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
California Coastal Commission
Anti-Semitism
Climate Change
California Legislative Bills
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

Gavin Newsom wasted no time hitting the airwaves with news that the Trump DOJ is investigating the governor’s wife. We cheer Newsom’s work to kill the Billionaire Wealth Tax. Fareed Zacharia joins the growing number of liberals who worry that Califor... more

Always optimistic, David encourages Will to be happy -- despite recent election results. And forget Xavier Becerra's ethnic posturing: Will reminds us that California has already had a "first Latino governor." Bonus! Representative Vince Fong joins t... more

It takes weeks for California to count votes (because math is hard). But Lance Christensen joins Will to unpack early results from June 2 voting, featuring Steve Hilton, Xavier Becerra, Spencer Pratt, Karen Bass, congressional candidates Kevin Kiley,... more

How California’s leading do-nothing gubernatorial candidate moved from dead last to first in just a few weeks. Leaders of the state’s government unions say they’ll refuse return-to-office orders because their daily commutes would raise global tempera... more

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Recent Guests

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
Lance Christensen
Vice President of Education Policy and Government Affairs
California Policy Center
Episode: Episode 447: What Xavier Becerra Knew
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

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 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 States3 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 States5 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 States9 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
#212
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#240
Colombia/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.

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

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 McCarthy Report
3. The Editors
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. Jon Fleischman
2. Lance Christensen
3. Jeff Ferry
4. Sheila Bowen
5. Michael Catanacci
6. Paul Olivett
7. Ben Jaros
8. Josh Rauh

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