National Review's Radio Free California Podcast Podcast By National Review cover art

National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

By: National Review
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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 437: The Labor Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight

    Episode 437: The Labor Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight
    Mar 23 2026

    The union behind the 2026 Billionaire Tax Act says it will generate $110 billion for public health programs, but Hoover Institution researchers calculate that it will actually cost California $25 billion. In the “Why Now Department,” Will and David consider multiple hypotheses about the timing of claims that United Farm Workers founder Cesar Chavez raped young women half a century ago. The legal case against Meta and YouTube asks us to believe that social media companies bear absolute responsibility for addictive use of social media. Will tells the true story of Ah Louis, a California Gold Rush-era immigrant who became the unofficial mayor of San Luis Obispo’s Chinatown. Bonus! Lance Christensen provides a first look at the year’s legislative Race to Absurdity. Music by Metalachi.

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

    Follow Us:
    @DavidBahnsen
    @WillSwaim
    @TheRadioFreeCA

    Show Notes:

    • Read the Statement From Dolores Huerta on Cesar Chavez’s Abuse
    • From streets to murals, the erasure of Cesar Chavez is fast underway in California
    • The complicated legacy of César Chávez
    • ‘I will miss them’: Khanna mocks tech billionaires threatening to leave California for wealth tax
    • Kathy Hochul’s Seller’s Remorse
    • The Fiscal Losses from California's Billionaire Tax Act
    • Gavin Newsom’s $114 Million Butterfly Bridge
    • Jury deliberations continue in landmark social media addiction trial against Meta, Google
    • Social media use is tied to well-being, according to the new World Happiness Report

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • Episode 436: Killing Cesar Chavez

    Episode 436: Killing Cesar Chavez
    Mar 18 2026

    The once-powerful, still-iconic founder of the United Farm Workers is now getting the old Me-Too makeover with his own union reporting allegations that he was the radical left’s Jeffrey Epstein. Also: Newsom’s hypocrisy on surging gasoline prices, Oscar-winner Jessie Buckley’s defense of family, population-alarmist Paul Ehrlich is dead, L.A. County’s fraud problem, the Silicon Valley's deeply flawed initiative to block the wealth tax, and more! Music by Metalachi.

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

    Follow Us:
    @DavidBahnsen
    @WillSwaim
    @TheRadioFreeCA

    Show Notes:

    • Cesar Chavez allegations jolt California’s labor movement
    • Jessie Buckley’s Beautiful Homage to Mothers
    • The End Is Still Near
    • The sleeper initiative that could upend more than the wealth tax
    • We visited “ground zero” for hospice fraud: Los Angeles, California
    • Progressive lawmakers Bernie Sanders, Ro Khanna unveil $4.4T wealth tax targeting billionaires
    • SEIU California Endorses Eric Swalwell for Governor
    • You get an endorsement! You get an endorsement!
    • Sable’s president in shining armor
    • Governor Newsom blasts Trump for raising gasoline prices on Americans with no plan and no accountability

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Episode 435: Newsom Presidential Campaign Ads You Won’t See

    Episode 435: Newsom Presidential Campaign Ads You Won’t See
    Mar 12 2026
    California Governor Gavin Newsom says taxpayers will spend $19 million on advertising designed to burnish his record in advance of his White House run. Will and guest Will O’Neill consider recent news stories that won’t make the final cut -- skyrocketing oil prices, gender transitioning in the state’s schools, the stabbing victim who died after his ambulance was stolen, and the governor’s own flirtation with antisemitism. Bonus! Remembering Edward Dickinson Baker, the first Californian to die in the American Civil War. Music by Metalachi. Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.org Follow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCA Show Notes: Army Reserve soldier from Sacramento among six killed in Kuwait drone strikeNewsom planning $19-million push to polish California’s national imageIn a Political Campaign, City Officials Can Spend Your Money Against You. They Call it 'Education'He was stabbed while charging his car. He died after his ambulance was stolenNewsom likens Israel to ‘apartheid state,’ questions future military supportNewsom Digs in After SCOTUS Rebuke, Claims Teachers ‘Forced to Be Gender Cops’Amid angry backlash, serial child molester is rearrested the same day he was set to be paroledHere’s how Newsom’s spending binge outstripped revenues, creating California’s chronic deficitMarathon, Chevron, PBF Warn Governor Newsom of Widespread Refinery Shutdowns, Fuel shortages, Economic CollapseCalifornia’s economy faces threats with new energy policy changesNevada governor fires warning shot at Gavin Newsom over oil crisis: ‘Real-world consequences’Fearing GOP upset, top California Democrat urges lagging candidates for governor to drop out of raceCalifornia Unions May Decide Which Republican Advances In The Governor’s Race — And Which One Doesn’tPoll: Hilton’s rise could spare Dems from disaster in California gov’s raceRepublican Rep. Kevin Kiley files to run as independentA budget plot twist in Oakland: From ‘fiscal emergency’ to $17 million in the black Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 11 mins
All stars
Most relevant
This podcast is not only informative and inspiring, but quite often very funny. The back and forth between Will & David, as well as their deep, mutual respect and obvious friendship is refreshing. I so appreciate the fact that they are still fighting for the soul of California when so many have given up and thrown in the towel. They help me stay informed and think critically about events and lawmaking. And of course, there's always "Kamala Corner" and "On this day in history, John Sutter..." to look forward to.

keep up the great work, gents!

Informative & So Very Appreciated

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