State of Gold

Jon Slavet | California Politics

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’ movement dedicated to restoring the California dream. Host and longtime real estate and tech executive Jon Slavet combines practical wisdom and insurgent energy, as he sits down with voices from across the spectrum.  The show will examine and promote the best ideas from any corner to solve the state’s most pressing issues. State of Gold cuts through the noise to explore what’s gone wrong in the Golden State – and what it’ll take to make things right. www.stateofgold.com

  1. 3D AGO

    Why Insurance Companies Have Fled the CA Market & How We Get Them Back | Patrick Wolff

    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 California’s broken homeowners insurance market, increasing wildfire mitigation efforts, and reforming how the Department of Insurance regulates insurers operating in the state. Show Summary California’s wildfire insurance crisis didn’t begin with the Palisades and Altadena fires. It began years earlier, when rising wildfire risk collided with rigid regulation and a shrinking insurance market. In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with chess grandmaster and CA State Insurance Commissioner candidate Patrick Wolff to unpack what went wrong — and what needs to change. Wolff explains how, after the catastrophic 2017 and 2018 fires, insurers sought to adjust pricing to reflect increased risk but were blocked from doing so. As risk rose and pricing flexibility remained constrained, insurers pulled back. State Farm expanded aggressively, only to later non-renew policies and seek emergency rate hikes, leaving homeowners trapped in a fragile and under-competitive market. The conversation goes deeper than rates and policies. Wolff discusses the need for more aggressive forest management and controlled burns, how well-functioning insurance markets provide critical risk signals, and why regulators should focus on consumer protection and competition rather than dictating prices.  It’s a candid discussion about accountability and leadership, and whether California can rebuild both its insurance market and public trust. Chapters 00:01 – A Chess Grandmaster Enters the Insurance Debate 00:27 – Was the Fire Crisis Man-Made? 02:59 – Controlled Burns & Fire Risk Management 05:59 – How California’s Insurance Market Broke 09:55 – Why Regulators Blocked Risk-Based Pricing 12:17 – What Fair & Competitive Pricing Should Look Like 15:15 – Fire Hardening Homes: What Works & What It Costs 17:18 – Why Home Hardening Is a Public Good 19:06 – Day One as Insurance Commissioner 19:47 – Leaders He Respects 20:51 – What Gives Him Hope About California Connect with Patrick Wolff Website: https://patrickwolff.com/eventsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolffonyourside/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-wolff-222192/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast Connect with State of Gold X: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

    14 min

  2. MAR 24

    The Billionaire Tax Has Nothing To Do With Billionaires | Jay Cheng

    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. He has played a key role in supporting more moderate leadership in San Francisco and focuses on restoring functionality to city governance. Show Summary San Francisco has become a case study in what happens when policy, leadership, and accountability fall out of alignment,  but it may also offer a glimpse of what positive change can look like. In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Jay Cheng to discuss how San Francisco voters began pushing back, from recalling school board members to demanding better outcomes in public safety and education. Cheng explains why that shift happened, what triggered it, and whether California as a whole is ready to follow. The conversation dives into the realities behind San Francisco’s struggling school system, including declining enrollment, budget instability, and the lack of a standardized curriculum. They also explore improvements in public safety, the challenges of rebuilding police staffing, and what it takes for systems to actually function again. They close with a deeper look at California’s broader fiscal challenges and the proposed billionaire tax, unpacking why it could set a precedent far beyond the ultra-wealthy. It’s a candid conversation about accountability, consequences, and whether voters are ready to demand better. Chapters 00:00 – “If You Don’t Like Your Leaders, Fire Them” 00:48 – Is California at a Breaking Point? 02:55 – What Triggered San Francisco’s Shift 05:18 – The School Strike and Budget Crisis 06:50 – Why Families Are Leaving the City 08:52 – No Standard Curriculum? How It Happened 10:08 – Leadership Failures in Education 10:32 – Public Safety: Is It Actually Improving? 11:47 – The Police Staffing Shortage 13:01 – San Francisco’s Budget Problem 14:42 – Why the City Can’t Keep Kicking the Can 16:48 – A Budget Bigger Than Some Countries 17:04 – The Billionaire Tax Debate 19:05 – Why the Tax Scares More Than Billionaires 20:23 – Rapid Fire: Fixing San Francisco & California 22:40 – Expanding the UC System Connect with Jay Cheng LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaychengsf/X: https://x.com/jay_jay_chengEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast Connect with State of Gold X: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

