Oct. 14, 2024
36. Where we go from here with guest Darcy Totten
There's 21 days left until election day - November 5th, 2024. It's a perfect time for me to share my compelling conversation with guest Darcy Totten, recorded some time back. We discuss the heavy weight of this political mom…
July 1, 2024
35. How to write for maximum impact at the Capitol with guest Arianna Z. Smith
In this episode of the Blueprint for California Advocates podcast, I'm honored to be joined by Arianna Z. Smith, founder of Arianna Public Affairs. As thousands of competing interests vie for attention at the California Capi…
April 11, 2024
34. How to work with Celebrity Advocates with guest Earl Dos Santos
I have the pleasure this week of talking with Impact Strategist Earl Dos Santos. Earl supports creators like Julia Louis-Dreyfus and other mission-driven celebrities to leverage their creativity and platform to drive real ch…
March 26, 2024
33. From the Army to the California Senate: An Unfiltered Take on Policymaking with guest Senator Josh Newman
33. From the Army to the California Senate: An Unfiltered Take on Policymaking with guest Senator Josh Newman In today’s episode I have the honor of speaking with California Senator Josh Newman (D-29), representing portions …
March 12, 2024
32. We are the Changemakers we have been waiting for with guest State Controller Malia Cohen
I'm thrilled to share my conversation with California State Controller Malia Cohen recorded Live at Manny's in San Francisco on February 22, 2024 With excellent moderation by Precious Green, we explore the art and science be…
Feb. 5, 2024
31. What Advocates Need to Know About the Creator Economy with guest Ashwath Narayanan
You may have heard about the “creator economy” and think it has nothing to do with politics or advocacy. It’s time to think again. How we communicate with each other is constantly evolving in the digital age. Advocates who a…
Jan. 16, 2024
30. Inside the committee process with Senator Lena Gonzalez
In today's episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with California Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-33), hailing from the great city of Long Beach. As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Gonzalez shared her unique…
Sept. 5, 2023
29. How to Win Votes & Influence People with guest Christina Harbridge
Have you ever given your most passionate, well rehearsed pitch for a bill during a lobby visit, only to find the lawmaker or staff barely listening? You look up to find them with eyes glazed over or worse checking their phon…
July 31, 2023
28: Narrative change is how we win with guest Michael Tubbs
I had the great fortune recently to speak with Michael Tubbs, former Mayor of Stockton and Founder of End Poverty in California (EPIC) and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income . Mayor Tubbs is also currently serving as Special Adv…
July 5, 2023
26: “If you’re uncomfortable it means you’re growing”: Lessons for women who want to lead with guest Libby Schaaf
On the 1 year anniversary of the devastating US Supreme Court Dobbs decision , which overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, I have the honor to speak with Libby Schaaf, former two term mayor of Oakland and inter…
May 12, 2023
27: Going into the #CABudget May Revision 2023: What you need to know
The most anticipated - and dreaded - event of this year's #CABudget process is on the horizon - the Governor's "May Revision" 😱 This is an annual event in which the Governor updates his January budget proposal to account for…
May 8, 2023
25: Inside the First 100 Days in Office with Assemblymember Damon Connolly
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Assemblymember Damon Connolly, who represents California's 12th Assembly District, for a spirited conversation recapping his first 100 days in office. Elected to the Assembly in Novemb…
March 27, 2023
24. Trans joy is an act of resistance with guests Evan Minton and Rainer Apostol
Today begins Transgender Week of Visibility and to celebrate I am sharing this special episode with guests Evan Minton and Rainer Apostol. Evan (he/they) is a nationally recognized transgender advocate whose fight for gender…
March 20, 2023
23: Fighting Back Against Corporate Greed with guest Tia Orr
If you want to understand the landscape of politics and policy-making at the California Capitol, it's hard to underestimate the role of Labor. In today's episode, I have the honor to speak with Tia Orr, Executive Director of…
Feb. 27, 2023
22: Inside the Campaign That Broke the Rules and Made History with guest Jane Nguyen
If Kenneth Mejia’s groundbreaking campaign for Los Angeles City Controller isn’t on your radar it needs to be. In November 2022, Mejia made history by becoming the first Asian American elected to citywide office in LA. Not o…
Jan. 25, 2023
21: How You Can Partner With the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls with guest Lauren Babb
I'm happy to share today my excellent conversation with Lauren Babb. Lauren is the chair of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. She is a change-maker and community leader. Last year, she was recognize…
Jan. 11, 2023
20: Behind the scenes with Capitol Press Corps reporter Byrhonda Lyons
We all know getting positive press coverage is an essential part of a winning legislative strategy. But for those of us without high-powered PR firms on retainer, where do we even start? Byrhonda Lyons , an investigative rep…
Dec. 28, 2022
19. There is a spiritual core to our activism with guest Victor Narro
We are nearly three years into the pandemic. At the same time we face an escalating climate crisis and are fighting to protect democracy from the rising tide of fascism. Add to this our "normal" struggles of every day life a…
Nov. 18, 2022
18. Getting ready for 2023 California Budget Advocacy with guests Scott Graves, Christopher Sanchez, and Jennifer Fearing
It's mid November and California budget revenue collections are way below projections. Paired with historically high rates of inflation, the Legislature may be facing a $25 billion deficit in FY 23-24. One big difference fro…
Sept. 27, 2022
17. How to Organize Locally to Make Change in Sacramento with Assemblymember Ash Kalra
How do you compel lawmakers to take the hard votes needed to pass bold worker's rights and climate action policies when they have Corporate America breathing down their necks? Last fall I had the honor to interview Assemb…
Sept. 2, 2022
16. Five things you need to know when you lobby the California Budget with guest Jennifer Kent
Jennifer Kent, knower of all things California health care policy, shares her valuable insight on how the state budget sausage gets made. Currently the CEO of the Kent Group , Jennifer Kent served under three different Gover…
July 18, 2022
15. Two Sides of the Same Coin: Why advocates can’t afford to ignore political action with guest Bill Wong
There are few who can speak on electoral politics in California with as much authority as Bill Wong. As former Political Director for the California Assembly Democrats, Bill led efforts in 2018 and 2020 to build the largest …
June 30, 2022
14. How We Fight Back: California Congressional Races with guest Bryan Blum
How many times have you heard this? “I know federal elections are important, but I live in California - there’s nothing I can do.” Yes, California is as blue a state as they come. But the reality is pro-Trump extremists are …
June 19, 2022
13. How to get people to care what you think with guest Frank Mecca
Who are the most influential groups in Sacramento? We all know the traditional power players. Organizations that play big in electoral politics. Either they write big campaign checks, mobilize big voter turnout, or perhaps d…