State of Gold

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**State of Gold**

**Restoring the California Dream One Bold Idea at a Time**

California was once a beacon of prosperity, hope and innovation – symbolized by the Gold Rush, Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Today it’s the least affordable state in the nation and plagued by poverty, homelessness, and sky-high taxes. How did we get here, and how do we turn California around?

State of Gold is a media platform and citizens’ movement dedicated to restoring the California dream. Host and longtime real estate and tech executive Jon Slavet combines practical wisdom and insurgent energy, as he sits down with voices from across the spectrum.

The show will examine and promote the best ideas from any corner to solve the state’s most pressing issues. State of Gold cuts through the noise to explore what’s gone wrong in the Golden State – and what it’ll take to make things right.

**www.stateofgold.com**

Latest Episodes:

Non-Profits Are Getting Rich Off Homelessness! | Alex Villanueva Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Guest:

Alex Villanueva, Former Sheriff of Los Angeles County

Guest Bio:

Alex Villanueva served as the 33rd Sheriff of Los Angeles County from 2018 to 2022, making history as the first challenger to unseat an incumbent sheriff in over a century. A veteran of the United States Air Force and the California Air National Guard, Villanueva spent over three decades within the LASD before reaching its highest office. During his tenure, he was known for his fiercely independent and often combative relationship with the LA County Board of Supervisors, frequently clashing over department funding, deputy oversight, and homelessness protocols. A former lifelong Democrat who recently broke with the party to register as a Republican, Villanueva continues to be a prominent voice in California politics, advocating for stricter public safety measures, voter ID laws, and a rejection of what he terms "radical" progressive ideologies.

Show Summary

Is California facing the "beginning of the end"? In this episode, Jon Slavet sits down with former LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva for an unfiltered look at the systemic failures plaguing the Golden State.

Villanueva pulls no punches as he describes what he calls a "multi-year war against law enforcement" and the emergence of a "homeless industrial complex" that he claims has a perverse financial incentive to grow the crisis rather than solve it. He shares first-hand accounts of cleaning up notorious encampments in Venice and Brentwood and explains why he believes the current political apparatus is more interested in "virtue signaling" than public safety.

The conversation dives deep into Villanueva’s personal political evolution—from a JFK Democrat to a Republican—and his critiques of career politicians who he says prioritize their own advancement over the public interest. From the complexities of ICE cooperation and sanctuary status to a rapid-fire session on the future of California leadership, this episode offers a candid perspective from a man who has spent his career on the front lines of California's most contentious battles.

Chapters
00:00 – The "Beginning of the End" for the Golden State

00:40 – The Multi-Year War Against Law Enforcement

01:38 – Cleaning Up Venice: A Proven Five-Step Process

02:57 – Exposing the Homeless Industrial Complex

04:02 – Career Politicians vs. The "Part-Time" Solution

05:14 – Lessons Learned: Betrayal and Bureaucratic Interests

06:16 – Why the Democratic Party Left Me

07:45 – Public Safety Transcends Party Lines

09:34 – The Truth About ICE and Sanctuary State Policies

13:07 – Local Coordination and Board Politics

13:40 – Rapid Fire: Voter ID and Reclaiming the Promise

Connect with Alex Villanueva

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheriffvillanueva33/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/AlexVilanueva33
Website: https://alexvillanueva2026.com/

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast
Connect with State of Gold

X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
Website: www.stateofgold.com

BART Financial Expert: The Financial Malfeasance is Hiding in Plain Sight! | Debora Allen Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Guest

Debora Allen, Former Member of the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) Board

Guest Bio

Debora Allen served as a member of the BART Board of Directors from 2016 to 2024. A CPA with over 30 years of experience in the private sector, she positioned herself as a fiscal hawk on the board, frequently advocating for increased transparency, "station hardening" to prevent fare evasion, and prioritized spending on rider safety and police presence. Allen was a vocal proponent of creating the Office of the BART Inspector General and served as the inaugural chair of the Standing BART Audit Committee. Known for her independent and often dissenting voice against the board's more progressive majority, she chose not to seek re-election in 2024, concluding eight years of service focused on stabilizing the agency’s "fiscal cliff" and improving the commuting experience for suburban taxpayers.

Show Summary

BART is facing a fiscal cliff — and according to former board member Debora Allen, it didn’t happen by accident.

