Patt Morrison Asks

Introducing Patt Morrison's new podcast "It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders" May 26, 2020

From Los Angeles Times writer and columnist Patt Morrison comes “It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders.” This fascinating new true-crime podcast follows the case of Betty Broderick, who thought she had a perfect life. Until her husband left. Five years later, Betty killed him and his new wife. Thirty years later, we still can’t look away.

From the LA Times team behind Dirty John, Man In The Window and Chasing Cosby, this is “It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders.” As you listen to this special preview, subscribe now:: https://link.chtbl.com/Gu_cpU2d

Pop Sci editor Corinne Iozzio: a 19th-century magazine goes all 21st century on COVID-19 and more Apr 14, 2020

Patt Morrison talks with Pop Science editor Corrine Iozzio.

“World War Z” ‘s Max Brooks: For years, we’ve made plans for this crisis. Why haven’t we used them? Mar 31, 2020

Patt Morrison talks with actor and author Max Brooks about the coronavirus and social distancing. Max Brooks has a new book "Devolution" to release next month.

Birdman Steve Holmer: with 3 billion birds vanishing from North American skies in 50 years, how do we keep them flying? Mar 17, 2020

Patt Morrison talks with Steve Holmer who has over 25 years of experience working to conserve endangered wildlife. Steve heads the American Bird Conservancy who's motto is "bring back the birds."

Science writer Laura Spinney: how the 1918 flu epidemic gives us clues to our coronavirus reaction Mar 10, 2020

Patt Morrison talks with Laura Spinney a British science journalist, novelist, and non-fiction writer. Her latest book is Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How it Changed the World.

USC’s Mindy Romero: can Super Tuesday see super turnouts of young, Latino and Asian-American voters? Feb 25, 2020

Patt Morrison talks with Mindy Romero the founder and director of the California Civic Engagement Project at the University of Southern California’s Sol Price School of Public Policy, in Sacramento.

Author Andrea McDonnell: Kobe Bryant and the fickle nature of fame Feb 20, 2020

Patt Morrison talks with Author Andrea McDonnell. Andrea teaches communications and media studies at Emmanuel College in Boston and is co-author of the book Celebrity : A History of Fame.

Sacramento’s Daniel Zingale: the retiring adviser to governors leaves behind one last to-do list Feb 11, 2020

Patt Morrison talks with Daniel Zingale a top advisor to the last three governors and to Maria Shriver, and a veteran of the Jerry Brown 1.0 administration. Zingale has also been founding director of California’s managed health care department, executive director of AIDS Action, and a top official at the California Endowment.

Recycling guru Richard Gertman: let’s come clean about recycling, and rethink our consumer habits Feb 04, 2020

Patt Morrison talks with Richard Gertman. Gertman has been recognized nationwide as a pioneer in the integrated waste management field.

Elections guru Richard Hasen: Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy 2020 Jan 28, 2020

Patt Morrison talks with Richard Hasen an American legal scholar and expert in legislation, election law and campaign finance.

Intelligence veteran Malcolm Nance’s grand slam: President Trump, the military, and Putin’s Russia Jan 14, 2020

Patt Morrison talks with former United States Navy senior chief petty officer specializing in naval cryptology. Malcolm is an American author and media commentator on terrorism, intelligence, insurgency, and torture.

Scott Galloway: California’s gig economy, privacy laws will be the nation’s “heavyweight prizefight” Jan 07, 2020

Patt Morrison talks with Scott Galloway best selling author and professor of marketing at the New York University Stern School of Business.

Composer, writer, “Python” comedian Eric Idle: his anarchic humor heads for the Huntington archives Dec 24, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with comedian, actor, author, and musician Eric Idle. Eric Idel is the writer, for the music and lyrics , of the Broadway musical Spamalot.

Rep. Karen Bass: Impeach or not, Congress must fix democracy’s “serious weaknesses” exposed by Trump Dec 17, 2019

Patt Morrison takes with Congresswomen Bass about Trumps impeachment and several other issues facing Americans.

Director Scott Z. Burns: why “The Report” on CIA torture interrogation needed to be a feature film Dec 10, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with American screenwriter, producer, and director Scott Z. Burns on his latest film "The Report".

GOP strategist Rick Wilson: warning signs and wreckage of Trump’s “loud, messy, ugly” 2020 campaign Dec 03, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Rick Wilson a Republican political strategist, media consultant and author. Rick Wilson the author of "Everything Trump Touches Dies" is a back with his book "Running Against the Devil: A Plot to Save America from Trump‑‑and Democrats".

Lawyer Linda Coberly: what happens if the Equal Rights Amendment makes it into the Constitution? Nov 26, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Linda Coberly managing partner of Winston & Strawn on Equal Rights Amendment.

Activist Holly Jacobs on “revenge porn” and, post-Katie Hill, a federal law to protect victims Nov 05, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with activist Holly Jacobs on non-consensual pornography or "revenge porn", and why it should be a federal crime. Holly Jacobs is the founder of Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, and has previously served as the organization's President and Executive Director.

ACLU’s Matt Cagle: facial ID software opens your phone but can open you up to privacy intrusions Oct 29, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Matt Cagle.

