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National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

Written by: National Review
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About this listen

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.]National Review Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Episode 445: Heroes and Neros
    May 11 2026

    In this special episode, Will talks with Sheila Bowen, whose Central Valley family is at the center of Remnants, a new documentary about the challenges of ranching in the era of Gavin Newsom-created wildfires. In other news, we hear from Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Jeremy Talcott about his crushing win over the California Coastal Commission, and we return to our friends at the Hoover Institution for a dramatic update in their assessment of the billionaire wealth tax coming up on the November ballot. Music by Metalachi.

    Email Us:
    dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com
    will@calpolicycenter.org

    Follow Us:
    @DavidBahnsen
    @WillSwaim
    @TheRadioFreeCA

    Jeremy Talcott, Pacific Legal v Coastal Commission

    • California Supreme Court reins in coastal agency’s permit power in unanimous opinion
    • Jeremy Talcott bio

    Remnants

    • Remnants trailer
    • Moving Picture Institute
    • Paul Olivett, Moving Picture Institute, paul@thempi.org

    Hoover Institution’s Benjamin Jaros & Joshua Rauh on the Billionaire Wealth Tax

    • The Fiscal Losses from California's Billionaire Tax Act
    • The Commitment Problem at the Heart of California’s Billionaire Tax

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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • Episode 444: Rorschachian Xavier Becerra
    May 6 2026

    In the simmering race for governor, Democratic Party insiders are coalescing around Xavier Becerra, a lifetime placeholder who is neither left nor right but who can be counted on to do absolutely nothing. Also: Ritchie Valens, Elon Musk, Kamala Harris, heroic El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, and the guy who burned down Pacific Palisades. Music by Metalachi.

    Email Us:
    dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com
    will@calpolicycenter.org

    Follow Us:
    @DavidBahnsen
    @WillSwaim
    @TheRadioFreeCA

    Show Notes:

    • “La Bamba” (Original)
    • “Come on, Let’s Go!” (Ramones)
    • California braces for uncertainty as last shipment of Persian Gulf oil arrives in Long Beach
    • The Torching of Los Angeles Was Anti-Capitalist Vigilantism
    • California Regulators Apologize to Elon
    • Willie Brown endorses Tom Steyer for California governor
    • Democratic and Republican candidates for Calif. governor lead latest poll
    • How Xavier Becerra became the Joe Biden of California’s governor race
    • Kamala Harris endorses L.A. Mayor Karen Bass for reelection
    • Kamala Harris bought a Malibu home. Her neighbors think that means something.
    • LAO: California spent more than it could afford
    • El Cajon sues California, alleges state ‘sanctuary’ laws illegally entice undocumented immigrants

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    53 mins
  • Episode 443: SoCal’s Solipsistic Shooter
    May 1 2026

    We discuss the bizarre manifesto of Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, Calif. Music by Metalachi.

    Email Us:
    dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com
    will@calpolicycenter.org

    Follow Us:
    @DavidBahnsen
    @WillSwaim
    @TheRadioFreeCA

    Show Notes:

    • Hightower agrees to buy $9.5bn practice The Bahnsen Group
    • A May Day Push to ‘Shut It Down’ Takes Shape Across the Country
    • Read Here: The full manifesto by accused shooter at White House Correspondents' Dinner
    • The pile-on that wasn’t
    • Anti-Billionaire ‘OUR REVOLUTION’ Endorses Billionaire Steyer for Gov
    • California Voter ID Measure Qualifies For November Ballot
    • ‘A betrayal:’ California to share data on immigrant drivers nationally
    • Governor Newsom launches first new conservancy in 15 years to accelerate progress at the Salton Sea
    • Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea | KQED Truly CA

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    59 mins
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