In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Allen to pull back the curtain on what she saw during her eight years on the BART Board. From declining ridership and fare evasion to rising costs and budget shortfalls, Allen explains how a lack of accountability and misaligned priorities have put one of California’s most important transit systems at risk.

She shares why she pushed for stronger financial oversight, the creation of an Inspector General, and increased focus on rider safety — including police presence and station hardening. The conversation also explores how political dynamics inside the board shaped decision-making, why dissenting voices were often sidelined, and what she believes needs to change to restore both financial stability and public trust.

This is a candid look at how governance, spending, and leadership decisions impact everyday commuters — and what it will take to fix a system that millions rely on.

Chapters

00:00 – The Reality Inside BART

01:10 – Debora Allen’s Background and Time on the Board

03:25 – BART’s Fiscal Cliff Explained

06:40 – Declining Ridership and Revenue Challenges

09:15 – Fare Evasion and Station Safety

12:10 – Why “Station Hardening” Matters

14:45 – Creating the Inspector General

17:20 – Internal Board Dynamics and Decision-Making

20:05 – What Needs to Change

22:00 – Rapid Fire: Fixing BART and California

Connect with Debora Allen

Twitter: https://x.com/debora_allen1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debora-allen-bart-director

X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
Website: www.stateofgold.com

The $114M Wildlife Bridge That Sums Up Sacramento’s Insanity | Jessica Patterson Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Guest:

Jessica Patterson, Former California GOP Chair

Guest Bio:

Jessica Patterson is the former Chair of the California Republican Party and a longtime political strategist focused on voter registration, grassroots organizing, and rebuilding Republican strength across the state. During her six years as chair, California Republicans added more than a million new registered voters and expanded outreach into communities long ignored by the party.

Show Summary

What would it actually take for Republicans to win again in California? In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with former California GOP Chair Jessica Patterson to talk about how the party can reposition itself, why showing up in neglected communities matters, and what it will take to connect with voters beyond the traditional Republican base.

Patterson reflects on the registration gains made during her time leading the party, the importance of strong local messengers, and why issues like gas prices, housing, and education continue to give Republicans an opening in California. She also explains why she believes the GOP already has the right ideas, but must continue doing a better job of meeting voters where they are.

The conversation also dives into some of the state’s most pressing policy failures, from high gas prices and energy dependence to CEQA, housing affordability, school choice, and Sacramento’s spending priorities. They close with a look at the billionaire tax, why it could hurt everyday Californians, and what Patterson would do first to help turn the state around.

Chapters
00:00 – Jessica Patterson Joins State of Gold

00:03 – How Republicans Can Start Winning Again in California

03:19 – Can Republicans Win in the Trump Era?

05:40 – California Energy, Gas Prices & What Newsom Should Do

09:39 – The 2026 Governor’s Race and the Top Two Dynamic

13:57 – The $114 Million Wildlife Bridge

16:29 – The Billionaire Tax and How It Hurts Average Californians

18:16 – Rapid Fire: How to Fix California

19:04 – School Choice and the Future of Education

19:36 – What Gives Jessica Patterson Hope

20:01 – California Is Worth Saving

Connect with Jessica Patterson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cagopchairwoman/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAGOPchairwoman/
Twitter: https://x.com/millanpatterson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/millanpatterson

X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
Website: www.stateofgold.com

Why Insurance Companies Have Fled the CA Market & How We Get Them Back | Patrick Wolff Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

Guest:

Patrick Wolff, Candidate for CA State Insurance Commissioner

Guest Bio:

Patrick Wolff is a chess grandmaster, entrepreneur, and Democratic candidate for California Insurance Commissioner. He is focused on restoring functionality to California’s broken homeowners insurance market, increasing wildfire mitigation efforts, and reforming how the Department of Insurance regulates insurers operating in the state.

Show Summary

California’s wildfire insurance crisis didn’t begin with the Palisades and Altadena fires. It began years earlier, when rising wildfire risk collided with rigid regulation and a shrinking insurance market.

In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with chess grandmaster and CA State Insurance Commissioner candidate Patrick Wolff to unpack what went wrong — and what needs to change. Wolff explains how, after the catastrophic 2017 and 2018 fires, insurers sought to adjust pricing to reflect increased risk but were blocked from doing so. As risk rose and pricing flexibility remained constrained, insurers pulled back. State Farm expanded aggressively, only to later non-renew policies and seek emergency rate hikes, leaving homeowners trapped in a fragile and under-competitive market.