Google ex-chief Eric Schmidt: why the market is the go-to answer for what ails the internet Oct 22, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Eric Schmidt former CEO of Google and former Executive chairman of Google's parent company Alphabet.

China scholar Kenneth Pomeranz: why that NBA team manager’s tweet struck such a raw nerve there Oct 15, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Kenneth Pomeranz a Professor of Modern Chinese History at the university of Chicago.

Never Trumper Sarah Longwell: getting the GOP to stand up to Trump for constitutional conservatism Oct 08, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Sarah Longwell first woman to head the National Log Cabin Republicans Group, publisher of the Bulwark conservative website, and executive Director of Defending Democracy Together.

Ed Avol and Chip Jacobs: Trump’s smog decree vs. your lungs, and seven startling LA smog facts Oct 01, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Ed Avol Professor of Clinical Preventive Medicine at USC Keck Medical School, about the LA smog and how the future air could look like the past. She also talks with Chip Jacobs an Los Angeles based author and journalist. Chip Jacobs author of the book "Smogtown", gives you seven LA smog facts that you may not have known.

Salman Rushdie: a hero’s quest in a reality-TV world, and what wouldn’t be in an authentic LA novel Sep 24, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Salman Rushdie a British Indian novelist and essayist.

Author Dana Thomas: Fast fashion is cheap, wasteful, and hurting the planet -- and you can stop it Sep 17, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with fashion and culture journalist Dana Thomas on her book Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes.

MIT’s Sinan Aral: you can measure election interference – if the “transparency paradox” allows it Sep 10, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Professor Sinan Aral. Aral is a Professor of Marketing and Analytics at MIT and is a leading expert on social networks, social media, and digital strategy.

Director Tom Donahue: Hollywood’s labor problem is a gender bias problem Aug 27, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with film director and producer Tom Donahue on his latest documentary "This Changes Everything" about systemic gender bias and discrimination against women in Hollywood and entertainment.

Conspiracy analysts Joseph Uscinski: 21stcentury American fears trade on “invasion, white genocide” Aug 13, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Joseph Uscinski and American political scientist who specializes in the study of conspiracy theories. He is co-author of the book American Conspiracy Theories.

Author Susan Phillips: A century-long fight for public space and recognition in Los Angeles graffiti Aug 06, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Author Susan Phillips about her latest book "The City Beneath: A Century of Los Angeles Graffiti".

Theane Evangelis: Asking the Supreme Court what’s constitutional in fixing homelessness homeless Jul 30, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with constitutional lawyer Theane Evangelis with Gibson Dunn, and Crutcher. Boise, Idaho asks the Supreme Court to reverse the Ninth Circuit's ruling on homelessness issues. Theane Evangelis is partnering with renowned lawyer Theodore Olson to take on this case that could radically once again change how Los Angeles and nine other western states deal with there homeless.

Author David Runciman: a century of surviving crises leaves democracy too confident-and vulnerable Jul 16, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Professor David Runciman who teaches politics and history at Cambridge University. David talks about his book "How Democracy Ends".

Author Douglas Brinkley: JFK and America’s grand, improbable race to put men on the moon Jul 09, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with author Douglas Brinkley on his latest book, "American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race".

Citlali Fabian: using old equipment, a Oaxacan photographer records her even older culture Jun 25, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Citlali Fabian a Oaxacan photographer.

PETA's Ingrid Newkirk: doing whatever it takes to protect animals, ugly ones as well as cute ones Jun 18, 2019

Patt Morrison talks PETA's president and cofounder Ingrid Newkirk. Ingrid has led the worlds largest organization for more than 35 years.

Media law prof Doreen Weisenhaus: journalism and justice in Assange and San Francisco cases Jun 04, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Doreen Weisenhaus Associate Professor and Director of the Media Law Project at the Journalism and Media Studies Centre at the University of Hong Kong.

Trump's master fact-checker Daniel Dale: untruth and consequences May 28, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Daniel Dale the Toronto Star's Washington bureau chief, covering U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and other stories in the United States.

MPAA's Joan Graves : 30 years of watching three movies a day -- and assigning them parental ratings May 21, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Joan Graves Senior Vice President of the Motion Picture Association of America and Chairman of its Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA)

Norman Mineta – Pearl Harbor and 9/11 as defining moment in a statesman’s life May 07, 2019

Patt Morrison talks Norman Mineta an American Politician. Mineta tells legacy in his documentary, "Norman Mineta and His Legacy: An American Story,” a documentary portrait of the American statesman and trailblazer. Mineta most recently served in President George Bush's Cabinet as the United States Secretary Transportation, the only Democratic Cabinet Secretary in the Bush Administration.

Two documentarians introduce us to the Olympics of science fairs and its brilliant teen competitors Apr 30, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with film directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster on their documentary SCIENCE FAIR, a National Geographic Film.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta: chasing the world’s secrets to life and happiness that often elude Americans Apr 23, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Dr. Sanjay Gupta an american neurosurgeon and medical reporter.

Scientist Adam Rutherford: for Earth Day, the paradoxical and powerful creature called homo sapiens Apr 16, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Adam Rutherford on his latest book Humanimal : How Homo sapiens Became Nature's most Paradoxical Creature.

Terry Tempest Williams: the death of a red oak and a brother, the life of the “untaintable” West Apr 09, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Terry Tempest Williams, an American author, conservationist, and activist.

