophobic attack on himself. What's next for the disgraced star? Plus, an interview with presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren. And, how do you make the Oscar's more watchable?  ----------  The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson is California's only statewide political sho...