The conversation goes deeper than rates and policies. Wolff discusses the need for more aggressive forest management and controlled burns, how well-functioning insurance markets provide critical risk signals, and why regulators should focus on consumer protection and competition rather than dictating prices.

It’s a candid discussion about accountability and leadership, and whether California can rebuild both its insurance market and public trust.

Chapters

00:01 – A Chess Grandmaster Enters the Insurance Debate
00:27 – Was the Fire Crisis Man-Made?
02:59 – Controlled Burns & Fire Risk Management
05:59 – How California’s Insurance Market Broke
09:55 – Why Regulators Blocked Risk-Based Pricing
12:17 – What Fair & Competitive Pricing Should Look Like
15:15 – Fire Hardening Homes: What Works & What It Costs
17:18 – Why Home Hardening Is a Public Good
19:06 – Day One as Insurance Commissioner
19:47 – Leaders He Respects
20:51 – What Gives Him Hope About California

Connect with Patrick Wolff

Website: https://patrickwolff.com/events
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolffonyourside/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-wolff-222192/

X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
Website: www.stateofgold.com

The Billionaire Tax Has Nothing To Do With Billionaires | Jay Cheng Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

Guest:

Jay Cheng, Executive Director - Neighbors for a Better San Francisco

Guest Bio:

Jay Cheng is a San Francisco-based business leader and political advocate known for his work on education reform, public safety, and government accountability. He has played a key role in supporting more moderate leadership in San Francisco and focuses on restoring functionality to city governance.

Show Summary

San Francisco has become a case study in what happens when policy, leadership, and accountability fall out of alignment, but it may also offer a glimpse of what positive change can look like.

In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Jay Cheng to discuss how San Francisco voters began pushing back, from recalling school board members to demanding better outcomes in public safety and education. Cheng explains why that shift happened, what triggered it, and whether California as a whole is ready to follow.

The conversation dives into the realities behind San Francisco’s struggling school system, including declining enrollment, budget instability, and the lack of a standardized curriculum. They also explore improvements in public safety, the challenges of rebuilding police staffing, and what it takes for systems to actually function again.

They close with a deeper look at California’s broader fiscal challenges and the proposed billionaire tax, unpacking why it could set a precedent far beyond the ultra-wealthy. It’s a candid conversation about accountability, consequences, and whether voters are ready to demand better.

Chapters

00:00 – “If You Don’t Like Your Leaders, Fire Them”
00:48 – Is California at a Breaking Point?
02:55 – What Triggered San Francisco’s Shift
05:18 – The School Strike and Budget Crisis
06:50 – Why Families Are Leaving the City
08:52 – No Standard Curriculum? How It Happened
10:08 – Leadership Failures in Education
10:32 – Public Safety: Is It Actually Improving?
11:47 – The Police Staffing Shortage
13:01 – San Francisco’s Budget Problem
14:42 – Why the City Can’t Keep Kicking the Can
16:48 – A Budget Bigger Than Some Countries
17:04 – The Billionaire Tax Debate
19:05 – Why the Tax Scares More Than Billionaires
20:23 – Rapid Fire: Fixing San Francisco & California
22:40 – Expanding the UC System

Connect with Jay Cheng

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaychengsf/
X: https://x.com/jay_jay_cheng

X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
Website: www.stateofgold.com

Workers Trust AI More Than Their Coworkers | Jeremiah Owyang Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Guest Bio:

Jeremiah Owyang is a Silicon Valley technology analyst, entrepreneur, and venture investor focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. He has spent decades studying how new technologies reshape industries and now works closely with founders building the next generation of AI-driven companies.

Show Summary

Artificial intelligence is moving faster than almost any technology shift in history, and the ripple effects are already transforming how companies are built.

In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Jeremiah Owyang to discuss the rapid rise of AI startups, how venture capital is evolving, and why this moment feels similar to the early days of the internet. Owyang explains how AI is lowering the barriers to building companies while simultaneously creating entirely new categories of businesses.

The conversation explores what founders should be paying attention to, how AI agents may reshape work itself, and why California still sits at the center of global innovation despite political and economic challenges.