Shane Claiborne’s Bible-inspired weapons “meltdown” -- evangelizing for Jesus and against guns Apr 02, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Shane Claiborne a Christian activist and author. Claiborne is one the founding members of the intentional community, the Simple Way.

Broad Foundation chief Gerun Riley: making 21st-century philanthropy work Mar 26, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Gerun Riley President of The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.

Sociologist Jerome Karabel: admissions scandal shows privileged are desperate to keep it that way Mar 19, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Jerome Karabel a Professor of Sociology at the University of California Berkeley. Karabel is the author of the book "The Chosen : The Hidden of Admission and exclusion at Harvard, Yale, Princeton".

Thinking of un-borders: author Luis Alberto Urrea and the nature of the US-Mexico "border planet" Mar 12, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with author Luis Urrea a Mexican American poet, novelist, and essayist.

California water messager Niki Woodard: selling the drought after the deluge Mar 05, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Niki Woodard Deputy Assistant at California Department of Water Resources.

Tax whisperer Anne Alstott: what our tax code reveals about our national character Feb 26, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Anne Alstott an expert in taxation and social policy.

Author Richard Beck: what underlies the child sexual abuse hysteria, from McMartin to Pizzagate Feb 19, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Richard Beck the author of We Believe the Children: The Story of a Moral Panic.

Author Barbara Ehrenreich takes on the contradictions of “successful aging” Feb 12, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with American Author and political activist Barbara Ehrenreich about her new book "Natural Causes".

Author Craig Coenen on the NFL’s rise from scruffy, small-town sport to Super Bowl glory [ go, Rams] Jan 29, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Craig Coenen.

Jodie Evans brings her esthetic, her politics, and her CodePink thinking to the California Arts Council Jan 22, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Jodie Evans a political activist, author, and documentary film producer. Jodie is the co-founder and director of CODEPINK and the co-founder of the after-school writing program826LA.

Energy whiz Severin Borenstein: keeping the lights on and the fires out after PG&E bankruptcy Jan 15, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Severin Borenstein a Professor at UC Berkeley Haas School of business and Faculty Director of the Energy Institute at Haas.

Historian Ellen Fitzpatrick: A Hundred-Year Hurrah for Women’s Votes Jan 08, 2019

Patt Morrison talks with Ellen Fitzpatrick a professor and scholar specializing in modern American political and intellectual history.

Mike Madrid's New Year's resolution to save the California GOP: start all over again Dec 24, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Mike Madrid's on what New Year's resolutions California Republicans can make to save their party.

Linguist George Lakoff on why the GOP is better at messaging, and how Democrats can close that gap Nov 27, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with George P. Lakoff an American cognitive linguist and philosopher.

California law makes locking up guns easier than locking up possibly dangerous gun owners Nov 20, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Das Williams, an American politician who currently serves as County Supervisor on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.

Historian Mario T. Garcia: pioneering LA sanctuary priest Luis Olivares is worthy of sainthood Nov 13, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Mario T. Garcia a professor of History at UC Santa Barbara. Professor Garcia's new biography is about the amazing untold story of the Los Angeles sanctuary movement's champion, Father Luis Olivares.

Harvard's Yochai Benkler: analyzing the "propaganda feedback loop" of rightwing media Nov 06, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Yochai Benkler an author and the Professor of Entrepreneurial Legal Studies at Harvard Law School.

Author Leo Braudy charts the family tree of Halloween monsters that we love to scare us Oct 30, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Leo Braudy about his most recent book Haunted: On Ghosts, Witches, Vampires, Zombies, and Other Monsters of the Natural and Supernatural Worlds. Leo Braudy is a professor at the University of Southern California, where he teaches 17th- and 18th century English literature, film history and criticism.

Starman Neil deGrasse Tyson on the overlap of astrophysics and the military Oct 16, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Neil deGrasse Tyson an astrophysicist, and the author of "Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military", about what role astrophysicists played in advancing military technology.

Susan Orlean "The Library Book," about the Los Angeles fire that made us love libraries better Oct 09, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Susan Orlean, author and staff writer for The New Yorker about her book "The Library Book," the story of the Los Angeles Public Library fire, how it started, and how it ended.

Historian Nicolas Wey-Gomez on how Columbus' exploits inspired early human rights laws Oct 02, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Caltech History Professor Nicolas Wey-Gomez about the odd legacy of Christopher Columbus. Nicolas Gomez is the author of The Tropics of Empire: Why Columbus Sailed South to the Indies.

Songwriter Burt Bacharach , at 90 , composes a music video plea to stop school shootings Sep 25, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Burt Bacharach about and American composer, songwriter, record producer, pianist, and singer. Burt composes a music video plea to stop school shootings. He is considered one of the most important composers of 20th-century popular music.

Former Secretary of State John Kerry on the "disarray" created by Donald Trump, and fixes for our "broken" politics Sep 18, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with former Secretary of Sate John Kerry about his thoughts on the approaching midterms, and President Trump. John Kerry, author of the book "Every Day Is Extra", tells the story of his remarkable American life.

Superfan Eliyannah Amirah Yisrael wants you to love the Harry Potter books - and Hermione Granger - as she does Sep 04, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Eliyannah Amirah Yisreal about her love for the Harry Potter books.

