KABATALKS

Brian and John Kabateck
  • 5.0 (2)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Brothers Brian and John Kabateck take a unique approach to discussions affecting business and consumers alike in the state with a discussion that is presented with humor and conflict from brothers of typically differing opinions. Brian Kabateck is Founding and Managing Partner of Kabateck, LLP. A legal firm defending consumers rights and protections. Brian was also President of the Consumers Attorneys of California. John Kabateck, is President of Kabateck Strategies, LLP. His firm keeps the voices of mom and pop businesses heard in the State Capitol. He represents such trade organizations as the NFIB, Associated Builders and Contractors of Northern California and The California Restaurant Association to name a few. This program will be like no other and is intended to shed light on difficult issues surrounding both political and consumer concerns as they make their way into California's Capitol, with a style and delivery that can be unpredictable yet informative and entertaining.

  1. MAR 26

    Episode 39: California's Jungle Primary — Two Republicans, Eight Democrats, and a Race No One Saw Coming

    Send us a text to let us know what you think of this episode. We would love to hear from you. In this episode, Brian and John wade into the chaos of California's 2026 governor's race, and it's wilder than anyone expected. With eight Democrats splitting the vote and two Republicans quietly gaining ground, the brothers break down exactly how a jungle primary could hand the governor's office to a party that hasn't held it in decades. They profile the two Republican contenders, Sheriff Chad Bianco of Riverside County and British-born Fox commentator Steve Hilton, weighing their records, their liabilities, and their realistic odds in a state where Trump's disapproval sits at 68%. The conversation turns to the crowded Democratic field, the party's reluctance to consolidate around a frontrunner, and whether Tom Steyer's $80 million ad blitz is helping Democrats — or accidentally clearing a path for the GOP. And as the federal government enters its sixth week of shutdown, Brian and John clash over the standoff at the Department of Homeland Security: ICE enforcement, administrative versus judicial warrants, TSA security gaps, and whether both parties are letting playground politics put the country at risk. If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you. To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies To learn more about Brian's firm visit KBK Law

    39 min

  2. FEB 27

    Episode 38: Democrats Without a Compass — Opportunity, Optics, and 2026

    Send us a text to let us know what you think of this episode. We would love to hear from you. In this episode, Brian and John dive headfirst into the political aftermath of Trump's State of the Union — the longest in American history — unpacking what it revealed about the state of both parties heading into 2026. They clash, loudly, over voter ID laws and whether requiring identification at the polls is a common-sense safeguard or a deliberate effort to disenfranchise communities of color and low-income voters. Neither brother backs down. The conversation shifts to the California Democratic Party's endorsing convention, where aging incumbents and party insiders dominated, leaving progressive and younger voices asking whether the party is capable of reinventing itself. The brothers debate whether a crowded field of Democratic candidates risks splitting the vote and handing Republicans an opening in down-ticket races across the state. They also take on tariffs and the Supreme Court ruling that called them an unconstitutional end-run around Congress, before turning to Gavin Newsom's national book tour, his controversial remarks before an Atlanta audience, and whether his presidential ambitions are a liability or an inevitability. Spoiler: the brothers don't agree on that either. If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you. To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies To learn more about Brian's firm visit KBK Law

    39 min

  3. JAN 7

    Episode 37: How California’s Initiative Process Really Works — And Who It Leaves Out

    Send us a text to let us know what you think of this episode. We would love to hear from you. In this episode, Brian and John break down California’s ballot initiative process — how it was designed, how it actually functions today, and why it has become increasingly inaccessible to ordinary citizens. Using real-world examples, historical context, and firsthand experience, they explain the true cost, complexity, and political leverage behind qualifying initiatives, from signature gathering to campaign spending. The brothers explore the 2014 reforms that allow qualified measures to be withdrawn, the role of negotiations behind the scenes, and why the initiative process now favors those with deep pockets. They also walk through the current 2026 ballot timeline, highlight measures already qualified by the legislature, and reflect on whether meaningful reform is possible in a system shaped by money, consultants, and campaign finance realities. If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you. To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies To learn more about Brian's firm visit KBK Law

    35 min

  4. 12/30/2025

    Episode 36: Lawsuit Abuse, ADA Reform, and Finding the Middle Ground

    Send us a text to let us know what you think of this episode. We would love to hear from you. In this episode, Brian and John take on one of the most polarizing issues in California politics and law: so-called “lawsuit abuse.” From ADA claims and damage caps to PAGA reform and court funding, the brothers debate where the system works, where it breaks down, and who actually gets hurt along the way. They explore the tension between protecting civil rights and preventing bad-faith shakedowns, why not all violations — or lawsuits — are created equal, and how recent bipartisan efforts in Sacramento are attempting to strike a fair balance. Along the way, Brian calls out bad actors within the legal profession, John shares real-world examples from small business owners, and both agree that justice only works when access, accountability, and common sense coexist. If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you. To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies To learn more about Brian's firm visit KBK Law

