National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

National Review
  • 4.8 (706)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

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 Business News commentator, conservative activist) beam this weekly show internationally, from mostly undisclosed pirate-radio platforms west of the Sierra Nevada. [Intro music graciously provided by Los Angeles-based Metalachi, the metal/mariachi soundtrack of the near-future. Find them at Metalachi.com.]

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 456: Ro’d to Nowhere

    Representative Ro Khanna (D., Silicon Valley) traveled to Israel, drove into a military conflict zone — and claims the Israeli government threatened him. AG Rob Bonta leads a 12-state effort to block Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner; Paramount considers joining the California exodus. Newsom signs off on a historic tax hike. California transfers coastal land to tribes. Even the wealthy can’t afford San Francisco, but don’t blame the government. Bonus tracks! CPC’s Andrew Davenport reviews the California Teachers Association’s 30-year war on charter schools and his colleague Sheridan Karras wonders why California ended standardized tests that measure student understanding of American and California history. Music by Metalachi. Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.org Follow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCA Show Notes How Israel Should Handle Progressive Palestine Pilgrimages Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter on X Paramount weighs leaving California over Warner Bros. rift Why I’m Suing to Block the Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger (AG Rob Bonta) Newsom’s polling slip California still one of the worst states to move to in 2026, consumer report says Newsom Lawyers Up As Missing Tax Returns Fuel More Questions About Federal Probe California approves ‘largest tax hike in history’ — here’s where you’ll pay more Newsom wants to increase an obscure tax for millions. He needs Trump’s help | Opinion California is returning a stretch of its coast to Indigenous tribes: “This is beyond huge” New California law requires allergen labeling at chain restaurants In San Francisco, Even $180,000 Tech Salaries Are No Longer Enough This week’s advertising sponsor: California Center for Nonprofit Law NPOlawyers.com boardtrainingprinciples.com Bonus track! CPC manager of strategic initiative Andrew Davenport Waging war on charter schools: A history of teacher unions’ anti-charter school campaign in California Bonus track! CPC research director Sheridan Karras The forgotten subject: California’s failure to assess history education Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Episode 456: Ro’d to Nowhere

  2. Jul 9

    455: Rozo the Clown

    Like Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris, Rep. Ro Khanna is eyeing the White House. But this week was a rough one for the SIlicon Valley progressive: he finally abandoned his defense of alleged serial rapist and Nazi sympathizer Graham Platner, beclowned himself during a House Intelligence Committee hearing, and faced fresh reporting that he lives more like the oligarchs he denounces than the working class he champions. Will and David also discuss the Hollywood bombshell whose wartime invention helped change the modern world, and California's surprising connection to the Scopes "Monkey Trial," which began 101 years ago. Music by Metalachi. Email Us: dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com will@calpolicycenter.org Follow Us: @DavidBahnsen @WillSwaim @TheRadioFreeCA Show Notes: Hours of chaos, vandalism in Newport Beach: Are viral social media posts to blame? Newsom goes national Tony Thurmond criticizes ‘undemocratic’ plan to overhaul superintendent’s role The cost of Khanna’s Platner alliance 'Clown': Ro Khanna Picks a Fight With the Wrong Guy During House Select Committee on China Hearing ‘Ro’ Me the Money! How Progressive Class Warrior Ro Khanna Lives Like the Oligarchs He ‘Fights,’ With In-Home Elevator, $190K Range Rover, and Family-Owned Golf Courses. The Nazi Tattoo Guy Is Exactly Who You Thought He Was On the California Coast, a Picture-Perfect City Falls on Hard Times Vance Downplays Watergate and Compares Himself to Nixon David’s latest Capital Record podcast: Setting the Record Straight on Alexander Hamilton   Bonus track: Fighting for liberty in the 9th Circuit California Policy Center, Inc. v. Garcia-Brower About Jeff Schwab About Emily Rae Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    455: Rozo the Clown