Immigration judge A. Ashley Tabaddor: Justice Department could make judges "prosecutors in judge's robes." Aug 28, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with immigration judge Ashley Tabaddor. Judge Tabaddor is the president of the National Association of Immigration Judges, and talks about the rare step of making a labor grievance public.

Author Tom Lutz on how vacation season brings out Americans' inner slacker-- and inner workaholic Aug 21, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Tom Lutz an American writer and literary critic. Tom Lutz is the editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Review of Books. Lutz wrote a book called "Doing Nothing: A History of Loafers, Loungers, Slackers, and Bums in America"

Street artist Thrashbird takes his work to the streets - and on billboards above them Aug 14, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with LA based graffiti and street artist Thrashbird. Thrashbird is known for his billboard takeovers, stencils and wheatpastes.

Kids TV expert Dale Kunkel : FCC deregulation could nearly wipe out children's broadcast educational TV Aug 07, 2018

Patt Morrison talk with Dale Kunkel an expert on children's media topics, and the affects of television violence, sexual content, and advertising on young people. Dale Kunkel talks about how the FCC deregulation could wipe out children's broadcast educational TV.

Filmmaker Kimberly Reed: a documentary thriller on the Big Sky State vs. big "dark money" Jul 31, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Kimberly Reed an American film director and producer about her latest film Dark Money.

Filmmaker Boots Riley: the spectacle and the power of movies versus movements Jul 17, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Boots Riley, an American rapper, producer, screenwriter and film director. Boots is the lead vocalist of The Coup and Street Sweeper Social Club. Riley is the writer and director of his first film Sorry to Bother you.

Political analyst Bill Schneider sizes up "America the Ungovernable" Jul 10, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Bill Schneider an American journalist about New America and Old America. Bill Schneider has a new book called "Standoff : How America Became Ungovernable." For nearly 20 years he was CNN's political analyst.

International scholar Ann Kerr: working to open the world, in spite of bans and walls Jul 03, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Fulbright Enrichment Coordinator Ann Kerr. Ann Kerr has dedicated her professional life to cultivating an informed understanding of the Middle East Mong Americans.

Former immigration chief Doris Meissner: border security shouldn't mean separating families and shutting out the world Jun 26, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Doris Meissner former commissioner of U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Doris Meissner is a Senior Fellow at Migration Policy Institute, where she directs the Institute's U.S. immigration policy work.

Lawyer Daniel P. Tokaji on whether the right to vote is a use-it-or-lose-it proposition Jun 19, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Daniel P. Tokaji on whether the right to vote is a use-it-or-lose-it proposition. Daniel Tokaji is a professor at The Ohio State University Moritz College of law and Senior Fellow of Election Law. He teaches courses on Election Law, Constitutional Law, Federal Law, Civil Procedure, and Legislation.

Equal Rights Amendment leader Jessica Neuwirth: not one more year's wait, let alone one hundred Jun 12, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Jessica Neuwirth, an Equal Right Amendment leader. Jessica is a co-founder of the international women's rights organization Equality Now, and author of "Equal means Equal: Why the Time for an Equal Rights Amendment Is Now"

Photojournalist Boris Yaro: the 50-year remembered pain of photographing the assassinated RFK Jun 05, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Boris Yaro, a photojournalist, about the night of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, on June 5, 1968.

Free-range kids advocate Lenore Skenazy: Stop thinking children need to be tracked like FedEx packages. May 29, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Lenore Skenazy, a columnist, author, and reality show host, about what outdoor liberties to allow there children and that the risks are exaggerated. Skenazy is the founder of the book, blog, and movement "Free Range Kids"

Women's and men's rights author Warren Farrell: what underlines the "incel rebellion"? May 15, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Warren Farrell, a high profile pioneer of feminist men, about his thoughts on why incels turn out the way they do. Warren Farrell is also an author of seven books on men and women's issues, including "The Myth of Male Power" and his latest book "The Boy Crisis: Why Our Boys Are Struggling and What We Can Do about It"

California’s air quality chief: if Trump’s EPA gets its way, we’ll be “fumigated” again by pollution May 08, 2018

As chair of the Air Resources Board, Nichols wields "rock star" status. Nichols plays a central role in deciding where Californians get their energy, what fuel goes in their cars and how their homes are built. Nichols has held the post since 2007, when she was appointed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Author Richard Powers’ novel about humans’ war against trees - and why both sides could lose May 01, 2018

Patt Morrison speaks with Richard Powers, author of "The Overstory," a monumental novel about trees and people by one of our most "prodigiously talented" (The New York Times Book Review) novelists.

Since Jordon Dyrdahl-Roberts quit his job rather than give data to ICE, life has taken a turn Apr 17, 2018

Jordon Dyrdahl-Roberts is a husband, father, writer and – after quitting his job at the Montana Department of Labor and Industry rather than share information with ICE – an unintentional immigration advocate. “I loved my work at the Labor Department, but I can't be a part of breaking up families,” Dyrdahl-Roberts wrote in The Washington Post. Patt Morrison talks with Dyrdahl-Roberts about the unusual turn his life has taken since he took a stand against ICE.

