The Sacralegis Podcast

In this episode, Susan and Josh dig into California’s political turbulence — from the fallout around Eric Swalwell to the shifting dynamics of the governor’s race. They talk civic engagement, book‑swap politics, the top‑two primary’s unintended consequences, and why energy reliability and polarization are reshaping the state’s governing reality.

In this episode of The Sacralegis Podcast, Susan and Josh discuss various pressing issues, including shifts in political affiliations, the role of religion in politics, the morality of war, and the implications of negotiation tactics on global stability. They also delve into California's ongoing hydrogen supply crisis and what it says about challenges around governance in the state in their usual candid, unguarded style.

In this installment of the Sacrah-Ledgis podcast, Susan and Josh touch on a wide range of topics, from the recent revelations about labor legend Cesar Chavez to the war in the Middle East to yet another Trump tirade against the recently deceased to the latest developments in the race for California Governor.

This episode of the Sacralegis Podcast explores American attitudes toward morality and each other; political polarization; and some really impactful recent events, including the spiraling conflict in the Middle East, developments in the California gubernatorial race, and the broader, not always encouraging state of American civic affairs.

In this episode of TSP, Susan and Josh ruminate on the unique and uniquely intense world of political conventions, the intricacies of California's primary system, and the current state of politics, comparing insights on campaign strategies, civic engagement, and the impact of media on political discourse, both at the state and national levels.

In this episode, Josh and Susan discuss various political themes, including the impact of Trump's leadership on international relations, the power of words in politics, and the current legislative landscape in California. They delve into the No Kings Act, accountability in law enforcement, and the complexities of budgeting and political initiatives. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by lawmakers and the influence of media on public perception.

In this episode, Susan and Josh discuss a variety of pressing topics, including new legislation in California, the state's budgetary challenges, the evolving role of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the sometimes unseemly aspects of campaign finance. They also delve into the use of ballot measures, international politics surrounding Venezuela, and domestic issues related to law enforcement and racism. The discussion concludes with personal reflections on the future and aspirations for the coming year.

In this reflective conversation, Josh and Susan revisit the tumultuous year of 2025 and ruminate on some of the year’s significant political events and trends, concerns, challenges, and the impact of media on public perception. They discuss California's role in national politics, the war on DEI, and shifts in foreign policy, while also sharing personal reflections and aspirations for the upcoming year.

In this episode of the podcast, Josh and Susan explore various topics ranging from the current vibe in National Guard-occupied DC to the impact of celebrity tragedies on public sentiment. They also touch on the implications of tobacco taxes on public health funding, the role of endorsements in political campaigns, and the political and military exploitation of the fentanyl crisis. The conversation also delves into California's shifting political landscape, the importance of mental health legislation, and the challenges facing public health initiatives.

In this conversation, Josh and Susan discuss various pressing issues in California, including community violence, gerrymandering, the governor's race, budget challenges, healthcare affordability, and the implications of e-bikes. They also touch on the raises of CSU presidents and the ethical considerations surrounding military conduct.

Susan and Josh welcome Gary Kremen, a seasoned tech entrepreneur, investor, and civic innovator whose latest venture, Voter.vote, aims to bring the power of AI, predictive analytics, and behavioral targeting to the democratic process. We’ll be talking about the evolving intersection of technology and politics and the promises and perils of data-driven democracy—and why Gary believes that the right tools in the right hands can help the right people win.

Susan and Josh discuss the evolving political landscape in California, focusing on the implications of recent elections, particularly Prop 50. They explore the polarization within the state, the scramble for congressional seats, and the generational changes in politics. The role of social media, the impact of redistricting, and the diminishing belief in the American dream are also examined. The discussion highlights the challenges of political violence and disenfranchisement, while concluding on a hopeful note based on the results of the most recent elections.

On this guest-free episode of The Sacralegis Podcast, Susan and Josh discuss a variety of topics ranging from personal reflections on birthdays and zodiac signs to the challenges of new jobs and the dynamics of California politics. They delve into the gubernatorial race, public protests, and recent policy updates, including environmental legislation and the importance of bees in agriculture.

Just a quick note to let our loyal listeners know that The Sacralegis Podcast is going to a bi-weekly format...

In this episode of The Sacralegis Podcast, Josh and Susan sit down with Dan Schnur, former candidate for California Secretary of State, longtime political strategist, and civic educator, to dissect the disappearance of the political middle in California and beyond. They explore how polarization has reshaped political incentives, why compromise has become a liability, and what it means for leaders trying to govern in good faith. From Proposition 50 to the top-two primary system, from independent candidates to the crisis of civic engagement in schools, Dan offers both sharp insights and cautious optimism.

