State of Gold

Jon Slavet | California Politics
  • 4.5 (21)
  • 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’ 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

    Latino Voters ABANDON Democrats — But Republicans Aren't Winning Either

    Guest: Mike Madrid, GOP Political Consult Guest Bio:  Mike Madrid is a veteran political strategist, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and one of the most insightful voices on Latino voter behavior in America. A lifelong Republican and fierce critic of Trumpism, Mike has spent over three decades analyzing demographic shifts and advocating for policy-driven, people-first governance in California. He’s also the author of The Latino Century and a frequent media commentator on U.S. politics. Show Summary Why are Latino voters leaving both political parties behind — and what does it mean for California’s future? Mike Madrid joins Jon for a hard-hitting conversation on the evolving Latino electorate, the failures of both Democrats and Republicans, and how California’s manmade policy disasters are hurting the very people the Democratic political elite claim to support. Mike doesn’t hold back as he critiques Republican messaging, Democratic hypocrisy on issues like CEQA, and the urgent need for bold leadership. From housing and healthcare to immigration and affordability, this episode offers a no-BS look at what’s broken in California — and how it can be fixed. Chapters 00:00 – Latinos & California Politics 02:03 – Misconceptions About the Latino Vote 03:38 – Immigration Views Within the Latino Community 06:06 – The GOP in California: 30 Years Later 07:19 – Republican Policy Ideas vs. Party Perception 10:14 – Do Republicans Have Solutions? 12:11 – The Health Care Policy Gap 12:47 – Are Democrats Serious About Affordability? 14:40 – CEQA Reform for the Rich? 16:09 – The Irony of Democratic Policies 18:14 – What Mike Told the Senate Dems 18:37 – King for a Day: Fixing Housing 18:52 – Why Mike Is Hopeful 19:23 – Wildest Political Moment? 19:48 – Final Thoughts: California Is Broken But Fixable Connect with Mike Madrid X: https://x.com/madrid_mikeLinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-madrid-5b787356Threads: https://www.threads.com/@madrid_mike1Enjoyed 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

    20 min

  2. DEC 16

    The Real Reason 65% of California Kids Can’t Read at Grade Level | Lance Christensen

    Guest: Lance Christensen, Vice President of the California Policy Center  Guest Bio:  Lance Christensen is a policy expert and former candidate for California Superintendent of Public Instruction. He currently serves with the California Policy Center, advocating for education reform, school choice, and smarter government. With a bold voice on California’s economic and energy challenges, Lance is a leading thinker on how to restore prosperity and common sense across the state. Show Summary Is California’s K-12 system beyond repair — or just in need of bold reform? In this energetic conversation, Lance Christensen joins Jon to unpack the deep-rooted challenges in public education, from low literacy rates to union influence, and why many teachers still don’t know about their right to opt out of unions. They also dive into California’s failing energy policy, sky-high living costs, and the long-term economic damage of misguided climate mandates. Lance shares what he’d do on day one if he were Governor, and why real change requires more local accountability, not just new policies. Whether you’re a parent, policymaker, or frustrated Californian — this one’s for you. Chapters 00:00 – Why Education Affects Everyone 01:29 – California's Failing K-12 System 02:15 – The Federal Tax Credit No One’s Using 03:41 – The Power of Teachers Unions & Janus Decision 05:25 – The Impact of DEI in Schools 07:45 – The Economic Fallout of Policy Failures 09:15 – Why California Sends Jobs to Other States 10:37 – What’s Driving Sky-High Energy Prices 12:42 – We Need an “All of the Above” Energy Plan 13:37 – Wildfires Are Undermining Climate Goals 15:24 – First Moves as Governor: Expand the Legislature? 17:06 – California Leader Lance Most Admires 17:50 – Why California Is Still Worth Fighting For Connect with Lance Christiansen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lancechristensenX: https://x.com/Lance4CASuperWebsite:lancechristensen.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/realjonslavet Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en Website: www.stateofgold.com

