Mesa Verde Group's Podcast: California Policy and Politics

Latest Episodes:

EP 12: (Season Final): Trump's Desmadre against California Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

In our final episode of the year, and for the season, our host Christopher discuss with his guest Rita and Juan, about the lawsuit that the Trump administration has brought forward to challenge California's laws that support undocumented students attending California colleges and universities. Trump's desmadre may have also contributed to the passage of Proposition 50 and how Latino voters engaged in that election and what their engagement means in 2026.

Follow the Mesa Verde Group on our socials: Youtube, Instagram, Linkedin

Follow our host Christopher Sanchez on his socials Instagram, Linkedin

*All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are of the speakers and not of their employers.

EP 11: California advocates discuss Governor Newsom in his last term. Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

Governor Gavin Newsom just finished signing legislation for 2025 and only has one year left to act on legislation and a budget. Our host Christopher Sanchez and guest Carol Gonzalez, Yesenia Jimenez, and Dubrea Sanders discuss their thoughts on what it means to be an advocate during Governor Newsom's last year in office and some of the federal actions (and inactions) that are impacting California communities.

Follow the Mesa Verde Group on our socials: Youtube, Instagram, Linkedin

Follow our host Christopher Sanchez on his socials Instagram, Linkedin

*All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are of the speakers and not of their employers.

EP 10: Governor Newsom acts on hundreds of bills sent to his desk Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

As the California legislature finished their business on September 13th, Governor Newsom acted on over 900 bills sent to his desk on a range of issues related to the education, immigrants, child care, human services and much much more. Our host, Christopher Sanchez, sits down with guest Dubrea Sanders, Yesenia Jimenez, and Carol Gonzalez to discuss some of the bills that the Governor signed and some of the bills he vetoed.

Follow the Mesa Verde Group on our socials: Youtube, Instagram, Linkedin

Follow our host Christopher Sanchez on his socials Instagram, Linkedin

*All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are of the speakers and not of their employers.

EP 9: Latino Voters and California's Redistricting Special Election Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode our host Christopher Sanchez brings together guest Manuel Buenrostro, Ruth Sosa, and your Latina Advocate Carol Gonzalez, to discuss California redistricting and the upcoming special election for Proposition 50 that will be in front of California voters on November 4th, 2025. Our guest discuss the stakes of this election for the Latino community and what they think will motivate Latinos to turn out for this very unique special election.

This episode is also available on Youtube

Follow the Mesa Verde Group on our socials: Youtube, Instagram, Linkedin

Follow our host Christopher Sanchez on his socials Instagram, Linkedin

*All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are of the speakers and not of their employers.

EP 8: Legislative Summer Recess Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

Our host Christopher Sanchez and his guest Carol Gonzalez, Yesenia Jimenez, and Eddie Carmona provide some important legislative updates on bills that are still moving through the legislative process and on their way to the Governor's desk and what are some trends they are seeing from the legislature this year. The advocates also talk about summer recess and what that means for advocates and legislators and what kind of work do folks do in the summer recess.

This episode can also be viewed on our Youtube Channel

Follow the Mesa Verde Group on our socials: Youtube, Instagram, Linkedin

Follow our host Christopher Sanchez on his socials Instagram, Linkedin

*All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are of the speakers and not of their employers.

EP 7: Rewriting the Political Playbook Because It's Not Business as Usual Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

In this filmed episode our podcast our host Christopher Sanchez and his guest Yesenia Jimenez, Eddie Carmona, and our favorite returning guest Carol Gonzalez sit down and discuss how the federal administration anti-immigrants are rewriting the political and policy playbooks which should be a call to action to policy makers to be take swift policy action to protect communities during these critical times the communities are facing. Our host and guest take a real look at California legislation that seek to protect immigrant communities, the BBB also known as the Big Basura Bill, and take a look into some of the historic context from similar moments in the past.

This episode can also be viewed on our Youtube channel.

Follow the Mesa Verde Group on our socials: Youtube, Instagram, Linkedin

Follow our host Christopher Sanchez on his socials Instagram, Linkedin

*All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are of the speakers and not of their employers.

EP 6: Communities respond to ICE in California and the California State Legislature sends a budget to Governor Newsom's desk. Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

On June 6th the Trump Administration began its aggressive attack on immigrant communities across California with first raiding a garment factory in the fashion district of Los Angeles and since communities have continued to see unethical aggressive enforcement from federal law enforcement. Our guest discuss the response from California policy makers and give some top highlights of the budget bill that the legislature has sent the Governor.

Follow the Mesa Verde Group on our socials: Youtube, Instagram, Linkedin

Follow our host Christopher Sanchez on his socials Instagram, Linkedin

*All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are of the speakers and not of their employers.

EP 5: A look at Governor Newsom's 2025 California Budget May Revise May 20, 2025

Show notes

On May 14, 2025 Governor Newsom provided his revised budget that differs from what he released in January because actions from the federal administration despite California being an economic leader. Our host Christopher Sanchez is joined by guest Alexandrina Chavez, Andrew Avila, and our favorite returning guest Carol Gonzalez to discuss Governor Newsom's 2025 California Budget May Revise and some notable changes that the Governor is proposing including impacts to healthcare and immigrant communities and how the proposed state budget impacts the suspense file in the appropriations committees.

Follow the Mesa Verde Group on our socials: Youtube, Instagram, Linkedin

Follow our host Christopher Sanchez on his socials Instagram, Linkedin

*All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are of the speakers and not of their employers.

EP 4: Bernie Sanders and AOC visit California, The state of Corridos, Earth Day, and how legislators are responding to this moment. May 02, 2025

Show notes

Our host Christopher Sanchez is joined by his friends Carol Gonzalez and Juan Altamirano and new guest Maria Morales. Our guest discuss the recent visit from Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) to California, the current state of corridos and how recent actions from Mexico and the United States governments are impacting the traditional Mexican genre of music. Our guest also discuss how this year folks celebrated earth day in addition to different ways members of the California's state legislator are responding to various issues impacting Californians.

Follow the Mesa Verde Group on our socials: Youtube, Instagram, Linkedin

Follow our host Christopher Sanchez on his socials Instagram, Linkedin

*All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are of the speakers and not of their employers.

EP 3: Democracy in the streets, the California special session, a smack down on education, and big foot Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

The Mesa Verde Group's very own Christopher Sanchez brings back friends Carol Gonzalez and Juan Altamirano while Andrea Rivera joins the podcast for her first appearance on the podcast. Our guest talk about Governor Newsom's special legislative session, the outpouring of youth and advocates taking to the streets in response to immigration enforcement, and additional dives into the state budget and interesting legislation that has been introduced in the California Legislature.

Follow the Mesa Verde Group on our socials: Youtube, Instagram, Linkedin

Follow our host Christopher Sanchez on his socials Instagram, Linkedin

*All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are of the speakers and not of their employers.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Mesa Verde Group’s Podcast: California Policy and Politics

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected