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Restoring the California Dream One Bold Idea at a Time
California was once a beacon of prosperity, hope and innovation – symbolized by the Gold Rush, Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Today it’s the least affordable state in the nation and plagued by poverty, homelessness, and sky-high taxes. How did we get here, and how do we turn California around?
State of Gold is a media platform and citizens’ movement dedicated to restoring the California dream. Host and longtime real estate and tech executive Jon Slavet combines practical wisdom and insurgent energy, as he sits down with voices from across the spectrum.
The show will examine and promote the best ideas from any corner to solve the state’s most pressing issues. State of Gold cuts through the noise to explore what’s gone wrong in the Golden State – and what it’ll take to make things right.
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55 Episodes
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Guest: Antonio Villaraigosa, Former Mayor of Los Angeles Guest 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 Summary The California Dream once meant opportunity, homeownership, and a better future for the next generation. Today, ma...
Guest: Joel Pollak - Opinion Editor @ The California Post Guest 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 Summary Californians are tired of things not working. In this episode of Stat...
Guest: Chad Peace, Co-Founder – Independent Voter Network Guest 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...
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 d...
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...
Guest: Dr. Houman David Hemmati, Entrepreneur & Political Activist Guest 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 fr...
Guest: Joel Kotkin, Chapman University Professor Guest 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...
Guest Joel Fox, "On California" Publisher Guest Bio Joel Fox is one of California’s most respected policy voices, known for his leadership of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, his work on Prop 13, and his longtime role as publisher of Fox & Hounds. With decades of experience in Sacramento, Joel served as a senior advisor to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and remains a go-to analyst on elections, tax reform, and political strategy. Show Summary Joel Fox passed away shortly aft...
Guest: Katy Grimes, Editor of the California Globe Guest Bio: Katy Grimes is the Editor of the California Globe and author of California’s War Against Donald Trump. A veteran investigative journalist with decades of experience covering Sacramento politics, she’s known for her fearless reporting on corruption, policy failures, and the unchecked power of public unions. Her work consistently challenges the status quo and gives voice to Californians who feel left behind by the system....
Guest: Legendary Talk Show Host John Kobylt Guest Bio: John Kobylt is a legendary California talk radio host and co-host of the long-running “John and Ken Show” on KFI AM 640. Known for his sharp wit, no-filter commentary, and relentless scrutiny of California politics, John has spent decades exposing the state’s political dysfunction — from homelessness to taxation to public safety failures. He’s interviewed presidents, grilled governors, and continues to be a provocative and passionat...
Show Summary What do leading Californians actually think about the state they call home? From frustration with government policy to unwavering pride in the state’s beauty and diversity, this bonus episode features a series of raw, honest, and surprising reflections from leaders who’ve appeared on State of Gold this season. Hear perspectives on everything from the state’s budget crisis and housing issues to its enduring magic and promise. This isn’t about political soundbites — it’s about real...
Guest: Mike Madrid, GOP Political Consult Guest Bio: Mike Madrid is a veteran political strategist, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and one of the most insightful voices on Latino voter behavior in America. A lifelong Republican and fierce critic of Trumpism, Mike has spent over three decades analyzing demographic shifts and advocating for policy-driven, people-first governance in California. He’s also the author of The Latino Century and a frequent media commentator on U.S. politics...
1Guest: Lance Christensen, Vice President of the California Policy Center Guest Bio: Lance Christensen is a policy expert and former candidate for California Superintendent of Public Instruction. He currently serves with the California Policy Center, advocating for education reform, school choice, and smarter government. With a bold voice on California’s economic and energy challenges, Lance is a leading thinker on how to restore prosperity and common sense across the state. Show S...
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...
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