Flor Unmuted

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, I’m joined by Elizabeth Chur, author of The Joy of Talking Politics with Strangers: How to Save Democracy, One Conversation at a Time.

Elizabeth has spent years canvassing across California, including throughout the Central Valley, and training volunteers to have more meaningful conversations with voters. We talk about what she’s learned at the door, what outsiders sometimes misunderstand...

Pedro Naveiras is running for Bakersfield City Council Ward 3, an open seat currently represented by longtime Councilmember Ken Weir.

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, Pedro talks about growing up in East Bakersfield, his path from local schools and CSU Bakersfield to a career as a prosecutor, and why he decided to run for City Council.

We get into his priorities for Ward 3 and Bakersfield, including public safety, homelessness, city ...

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, Flor sits down with Emma De La Rosa, Land Use and Transportation Policy Manager with Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, for a Central Valley-focused conversation about California Proposition 45, CEQA, and what faster development could mean for rural and unincorporated communities.

Emma is a first-generation college graduate of UC Merced and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In her work with L...

Susie Nava knows College of the Sequoias from the student side of the equation.

As a single mother attending COS, she remembers juggling work, transportation and childcare while trying to earn her degree. Now she’s running for the College of the Sequoias Board of Trustees in Ward 5, which includes Hanford.

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, Nava joins me to talk about what access to higher education actually looks like from some ...

Dave Wescott is running for Kern High School District Trustee Area 1.

A Bakersfield native, Marine veteran, newly licensed attorney and parent with children approaching high school, Wescott says his path into politics began by showing up at public meetings and speaking during public comment. Now, he’s asking voters to put him on the other side of the dais.

In this episode, we talk about what a school board trustee can actually ...

Most voters will never attend a Kern County Board of Education meeting. Many probably couldn’t tell you what the board actually does.

But the decisions made there can reach students across Kern County — particularly students navigating expulsion appeals, interdistrict transfers, county-run programs, special education, homelessness, transportation barriers, and other challenges that can push families deeper into the educa...

Some of the most consequential offices on your ballot are also the ones you hear the least about.

Jevon Price serves as the Area 3 Director and Treasurer for the Tulare Local Healthcare District. He was elected four years ago and, with no challenger filing against him this year, is set to serve a second term.

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, we look at what a local healthcare district actually does — and why Tulare offers a par...

Candidate Conversations continues with Stacy Boyce, candidate for the Visalia Unified School District Board of Trustees, Area 1.

In this conversation, Stacy discusses what motivated her to run for office, her background in special education and trauma-informed practices, the Redwood High School incident, school safety, diversity, accountability, rebuilding trust with families, and what she believes effective school board leadership ...

What does it mean to run for Congress without accepting political endorsements or PAC money? Can a candidate remain independent while still building the relationships necessary to govern?

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, host Flor Olvera sits down with Sandra Van Scotter, Democratic candidate for California's 20th Congressional District, for a wide-ranging conversation about healthcare, immigration, Social Security, political indepe...

How do you lead a rural community during one of the most politically divided moments in recent history?

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, I sit down with Delano Mayor Sal Solorio-Ruiz for a conversation about leadership, public service, and the future of California's Central Valley.

We discuss what it takes to move rural communities forward, why local government matters more than many people realize, and how elected officials can stay...

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of alleged sexual misconduct, including rape, abuse of power, and the treatment of victims. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, I sit down with political strategist Michael Trujillo for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on how campaigns actually operate and what happens when private behavior becomes public reality.

We begin at the start of Michael...

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, I sit down with Brian Murillo from Fresno for a real conversation following the California gubernatorial debate.

We’re both in public service and union members, and we see firsthand how decisions made at the top actually play out on the ground. That perspective shaped how we watched this debateand how we break it down.

This isn’t a polished recap or a play-by-play of who said what. It&rsqu...

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, Flor Olvera sits down with former State Controller and 2026 gubernatorial candidate Betty Yee for a policy-focused conversation about California’s future.

The discussion explores the scope of a governor’s authority in relation to federal immigration enforcement, the limits of sanctuary state policy, and what state leadership can realistically do when federal decisions impact local communi...

In this solo episode, Flor reflects on how power and proximity shape the justice system, even when procedures are followed.

This is not a dismissal of mental health care or an accusation of wrongdoing. It is a thoughtful examination of how access, media framing, and institutional caution can shift focus away from the people most affected, including children and family safety.

A conversation about accountability, compassion, and who t...

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, immigration attorney Raj Singh breaks down what immigration enforcement actually looks like under the Trump administration in 2025 — from ICE street pickups in Bakersfield to people being quietly transferred to detention centers in Texas and Louisiana.

We talk about disappearing due process, fired immigration judges, blocked bond hearings, and why attorneys are suddenly limited in how they can ...

Summary

In this conversation, Flor Olvera discusses the political landscape in rural California, particularly in Kern County, and the challenges faced by the Democratic Party. She emphasizes the importance of unity, voter engagement, and building trust with constituents. The discussion also touches on the impact of Prop 50, gerrymandering, and the role of unions in supporting Democratic candidates. Olvera advocates for grassroots ef...

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, Bakersfield City Councilmember and State Assembly candidate Andrae Gonzales opens up about the journey that shaped him—from growing up on the Bakersfield College campus where his father dedicated his life to helping first-generation students, to navigating the emotional toll and responsibility of public service.

We talk about faith, burnout, criticism, and the importance of keeping humanity at ...

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, I sit down with Randy Villegas, educator, school board trustee, and congressional candidate for California’s 22nd District, to discuss what real representation looks like for working-class and immigrant communities in the Central Valley.

We dive into his personal journey from growing up in a family that relied on public assistance like Medicaid, to becoming the first-generation PhD, to running ...

In this powerful follow-up episode, Flor Olvera continues the deep dive into California’s Prop 50 this time featuring longtime voting rights advocate Carter Beardsley and a heartfelt conversation with community mentor Cathee Romley. Together, they unpack what’s really at stake: not just a proposition, but the future of Congress and democratic representation itself.

We tackle GOP misinformation, political fatigue, and why...