    23 min

  3. MAR 17

    Workers Trust AI More Than Their Coworkers | Jeremiah Owyang

    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 closely with founders building the next generation of AI-driven companies. Show Summary Artificial intelligence is moving faster than almost any technology shift in history, and the ripple effects are already transforming how companies are built. In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Jeremiah Owyang to discuss the rapid rise of AI startups, how venture capital is evolving, and why this moment feels similar to the early days of the internet. Owyang explains how AI is lowering the barriers to building companies while simultaneously creating entirely new categories of businesses. The conversation explores what founders should be paying attention to, how AI agents may reshape work itself, and why California still sits at the center of global innovation despite political and economic challenges. Chapters 00:00 – Why AI May Be the Most Consequential Technology Ever 00:58 – Jeremiah Owyang Joins the Show 02:13 – Where We Are in the AI Revolution 03:28 – The Impact AI Will Have on Jobs 05:44 – The Rise of AI-Native Startups 08:25 – The First Billion-Dollar One-Person Company 10:00 – Why Revenue Per Employee Is Exploding 12:15 – AI Agents and the Future of Work 15:05 – Why Silicon Valley Still Leads AI Innovation 18:10 – How Founders Should Think About Building in the AI Era 21:30 – What Society Is Not Ready For 24:10 – Rapid Fire: One Thing That Will Shape the Future 26:30 – What Gives Him Hope Connect with Jeremiah Owyang Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeremiahOwyang/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jowyang/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jowyang/Twitter/X: https://x.com/jowyang/with_repliesEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast Connect with State of Gold X: https://x.com/realjonslavet Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en Website: www.stateofgold.com

    28 min

  4. MAR 10

    I Said No to the Billionaire Tax | Antonio Villaraigosa

    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, Villaraigosa has built his career around education reform, economic growth, and restoring opportunity in California. Show Summary The California Dream once meant opportunity, homeownership, and a better future for the next generation. Today, many Californians feel that dream slipping further out of reach. In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Antonio Villaraigosa to discuss the state’s political climate and what it will take to restore opportunity in California. The former Los Angeles Mayor shares his perspective on the Governor’s race, the challenges facing moderate voices in a polarized political environment, and why he believes California needs leaders focused on results rather than ideology. Villaraigosa also outlines his priorities for fixing California’s struggling education system, addressing housing affordability, cutting red tape that stifles business growth, and restoring the promise of the California Dream for the next generation. Chapters 01:02 – Should Candidates Drop Out of the Governor’s Race? 03:45 – The Political Center vs. The Extremes 07:21 – The California Dream and Why It’s Slipping Away 09:27 – Housing Costs and Economic Opportunity 11:52 – Public Sector Pensions and Fiscal Responsibility 17:10 – Fixing California’s Education System 21:51 – Why Transparency and Accountability Matter 23:13 – Spending, Deficits, and the State Budget 24:28 – Why Villaraigosa Opposes the Billionaire Tax 28:54 – Cutting Red Tape to Grow the Economy 31:35 – Climate Goals vs. Infrastructure Reality 34:34 – Rapid Fire: Fixing California’s Schools 35:06 – Leaders He Admires in California History 35:38 – Restoring the California Dream Connect with Antonio Villaraigosa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntonioVillaraigosaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/antonioforcaliforniaTwitter: https://x.com/AVillaraigosaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AntonioforcaliforniaCampaign Site: https://www.antonio2026.com/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast Connect with State of Gold X: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

