Rephonic
Artwork for National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

National Review
California
Gavin Newsom
Kamala Harris
Donald Trump
California Policy Center
California Wildfires
Education Policy
California Teachers Association
Title IX
Homelessness
Democratic Party
California Education System
Public Education
Los Angeles
Charter Schools
Prop 50
California Coastal Commission
Anti-Semitism
Artificial Intelligence
Climate Change

A show about the perilous state of the Golden State—and what that means for you, wherever you live. California is the hothouse lab of the Left, the nation-state creating the statist policies, art, and lifestyles of the future – and generating the political dollars to make them a reality in a community near you. Hosts Will Swaim (California Policy Center) and David Bahnsen (The Bahnsen Group, Fox B... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes38Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Artwork for National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

Latest Episodes

Governor Gavin Newsom spins Trump’s “threat” to allow Iran to nuke California, alarming almost no one. Bonus conversation with attorney Scott Davison about an infamous memo calling for the FBI to investigate parents who showed up to school council me... more

Will talks with Hoover Institution economist Ben Jaros and legal scholar Aharon Friedman about likely post-election challenges to Proposition 40, the Billionaire Wealth Tax. Music by Metalachi.

Email Us:

dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com

will@calpolicyce... more

In his first and only gubernatorial debate with Xavier Becerra, Republican Steve Hilton brought actual policy to counter Becerra’s incantatory use of the word ‘Trump.’ We look at the unintended — but utterly predictable — consequences of L.A.’s Mansi... more

California AG Rob Bonta has sued for peace in his fight with Paramount’s David Ellison, making Bari Weiss this week’s biggest winner. David says Republicans are poorly positioned to counter the Democrats’ affection for socialism. Will says California... more

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Recent Guests

Scott Davison
California Justice Center Attorney
California Justice Center
Episode: Episode 470: Why the California Left Loves Donald Trump
Aharon Friedman
Visiting scholar from Hoover Institution
Hoover Institution
Episode: Episode 469: A Wealth Tax That Makes You Poorer
Jon Fleischman
Political commentator and guest host on this episode
So Does It Matter (Substack)
Episode: Episode 466: Newsom's 'Zen Diagram'
Luther Ray Abel
National Review contributor; writer of The New Generation of Defense Wizards
National Review
Episode: Episode 465: Bring In the Fembots!
Ben Jaros
Hoover Institution economist and research fellow
Hoover Institution
Episode: Episode 461: Bahnsen's Iron Law of Politics
Andrew Walker
Christian theologian; public scholar at a Baptist seminary in Kentucky
Baptist seminary (Kentucky)
Episode: Episode 460: Kamala Is Stuck on Long Division
Andrew Davenport
Manager of strategic initiatives, California Policy Center
California Policy Center
Episode: Episode 456: Ro’d to Nowhere
Sheridan Karras
Director of Research, California Policy Center
California Policy Center
Episode: Episode 456: Ro’d to Nowhere
Jeffrey Schwab
Lead attorney, Liberty Justice Center
Liberty Justice Center
Episode: 455: Rozo the Clown

Hosts

Will Swaim
Host of the show; CEO of the California Policy Center; long-running commentator on California politics and policy.
David Bahnsen
Co-host; economist; author and commentator; regularly introduces segments and provides policy critique.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 838 ratings
  • Great analysis on the ballot initiative issue

    I loved CA but finally moved out as did all of my friends from High School. Thanks for the analysis so hopefully other states can avoid CA’s mistakes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jbsnow
    United States2 months ago
  • A Voice of Reason

    I am always impressed with the reasoned and balanced, and principled perspectives on the insanity that goes on in California!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JuicySlicer
    United States3 months ago
  • Self discipline

    Please practice some self correction when discussing K-12 education. Both of you consistently and falsely accuse our teachers of pushing children to question their gender identity.

    This is a right wing political agenda which is not supported by any evidence or statistics. I enjoy the show and a fresh perspective on my home state. And I will continue listening. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Bigbrewer
    United States6 months ago
  • Simply superb

    Will and David consistently serve up a sumptuous feast of Golden State absurdity. They shed light on the ongoing disaster of one-party government. How much ruin is there in a state? CA is so blessed with resources we may never find out, but at least these guys will keep us informed and entertained till the end.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Red Hoover
    United States7 months ago
  • 🤌🏼

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Whitaker
    7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

A few criticize perceived Trump-focused or partisan tones in some episodes.
Many describe the show as informative, entertaining, and essential for understanding California politics.
Listeners praise reasoned, balanced perspectives and principled commentary on state politics.
Some feedback calls for more careful discussion on education topics.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 466: Newsom's 'Zen Diagram'
Q: Why is the 'Zen diagram' relevant to current California politics?
It's used to critique the way overlapping donor networks influence policy outcomes, implying that political decisions are often driven by a mutual back-and-forth among the governor, donors, and allied political actors rather than pure governance.
Episode 466: Newsom's 'Zen Diagram'
Q: What were the big takeaways from Newsom's CNN interview?
The hosts highlight Newsom's reluctance to rule out a 2028 run if Kamala Harris runs, his ambivalence about certain COVID-era policies like beach closures and school closures, and his nuanced stance on overhauling or preserving existing governance structures, with an emphasis on how donors and political calculus shape his messaging.
Episode 460: Kamala Is Stuck on Long Division
Q: What is the common good, and how should it guide public policy?
The guest explains the common good as a nuanced concept requiring prudence and moderation, with attention to limits and messy real-world applications, rather than a blunt justification for expansive state power.
Episode 456: Ro’d to Nowhere
Q: Why did the parent trigger law matter in the charter school fight?
It gave a majority of parents the power to petition for a charter conversion, triggering battles with districts and unions and highlighting community involvement in school reform.
Episode 456: Ro’d to Nowhere
Q: What is the core function of charter schools in California according to Andrew Davenport?
Charter schools provide publicly funded, relatively autonomous schools that foster innovation and competition, improving responsiveness to parent and student needs through market-like dynamics, while unions attempt to regulate or restrict them.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

Two libertarian-leaning political commentators dissect California politics with a sharp, skeptical eye on state policy, budgets, and governance, often weaving in history, culture, and pop-culture detours. Regular guests from policy centers and advocacy groups provide expert takes on education, fiscal policy, and regulatory issues, while debates remain grounded in free-market principles and a wary view of big-government initiatives. Noteworthy are candid interviews, provocative takes, and a steady rhythm of humor that makes dense policy topics accessible for engaged listeners and decision-makers evaluating California's policy landscape. The show frequently surfaces practical policy cautions, emphasizing accountability, budget discipline, and... more

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1. Capital Record
2. The Editors
3. The McCarthy Report
4. 3 Martini Lunch – Political Humor & Commentary
5. The Commentary Magazine Podcast

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this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 38 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Scott Davison
2. Aharon Friedman
3. Jon Fleischman
4. Luther Ray Abel
5. Ben Jaros
6. Andrew Walker
7. Andrew Davenport
8. Sheridan Karras

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