For "tax day," UC Berkeley’s Dacher Keltner on how tax cuts affect the rich and poor differently. Apr 10, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at University of California, Berkeley, where he directs the Berkeley Social Interaction Lab. He is also the founder and faculty director of the Greater Good Science Center.

Anchor Judy Woodruff on the dare-to-be-boring PBS NewsHour in the era of Twitter and “fake news” Apr 03, 2018

Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, reflects on changes in the news media at a time when, more than ever, the public needs accurate and reliable sources.

Could Facebook throw an election? “Of course they could,” cautions Silicon Valley’s Aza Raskin. Mar 27, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with interface designer Aza Raskin. Raskin's work with Mozilla, Firefox and numerous innovative startups, as well as having grown up the son of human-interface expert Jef Raskin, gives him rare insight into Facebook's recent data theft debacle.

Author Steven Pinker’s long, uplifting view of human progress -- even in spite of humans themselves Mar 20, 2018

Patt Morrison speaks with Harvard psychology professor Steven Pinker. In his new book, “Enlightenment Now: the Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress,” Pinker makes the case against doom and gloom-ism, especially in academia, and tribal know-nothing-ism in politics.

Senator Dianne Feinstein -- the assault weapons foe considers whether Donald Trump can really be the man who can carry gun control reform over the goal line. Mar 07, 2018

Patt Morrison speaks with Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Joan Baez's fabled voice has changed over her 60 years of singing, but her passion for civil rights and human rights has not. Feb 21, 2018

Joan Baez talks about her new album, her upcoming farewell tour, the current state of protest music and how Trump inspired her to write a new song.

LAPD commissioner Sandra Figueroa-Villa on choosing a new police chief for Los Angeles Feb 07, 2018

The Los Angeles Police Commission already has its hands full being upbraided by protesters at its public meetings over questionable police shootings and the use of drones. Now it has to find a replacement for LAPD Chief Charlie Beck. Commissioner Sandra Figueroa-Villa speaks to Patt about the tasks at hand.

Maimuna Syed: A big Trump ballot backlash means prepping more women candidates to run for office Jan 22, 2018

Patt Morrison talks with Maimuna Syed, executive director of Emerge California, about how the organization prepares women to run for office.

Comedy writer Laurie Kilmartin’s book “Dead People Suck” also shows how much the living suck at handling death, and tells us how to do better. Jan 02, 2018

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison talks with author Laurie Kilmartin about death, dying and what to do with your stuff before you go.

Radio legend Art Laboe, who pioneered dedication shows and trademarked "oldies but goodies," is still riding the airwaves six nights a week Dec 26, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with radio legend Art Laboe.

Freeway blogger Patrick Randall: He writes the signs that make the whole driving world see his message Dec 19, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with "Freeway blogger" Patrick Randall about his unique protest method

Whatever voter ID laws require, whatever candidate you support, Voteriders and Kathleen Unger want to put the ID, and the rules, right in your hands Dec 05, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Kathleen Unger about her voter ID law non-profit, Voteriders.

Polymath performer John Hodgman rats out the state of Maine and his own foibles and follicles in his book "Vacationland" Nov 21, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with John Hodgman live at the LA Times Ideas Exchange

Nobel laureate Kip Thorne on the team that saw the waves that change the universe-- and a national science gap Nov 14, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate Kip Thorne.

Feminist author and editor Kate Harding explains the ferocious power in owning the phrase "nasty woman" Nov 07, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with feminist author and editor Kate Harding about her new book "Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump's America"

Former adman Andrew Essex: Why bad ads deserve to die, and what might replace them Oct 24, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Andrew Essex about the new era of advertising.

Writer Salman Rushdie's new novel of a rich immigrant family sizes up New York in the age of Trump Oct 09, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with author Salman Rushdie about his new book "The Golden House" at the LA Times Ideas Exchange.

Author Steven J. Ross: How Hitler's sunshine fascism almost took hold in Los Angeles Sep 26, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with author Steven J. Ross on his new book, "Hitler in Los Angeles"

Author Kurt Andersen goes looking for the dangerously strange in "Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire" Sep 19, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Kurt Andersen about his new book "Fantasyland: How America Went Waywire"

LA's new cannabis chief Cat Packer on building the city's new legal pot business from the ground up Sep 12, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Cat Packer, LA's new Executive Director of the Department of Cannabis Regulation

Science educator Bill Nye on the terrifying ascendancy of American 'dingbatitude' Sep 05, 2017

Patt Morrison sat down with Bill Nye (the Science Guy) at the LA Ideas Exchange to discuss his latest book, "Everything All At Once"

Documentarian Ken Burns brings "Vietnam" to PBS, the documentary about the war Americans thought we knew, told through voices we may never have listened to Sep 05, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison interviews documentarian filmmaker Ken Burns on his newest project, "The Vietnam War"

United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta: In the spotlight for a new documentary, as the civil rights battles she's fought are still being waged Aug 29, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta.

Women's rights campaigner Bernice Sandler: Evaluates the 37-word law that helped women to make the big plays in sports and in the classroom Aug 15, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Title IX author Bernice Sandler about the lasting influence of her bill.

California's emergency services director Mark Ghilarducci: Preparing for just about any disaster, including a nuclear one Aug 07, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with California's emergency services director Mark Ghilarducci about disaster preparedness.

