State of Gold

Guest:Stephen Moore, Economist; Co-Founder, Committee to Unleash ProsperityGuest Bio: Stephen Moore is one of the country's best-known free-market economists. A co-founder of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity and the Club for Growth, and a former member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board, he served as a senior economic adviser to Donald Trump and, with Larry Kudlow, helped craft the tax cuts that passed in 2017. He first came to Washington in 1983, when the national debt was $1 trillion, and today he also sits on the board of Lightspeed, a company building houses with robots.Show SummaryCalifornia's billionaire tax is headed for the November ballot. Moore's answer starts with a construction worker's line he loves to quote: "I was never hired by a poor person." His new Committee to Unleash Prosperity project puts a number on it, finding that a billionaire's benefit to everyone else, in jobs, wages, and taxes, runs about ten times what they keep. Tax billionaires, he argues, and you simply get fewer of them, and he explains why the national wealth tax Ro Khanna wants, with the floor dropped to $50 million, would put California in an even deeper hole.Moore runs through the rest of the fiscal picture with the same bluntness: a federal budget he says could be cut by a third, a Social Security system he calls the worst investment of your lifetime after comparing his own $3,500 monthly benefit to the $10,000 an index fund would have paid, and a broken health care market.The conversation closes on the two forces he thinks decide California's future. First, AI: the farm-tractor logic of creative destruction, the data centers he calls the ignition switch of the economy, and the cancer cures he expects within 15 years. Second, taxes: his advice to the next governor is one Prop 13-sized reform - a 5% flat tax, that he says could set off another California gold rush.Chapters00:00 – Welcome: Economist Steve Moore00:11 – The $40 Trillion Debt: How Bad Is It Really?00:48 – The Least Rotten Apple in the Cart02:15 – Houses Built by Robots: The Productivity Boom Ahead03:29 – Crafting the Trump Tax Cuts with Larry Kudlow04:30 – Cut Washington by a Third, Get Better Government05:40 – The 12% Fix: Social Security as a 401k06:49 – The Worst Investment of Your Lifetime07:27 – Insurance Companies Are Ripping Us Off08:17 – The Question No Patient Asked in 30 Years08:50 – No Prices, No Market: Health Care Transparency10:32 – Iran, Oil, and the Price at the Pump12:21 – "I Was Never Hired by a Poor Person"12:35 – What Is a Billionaire Worth? The 10x Math13:46 – The Myth of the Robber Barons16:29 – Why a National Wealth Tax Buries California18:06 – The Farm Tractor Rule: AI and Creative Destruction19:50 – Curing Cancer, Restoring Sight: The AI Upside22:40 – Data Centers: The Ignition Switch of the Economy23:01 – Advice for California's Next Governor24:33 – Prop 13 Then, a 5% Flat Tax NowConnect with Stephen MooreX : https://x.com/StephenMooreLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-moore-89bab738a/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Alex Marlow, Editor-in-Chief, Breitbart News & Host of the Alex Marlow ShowGuest Bio: Alex Marlow is the editor-in-chief of Breitbart News, where he was the site's first employee and has run its newsroom since 2013. He is a bestselling author whose latest book, Breaking the Law, examines the six major court cases brought against President Trump. A Los Angeles native who came up through an elite LA prep school, UC Berkeley, and an early obsession with talk radio, he covers national politics from the perspective of someone still living in, and rooting for, Southern California.Show SummaryGavin Newsom is polling at or near the top of the 2028 Democratic field, and Breitbart News editor-in-chief Alex Marlow joins host Jon Slavet with the obvious question: how does anyone run for president on that record? Marlow runs through the surplus that became a deficit, the fires, the homelessness, and the oppo file Axios reports is already being assembled - and explains why none of it may matter in a Democratic field he considers weak.Marlow makes his calls: the Republican side is already settled for JD Vance (the one name he gave Trump when asked who should be vice president), Kamala Harris still in the driver's seat on the Democratic side, and a warning about the one kind of candidate who could take it from her. He and Jon dig into Scott Galloway's Newsom worship, why Woke 2.0 is just Woke 1.0 with new branding, and the question Marlow says decides whether California is salvageable at all: will the tech elite follow Elon Musk and Sergey Brin out of the Democratic coalition, or keep grading Sacramento an F and voting for it anyway?The back half is a two-way report card on the Trump administration, from unsold victories like prescription drug pricing to the handling of the Iran strikes and tariffs, and it closes with Marlow's historical parallel for this moment: a new Gilded Age, where technology cured boredom and, in his telling, made us less informed, stupider, and crazier.Chapters00:00 – Welcome: Breitbart Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow00:17 – Newsom at the Top of the 2028 Polls00:50 – The Record He'd Run On: Surplus to Deficit, Fires, Homelessness02:08 – The Oppo File Is Already Being Built03:12 – A Field So Weak the 10th Strongest Republican Wins03:41 – Scott Galloway and the Newsom Aura04:47 – The Tech Elite: Will They Follow Musk and Brin Out?05:48 – Focus Groups: F Grades, Same Votes06:16 – The 2028 Matchup: JD Vance vs. Kamala Harris09:25 – Woke 1.0 vs. Woke 2.0: No Difference12:41 – Can the Democrats Course-Correct Before 2028?14:26 – Marlow's Honest Report Card on Trump15:59 – The Unsold Victory: Prescription Drug Prices18:20 – Jon's Case: Stale Bread on a Soviet Shelf19:55 – The Historical Parallel: A New Gilded Age20:29 – We Cured Boredom and Got Stupider22:37 – The Positive Spin: This Gilded Age Builds MillionairesConnect with Alex Marlow X: https://x.com/AlexMarlowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlownews/Facebook: https://facebook.com/alexmarlowmediaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexMarlowShowWebsite: alexmarlow.comEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

GuestMike Murphy, Republican Political Strategist; Co-Founder, EVs for All AmericaGuest Bio Mike Murphy is one of the Republican Party's most successful political consultants, having advised presidential and gubernatorial campaigns for John McCain, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with dozens of GOP senators, governors, and members of Congress. A longtime media strategist and co-host of the Hacks on Tap podcast, he later founded EVs for All America and the EV Politics Project, organizations working to take the partisanship out of electric vehicle adoption in the United States.Show SummaryRepublican strategist Mike Murphy joins host Jon Slavet to lay out why he thinks California Republicans are mathematically doomed in the near term, what he actually advised Steve Hilton to do differently, and why he sees Democratic frontrunner Xavier Becerra as this cycle's Joe Biden. Murphy digs into the recent Berkeley poll showing deep partisan splits in trust of California's election system, explaining why the state still is not part of the multistate voter file compact most others use. The conversation turns to the 2026 midterms, where Murphy predicts Democrats take the House by a narrower margin than historical trends suggest, and where he thinks the real fight, and the real risk for Republicans, is the Senate.He closes on lighter ground: The 3,000 mile electric Porsche drive he just completed for his nonprofit EVs for All America, why China's auto export numbers should worry every American policymaker regardless of party.Chapters00:00 – Cold Open: Can Republicans Take Back California?00:15 – Welcome: GOP Strategist Mike Murphy01:21 – What It Would Actually Take for Republicans to Win California02:31 – His Advice to Steve Hilton's Campaign05:05 – Is Becerra "The Joe Biden of 2026"?07:03 – The $100 Billion Deficit That Could Force Real Change09:30 – The Berkeley Poll: Trust in California's Elections and Voter ID14:01 – The 2026 Midterms: What Happens to the House15:01 – The Real Fight: Control of the Senate17:00 – Why Trump's White House Won't Sell Its Own Economy18:12 – One Trump Policy He Actually Likes18:57 – His Break With Trump on Foreign Policy19:33 – Hope for a Post-Trump Conservative Reset20:18 – Driving an Electric Porsche Coast to Coast21:45 – China's EV Dominance and the National Security Stakes24:18 – What Gives Him Hope for CaliforniaConnect with Mike MurphyX: https://x.com/murphymikeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelemurphy/Substack: https://substack.com/@mikemurphy1Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest Bio: Joshua Rauh is the Ormond Family Professor of Finance at Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Senior Fellow in Economics at the Hoover Institution, where he leads the Fiscal Policy Initiative. He is also a Senior Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. His research centers on public finance, state and local government pension liabilities, and taxation. From November 2019 to March 2020 he served as Principal Chief Economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers. He has testified before Congress on public pension debt and is best known for his "Hidden Debt, Hidden Deficits" series, which documented the true scale of unfunded pension promises across U.S. states. Find his finance Substack here: https://libertylensecon.substack.com/Show SummaryIn this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with Stanford economist Josh Rauh to work through the numbers behind California's proposed Billionaire Tax and why Hoover Institution research puts the net fiscal impact at negative $25 billion. Rauh explains how the tax is already accelerating founder departures, how the legislation could be leveraged to sieze assets from any Californian, and what France's failed experiment tells us about what happens next. The conversation shifts to the federal debt, where Rauh makes the case that $40 trillion in accumulated deficits is the single biggest threat facing the American economy: The real reason mortgage rates won't come down, the reason 25 cents of every non Social Security tax dollar now goes straight to interest payments, and why the 1970s stagflation era is the closest historical parallel if Congress doesn't change course.Chapters00:00 – Josh Rauh Joins to talk Billionaire Tax and the Federal Debt00:54 – The France Parallel: What Macron's Repealed Wealth Tax Proves02:17 – The $25 Billion Math: Why the Tax Would Lose the State Money03:36 – Founders Already Fleeing: "Raise the Series B, Then Leave"04:09 – The Legislature Loophole: One Word From a Millionaire Tax05:35 – Could This Become a 2028 Democratic Primary Weapon?07:37 – If It Passes: The Zuckerberg January 1 Cutoff Problem08:50 – Revenue for the State or Prosperity for the People?10:00 – Proposition 42, Teachers' Pensions, and MediCal for Undocumented Immigrants12:59 – Tariffs & Spending: Why They're Not the Biggest Threat15:28 – The Real Crisis: $40 Trillion in Federal Debt and Your Mortgage Rate18:07 – Clinton's "Balanced Budget" and the Accounting Fiction18:55 – Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security: Half the Budget Nobody Will Touch22:26 – What a Federal Debt Crisis Would Actually Look Like26:41 – California's IOU Playbook When the Market Corrects29:22 – Reasons for Optimism in CaliforniaConnect with Joshua RauhX: https://x.com/joshrauhLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-rauh-01a02017/Stanford Website: https://web.stanford.edu/~rauh/about.htmlPersonal Website: https://www.joshuarauh.com/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Elizabeth Barcohana, Attorney & CAGOP Delegate Guest Bio: Elizabeth Barcohana is a California Republican strategist, political commentator, and founder of Vote Gold, a 501(c)(3) voter education organization working to register 460,000 Republican voters in Los Angeles County. She serves as Chair of Jewish Community Engagement for the California Republican Party and is a prominent voice on California politics, election integrity, and Jewish community issues. Her family fled Iran just before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, a history that shapes her urgent perspective on antisemitism and political displacement. With over 95,000 Instagram followers, she has built one of the most engaged conservative audiences in California.Show SummaryElizabeth Barcohana joins host Jon Slavet for a wide-ranging conversation about rising antisemitism in American cities, the accelerating leftward shift of California's Democratic Party, and what Republicans can actually do about it in Los Angeles County. She describes, for the first time publicly, her family's contingency planning for possible displacement from Los Angeles, drawing a direct line from her parents' flight from Iran months before the Shah fell to what she sees forming in American cities today. From there the conversation covers why so many Jewish voters remain with the Democratic Party despite rising antisemitism in its progressive wing, why Barcohana believes the DSA takeover of California's Democratic establishment is already complete, what the LA City Council's non-citizen voting proposal actually contained and how far it exceeded anything California law currently permits, and why Vote Gold is targeting voter registration as the single highest-leverage play available to California Republicans right now.Chapters00:00 Rising Antisemitism & Contingency Plans: Discussing safety concerns and family history in Los Angeles.01:17 Lessons from the Iranian Revolution: Comparing historical Jewish diaspora persecution to modern urban realities.04:48 Demystifying the Jewish Democratic Vote: Analyzing historical alignment and the post-Oct 7th political shift.08:47 The Progressive Democratic Takeover: Explaining why far-left factions have already captured urban party leadership.10:17 Auditing the LA Mayoral Primary: Assessing Spencer Pratt's campaign and the Bass-Raman runoff.14:05 Non-Citizen Voting Push: Unpacking the LA City Council's proposal and progressive voting strategies.19:34 The Vote Gold Initiative: Outlining the 460K LA campaign to educate and register voters.Connect with Elizabeth Barcohana X: https://x.com/E_Barcohana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethfromcalifornia/ Official Website: https://www.elizabethbarcohana.com/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

GuestNick Gillespie, Editor-at-Large - Reason MagazineGuest BioNick Gillespie is an acclaimed libertarian journalist, cultural critic, and Editor-at-Large at Reason, the magazine of free minds and free markets. The former editor-in-chief of Reason.com and Reason magazine, Gillespie hosts The Reason Interview with Nick Gillespie podcast and is co-author of The Declaration of Independents: How Libertarian Politics Can Fix What's Wrong with America. Recognized as one of America's leading classical liberal commentators, he offers sharp, principled analysis on technology, government overreach, free speech, and the future of human agency.Show SummaryAs artificial intelligence rapidly accelerates toward recursive self-development and human-level intelligence, a high-stakes debate is unfolding over who should control its safeguards. Libertarian commentator and Reason Editor-at-Large Nick Gillespie joins host Jon Slavet on State of Gold to discuss why handing AI regulation to politicians will stifle technological progress and entrench corporate monopolies.Gillespie exposes how entrenched tech giants utilize "regulatory capture" under the guise of public safety to write rules that protect their market share and block emerging competitors. Addressing the global AI race, Gillespie argues that attempting to out-regulate an authoritarian state like China is a losing strategy, insisting that America's true competitive edge lies in free-market dynamism and first-to-market innovation. Finally, Gillespie rejects apocalyptic AI job doom-saying, offering an optimistic vision of AI as an empowering tool - that will ultimately expand human agency, creativity, and economic opportunity.Chapters00:00 Recursive AI Growth: Examining AI's evolution toward breakout self-development.00:53 Industry vs. State Safeguards: Explaining why self-policing beats political control.01:24 The Regulatory Capture Trap: Detailing how Big Tech uses rules to crush competition.02:12 Beating China in Tech: Leveraging free markets vs. state-directed AI.02:46 AI & Job Doomsday Myths: Viewing AI as an empowering tool for human agency.Connect with Nick GillespieX: https://twitter.com/nickgillespieFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nick.gillespie.940Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillespienick/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gillespie-2ba38786/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheReasonInterviewEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Chef Andrew Gruel, California Business Owner Guest Bio: Andrew Gruel is an acclaimed chef, television personality, restaurateur, and elected official serving on the Huntington Beach City Council. Renowned for founding Slapfish and American Nightcap, Gruel has become a leading national advocate for small business freedom, food quality reform, and fiscal realism. His hands-on experience navigating California's heavy regulatory environment, labor mandates, and municipal challenges provides an authoritative critique of local governance, state legal overreach, and the economic policies impacting working families.Show SummaryLos Angeles is hurtling toward a financial abyss, driven by exploding pension liabilities, mismanaged city budgets, and an unsustainable administrative apparatus. Following the primary election, the city faces a November runoff between progressive incumbents whose primary solutions remain expanding government, adding regulations, and raising taxes on a depleted tax base. Chef, restaurateur, and Huntington Beach City Councilmember Andrew Gruel joins host Jon Slavet to deliver a candid audit of the fiscal collapse facing Southern California's largest municipality.Gruel explains how the flight of productive taxpayers and businesses has left Los Angeles unable to maintain basic municipal infrastructure, creating an administrative power vacuum. Rather than waiting on an inept municipal government, Gruel emphasizes the need for grassroots civic action and neighborhood-level self-governance. He also exposes the destructive legal mechanisms crippling California employers, placing particular focus on the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) - a unique legal framework that allows trial