Guest: Ethan Penner, Independent Candidate for Governor Guest Bio: Ethan Penner is a prominent investor and finance innovator best known for helping to create the modern commercial mortgage-backed securities market. Now, as an independent candidate for California governor, he’s proposing sweeping reforms—from an audacious flat tax plan to a state-run insurance mutual and a unified solution to homelessness. A thought leader who blends economic insight with a community-first vision,...

Guest: Graham Knaus CEO, California State Association of Counties Guest Bio: Graham Knaus is CEO of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) – whose mission is to serve, support, and advocate for the state's 58 counties to ensure they can effectively serve their communities. With deep experience in public finance and governance, Knaus has been a fierce advocate for empowering counties to address core issues like homelessness, affordability, housing, and disaster response. He ...

Guest Bio: Harmeet Dhillon is the U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, a nationally recognized constitutional attorney, and a former Republican National Committeewoman for California. Known for her legal battles on behalf of free speech and equal protection, Dhillon has taken on cases involving Big Tech censorship, UC Berkeley, and controversial DEI policies. A former candidate for RNC Chair, she now leads the federal government’s Civil Rights Division under the Trump admin...

Show Summary In the Rapid-Fire close to each episode Jon asks every guest “which California leader do you most admire?” – and we’re proud to bring you some of those answers from our guests in 2025. From Ronald Reagan’s optimism and Pete Wilson’s pragmatism to Pat Brown’s legacy of building – the answers reveal a longing for principled leadership, effective governance, and the return of California’s bold vision. This is a unique reflection on the values Californians still hold — and what they ...

Guest: Candidate for Governor of California Ian Calderon Guest Bio: Ian Calderon was the first millennial elected to the California State Assembly and later served as the Assembly Majority Leader. During his time in office (2012–2020), he was deeply involved in major budget and policy negotiations. After leaving office, he became a small business owner, giving him a dual perspective on both governance and entrepreneurship. Now, as a candidate for Governor of California, he’s focused on ...

Guest: Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner Guest Bio: Don Wagner is the Mayor of Irvine and a former California State Assemblyman, known for his long-standing public service across multiple levels of government. With deep experience in state and local politics, Wagner is now running for California Secretary of State in 2026. His campaign centers on restoring voter integrity, cleaning up voter rolls, and ensuring secure, transparent elections in the Golden State. Show Summary What if you...

Guest: Southern California News Group Columnist Susan Shelley Guest Bio: Susan Shelley is the Vice President of Communications at the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, a columnist for the Southern California News Group, and a leading voice on California’s fiscal policy, tax reform, and constitutional protections. Show Summary What’s really driving California’s skyrocketing cost of living? In this conversation with Jon Slavet, Susan Shelley breaks down how climate mandates, hidden tax...

Guest: CA State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil Guest Bio: Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil represents California’s 4th Senate District, covering 13 counties and over a million constituents across the Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, and rural California. Formerly a Democrat, she made national headlines in August 2024 when she switched parties, citing extreme ideological shifts and a loss of shared values. With a background in charter school leadership and deep roots in her community, she advocates ...

Guest: Assemblyman Carl DeMaio Guest Bio: Carl DeMaio is a longtime political reformer, policy expert, and the Chairman of Reform California. Based in San Diego, he’s known for calling out corruption in both parties and spearheading grassroots campaigns around voter ID, tax reform, and ballot accountability. In this episode, Carl pulls no punches about the dysfunction in Sacramento — and what voters can do to take back control. Show Summary Why is California so broken — and what can act...

Guest: California Assemblyman David Tangipa Guest Bio: David Tangipa is the first Polynesian ever elected to the California State Assembly. Known for his unapologetic advocacy, Tangipa has quickly become a voice for working-class Californians who feel left behind by Sacramento’s status quo. In his short time in office, he's been silenced on the floor, kicked off committees, and shut out of caucuses — all while calling out racism and corruption under the Capitol dome. Show Summary Why is...