    18 min

  3. DEC 9

    Zero State Income Tax? The 15% Flat Tax Plan to Save California | Ethan Penner

    Guest: Ethan Penner, Independent Candidate for Governor  Guest Bio:  Ethan Penner is a prominent investor and finance innovator best known for helping to create the modern commercial mortgage-backed securities market. Now, as an independent candidate for California governor, he’s proposing sweeping reforms—from an audacious flat tax plan to a state-run insurance mutual and a unified solution to homelessness. A thought leader who blends economic insight with a community-first vision, Penner offers a bold roadmap for revitalizing the Golden State. Show Summary In this compelling episode, independent gubernatorial candidate Ethan Penner lays out his radical blueprint for a better California. He breaks down his proposal to eliminate all state income and corporate taxes in favor of a single 15% consumption tax—with a built-in “prebate” for lower-income residents to avoid regressive impacts. Penner also unveils his plan for a public, non-profit property insurance mutual to address California’s insurance crisis, plus his vision to replace the “homeless industrial complex” with one accountable statewide model. He finishes with powerful insights on education reform, including pay-for-performance family incentives, extended school hours, and working around entrenched systems like CTA to honor great teachers. Whether you agree or not, Penner's ideas will challenge your thinking and spark conversation. Chapters 00:00 – Ethan Penner’s Bold Tax Proposal 01:46 – Making the Tax Non-Regressive with a Pre-bate 03:51 – Tax Implications for High Earners & Behavioral Impact 06:32 – Audit Spending, Not Income 08:08 – A New Public Insurance Model for CA 11:16 – Rewarding Good Behavior with Premiums 12:54 – Statewide Fire Prevention + Early Warning Systems 14:12 – Fixing the Homelessness Crisis with One Plan 16:05 – Why the Incentive Structure Must Change 17:25 – The Education Crisis: Real Incentives for Families 18:28 – Rethinking Time in School & Homework Support 20:04 – The CTA Barrier and Talking Directly to Teachers 22:22 – Rapid Fire: First Action & Final Thoughts Connect with Ethan Penner Website: https://www.pennerforgovernor.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennerforca/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pennerforca?_t=ZP-8yGvZjgEJGZ&_r=1X: https://x.com/pennerforca?s=21Enjoyed 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

    23 min

  4. DEC 4

    The $30 Billion "Travesty": How Sacramento Blocks Local Solutions | Graham Knaus

    Guest: Graham Knaus CEO, California State Association of Counties Guest Bio:  Graham Knaus is CEO of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) – whose mission is to serve, support, and advocate for the state's 58 counties to ensure they can effectively serve their communities. With deep experience in public finance and governance, Knaus has been a fierce advocate for empowering counties to address core issues like homelessness, affordability, housing, and disaster response. He believes in a commonsense formula: Let the state set the goals, and let local governments decide how to get the job done. Show Summary What if California’s most expensive problems—homelessness, housing, affordability—aren’t being solved simply because no one knows who’s responsible? In this episode, Graham Knaus delivers a powerful breakdown of why top-down state mandates keep failing and what it will take to rebuild from the bottom up.From misaligned funding and broken incentives to the absence of clear accountability regarding homelessness, Knaus calls for a simple but radical shift: give local governments the authority, tools, and flexibility to meet their communities’ needs. He also shares candid insights into California’s affordability crisis, overregulation, CEQA’s unintended consequences, and what it would really take to let our counties thrive. If you're ready to understand California’s dysfunction—and how to fix it—this episode is a must. Chapters 00:00 – The Role of Counties vs. the State 01:30 – Why Homelessness Efforts Keep Failing 04:25 – Who Should Be Accountable? 06:00 – Where the $30B Homeless Funds Went 07:25 – A Broken Housing System 09:30 – Planning for Water, Disasters & the Future 11:55 – Affordability Crisis and Overregulation 13:30 – California’s Hidden Strengths 14:08 – Rapid Fire: Governor for a Day, Jerry Brown, and What Outsiders Get Wrong Connect with  Graham Knaus Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-knaus-4102596b/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/realjonslavet Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en Website: www.stateofgold.com

    16 min

  5. DEC 2

    The One Memo That Made 200 DOJ Attorneys Immediately Resign | Harmeet Dhillon

    Guest Bio:  Harmeet Dhillon is the U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, a nationally recognized constitutional attorney, and a former Republican National Committeewoman for California. Known for her legal battles on behalf of free speech and equal protection, Dhillon has taken on cases involving Big Tech censorship, UC Berkeley, and controversial DEI policies. A former candidate for RNC Chair, she now leads the federal government’s Civil Rights Division under the Trump administration, steering it in a bold new direction focused on protecting the rights of all Americans. Show Summary In this no-holds-barred conversation, Harmeet Dhillon joins Jon Slavet to talk about her powerful new role reshaping the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ. She discusses her ongoing investigation into UC Berkeley’s response to violent protests, explains why DEI policies may be on their way out, and shares how she's pushing back against the old status quo. Dhillon also offers a candid diagnosis of California’s legal system, why she calls it the "utopian petri dish of bad ideas," and what she would do—if King for a day—to fix the state. Her views are bold, controversial, and grounded in decades of legal experience. Whether you agree or disagree, you’ll walk away thinking differently about the future of civil rights and California politics. Chapters 00:00 – Why Civil Rights Should Protect All Americans 00:49 – Free Speech & Violence at UC Berkeley 02:29 – State of Free Speech on College Campuses 03:09 – Competing Trends: Conservative vs. Anti-Speech Culture 05:50 – Race in Admissions: What’s Really Changing 08:23 – Rewriting the Mission of the Civil Rights Division 11:30 – Comparing Civil Rights Priorities Under Past Administrations 13:09 – How Lawsuits & DEI Are Hurting California 15:45 – Corruption & One-Party Rule in Sacramento 17:16 – Why Californians Still Vote Blue 18:02 – If King for a Day: Dhillon’s Top Fix 18:14 – What Gives Her Hope About the State 19:31 – Admired Political Leaders & California’s Future Connect with Harmeet Dhillon X: https://x.com/HarmeetKDhillonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pnjaban/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/harmeet-k-dhillon-543773/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/realjonslavet Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en Website: www.stateofgold.com