  3. Jul 1

    Episode 454: Gavin Newsom’s Declaration of Dependence

    Preparing for a White House run, Newsom calls for “a new social compact” -- a national wealth tax that confiscates wealth for a menu of failed California-style social programs. Bonus! Our homage to California cowboy actor Slim Pickens. Music by Metalachi. Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.org Follow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCA Show Notes: Ranch Dressing surpasses ketchup America’s 250th and the fight for liberty in California It's time for a national billionaires’ tax and a new social compact Real estate tax-cut proposal pulled from ballot in last-minute deal Newsom under fire as California gas tax hike sends pump prices even higher SF trans march turns violent as angry mob turns on cops and stomps police car UC Berkeley to Open Nancy Pelosi Institute Aimed at Advancing Democracy Kamala Harris’s Silence on Gaza Cost Her the White House? Biden pick Becerra asked Clinton to pardon cocaine trafficker after donations from his father: House probe Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Episode 454: Gavin Newsom’s Declaration of Dependence

  4. Jun 25

    Episode 453: Gay Electrons

    News that California’s utility commission has created a new program to boost LGBTQ participation in electricity production has David and Will wondering: Has California become so absurd that the end is truly near? Newsom rejects the SEIU’s compromise offer on its Billionaire Wealth Tax. Government union leaders say they’ll join the California exodus if they’re forced to work. Music by Metalachi. Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.org Follow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCA Show Notes CA Democrats want election results faster, but say any solution hurts voters Crippling impact of Paramount-Warner deal on Los Angeles workforce revealed Inside California’s Gay-Certification Program Newsom Fined by State Campaign Finance Watchdog Just Ahead of DOJ Investigation Don Newsom Refuses an Offer California state workers union warns of mass exodus with Newsom’s return to office order | CA Politics 360 Capital Record podcast: Remote Work’s Growing Damage Sam Bankman-Fried Prison Experiment Sponsor:The California Center for Nonprofit Law Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Episode 453: Gay Electrons

  5. Jun 18

    Episode 452: Trump Makes Newsom Great Again

    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 California is ruining the Democratic Party brand. In our Department of Vexillology, we celebrate the June 14, 1846, Bear Flag Revolt and consider protests against the San Francisco Giants’ Gay Pride Night. Bonus! Cal Policy Center president Jackson Reese answers a listener question. Music by Metalachi. Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.org Follow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCA Show Notes: The Bear Flag and California’s history blind spot The forgotten subject: California’s failure to assess history education The Red Bluff Round-Up, April 16, 17, & 18, 2027 Giants pitchers’ Bible verses on Pride Night caps show how they’ve missed the point Newsom Says Trump’s Justice Department Is Investigating Him and His Wife How California became a case study in failed governance Gavin Newsom’s race to block a billionaire tax California billionaire tax is a no-brainer for progressive Democrats, right? Wrong. Labor groups split on Billionaire Tax In Orange County, six-figure salaries now qualify as 'low income' Division of Housing Policy Development (OC is No. 5 in the state; all other counties here) Trump could be Oakland’s coal frenemy Winery Sues Santa Barbara Over Unconstitutional Mandate Leftists Use Google Form to Organize Stanford Commencement Walk-Out Against Google CEO Jackson Reese, California Policy Center: jackson@calpolicycenter.org Support the California Policy Center Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Episode 452: Trump Makes Newsom Great Again

  6. Jun 11

    Episode 451: Fight On!

    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 the show to offer his remedy for Governor Gavin Newson’s refusal to pay his debts. Music by Metalachi. Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.org Follow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCA Show Notes: Trump, after baselessly alleging fraud in California vote again, storms out of NBC interview Bombshell photo unveils damning Nithya Raman link with homeless voters — as fury erupts over LA ballot count In California, the Real Scandal Is What’s Legal How the Machine Buried Spencer Pratt Steady State Newsom on X: “And yes, for the record: we wish the votes were counted faster, too.” Rob Pyers on Tom Steyer Silicon Valley bet big on Matt Mahan for governor. It didn’t pay off Is the Bay Area ready to abandon its vehicles? David delivers Pacifica Christian High School Commencement (transcript) Commencement Speech on Life for Graduates, and All of Us (video) Rep. Vince Fong Payback for Gavin Newsom’s Fiscal Folly Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Episode 451: Fight On!

  7. Jun 5

    Episode 450: The Election Day That Never Ends

    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, Richard Pan, Ken Calvert, Young Kim, James Gallagher, Mike McGuire and an additional cast of dozens. Music by Metalachi. Email Us dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com will@calpolicycenter.org Follow Us @DavidBahnsen @WillSwaim @TheRadioFreeCA Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. Jun 3

    Episode 449: Whence Xavier Becerra?

