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
Anti-Semitism
Climate Change
California Legislative Bills
Los Angeles
California Homeless Crisis
Republican Party

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
PoliticsNewsGovernment

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Artwork for National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

Latest Episodes

In the simmering race for governor, Democratic Party insiders are coalescing around Xavier Becerra, a lifetime placeholder who is neither left nor right but who can be counted on to do absolutely nothing. Also: Ritchie Valens, Elon Musk, Kamala Harri... more

We discuss the bizarre manifesto of Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, Calif. Music by Metalachi.

Email Us:

dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com

will@calpolicycenter.org

Follow Us:

@DavidBahnsen

@WillSwaim

@TheRadioFreeCA

Show Notes:

• Hightower agrees to bu... more

Just six weeks from the California gubernatorial primary, Democrats are still auditioning for a lead — and risk watching Republicans steal the show. Can someone please introduce candidate Tom Steyer to the U.S. Constitution? State Senator Scott Wiene... more

United Teachers of Los Angeles activists are celebrating the massive salary hike they won on Tuesday, but Lance Christensen says all Californians will pay the price. That same day, attorneys for Rocklin Unified School District asked the U.S. Supreme ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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’?
Bill Lobdell
Former Los Angeles Times religion correspondent; author
Los Angeles Times / author
Episode: Episode 438: Maybe We Call This ‘Jaime Escalante Day’?
Emily Ray
Attorney, president of the California Justice Center
California Justice Center
Episode: Episode 434: Emergency Episode — SCOTUS Affirms California Parent Rights
Paul Jonna
Attorney who battled through the courts for the case
Limandri & Jonna; Thomas More Society (special counsel)
Episode: Episode 434: Emergency Episode — SCOTUS Affirms California Parent Rights
Michael McClellan
IP attorney and author on AI policy
Limandri & Jonna; independent
Episode: Episode 434: Emergency Episode — SCOTUS Affirms California Parent Rights
Andrew Quinio
Attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation
Pacific Legal Foundation
Episode: Episode 433: Iran Out of Gas in California
Mark Moses
Visiting Senior Fellow at the California Policy Center
California Policy Center
Episode: Episode 433: Iran Out of Gas in California

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 830 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 Statesa month 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
    2 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 States3 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 States7 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
#219
United States/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Episode 440: Swalwell Hits Cesar Chavez Speed
Q: What is IHSS and why is it controversial?
IHSS is a $30 billion California program that funds home-based care for the elderly or disabled; it has suffered from fraud and weak controls, leading to calls for more unannounced visits and background checks, which unions and advocates have resisted, raising concerns about minority impact and reform obstacles.
Episode 438: Maybe We Call This ‘Jaime Escalante Day’?
Q: Tell us the story. What's going on here?
Jen Van Laar outlines how Alberto Carvalho's leave from LAUSD was connected to a broader pay-for-play and insider dealings narrative within education tech, with close UTLA ties and concerns about conflicts of interest looming over upcoming contract negotiations.
Episode 437: The Labor Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight
Q: Joining us now, my friend, my colleague, Lance Christensen. Do we still need the public education system we have created?
Christensen argues for expanding parental choice and transparency in local education governance, favoring mechanisms like micro schools and inter-district transfers to empower parents and drive performance, while acknowledging the financial and administrative complexities involved.
Episode 430: Newsom Goes Soviet-Style
Q: What do you think the governor is either underestimating or overvaluing?
There is a bipartisan agreement on our continuing fiscal issues, where the projections from the Department of Finance suggest a significant deficit that we must address immediately.

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?

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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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

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. Kenneth Shrupp
2. Paul Jonah
3. Jen Van Laar
4. Bill Lobdell
5. Emily Ray
6. Paul Jonna
7. Michael McClellan
8. Andrew Quinio

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