A weekly chronicle of the legislative and gubernatorial stupidity that characterizes the formerly Golden State. From Cali defaulting on Covid loans to the tender care given squatters and the undocumented, to Newsom’s annual math-challenged budget shenanigans and municipal clowns (Oakland in particular), you need to know this stuff. I am constantly chagrined by my neighbors’ profound ignorance of what’s going on where they live (“Why is my natural gas bill doubling?” “Did you hear what happened at the homeless encampment?” etc.), so I recommend both this podcast and the California Policy Center website. Awesome punditry, but these two totally overrate USC.

Fun and informative show. It’s amazing how David continues to show given his disgust of California culture and ….the Dodgers??? Stick it Bahnson!!! Thanks for the show

I have become a David Bahnsen groupie! This man is amazing, his websites are so phenomenally helpful! Hard to believe he runs a company too! Anyway, thank you so much for your Bill-o-Rama Prop-o-Rama broadcasts. I have forwarded them onto my other California buddies who never get any explanations as to the ridiculous things we are called upon to vote for. Not to mention learned so much about how bills get introduced into the legislature. Surprised and Distressing. May I add that? I so love California, so I really appreciate the info. I glean on this podcast. Thanks again. Cecile DeOrnellas

I understand Trump is a flawed individual, as we all are, but the level of Trump bashing(from two of your more recent podcasts)and overly critical commentary isn’t really helpful. It is definitely more irritating and grating in nature than it is encouraging or constructive. On those two podcasts I just turned it off and went to somebody different. Maybe I’m alone in my response, but it’s hard to believe that others aren’t as equally annoyed. I do enjoy your podcast, I’d say the majority of the time, but could you just let up on the Trump bashing until we get past this election…and then go at it!!

I’m an NR guy in South Florida. I only hear brief bits here and there about The Golden State. These guys give an entertaining and sincere take on what’s transpiring in California’s state and national politics. Definitely worth a listen, and many more!

Each episode, Will Swaim of the California Policy Center provides a meaty list of California political news items that help elucidate what's driving the myriad of problems Californians are facing – while David Bahnsen lends his invaluable perspective and analysis. On top of this, the two hosts provide a much needed sense of humor to help listeners enjoy digesting what is often some fairly disheartening news. Thank goodness we have these hosts and their organizations (including The National Review) keeping watch and providing this essential investigative reporting. This podcast is an all around great listen, and one I always look forward to keep me up to date.

Although I don’t know with any degree of certainty, I highly suspect both Will and David must have worked at one or more of California’s major theme parks as roller coaster operators in their younger days. How do I know this? It’s simple, after listening intently to each and every one of their outstanding podcasts I am left feeling excited, enthused and at times a bit nauseous, not unlike those feelings I’ve experienced after one of my grandkids has talked me into taking a spin on a roller coaster that someone my age has no business attempting. Why, you may ask? The amount of information I learn from these two intelligent, thoughtful and articulate gentleman and their guests is amazing! My blood is often close to simmering after listening to the all-too-often unreported shenanigans that California politicians perpetuate and that only this excellent podcast shines a light on. And for that I am grateful for their work on behalf of the few of us remaining Californians who care about this state and are appalled at what’s going on. So, to Will and David, et al, thank you for what you do each and everyday. It’s important and the manner in which you present it is enlightening, entertaining and I for one feel better informed after listening. Thank you! You’re both doing God’s work and I truly appreciate it. Keep up the excellent work!

Great blend of long-range discussions on politics, sports, faith, work, and life in the Golden State and beyond. And what a fun, wonderful glimpse into the tremendous friendship between two especially fine fellows. Also, an underrated source of golden pop culture recommendations. Most fascinating and worthwhile content even for non-Californians.

Thanks Will and David for simultaneously making me miss California and not regret leaving. And thanks for holding down the fort until it is safe to return.

Every time I think Washington state can’t get any crazier, a bell rings and it is another zinger from California. Will brings up a story about the original Levi Strauss in the era of the gold rush and David is spot on the economic repurcussions.

New York and California are similar in that they are both almost completely controlled by the progressive left. Will and David do an excellent job of explaining the failure of this type of political thinking. I only wish we had something similar as a podcast here in NYC.

Except there’s too much about grotesquely corrupt NCAA football.

Always look forward to each new episode. Its the way I start my moring workout at the gym. Will always has some very interesting history on CALI with almost every episode. The lack of common sense in CALI they point out each week is astounding. Keep up the good work and keep pointing out the public union hypocrisy and your efforts to tell the truth about unions.

California is a natural wonder and a man made disaster. Wisdom dispensed by the hosts will help bring freedom back to California. Spread the word.

Sometimes your language is a bit coarse.