Chapters
00:00 – Why AI May Be the Most Consequential Technology Ever

00:58 – Jeremiah Owyang Joins the Show

02:13 – Where We Are in the AI Revolution

03:28 – The Impact AI Will Have on Jobs

05:44 – The Rise of AI-Native Startups

08:25 – The First Billion-Dollar One-Person Company

10:00 – Why Revenue Per Employee Is Exploding

12:15 – AI Agents and the Future of Work

15:05 – Why Silicon Valley Still Leads AI Innovation

18:10 – How Founders Should Think About Building in the AI Era

21:30 – What Society Is Not Ready For

24:10 – Rapid Fire: One Thing That Will Shape the Future

26:30 – What Gives Him Hope

Connect with Jeremiah Owyang

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeremiahOwyang/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jowyang/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jowyang/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/jowyang/with_replies

X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
Website: www.stateofgold.com

I Said No to the Billionaire Tax | Antonio Villaraigosa Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Guest:

Antonio Villaraigosa, Former Mayor of Los Angeles

Guest Bio:

Antonio Villaraigosa is the former Mayor of Los Angeles and former Speaker of the California State Assembly. A longtime public servant, and now Democratic candidate for Governor, Villaraigosa has built his career around education reform, economic growth, and restoring opportunity in California.

Show Summary

The California Dream once meant opportunity, homeownership, and a better future for the next generation. Today, many Californians feel that dream slipping further out of reach.

In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Antonio Villaraigosa to discuss the state’s political climate and what it will take to restore opportunity in California. The former Los Angeles Mayor shares his perspective on the Governor’s race, the challenges facing moderate voices in a polarized political environment, and why he believes California needs leaders focused on results rather than ideology.

Villaraigosa also outlines his priorities for fixing California’s struggling education system, addressing housing affordability, cutting red tape that stifles business growth, and restoring the promise of the California Dream for the next generation.

Chapters

01:02 – Should Candidates Drop Out of the Governor’s Race?

03:45 – The Political Center vs. The Extremes

07:21 – The California Dream and Why It’s Slipping Away

09:27 – Housing Costs and Economic Opportunity

11:52 – Public Sector Pensions and Fiscal Responsibility

17:10 – Fixing California’s Education System

21:51 – Why Transparency and Accountability Matter

23:13 – Spending, Deficits, and the State Budget

24:28 – Why Villaraigosa Opposes the Billionaire Tax

28:54 – Cutting Red Tape to Grow the Economy

31:35 – Climate Goals vs. Infrastructure Reality

34:34 – Rapid Fire: Fixing California’s Schools

35:06 – Leaders He Admires in California History

35:38 – Restoring the California Dream

Connect with Antonio Villaraigosa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntonioVillaraigosa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antonioforcalifornia
Twitter: https://x.com/AVillaraigosa
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Antonioforcalifornia
Campaign Site: https://www.antonio2026.com/

X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
Website: www.stateofgold.com

The Billionaire Tax Will Be Even Worse | Joel Pollak Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Guest:

Joel Pollak - Opinion Editor @ The California Post

Guest Bio:

Joel Pollak is a journalist, political commentator, and Opinion Editor at The California Post – a new publication he helped launch focused on covering California from a center-right perspective. A longtime California resident and former Illinois native, Pollak writes extensively on state policy, media bias, and government accountability.

Show Summary

Californians are tired of things not working.

In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Joel Pollak to discuss the launch of The California Post and why he believes there is a growing appetite for accountability in the Golden State.

Pollak shares his personal experience surviving the Palisades fire, the insurance nightmare that followed, and why he believes government mismanagement made the disaster worse. The conversation explores President Trump’s executive order aimed at accelerating rebuilding, the controversy surrounding affordable housing proposals in the Palisades, and what local residents actually want.

They then zoom out to tackle systemic issues: Behested payments to politicians, legalized corruption, COVID-era fraud, runaway state spending, and the proposed billionaire tax. Pollak explains how California risks driving away its most productive innovators and why history from Illinois should serve as a warning sign.

Chapters
00:00 – Why Californians Are Sick of Government Failure

00:18 – Launching the California Post

01:44 – Is There a Silent Majority in California?

02:41 – Personal Impact of the Palisades Fire

04:09 – Insurance Battles & Rebuilding Delays

05:03 – Trump’s Executive Order on Rebuilding

06:55 – Affordable Housing Controversy in the Palisades

09:59 – Zoning, ADUs & Rebuilding Concerns

12:37 – Exposing Corruption in Los Angeles

14:09 – COVID Fraud & Behested Payments Explained

16:45 – The Billionaire Tax and Economic Flight

19:56 – The Mansion Tax Cautionary Tale

22:03 – Revenue Problem or Spending Problem?

