National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

Episode 451: Fight On!

studio@nationalreview.com (Will Swaim, David L. Bahnsen) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:40:05 +0000

Always optimistic, David encourages Will to be happy -- despite recent election results. And forget Xavier Becerra's ethnic posturing: Will reminds us that California has already had a "first Latino governor." Bonus! Representative Vince Fong joins the show to offer his remedy for Governor Gavin Newson’s refusal to pay his debts. Music by Metalachi.

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

Show Notes:

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Episode 450: The Election Day That Never Ends

studio@nationalreview.com (Will Swaim, Lance Christensen) — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000

It takes weeks for California to count votes (because math is hard). But Lance Christensen joins Will to unpack early results from June 2 voting, featuring Steve Hilton, Xavier Becerra, Spencer Pratt, Karen Bass, congressional candidates Kevin Kiley, Richard Pan, Ken Calvert, Young Kim, James Gallagher, Mike McGuire and an additional cast of dozens. Music by Metalachi.

Email Us

dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com

will@calpolicycenter.org

@DavidBahnsen

@WillSwaim

@TheRadioFreeCA

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Episode 449: Whence Xavier Becerra?

studio@nationalreview.com (David L. Bahnsen, Will Swaim) — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:31:54 +0000

How California’s leading do-nothing gubernatorial candidate moved from dead last to first in just a few weeks. Leaders of the state’s government unions say they’ll refuse return-to-office orders because their daily commutes would raise global temperatures. More than a thousand University of California STEM professors called for the reinstatement of the SAT test. Los Angeles wants you to stop grilling hotdogs. Bonus! On June 5, 1917, Californians reacting to the Zimmerman Telegram answered Woodrow Wilson’s call to arms. Music by Metalachi.

Email Us

dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com

will@calpolicycenter.org

@DavidBahnsen

@WillSwaim

@TheRadioFreeCA

Show Notes

The mystery behind Becerra leapfrogging over his rivals in California’s governor’s race

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government

University of California Professors Are Begging Schools to Reinstate the SAT

CalPERS Pays Million-Dollar Salaries for Below-Median Returns

California Government Unions Will Try Anything To Keep Their Members From Returning To The Office

No, California’s Backyard BBQ Ban Proposal Is Not Justified

Long Beach: This mayor wants to bring wind energy to an oil city

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Episode 448: Spencer Pratt is All That

studio@nationalreview.com (Jon Fleischman, Will Swaim) — Wed, 27 May 2026 21:25:37 +0000

The Trump-adjacent candidate for mayor of Los Angeles has raised the hopes of moderate Angelenos – and terrifies the beneficiaries of the city’s Chicago-style political machine. Starring guest cohost Jon Fleischman and featuring Gavin Newsom, Napoleon III, Karen Bass, Meghan Daum, Carl Karcher, Nithya Raman, Hasan Piker, Benito Juarez, Gustavo Arellano, and Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch. Music by Metalachi.

Email Us

dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com

will@calpolicycenter.org

@DavidBahnsen

@WillSwaim

@TheRadioFreeCA

Show Notes

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Episode 447: What Xavier Becerra Knew

studio@nationalreview.com (Will Swaim, David L. Bahnsen, Lance Christensen) — Wed, 20 May 2026 15:22:53 +0000

The Democrats’ leading candidate for governor, Xavier Becerra, claims he was the victim of a financial fraud directed by his own chief of staff in the Biden administration. Now, he’s dealing with claims that he greenlit the crime. Bonus track! Lance Christensen takes us deep into the state capitol. Music by Metalachi.

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

Show Notes:

Pre-roll:
Duke Energy

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Episode 446: Life Is Like a Box of Diapers

studio@nationalreview.com (Will Swaim, David L. Bahnsen) — Thu, 14 May 2026 14:40:30 +0000

Governor Gavin Newsom says his delivery of free diapers is another win for affordability -- “a first-in-the-nation program” to deliver the things new parents need most. Music by Metalachi.

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

Show Notes:

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Episode 445: Heroes and Neros

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:46:55 +0000

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

Jeremy Talcott, Pacific Legal v Coastal Commission

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

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Episode 444: Rorschachian Xavier Becerra

studio@nationalreview.com (Will Swaim, David L. Bahnsen) — Wed, 6 May 2026 19:01:24 +0000

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

Show Notes:

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Episode 443: SoCal’s Solipsistic Shooter

studio@nationalreview.com (Will Swaim, David L. Bahnsen) — Fri, 1 May 2026 13:27:07 +0000

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

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

Show Notes:

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Episode 442: The Wizard of Oz Wrap Party

studio@nationalreview.com (National Review) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:41:43 +0000

Just six weeks from the California gubernatorial primary, Democrats are still auditioning for a lead — and risk watching Republicans steal the show. Can someone please introduce candidate Tom Steyer to the U.S. Constitution? State Senator Scott Wiener’s attempt to muzzle ICE melts in the Ninth Circuit. A fake bear wreaks fake terror on luxury vehicles in Lake Arrowhead. Bonus! A brief history of California’s Modoc War. Music by Metalachi.

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

Show Notes:

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Episode 441: Making a Federal Case of It (Emergency Episode)

studio@nationalreview.com (Will Swaim, Emily Rae, Lance Christensen) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:41:42 +0000

United Teachers of Los Angeles activists are celebrating the massive salary hike they won on Tuesday, but Lance Christensen says all Californians will pay the price. That same day, attorneys for Rocklin Unified School District asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision of a little-known California administrative court that California Justice Center attorney Emily Rae says violates the federal rights of parents of schoolchildren. Music by Metalachi.

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

Emily Rae:

Follow @EmilyRaeCJC

Rocklin Unified Takes Parental Notification Fight to U.S. Supreme Court

Lance Christensen:

Follow @lancelands

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