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…
May 19, 2022
12. What you didn't learn about politics in high school civics with guest Jovan Agee
You won’t understand politics until you understand power. How it works. Who has it and who doesn’t. And most important of all, how you grow and use it to get what you want. You know there is inequality and injustice and you …
April 15, 2022
11. Everything you always wanted to know about California budget advocacy* (*but were afraid to ask) with Senator Sydney Kamlager
Lobbying is not “one size fits all”. As any savvy lobbyist will tell you, securing funding in the California budget is very different from working to get a policy bill signed. You must follow timelines and committees that ar…
March 23, 2022
10. What advocates should know about running for the California Legislature with guest Kipp Mueller
In 2019, Kipp Mueller, a workers' and civil rights attorney, entered the race for California State Senate District 21, challenging incumbent and then Republican Senate Minority Leader Scott Wilk. Encompassing northern Los An…
March 2, 2022
9. Why advocates need to know about the Gann limit with guest Scott Graves
The Gann limit hovers over the California capitol like an ominous cloud on an otherwise sunny day. Despite massive tax revenues and a projected discretionary budget surplus of $20.6 billion ( with a strong potential to excee…
Feb. 11, 2022
8. How to build political power from the ground up with guest Aquilina Soriano Versoza
Before you can build political power you need a base. And Aquilina Soriano Versoza knows exactly how to get it done. Aquilina is co-founder and Executive Director of the Pilipino Workers Center based in Southern California. …
Jan. 24, 2022
7. How we broaden the movement for workers' rights with guest Victor Narro
Is your legislation on the infamous Chamber of Commerce "job killer" list? Is your campaign facing stiff opposition from corporate America with its infinite resources? In a battle of David and Goliath, how can marginalized c…
Jan. 6, 2022
6. How to break through the noise to make the greatest impact with guest Eduardo Martinez
Trying to break through the noise at the California Capitol to get your issue front and center? You're hustling. But why is your message is not resonating? Today I talk with Eduardo Martinez, Legislative Director for the Cal…