lawyers and state agencies to turn minor errors into ruinous class-action lawsuits.The conversation pivots to broader economic and health reforms, evaluating the real-world fallout of Sacramento's fast-food minimum wage mandate on price inflation, job losses, and forced automation. Gruel contrasts LA's municipal decline with the independent charter city model implemented in Huntington Beach. Drawing on his work with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, Gruel outlines a practical vision for dismantling top-heavy food supply chains, and restoring free-market transparency.Chapters00:00 LA’s Financial Abyss: Examining municipal budget paralysis and election fallout.01:05 Pension and Overtime Traps: Auditing police overtime costs and pension liabilities.02:23 Power Vacuum and Local Agency: Reclaiming neighborhood control amidst government failure.04:37 Grassroots Civic Action: Funding local safety and infrastructure outside government.05:36 The PAGA Threat: Explaining how labor law litigation destroys small businesses.06:59 How PAGA Class Actions Work: Detailing $500k lawsuit penalties over minor errors.09:12 Huntington Beach Charter Model: Utilizing local control to counter Sacramento mandates.10:56 Fast-Food Mandate Fallout: Analyzing job losses and price inflation from wage hikes.13:11 MAHA and Food Supply Reform: Dismantling corporate food monopolies and supply chains.16:07 Rapid Fire & Culinary Secrets: Sharing the secret to a perfect roast chicken.17:31 Demand vs. Unit Economics: Finding hope in California’s unmatched natural assets.Connect with Chef Andrew GruelX: https://x.com/ChefGruelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewgruel/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewgruel/Website: http://www.chefgruel.comEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Dr. Drew Pinsky, Host of "Ask Dr. Drew on Rumble"Guest Bio: Dr. Drew Pinsky is a board-certified physician, addiction medicine specialist, New York Times bestselling author, and acclaimed media personality. For over three decades, Dr. Drew has been a trusted public voice on addiction, mental health, and medical policy, hosting iconic programs such as Loveline, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, and the Dr. Drew Podcast. Having served as the medical director for chemical dependency services at Pasadena Recovery Center for over twenty years, his hands-on clinical background provides an authoritative critique of California’s public health frameworks, street-level addiction crises, and administrative barriers to compassionate, medical-based care.Show SummaryCalifornia has poured over $24 billion into addressing homelessness and addiction under Governor Gavin Newsom, yet conditions across major metropolitan hubs continue to visibly decline. Board-certified physician and addiction medicine specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky joins host Jon Slavet to unpack the structural, legal, and medical failures driving this ongoing humanitarian disaster in Southern California.Dr. Drew targets the state's refusal to acknowledge severe brain disorders and addiction as medical conditions requiring custodial care and intervention. He exposes how Los Angeles has effectively created an "outdoor psychiatric hospital" where trained doctors and nurses are barred from rendering care, leaving unhoused residents in the hands of untrained social workers and volunteers while fatal overdoses mount.The conversation contrasts Los Angeles's administrative paralysis with functional municipal governance in cities like Pasadena and across Orange County. Dr. Drew also offers actionable medical advice on healthy longevity, emphasizing resistance training, managing genetic cardiovascular risks, and focusing on quality of life over mere longevity.Chapters00:00 The $24B Homeless Failure: Why state spending produced worse outcomes.00:42 California’s Outdoor Psych Ward: Exposing medical collapse on LA streets.02:11 Care Courts & Legal Barriers: Why courts fail to commit impaired patients.02:39 Social Workers vs. Medical Care: Replacing doctors with social workers fuels crisis.08:26 Functional Governance Models: Comparing LA to Pasadena and Orange County.10:29 Living in Exile vs. Safe Spaces: Examining population flight and Adam Carolla's views.11:10 Practical Blueprint for Longevity: Why resistance training matters as you age.12:35 Navigating Modern Medicine: Managing genetic risks and living well.Connect with Dr. Drew PinskyX:  https://x.com/drdrewInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdrewpinsky/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdrewFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdrewOfficial Website: https://drdrew.comEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

GuestVictor Davis Hanson, Senior Fellow - Hoover InstitutionGuest BioVictor Davis Hanson is a world-renowned military historian, classicist, author, and the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow in Classics and Military History at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. A fifth-generation California farmer from the Central Valley, Hanson has authored over two dozen books covering ancient warfare, modern geopolitics, and American political culture, including The Dying Citizen, The Case for Trump, and The End of Everything. His sharp historical commentary offers a critique of progressive ideology, elite governance, and the constitutional principles required to sustain the American Republic.Show SummaryA profound political and cultural shift is sweeping through urban centers across America, driven by an affluent class of educated, urban professionals. Renowned historian and scholar Victor Davis Hanson joins host Jon Slavet for a look at the rise of Democratic Socialism in America, tracing how elite university indoctrination and DEI frameworks have replaced traditional civic education with systemic resentment.Hanson audits the real-world fallout of progressive governance in California under Governor Gavin Newsom. From sky-high sales taxes and astronomical utility rates, to a 21% poverty rate and the $100+ billion High-Speed Rail project sitting like a modern-day Stonehenge across Central Valley farmland - Hanson details how state mandates have manufactured artificial scarcity. He explains how agricultural communities and multi-generational families are being squeezed out by regulatory paralysis and water cutoffs, leaving a hollowed-out middle class.The conversation pivots to the fiscal tipping point facing the state as productive taxpayers flee for low-tax states. Hanson describes how California is reaching a critical threshold where there are no longer enough productive tax-paying households to sustain the state's expanding welfare and administrative apparatus. Finally, reflecting on America's upcoming 250th anniversary, Hanson offers perspective on the constitutional genius, federalism, and individual liberty that have kept the American Republic intact while other grand political experiments collapsed.Chapters00:00 The Rise of Socialism: Analyzing the urban elite push toward radical politics.00:43 The Three Constituents: Breaking down university elites, unassimilated immigrants, and DEI rules.05:37 Democratic Electoral Conundrum: Examining historical landslides and McGovern parallels.09:58 The 2028 Field: Assessing Newsom's liabilities, AOC's limits, and party drift.12:40 Newsom’s California Record: Auditing sky-high taxes, poverty, and High-Speed Rail waste.18:00 Taxpayer Exodus: Detailing wealth flight and aggressive tax enforcement.21:53 The American Republic at 250: Celebrating federalism, middle-class roots, and constitutional genius.Connect with Victor Davis HansonX: https://x.com/VDHansonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/victor.d.hanson/reels/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

GuestJennifer Van Laar, Editor - Redstate.comGuest BioJennifer Van Laar is an award-winning investigative journalist and the Editor-in-Chief of RedState. Known for her fearless, ground-level reporting on public corruption, government accountability, and California politics, Van Laar has broken major stories on state-level financial improprieties, non-profit influence peddling, and federal law enforcement probes. With over two decades of background in judicial administration and investigative media, her sharp exposure of political networks and executive ethics has made her a prominent, uncompromising voice in West Coast political journalism.Show SummaryA major federal shadow has fallen over Sacramento, as the Department of Justice and IRS criminal investigators probe the personal finances, real estate transactions, and non-profit connections of Governor Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel Newsom. While state leadership dismisses these inquiries as partisan political attacks, investigative journalist Jennifer Van Laar joins host Jon Slavet for a reality check on the actual origins, scope, and timeline of these federal probes.Van Laar pulls no punches as she details the intricate web of Sacramento corruption, tracing how wiretapped conversations involving political operative Alexis Podesta and the federal conviction of Newsom’s top aide Dana Williamson unlocked wider scrutiny. She breaks down the financial gaps in the Newsoms' luxury real estate portfolio, from the unexplained $3.7 million cash purchase of their Sacramento mansion by a cousin's LLC, to favorable, a below-market interest rate mortgage on their $9.1 million Marin County estate. The conversation expands into the machinery of legal corruption in California. Van Laar audits how state-funded licensing deals for Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s non-profits and non-competitive contracts for friends funnel taxpayer money to political allies. She also diagnoses the rampant waste within Los Angeles's homeless services agency, LAHSA. Finally, Van Laar shares her alarming personal story of being forced to flee California after receiving dark web threats for exposing activist organizations. Chapters00:00 Exiled From California: Threats force Van Laar to flee.00:38 DOJ Probe Realities: Unpacking federal inquiries into Newsom finances.02:16 The Wiretap Trail: Detailing Alexis Podesta and Dana Williamson connections.05:11 Sacramento Mansion Deal: Exposing $3.7M cash purchase anomalies.07:42 The $9.1M Marin House: Auditing Axos Bank favorable mortgage terms.12:18 Non-Profit Influence: Examining Jennifer Siebel Newsom's state-funded deals.15:30 LAHSA & Homeless Fraud: Tracking corruption in Los Angeles homeless agencies.17:23 Exposing CHIRLA Operations: Uncovering migrant day-labor networks and dark web threats.21:59 Newsom's Political Future: Assessing indictment risks and 2028 ambitions.Connect with Jennifer Van LaarX: https://x.com/jenvanlaarInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifervanlaar/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jennifervanlaarMedium: https://medium.com/@jennifervanlaarEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Kevin Kiley, Candidate for Congress (CA-6)Guest Bio: Kevin Kiley is the U.S. Representative for California's 3rd Congressional District and currently serves as the only Independent member of the United States House of Representatives. A former high school teacher in inner-city Los Angeles and former California State Assemblyman, Kiley has spent his career advocating for educational choice, tax relief, public safety, and governmental accountability. As Chair of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, he is a leading national voice against regulatory overreach and legislative gerrymandering, championing independent representation focused on lower living costs for California families.Show SummaryCongressman Kevin Kiley has stepped out of party confines to become the sole Independent member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Navigating a hyper-partisan chamber that forces independent members to caucus with a major party to retain committee assignments, Kiley joins host Jon Slavet for a discussion on what authentic, non-partisan representation looks like for Californians.Kiley pulls no punches as he explains his willingness to break with Trump on core policy issues - including opposing tariffs and defending international support for Ukraine - while remaining focused on delivering local results. He details the fallout from Proposition 50's aggressive gerrymandering, which splintered his original district into six separate pieces, and outlines his strategy for victory in the newly formed 6th District with a focus on kitchen table issues like the cost of living.The conversation gets tactical as Kiley audits the legislative record of his opponent, Richard Pan, exposing past votes for gas tax increases, elderly parole laws for violent offenders, and extreme pandemic mandates. Kiley outlines his active federal legislative initiatives, including a proposed cap on state gas taxes, expanding federal Tax Credit Scholarships despite Gavin Newsom's state opt-out, and bipartisan legislation to ban insider stock trading for members of Congress, executive appointees, and judges. This episode offers a look at real independent governance and economic realism.Chapters00:00 The Independent Shift: Caucusing in a partisan House.01:50 Independent Policy Stance: Breaking with Trump on tariffs and Ukraine.03:35 The Prop 50 Gerrymander: Running in California's new 6th District.06:37 Auditing Richard Pan: Rebutting healthcare attacks and extreme mandates.09:37 Gas Tax Cap Legislation: Proposing a 50-cent federal ceiling.10:57 Education Tax Credit: Expanding choice despite Sacramento's opt-out.12:27 Banning Gerrymandering: Ending mid-decade redistricting chaos.14:32 Sacramento Corruption Probes: Examining Newsom administration federal investigations.16:10 Banning Stock Trading: Ending insider profiting in public office.Connect with Kevin KileyX: https://x.com/KevinKileyCAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevinKileyCA/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@repkevinkileyEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

GuestsRoger Niello, California State SenatorRenee Pinel, CEO - Western Plant HealthGuest Bios Roger Niello is a California State Senator representing the 6th District and the Vice Chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. A seasoned business owner, former Sacramento County Supervisor, and former State Assemblymember, Niello brings decades of private-sector experience and legislative governance to state fiscal policy discussions. He is widely recognized for his advocacy on budget transparency, structural tax reform, and common-sense regulatory change to foster economic growth and business retention in the Golden State.Renee Pinel is the President and CEO of the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA), a premier regional trade association representing the fertilizer, crop protection, and agricultural biotechnology industries across California, Arizona, and Hawaii. With decades of advocacy experience at the intersection of agricultural science and state regulation, Pinel is a leading voice for science-based policymaking, public health safety, and agricultural sustainability. Show SummaryA dual crisis is unfolding in California, where a massive rodent epidemic is plaguing major metropolitan hubs and agricultural fields alike, exacerbated by a regulatory chokehold that prioritizes ideological environmentalism over public health and economic reality. In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with Western Plant Health Association CEO Renee Pinel and State Senator Roger Niello to expose the devastating human and economic costs of Sacramento's regulatory paralysis.Senator Niello targets the state's backward agricultural rules, revealing how advanced technology like autonomous vehicles - widely accepted on urban streets - are banned on private farmland due to hyper-regulation, driving up operational costs and stifling innovation. Niello calls for an "economic development ethic" in regulatory policymaking, demanding that the state measure outcomes and balance costs against real-world benefits.Pinel sounds the alarm on the public health emergency brewing in California's urban centers. With Los Angeles overtaking New York as the rodent capital of America, diseases of the Middle Ages like the plague, typhus, and leptospirosis are surging to epidemic levels within vulnerable homeless populations. Pinel argues that progressive local governments have sacrificed sanitation and practical disease control for philosophical ideals, leaving our poor population to bear the brunt of rat infestations.The conversation turns to the agricultural fallout, where over 100,000 acres of Central Valley farmland are infested with rodents, endangering crops and threatening farmworker safety. Pinel exposes the hypocrisy of banning critical pest control chemicals, which forces vulnerable farmworkers to harvest fruit exposed to toxic rodent waste. This episode delivers a bracing reality check on the necessity of returning to science-based governance to protect plants, people and our planet.Chapters00:00 Farmland Automation Ban: Senator Niello on agricultural technology restrictions.00:47 Economic Development Ethic: Designing regulations based on cost-benefit analysis.02:32 Autonomous Farm Vehicles: Prohibiting unmanned tractors on private land.03:02 Automation vs. Minimum Wage: How state mandates drive fast-food job losses.03:45 Western Plant Health Association: Renee Pinel on agricultural science and safety.04:54 The Rodent Capital: Why Los Angeles surpassed New York City.06:49 Epidemic in the Encampments: The return of Middle Ages diseases.07:32 The Berkeley Leptospirosis Deaths: Progressive policy sacrificing public health.08:45 Central Valley Rodent Crisis: Crop damage across 100,000 infested acres.10:05 Consumer Grocery Costs: How pest damage drives food inflation.11:10 Science-Based Policy: Demanding practical testing over political interests.12:41 Farmworker Health Risks: Protecting vulnerable harvesters from rodent waste.14:22 The Owl Box Solution: Supporting natural predators in agricultural fields.14:59 Healthy Planet, Healthy People: The core mission of modern agriculture.Connect with Renee PinelLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-pinel-9792b6a1/X (Twitter): https://x.com/ReneepWPHAEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Tim Gallaudet, PhD, Rear Admiral, US Navy (Ret)Guest Bio: Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., USN (Ret.) is an oceanographer, national security expert, and decorated former U.S. Navy flag officer. Over a 32-year military career, Gallaudet served as the Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy, leading thousands of military and civilian personnel in global weather, ocean, and intelligence operations. During President Trump’s first term, he was appointed Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and served as the Acting Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Now a prominent voice on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Gallaudet serves on the ODNI UAP Science Advisory Council and is the author of Holding Fast in Heavy Seas: Leadership Lessons from the Navy to NOAA.Show SummaryA quiet paradigm shift is taking place across national security circles, where the reality of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) is moving from fringe speculation to top-tier defense strategy. Classified Pentagon disclosures, historical Navy logbooks, and transmedium ocean encounters all point to an uncomfortable truth: Non-human intelligence is interacting with our planet. Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet joins host Jon Slavet for a reality check on what top military brass and intelligence officials know - and why decades of deliberate government secrecy are finally unraveling.Gallaudet details the genesis of official UAP cover-ups, tracing the lineage back to the CIA’s 1953 Robertson Report. He explains how fear of adversary manipulation triggered a 70-year campaign of intentional debunking and public stigmatization. Addressing why successive administrations kept this hidden, Gallaudet notes that no government wants to admit its inability to protect sovereign airspace and territorial waters from technology operating with unexplainable speed and maneuverability.The conversation gets tactical as Gallaudet highlights California’s central role as a UAP hotspot. From mass security breaches at Vandenberg Space Force Base to craft plunging seamlessly into the Catalina Channel, California’s coastal waters remain an active corridor for unexplained encounters. He breaks down high-speed sonar tracking around nuclear submarines, Defense Intelligence Agency health reports on radiation injuries, and his work on Avi Loeb’s ODNI UAP Science Advisory Council. From leadership under budget constraints at NOAA to a profound reality check on human hubris, this episode offers an unfiltered look at the most explosive issue of our time.Chapters00:00 The Pentagon UAP Files: Tracking transmedium craft and unexplained intelligence.01:33 Navy Ship Logs: Uncovering historical UFO sightings in archives.02:28 The 1953 Robertson Report: Exposing 70 years of government disinformation.03:44 Higher Order Intelligence: Losing control over national airspace.04:33 Pop Culture & The Abyss: Linking Hollywood depictions to ocean encounters.06:22 Whistleblowers: Reviewing Jay Stratton and David Grush claims.08:42 Top Brass Taking Notice: Analyzing comments from Rubio, Clapper, and Ratcliffe.09:43 California UAP Hotspots: Detailing Catalina Channel and Vandenberg sightings.12:37 Global UAP Race: Examining China, Russia, and Japan research task forces.15:02 Nuclear Silo Interactions: Tracking submarine maneuvers and DIA health reports.17:51 Holding Fast in Heavy Seas: Leadership lessons from running NOAA under Trump.21:50 Rapid Fire Realism: Lessons on leadership, intelligence, and academic UAP studies.Connect with Tim GallaudetX: https://x.com/GallaudetTimInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gallaudettimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rear-admiral-tim-gallaudet-phd-us-navy-ret-b18185149/Website: https://www.oceanstl.comEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

GuestJeff Vaughn - Founder of OnLACA.comGuest Bio Jeff Vaughn is an Emmy Award-winning journalist with over three decades of experience anchoring and reporting for major news networks across the country, including KCBS and KCAL in Los Angeles, WXYZ in Detroit, and KENS in San Antonio. Known for his rigorous general assignment reporting and investigative boots-on-the-ground style, Vaughn has spent his career covering critical crime, public policy, and municipal stories. In response to corporate shifts and ideological capture in modern newsrooms, he founded onLACA.com, an independent media platform dedicated to investigating underreported local stories, public safety issues, and political realities in Southern California.Show SummaryA crisis of trust is unfolding across California's political landscape, driven by loose election rules and shielded by mainstream media that has abandoned hard investigative reporting. In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with Emmy Award-winning journalist and media disruptor Jeff Vaughn to expose the structural flaws behind California’s voting procedures and the top-down corporate capture of traditional newsrooms.Vaughn sounds the alarm on the logistical chaos of California's election administration. With 25 million registered voters, California automatically mails ballots to every registered citizen, regardless of whether they requested one, and pairs this with legal ballot harvesting. Vaughn details how this process opens avenues for administrative error and potential fraud, detailing instances of multiple ballots arriving at single households and PO boxes. He raises critical questions about automatic DMV registrations, which may cause non-citizens obtaining driver's licenses to be swept into voter rolls without rigorous citizenship verification.The conversation gets raw as Vaughn diagnoses the demise of corporate news. Drawing on his decades of experience in Detroit and Los Angeles, he explains how corporate newsrooms stripped trust from local general assignment reporters and concentrated narrative control in the hands of top-down managers. He reveals how local outlets actively suppress critical stories - such as Los Angeles’s covered-up failures with its first electric fire truck - to protect political narratives and climate agendas. This episode is a bracing reality check on the critical need for a new era of citizen-led, independent media to keep the Golden State's leadership accountableChapters00:00 The Most Ignored Story: Exposing California's election counting delays.01:44 Ballot Harvesting Irregularities: Breaking down legal loopholes and ballot stuffing.04:01 Non-Citizen Voting Risks: Questioning DMV automatic registration protocols.04:56 The OnLACA Mission: Filling the investigative void left by mainstream news.07:37 Loss of Local Trust: How corporate management took over reporting.11:43 News Productization: Why hard news became lifestyle fluff.12:45 Independent Media Rising: Tracking citizen reporting and covered-up stories.14:32 The Governor's Race: Analyzing Steve Hilton's campaign against Xavier Becerra.16:54 Spencer Pratt's Momentum: Assessing Pratt's viral political machinery.19:03 Rapid Fire: Finding hope in California's beauty and independent voices.Connect with Jeff VaughnX:https://x.com/JeffVaughnInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/jeffvaughnjournalist/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/jeffvaughnjournalist/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffjvaughnEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Roger Niello, California State SenatorGuest BioRoger Niello is a California State Senator representing the 6th District and the Vice Chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. A seasoned business owner, former Sacramento County Supervisor, and former State Assemblymember, Niello brings decades of private-sector experience and legislative governance to state fiscal policy discussions. He is widely recognized for his advocacy on budget transparency, structural tax reform, and common-sense regulatory change to foster economic growth and business retention in the Golden State.Show SummaryA high-stakes fiscal crisis is unfolding in Sacramento, masked by a $350 billion state budget that is neither balanced nor on time. Under simple-majority rules passed via ballot initiative, Republicans have little say in the state budget, leaving taxpayers to shoulder structural deficits. California State Senator and Budget Committee Vice Chair Roger Niello joins host Jon Slavet for a bracing reality check on the economic math behind California’s current spending priorities.Niello pulls no punches as he exposes the upside-down priorities embedded in the latest budget. He details a shocking policy swap: Sacramento completely eliminated state-level healthcare funding for legal immigrants while retaining it for undocumented residents. Niello explains how these rich benefit structures, combined with an estimated deficit that reemerges at $10 billion in two years, create a deep moral hazard while ignoring the needs of taxpaying citizens.The conversation gets tactical as they break down the legislative drag on California’s employers. As the only state in the nation that has refused to pay back its federal COVID unemployment insurance (UI) debt, California is forcing businesses to pay up to $450 per employee—nearly ten times the base rate—just to service the interest on the debt. From the regulatory chokehold on agriculture that bans autonomous vehicles on private farmland to systemic failures in wildfire prevention and the K-12 educational neglect of Black and brown students, this episode is an unfiltered masterclass in fiscal realism.Chapters00:22 The Budget Sham: Exposing the structural deficit behind the state's spending plan.02:28 Simple Majority Loophole: How Proposition 25 removed pay-withholding consequences for legislators.03:31 Tax Hikes & High-Speed Rail: Breaking down the latest phone tax increases and wasteful spending.03:58 The Healthcare Swap: Stripping benefits from legal immigrants while funding undocumented programs.05:35 Prop 36 Defunding: Criticizing Sacramento's bait-and-switch on local drug and mental health funding.07:39 UI Debt Crisis: Detailing the massive federal loan drag punishing California businesses.10:00 Wildfire Prevention Failures: Revealing the state's failure to meet forest clearing targets.11:08 Systemic Fraud Leakage: Exposing rampant hospice and social program welfare fraud.14:14 Agricultural Red Tape: Analyzing the regulatory ban on autonomous farm vehicles.17:53 Systemic Reforms: Demanding comprehensive CEQA overhaul and K-12 educational standards.20:39 Glimmers of Hope: Finding optimism in California's tech-driven economic core.Connect with Roger Niello𝕏: https://x.com/SenRogerNiello?lang=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-niello-b50185174/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/senrogerniello/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenRogerNiello/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Marisa Lagos, KQED California Politics and Gov't DeskGuest Bio: Marisa Lagos is an award-winning political correspondent for KQED’s California Politics and Government Desk and the co-host of the weekly podcast, Political Breakdown. Throughout her distinguished career, Lagos has conducted deep-dive reporting, analysis, and investigations into state, local, and national politics for radio, TV, online, and live stages—including moderating California's sole gubernatorial debate in 2022. Named one of the top political journalists in California by the Washington Post in 2020, she was nominated for a Peabody Award and won several other accolades for her investigative work on the 2017 California wildfires. Prior to joining KQED, Lagos built a strong foundation in print journalism covering City Hall and the state legislature for the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, and Los Angeles Times. She is a UC Santa Barbara graduate and lives in San Francisco.Show SummaryA high-stakes clash is escalating between federal authorities and California over immigration, sanctuary policies, and public spending. Following the Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority ruling giving the President sole authority to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of people, California is bracing for localized fallout. While progressive lawmakers scramble, KQED political correspondent Marisa Lagos joins host Jon Slavet for a bracing reality check on what the state can—and cannot—do to push back against federal immigration mandates.Lagos traces the roots of California's deep-seated pro-immigrant policies, explaining how the backlash to Proposition 187 in the 1990s sparked a political revolution that systematically eroded Republican power in the state. However, as California grapples with massive budget deficits, the moral hazard of expanding full-scope Medi-Cal and other taxpayer-funded benefits to undocumented residents has become a lightning rod. Lagos breaks down how Governor Gavin Newsom has been forced to scale back these policies, mandating a $30 monthly premium starting in 2027 to manage an unsustainable $11 billion annual program cost.The conversation gets tactical as they analyze the House Judiciary Committee's formal investigation into sanctuary policies in San Francisco and San Diego. Lagos demystifies the on-the-ground reality of SB 54, explaining that state prisons already turn thousands of undocumented criminals over to ICE annually, while conservative law enforcement leaders like Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco reject the idea of local deputies participating directly in federal immigration raids. From the silence of agricultural operators under aggressive ICE workplace audits to Xavier Becerra’s controversial HHS record, this episode is a masterclass in California's legal and political battles.Chapters01:18 The Feds vs. California Immigration Battle: Parsing the SCOTUS 6-3 ruling granting the President sole authority to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS).02:57 The Medi-Cal and Benefits Debate: Discussing the moral hazard and fiscal reality of expanding state healthcare and public benefits to undocumented residents in California.07:12 The $11 Billion Budget Reality Check: Analyzing Governor Newsom's walkback of full-scope Medi-Cal policy and the introduction of a monthly premium starting in 2027.07:39 Sanctuary Policy Investigation: Assessing the House Judiciary Committee's formal investigation into San Francisco and San Diego's sanctuary policies.12:40 Incarceration vs. Deportation Paradox: Evaluating the fiscal and safety questions of housing undocumented convicts in state prisons versus immediate deportation.13:43 Workplace Audits and Farm Bureau Silence: Looking at how Central Valley agricultural operators are navigating the aggressive federal workplace crackdowns quietly behind the scenes.16:38 Handcuffs on Federal Agents?: Breaking down the explosive story of California prosecutors warning of potential prosecutions against ICE agents.19:16 Auditing the Becerra Record: Investigating candidate Xavier Becerra's controversial track record on child migrants as HHS Secretary and its impact on the gubernatorial race vs. Steve Hilton.22:45 Rapid Fire & A Scepter for Sacramento: Marisa's "queen for a day" plan for tax reform, eliminating political egos, and why she remains an ultimate California booster.Connect with Marisa LagosX(Twitter): https://x.com/mlagosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-lagos-34b82a68/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marisa.lagos/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Chuck DeVore, Chief National Initiatives Officer - Texas Public Policy FoundationGuest Bio: Chuck DeVore is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, a former California State Assemblyman representing Orange County, and a leading authority on national security, state-level fiscal policy, and competitive federalism. He currently serves as the Chief National Initiatives Officer and Senior Fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. DeVore's distinguished career in public service includes serving as a special assistant for foreign affairs in the Reagan administration—where he assisted in planning historic Cold War-era naval operations—and decades of analytical writing on state government structure. His deep expertise in both Middle Eastern geopolitics and the economic rivalry between the nation's two largest states offers a unique, dual-lens perspective on contemporary America.Show SummaryA major geopolitical pivot has occurred, with the United States signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Islamic Republic of Iran. While critics from the MAGA base to traditional hawk circles raise alarm over sanction relief, blockades being lifted, and a $300 billion reconstruction fund, military veteran and policy analyst Chuck DeVore argues we cannot analyze this agreement in a vacuum. Underneath the diplomatic off-ramp lies a story of devastating, highly calculated kinetic action that has fundamentally crippled Tehran's regional leverage before the diplomatic ink was even dry.Sitting down with State of Gold host Jon Slavet, DeVore brings historical chops to the table. He reflects on his own experience planning Reagan-era naval operations to explain why Trump's military strikes have dismantled Iran's command structure, isolated proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, and destroyed the metallurgy factories essential for ballistic missile production. He breaks down the technological realities of nuclear weapons, reminding us that building a warhead is only half the battle—the highly complex delivery systems required are actually far more difficult and expensive to construct.The conversation then pivots from Middle Eastern skirmishes to the domestic battlefront, tackling the fiscal rivalry between California and Texas. Drawing on his tenure in the California Assembly and his current leadership perch in Austin, DeVore pulls back the curtain on the spending math. California spends an astronomical $350 billion annually for 39 million residents, while Texas operates on a more decentralized model and annual budget of $100 billion per year for 30 million people. DeVore details how California’s centralized administrative state, combined with regulatory monsters like CEQA, has manufactured artificial inflation, offering a bracing reality check on why the Golden State continues to hemorrhage its middle class.Chapters00:00 The Iran MOU: Decompressing the geopolitics behind Trump's diplomatic off-ramp.02:18 Dismantling the Proxies: How Syrian shifts and targeted military pressure isolated Hezbollah and Hamas.04:18 The Delivery System Dilemma: Why building ballistic missiles is historically harder than enriching uranium.05:50 The Art of Sanctions Relief: Tracking monitored US dollar accounts versus opaque cryptocurrency.09:42 The Nuclear Redline: What short-term kinetic strikes accomplished without putting boots on the ground.13:40 Verification Hardball: Lessons from Reagan’s Pentagon on preventing treaty cheating.17:35 The Vance vs. Rubio Dynamic: Decoding why J.D. Vance is leading Middle East negotiations.20:21 The Texas Blueprint: What Sacramento must learn about tax rates and regulatory paralysis.21:47 The Budget Showdown: Contrasting California’s $350B spend with Texas's lean model.23:50 The Electoral Divide: How local union capture and low-turnout elections impact Texas spending.Connect with Chuck DeVore𝕏 (Twitter): ⁠Chuck DeVore 𝕏 ProfileLinkedIn: ⁠Chuck DeVore LinkedIn ProfilePrimary Expert Page: ⁠The Honorable Chuck DeVore - Texas Public Policy Foundation website. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Tony Strickland, California State Senator Guest Bio:Tony Strickland is a veteran California legislator, policy advocate, and prominent campaign strategist who has spent decades building grassroots conservative coalitions across the Golden State. He has served multiple terms in both the California State Assembly and the State Senate, heavily prioritizing public safety infrastructure, tax reform, and middle-class economic relief. A high-profile fundraiser and political leader, Strickland is widely recognized for his unyielding advocacy on ballot initiatives and structural budget accountability. He currently serves as a leading champion for restoring fiscal discipline and functional constitutional governance to California. Show Summary:"For the first time in modern history, more people are leaving the Golden State than coming in—we have catch up to do, and we are exactly one leader away from prosperity," says Senator Tony Strickland. In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with the legislative veteran to break down the high-stakes political realignment shifting the baseline for California voters.Strickland pulls back the curtain on the gubernatorial race, outlining why he has thrown his full backing behind Steve Hilton. He draws direct historical parallels to Ronald Reagan’s trademark optimistic conservatism as a template for outmaneuvering progressive hypermajorities, emphasizing how over two-thirds of Californians already believe the state is on the wrong track.The conversation gets specific on the funding crisis behind Proposition 36. Despite the safety measure sweeping all 58 counties with an overwhelming, near-70% landslide, Strickland exposes how the current administration created an unfunded mandate—allocating a meager $100 million over three years against a $400 million annual structural requirement, while leaving the probation system starved for cash. From tracking the systemic collapse of a budget where just 200 citizens shoulder 10% of the state’s revenue, to a blistering warning about the trillion-dollar loss triggered by the Billionaire Tax, this episode is a blueprint for restoring sanity and opportunity for the next generation of Californians.Chapters00:00 – The Gold Rush in Reverse: California’s Unprecedented U-Haul Exodus00:51 – One Leader Away: Shaking the Policy Virus with Optimistic Conservatism01:36 – Why Over Two-Thirds of Californians Think We’re on the Wrong Track02:42 – Funding the Fight: Shifting PAC Dynamics and November Campaigns02:54 – Activating the "Big Mo": How Media Momentum Unlocks Campaign Capital03:51 – The All-County Landslide: Why Even Liberal Marin Voted for Prop 3604:10 – An Unfunded Mandate: Exposing the Gov's $100 Million Slap in the Face05:10 – The Bipartisan Budget Letter: Partnering with Moderate Senators to Find $400 Million05:50 – Wasting Billions on BART, High-Speed Rail, and 911 Systems06:17 – A Wasteful Spending Problem: Shifting the Blame off Revenue Shortfalls06:32 – Horrific: Why the Billionaire Tax Risks Perpetual Budget Deficits06:49 – Hyperspeed to Wreckage: Losing a Trillion Dollars and Four House Seats by 203007:54 – The War Hero’s Legacy: Fighting for Sanity from Huntington to San DiegoConnect with Tony StricklandCampaign Website: https://www.stricklandforsenate.com/X (Twitter): https://x.com/SenStricklandCAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenStricklandCAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/SenStricklandCAEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Edward Ring, Fellow - California Policy CenterGuest Bio: Edward Ring is a prominent author, researcher, and leading voice on California's political economy, public infrastructure, and environmental policy. He is the co-founder of the California Policy Center, where he has spent decades publishing detailed analyses on state water policy, energy grid reliability, and forest management. Ring is the author of The Abundance Choice: Our Fight for More Water in California and numerous white papers that challenge Sacramento’s regulatory status quo. Known for championing free-market, solution-oriented alternatives to California's affordability and infrastructure crises, his work frequently provides a practical roadmap for restoring long-term sanity to the Golden State.Show SummaryCalifornia spends over $4 billion a year on Cal Fire's wildfire prevention and response, yet the state’s wildlands continue to break into unprecedented catastrophes every single year. In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with policy expert Edward Ring for a bracing reality check on how well-intentioned environmental regulations unintentionally transformed our forests into massive tinderboxes.Ring pulls no punches as he targets the state's narrative surrounding climate change, explaining that while Sacramento politicians use it as a catch-all excuse to mandate electric vehicles, the underlying culprit is a staggering fuel load crisis. Decades of hyper-efficient fire suppression—not supported by responsible forest thinning, grazing, or prescribed burns—have driven tree densities in the Sierra foothills to anywhere from three to ten times their historic baselines. Overcrowded and competing for identical pools of light, nutrients, and water, these stressed forest systems are structurally dried out and ripe for ignition.The conversation pivots to a strategic masterclass on economic turnarounds. Ring details how California’s commercial logging has been systematically slashed by 75% over the last forty years, starving local economies and leaving millions of board feet of overgrown timber to rot. He breaks down the deep insurance crisis crippling homeowners, explaining how aggressive over-regulation from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) blocks controlled burns while leaving property owners exposed. From an unfiltered call to completely scrap the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to a roadmap for utilizing logged resources to build middle-class housing, this episode is a blueprint for letting common sense trend upward in California.Chapters00:00 – The $4 Billion Cal Fire Paradox: Spending More, Burning Worse00:40 – Radical Fire Suppression: How Reversing Controlled Burns Built a Fuel Crisis01:01 – Modern Forest Management: The Strategic Leg of Logging, Thinning, and Grazing01:59 – Shifting the Board Feet: Tracking a 75% Systematic Collapse of California Timber03:06 – Fact-Checking the Denominator: The Reality of 30 Million Acres of Overgrown Chaparral04:18 – Catching Up on the Maintenance Rate: Overcoming Santa Monica Mountains Bureaucracy06:29 – Federal Friction: Moving Republican and Democratic Levers for Long-Term Harvesting Contracts07:43 – The Electric Vehicle Myth vs. Three to Ten Times Historic Tree Density09:54 – Erasing the Emissions Gains: Catastrophic CO2, Soot, and Topsoil Sediment Squeezes11:47 – Monocultures vs. Canopy Restoration: The Limits of Artificial Regeneration13:13 – Reiterating CARB Pressures: Why Well-Intentioned Environmental Policies Trigger Disasters14:20 – Half the Crisis: Reinsurance Cost Traps and the Defaulting State Plan15:34 – Restoring a Risk Market: Chess Grandmasters, Reinsurance, and Free Market Principles16:26 – Scrap CEQA Entirely: Why NEPA Frameworks Are Enough to Halt Third-Party Abuse17:38 – Rapid Fire: The Most Misunderstood Aspect of Wildfire Policy and Peaking IrrationalityConnect with Edward RingTwitter(X): https://x.com/edring/status/2052061868009914521LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-ring/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Jan Sramek, Founder & CEO - California ForeverGuest Bio: Jan Sramek is an urban visionary, entrepreneur, and the Founder and CEO of California Forever, the city of the future soon breaking ground in Solano County. Born and raised in Eastern Europe, Sramek moved to the United States with a deep fascination for America's historic capacity to execute monumental public works. After a successful early career in finance and technology, he relocated to California, where the structural failure of housing supply and the local infrastructure gap inspired him to pioneer a multi-generational model for community building. A champion of skilled labor, walkable urbanism, and advanced manufacturing infrastructure, Sramek has brought together elite capital partners, public policy experts, and historic labor coalitions to anchor a city of the future in the heart of Northern California. Show Summary"We’ve gotten into this habit in California where everything takes twenty years. We came in with a distinct point of view: We have to find a way to do things faster," says Jan Sramek, the entrepreneur driving the most ambitious master-planned city development in modern American history. In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with Sramek for an exclusive look at the vision, mechanics, and economic framework backing California Forever.Sramek walks through his initial shock upon landing in California, detailing how the visible homelessness of San Francisco's Market Street and the sterile office parks of Silicon Valley exposed a huge deficit. He shares the grueling timeline of moving a project from a raw, "batshit insane" concept to reality, explaining how he wagered his own personal solvency to complete initial feasibility studies before securing marquee capital backing from silicon valley tech titans.The conversation pivots to a masterclass in large-scale logistics and planning. Sramek details the strategic layout of the Solano Foundry’s advanced manufacturing zone and the logic behind the multi-thousand-acre Solano Shipyard complex, designed to aggressively close the widening gap between American and Chinese naval shipbuilding. Sramek outlines his strategy for outmaneuvering traditional real estate speculation through a minimum-density "missing middle" housing plan, and how a European philosophy of public space over private isolation can solve the modern epidemic of social disconnection.Chapters00:00 – Preview: The 50-Year Economic Opportunity vs. Strategic Flaw Hunting00:28 – Welcoming California Forever Founder & CEO Jan Šramek00:48 – First 48 Hours: Bypassing Europe's Standards for California's Reality01:44 – Fallow Expanses: Spotting Solano County’s Commuter Pain Points02:23 – The Startup Leap: Pitching a City After a 70-Year US Drought03:49 – Skin in the Game: Risking Personal Solvency After Back-to-Back Rejections06:21 – The Elevator Pitch: Advanced Manufacturing and $500,000 Starter Homes07:38 – Proving Demand: The 174,000 upfront Entitlement Volume Strategy08:13 – Affordable by Design: Cutting Out the $1,200 Monthly Multi-Car Squeeze11:01 – Bolting Community to Urban Form: Reinvesting in Shared Public Plazas14:14 – Land Asset Realities: Why California Forever Is Not a Public Robinhood Vehicle15:21 – Outmaneuvering the 20-Year Trap: Consolidating Plan Changes, Financing, and Zoning17:34 – Sourcing the West Coast Base: Inside the Solano Foundry Complex18:26 – Closing the Naval Shipbuilding Gap: The Strategic Bipartisan Shipyard19:49 – Newport News Scale vs. Solano’s 7,500-Acre Coastal Blueprint20:22 – Public-Private Frameworks: Re-Establishing Government Repair Hubs22:07 – The Travis Protection Buffer: Adjusting Grids with Air Mobility Partners23:11 – Sidewalk Footprints: The Dream of Naming Streets After Construction Laborers24:46 – Permissive Design Over Star Subdivisions: Crafting Organic Neighborhoods27:02 – Washington to Sacramento: A 70,000-Acre Matrix of Proximity28:35 – Sourcing the Blue-Collar Belt: Organizing the Historical 40-Year PLA31:20 – Replacing Closed Industries: Bringing 50,000 Jobs in 5 Years to Solano37:43 – Speculation Guardrails: Setting Solano Resident First Dips on Waiting Lists38:57 – Iron Curtain to Golden State: Reclaiming the 1990s Aesthetic of Optimism39:24 – Rebuilding the Quarry Base: Skilled Plumber Compensation vs. Starbucks Management40:52 – Private Wealth vs. Public Poverty: Maximizing the ROI of Public PlaygroundsConnect with Jan SramekX: https://x.com/jansramekLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansramek/Website: https://californiaforever.com/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Seema Mehta, LA Times Senior Political Reporter Guest Bio: Seema Mehta is a legendary political journalist who has covered California and national politics for the Los Angeles Times since 1998. For a generation, she has reported extensively on state houses, gubernatorial races, and presidential campaigns across the nation. Mehta is currently a fellow at the University of Southern California (USC) Center for the Political Future, where she teaches and mentors the next generation of journalists and political scientists.Show SummaryHow does a democracy function when the institutional referees covering state government begin to vanish? In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with veteran Los Angeles Times reporter Seema Mehta to analyze the profound structural transformations sweeping through modern media and California's fiscal architecture.Mehta traces the multi-generational contraction of legacy print journalism, detailing the transition of the Los Angeles Times from over a century of Chandler family ownership, through corporate consolidation, to a billionaire owner whose initial newsroom investments have given way to deep cuts. The conversation explores how the loss of reporting bodies in state houses has coincided with a generational shift toward social media platforms like TikTok, eroding the era of shared, "trusted referees" in favor of partisan echo chambers like MSNBC and Fox.Turning her focus to fiscal policy, Mehta breaks down the hidden complexities of the proposed Billionaire Tax. While signature gatherers outside grocery stores like Trader Joe’s and Ralph’s find easy success with simple "tax the rich" slogans, she notes the underlying hazard to a state budget with 8,000 families footing 25% of the state budget and less than 1% of taxpayers generating 40% of the total revenue. Finally, the two share a lighthearted yet resonant look at avoiding professional cynicism, with Mehta deploying a striking historical analogy to explain why mentoring next-generation students is the ultimate tool for renewing political idealism.Chapters00:00 – A Generation at the Times: Tracking California's Political Shifts00:28 – From the Chandlers to Billionaire Cuts: The Shrinking of State House Reporting01:22 – Ad Side vs. Edit Side: Navigating Advertorial Pressures in For-Profit Media02:14 – The TikTok Shift: Fragmented News Demographics and the Loss of Trusted Referees03:32 – The Monopoly Man Slogan: The Complicated Reality of the Billionaire Tax04:28 – Volatile Math: Why Less Than 1% of Electorate Funding 40% of the Budget Is a Risk05:00 – The Lady Bathory Analogy: Renewing Idealism via Next-Gen USC FellowshipsConnect with Seema Mehta Twitter: https://x.com/LATSeemaLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/seema-mehta-58232b2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latseema/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

GuestPaige Lambermont - Research Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise InstituteGuest Bio Paige Lambermont is a prominent energy policy analyst and researcher whose work focuses on grid reliability, optimal power resource allocation, and the technical integration of emerging technologies. A leading voice in nuclear power development and electricity infrastructure, Lambermont has authored definitive reports analyzing the structural intersection between massive artificial intelligence data demands and the national electricity infrastructure. Known for advocating a freedom-minded, private-capital approach to utility development, Lambermont works closely with research groups across the United States to examine state-level regulatory reform, renewable portfolio standards, and the economic feasibility of next-generation power systems. Show SummaryBy 2030, the oncoming wave of artificial intelligence and high-tech data centers could consume as much electricity as 95 million American homes. In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet is joined by energy policy analyst Paige Lambermont to break down a looming infrastructure crisis and explain why California must reverse its decades-long ban on nuclear power plant development.Lambermont exposes the stunning irony of California energy policy: The state relies heavily on importing power from neighboring grids, and overseas oil, while intentionally excluding stable base-load power sources like nuclear and large hydro from its net-zero energy goals.The discussion dives deep into real-world economics and safety, with Lambermont dismantling historical PR panics surrounding Three Mile Island and Fukushima, and showing how France successfully secures and recycles its closed-cycle nuclear waste. From evaluating Germany’s catastrophic "energy transition" failure to outlining how consumer-regulated, off-grid utilities can protect small businesses from soaring $7 gas prices, this episode is a clear-eyed look at why a booming economy cannot survive on a low-energy diet.Chapters00:00 – The 95 Million Homes Stat: Sizing up the AI Data Center Power Surge00:58 – Silicon Valley Irony: Categorically Banning Nuclear in Tech’s Capital01:43 – The Accounting Game: Why California Imports 15% of its Nuclear Power02:22 – Private Industry vs. Poured Concrete: Lowering the Regulatory Barriers04:43 – Intentionally Breaking the Grid: The Distortion of Energy Subsidies06:49 – Defining Work: Why There Are No Wealthy, Low-Energy Societies08:35 – Exposing the Hypocrisy: Tanker Emissions and the Reality of Energy Imports10:06 – $7 Gas Insanity: The Hidden Squeeze of California’s Fuel Taxes11:43 – Recalibrating Safety: The Real Science of Meltdowns and Passive Measures13:00 – The Ethics vs. Safety Panics: Germany’s Energy Transition Warning14:38 – The French Model: Closed-Cycle Uptime and 80% Nuclear Base-Loads15:46 – 18-Month Straight Runs: Explaining the 93% Capacity Factor16:31 – NRC Standards: National Security, Sleepers, and Airplane-Strike Scrutiny18:42 – Freedom-Minded Utilities: Tracking Best and Worst State Spectrums19:47 – Rapid Fire: Prizing European Scarcity over Economic ProductivityView the report here: https://www.independent.org/wp-content/uploads/article/2026/04/2026_04_cagf_nuclear.pdfConnect with Paige LambermontLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-lambermont-93aa32128Website: https://cei.org/experts/paige-lambermont/X: https://x.com/paigelambermontInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/paigelambermont/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Jay Donde, Co-Founder of the Briones SocietyGuest Bio: Jay Donde is an attorney for a leading enterprise software company headquartered in San Francisco, and was previously an associate at the law firm of Morrison & Foerster, LLP. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and Harvard Law School, and is a veteran of the Israel Defense Forces. He serves as the political affairs Vice Chair of the San Francisco Republican Party and as a delegate to the California Republican Party, and is Co-Founder and President of the Briones Society. His columns have been published in Bloomberg, City Journal, Wired, SFGate, and the Marina Times.Show SummarySan Francisco is often portrayed as an electric-blue monolith—but underneath the surface lies a growing block of "closeted" conservative thinkers and independent voters who are deciding high-stakes local elections. In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with attorney and Briones Society Co-Founder Jay Donde to explore the changing ideological ground of California’s most famous progressive laboratory.Donde dives straight into the "dirty little secrets" of San Francisco politics, mapping out how a modest block of 40,000 registered Republicans and tens of thousands of No Party Preference (NPP) independents have positioned themselves as a crucial swing constituency. Slavet and Donde evaluate Mayor Daniel Lurie's historic approval numbers and look ahead to the major fiscal battles he will face when standing up to the public sector unions.The heat turns up as the team tackles the Billionaire Tax, breaking down why wealth taxes run completely counter to optimal tax theory by encouraging wealth migration. With startup founders and venture capitalists viewing the ballot measure as an "existential threat" that treats the state as a purely extractive mechanism, Donde details the looming threat of an innovation exodus. From calculating the technical math of a statewide Republican turnaround to a sensible framework for regulating artificial intelligence without fracturing the market into a patchwork quilt of fifty competing laws, this episode is an essential guide to restoring balance and sanity to California.Chapters00:00 – Preview: Deciding Swing Seats and Tech’s Breaking Point00:20 – Co-Working Politics: Welcoming Jay Donde at Neon00:48 – The Closet Conservatives: Unpacking San Francisco's NPP Voters01:44 – Stigma or Survival? City Government as a GOP Recruiting Tool02:44 – Mayor Daniel Lurie’s Approval Ratings04:05 – Blighted Boundaries: Public Safety, Property Crime, and the Tenderloin05:30 – Growing the Bloc: Pushing the City to the Center by 100 Votes07:07 – Notching Wins: Rebuilding the Ground Infrastructure of the CA GOP08:50 – The 400,000 Stat: Activating LA County's Unregistered Consensus09:24 – Inverting Optimal Tax Theory: The Reality of Wealth Migration10:04 – An Existential Event: How Founders View the Extractive State11:53 – AI Policy: Why California Needs to Avoid the Legislative Gold Rush14:09 – Patchwork Quilts vs. Federal Moratoriums on State AI Law14:45 – Rapid Fire: Denuding Public Sector Unions and Politics as a ThrottleConnect with Jay DondeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-donde/Website: https://www.brionessociety.org/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

GuestTom Del Beccaro, Former California GOP ChairGuest BioTom Del Beccaro is an acclaimed author, speaker, and the former Chair of the California Republican Party. A veteran political strategist and attorney, he has spent decades navigating the unique landscape of West Coast politics. Del Beccaro is the author of The Divided States of America and a frequent national commentator on fiscal policy, regulatory reform, and constitutional law. Known for his tactical acumen, he was the last Republican chair to successfully qualify a citizens’ initiative on the California state ballot. He currently publishes extensively on economic policy, focusing on structural solutions to California’s affordability crisis and middle-class tax burdens. Show SummaryDel Beccaro pulls no punches regarding his 2016 Senate opponent, Kamala Harris, detailing what he calls a long-standing history of being unprepared and relying on political "kingmakers" like Willie Brown rather than executive acumen and hard work. Turning his sights to Gavin Newsom, Del Beccaro exposes a stunning vacuum of real-world management experience, noting that the Governor routinely fails to convene crucial legislative and private sector meetings to address massive structural catastrophes like the supply chain crisis, the Palisades, or the statewide insurance collapse.The conversation pivots to a strategic masterclass on political turnarounds. Del Beccaro explains why trying to out-conservative opponents fails in California, arguing instead that Republicans must bypass the legislature entirely by placing discrete, solution-oriented initiatives directly into voters' hands. From a blunt financial reality check on BART’s $14 billion taxpayer bailout to a chilling forecast on how the proposed wealth tax will permanently drive away the state's core tax base, this episode offers a roadmap for restoring a competitive political marketplace in the Golden State.Chapters00:00 – Confronting Kamala: Lessons from the 2016 Senate Trail01:50 – Kingmakers and Traffic Commissions: Kamala and Gavin03:25 – The Management Vacuum: Why Gavin Newsom Doesn't Do Legislative Meetings04:08 – Unaddressed Crises: From Supply Chains to the Insurance Collapse05:42 – The Gate to 2028: Polling Weaknesses and the $1.3 Billion Donor Backlash07:42 – Soft Ground: Adam Schiff and the Divisive New Era of the US Senate10:31 – The Chairman’s Playbook: Winning California Through Discrete Initiatives11:08 – Fixing the Pothole: How to Build a Comeback Without Home Runs14:30 – Limiting the Spreadsheet: The Private Sector View on Bill Appropriations15:33 – Funding Failure: Why BART and High-Speed Rail Won’t Recover Ridership17:53 – A Tax Too Far: The Law of Demand and the 145,000 High Earner Exodus20:53 – Rapid Fire: The Soviet Bread Shop, Human Ingenuity, and a State in TroubleConnect with Tom Del BeccaroLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-del-beccaro-6359885/Twitter/X: https://x.com/tomdelbeccaroFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomasgdelbeccaroEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers AssociationGuest Bio: Jon Coupal is one of California's most prominent taxpayer advocates and an expert on public finance and election law. He serves as the President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, a grassroots citizens organization dedicated to protecting the landmark property tax limitations established under 1978's Proposition 13. A seasoned constitutional attorney, Coupal has spent decades defending taxpayer rights in both state and federal courts, and challenging tax hikes and regulatory loopholes engineered by municipal governments. He has been a pivotal structural force behind multiple successful statewide ballot measures, continuing a legacy of fiscal discipline, accountability, and constitutional guardrails against over-taxation.Show Summary"Nobody has ever been hired by a poor person," says Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association President Jon Coupal. In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with Coupal to unpack the heavy economic toll of California's record-setting tax rates and the growing grassroots effort to put power back in the hands of voters.Coupal breaks down the structural importance of the newly qualified Local Taxpayer Protection Act slated for California’s November ballot. He reveals how the California State Supreme Court has steadily degraded Proposition 13 over the decades, using judicial loopholes to let local municipalities sidestep the state's traditional two-thirds voter threshold for special taxes. He shares how the act seeks to halt "equity theft" by capping aggressive real estate transfer taxes—such as Los Angeles's controversial Measure ULA—and ensure that special interest tax hikes are subject to the original intent of the law.The discussion shifts to a strategic war-room map, where Coupal explains the power of their 200,000-member grassroots network and their success at defeating tax-expansion measures despite being outspent 10-to-1. Turning his focus to the Governor's race, he evaluates Steve Hilton’s proposal to eliminate income taxes for those earning under $100,000, pointing out how pervasive state agency fraud provides more than enough "juice in the squeeze" to offset the loss. From tracking the "Trojan Horse" mechanics of the Billionaire Tax to detailing why a CA zero-income-tax roadmap can prevent a middle-class exodus, this episode is a blueprint for how a "sick" state can recover.Chapters00:00 – Drawing the Line: Confronting America’s Highest Tax Bracket00:23 – Introducing the Local Taxpayer Protection Act00:32 – Closing the Loopholes: Restoring the Guardrails of Proposition 1301:15 – Defining Equity Theft: Capping Real Estate Transfer Taxes01:50 – Complicit Courts: How the State Supreme Court Bypassed Plain Language03:43 – War Room Strategy: Mobilizing a Coalition of Realtors and Landlords04:54 – Defeating Proposition 5: Winning a Grassroots Campaign Outspent 10-to-107:07 – Lowest ROI: Why California Ranks Dead Last in Return on Investment09:06 – Saved Revenue vs. Lost Revenue: Endorsing Steve Hilton’s Tax Cuts10:56 – Reinvigorating the Economy: The Historic Proof of Property Tax Relief11:12 – The Fraud Explosion: Funding Cuts Through Waste and Bot Scams12:51 – Exploding the Billionaire Myth: How fine Print Creates an Everyone Tax15:28 – Constitutional Infirmities: The FTB Enforcement and Ex Post Facto Traps18:05 – November Rejections: Why the Electorate Isn't as Progressive as its Leaders19:15 – Rapid Fire: Removing Collective Bargaining and a Sick State’s RecoveryConnect with Jon CoupalTwitter/X: https://x.com/joncoupalLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-coupal-68772baWebsite: https://www.hjta.org/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guests:Jennifer Horn: Conservative political commentator and host on AM590 The AnswerSteve Maviglio: Democratic strategist and former press secretary to CA Governor Gray DavisShow SummaryDays after California's high-stakes June 2nd jungle primary, the dust is still settling—and millions of ballots have yet to be certified. In the inaugural State of Gold post-election roundtable, host Jon Slavet sits down with top-tier political commentators Jennifer Horn and Steve Maviglio for an unfiltered, bipartisan autopsy of a wild election cycle.The panel dives straight into the frontrunners for Governor, breaking down how Xavier Becerra staged a "Lazarus-style" comeback from the dead to secure a presumptive general election matchup against frontrunning Republican Steve Hilton. Maviglio exposes how the sudden structural collapse of Eric Swalwell's congressional career upended the field, driving anxious progressive voters toward a calm establishment alternative. Meanwhile, Horn outlines the roadmap Hilton must use to target Becerra's thin record of legislative achievements and federal HHS baggage.The debate gets heated as the team investigates California's notoriously sluggish mail-in vote counts and the growing crisis of voter confidence. From analyzing intra-party squabbles inside gerrymander-tweaked congressional districts to tracking reality TV icon Spencer Pratt's viral, AI-driven mayoral campaign against an embattled Karen Bass in Los Angeles, this episode is a definitive breakdown of what happens when performance art meets real-world math on the California ballot.Chapters00:00 – Launching the Post-Primary Roundtable00:40 – The 56% Tally: Sizing up the Hilton vs. Becerra Presumptive Matchup01:50 – Rising From the Dead: How Xavier Becerra Catapulted Past Tom Steyer03:35 – The 35% Turnout: Disenfranchisement, Voter Integrity, and the Apathy Trap05:42 – The Crisis of Confidence: Assessing State Election Law and Voter ID Policies07:40 – Postmark Deadlines: The Strategic Debate Over Mail-in Ballots09:17 – The Cliff Note Strategy: How Hilton Can Define Becerra’s Baggage11:27 – Running Against Trump: The Predictable Democratic Line of Attack12:28 – Referendums on Scarcity: Why the Prop 50 Precedent Matters13:41 – Pushing Chips in the Middle: Strategists Place Bets on the November Governor15:05 – Running Through the Tape: Evaluating Chad Bianco’s Next Political Move17:03 – California 22: David Valadao and the Top-Two Primary Manipulation18:49 – District 6 Suburbs: Kevin Kiley's Thorn in Governor Newsom's Side20:06 – The LA Mayoral Shocker: Spencer Pratt's High-Tech Rise Against Karen Bass21:11 – Reframing the News: Understanding Pratt's Reality TV Media Gift24:08 – Changing the Script: How Satire and AI are Reshaping Modern CampaignsConnect with Jennifer HornTwitter/X: https://x.com/JenniferHorn?lang=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferHornRadio/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferhornradio/?hl=enConnect with Steve MaviglioTwitter/X: https://x.com/stevenmaviglioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-m-54a17b/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Paul Mitchell, Democratic Political StrategistGuest Bio: Paul Mitchell is one of the nation's premier experts on nonpartisan redistricting, political demography, and voter data analytics. He has directed decennial line-drawing for more than 100 cities, school boards, and community college districts, and served as a data consultant for independent commissions in New York and New Mexico. Long recognized as a staunch advocate for independent, nonpartisan commission criteria, Mitchell frequently collaborates with civic organizations like Common Cause and the ACLU to protect communities of interest from partisan overreach. He stepped into intense statewide debate as the lead cartographer behind California's Proposition 50 congressional maps.Show SummaryCan a partisan gerrymander ever be justified—even if it's meant to correct a wrong? In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with political data expert Paul Mitchell, the architect behind California’s highly controversial Proposition 50 gerrymander.Mitchell pulls back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes dynamics that birthed the measure, revealing his initial opposition to bypassing California's Independent Redistricting Commission. He details how he urged Democratic congressional leadership and the Governor's office to use the maps as a political "bluff" to deter Texas from aggressively redrawing its own lines. Mitchell defends the analytical integrity of his final map, explaining how he preserved key commission criteria and limited city splits while delivering the targeted five-seat shift demanded to balance the national scales.The conversation pivots to a mathematical dive into proportional representation, with Mitchell unpacking why geographical sorting makes drawing "perfectly balanced" rural and urban districts a technical impossibility. Finally, he offers a provocative reality check on how a looming, AI-driven automation wave could transform the landscape for American workers, framing wealth taxes not just as an ideology, but as a future survival mechanism for the state's economy.Chapters00:00 – Prop 50: Did Two Wrongs Make a Right?00:58 – The Anti-Gerrymander Cartographer: Mitchell’s Nonpartisan Roots02:00 – The Texas Counter-Bluff: Advising a Partisan Stand-Off03:00 – Maintaining Map Integrity Under Partisan Constraints04:15 – Bludgeoning the Minority Party: The Disenfranchisement of Voters05:14 – Latte Voters and Rural Reality: The Challenge of Underpopulated Districts07:16 – Bypassing the Commission: The Incremental Push from Washington07:51 – Long-Term Meditation: When Democrats Started Strategic Line Drawing08:35 – Preserving Communities of Interest vs. "Bacon Strip" Public Maps10:11 – The Proportionality Math Problem: Self-Segregation of Electorates12:00 – High Taxes, Worse Outcomes: Sacramento’s Lack of Economic Leadership12:48 – Low-Information Landslides: Why Voters Backed the Anti-Trump Narrative14:55 – Low-Information Electorates and the Realities of the Campaign Trail15:41 – The Billionaire Network: Evaluating Elite Mobility in California16:00 – AI, Automation, and the Pitchfork Economy: Shifting Jobs on the Chopping Block18:26 – Crude Mechanisms vs. Mileage Taxes: The Problem with Asset Liquidation20:07 – The Societal Compact: Reinventing Government Infrastructure Through Private Gains21:23 – Congressional Pass: Healthcare Deficits and Abdicating ResponsibilityConnect with Paul MitchellTwitter/X: https://x.com/paulmitche11LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmitche11/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Mark Halperin - Editor-in-Chief - 2WAY Interactive Inc.Guest Bio: Mark Halperin is one of the nation's most experienced political analysts, authors, and commentators. He is the co-author of the New York Times bestsellers Game Change and Double Down, which provided definitive, behind-the-scenes accounts of the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections. Over a career spanning decades, Halperin has served as the political director for ABC News, a senior political analyst for Time magazine, and a frequent contributor across major news networks. Currently offering national political reporting and analysis through his independent platforms, Halperin is widely recognized for his data-driven insights into campaign strategy, presidential polling, and the shifting dynamics of both state and federal elections.Show Summary“In a normal state, you'd say organize and get hot at the end. There is no organization in California—it's just get hot at the end". In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with legendary political journalist Mark Halperin for a masterclass in campaign math, media scrutiny, and national electoral trends.Halperin opens by revising his previous predictions for the 2026 California Governor's race, and outlining a path where either San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan or Xavier Becerra will ultimately take the mansion. The discussion dives into the sudden "open secret" implosion of Eric Swalwell, drawing historical parallels to presidential campaigns of the past to explain why certain scandals only ignite under a high-stakes media microscope.Zooming out to the federal level, Halperin drops a sobering forecast for the upcoming midterms, predicting a massive "blue wave" that could see Democrats flip over 30 seats in the House and capture a Senate majority. Finally, the conversation shifts to the 2028 presidential landscape, offering insider scouting reports on Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, J.D. Vance, and Josh Shapiro. From the family "veto power" on Newsom's ambitions to why a well-run Super PAC is a candidate's greatest weapon, this episode provides an unmatched look at the mechanics of modern political warfare.Chapters00:00 – Shifting Trajectories: Why Mahan and Becerra are Leading the Field01:12 – Selling Oatmeal: Can Matt Mahan Make Moderation Sexy?02:15 – Breaking Becerra: Vacuum and Vulnerabilities in the Debates03:07 – The Primary Math: Can Republicans Avoid a Top-Two Shutout?04:34 – Open Secrets: Why the Swalwell Skeletons Exploded Late06:35 – Defining the Perfect California Republican: The Legacy of Dick Reardon08:45 – The Midterm Forecast: Affordability, the Iran War, and a Looming Blue Wave11:12 – The Texas Drought: Can James Talarico Unseat a Republican Statewide?12:26 – The Gauntlet of 2028: Family Vetos and Gavin Newsom's Presidential Ambitions15:34 – Bestsellers and Email Lists: Sizing Up Newsom's National Appeal18:24 – The 2028 Dem Board: Harris, Shapiro, Buttigieg, and Rahm Emanuel21:33 – Super PAC Strategy: The Hidden Mechanics of a Winning Campaign23:00 – The Post-Trump Era: J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, and the Republican Mantle24:12 – Game Change Lessons: Normality, Charm, and Mission ChineseConnect with Mark HalperinTwitter: https://x.com/MarkHalperin?lang=enTwitter (show): https://x.com/NextUpHalperinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/markevanhalperin/ Instagram (show): https://www.instagram.com/nextuphalperin/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpHalperinWebsite: 2waytvapp.comEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:John McKinney - Candidate for LA City AttorneyGuest Bio: John McKinney is a seasoned prosecutor who has dedicated nearly three decades to the criminal justice system inside the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, where he specialized in prosecuting violent crimes and major gang offenses. A native of New Jersey who overcame adversity in his youth, McKinney rose to become one of the most prominent trial lawyers in the LA legal community, known for prosecuting high-profile murder cases. Running as a pragmatist for Los Angeles City Attorney, his platform centers on restoring public safety, enforcing misdemeanor laws, tackling the homelessness crisis through structured transitional environments, and serving as a strict legal defender for the municipal corporation of Los Angeles.Show Summary"California has, by and large, chosen to leave dangerous people on the street," says veteran prosecutor John McKinney. In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with McKinney for a sobering look at public safety and the humanitarian breakdown in the nation's second-largest city.McKinney links the current state of disorder in Los Angeles to the legacy of 2011's "prison realignment" policies, which pushed overcrowding down to the local counties and led to inmates being pushed out onto the streets. Drawing on his thirty years of frontline experience, McKinney offers a rare, nuanced perspective on federal immigration enforcement, local sanctuary policies, and the hidden pressures applied by the LA County Board of Supervisors.The conversation pivots to McKinney’s vision for the City Attorney's office as general counsel, rather than a "public interest law firm" as proposed by opponents on his left. He outlines a clear strategy of "compassionate accountability" to address the homeless industrial complex, detailing a shift away from high-priced permanent housing toward immediate, scalable city-owned transitional spaces. From tracking Spencer Pratt’s high-tech mayoral campaign to enforcing laws that keep business open and streets safe, this is an exploration of real-world leadership in modern Los Angeles.Chapters00:00 – The Core of Safety: Tracing Modern LA problems to 2010s Realignment01:45 – Leaving People on the Street: The Failure of State Corrections02:43 – Debunking the Crime Link: Legal Immigration Status vs. Local Crime04:34 – The Budget Levers: Board Politics and Sanctuary State Dynamics05:58 – General Counsel or Public Interest Firm? Delineating the LA City Attorney Role07:28 – The Practical Metrics of Success: CVS Openings, Human Bodies, and RVs09:00 – Compassionate Accountability: Ditching Hotel Voucher Strategies for $5,000 Emergency Beds10:45 – Partnering with Law Enforcement: Aggressive Prosecution of Misdemeanors12:31 – Defeating Career Politicians: The Angry Consensus of the Ordinary Voter14:18 – Critiques of the Progressive Left: Leaving the City of Los Angeles Without a Defender15:04 – Sucking the Air Out of the Room: Spencer Pratt’s Viral AI Mayoral Insurgency17:30 – Rapid Fire: Uncivilized Encampments and Rooting for the Home TeamsConnect with John McKinney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmckinney_/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/John-McKinney-100063804919502/Twitter: https://x.com/johnmckinney_?lang=enWebsite: https://mckinney4la.com/about/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Mike Netter, Candidate for CA State Senate District 22Guest Bio: Mike Netter is a veteran sales executive, radio host on KABC Talk Radio 790 AM, and entrepreneur who has built and operated several small businesses, including founding Quantum Charging. A graduate of San Diego State University, Netter first stepped into the statewide political spotlight as a key leader behind the historic 2021 recall movement against Governor Gavin Newsom. Now running as a Republican challenger for State Senate District 22 in the East San Gabriel Valley, he brings decades of private-sector experience to his fight, campaigning heavily on middle-class tax relief, regulatory rollbacks for small businesses, parental rights, and robust funding for public safety.Show SummaryIs California truly a deep-blue monolith, or is a massive silent majority just stuck in "zombie mode"? In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet is joined by Mike Netter to discuss his campaign to flip the script on California's political representation and bring logic back to governance.Netter drops some eye-opening context about the true political makeup of the state, revealing that while Democrats command a 75% legislative supermajority, they only make up roughly 46% to 48% of total registered voters. And he lays out his legislative priorities, including a sweeping proposal to slash the state income tax by 28% for those earning $150,000, fully funding the recently passed Proposition 36, and untangling the regulatory maze that forces small business owners to take their passions and move out of state.Chapters00:00 – Preview: The Apathy Party and Asset Tax Traps00:24 – Welcoming State Senate Candidate Mike Netter00:54 – Sizing up 2028: Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, and the Illusion of Popularity01:46 – Self-Nomination: Newsom’s Late-Night TV Political Pitch02:11 – Announcing State Senate District 22: Representing One Million Voices02:47 – Breaking the Disconnect: 48% Registration vs. 75% Supermajority03:52 – Over-Taxed and Under-Served: The Case for a 28% Income Tax Cut04:45 – Post-Prop 36 Funding: Rebuilding Public Safety and Small Business InfrastructureConnect with Mike NetterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.netter.5/Twitter/X: https://x.com/nettermike?lang=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nettermike/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Gus Mattammal, Candidate for CA Superintendent of Public InstructionGuest BioGus Mattammal is a lifelong educator and the director of a leading private tutoring group in Silicon Valley. With over 20 years of experience, he has worked with more than 1,000 students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Mattammal is the author of A is for Average, a book exploring the systemic failures and potential solutions for the California public school system. In addition to his work in education, he is an elected member of the Midcoast Community Council and serves on several countywide boards focused on transportation and tax oversight. He holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a bachelor's degree from Pomona College.Show SummaryCalifornia currently ranks 38th in reading and 44th in math—results that Gus Mattammal argues are a direct consequence of a system that prioritizes being a "jobs program" vs. an educational provider for our kids. In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Mattammal to discuss the bold, grassroots insurgency needed to reclaim the future for California's nearly 6 million students.Mattammal critiques the current leadership and the powerful influence of the California Teachers Association (CTA), proposing a radical shift in how the state handles its record $150 billion education budget. He details his plan to redo the state’s funding formula to repurpose future budget growth—beyond the rate of inflation—into hiring more teachers and lowering class sizes in struggling districts, all without raising taxes.The conversation dives into the "science of reading" and why states like Mississippi are now outperforming California with half the per-pupil spending. From the "social justice" mission creep in math standards to the administrative bloat caused by Sacramento's mandates, Mattammal offers a provocative blueprint for an education system that values merit, competition, and parental choice.Chapters00:00 – Education System or Jobs Program?00:49 – The Reality of Rankings: 38th in Reading, 44th in Math02:27 – Breaking the Cycle: Breaking the CTA and Bureaucratic Bloat03:02 – Restructuring the Funding Formula: A Plan for Growth Without New Taxes06:15 – The Three Dimensions of a Superintendent: Facilitator, Advocate, and Manager08:53 – Why Mississippi is Crushing California: The Science of Reading11:42 – Public Shaming and Competition: Incentivizing Excellence12:23 – Math Standards and "Social Justice": Why Singapore Still Leads15:23 – The Collective Surrender: Why Ideology Replaces Results18:35 – Declining Enrollment and the Financial Crisis in Urban Districts19:27 – Compliance Costs: How Mandates Drive Administrative Bloat23:25 – Rapid Fire: King for a Day and the "Gus Bus"Connect with Gus MattammalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOneTrueGus/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gus-mattammal/Twitter: https://x.com/TheOneTrueGusInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonetruegus/Website: https://www.votegus.org/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

"If this gets on the ballot, it is an existential event for California". In the second installment of our Wipeout series, we peel back the layers of the proposed 5% Billionaire Tax to reveal what is buried in the fine print: A measure that allows Sacramento politicians to expand the tax to citizens regardless of their net worth.The panel explores the "fallout" of a policy that could force Californians to declare all assets under penalty of perjury and pay cash taxes on home equity or retirement accounts like 401ks and IRAs. We discuss the aggressive enforcement mechanisms, including subpoenas for financial records and 40% penalties for valuation disagreements.With 45% of California's income tax already supported by the top 1% of earners, the episode examines the reality of an "exodus" to states like Florida and Texas. We look at how the departure of these high-net-worth individuals doesn't just mean "taking their bags," but taking billions in funding for teachers, firefighters, and clean water—effectively passing the bill down to the middle class. Featuring insights on why Governor Newsom and a bipartisan majority of gubernatorial candidates oppose the measure, this episode is a deep dive into why this "gateway drug" to higher taxes could hurt California's long-run fiscal picture.Chapters 00:00 – An Existential Event: The Looming Ballot Measure00:37 – Buried in the Fine Print: Expanding the Tax Regardless of Net Worth01:10 – The Asset Declaration: Penalty of Perjury and Cash Requirements01:25 – Enforcement Tactics: Subpoenas and 40% Valuation Penalties01:48 – Beyond Billionaires: Targeting 401ks, IRAs, and Home Values02:18 – The Franchise Tax Board: Subpoenaing Personal Financial Records02:37 – Uncle Harry’s Bill: Why the Top 1% Fund 45% of the State03:08 – The Charity Collapse: What Happens When Billionaires Leave Communities03:36 – Passing the Bill Down: Losing Billions for Schools and Firefighters04:11 – The Gateway Drug: Reaction to California’s New "Fringe" Reputation04:47 – Bipartisan Opposition: Newsom and the Gubernatorial Candidates05:14 – Truth Seekers: Closing the Long-Run Fiscal PictureEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Pete Peterson - Dean of the Pepperdine School of Public PolicyGuest Bio: Pete Peterson is a leading national voice on civic engagement and state governance, currently serving as the Dean of the Pepperdine School of Public Policy. A former candidate for California Secretary of State, Peterson has dedicated his career to improving how citizens interact with their government. He is a senior fellow at the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and has been at the forefront of the "Leading Smart Communities" initiative, which trains public officials to use technology and data transparency to run more efficient municipalities. Known for his analytical approach to California’s unique political landscape, Peterson is a frequent contributor to national and state-level discussions on election reform and the future of the California dream.Show Summary"California is America on steroids," says Pete Peterson—but according to the Pepperdine Dean, being a "one-party state" for too long has left the Golden State in decay. In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Peterson to break down the high-stakes 2026 Governor’s race and why a "political earthquake" could be on the horizon.Peterson explores the "less than 25% chance" of two Republicans emerging from the jungle primary and explains why a Republican Governor might be the only "check" left to rein in a progressive legislature. The conversation pulls no punches on the state’s fiscal reality, noting that while the budget has doubled in less than a decade, public services from education to infrastructure are in a tailspin—even underperforming states like Mississippi and Alabama.From the "Trojan Horse" of the Billionaire Tax and the "moral hazard" of public sector unions to the potential for a "California DOGE" (Department of Government Efficiency), Peterson offers a masterclass in why people are "voting with their feet". This is a deep dive into whether California is at its "darkest before the dawn" and what it will take to restore the luster to the world's fifth-largest economy.Chapters00:00 – California: America on Steroids00:36 – The Jungle Primary: Could Two Republicans Emerge?01:53 – Reforming the System: Top Two vs. Top Five Primaries02:53 – Chaos as a Check: A Republican Governor vs. a Supermajority04:16 – Advice to the GOP: Creating a Vision Beyond "Reagan 2.0"06:01 – Grading the Democrats: Name Recognition vs. Policy Substance07:39 – The Moderate Lane: Can Matt Mahan or Antonio Villaraigosa Break Through?08:57 – National Politics: Trump, Midterms, and the Divided Congress11:24 – The "Gold Rush in Reverse": Why the Billionaire Tax is a Bad Idea12:49 – The Blue State Model: High Taxes and Declining Services14:52 – The Public Sector Union Problem: Breaking the Cycle17:18 – California DOGE: Applying Tech and Transparency to Sacramento20:45 – The Path Forward: Removing Collective Bargaining from Public Unions23:18 – Optimism for the Golden State: A History of Solving Human-Made ProblemsConnect with Pete PetersonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeteSOS/Twitter: https://x.com/Pete4CALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-peterson-a353683/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

In just a few years, California went from a $100 billion budget surplus to a $30 billion structural deficit. How does the world’s fourth-largest economy wipe out that much cash so quickly? In this mini-episode State of Gold takes a hard look at CA’s out of control "spending spree" as well as the rampant waste and fraud plaguing Sacramento.Noted experts break down the "regressive" nature of California’s current path, where middle-class residents are squeezed by electricity and gas prices while state government spending doubles over the past decade. Wipeout reveals the "perverse financial incentives" that allow social problems to grow, and fail, despite record spending.Chapters 00:00 – The $100 Billion Wipeout: From Surplus to Deficit00:08 – The Real Math: 60% Revenue Growth vs. 72% Spending Growth00:16 – Fraud Exported: $30 Billion Sent to Scammers00:34 – The 2022 Surplus vs. Today’s Structural Deficit00:52 – Boiling the Frog: Expanding Government Beyond Inflation01:11 – Twice the Spending, Half the Quality: The 10-Year Decline01:19 – Misaligned Priorities: School Renaming & Zoom Classrooms01:31 – Education Failure: Bottom Quintile Results Despite Billions Spent01:51 – Fraud Everywhere: From Special Districts to Wildfires02:00 – The Audit Gap: Why Lawmakers Ignore Solutions02:30 – Siphoning Funds: Interest Groups and Spending Decisions02:47 – Breaking the Basics: Failing to Deliver on Record Budgets02:58 – The Tax Loop: Solvency vs. Accountability03:15 – Next Week: The Existential Threat of the Billionaire TaxEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Senator Catherine BlakespearGuest Bio: Catherine Blakespear represents the 38th District, covering northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. A lawyer and former journalist for the Los Angeles Times and Associated Press, she transitioned into public service as the Traffic Commissioner for Encinitas before serving eight years in local government, including six years as Mayor. Now in the State Senate, Blakespear chairs the Environmental Quality Committee and the Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN Rail Corridor Resiliency. Her legislative focus includes increasing housing affordability, preventing gun violence, and finding structural solutions to California’s homelessness humanitarian crisis.Show SummaryIt costs an average of $700,000 and takes seven years to build a single unit of housing in California—a reality Senator Catherine Blakespear calls "anathema to my sense of humanity". In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet and Senator Blakespear tackle the "multi-billion dollar question" of why California’s housing and homelessness crises continue to spiral despite hundreds of new laws.Blakespear shares her unique perspective as a former Mayor who once fought against high-density mandates, explaining why she now believes the state must balance local control with the urgent need for a million new homes. The conversation takes a sharp turn into the "shocking" reality of the state's homelessness response. Blakespear reveals her firsthand findings after touring Care Court, describing it as a "resource-intensive group therapy" that fails to scale because it remains entirely voluntary.In a rare moment of candor from the Democratic side, Blakespear argues it is time to move the "pendulum" back toward involuntary commitment for the gravely disabled, stating that leaving people to die in the elements is a violation of human rights. From the complexities of the insurance market and the Cap-and-Invest program to a debate over Gavin Newsom’s leadership, this episode is an essential look at the policies required to reclaim the "Golden State."Chapters00:00 – The Waiting Room: California’s Housing Math Problem01:12 – From Mayor to Senator: The Battle Over High-Density Housing02:43 – Public vs. Private: Solving the Million-Home Shortage03:41 – Local Control: Why Some Cities Fight State Mandates06:19 – Developers, Density, and the Insurance Crisis08:28 – The "Stab in the Heart": Addressing the Humanity of Homelessness09:06 – Functional Zero: Why "Permanent Housing Only" is Failing11:24 – The Case for Involuntary Commitment: Moving the Pendulum13:53 – Exposing Care Court: Why Voluntary Care Isn't Scaling16:48 – Cap and Invest: Climate Goals vs. Affordability19:43 – The Billionaire Tax and the Innovation Economy21:49 – Assessing Gavin Newsom: Practicality vs. PolicyConnect with Catherine BlakespearFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/senatorblakespear/about/Twitter: https://x.com/CblakespearInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherineblakespearEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