    32 min

  5. MAR 3

    The Billionaire Tax Will Be Even Worse | Joel Pollak

    Guest: Joel Pollak - Opinion Editor @ The California Post Guest Bio:  Joel Pollak is a journalist, political commentator, and Opinion Editor at The California Post – a new publication he helped launch focused on covering California from a center-right perspective. A longtime California resident and former Illinois native, Pollak writes extensively on state policy, media bias, and government accountability. Show Summary Californians are tired of things not working. In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Joel Pollak to discuss the launch of The California Post and why he believes there is a growing appetite for accountability in the Golden State. Pollak shares his personal experience surviving the Palisades fire, the insurance nightmare that followed, and why he believes government mismanagement made the disaster worse. The conversation explores President Trump’s executive order aimed at accelerating rebuilding, the controversy surrounding affordable housing proposals in the Palisades, and what local residents actually want. They then zoom out to tackle systemic issues: Behested payments to politicians, legalized corruption, COVID-era fraud, runaway state spending, and the proposed billionaire tax. Pollak explains how California risks driving away its most productive innovators and why history from Illinois should serve as a warning sign. Chapters 00:00 – Why Californians Are Sick of Government Failure 00:18 – Launching the California Post 01:44 – Is There a Silent Majority in California? 02:41 – Personal Impact of the Palisades Fire 04:09 – Insurance Battles & Rebuilding Delays 05:03 – Trump’s Executive Order on Rebuilding 06:55 – Affordable Housing Controversy in the Palisades 09:59 – Zoning, ADUs & Rebuilding Concerns 12:37 – Exposing Corruption in Los Angeles 14:09 – COVID Fraud & Behested Payments Explained 16:45 – The Billionaire Tax and Economic Flight 19:56 – The Mansion Tax Cautionary Tale 22:03 – Revenue Problem or Spending Problem? 23:31 – Rapid Fire: Fixing California Starts with Water Connect with Joel Pollak Twitter: https://x.com/joelpollak?s=20LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joel-pollakInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pollakjoelHis latest pieces can be found on californiapost.com and nypost.com. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast Connect with State of Gold X: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

    24 min

  6. FEB 24

    Election Expert: "Our top-2 primary system could have unintended consequences!"

    Guest: Chad Peace, Co-Founder – Independent Voter Network Guest Bio:  Chad Peace is an election reform advocate and representative of the Independent Voter Project, an organization focused on expanding voter participation and reducing partisan control over the primary process. He has been deeply involved in California’s transition from closed primaries to the current top-two open primary system, and continues to advocate for structural reforms that empower independent voters and increase electoral competition. Show Summary Nearly half of voters nationwide now identify as independent. In California, No Party Preference voters are the fastest-growing bloc. So why does the political system still revolve around partisan extremes? In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Chad Peace to unpack the rise of independent voters, the origins of California’s top-two open primary system, and the unintended consequences that followed. They explore whether the “jungle primary” has improved democracy, why both parties often resist reform, and what a top-five ranked-choice primary system could look like in California. The conversation also dives into voter ID, ballot harvesting, election confidence, and the broader debate over how to restore trust in the electoral process. From redistricting battles to Supreme Court strategy, this is a candid discussion about who gets to participate in elections and whether California is living up to its democratic ideals. Chapters 00:03 – The Rise of Independent Voters 01:17 – Why Both Parties Are Moving to the Extremes 01:33 – The Origins of California’s Open Primary 02:47 – Has the Top-Two System Improved Democracy? 05:06 – The Unintended Consequences of the Current System 07:50 – Top-Five Primaries & Ranked Choice Voting Explained 09:08 – Redistricting, Prop 50 & Partisan Power Plays 12:04 – The Supreme Court & The Right to Vote in Primaries 12:38 – Voter ID: A 70/30 Issue 15:43 – Mail-In Voting, Ballot Harvesting & Election Confidence 17:50 – Politics, Culture & Attack of the Killer Tomatoes 19:21 – Rapid Fire: One Reform to Fix California 19:39 – What Gives Him Hope 20:18 – California Is… Connect with Chad Peace Twitter: https://x.com/ChadPeaceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadpeace/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast Connect with State of Gold X: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

    21 min

  7. FEB 17

    Why the Billionaire Tax Will Backfire on California & Crush Working Families | Lanhee Chen

