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
Prop 50
Anti-Semitism
California Coastal Commission
Climate Change
California Legislative Bills
Charter Schools

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

Los Angeles resident Kamala Harris visited New Orleans to celebrate the charter schools she condemns at home -- and to encourage schoolkids to fight Republicans. Gavin Newsom swerves out of his “moderate” lane and endorses Abdul El-Sayed in the Michi... more

In a state where slavery was always illegal, California lawmakers continue their push for reparations, whitewashing the critical role of such black Californians as William Alexander Leidesdorff in the state’s founding. Bonus! What is Participatory Bu... more

Vanity Fair revisits Gavin Newsom's two-decade-old affair. SEIU president Dave Regan says he did not illegally bargain over his union's proposed wealth tax. California undermines national defense. We remember the California connections of U2 pilot Ga... more

She oversaw the burning of L.A.’s Westside last year. In April, Mayor Karen Bass turned to the city’s schools, backing the teacher union’s demand for the budget-busting pay hike that led to the announcement this week that the district is nearing bank... more

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Recent Guests

Lance Christensen
Vice President of Government Affairs and Education Policy at the California Policy Center
California Policy Center
Episode: Episode 458: Gavin Newsom’s Ruby Rippey Problem Won’t Go Away
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
Jackson Reese
Colleague at CPC, President of California Policy Center
California Policy Center
Episode: Episode 452: Trump Makes Newsom Great Again
Vince Fong
Representative from Bakersfield, California
U.S. House of Representatives
Episode: Episode 451: Fight On!
Jon Fleischman
Longtime political consultant, author of So Does It Matter?
California Post, Substack So Does It Matter
Episode: Episode 448: Spencer Pratt is All That
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

Hosts

Will Swaim
Host of Radio Free California; CEO, California Policy Center; co-host on various California policy programs
David Bahnsen
Co-host; Economist; Founder, The Bahnsen Group; Fox Business commentator

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 833 ratings
  • 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 Statesa month 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 States4 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 States5 months ago
  • 🤌🏼

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Whitaker
    5 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 States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the mix of history, humor, and hard-hitting policy analysis.
Listeners praise concise, insightful treatment of California politics with a sharp policy lens.
Critics note occasional strong partisanship but still value data-driven commentary.
Fans highlight strong guest lineups and engaging host banter as key strengths.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#204
United States/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Episode 451: Fight On!
Q: What would you say to Californians about the unemployment insurance debt and the proposed federal legislation?
Vince Fong explains the CAL Repayment Act aims to accelerate repayment of federal loans and require flexible federal dollars to be used for that purpose, while introducing safeguards to reduce fraud and ensure that states don't burden businesses with the costs of mismanagement.
Episode 451: Fight On!
Q: What is the status of Prop 50 and its impact on the Republican chances in California?
The hosts discuss Prop 50 as a political maneuver by Gavin Newsom's administration to influence districting and political power, expressing concern that it tilts the playing field against rural and conservative communities while acknowledging California's unique redistricting process.
Episode 452: Trump Makes Newsom Great Again
Q: What would be required over five to ten years to see lasting change in California's political landscape?
A broad, collaborative effort building a parallel infrastructure to the left's, including training and supporting non-traditional leaders, donor networks, and targeted local organizing to foster good governance and policy reform.

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?

Listeners tune in for a fast-paced, opinionated take on California politics, policy, and culture, with a mix of policy analysis, regulatory critique, and pop culture detours. Episodes frequently feature economists, policy researchers, lawyers, and journalists who dissect government actions, regulations, and high-profile legal cases, all through a libertarian-leaning, pro-market lens. The show stands out for its brisk banter, willingness to challenge state policy, and willingness to spotlight California's impact on national politics. If you're seeking a pundit-driven discussion with a focus on state governance, regulatory reform, and big-picture economics, this could be a compelling fit for guests and sponsors aiming at a California-minded, ... more

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1. Capital Record
2. The Editors
3. The Charles C. W. Cooke Podcast
4. The McCarthy Report
5. The Ricochet 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. Lance Christensen
2. Andrew Davenport
3. Sheridan Karras
4. Jeffrey Schwab
5. Jackson Reese
6. Vince Fong
7. Jon Fleischman
8. Jeff Ferry

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