Guest: Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco Guest Bio: Chad Bianco leads Riverside County’s Sheriff’s Department, the fourth largest in the nation. With over 30 years of public service and a reputation for fiscal responsibility and tough leadership, Bianco is now running for Governor of California. He’s earned support across party lines for his honesty, policy experience, and commitment to restoring balance in Sacramento. Show Summary Is California ready for a leadership reset? Sheriff ...

Guest: Elizabeth Funk - CEO of DignityMoves Guest Bio: Elizabeth Funk is the Founder and CEO of DignityMoves, a nonprofit redefining how we get unhoused people off the street through interim housing deployed with speed, dignity, and cost-efficiency. With a background in impact investing and urban innovation, Elizabeth brings real-world solutions to a policy conversation often stuck in ideology. Her mission is simple: To ensure no one is forced to sleep outside in a state as wealthy and ...

Guest: Kevin Dalton - Actor turned Conservative Activist Guest Bio: Kevin Dalton is a former actor turned political activist, commentator, and one of California’s most passionate critics and fans — even after moving his family to Idaho. He gained notoriety for his viral takes on homelessness, rising energy costs, and policy mismanagement, and even ran for L.A. County Supervisor in 2020. Kevin’s journey from Hollywood to the heart of America has only deepened his love for Californi...

Guest: Elizabeth Barcohana - LA GOP Central Committee Member Guest Bio: Elizabeth Barcohana is a GOP delegate, LA GOP Central Committee member, attorney, and political commentator. She’s actively leading voter education and registration efforts in LA County through initiatives like Vote Gold and Project 460K LA, aiming to correct misconceptions about California’s political landscape and defend voter representation. Show Summary Is Prop 50 really about redistricting — or is it a Trojan h...

Guest: Mitch Mitchell, Chief Legislative Officer - SDG&E & Southern California Gas Guest Bio: Mitch Mitchell leads Legislative Affairs at Sempra, one of the largest energy companies in the U.S. With deep experience navigating California’s complex energy landscape, Mitch brings a rare insider’s perspective on how regulations, well-intended mandates, and outdated policies have distorted costs — hitting working families the hardest. He advocates for practical, consumer-first reform...

Guest: Orange County GOP Chairman Will O’Neill Guest Bio: Will O’Neill is the Chairman of the Orange County Republican Party and the former Mayor of Newport Beach. A constitutional lawyer by trade and public servant by passion, he’s known for his pragmatic leadership on fiscal responsibility, pension reform, and infrastructure investment. During his time on the city council, he eliminated over $1B in toll road debt and spearheaded efforts to make Newport Beach one of the safest and most...

Guest: LA GOP Chair Roxanne Hoge Guest Bio: Roxanne Hoge is the Chair of the Los Angeles Republican Party, as well as an actress, activist, and proud mom. A first-generation immigrant and political firebrand, Roxanne has emerged as a bold voice in California politics — speaking out on corruption, public safety, and how Proposition 50 threatens fairness in redistricting. Show Summary From the streets of Skid Row to her own suburban neighborhood, Roxanne paints a picture of LA in crisis… ...

Guest: Former Mayor Kevin Faulconer Guest Bio: Kevin Faulconer is an American politician and businessman, best known for serving as the 36th Mayor of San Diego from 2014 to 2020. During his tenure, he was known for taking bold action on homelessness, public safety, and civic infrastructure. A Republican who won in a majority Democratic city, Faulconer brings a unique perspective on leadership, compromise, and what it really takes to fix California’s biggest challenges. Show Summary Can ...

In this explosive bonus episode of State of Gold, we break down Prop 50 — the controversial redistricting ballot measure that’s sending shockwaves through California. With exclusive interviews and testimony, The Big Rig exposes how Prop 50 dismantles California’s independent redistricting commission and gives politicians unchecked power to draw their own districts. With historical context and current commentary, this episode explains how a gerrymandered California could rig elections, suppres...

Guest: California Congressman Vince Fong Guest Bio: Congressman Vince Fong represents California’s 20th Congressional District, succeeding former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. A longtime advocate for energy independence and economic growth in the Central Valley, Fong brings a policy-driven perspective shaped by years of public service and deep regional ties to Kern, Tulare, Fresno, and Kings Counties. Show Summary Can California avoid $10 gas — or are we already too late? Congres...