    Guest: Lanhee Chen, Stanford Hoover Fellow and Policy Expert  Guest Bio:  Lanhee Chen is a policy expert, former candidate for California State Controller, and national commentator on fiscal policy and healthcare reform. He has advised at the highest levels of government and regularly contributes analysis on California’s budget, tax structure, and long-term economic outlook. Known for his data-driven approach, Chen focuses on accountability, structural reform, and restoring fiscal discipline to state government. Show Summary California can swing from a $150 billion surplus to a $150 billion deficit in just a few years. Why? In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet talks with Lanhee Chen to break down California’s structural budget problems in simple terms. From an antiquated tax system heavily reliant on capital gains to ballooning fixed costs and voter-approved spending mandates, Chen explains why the state is trapped in boom-and-bust cycles. They dive into the proposed billionaire tax and why, despite sounding appealing, it will drive high earners and founders out of California while reducing long-term revenue. Chen also outlines the risks of taxing unrealized gains and how that precedent could impact entrepreneurs and future innovators. The conversation then turns to waste, fraud, and abuse in programs like unemployment insurance, Medi-Cal, and IHSS. Finally, Chen shares his vision for healthcare reform, including radical price transparency, expanding provider supply, and creating a more competitive healthcare marketplace. If you want a clear, non-theatrical breakdown of California’s fiscal challenges and what real reform could look like, this is it. Chapters 00:00 – California’s Boom and Bust Budget Cycles 02:37 – The Structural Deficit Problem Explained 03:20 – How Should California Reform Its Tax System? 05:06 – Revenue Problem or Spending Problem? 05:39 – Why the Billionaire Tax Is a Bad Idea 07:12 – The Dangerous Precedent of Taxing Unrealized Gains 08:51 – Waste, Fraud & Abuse in State Programs 09:21 – The Unemployment Insurance Scandal 10:30 – Medi-Cal, IHSS & Systemic Accountability Failures 12:06 – Fixing Healthcare Without Government Takeover 13:10 – Radical Price Transparency in Healthcare 14:00 – Expanding Supply & Reducing Consolidation 15:27 – Incentivizing Preventive Care 17:13 – Rapid Fire: One Big Reform for California 18:09 – What Gives Him Hope 18:40 – Is California Punching Under Its Weight? Connect with Lanhee Chen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanheechen/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lanheechenX: https://x.com/lanheechenEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast Connect with State of Gold X: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

    19 min

  8. FEB 10

    Buying a Gun in California Legally Is Challenging | Michael Pierce

    Guest Bio:  Michael Pierce is a venture capitalist, technology executive, and founder of American Gun Owners, a California-based company focused on making legal, responsible gun ownership accessible to everyday Americans. Michael brings a unique perspective to public safety, entrepreneurship, and the growing demand for self-defense in major cities. Raised on a cattle ranch and surrounded by firearms from a young age, he approaches gun ownership as a practical tool rather than a political statement. Show Summary Why are more Californians who never wanted guns now feeling like they need one? Michael Pierce joins Jon Slavet to explain why rising crime, slow police response times, and social unrest have pushed ordinary Californians toward personal self-defense. Michael shares the real-world conversations that inspired him to launch American Gun Owners and why California, despite being one of the most restrictive states, is exactly where this business needed to be built. They dive into the challenges of buying a firearm legally in California, the confusion first-time buyers face, and how American Gun Owners uses technology and education to simplify the process. The conversation also explores policing shortages, deterrence, elites disconnect from everyday safety concerns, and what California must do to restore confidence and economic momentum. This episode offers a grounded, non-political look at guns as a utility, public safety as a core government responsibility, and why fear has become a daily reality for many Californians. Chapters 00:00 – Why Michael Is Building American Gun Owners in California 01:45 – Crime, Social Unrest & Slower Police Response Times 02:19 – Why LA Is Dangerously Under-Policed 03:50 – First-Time Gun Buyers and the Education Gap 04:19 – How People End Up with the Wrong Firearm 05:40 – Guns as a Utility, Not a Political Statement 06:55 – Why Buying a Gun Legally Is So Complicated 07:36 – How American Gun Owners Solves the Problem 08:23 – Using AI to Match People With the Right Firearm 10:05 – California Compliance, Training & Safe Storage 12:30 – Liability, Self-Defense Law & Castle Doctrine 14:13 – Crime in Wealthy Neighborhoods Isn’t Rare Anymore 16:02 – Deterrence and Why Signs Actually Matter 17:19 – What Elites Don’t Understand About Feeling Unsafe 19:50 – Fixing California’s Business Climate 23:02 – Rapid Fire: One Fix for California 23:09 – What Still Gives Him Hope Connect with Michael Pierce Twitter: https://x.com/mpierce_agoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpiercelaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/americangunowners.online/Website: https://www.americangunowners.com/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast Connect with State of Gold X: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com

    24 min
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Trailer

4.4
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

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’ movement dedicated to restoring the California dream. Host and longtime real estate and tech executive Jon Slavet combines practical wisdom and insurgent energy, as he sits down with voices from across the spectrum.  The show will examine and promote the best ideas from any corner to solve the state’s most pressing issues. State of Gold cuts through the noise to explore what’s gone wrong in the Golden State – and what it’ll take to make things right. www.stateofgold.com

Information

  • Creator
    Jon Slavet | California Politics
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 State of Gold
  • Show Website
    State of Gold

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