Then There's California

As the 2025-2026 legislative session convenes, State Senator John Laird also begins his latest - and final - term in elected office! Senator Laird offers his outlook on the public policy priorities and 'gender equity' of the new session, Democratic policy priorities for 2025, and the legal guardrails the legislature is putting in place ahead of the incoming administration in Washington, DC. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

State Senator Susan Rubio & advocates share details about SB 1230, the STOP and Seize Illegal Tobacco Products Act, which will strengthen enforcement of California's flavored tobacco ban and remove illegal tobacco products from the market. SB 1230 has passed out of the legislature and awaits Governor Newsom's signature. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

After 25 years as a local and state lawmaker and an astonishing 115 (and counting!) bills signed into law in his legislative career, State Senator Bill Dodd leaves the senate this fall, attributing his collaborative approach to lawmaking, the hard work of his loyal team, and his willingness to listen, as keys to his success as a policymaker. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

On the occasion of the recent 'Willie L. Brown, Jr. Day' at the State Capitol, the legendary Assembly Speaker & San Francisco Mayor Emeritus joined State Senator Steven Bradford for a podcast conversation about the art of bipartisan politics, reparations & racism, their respective legislative legacies, and advice for current & future lawmakers who are standing on their shoulders. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

As Senator Anthony Portantino prepares to leave the legislature this fall, he speaks about how communication with constituents, family viewpoints - and the human condition - have continually informed his public policy priorities. 

When her distinguished legislative career comes to a close this fall, Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman wants to continue to be invested in implementing the important legislation she has worked so hard to pass over the years, coaching and mentoring young women of color and LGBTQ+ community members for leadership...and continuing to build bridges by baking bread. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this podcast!

State Senator Susan Rubio is joined by the children and advocates of 3 actors & media personalities - Casey Kasem, Mickey Rooney & Nichelle Nichols - to discuss her legislation, SB 1106, which will reduce the alarming rate of elder abuse in conservatorships. Click here for a closedc-captioned version of this episode!

For Pride Month, we meet Senator Steve Padilla, who shares his candid personal & professional story of coming out publicly as a gay man & lawmaker in Southern California, and his reflections on the continued fight to remove barriers of prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

With her time in the legislature ending this fall, State Senator Nancy Skinner is ready to talk legacy - the record of progressive public policy she takes pride in, the gender equality and representation she has championed in and out of the State Capitol...and the little granddaughter who brings her joy.

Women's History Month has passed, but the discussions continue, and the State Senate's new Majority Leader, Senator Lena Gonzalez, shares her viewpoints on the growing number of women in elected office and in the work force, pay disparity & 'occupational segregation,' reproductive rights...and seeing the movie "Barbie!"

In this wide-ranging podcast conversation, Senator Caroline Menjivar explains how she is starting her second year in office feeling 'way more confident' - while helping tackle a sobering state budget deficit, introducing a 21-bill policy package focused on issues important to her San Fernando Valley district, pushing back against culture wars that threaten LGBTQ+ youth, and navigating life as a lesbian lawmaker, daughter and military veteran.  Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

"If you're a former foster youth, there should be no barrier to your success in college..." Senator Angelique Ashby & Cody Van Felden, a former foster youth and now-advocate, discuss SB 307, the 'College For Foster Youth Act,' which was signed into law in 2023 by Governor Newsom. SB 307 secures $25 million in ongoing annual funding to make debt-free college a reality for California's foster youth. Cody also shares her personal story of struggles and aspirations as a former foster youth and explains how SB 307 will be a game-changer for young people in the foster care system who want to go to college but have limited financial resources and support. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

In honor of Black History Month 2024, Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas celebrates the memory of civil rights icon Rosa Parks, and explains how her courageous actions that helped launch the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott in 1955 placed her front and center at the nexus of the ongoing fight for racial and gender equality. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

State Senator Ben Allen & Los Angeles Times Environmental Reporter Rosanna Xia - author of the book "California Against the Sea - Visions for Our Changing Coastline" - join together in a conversation about how our state is confronting the environmental and political challenges related to sea level rise, and the lessons our coastal communities are learning about our rising oceans in this ongoing era of climate disruption.  Click here for a closed-captioned version of this podcast!

