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Artwork for California Sun Podcast

California Sun Podcast

Jeff Schechtman
California
Los Angeles
Hollywood
Homelessness
Artificial Intelligence
San Francisco
Silicon Valley
Mental Health
Climate Change
California Wine Industry
Haiti
California Wildfires
Housing Crisis
Donald Trump
Brother Verses Brother
Media Literacy
Urban Development
Gang Violence
Critical Thinking
Journalism

The California Sun presents conversations with the people that are shaping and observing the Golden State

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes332Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for California Sun Podcast

Latest Episodes

Jonathan Weber, a longtime San Francisco journalist, is the author of the new history "City on the Edge: Technology, Politics, and the Fight for the Soul of San Francisco." He explains how the internet took root in the city, how local politics transf... more

One year after the death of the legendary Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson, author David Beard joins us to talk about his new book, "All Summer Long: Conversations with The Beach Boys from Surfin' to SMiLE." Beard discusses how the Beach Boys didn't ju... more

CalMatters columnist Dan Walters joins the podcast to talk about California's strangest governor's race in a half-century: a field with no clear frontrunner, marquee names who sat out, and a billionaire's fortune that couldn't buy a finish. With Xavi... more

Ivo Jeramaz grew up in the same Croatian soil as his uncle Mike Grgich — the man who made the Napa Valley Chardonnay that beat the French at the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976, which recently turned 50. Jeramaz later followed his uncle to California, whe... more

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Recent Guests

David Beard
Author of All Summer Long, Conversations with The Beach Boys from Surfing to Smile
Author/Editor (Endless Summer Quarterly)
Episode: David Beard on Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the music that called us west
Dan Walters
Political journalist and veteran observer of California politics
CalMatters
Episode: Dan Walters on the governor's race and ungovernable California
Ivo Jeramaz
Second generation winemaker at Grgich Hills
Grgich Hills Estate
Episode: Ivo Jeramaz: The Paris tasting at 50 and the future of California wine
William Riggs
Professor, University of San Francisco School of Management; director, Autonomous Vehicles and the City Initiative
University of San Francisco
Episode: Professor William Riggs on why we fear Waymos more than bad drivers
Kate Washington
Sacramento-based writer and author
Author of Midstream; Previously wrote Already Toast
Episode: Kate Washington on how getting into cold water saved her life
Dillon Osleger
Geologist, trail builder, executive director of Sage Trail Alliance
Sage Trail Alliance
Episode: Dillon Osleger on the paths we've erased and the stories buried beneath
Julia Wick
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, co-founder of LA. Material
LA. Material
Episode: Julia Turner and Julia Wick: making sense of the city with L.A. Material
Julia Turner
Magazine journalist and media leader, co-founder of LA. Material
LA. Material
Episode: Julia Turner and Julia Wick: making sense of the city with L.A. Material
Peter Richardson
Author of Brand New Beat, chronicler of Bay Area counterculture
Author, Brand New Beat
Episode: Peter Richardson on how Rolling Stone shaped a social revolution … at least for a while

Hosts

Jeff Schachman
Host with a focus on California policy, culture, and technology intersects.
Jeff Shackman
Co-host or recurring host with deep focus on California's public life, policy debates, and cultural shifts.
Jeff Schekman
Contributor with long-running involvement in state-focused conversations.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 60 ratings
  • One of my favorite podcasts

    The host does an amazing job of choosing interesting people and topics. Love his enthusiasm, prep, and general sanity.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    frankhank
    United States2 months ago
  • Great listen

    So many unexpectedly interesting topics, and the host does a great job of introducing and exploring them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Donaghyj
    United States8 months ago
  • Episode 134 for at home earners.

    Informative podcast, but this episode addresses only those with a job that involves working on a computer. Open workspaces typically come with the added expense of headphones. We need to consider the overall environmental footprint. Most people prefer not to travel to an office everyday, and have been doing so long before 2020. The question really seems to center around employers trusting the employee self discipline.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yellikeh
    United States4 years ago
  • Great Informative Podcast

    The recent podcast about SFMTA and Muni was what made me subscribe. Excellent questions with an informative guest. Looking forward to hearing the other podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cherrynegra
    United States6 years ago
  • Fantastic

    Great host, great interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gopher village
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Great listener feedback about recent episodes, with appreciation for informative guests and prep.
Great host, great interviews.
So many unexpectedly interesting topics, and the host does a great job of introducing and exploring them.
The host does an amazing job of choosing interesting people and topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Dan Walters on the governor's race and ungovernable California
Q: Dan, now that the dust has settled a little bit, did we learn anything from this election on Tuesday?
While results were not fully in, the discussion pointed to the absence of a front-runner and a consensus that things won't change quickly due to structural hurdles and entrenched interests; the likely outcome suggests continued complexity in California governance unless a new, widely supported approach or external event shifts dynamics.
David Beard on Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the music that called us west
Q: What role did Brian Wilson play in driving the creative direction of the band?
Brian was the central creative force, often pushing beyond the group's commercial expectations and into experimental territories, which sometimes conflicted with the label and management, yet produced some of the most influential music in pop.
David Beard on Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the music that called us west
Q: How did the Beach Boys reflect and shape Southern California culture in their early years?
They emerged as a reflection of the Southern California lifestyle, but they also helped fashion that image of freedom and sunshine while gradually revealing deeper musical ambitions and innovations, especially with Pet Sounds and Smile.
Professor William Riggs on why we fear Waymos more than bad drivers
Q: To what extent does public fear come from myth and media vs. actual data on safety?
He argues that fear is amplified by media framing and historical anecdotes, while data show fewer crashes per mile with AVs; perception improves with broader exposure and transparent reporting.
Professor William Riggs on why we fear Waymos more than bad drivers
Q: Talk a little bit about that.
Riggs explains two main AV approaches (sensor-heavy, like Waymo, vs. camera-led, like some Tesla workflows) and why regulation and real-world testing are essential to balancing safety with innovation.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About California Sun Podcast

What is California Sun Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful program that centers on California's evolving storylines—from urban mobility and environmental policy to journalism innovation and cultural history. Episodes frequently feature researchers, writers, educators, and practitioners who dissect state-scale dynamics (policy, markets, infrastructure) with data-driven insight and human context. Noteworthy angles include the integration of technology with public services, critical reassessments of public figures and movements, and ambitious journalism projects that reimagine local storytelling. Listeners likely include professionals seeking deep dives into California's policy shifts, industry changes, and societal themes, with a preference for well-sourced analysis and candid conversati... more

Where can I find podcast stats for California Sun Podcast?

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How many listeners does California Sun Podcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does California Sun Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers California Sun Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to California Sun Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with California Sun Podcast:

1. Political Breakdown
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
4. Radio Atlantic
5. Listening to America

How many episodes of California Sun Podcast are there?

California Sun Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 332 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact California Sun Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for California Sun Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for California Sun Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for California Sun Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on California Sun Podcast?

Recent guests on California Sun Podcast include:

1. David Beard
2. Dan Walters
3. Ivo Jeramaz
4. William Riggs
5. Kate Washington
6. Dillon Osleger
7. Julia Wick
8. Julia Turner

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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