Stanford professor John J. Donohue: The numbers show right-to-carry gun laws make for more violent crime, not less Aug 01, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Stanford professor and crime statistics analyst John J. Donohue about gun control and right-to-carry laws and data.

Author Anne Helen Petersen: Women who are "Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud" are on the rise Jul 10, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with author and senior culture writer for BuzzFeed Anne Helen Petersen about her new book "Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud: The Rise and Reign of the Unruly Woman"

Dr. Robert Pearl: His book offers a prescription to cure what ails American medicine Jul 03, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Dr. Robert Pearl, author of the health care reform book "Mistreated."

Summer of Love historian William Schnabel: It was a revolution, a happening, a turning point--and he was there for it Jun 13, 2017

LA Times columnist speaks with historian William Schnabel about his time in 1967 San Francisco, the "Summer of Love."

L.A. city attorney Mike Feuer: Speaking for the victim in the Dani Mathers case Jun 06, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with LA city attorney Mike Feuer about the Dani Mathers body-shaming case.

Songwriter Jimmy Webb: All about "that" cake, "that" rain, and popular music then and now May 29, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with songwriter Jimmy Webb.

Steve Ballmer: His new website puts all of government spending and taxing data at the click of a mouse May 22, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with former Microsoft CEO, current Clippers owner, and founder of government spending website USAFacts.org, Steve Ballmer.

Author David Garrow: A new biography on how Barack Obama's political star rose May 15, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with David Garrow, author of the new presidential biography, "Rising Star: The Making of Barack Obama."

Caitlyn Jenner: No more secrets about the long journey to transgender womanhood-- and what she thinks of people who leave the toilet seat up May 08, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Caitlyn Jenner on her transition to transgender womanhood, live from the Theater at the Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

Urban forests expert Igor Lacan: Why city dwellers should hug trees, because they will hug us back May 01, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with urban forest expert Igor Lacan on the importance of making room for trees in city planning.

Filmmaker John Singleton: "L.A. Burning" documents the Los Angeles Riots 25 years later Apr 24, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Boyz n The Hood director John Singleton about his new documentary, L.A. Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later.

Author Margaret Atwood: The author of "The Handmaid's Tale" on the book's passionate, enduring following and the upcoming Hulu series Apr 17, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with acclaimed author Margaret Atwood about the newest adaptation of her 1985 novel, "The Handmaid's Tale."

Author Colleen Dunn Bates: A sixth-generation Californian on how to speak with a golden tongue in the Golden State Apr 10, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Colleen Dunn Bates on her new book "Talk Like a Californian: A Hella Fresh Guide to Golden State Speak."

USC Annenberg dean Willow Bay: Leading a university journalism program into journalism's precarious future Mar 28, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Willow Bay, the new dean of USC's Annenberg School of Communications, about the present and future state of journalism.

Congressman Adam Schiff: A 9/11-style commission to investigate Russian election meddling? Mar 14, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with CA congressman Adam Schiff about the allegations concerning Russian election tampering.

Rachel Dolezal: Is race a function of who you think you are, or what face you see in the mirror? Mar 08, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison sits down with Rachel Dolezal to discuss race and identity.

Urban activist Mark Vallianatos: "No" on Measure S means "Yes" to a 21st-Century Los Angeles Mar 01, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with urban housing activist Mark Vallianatos about the controversial Measure S.

Economist Jana Gallus: What are Oscars and other non-cash awards really worth? Feb 22, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with economist Jana Gallus about the phenomenon and psychology of giving and receiving awards.

Voice of America director Amanda Bennett: New audiences, new technology, and no "Trump VOA" channel Feb 15, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Amanda Bennett, director of "Voice of America."

California attorney general Xavier Becerra: "We have a right to say to the federal government, 'Hands off.'" Feb 08, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Xavier Becerra, the new attorney general of California.

California Senator Kamala Harris: Taking on the Trump White House in "post-11/8" America Feb 01, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with recently appointed California Senator Kamala Harris about working with Trump's new administration.

Deleted tweets seeker Derek Willis: The tweets that Trump and other politicians didn't want you to read Jan 25, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Derek Willis from Politwoops, an online service which exhumes the deleted tweets of politicians.

First Amendment attorney Ted Boutros Jr.: Free speech and a free press in the Donald Trump era Jan 18, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison talks with attorney Ted Boutros Jr. about the First Amendment under the new administration.

Author and John Hughes fan Jason Diamond: Why Ferris Bueller is our Everyman Jan 11, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Jason Diamond, a writer obsessed with John Hughes movies who decided to write a book about him.

"Lore" podcast creator Aaron Mahnke: Getting to the facts about the fantastic tales humans love Jan 04, 2017

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Aaron Mahnke, creator of the "Lore" podcast, about why we love the things that go bump in the night.

Senator Barbara Boxer: Leaving the U.S. Senate, but not the struggle Dec 28, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with CA Senator Barbara Boxer about life post-election, post-term and under the new Trump presidency.

Methodist minister and author Bruce Forbes' cease-fire ideas for that "War on Christmas" Dec 21, 2016

LAT columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Methodist minister and author Bruce Forbes on the origins of the spiritual and cultural holidays of Christmas.