In this episode, Dr. Fred Smoller discusses the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon and its implications for California's environmental policies. He shares his journey from witnessing the federally funded Solar Decathlon in DC to creating the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon to emphasize the importance of engaging universities in climate change solutions. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating California's political landscape to secure support for sustainability initiatives and the significance of aligning climate response with innovation.

State Senator Brian Jones, who serves as Senate Minority Leader, joins The Sacralegis Podcast to discuss the evolving role of social media in politics, reflect on the impact and implications of Proposition 50, and offer his personal perspective on the current state of partisan politics in California. From memes to legislative maneuvers, this episode explores how digital platforms shape public perception and how Senator Jones navigates the ideological currents of Sacramento.

Susan and Josh sit down with Josh Fryday—former Navy officer, Director of the Governor’s Office of Service, and current candidate for Lieutenant Governor—to explore how civic engagement and public service can reshape California’s future. From Climate Corps to community resilience, Fryday shares his vision for a state where service isn’t just a value—it’s a core feature and an antidote to polarization in a time of political flux.

Economist Andrew Zimbalist joins The Sacralegis Podcast to explore the high-stakes economics of hosting the Olympic Games. From ballooning budgets to elusive legacies, we explore why “mega-events” like LA 2028 often promise civic glory but deliver fiscal hangovers. Is Los Angeles sprinting toward a global showcase—or hurdling into a financial trap? A candid look at the politics, profits, and pitfalls behind the Olympic dream.

Susan and Josh welcome to the podcast Fiona Ma for a conversation that reflects on service, strategy, and stepping into the spotlight—charting her path from San Francisco supervisor to State Treasurer, and now as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of California. With decades of public finance experience and a reputation for political savvy and tireless travel, Ma makes the case for why ambition and accountability can and should go hand in hand.

Susan and Josh welcome to the podcast Tim Myers, a successful musician, founding member and former bassist for the popular rock band One Republic, and current candidate for Lieutenant Governor of California. Tim’s a self-described outsider, a newcomer to politics. The conversation delves into his motivation for running and his plans to use the “bully pulpit” of the office of Lieutenant Governor to achieve his goals of making California a safer, more affordable, and more livable place for all.

Susan and Josh welcome former Stockton mayor and current candidate for California Lieutenant Governor Michael Tubb. In 2016, at just 26 years old Tubbs became the youngest mayor of a major American city, pioneering bold initiatives like universal basic income and community-based justice reform. As a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, he’s advocating for housing affordability and expanding educational opportunity as well as bringing fresh energy and equity-driven leadership to an office which has historically gotten fairly little attention.

Susan and Josh sit down with State Senator John Laird, one of the most accomplished and effective members of the state legislature, for a wide-ranging conversation across a range of current issues, to include the impact of federal cuts on California, the prospective impacts and implications of the controversy over Congressional redistricting in Texas and possibly California, and his experience and insights from a career in public service that now spans more than four decades.

On this week’s episode, Susan and Josh welcome not one but two distinguished guests to the podcast. The first guest is Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable, a non-partisan organization comprised of the senior executive leadership of the state’s major companies, to talk about some of the recent developments on the national stage and how they affect California.

Susan and Josh gather for their weekly podcast on Sacramento-related goings on, looking forward to having as this week's guest Tim Myers, former member of the rock band OneRepublic and recently announced candidate for Lieutenant Governor. As you'll hear in this slightly abbreviated version of the Sacralegis Podcast, not everything goes as planned, although of course the show must go on...

Susan and Josh are joined by their former colleague Cristina Garcia, who represented the Long Beach area in the Assembly from 2021 to 2022. While in office, she was a fierce and fearless champion for women, local communities, and the environment, and has continued to fight for and support similar causes in her post-elective life as well.

Susan and Josh mull over some recent items in the news, along with revisiting four of their favorite conversations from earlier episodes of The Sacralegis Podcast, with a particular eye on legislative progress and other developments since then.

Susan and Josh welcome Mike Madrid, a recognized authority on Latino politics, the principal of California-based public affairs firm Grassroots Lab, and author of a critically acclaimed book, "The Latino Century: How America's Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy," which was published last June, for a spirited conversation on the impact of changing Latino attitudes toward politics in California and beyond.

Susan and Josh welcome former colleague State Senator Catherine Blakespear for an in-depth discussion on some of her current legislation in the critical areas of dignity-in-dying and making progress on California’s ongoing homelessness crisis, as well as her thoughts on the legislation providing for exemptions from the California Environmental Quality Act, which were tied to the recent passage of the state’s annual budget.

