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What's on AirTalk? Summer travel, gut talk, governor candidate Katie Porter, LGBTQ music, and more
Travelers check-in for their flights ahead of Memorial Day weekend at Los Angeles International Airport on May 23, 2025.
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Frederic J. Brown
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AFP / Getty Images
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Today on AirTalk, we have an interview with California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter, as well as segments on summer travel and the history of LGBTQ music.
Today's show: AirTalk host Larry Mantle discusses the kick-off to summer travel, neurological conditions and gut health, a new book on the history of LGBTQ music. Plus, an interview with California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter, and TV talk.
Kicking off summer travel – it’s not lookin’ pretty
The topic:
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer travel, but high gas prices and a turbulent air travel industry are making travel more complex.
Listen
16:20
Listen to the conversation:
Guests: Kandace Redd, senior public affairs specialist at the Automobile Club of Southern California; Teresa Murray, Consumer Watchdog director, PIRG; and Brian Sumers, editor of the Airline Observer
Background: Prices for travel have surged in recent months in large part because jet fuel costs in the U.S. have nearly doubled since the conflict with Iran began, and the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $4.56 — up from $3.18 around this time last year, and the highest pump price since 2022.
The forecast: AAA still projects a record 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday and Memorial Day, including 39.1 million by car and 3.66 million by air.
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Join the conversation: Are you considering travel this summer, or scaling back? Tell us how rising costs are reshaping your plans at (866) 893-5722 or atcomments@laist.com.
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Neurological conditions and gut health
Could Parkinson's and other neurological diseases be treated through the gut?
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Jacob Wackerhausen
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Getty Images / iStockphoto
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The topic:
Your gut can affect your day-to-day life. But recent research suggests that your gut health also affects predispositions to long-term neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Listen
18:26
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Guests: Malú Gámez Tansey, professor of neurology and director of neuroimmunology research at Indiana University and Laurie Sanders, associate professor of neurology at Duke University
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Why it matters: Recent studies suggest that the risks of Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, autism and eating disorders are linked to gastrointestinal issues, particularly because poor gut health can lead to immune system destabilization and inflammation.
Join the conversation: Have you or someone you know experienced gut-related issues or a change in eating habits in correlation to neurological disorders? Give us a call at (866) 893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
New book explores the history of LGBTQ music
Which LGBTQ artist or song shaped how you thought about identity, sexuality or yourself?
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Liudmila Kiermeier
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Getty Images / iStockphoto
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The topic:
For 40 years, music critic Barry Walters has documented how LGBTQ artists, fans and record-business insiders shaped American pop. His new book Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969-2000 argues they didn't just contribute to the mainstream; they reshaped it.
Listen
14:51
Listen to the conversation:
Guest: Barry Walters, music journalist and author of Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969-2000
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Context: Walters began at the Village Voice, where he came out publicly in a 1986 Pet Shop Boys review. He has since written for Spin, Rolling Stone, the Advocate, Out and NPR. The book runs from the Velvet Underground to the dawn of the 21st century.
Today: We talk with Walters about the artists, scenes and labels that drove this history, including David Bowie, Grace Jones, Sylvester and the Indigo Girls. We also get into the strands he says even longtime fans tend to miss.
Join the conversation: Which LGBTQ artist or song shaped how you thought about identity, sexuality or yourself? Give us a call at (866) 893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.
In-depth with Katie Porter
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter speaks during The Western Growers California Gubernatorial Candidate Forum in Fresno on April 1, 2026.
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Larry Valenzuela
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CalMatters
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The topic:
Katie Porter, a U.S. representative for California's 47th congressional district from 2019 to 2025, is running for governor. She's leaning on her background in consumer protection and education in her pitch to voters.
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Listen
30:04
Listen to the conversation"
Guest: Katie Porter, Democratic candidate for California governor
The context: AirTalk is sitting down with candidates vying to be California’s next governor for long-form, in-depth discussions leading up to the June 2 primary.
Voter Game Plan: Figure out who and what is on your ballot with the LAist Voter Game Plan.
TV Talk: ‘Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed,’ ‘Nemesis,’ ‘Star City,’ and more
What should you watch over the long weekend?
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Pituk Loonhong / Getty Images
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iStockphoto
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The topic:
Have you felt completely overwhelmed when deciding what new show to watch these days? Us too. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching.
Listen
19:42
Listen to the conversation:
Guests: Dominic Patten, executive editor at Deadline Hollywood, and Liz Shannon-Miller, senior entertainment editor at Consequence
TV shows:
- The Late Show With Stephen Colbert [FINALE] (CBS | Paramount+)
- SNL [Season 51 FINALE ] (NBC | Peacock)
- Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed [Season 1] (Apple TV)
- Star City [Season 1] (Apple TV)
- The Boroughs [Season 1] (Netflix)
- Nemesis [Season 1] (Netflix)
- Mating Season [Season 1] (Netflix)
- The Punisher: One Last Kill Rivals [TV Movie] (Disney+)
- The Boys [Season 5 FINALE] (Prime Video)
- NBA playoffs
Guests:
- Dominic Patten, executive editor at Deadline Hollywood
- Liz Shannon-Miller, senior entertainment editor at Consequence
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Today on AirTalk: the 2026 World Cup, the latest on the Eaton and Palisades fires, a new biography of Roddy McDowall, waiting in lines and TV Talk. -
Downtown Los Angeles hosts an array of historic theaters that are screening classic films this month. -
Today on AirTalk: Governor's race, new data on CA teaching programs, golf's popularity, mosquito sterilization, AI in healthcare and last day of school memories.
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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