    21 min

  6. NOV 28

    WHO REALLY LED CALIFORNIA? A Look at Reagan, Wilson and the State’s Most Influential Leaders

    Show Summary In the Rapid-Fire close to each episode Jon asks every guest “which California leader do you most admire?” – and we’re proud to bring you some of those answers from our guests in 2025. From Ronald Reagan’s optimism and Pete Wilson’s pragmatism to Pat Brown’s legacy of building – the answers reveal a longing for principled leadership, effective governance, and the return of California’s bold vision. This is a unique reflection on the values Californians still hold — and what they want to see in the state’s future. Chapters 00:00 – Which California Leaders Still Inspire Respect? 02:15 – Why Ronald Reagan’s Style Still Resonates 04:20 – Pete Wilson and the Art of Practical Politics 06:00 – Remembering Pat Brown’s Bold Infrastructure Vision 08:10 – Pat Brown’s Balance of Environment & Economy 09:45 – The Leadership of George Deukmejian 11:00 – Scott Wiener’s Policy Persistence 12:05 – The Power of Bipartisanship & Compassion 13:45 – Lessons from Hiram Johnson’s Reform Era 15:20 – What We Need from Today’s Leaders 17:10 – A Call for Dignity, Respect & Results 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/realjonslavet Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en Website: www.stateofgold.com

    6 min

  7. NOV 25

    California’s First Millennial Majority Leader: "The System Is Broken" | Ian Calderon

    Guest: Candidate for Governor of California Ian Calderon Guest Bio:  Ian Calderon was the first millennial elected to the California State Assembly and later served as the Assembly Majority Leader. During his time in office (2012–2020), he was deeply involved in major budget and policy negotiations. After leaving office, he became a small business owner, giving him a dual perspective on both governance and entrepreneurship. Now, as a candidate for Governor of California, he’s focused on fixing California’s housing crisis, improving affordability, and restoring common sense to state government. Show Summary Is California still a place where families can thrive? Former Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon joins Jon Slavet for a candid conversation about what it would take to restore affordability, unlock housing, and lead the state into a more hopeful future. Calderon shares his experience navigating budget negotiations, the unintended costs of overregulation, and why he believes single-family homeownership must be restored as a priority. He outlines a path to fiscal responsibility and explains how technology could revolutionize state government.  Chapters 00:00 – Why He’s Running: From Majority Leader to Governor 01:35 – What Legislative Experience Brings to the Governor’s Office 03:45 – California’s Affordability Crisis Explained 05:55 – Single-Family Housing, Zoning & Choice 08:11 – What He’d Do to Lower Costs 09:45 – How to Incentivize Developers and First-Time Buyers 12:00 – Tackling Institutional Investors & Housing Supply 14:18 – Budget Reality: What He’d Cut 16:00 – Using Blockchain to Modernize Government 17:50 – Revenue, Taxes & the Role of the Governor 19:55 – Could AI Shrink California’s Government Workforce? 20:34 – Rapid Fire: First Priority as Governor 20:41 – Leader He Most Admires 21:18 – What Outsiders Get Wrong About California Politics 22:21 – California Is… Connect with Ian Calderon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianforca2026/X: https://x.com/iancalderonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ianforca2026Enjoyed 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

    23 min

  8. NOV 18

    A DOG Voted In CA ... And They Won't Say If It Was a Democrat | Don Wagner

    Guest: Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner Guest Bio:  Don Wagner is the Mayor of Irvine and a former California State Assemblyman, known for his long-standing public service across multiple levels of government. With deep experience in state and local politics, Wagner is now running for California Secretary of State in 2026. His campaign centers on restoring voter integrity, cleaning up voter rolls, and ensuring secure, transparent elections in the Golden State. Show Summary What if your dog could vote in California? In this eye-opening (and yes, partly hilarious) conversation, Don Wagner sits down with Jon Slavet to reveal what he calls “the quiet crisis” in California elections — a system flooded with ballots, outdated rolls, and slow results. Wagner shares why he’s running for Secretary of State, his plans to implement voter ID, and what he sees as the public's overwhelming demand for election reform From the story of a dog who allegedly voted in a recall, to the legal battles between state officials and cities like Huntington Beach, this episode exposes a side of California politics that’s both urgent and surprising. Wagner argues that fixing our voting system is step one in restoring public trust, accountability, and the California Dream. Chapters 00:00 – Running for Secretary of State 00:32 – California’s Broken Voting System 01:10 – Voter ID, Ballot Integrity & Legal Reform 02:00 – A Dog Voted in Orange County? 03:00 – Rapid Fire: Fixing CA, Reagan's Legacy & Hope for the Future Connect with Don Wagner X: https://x.com/DonWagnerCAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/donwagnerca/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonWagnerCA/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/realjonslavet Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en Website: www.stateofgold.com

    5 min
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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
    2K
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 State of Gold
  • Show Website
    State of Gold

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