Having graduated from high school and college in CA, it is distressing to see how far it has fallen since the 1970s/1980s. The weather and southern beaches are so beautiful…this broadcast gives the only hope that it could ever again be a place I will move back to. If the one-party state would only listen to David and Will’s commentary, voices of reason.

If you want to keep on top of what California politicians are doing and how the economy is going, Will and David will give you a fact-based, fast-paced dive into the week. Not angry ranting, not hyperbolic, some humor. A good listen. And love the show music.

I look forward to this podcast each week. Will and David have a fabulous way together. I feel so completely fulfilled now that I can appreciate the under appreciated John Sutter’s place in the history of the world.

Raised in Seattle and spent some time vacationing and hanging with friends in Cali. Loved it. My formative years were in the 80’s and California meant a lot to me during that period. After getting married my career has taken me from the Rocky Mountain range to the Northeast, DC, and currently the Southeastern United States. And during these travels I learned more and more of the outsized influence California has on our country. Your show is a window into and the negative influence California politics has on all of us. California Dems are ripping out all that is good and wholesome. And the Cali’s Biden brought are continuing that legacy nationally. I love your show, second best podcast after Political Beats. Sorry, music rules. Keep it up. I look forward to your new shows and do enjoy going back and listening to older shows. And great guest interviews also. Thanks for standing for common sense and decency.

Love the show I appreciate the lighthearted banter mixed with intelligent and thoughtful takes on current political issues.

You may question anyone’s decision to reside in California. But the conversations must be had and Will and David offer rich and humorous insight into real life here on the west coast. I still need an episode dedicated to David’s expansion of thoughts on NIMBYs!

I can’t believe that I enjoy this California centric show but I do. You bring a worldview into your discussions that fits where I am from. I appreciate David’s father’s writings and look forward to David’s newest book. Keep up the good fight and help us keep the “California crazy” from spreading east!

As a New Yorker, it’s always nice to hear what the future will bring. Things seem to start in CA but don’t stay there!

I enjoy listening to this podcast. It has a different point of view from what you usually hear on regular mainstream media. I don’t always agree with them, but I do enjoy their sense of humor and they’re snarkiness.

As a native Californian, who has watched many friends, cut and run, this program gives me direction and hope. Here you will find news of what really is going on in local and state politics that can seem so muddy. Find your light to see forward right here.

What happens in California, eventually happens to other states. These days, that’s not a good thing. This podcast keeps listeners informed to help stop the spread. It’s both informative and entertaining. Listen in. Fight on!

Insightful and informative take on California politics. I do not live in the state and yet still enjoy their analysis of the issues. I especially enjoy David’s explanation of why a specific California law or regulation is misguided. The only downside of the podcast is learning how far a once great state has fallen.

David and Will turn out a superior product with every episode! As a non-Californian I appreciate the outsized impact that CA politics has on the rest of the Union and I’m grateful for the entertaining manner in which these two share this important information with the rest of us! I appreciate it so much, in fact, that I can even bear the occasional forays into USC football, because I know that they will return to the crucial issues at hand! Great show, guys, and I appreciate all you do!

Informative, funny, informative, love the banter between the two and the guests they’ve brought on. Been listening to every episode for ages

Great podcast on CA politics but the best material is when it goes on to other topics. Love him or hate him, Bahnsen is great to listen to.

I love this show. I was always a fan of The Editors podcast and I found this one a few months ago. I look forward to it every week!!

Classy guys taking up the issues, history, and the role of values and moral axioms in today's political chaos.

These hosts know California law and politics well. Their interaction is great. I have learned many new nuances of how California operates from these guys.

This conservative-ish Utahan really appreciates the valuable information Will and David provide each week. I am grateful for the perspective they give on the happenings in California and how it will affect the rest of the country. I’m wary about politics and where I get my political information, but these guys are my favorite by far. Thanks for sharing your insights and for all the hard work you do to keep us in the know.

The news presented in a way that makes me laugh, when it should make me cry. Helpful and uplifting. And bonus, best opening song by far of any podcast.

David and Will knock it out of the park each week with their review of California news. They remove the media spin and lies to get to the root of the issue (spoiler alert: it’s the public sector unions most of the time). They discuss and discuss all that is holding the Golden State back from flourishing (and by extension the USA because the worst ideas start in California and spread like wildfire). Their analysis is both insightful and infuriating at the same time. If you want the truth and an honest analysis from first principles, then this podcast is for you. If you want more lies, then subscribe to a MSM podcast.

I am a former California and now live in Florida. I love keeping up on my home state and appreciate these gentlemen so competently discussing CA Politics!

As a new resident of California, I’m finding this podcast to be super educational about state politics, issues and just some general history and items of interest. I love David and how he’s willing to be fair and not join in on clickbait headlines like a lot of podcasters. I really like Will’s liveliness and his many stories about so many topics. This has been added to my weekly rotation of podcasts I listen to. Wish I’d found it sooner!