23:31 – Rapid Fire: Fixing California Starts with Water

Connect with Joel Pollak

Twitter: https://x.com/joelpollak?s=20
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joel-pollak
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pollakjoel

His latest pieces can be found on californiapost.com and nypost.com.

X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
Website: www.stateofgold.com

Election Expert: "Our top-2 primary system could have unintended consequences!" Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

Guest:

Chad Peace, Co-Founder – Independent Voter Network

Guest Bio:

Chad Peace is an election reform advocate and representative of the Independent Voter Project, an organization focused on expanding voter participation and reducing partisan control over the primary process. He has been deeply involved in California’s transition from closed primaries to the current top-two open primary system, and continues to advocate for structural reforms that empower independent voters and increase electoral competition.

Show Summary

Nearly half of voters nationwide now identify as independent. In California, No Party Preference voters are the fastest-growing bloc. So why does the political system still revolve around partisan extremes?

In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Chad Peace to unpack the rise of independent voters, the origins of California’s top-two open primary system, and the unintended consequences that followed.

They explore whether the “jungle primary” has improved democracy, why both parties often resist reform, and what a top-five ranked-choice primary system could look like in California. The conversation also dives into voter ID, ballot harvesting, election confidence, and the broader debate over how to restore trust in the electoral process.

From redistricting battles to Supreme Court strategy, this is a candid discussion about who gets to participate in elections and whether California is living up to its democratic ideals.

Chapters

00:03 – The Rise of Independent Voters

01:17 – Why Both Parties Are Moving to the Extremes

01:33 – The Origins of California’s Open Primary

02:47 – Has the Top-Two System Improved Democracy?

05:06 – The Unintended Consequences of the Current System

07:50 – Top-Five Primaries & Ranked Choice Voting Explained

09:08 – Redistricting, Prop 50 & Partisan Power Plays

12:04 – The Supreme Court & The Right to Vote in Primaries

12:38 – Voter ID: A 70/30 Issue

15:43 – Mail-In Voting, Ballot Harvesting & Election Confidence

17:50 – Politics, Culture & Attack of the Killer Tomatoes

19:21 – Rapid Fire: One Reform to Fix California

19:39 – What Gives Him Hope

20:18 – California Is…

Connect with Chad Peace

Twitter: https://x.com/ChadPeace
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadpeace/

X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
Website: www.stateofgold.com

Why the Billionaire Tax Will Backfire on California & Crush Working Families | Lanhee Chen Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Guest:

Lanhee Chen, Stanford Hoover Fellow and Policy Expert

Guest Bio:

Lanhee Chen is a policy expert, former candidate for California State Controller, and national commentator on fiscal policy and healthcare reform. He has advised at the highest levels of government and regularly contributes analysis on California’s budget, tax structure, and long-term economic outlook. Known for his data-driven approach, Chen focuses on accountability, structural reform, and restoring fiscal discipline to state government.

Show Summary

California can swing from a $150 billion surplus to a $150 billion deficit in just a few years. Why?

In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet talks with Lanhee Chen to break down California’s structural budget problems in simple terms. From an antiquated tax system heavily reliant on capital gains to ballooning fixed costs and voter-approved spending mandates, Chen explains why the state is trapped in boom-and-bust cycles.

They dive into the proposed billionaire tax and why, despite sounding appealing, it will drive high earners and founders out of California while reducing long-term revenue. Chen also outlines the risks of taxing unrealized gains and how that precedent could impact entrepreneurs and future innovators.

The conversation then turns to waste, fraud, and abuse in programs like unemployment insurance, Medi-Cal, and IHSS. Finally, Chen shares his vision for healthcare reform, including radical price transparency, expanding provider supply, and creating a more competitive healthcare marketplace.

If you want a clear, non-theatrical breakdown of California’s fiscal challenges and what real reform could look like, this is it.

Chapters

00:00 – California’s Boom and Bust Budget Cycles

02:37 – The Structural Deficit Problem Explained

03:20 – How Should California Reform Its Tax System?

05:06 – Revenue Problem or Spending Problem?

05:39 – Why the Billionaire Tax Is a Bad Idea

07:12 – The Dangerous Precedent of Taxing Unrealized Gains

08:51 – Waste, Fraud & Abuse in State Programs

09:21 – The Unemployment Insurance Scandal

10:30 – Medi-Cal, IHSS & Systemic Accountability Failures

12:06 – Fixing Healthcare Without Government Takeover