Housing guru Raphael Bostic: What the Ghost Ship fire reveals about California’s problem with the roofs over our heads Dec 14, 2016

LAT columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Raphael Bostic, a professor at USC's School of Public Policy, about housing crises in Los Angeles in light of the recent catastrophe in Oakland.

Los Angeles' immigration chief Linda Lopez: Preparing the city's undocumented residents for Trump's new deportation policy Dec 07, 2016

L.A. Times columnist Patt Morrison sits down with Linda Lopez, Head of L.A.'s Office of Immigrant Affairs, about what the new Trump presidency might mean for undocumented L.A. residents and their families.

New supe in town: Kathryn Barger becomes one of LA's most powerful politicians Nov 30, 2016

LAT columnist Patt Morrison sits down with Kathryn Barger, the newest member of the LA County Board of Supervisors.

Law expert Hadar Aviram: Why death row doesn't work and how Charles Manson changed the California death penalty Nov 23, 2016

LAT columnist Patt Morrison talks to Hadar Aviram about California's capital punishment laws in light of 2016's election.

Tunnels, trains and smart automobiles: Transit guru Edward Humes on spending L.A.'s new traffic billions Nov 16, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Edward Humes on the passing of LA's new traffic bill, Measure M.

TV/filmmaker Mike Judge: The birth of "Idiocracy" and the nerds of "Silicon Valley" Nov 08, 2016

LAT columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Mike Judge about the cultural resurgence and immediacy of his 2006 film, Idiocracy.

Journalist Ja’han Jones: A website compiles obituaries that black Americans are writing about themselves, imagining being shot and killed by police Oct 18, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Ja'han Jones, journalist and creator of the "Black Obituaries Project," a venue for members of the African-American community to compose their own obituaries, controlling the narrative of their lives, and potential deaths.

Playwright Joseph Rodota: Caryl Chessman‘s death row ghost as California votes on death penalty Oct 11, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with playwright Joseph Rodota on his recent work "Chessman," about California's controversial relationship with the death penalty, and the infamous Caryl Chessman.

Oppo researcher Alan Huffman: Digging dirt to clean up democracy, and the year of Donald Trump Oct 04, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Alan Huffman, opponent researcher and co-author of "We're with Nobody: Two Insiders Reveal the Dark Side of American Politics."

MacArthur "don't call me genius" Fellow Josh Kun: Digging past Hollywood for LA's cultures Sep 28, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison discusses Los Angeles culture beyond Hollywood with MacArthur Fellow Josh Kun.

The woman who brought Vin Scully to Los Angeles: Roz Wyman is Dodger true-blue for the man who talks a Dodger blue streak Sep 21, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Roz Wyman, the former LA city council member who helped persuade the Brooklyn Dodgers to move to Los Angeles in 1958, bringing with them one of the most prized possessions in baseball: Vin Scully.

Caltech planet hunters Mike Brown & Konstantin Batygin: Could Planet Nine be the new Pluto? Sep 13, 2016

Patt Morrison speaks with Mike Brown and Konstantin Batygin about their hopeful discovery of a new addition to our very own solar system: Planet Nine.

Arson Detective Ed Nordskog: Finding the firestarters when California burns Sep 07, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with arson detective Ed Nordskog about fires, how they're started and who starts them.

Word wizard Edward Finegan: For LA's birthday, La La Land's tubular gifts to the world Aug 30, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison interviews Edward Finegan, USC linguist professor, about how words from southern California disseminate into the national vocabulary. latimes.com/patt

Stanford linguist John Rickford: for black kids, changing neighborhoods can change language skills Aug 23, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Stanford professor John Rickford about how different spaces affect dialect within the African-American community.

Election fraud expert Andrew Gumbel: Donald Trump, Edgar Allan Poe, and rigging the vote Aug 16, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with journalist and author Andrew Gumbel about allegations of fraud within the 2016 election.

Author/activist Masha Gesson: Putin, Trump, and Wikileaks in this strange election year Aug 02, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with author and activist Masha Gesson about Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump, the recent DNC leaks, and their possible connection to the Kremlin. Photo credit: Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images

Writer Ursula K. Le Guin: Imaginative fiction before Comic-Con and beyond this Earth Jul 19, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with famed science-fiction author Ursula K. Le Guin about the modern popularity of speculative fiction literature, and presenting progressive ideas in not-so-progressive times.

Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley: Clinton, Trump and the long, messy history of political conventions Jul 16, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with author and historian Douglas Brinkley about the history of American political conventions and what we might expect from those in Cleveland and Philadelphia this year.

Author Rebecca Traister: The all-gal "Ghostbusters," Hillary Clinton and gender stereotypes Jul 11, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with author Rebecca Traister about the internet uproar over the upcoming all-girl reboot of fan-favorite "Ghostbusters," her book "All The Single Ladies," and gender stereotypes in America, 2016.

Oscar winner Jessica Yu: How many people does it take to overpopulate the earth? Jul 05, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison chats with Jessica Yu about overpopulation, international birth rates, and her newest documentary, Misconception.

LA River thinker Matthew Gandy : Can Frank Gehry and river-lovers row together to bring the waterway back? Jun 28, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Matthew Gandy, geographer, urbanist, and Professor of Cultural and Historical Geography at the University of Cambridge, about the elusive and infamous Los Angeles River.

