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
Prop 50
California Coastal Commission
Anti-Semitism
Climate Change
California Legislative Bills
Los Angeles
California Homeless Crisis

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
NewsPoliticsGovernment

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Artwork for National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

Latest Episodes

The Trump-adjacent candidate for mayor of Los Angeles has raised the hopes of moderate Angelenos – and terrifies the beneficiaries of the city’s Chicago-style political machine. Starring guest cohost Jon Fleischman and featuring Gavin Newsom, Napoleo... more

The Democrats’ leading candidate for governor, Xavier Becerra, claims he was the victim of a financial fraud directed by his own chief of staff in the Biden administration. Now, he’s dealing with claims that he greenlit the crime. Bonus track! Lance ... more

Governor Gavin Newsom says his delivery of free diapers is another win for affordability -- “a first-in-the-nation program” to deliver the things new parents need most. Music by Metalachi.

Email Us:

dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com

will@calpolicycenter.... more

In this special episode, Will talks with Sheila Bowen, whose Central Valley family is at the center of Remnants, a new documentary about the challenges of ranching in the era of Gavin Newsom-created wildfires. In other news, we hear from Pacific Lega... more

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Recent Guests

Jeff Ferry
Chief Economist Emeritus at the Coalition for a Prosperous America
Coalition for a Prosperous America
Episode: Episode 446: Life Is Like a Box of Diapers
Sheila Bowen
Central Valley rancher featured in Remnants documentary
Bowen family/ranch
Episode: Episode 445: Heroes and Neros
Michael Catanacci
Director of Remnants
Moving Picture Institute
Episode: Episode 445: Heroes and Neros
Paul Olivett
Producer, Moving Picture Institute
Moving Picture Institute
Episode: Episode 445: Heroes and Neros
Ben Jaros
Research Fellow, Hoover Institution
Hoover Institution
Episode: Episode 445: Heroes and Neros
Josh Rauh
George P. Schultz Senior Fellow in Economics, Hoover Institution; Finance Professor
Hoover Institution; Stanford GSB
Episode: Episode 445: Heroes and Neros
Kenneth Shrupp
Reporter for City Journal; contributor involved in a piece on fraud in California's IHSS program
City Journal
Episode: Episode 440: Swalwell Hits Cesar Chavez Speed
Paul Jonah
Thomas More Society Attorney, Mirabelli v. Bonta lead attorney
Thomas More Society
Episode: Episode 439: Newsom’s House of Card Sharks
Jen Van Laar
Managing editor and investigative reporter at Red State
Red State
Episode: Episode 438: Maybe We Call This ‘Jaime Escalante Day’?

Hosts

Will Swaim
CEO/President at the California Policy Center (various leadership roles across episodes)
David Bahnsen
Economist; Co-host; Commentator and author with coverage across policy discussions

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 831 ratings
  • 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 States2 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 States2 months ago
  • 🤌🏼

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Whitaker
    3 months ago
  • CA’s must-have podcast

    Will Swaim and David Bahnsen tell us what's really going on in California. Subscribe to hear accurate and in-depth stories no other sources provide. They give credit when credit is due, and they hit hard when nonsense flows out of state and local governments. Radio Fee California is a must-have podcast for all Californians.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Multipartist
    United States4 months ago
  • David

    This guy is so arrogant. Something something rich man needle camel eye heaven. It must be nice to put yourself above other conservatives when your vote and dollars don’t make a lick of difference.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    CGK_93
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

- Some feedback notes strong criticisms or disagreements with the hosts' views, indicating active engagement and polarized reception.
- The podcast is praised for staying current on California policy while incorporating broader national political context.
- Guests and hosts are seen as informed, opinionated, and focused on practical policy reform.
- Listeners value concise, data-driven policy analysis with humor and strong commentary on California policy.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#202
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#142
Hong Kong/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 445: Heroes and Neros
Q: What is the practical outcome for Tim Shear and his eight-lot project?
The county permits are reinstated, and the Superior Court will issue or reinstate the permits so Tim can move forward with breaking ground on the projects.
Episode 445: Heroes and Neros
Q: How does the LCP framework limit the Coastal Commission's appellate authority?
The LCP framework constrains what the Coastal Commission can review; the core dispute was whether the Commission should have appellate authority at all over certified local plans, which the court addressed by advocating a comprehensive interpretation of local land-use laws.
Episode 445: Heroes and Neros
Q: What is the headline news here and how did the Supreme Court rule?
The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled against the California Coastal Commission, restoring power to assess local regulations under the Coastal Act and returning authority to local governments when appropriate.
Episode 446: Life Is Like a Box of Diapers
Q: What do you think is the economic outcome if David Ellison's pledged measures succeed in taking over Warner Bros. Discovery?
Jeff Ferry suggests that a successful consolidation could boost production to around 30 movies per year and create thousands of jobs, while also potentially attracting fresh investment and keeping Hollywood competitive against streaming-focused models.
Episode 440: Swalwell Hits Cesar Chavez Speed
Q: Why is the union involvement in IHSS significant?
Unions collect about $150 million annually from caregivers in IHSS dues; their influence helps block reforms like unannounced home visits, creating perverse incentives that can perpetuate fraud and make accountability harder, according to the guests and hosts.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

The show consistently examines California politics, economics, and policy through a conservative lens, frequently critiquing state leadership, public policy, and union-driven agendas. Episodes routinely explore energy, education, housing, taxation, and governance, often pairing sharp analysis with humor and guest expertise to unpack how state policies ripple into national debates. Notable strengths include a clear ideological stance, strong Heritage of policy analysis from think-tank and financial perspectives, and a penchant for highlighting parental rights, fiscal accountability, and regulatory overreach. The format tends to blend data-driven takeaways with contextual anecdotes, making it useful for listeners who want a pointed, policy-fo... more

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

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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. Jeff Ferry
2. Sheila Bowen
3. Michael Catanacci
4. Paul Olivett
5. Ben Jaros
6. Josh Rauh
7. Kenneth Shrupp
8. Paul Jonah

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