    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 temperatures. More than a thousand University of California STEM professors called for the reinstatement of the SAT test. Los Angeles wants you to stop grilling hotdogs. Bonus! On June 5, 1917, Californians reacting to the Zimmerman Telegram answered Woodrow Wilson’s call to arms. Music by Metalachi. Email Us dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com will@calpolicycenter.org Follow Us @DavidBahnsen @WillSwaim @TheRadioFreeCA Show Notes The mystery behind Becerra leapfrogging over his rivals in California’s governor’s race PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government University of California Professors Are Begging Schools to Reinstate the SAT CalPERS Pays Million-Dollar Salaries for Below-Median Returns California Government Unions Will Try Anything To Keep Their Members From Returning To The Office No, California’s Backyard BBQ Ban Proposal Is Not Justified Long Beach: This mayor wants to bring wind energy to an oil city Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  9. May 27

    Episode 448: Spencer Pratt is All That

    The Trump-adjacent candidate for mayor of Los Angeles has raised the hopes of moderate Angelenos – and terrifies the beneficiaries of the city’s Chicago-style political machine. Starring guest cohost Jon Fleischman and featuring Gavin Newsom, Napoleon III, Karen Bass, Meghan Daum, Carl Karcher, Nithya Raman, Hasan Piker, Benito Juarez, Gustavo Arellano, and Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch. Music by Metalachi. Email Us dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com will@calpolicycenter.org Follow Us @DavidBahnsen @WillSwaim @TheRadioFreeCA Show Notes How Cinco de Mayo Got Its Start Because of California's Mexican Americans ‘It’s the Jews’: San Diego mosque shooters decried ‘the universal enemy’ in hate-filled manifesto GOP governor hopefuls give closing arguments to Central Valley Republicans Spencer Pratt has his work cut out for him in LA Spencer Pratt’s Make L.A. Great Again acolytes and their dark vision of the city What Los Angeles Has Become More than 1,000 L.A. school employees expected to lose jobs, with bigger cuts ahead The price of LAUSD union peace will be $1.2 billion a year. Next up is paying for it Strike or not, Los Angeles Unified is on an unsustainable trajectory Newsom’s office asked Oakland to clear encampment near Marshawn Lynch’s home Newsom says AI resentment to dominate future elections. ‘The pitchforks are here’ Gavin Newsom orders California to plan for aid to workers displaced by AI Caltrans considering 140 mph bus that would take passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles The California-born fast-food chain crushed by costs, crime and competition Do You Want Fries with That Shakedown? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Episode 448: Spencer Pratt is All That

  10. May 20

    Episode 447: What Xavier Becerra Knew

    The Democrats’ leading candidate for governor, Xavier Becerra, claims he was the victim of a financial fraud directed by his own chief of staff in the Biden administration. Now, he’s dealing with claims that he greenlit the crime. Bonus track! Lance Christensen takes us deep into the state capitol. Music by Metalachi. Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.org Follow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCA Show Notes: The Mussel Slough Tragedy Governor Newsom announces revised budget that eliminates California’s deficit, maintains investments for working families, healthcare, education, and businesses LAO: Initial Comments on the Governor's May Revision Former Newsom chief of staff pleads guilty to scheme that bled money from Becerra’s account A surge in Nevada data center construction threatens the electricity supply for 49,000 Californians Energy company disputes claim that 50,000 Tahoe residents will lose power next yea California’s Bullet Train May Not Even Reach Downtown Bakersfield - You Can’t Make This Up Pelosi endorses a successor in San Francisco’s testy House race San Francisco's Outdoor Smoking Ban Won't Improve Public Health, but It Will Hurt the City's Bars and Taverns UC Davis festival apologizes for drum circle: ‘cultural appropriation’ Pre-roll:Duke Energy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Episode 447: What Xavier Becerra Knew
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About

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 Business News commentator, conservative activist) beam this weekly show internationally, from mostly undisclosed pirate-radio platforms west of the Sierra Nevada. [Intro music graciously provided by Los Angeles-based Metalachi, the metal/mariachi soundtrack of the near-future. Find them at Metalachi.com.]

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