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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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 396: Where All the Cholos At?

    Episode 396: Where All the Cholos At?
    Jul 2 2025

    A Southern California city official rallies local gang members to the fight against ICE, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli sues Los Angeles over its sanctuary city laws, Gavin Newsom signs off on the biggest state budget in history -- and then breaks the economy and sues Fox News for $787 million. Bonus! Remembering California’s first Fourth of July celebration. Music by Metalachi.

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

    Follow Us:
    @DavidBahnsen
    @WillSwaim
    @TheRadioFreeCA

    Show Notes

    • Daniel Sexton and California’s first documented Fourth of July . . . in 1842!
    • USA v Los Angeles
    • Officials call for probe into immigration officers’ presence on Terminal Island
    • Cudahy vice mayor breaks silence amid backlash over controversial 'cholos' video
    • How does NYC primary win reverberate in Los Angeles politics?
    • Rep. Robert Garcia on Mamdani Victory: Democrats Need To Get On Board, Embrace Young People Demanding Change
    • Robert Garcia climbs the congressional watchtower
    • CA lost 80K jobs in 2024, 'No job creation' in Fourth Quarter
    • Newsom signs record $321B budget, declares budget emergency
    • Gavin Newsom sues Fox News for $787M in defamation case over Trump call
    • NYC's shocking socialist victory is a dire warning for the right
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Episode 395: The Dodgers on ICE

    Episode 395: The Dodgers on ICE
    Jun 24 2025

    The Los Angeles Dodgers will donate $1 million to supporters of illegal immigration. The Ninth Circuit halts Attorney General Rob Bonta’s effort to limit gun purchases to one per month. California can’t kick its foreign-oil addiction. Bonus! Dr. Kurt Miceli explains Do No Harm’s lawsuit alleging that UCLA’s medical school rejects highly qualified Asian and white students in favor of less-qualified applicants. Music by Metalachi.

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

    Follow Us:
    @DavidBahnsen
    @WillSwaim
    @TheRadioFreeCA

    Show Notes:

    • On War Powers, Nancy Pelosi Is a Ridiculous Hack
    • Vice President JD Vance rips Newsom, Bass and mocks Padilla during visit to Los Angeles
    • California Gov. Gavin Newsom challenges Vice President JD Vance to debate: 'How about saying it to my face?'
    • The Dodgers were about to break their silence on Trump’s immigration crackdown. Then federal agents showed up
    • Trump suggests farmers may get to keep undocumented workers after all
    • 9th Circuit affirms San Diego judge’s ruling that California’s ‘one-gun-a-month’ law is unconstitutional
    • California is to examine its Amazon oil ties following pleas from Indigenous leaders from Ecuador
    • Turlock story (under headline on Iranian reaction to Israel war)
    • LAUSD agrees to fund $500 million to settle sexual assault lawsuits
    • Long Beach City Council votes to mandate more staffing at self-checkout lanes

    Kurt Miceli, Do No Harm: UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine:

    • Lawsuit: UCLA used race in rejecting highly qualified Asian, white students over less-qualified applicants
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Episode 394: Newsom Leaps Bravely Halfway Across the Political Divide

    Episode 394: Newsom Leaps Bravely Halfway Across the Political Divide
    Jun 18 2025
    Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.orgFollow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCAShow Notes:Before Juneteenth was widely known, here’s how Black Angelenos celebrated emancipationBrian Wilson, Pop Auteur and Leader of the Beach Boys, Dies at 82Inside Trump’s Extraordinary Turnaround on Immigration RaidsThe Padilla Incident and the Greater PerilGavin’s Last GaspPresident Trump Has Legal Authority to Suppress the Siege in L.A.How Trump Is Bypassing Los Angeles’s Sanctuary City HurdlesThe Public-Sector Union Behind L.A.’s Immigration AgitationNewsom's Speech: It’s About The 2028 Democratic Presidential PrimaryNEW DATA: California’s $20 Wage Law Cost Restaurant Workers 7 Weeks Worth of WorkHow Chinese Intel Infiltrated LA Mayor Karen Bass’ CampOakland Mayor Barbara Lee’s new staff may receive budget increase amid city’s financial woesWhy do so many people outside California hate the Golden State?2 ex-Caltrain employees sentenced to jail for building secret apartments inside train stationsLance Christensen:California lawmakers approve $325 billion budget ‘passed on hope’Lance’s favorite budget document: Schedule 6Julie Hamill:Julie’s X thread on Newsom v Trump on boys in girls sportsTeen athlete targeted by Trump’s anti-trans attacks: ‘I know how hard I’ve worked. That’s what matters’
    Show more Show less
    2 hrs and 1 min
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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