Lara Smith of the Liberal Gun Club: Background checks, ammo clips, safety nets, and the NRA Jun 18, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Lara Smith, Vice President of the California chapter of the Liberal Gun Club, about guns in America, following the tragic events in Orlando last week.

Actor/Producer Omar Epps: Fathers' fight to keep their families together in a new documentary for Father's Day Jun 14, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison chats with actor/producer Omar Epps about the importance of fatherhood, and his new documentary, Daddy Don't Go.

Dr. Katrina Hedberg: How Oregon's death with dignity law works, as California's version takes effect Jun 07, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with state health officer and epidemiologist Dr. Katrina Hedberg on Oregon's "right to die" law and what it means for California's own physician assisted suicide laws.

Senator Barbara Boxer: The lifelong Democrat sizes up Bernie Sanders, Edward Snowden, Donald Trump-- and even sings a (very) little bit May 31, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Senator Barbara Boxer about her storied career in congress, what happened at the Nevada state convention, Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, Edward Snowden and her new book, "The Art of Tough."

Campaign pioneer Stuart Spencer: Ronald Reagan's first political guru takes on Donald Trump and the Republican Party for not bringing Latinos into the GOP tent May 24, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison sits down with political consultant Stuart Spencer to discuss the current state of the Republican party in the upcoming election.

Univision's Jorge Ramos: The renowned Latino TV host whose immigration question riled Donald Trump May 18, 2016

Patt Morrison speaks with Univision anchorman Jorge Ramos on his altercation with Republican candidate Donald Trump, President Obama's deportation record, immigration, and other issues important to Latino voters in this upcoming election.

Director Whit Stillman: Jane Austen’s nice girls finish last in the new film and book “Love & Friendship” May 11, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison sits down with writer/director Whit Stillman on his adaptation of the rare Jane Austen novella, "Lady Susan."

RAND's Brian Michael Jenkins: Terrorists, technology, and the tradeoffs of freedom and security May 04, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Brian Michael Jenkins, Senior Advisor to the RAND Corporation and an expert on terrorism, about what terrorism means to America in 2016.

Statistics mythbuster Gary Smith: Prince, David Bowie, and those funny numbers about celebrity deaths and baseball superstitions Apr 26, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison interviews Gary Smith, professor of Economics at Pomona College, on the statistics of celebrity deaths.

Shakespeare on love, sex, racism and evil: How a dead white guy still rocks our world 400 years later Apr 19, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison waxes poetic with Ron Rosenbaum, author of The Shakespeare Wars, on the many interpretations and controversies surrounding the Bard.

Alan Alda: the actor and science fan teaches modern Einsteins how to be Carl Sagans too Apr 05, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with actor and science-enthusiast Alan Alda about his work helping scientists communicate with the public, and helping children better understand scientific principles through his annual Flame Challenge at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.

LA's Poet Laureate Luis J. Rodriguez: Poetry the hard way, for National Poetry Month Mar 30, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with esteemed Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, Luis J. Rodriguez about how poetry has shaped his life, the country at large, and the culture here in the City of Angels, as we head into National Poetry Month this April.

Seismologist Lucy Jones: The “Earthquake Lady” retires, but still awaits California’s “Big One” Mar 23, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison sits down with retiring USGS seismologist Lucy Jones, affectionately known as "Earthquake Lady," to talk about the science, the safety, new technologies, shifting terminology, what she's learned and how the field has changed over her 33 years in the earthquake business.

Patt Morrison Asks - Humor and health expert Lee Berk Mar 16, 2016

Patt Morrison speaks with Loma Linda University's resident humor and health expert Lee Berk about the medicinal benefits of laughter.

Patt Morrison Asks - Robert O. Paxton, Professor Emeritus Mar 09, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison asks Robert O. Paxton, Professor Emeritus of Social Sciences, about that political dirty word "Fascism" as it relates to Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump.

Patt Morrison Asks - Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson Mar 02, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison sits down with activist DeRay Mckesson, a prominent figure in the #BlackLivesMatter movement, WeTheProtesters.org, JoinCampaignZero.org, and currently running for mayor of Baltimore, MD.

Patt Morrison Asks - FOX's "Bordertown" writers, Lalo Alcaraz & Gustavo Arellano Feb 17, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison interviews Lalo Alcaraz and Gustavo Arellano, writers from FOX's "Bordertown," a new animated series about a whites and Latinos living side by side in a town on the U.S./Mexico border. (music by audionautix.com)

Patt Morrison Asks - LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King Feb 10, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison heads to Los Angeles Unified School District HQ to sit down with the new superintendent, Michelle King, the district's first African-American female superintendent. (music by audionautix.com)

Patt Morrison Asks - Dr. Bennet Omalu Feb 03, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Dr. Bennet Omalu, the forensic pathologist from Nigeria known for discovering a disease called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and subject of the book and recent film adaptation, Concussion, starring Will Smith. (music by audionautix.com)

Patt Morrison Asks - LAPD Chief Charlie Beck Jan 13, 2016

LA Times columnist Patt Morrison speaks with Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck on crime rates, gun violence, Prop 47, and the recent school closures in the wake of the San Bernardino shooting. (music by audionautix.com)

Patt Morrison Asks - A New Podcast from the Los Angeles Times! Jan 07, 2016

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