Rephonic
Artwork for State of Gold
California
Democratic Party
Republican Party
California Budget
Housing Crisis
Homelessness
Education Reform
Gavin Newsom
Bureaucracy
Teachers' Union
School System
Educational Proficiency
California Homeless Issue
Immigration Policy
2026 Elections
Voter Disenfranchisement
San Francisco
Donald Trump
Political Coalition
California Government

Restoring the California Dream One Bold Idea at a Time

California was once a beacon of prosperity, hope and innovation – symbolized by the Gold Rush, Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Today it’s the least affordable state in the nation and plagued by poverty, homelessness, and sky-high taxes. How did we get here, and how do we turn California around?

State of Gold is a media platform and citizens’ m... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes58Founded9 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Government

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Artwork for State of Gold

Latest Episodes

Guest:

Patrick Wolff, Candidate for CA State Insurance Commissioner

Guest Bio: 

Patrick Wolff is a chess grandmaster, entrepreneur, and Democratic candidate for California Insurance Commissioner. He is focused on restoring functionality to Califor... more

Guest:

Jay Cheng, Executive Director - Neighbors for a Better San Francisco

Guest Bio: 

Jay Cheng is a San Francisco-based business leader and political advocate known for his work on education reform, public safety, and government accountability.... more

YouTube

Guest Bio: 

Jeremiah Owyang is a Silicon Valley technology analyst, entrepreneur, and venture investor focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. He has spent decades studying how new technologies reshape industries and now works ... more

YouTube

Guest:

Antonio Villaraigosa, Former Mayor of Los Angeles

Guest Bio: 

Antonio Villaraigosa is the former Mayor of Los Angeles and former Speaker of the California State Assembly. A longtime public servant, and now Democratic candidate for Governor,... more

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Recent Guests

Jeremiah Owyang
Silicon Valley venture capitalist and tech strategist, general partner at Blitz Scaling Ventures
Blitz Scaling Ventures
Episode: Workers Trust AI More Than Their Coworkers | Jeremiah Owyang
Antonio Villaraigosa
Former Speaker of the California Assembly and former LA Mayor
California politics
Episode: I Said No to the Billionaire Tax | Antonio Villaraigosa
Joel Pollak
Editor, California Post (opinion editor cited in conversation)
California Post
Episode: The Billionaire Tax Will Be Even Worse | Joel Pollak
Chad Peace
Discussion leader and electoral reform advocate
Independent Voter Project
Episode: Election Expert: "Our top-2 primary system could have unintended consequences!"
Lanhee Chen
Policy expert and analyst on California's budgetary issues
Episode: Why the Billionaire Tax Will Backfire on California & Crush Working Families | Lanhee Chen
Dr. Houman David Hemmati
A doctor turned activist known for questioning California's COVID-19 policies and outspoken on the homelessness crisis.
Episode: LA Pays $2 Million Per Homeless Unit | Dr. Houman David Hemmati
Joel Fox
A rare figure in California politics who shaped fiscal debates over several decades.
Episode: Newsom's at 56% but 54% Want New Ideas - The Poll That Makes No Sense | Joel Fox
Katy Grimes
Author and commentator on California politics and policies
Episode: California's Education System Is in Total Collapse | Katie Grimes
Mike Madrid
Political commentator and Republican strategist, co-founder of the Lincoln Project
Episode: Latino Voters ABANDON Democrats — But Republicans Aren't Winning Either

Host

Jon Slavet
Host of State of Gold

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 23 ratings
  • Even the headlines are biased

    I heard a couple of good interviews, but now checking in six months later, the one-sided headlines with their ALL CAPS emotions make it clear it’s not worth my time. And I am a center, educated independent.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Eyewaterer
    United States2 months ago
  • Great podcast!

    It starts with understanding why California is in such a pickle to begin fixing the core problems of affordability, public saftely, over regulation, etc. State of Gold breaks downs these issues and puts leaders in the limelight, championing sensible reform. Also, Jon for governor!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Natalie19936
    United States5 months ago
  • Refreshing

    This show is a refreshing change to the rhetoric we constantly hear in California. Jon is thoughtful and comprehensive in his approach. I love how he probes into the issues promoting an environment of accountability. Keep it coming!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yojamz
    United States5 months ago
  • Centrist……..nope

    There are a few episodes that I found pretty straightforward and informative. Unfortunately, this tends to lean heavily to a discomforting right. I was hoping for a more balanced and sensible viewpoint. Im not getting it….

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    gsal311
    United States6 months ago
  • Why does Apple block this from being played?

    I love this and must go elsewhere to listen. Apple is an anti California people company. Last iPhone I will ever own or Apple product.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    stuckinthepatch
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners note the host challenges established narratives and champions accountability.
Audience feedback highlights strong production quality and thoughtful interviews.
Shows potential bias toward right-leaning viewpoints for California governance.
Some listeners perceive a conservative tilt; others praise practical reform ideas.
Balanced, solution-focused coverage is valuable for understanding state policy questions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#241
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#245
Taiwan/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Billionaire Tax Will Be Even Worse | Joel Pollak
Q: Why is the billionaire tax a bad idea for California's economy?
Pollak contends it will trigger capital and talent flight, reduce investment, slow real estate and business activity, and ultimately shrink the tax base as wealth leaves the state.
The Billionaire Tax Will Be Even Worse | Joel Pollak
Q: What's your read of the moment in California politics?
Pollak argues that Californians are frustrated with nonfunctional government, rising costs, and policies that fail to protect residents, prompting demand for a government that delivers regardless of political ideology.
"How Could My Daughters Ever Live in California?" - Joel Kotkin
Q: What does the billionaire tax say about where we are in California right now?
It's a logical extension of current policies, reflecting the disconnect between wealth and the middle class.
"How Could My Daughters Ever Live in California?" - Joel Kotkin
Q: How do you think we got here?
It's a death by a thousand cuts, driven by various policies and moments.
Why Are CA Gas Prices $2 Higher? | Legendary Radio Host John Kobylt
Q: What makes you hopeful?
Kobylt expresses hope that people in California do not want to live with the current issues and might realize the reality of their situation if they can overcome social media distractions and emotional responses to politics.

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 State of Gold

What is State of Gold about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently tackles big California policy questions—from fiscal reform, housing, and homelessness to education and public safety—through conversations with policy experts, business leaders, and political commentators. Episodes often critique state governance and fiscal priorities while exploring bold, market-based or reform-minded ideas that could realign incentives, improve accountability, and spur growth. Listeners who want practical, idea-forward discussions about California's future and how to implement change will likely find this program valuable, though it may skew toward center-right perspectives on budget and governance reforms.

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How many listeners does State of Gold get?

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How many subscribers and views does State of Gold have?

To see how many followers or subscribers State of Gold has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to State of Gold?

These podcasts share a similar audience with State of Gold:

1. National Review's Radio Free California Podcast
2. WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch
3. All Things with Kim Strassel
4. Morning Wire
5. The Drill Down with Peter Schweizer

How many episodes of State of Gold are there?

State of Gold launched 9 months ago and published 58 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact State of Gold?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for State of Gold from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on State of Gold?

Recent guests on State of Gold include:

1. Jeremiah Owyang
2. Antonio Villaraigosa
3. Joel Pollak
4. Chad Peace
5. Lanhee Chen
6. Dr. Houman David Hemmati
7. Joel Fox
8. Katy Grimes

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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