California is at a tipping point. With over two-thirds of residents believing the state is on the "wrong track," the race for the Governor’s mansion has turned into a high-stakes battle for the future of the Golden State. In this special episode, recorded live from the April 2026 CA GOP Convention, Jon Slavet sits down with the state’s brightest Republican political minds to break down the chaos of the primary season and the path to a Republican victory.The conversation centers on the "insanity" of current leadership and the rise of optimistic conservative voices like Steve Hilton. The panel dives into the sudden "implosion" of Democratic frontrunner Eric Swalwell and the reshuffling of the voter pool that follows. They also pull back the curtain on the "math problem" facing Republicans: Can they successfully navigate a top-two primary to shut out the Democrats, or will a splintered field leave the GOP on the sidelines?From "kitchen table issues" like the affordability crisis and public safety to the influence of national endorsements, this episode provides a strategic roadmap for how a Republican can win over independents and center-right Democrats in a state where they are outnumbered 2-to-1. It is a candid look at the policies, personalities, and "political earthquakes" that will define California’s next chapter.Chapters00:00 – Live from the GOP Convention: Is it Darkest Before the Dawn?01:33 – The "Wrong Track" Majority and the Search for a Plan02:44 – The Hilton Strategy: Positioning Beyond the MAGA Tag03:18 – Nationalizing the Race: How Democrats Avoid Owning Their Record04:42 – Crossing the Chasm: Appealing to Independents Post-June 2nd06:57 – The Swalwell Implosion: Allegations of Mortgage and Election Fraud09:33 – Kitchen Table Wins: Prioritizing People Over Partisanship12:01 – Hilton vs. Bianco: The Power of the Ballot Designation13:19 – The Primary Math Problem: Avoiding a Democratic Shutout15:20 – Tom Steyer and the $500 Million "Ego Trip"Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

GuestJodie Muller, CEO - Western States Petroleum AssociationGuest BioJodie Muller serves as the President and CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), representing the companies that explore, produce, refine, and transport petroleum products in the West. Muller took the helm as CEO during one of the most volatile periods for energy in California’s history. Under her leadership, WSPA has focused on educating policymakers and the public on the "all-of-the-above" energy strategy, advocating for the preservation of high-paying local jobs, and addressing the regulatory "layers" that contribute to California's nation-leading gas prices. Muller is a prominent voice for balancing environmental goals with economic reality, emphasizing the importance of domestic production to maintain strict environmental and labor standards.Show SummaryWhy does California consistently have the highest gas prices in the nation? According to WSPA CEO Jodie Muller, it isn’t one person or one event—it’s the result of decades of policies layered on top of one another.In this episode, Jon Slavet talks with Muller about the complex reality of California’s energy market. From the impact of the Iran war and global spot markets to the "Truman Show" bubble of California’s environmental regulations, Muller explains how the state has hamstrung its own supply chain. She shares startling data on why California now imports over 75% of its crude and what the idling of major refineries means for the families who rely on those six-figure jobs.The conversation also tackles the controversial Cap-and-Invest program, the "baby steps" of recent permitting in Kern County, and why the smartest energy innovations of the future will likely come from within the oil and gas industry. Muller offers a candid look at the upcoming Governor’s race and her "Queen for a Day" wish.Chapters00:00 – Who is Responsible for $6 Gas?01:18 – Decades of Layered Policies: Connecting the Dots02:45 – The Education Gap in Sacramento03:16 – Iran and the Global Energy Market: Why Prices Stay High07:12 – The Environmental Irony of Importing 75% of Our Oil09:34 – From 25 Refineries to 6: The Impact on Consumers11:11 – Six-Figure Jobs and the Economic Knock-on Effects12:59 – Cap and Invest: The Multi-Billion Dollar Business Calculus15:53 – Newsom, Kern County, and the Future of Permitting17:59 – Advancing Renewables: An All-of-the-Above Strategy20:06 – Evaluating the Governor’s Race and Tom Steyer22:27 – Rapid Fire: Pausing Regulations and Keeping Kids in CaliforniaConnect with Jodie MullerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiemuller/Twitter: https://x.com/WSPAPrez/with_repliesEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Alex Villanueva, Former Sheriff of Los Angeles CountyGuest Bio: Alex Villanueva served as the 33rd Sheriff of Los Angeles County from 2018 to 2022, making history as the first challenger to unseat an incumbent sheriff in over a century. A veteran of the United States Air Force and the California Air National Guard, Villanueva spent over three decades within the LASD before reaching its highest office. During his tenure, he was known for his fiercely independent and often combative relationship with the LA County Board of Supervisors, frequently clashing over department funding, deputy oversight, and homelessness protocols. A former lifelong Democrat who recently broke with the party to register as a Republican, Villanueva continues to be a prominent voice in California politics, advocating for stricter public safety measures, voter ID laws, and a rejection of what he terms "radical" progressive ideologies.Show SummaryIs California facing the "beginning of the end"? In this episode, Jon Slavet sits down with former LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva for an unfiltered look at the systemic failures plaguing the Golden State.Villanueva pulls no punches as he describes what he calls a "multi-year war against law enforcement" and the emergence of a "homeless industrial complex" that he claims has a perverse financial incentive to grow the crisis rather than solve it. He shares first-hand accounts of cleaning up notorious encampments in Venice and Brentwood and explains why he believes the current political apparatus is more interested in "virtue signaling" than public safety.The conversation dives deep into Villanueva’s personal political evolution—from a JFK Democrat to a Republican—and his critiques of career politicians who he says prioritize their own advancement over the public interest. From the complexities of ICE cooperation and sanctuary status to a rapid-fire session on the future of California leadership, this episode offers a candid perspective from a man who has spent his career on the front lines of California's most contentious battles.Chapters00:00 – The "Beginning of the End" for the Golden State00:40 – The Multi-Year War Against Law Enforcement01:38 – Cleaning Up Venice: A Proven Five-Step Process02:57 – Exposing the Homeless Industrial Complex04:02 – Career Politicians vs. The "Part-Time" Solution05:14 – Lessons Learned: Betrayal and Bureaucratic Interests06:16 – Why the Democratic Party Left Me07:45 – Public Safety Transcends Party Lines09:34 – The Truth About ICE and Sanctuary State Policies13:07 – Local Coordination and Board Politics13:40 – Rapid Fire: Voter ID and Reclaiming the PromiseConnect with Alex VillanuevaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheriffvillanueva33/Twitter/X: https://x.com/AlexVilanueva33Website: https://alexvillanueva2026.com/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

GuestDebora Allen, Former Member of the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) BoardGuest BioDebora Allen served as a member of the BART Board of Directors from 2016 to 2024. A CPA with over 30 years of experience in the private sector, she positioned herself as a fiscal hawk on the board, frequently advocating for increased transparency, "station hardening" to prevent fare evasion, and prioritized spending on rider safety and police presence. Allen was a vocal proponent of creating the Office of the BART Inspector General and served as the inaugural chair of the Standing BART Audit Committee. Known for her independent and often dissenting voice against the board's more progressive majority, she chose not to seek re-election in 2024, concluding eight years of service focused on stabilizing the agency’s "fiscal cliff" and improving the commuting experience for suburban taxpayers.Show SummaryBART is facing a fiscal cliff — and according to former board member Debora Allen, it didn’t happen by accident.In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Allen to pull back the curtain on what she saw during her eight years on the BART Board. From declining ridership and fare evasion to rising costs and budget shortfalls, Allen explains how a lack of accountability and misaligned priorities have put one of California’s most important transit systems at risk.She shares why she pushed for stronger financial oversight, the creation of an Inspector General, and increased focus on rider safety — including police presence and station hardening. The conversation also explores how political dynamics inside the board shaped decision-making, why dissenting voices were often sidelined, and what she believes needs to change to restore both financial stability and public trust.This is a candid look at how governance, spending, and leadership decisions impact everyday commuters — and what it will take to fix a system that millions rely on.Chapters00:00 – The Reality Inside BART01:10 – Debora Allen’s Background and Time on the Board03:25 – BART’s Fiscal Cliff Explained06:40 – Declining Ridership and Revenue Challenges09:15 – Fare Evasion and Station Safety12:10 – Why “Station Hardening” Matters14:45 – Creating the Inspector General17:20 – Internal Board Dynamics and Decision-Making20:05 – What Needs to Change22:00 – Rapid Fire: Fixing BART and CaliforniaConnect with Debora AllenTwitter: https://x.com/debora_allen1LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debora-allen-bart-directorEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Jessica Patterson, Former California GOP ChairGuest Bio: Jessica Patterson is the former Chair of the California Republican Party and a longtime political strategist focused on voter registration, grassroots organizing, and rebuilding Republican strength across the state. During her six years as chair, California Republicans added more than a million new registered voters and expanded outreach into communities long ignored by the party.Show SummaryWhat would it actually take for Republicans to win again in California? In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with former California GOP Chair Jessica Patterson to talk about how the party can reposition itself, why showing up in neglected communities matters, and what it will take to connect with voters beyond the traditional Republican base.Patterson reflects on the registration gains made during her time leading the party, the importance of strong local messengers, and why issues like gas prices, housing, and education continue to give Republicans an opening in California. She also explains why she believes the GOP already has the right ideas, but must continue doing a better job of meeting voters where they are.The conversation also dives into some of the state’s most pressing policy failures, from high gas prices and energy dependence to CEQA, housing affordability, school choice, and Sacramento’s spending priorities. They close with a look at the billionaire tax, why it could hurt everyday Californians, and what Patterson would do first to help turn the state around.Chapters00:00 – Jessica Patterson Joins State of Gold00:03 – How Republicans Can Start Winning Again in California03:19 – Can Republicans Win in the Trump Era?05:40 – California Energy, Gas Prices & What Newsom Should Do09:39 – The 2026 Governor’s Race and the Top Two Dynamic13:57 – The $114 Million Wildlife Bridge16:29 – The Billionaire Tax and How It Hurts Average Californians18:16 – Rapid Fire: How to Fix California19:04 – School Choice and the Future of Education19:36 – What Gives Jessica Patterson Hope20:01 – California Is Worth SavingConnect with Jessica PattersonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cagopchairwoman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAGOPchairwoman/Twitter: https://x.com/millanpattersonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/millanpattersonEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Patrick Wolff, Candidate for CA State Insurance CommissionerGuest Bio: Patrick Wolff is a chess grandmaster, entrepreneur, and Democratic candidate for California Insurance Commissioner. He is focused on restoring functionality to California’s broken homeowners insurance market, increasing wildfire mitigation efforts, and reforming how the Department of Insurance regulates insurers operating in the state.Show SummaryCalifornia’s wildfire insurance crisis didn’t begin with the Palisades and Altadena fires. It began years earlier, when rising wildfire risk collided with rigid regulation and a shrinking insurance market.In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with chess grandmaster and CA State Insurance Commissioner candidate Patrick Wolff to unpack what went wrong — and what needs to change. Wolff explains how, after the catastrophic 2017 and 2018 fires, insurers sought to adjust pricing to reflect increased risk but were blocked from doing so. As risk rose and pricing flexibility remained constrained, insurers pulled back. State Farm expanded aggressively, only to later non-renew policies and seek emergency rate hikes, leaving homeowners trapped in a fragile and under-competitive market.The conversation goes deeper than rates and policies. Wolff discusses the need for more aggressive forest management and controlled burns, how well-functioning insurance markets provide critical risk signals, and why regulators should focus on consumer protection and competition rather than dictating prices. It’s a candid discussion about accountability and leadership, and whether California can rebuild both its insurance market and public trust.Chapters00:01 – A Chess Grandmaster Enters the Insurance Debate00:27 – Was the Fire Crisis Man-Made?02:59 – Controlled Burns & Fire Risk Management05:59 – How California’s Insurance Market Broke09:55 – Why Regulators Blocked Risk-Based Pricing12:17 – What Fair & Competitive Pricing Should Look Like15:15 – Fire Hardening Homes: What Works & What It Costs17:18 – Why Home Hardening Is a Public Good19:06 – Day One as Insurance Commissioner19:47 – Leaders He Respects20:51 – What Gives Him Hope About CaliforniaConnect with Patrick WolffWebsite: https://patrickwolff.com/eventsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolffonyourside/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-wolff-222192/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Jay Cheng, Executive Director - Neighbors for a Better San FranciscoGuest Bio: Jay Cheng is a San Francisco-based business leader and political advocate known for his work on education reform, public safety, and government accountability. He has played a key role in supporting more moderate leadership in San Francisco and focuses on restoring functionality to city governance.Show SummarySan Francisco has become a case study in what happens when policy, leadership, and accountability fall out of alignment,  but it may also offer a glimpse of what positive change can look like.In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Jay Cheng to discuss how San Francisco voters began pushing back, from recalling school board members to demanding better outcomes in public safety and education. Cheng explains why that shift happened, what triggered it, and whether California as a whole is ready to follow.The conversation dives into the realities behind San Francisco’s struggling school system, including declining enrollment, budget instability, and the lack of a standardized curriculum. They also explore improvements in public safety, the challenges of rebuilding police staffing, and what it takes for systems to actually function again.They close with a deeper look at California’s broader fiscal challenges and the proposed billionaire tax, unpacking why it could set a precedent far beyond the ultra-wealthy. It’s a candid conversation about accountability, consequences, and whether voters are ready to demand better.Chapters00:00 – “If You Don’t Like Your Leaders, Fire Them”00:48 – Is California at a Breaking Point?02:55 – What Triggered San Francisco’s Shift05:18 – The School Strike and Budget Crisis06:50 – Why Families Are Leaving the City08:52 – No Standard Curriculum? How It Happened10:08 – Leadership Failures in Education10:32 – Public Safety: Is It Actually Improving?11:47 – The Police Staffing Shortage13:01 – San Francisco’s Budget Problem14:42 – Why the City Can’t Keep Kicking the Can16:48 – A Budget Bigger Than Some Countries17:04 – The Billionaire Tax Debate19:05 – Why the Tax Scares More Than Billionaires20:23 – Rapid Fire: Fixing San Francisco & California22:40 – Expanding the UC SystemConnect with Jay ChengLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaychengsf/X: https://x.com/jay_jay_chengEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest Bio: Jeremiah Owyang is a Silicon Valley technology analyst, entrepreneur, and venture investor focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. He has spent decades studying how new technologies reshape industries and now works closely with founders building the next generation of AI-driven companies.Show SummaryArtificial intelligence is moving faster than almost any technology shift in history, and the ripple effects are already transforming how companies are built.In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Jeremiah Owyang to discuss the rapid rise of AI startups, how venture capital is evolving, and why this moment feels similar to the early days of the internet. Owyang explains how AI is lowering the barriers to building companies while simultaneously creating entirely new categories of businesses.The conversation explores what founders should be paying attention to, how AI agents may reshape work itself, and why California still sits at the center of global innovation despite political and economic challenges.Chapters00:00 – Why AI May Be the Most Consequential Technology Ever00:58 – Jeremiah Owyang Joins the Show02:13 – Where We Are in the AI Revolution03:28 – The Impact AI Will Have on Jobs05:44 – The Rise of AI-Native Startups08:25 – The First Billion-Dollar One-Person Company10:00 – Why Revenue Per Employee Is Exploding12:15 – AI Agents and the Future of Work15:05 – Why Silicon Valley Still Leads AI Innovation18:10 – How Founders Should Think About Building in the AI Era21:30 – What Society Is Not Ready For24:10 – Rapid Fire: One Thing That Will Shape the Future26:30 – What Gives Him HopeConnect with Jeremiah OwyangFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeremiahOwyang/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jowyang/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jowyang/Twitter/X: https://x.com/jowyang/with_repliesEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Antonio Villaraigosa, Former Mayor of Los AngelesGuest Bio: Antonio Villaraigosa is the former Mayor of Los Angeles and former Speaker of the California State Assembly. A longtime public servant, and now Democratic candidate for Governor, Villaraigosa has built his career around education reform, economic growth, and restoring opportunity in California.Show SummaryThe California Dream once meant opportunity, homeownership, and a better future for the next generation. Today, many Californians feel that dream slipping further out of reach.In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Antonio Villaraigosa to discuss the state’s political climate and what it will take to restore opportunity in California. The former Los Angeles Mayor shares his perspective on the Governor’s race, the challenges facing moderate voices in a polarized political environment, and why he believes California needs leaders focused on results rather than ideology.Villaraigosa also outlines his priorities for fixing California’s struggling education system, addressing housing affordability, cutting red tape that stifles business growth, and restoring the promise of the California Dream for the next generation.Chapters01:02 – Should Candidates Drop Out of the Governor’s Race?03:45 – The Political Center vs. The Extremes07:21 – The California Dream and Why It’s Slipping Away09:27 – Housing Costs and Economic Opportunity11:52 – Public Sector Pensions and Fiscal Responsibility17:10 – Fixing California’s Education System21:51 – Why Transparency and Accountability Matter23:13 – Spending, Deficits, and the State Budget24:28 – Why Villaraigosa Opposes the Billionaire Tax28:54 – Cutting Red Tape to Grow the Economy31:35 – Climate Goals vs. Infrastructure Reality34:34 – Rapid Fire: Fixing California’s Schools35:06 – Leaders He Admires in California History35:38 – Restoring the California DreamConnect with Antonio VillaraigosaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntonioVillaraigosaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/antonioforcaliforniaTwitter: https://x.com/AVillaraigosaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AntonioforcaliforniaCampaign Site: https://www.antonio2026.com/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Joel Pollak - Opinion Editor @ The California PostGuest Bio: Joel Pollak is a journalist, political commentator, and Opinion Editor at The California Post – a new publication he helped launch focused on covering California from a center-right perspective. A longtime California resident and former Illinois native, Pollak writes extensively on state policy, media bias, and government accountability.Show SummaryCalifornians are tired of things not working.In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Joel Pollak to discuss the launch of The California Post and why he believes there is a growing appetite for accountability in the Golden State.Pollak shares his personal experience surviving the Palisades fire, the insurance nightmare that followed, and why he believes government mismanagement made the disaster worse. The conversation explores President Trump’s executive order aimed at accelerating rebuilding, the controversy surrounding affordable housing proposals in the Palisades, and what local residents actually want.They then zoom out to tackle systemic issues: Behested payments to politicians, legalized corruption, COVID-era fraud, runaway state spending, and the proposed billionaire tax. Pollak explains how California risks driving away its most productive innovators and why history from Illinois should serve as a warning sign.Chapters00:00 – Why Californians Are Sick of Government Failure00:18 – Launching the California Post01:44 – Is There a Silent Majority in California?02:41 – Personal Impact of the Palisades Fire04:09 – Insurance Battles & Rebuilding Delays05:03 – Trump’s Executive Order on Rebuilding06:55 – Affordable Housing Controversy in the Palisades09:59 – Zoning, ADUs & Rebuilding Concerns12:37 – Exposing Corruption in Los Angeles14:09 – COVID Fraud & Behested Payments Explained16:45 – The Billionaire Tax and Economic Flight19:56 – The Mansion Tax Cautionary Tale22:03 – Revenue Problem or Spending Problem?23:31 – Rapid Fire: Fixing California Starts with WaterConnect with Joel PollakTwitter: https://x.com/joelpollak?s=20LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joel-pollakInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pollakjoelHis latest pieces can be found on californiapost.com and nypost.com.Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Chad Peace, Co-Founder – Independent Voter NetworkGuest Bio: Chad Peace is an election reform advocate and representative of the Independent Voter Project, an organization focused on expanding voter participation and reducing partisan control over the primary process. He has been deeply involved in California’s transition from closed primaries to the current top-two open primary system, and continues to advocate for structural reforms that empower independent voters and increase electoral competition.Show SummaryNearly half of voters nationwide now identify as independent. In California, No Party Preference voters are the fastest-growing bloc. So why does the political system still revolve around partisan extremes?In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Chad Peace to unpack the rise of independent voters, the origins of California’s top-two open primary system, and the unintended consequences that followed.They explore whether the “jungle primary” has improved democracy, why both parties often resist reform, and what a top-five ranked-choice primary system could look like in California. The conversation also dives into voter ID, ballot harvesting, election confidence, and the broader debate over how to restore trust in the electoral process.From redistricting battles to Supreme Court strategy, this is a candid discussion about who gets to participate in elections and whether California is living up to its democratic ideals.Chapters00:03 – The Rise of Independent Voters01:17 – Why Both Parties Are Moving to the Extremes01:33 – The Origins of California’s Open Primary02:47 – Has the Top-Two System Improved Democracy?05:06 – The Unintended Consequences of the Current System07:50 – Top-Five Primaries & Ranked Choice Voting Explained09:08 – Redistricting, Prop 50 & Partisan Power Plays12:04 – The Supreme Court & The Right to Vote in Primaries12:38 – Voter ID: A 70/30 Issue15:43 – Mail-In Voting, Ballot Harvesting & Election Confidence17:50 – Politics, Culture & Attack of the Killer Tomatoes19:21 – Rapid Fire: One Reform to Fix California19:39 – What Gives Him Hope20:18 – California Is…Connect with Chad PeaceTwitter: https://x.com/ChadPeaceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadpeace/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Lanhee Chen, Stanford Hoover Fellow and Policy Expert Guest Bio: Lanhee Chen is a policy expert, former candidate for California State Controller, and national commentator on fiscal policy and healthcare reform. He has advised at the highest levels of government and regularly contributes analysis on California’s budget, tax structure, and long-term economic outlook. Known for his data-driven approach, Chen focuses on accountability, structural reform, and restoring fiscal discipline to state government.Show SummaryCalifornia can swing from a $150 billion surplus to a $150 billion deficit in just a few years. Why?In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet talks with Lanhee Chen to break down California’s structural budget problems in simple terms. From an antiquated tax system heavily reliant on capital gains to ballooning fixed costs and voter-approved spending mandates, Chen explains why the state is trapped in boom-and-bust cycles.They dive into the proposed billionaire tax and why, despite sounding appealing, it will drive high earners and founders out of California while reducing long-term revenue. Chen also outlines the risks of taxing unrealized gains and how that precedent could impact entrepreneurs and future innovators.The conversation then turns to waste, fraud, and abuse in programs like unemployment insurance, Medi-Cal, and IHSS. Finally, Chen shares his vision for healthcare reform, including radical price transparency, expanding provider supply, and creating a more competitive healthcare marketplace.If you want a clear, non-theatrical breakdown of California’s fiscal challenges and what real reform could look like, this is it.Chapters00:00 – California’s Boom and Bust Budget Cycles02:37 – The Structural Deficit Problem Explained03:20 – How Should California Reform Its Tax System?05:06 – Revenue Problem or Spending Problem?05:39 – Why the Billionaire Tax Is a Bad Idea07:12 – The Dangerous Precedent of Taxing Unrealized Gains08:51 – Waste, Fraud & Abuse in State Programs09:21 – The Unemployment Insurance Scandal10:30 – Medi-Cal, IHSS & Systemic Accountability Failures12:06 – Fixing Healthcare Without Government Takeover13:10 – Radical Price Transparency in Healthcare14:00 – Expanding Supply & Reducing Consolidation15:27 – Incentivizing Preventive Care17:13 – Rapid Fire: One Big Reform for California18:09 – What Gives Him Hope18:40 – Is California Punching Under Its Weight?Connect with Lanhee ChenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanheechen/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lanheechenX: https://x.com/lanheechenEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest Bio: Michael Pierce is a venture capitalist, technology executive, and founder of American Gun Owners, a California-based company focused on making legal, responsible gun ownership accessible to everyday Americans. Michael brings a unique perspective to public safety, entrepreneurship, and the growing demand for self-defense in major cities. Raised on a cattle ranch and surrounded by firearms from a young age, he approaches gun ownership as a practical tool rather than a political statement.Show SummaryWhy are more Californians who never wanted guns now feeling like they need one?Michael Pierce joins Jon Slavet to explain why rising crime, slow police response times, and social unrest have pushed ordinary Californians toward personal self-defense. Michael shares the real-world conversations that inspired him to launch American Gun Owners and why California, despite being one of the most restrictive states, is exactly where this business needed to be built.They dive into the challenges of buying a firearm legally in California, the confusion first-time buyers face, and how American Gun Owners uses technology and education to simplify the process. The conversation also explores policing shortages, deterrence, elites disconnect from everyday safety concerns, and what California must do to restore confidence and economic momentum.This episode offers a grounded, non-political look at guns as a utility, public safety as a core government responsibility, and why fear has become a daily reality for many Californians.Chapters00:00 – Why Michael Is Building American Gun Owners in California01:45 – Crime, Social Unrest & Slower Police Response Times02:19 – Why LA Is Dangerously Under-Policed03:50 – First-Time Gun Buyers and the Education Gap04:19 – How People End Up with the Wrong Firearm05:40 – Guns as a Utility, Not a Political Statement06:55 – Why Buying a Gun Legally Is So Complicated07:36 – How American Gun Owners Solves the Problem08:23 – Using AI to Match People With the Right Firearm10:05 – California Compliance, Training & Safe Storage12:30 – Liability, Self-Defense Law & Castle Doctrine14:13 – Crime in Wealthy Neighborhoods Isn’t Rare Anymore16:02 – Deterrence and Why Signs Actually Matter17:19 – What Elites Don’t Understand About Feeling Unsafe19:50 – Fixing California’s Business Climate23:02 – Rapid Fire: One Fix for California23:09 – What Still Gives Him HopeConnect with Michael PierceTwitter: https://x.com/mpierce_agoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpiercelaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/americangunowners.online/Website: https://www.americangunowners.com/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Dr. Houman David Hemmati, Entrepreneur & Political ActivistGuest Bio: Dr. Houman David Hemmati is a physician, scientist, entrepreneur, and public advocate for medical freedom and ethical healthcare reform. With a background in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and ophthalmology, he’s advised pharmaceutical companies, led biotech ventures, and become an outspoken voice on issues ranging from pandemic policy to the misuse of scientific authority. Dr. Hemmati is also a frequent media contributor and a passionate advocate for patient rights, transparency, and innovation in medicineShow SummaryLos Angeles is collapsing in real time and Dr. Houman Hemmati says it’s not accidental.In this episode, Dr. Hemmati joins Jon Slavet to expose what he calls the “homeless industrial complex,” a system incentivized to grow rather than solve the crisis. From Westwood turning into “Skid Row West” to taxpayer-funded housing scams costing up to $2 million per unit, Dr. Hemmati details how California’s homelessness policies have failed both the vulnerable and the public.The conversation then turns to the proposed billionaire tax, why it threatens startup founders and innovation, and how taxing unrealized wealth could permanently drive entrepreneurs out of California. Dr. Hemmati explains why the state doesn’t have a revenue problem, but a spending problem, and why tough love may be the only path forward.This is a candid, no-holds-barred look at the policies, incentives, and political realities shaping California’s future and what gives him hope that voters may finally be reaching a breaking point.Chapters00:00 – Dr. Houman Hemmati’s Path from Doctor to Activist00:36 – Westwood’s Decline and “Skid Row West”02:30 – The Failure of Local Government in Los Angeles03:18 – How COVID Supercharged the Homeless Crisis04:45 – Prison Releases, Incentives, and Manufactured Chaos06:05 – The Homeless Housing Scam and Taxpayer Theft07:15 – Moral Hazard and Why Current Policies Make Things Worse08:40 – The Billionaire Tax Explained Simply10:51 – Why Entrepreneurs and Capital Are Leaving California12:45 – Taxing Unrealized Wealth and Constitutional Concerns14:30 – California’s Spending Problem vs Revenue Problem16:24 – Why California Needs an Intervention18:10 – Rapid Fire: One Fix to Save California18:21 – What Finally Gives Him Hope21:45 – Why Ordinary Citizens Are Starting to Push BackConnect with Dr. Houman David HemmatiX: https://x.com/houmanhemmati/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/houman-david-hemmati-md-phd-aa0486/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:Joel Kotkin, Chapman University ProfessorGuest Bio: Joel Kotkin is a renowned urban studies scholar, author, and fellow in urban futures at Chapman University. His work has appeared in Forbes, The Daily Telegraph, City Journal, and more. A longtime Californian, Kotkin has spent decades analyzing demographic trends, class shifts, and political transformations shaping the Golden State. His recent commentary focuses on the decline of middle-class opportunity, rising costs of living, and the unintended consequences of progressive policy.Show SummaryWhat happened to the California Dream? In this powerful conversation, Joel Kotkin joins Jon Slavet to unpack the root causes of California’s middle-class crisis. From skyrocketing housing costs and regressive climate policies to the rise of oligarchic politics and the exodus of working families, Kotkin makes a compelling case for how the state lost its promise — and what it will take to restore it.He also calls out how the YIMBY movement, climate dogma, and one-party rule are shaping a state that serves the ultra-wealthy and subsidized poor — while leaving the middle class behind. If you care about California’s future, this is essential watching.Chapters00:00 – California's Middle-Class Collapse01:10 – Kotkin on Coming to California in the 1970s03:00 – Climate Policy: Idealism or Ideology?05:00 – Who Really Pays for Green Mandates06:30 – Why Reform Feels Impossible08:00 – Billionaire Tax and Class Warfare09:30 – Government Growth and Wealth Redistribution11:00 – Why the Rich Get Richer in California13:00 – California's Startup Problem15:00 – Why the Middle Class Can't Stay16:00 – The YIMBY Agenda Critiqued18:00 – King for a Day: Kotkin’s First Fix19:30 – The Closing Thought: Potential vs. RuinConnect with Joel KotkinTwitter: https://x.com/joelkotkin?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joelkotkinSubstack: https://joelkotkin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-kotkin-1883922/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com