Thankfully it is about more than CA. Unfortunately it’s a lot about MN. I love the show and highly recommend it. I would also love to have Will welcome listeners in Minnesotan, “you betcha.” I guarantee every crazy thing that they talk about in California is coming to Minnesota sooner than later. Keep up the great work and remember that you are providing a great service to Minnesotans. TPH

Love David’s non-nonsense takes and nearly perfect use of sarcasm to highlight the utter absurdity floating about these days. Not from CA but know that a lot of bad ideas start in CA and spread beyond.

Love the thoughtful nuisance that David and Will process an issue with; it’s just 5 degrees different than what I’m use to hearing. Two places they’ve been most helpful is in understanding the effects of unions and on environmental issues. Now, if they could just manage to honor the 3rd commandment with as much commitment as they do to first principles, then I could recommend without caveat.

Even though I moved out of California fifteen years ago , what happens in California still matters to me. The bad ideas propagate. Really love Will Swaim, when Bahnsen will let him talk.

This podcast is fair, well researched and entertaining. David and Will have great chemistry and articulate discussions of current events in California. I look forward to every episode. Scott E. Churchill Pittsburgh, PA

I discovered this podcast a few months ago and as a California resident, it has quickly became mandatory listening for me. The hosts thoroughly evaluate the news of the week and provide insightful analysis. Additionally, although the hosts are politically conservative, they come across as pretty objective and don’t fit any of the usual stereotypes. Highly recommended.

Radio Free California is my favorite weekly podcast, one that I listen to as soon as it is published. Host Will Swaim of the California Policy Center gives such fabulous insight on the odious machinations of Sacramento statism that he could rightfully realign his name to Swami, because every time I listen to him, my knowledge blossoms. And his co-host, David Bahnsen, adds his expertise as a financial guru to the discussion, so it all makes for a rollicking ride through what’s going on in the Golden State. And as the old adage says, what starts in California eventually spreads east across the nation. Will and David do their level best to stop the sludge from creeping through unnoticed!

Arizonan here, but find this podcast to be a must-listen. Good guests, top-notch hosts, and they cover all the big topics. If you want to know what’s going on in the Golden State, hear some of the backstory, and consider solutions, listen in. Seriously, folks—let’s fix California instead of watching it burn.

National Review's AWESOME "Radio Free California" podcast is unique among California-centric pods because it offers a unique blend of perspectives and insights on various topics, led by hosts Will Swaim of the California Policy Center and David Bahnsen of The Bahnsen Group. While the show covers a wide range of subjects, it's worth noting that USC Football finds its way into the discussions. I don't know why; I don't understand football. One of the standout aspects of the podcast is the dynamic between the hosts; Will Swaim brings a wealth of knowledge from his role at the California Policy Center. He guides the conversation with a thoughtful and measured approach, and most discussions are well-structured and informative. I'm especially thrilled with his California history tangents since I'm a native and a HUGE fan of the state's history. Will's ability to present complex topics in an accessible manner is a testament to his journalistic background, communication skills, and expertise. He does, however, have an occasional issue drinking coffee when David talks. Speaking of which, David Bahnsen complements Swaim's style perfectly. David's valuable insights and in-depth analysis make his contributions to the podcast stand out. His ability to break down complex political, economic, and financial matters helps us listeners better understand what the heck is going on in the Golden State. Bahnsen's expertise adds significant value to the show. However, his choice of McDonald's fries over In-N-Out fries baffles even the newest of California transplants (of which, admittedly, there are few). The depth and breadth of timely information delivered by the podcast every single week is excellent; the hosts clearly have their finger on the pulse of current events - sometimes even finding topics that I missed - and offer spot-on insights and analysis on a wide range of issues. I wholeheartedly endorse Radio Free California. It's a well-rounded podcast offering up valuable insights into topics - state and federal - that affect California and Californians. It is an invaluable resource for those seeking thoughtful analysis and diverse perspectives. Hats off to Will and David!

This podcast is in my normal rotation now. I live in California, and it’s refreshing to hear a conservative perspective on California issues that is level-headed and well-reasoned. This podcast helps me sort through the issues of the day and know how to think about them. It actually gives me some hope in California’s future and a new appreciation for the state. I appreciate the rapid-fire manner in which they run through stories. I even appreciate the historical nuggets they throw in.

For better or worse, California is one of the most important and influential states in the Union. It is also one of the most dysfunctional. The two hosts are a pleasure to listen to and the podcast is a great way to keep up with the politics, intrigue, and history of California.

Despite hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan and currently living in North Carolina, RFC is one of my favorite political podcasts. California never ceases to bring to the forefront issues that are soon to plague the entire country. In addition to serious and grounded political and cultural analysis from a classical liberal perspective, the banter between Will and David never ceases to entertain. Give it a listen!