The California Conversation

From yelling at staff to ending interviews early when asked too many questions – the optics haven’t been great for Democrat Candidate for Governor, Katie Porter, and many are questioning her future in politics. What do these revelations teach us about evaluating candidates? Are the issues in these videos the most important qualities that we should be focused on? And most importantly, how should all of this shape your preparation fo...

An oil refinery just south of LAX exploded, sending shockwaves across California’s already fragile energy market. And as if that weren’t enough, the federal government shut down, which affects our state in more ways than you might think. But among all the chaos, I have good news for you about one very practical step you can take TODAY to make positive change in our state!

✍️ Sign the California Voter ID petition here: https://www.re...

Free speech has been at the forefront of the political conversation over the past few weeks. Our Governor has been an active participant in the discussion, calling the Trump Administration one of censorship and tyranny. But what is even more important than what Gavin Newsom SAYS about topics like these, is what he DOES about them – so today, we need to look at a new bill that has been presented to our Governor, a bill that speaks d...

As of the end of June, California housing prices are twice as expensive as the typical home in the United States. Purchasing a two-bedroom home in our state is nearly twice as expensive as just renting, with the latest studies estimating the median household income needed to buy a mid-tier home is 238,000 dollars. But, as I point out so often, this problem is not inevitable. Today, I want to look at a few recent housing policies th...

There’s been a shift in the atmosphere since the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. A recognition of the symptoms of a deeply sick culture, and just how badly we need reform. But while many will call for change, few will be honest about what that change requires, what it must look like practically. For today, I want to speak to you from my heart – no notes, no news stories, no statistics, or facts or headlines. Just an open lett...

One common left-wing claim is that California’s strong gun control laws prevent gun violence in California so effectively that it is a model for the rest of the country. Our Governor has been an outspoken advocate for more gun control laws to prevent tragedies like mass shootings, and as a result California has become the most heavily regulated state when it comes to gun ownership. So, what are the facts about gun violence and what...

If you’ve been following the headlines lately, you’ve probably seen the claim that California’s crime rates are down, and our state is supposedly safer than Republican-led places like Tennessee or Arkansas. But if you live here, that may not match what you experience day to day. So, what’s the truth? Are crime rates really dropping in a meaningful way? And does Gavin Newsom’s leadership make California safer than it would be under ...

Governor Newsom’s appearance on The Shawn Ryan Show, In-N-Out’s move to Tennessee, his redistricting grandstanding and Trump-style antics on X, and California’s reckless decision to grant a commercial driver’s license to the illegal immigrant responsible for a deadly car crash all point to the same truth: when leaders show us who they are, believe them. These stories reveal a pattern of dishonesty, deflection, and arrogance in Cali...

Assembly Bill 495, the so-called Family Preparedness Act, has already passed the California Assembly and is expected to move through the Senate before landing on the Governor’s desk this fall. Its author frames it as a compassionate reform aimed at helping children whose parents, specifically illegal immigrants, are detained or deported, giving schools a faster way to ensure kids are cared for. But conservative groups are sounding ...

Our beloved Governor, Gavin Newsom, is threatening to redraw political district lines (ahem, cutting Republican seats) if Texas moves forward with its own redistricting plan backed by President Trump. But is this fair representation or pure political retaliation? In this episode, I break down what redistricting is, how gerrymandering works, why Texas and California are at odds, and why this fight could impact your voice in Congress...

Last week, an immigration raid at a farm in Camarillo led to hundreds of arrests and the rescue of migrant children. It’s no surprise that the raid sparked protests, gunfire, and national backlash. But the results of this raid go much deeper than just recent conversations around immigration policy – now there are serious questions of child trafficking, forced labor, and our state’s role in protecting children. We are going to get i...

This week, a judge ruled that SpaceX – Elon Musk’s rocket company – can sue a California state agency for political discrimination. Earlier in the year, a similar lawsuit was struck down by the court, so this is a big deal for SpaceX and Musk! What happened, what could this lawsuit mean for California regulators, and why does this matter for us?

Brand Partnerships Mentioned in Today’s Show:

AMALLOW: Get 15% off clean skincare at Amal...

Happy Fourth of July! In this week’s episode, I take a deep dive into the Declaration of Independence and compare the colonists’ grievances with the British Crown to what we see happening in California today. From the explosion of unelected bureaucracies to the abandonment of public safety and parental rights, we explore how the very freedoms our nation was founded to protect are being quietly stripped away. Because the battle for ...

The world seems like it has just been falling apart the last few weeks! There have been massive protests about immigration, riots that posed major threats to law enforcement and to the city of Los Angeles as a whole, the calling in of the national guard, and a legal showdown between Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump. The chaos that has unfolded in California is the perfect example of people wanting to be heard – but doing so without tr...

Governor Gavin Newsom has implemented the most sweeping electric vehicle mandates in the country – aiming for 100% of new car sales by 2035 to be all electric. These mandates have left Californians concerned about the auto industry in our state and the ability to support such a massive shift in a short span of time. But the wins just keep on coming, with these mandates being officially struck down by Congress just a few weeks ago! ...

What happens when the state that promised 'healthcare for all' suddenly changes its mind? In a surprising turn of events, Governor Gavin Newsom is quietly walking back one of California’s most expensive — and controversial — progressive policies to pay for the healthcare of illegal immigrants. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and I’m breaking down the reasons for this change of heart, and exactly it means for our budget, our values, and...

Today, we’re celebrating a win — not just in policy, but for the safety of your family, your community, and your right to self-defense. Assembly Bill 1333 is dead, and it’s because people like you spoke up! This is what it looks like when public pressure works — and it’s exactly the kind of momentum we need to keep going. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we are going to cover what happened with the bill, why it matters, and what it ...

Do you feel exhausted by the constant news cycle? Like every headline is another blow, every update a reminder of how much work there is still to do? I get it. The issues we’re up against in California — from government overreach to broken policies — can feel overwhelming. It’s heavy. And when change feels slow, or like it’s never coming at all, it’s easy to wonder if staying informed and engaged is even worth it. If you’ve felt th...