    33 min

  5. 12/18/2025

    Episode 35: California’s Political Stress Test — A Conversation with Dan Schnur

    Send us a text to let us know what you think of this episode. We would love to hear from you. In this special episode of Kabatalks, Brian and John are joined by longtime political strategist and USC professor Dan Schnur for a wide-ranging conversation on California as the proving ground for national political ambition. From crime and public safety to wildfires, affordability, and governance, the group discusses why California’s unresolved challenges are increasingly shaping how voters judge leadership, both inside the state and across the country. They explore the growing gap between political messaging and real-world results, the risks facing elected officials with national aspirations, and what accountability looks like in a political environment with little margin for error. With Schnur’s insider perspective, the conversation digs deeper into how California’s successes and failures now carry consequences far beyond the state. And we're even given a little taste of Schnur's favorite - and not so favorite - holiday food items! If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you. To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies To learn more about Brian's firm visit KBK Law

    43 min

  6. 11/30/2025

    Episode 34: Prop 36, California’s Crime Debate, and the Early Stakes of the 2026 Governor’s Race

    Send us a text to let us know what you think of this episode. We would love to hear from you. In this episode, Brian and John break down Proposition 36 — what it changes, why voters backed it, and the growing fight over how to fund it. They tackle the core debates around public safety, rehabilitation, and whether the measure deepens existing disparities in California’s justice system. The conversation then turns to the rapidly expanding 2026 governor’s race, from early frontrunners like Antonio Villaraigosa and Katie Porter to the challenges facing billionaire candidates and the ripple effects of national politics. To close, the brothers each share one Trump policy they support and one they strongly oppose, offering a sharp but thoughtful exchange heading into Thanksgiving week. If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you. To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies To learn more about Brian's firm visit KBK Law

    37 min

  7. 11/10/2025

    Episode 33: Prop 50, Redistricting, and the Future of California Politics

    Send us a text to let us know what you think of this episode. We would love to hear from you. In this episode, the guys dive into the fallout from Election Night — starting with Proposition 50 in California and what its passage means for redistricting, representation, and the balance of political power. They get into the messaging wars, the motivations of voters on both sides, and why the redistricting conversation has become a proxy battle for the national political identity crisis. They also take a broader look at key Governor’s races and the New York mayoral shake-up, discussing what these outcomes could mean heading into the 2026 and 2028 election cycles. And in a thoughtful moment, Brian and John reflect on the legacy of former Vice President Dick Cheney following his passing, and what patriotism, service, and conviction look like in politics today. If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you. To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies To learn more about Brian's firm visit KBK Law

    41 min

  8. 09/30/2025

    Episode 32: Assemblymember John Harabedian on Honest Government, Sacramento Politics, and Serving His District

    Send us a text to let us know what you think of this episode. We would love to hear from you. In this episode, the guys sit down with California Assemblymember John Harabedian to talk about his path from prosecutor to public servant and the issues shaping Sacramento today. They dig into his legislative priorities, from tackling homelessness and housing affordability to strengthening consumer protections and safeguarding voting rights.  They also get into the political dynamics of California’s Assembly, the balance between local and statewide interests, and how younger lawmakers are approaching public service in a changing political climate. And in a lighter twist, listeners get a glimpse into John’s personal life — like the time Assemblymember Harabedian went to Warped Tour.  If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you. To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies To learn more about Brian's firm visit KBK Law

    1h 1m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Brothers Brian and John Kabateck take a unique approach to discussions affecting business and consumers alike in the state with a discussion that is presented with humor and conflict from brothers of typically differing opinions. Brian Kabateck is Founding and Managing Partner of Kabateck, LLP. A legal firm defending consumers rights and protections. Brian was also President of the Consumers Attorneys of California. John Kabateck, is President of Kabateck Strategies, LLP. His firm keeps the voices of mom and pop businesses heard in the State Capitol. He represents such trade organizations as the NFIB, Associated Builders and Contractors of Northern California and The California Restaurant Association to name a few. This program will be like no other and is intended to shed light on difficult issues surrounding both political and consumer concerns as they make their way into California's Capitol, with a style and delivery that can be unpredictable yet informative and entertaining.

Information

  • Creator
    Brian and John Kabateck
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 KABATALKS
  • Show Website
    KABATALKS

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