"I always want it to be a positive journey," says Senator Aisha Wahab, and in this podcast conversation, the freshman lawmaker from CA's East Bay looks back on an eventful past year in office, the fate and future of her 'Caste' bill, her passion for restorative justice, housing & economic priorities in her 10th district...and plans for 2024. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

State Senator Bill Dodd shares his perspective on California's leading role in encouraging A.I. innovation and creativity...while also prioritizing individual privacy and 1st amendment rights. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Despite continued grim climate change forecasts, California continues to be a global leader on climate solutions, and State Senator Josh Becker updates us on our state's continued success in 'getting to zero' greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating our transition to 100% clean energy. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

The California Reparations Task Force has released its report on how our state can begin to repair the damage of slavery and racism. Senator Steven Bradford & Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas assess the details of the report, and discuss the anticipated next steps for addressing the impact of America's 'original sin.' Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

She's a former 3-term city mayor, a journalist, and is passionate about transportation issues, the environment, addressing homelessness, and tackling gun violence. Meet newly-elected State Senator Catherine Blakespear! Click here for a closed-cationed version of this episode!

When it comes to gun safety, California is a safer state than others, and our gun laws work in concert with each other. Senator Anthony Portantino joins us to talk about the ongoing effort to protect Californians from gun violence and his current gun safety legislation. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Is the summer of 2023 the 'Summer of Labor?' State Senator Maria Elena Durazo of Los Angeles talks about the waves of so-called 'labor unrest' sweeping the country, the surge of unions elections, and how thousands of union employees have walked off the job - or are preparing to walk off the job - for better pay, health care, and improved working conditions. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

To celebrate our 100th episode, State Senate President Pro Tem Toni G. Atkins baked us a pie(!), and served up some delicious conversation about her SB 447 - The BRIDGE Project, Pride Month, legislative diversity...and of course, Dolly Parton! Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

We gave Sacramento's State Senator, Angelique Ashby and Sacramento's Mayor, Darrell Steinberg, an 'assignment' to read and report back on a provocative, new book about poverty in America. In their revealing and thoughtful conversation about the book, the senator and the mayor share how the issue of poverty has affected their own lives and their political and legislative priorities.  Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!  

As the first Muslim & Afghan-American elected to the CA State Senate, Senator Aisha Wahab is one of the most high-profile lawmakers currently serving in the legislature. She talks about the Afghan-American community she represents in her East Bay district, her transition from local government leadership to the State Capitol, and her new bill (SB 403) that would update CA law to include protections against discrimination based on 'caste.'  

State Senator Nancy Skinner, the Chair of the Legislative Women's Caucus, is joined by California's Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, in a look back at voter-approved Proposition 1, the 2022 ballot initiative that put the right to an abortion into the state's constitution...and the ongoing fight for reproductive rights in CA and nationwide. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Senator Caroline Mejnivar's policy priorities for her first year in legislative office reflect the life experiences that she has had herself ~ as a young woman, a lesbian and a woman of color. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

State Senator Josh Newman is the new Chair of the Senate Education Committee, and he talks about how, in 2023, California schools, students and their families are still coping with the fallout of 2+ chaotic years of COVID 19-related closures and deficiencies in education.  Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

State Senator Monique Limon & her 2023 Senate Fellow, Isabella Martinez, celebrate Women's History Month by sharing their own stories about equity, career, mentorship, work/life balance, the on-going fight for reproductive rights, and other issues that are priorities for women in the present and for the future. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Freshman State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas says she has witnessed, in her work and life, the impact of what MLK called 'SoulForce,' the power and divinity that we have to make transformative, significant change. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Meet freshman State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil ~ a two-time cancer survivor, an education innovator, a rancher, a Garth Brooks fan...and a Democrat proudly representing a sprawling, traditionally conservative, richly-bountiful Sierra Foothills senate district. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Black History Month, 2023, frames this discussion with Senator Steven Bradford, the Vice-Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, about the murder of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis Police, the continued work of the State Task Force on Reparations, and how leaders from conservative state are starting to erase Black history from school curriculum. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this podcast!

Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman & Senator Tom Umberg are the original authors of the new CARE Court Act, a law that establishes new court systems to address the needs of people with severe mental health disorders, and give them access to the support and care they need. Click here if you would like to access a closed-catopined version of this episode!

Our first TTC episode of 2023 features Senator Lena Gonzalez, of Long Beach, the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and the NEW Vice-Chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus, sharing her legislative priorities for the new session, Latino Caucus priorities, taking on the fossil fuel industry...and supporting California's street vendors! Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

In her first few weeks after being sworn in as Sacramento's new state senator, Freshman lawmaker Angelique Ashby discusses the historic diversity in the new class of 2023 legislators, and how her own experiences as a young, single mother and a long-time, local elected official, have framed her public policy priorities for her first legislative session. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!  