Susan and Josh welcome Bode Gower, the Founder and Chair of the Northern California Youth Policy Coalition, which aims to amplify rural youth voices on state-level issues, as well as the host of his own podcast, “The Gower Hour,” which offers a youth perspective on politics by interviewing local elected officials, for a discussion of how young people are thinking about and participate in politics these days.

Susan and Josh are joined by their former colleague State Senator Tom Umberg, a decorated Army veteran, former prosecutor and assistant drug czar and current Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee for a conversation about recent events around immigration enforcement and the use of federal military assets in its conduct.

Susan and Josh are joined by Catherine Reheis-Boyd, President and CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association, the trade association representing companies involved in petroleum exploration, production, refining, transportation, and marketing in the five western states of the US: Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of the transportation energy economy in California and the politics around it.

Susan and Josh are joined by Professor Thad Kousser of UC San Diego, a nationally renowned political scientist and authority on legislative politics and governance, for a conversation about past and proposed changes to California's state constitution and electoral processes in the pursuit of responsive governance and political reforms.

Susan and Josh are joined by CalMatters reporter Ryan Sabalow, who in addition to covering the Capitol is part of the team behind CalMatters's innovative “digital democracy” project, an initiative deploying technology and data to increase transparency, accountability and understanding about California state legislators and the policy decisions they are making.

Susan and Josh are joined by Jim Cooper, current Sacramento County Sheriff and former member of the California State Assembly, for a wide-ranging conversation on crime, mental health, legal marijuana, and other topics, while exploring his insights as someone with a fairly unique perspective, having previously made laws and now being charged to enforce them.

Susan and Josh welcome Chris Micheli, longtime Sacramento lobbyist, as well as attorney, author, professor, and recognized authority on Sacramento arcana and minutiae, for a deep dive and discussion on why things work the way they do in the State Capitol, and some of the ways they might be improved.

Susan and Josh are joined by Curt Augustine, Senior Director of State Affairs for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the industry trade association which represents the interests of automobile manufacturers, for a conversation about issues, policies, and plans involving cars, which play such a central role in California's economy and culture.

Susan and Josh welcome to the podcast Lance Hastings, President and CEO of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association for a conversation about manufacturing and its place in California's economy, especially in light of recent developments around trade and tariffs in Washington, DC

Susan and Josh welcome to the podcast Ashley Zavala, Capitol Correspondent for television station KCRA, and past president of the Capitol Correspondents Association, to talk about the current state of media coverage in Sacramento, the state of media today, and the relationship between a healthy democracy and a free and active press.

In this week's episode, Susan and Josh welcome Dr. Jack Brouwer, Director of the Clean Energy Institute at the University of California Irvine, for a discussion on the role of hydrogen as part of California's ambitious plans to transition to a clean energy economy. Dr. Brouwer is also an ordained minister, and the latter portion of the podcast includes a discussion of the relationship between his work and his faith and how it has informed his experience as a scientist and environmentalist.

This week's topic is social media and its impacts, especially on young people. Susan and Josh are joined by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, who has been a leader within the Legislature on advancing policies that seek to hold social media platforms responsible for the potential harm that their applications can cause to the young people who have so thoroughly incorporated social media into their lives.

In this week's episode of The Sacralegis Podcast, Susan and Josh welcome former California State Senator and current US Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove, to get her typically unvarnished take on what it's like to be in DC in these days of partisan tribalism and political uncertainty.

Susan and Josh are joined by California State Senator Ben Allen to talk about the benefits and challenges associated with recycling in California, to include his groundbreaking work on SB-54, a first-in-the-nation framework for recycling and reducing plastic waste, in the news recently as the result of changes to its implementation plan.

In this week's episode, Susan and Josh welcome Dr. Hannah Thompson a public health researcher and noted authority on the role of physical education and play as part of a quality educational experience for children in school. Dr. Thompson discusses the importance and benefits of PE and recess, as well as some of the recent challenges associated with the discontinuation of the collection of fitness-related data by schools across the state, making it even harder, in a post-pandemic world, to ensure that school kids are getting the activity, instruction, and support to assure their physical mental health as they progress through their educational journeys.

Susan and Josh discuss an issue that has been in the news and at the top of the Legislature's to-do list: California's affordability crisis. Joining the discussion is Ben Golombek, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff for Policy. for the California Chamber of Commerce.

Recently elected Assemblymember Anamarie Avila-Farias joins Susan and Josh to share her experience and perspective as a new member of the Legislature...

On this, the inaugural episode of The Sacralegis Podcast, Susan and Josh welcome veteran Capitol lobbyist Paula Treat for a wide-ranging discussion on the impact of changes in California's politics and processes, such as term limits, the top two primary, the residual impacts of the pandemic, changes in news coverage and, of course, Elon Musk.