State Senate Majority Leader Emeritus (and former Assembly Speaker) Robert Hertzberg is leaving the legislature this week, and in this episode, he looks back on his career in both the public and private sector, his perspective on the future of California...and his pride in always having the 'guts and the gumption' to do the homework and try new ideas. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

As the legislature prepares to convene its 2022-2023 session, Senator John Laird talks about climate change laws and policies in the Senate, his planned visit to COP 27 in Egypt, keeping the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in operation...and plans to harness wind power off of California's coast. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Senator Bob Wieckowski is leaving the legislature after 12 years in the Assembly & Senate, and he reflects on his early career as a congressional staffer, his policy passion for conservation, the environment & helping consumers, and looking ahead to this 'new chapter' of his life & career... Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Dr. Richard Pan, Sacramento's first Asian -American state senator, is leaving the legislature after serving 12 years. In this reflective and candid conversation, Dr. Pan looks back at his career as a lawmaker, his fight for affordable and equitable medical care, and refusing to let threats & fear prevent his advocacy for children's & community health. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

State Senator Ben Allen, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality, shares behind-the-scenes details of the effort to enact SB 54, transformative legislation that will drastically reduce plastics pollution in California & the nation. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Senator Connie M. Leyva is leaving the legislature this fall, after two extraordinary terms in the State Senate. Senator Leyva reflects on her earlier career as a union and statewide labor leader, and details her legislative record that prioritized working Californians, students and schools, and the rights and empowerment of women. She also receives a surprise phone call from some of her favorite people! Click here to access a closed-captioned version of this episode!

State Senators Dave Cortese of San Jose & Dave Min of Irvine, discuss the epidemic of gun violence in the US, how CA leads the national conversation preventing gun violence, the impact the federal courts are having on CA gun safety legislation...and how they themselves are affected by gun violence and mass shootings in their own communities. Click here to access a closed-captioned version of this episode!

In the second of two conversations about the impact of the SCOTUS ruling on Roe v Wade, State Senator Anna Caballero shares her concerns about the ruling and says that California's focus now needs to be on how our state can be a sanctuary for other women coming from other states for reproductive health care, and to make sure they have the resources and can organize together to change laws in other states. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

State Senator Nancy Skinner, the Vice-Chair of the Legislative Women's Caucus, shares her reaction to the recent SCOTUS decision repealing a woman's constitutional access to abortion, the impact it will have on woman across the country seeking abortion services that are now illegal...and how CA is now prepared to be a safe haven for women from other states seeking safe & legal reproductive health care. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

State Senator Nancy Skinner, the Vice-Chair of the Legislative Women's Caucus, shares her reaction to the recent SCOTUS decision repealing womens' constitutional access to abortion, the impact it will have on women across the country seeking abortion services that are now illegal...and how CA is ready to be a safe haven for women from other states seeking safe & legal reproductive health care. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

"When the majority of the population is a woman and is not working, it has real economic impacts..." Senator Monique Limontalks about the challenges and opportunities facing women in the workplace, the legislative effort to secure pay equity, and the fight to bring more women - particularly women of color - onto California's corporate boards. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

"When the majority of the population identifies as a woman and is not working, it has real economic impacts..." / Senator Monique Limon talks about the challenges & opportunities facing women in the workplace, the legislative effort to promote pay equity, and the fight to bring more women - particularly women of color - to California's boardrooms. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this podcast!

Senator Scott Wiener, the former chair of the Legislature's LGBTQ Caucus, talks about the recent, wave of brazen, anti-LGBTQ legislation and executive rulings in the US, their impact on the LGTBQ community - particularly young people - and legislative efforts to make CA a welcoming place for LGBTQ persons from around the country. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

CA State Senator Susan Rubio, a domestic violence survivor, is joined by Ana Estevez, whose 5-year-old son 'Piqui' was murdered by his abusive father - and by Kathleen Russell, Executive Director of the Center for Judicial Excellence - to discuss her legislative efforts to further protect victims of child abuse and domestic violence, in our family courts. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

As advocates across the US react to the leaked SCOTUS decision regarding Roe v. Wade, listen again to this episode from March...as State Senate Leader Toni Atkins reaffirms CA's strength as a stronghold & sanctuary for reproductive rights & freedom. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Senator Susan Eggman's professional and family experiences dealing with mental health care issues, inform and impact her current legislative efforts to address the public health emergency in our state's mental health care system. Click here to access a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Central Valley State Senator Melissa Hurtado sits down with Liset Garcia, the owner of 'Sweet Girl Farms' in Reedley, CA, to talk about how drought, climate change and water shortages are continuing to impact valley farmers. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!