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:

The $30 Billion "Travesty": How Sacramento Blocks Local Solutions | Graham Knaus Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

Guest:

Graham Knaus CEO, California State Association of Counties

Guest Bio:

Graham Knaus is CEO of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) – whose mission is to serve, support, and advocate for the state's 58 counties to ensure they can effectively serve their communities. With deep experience in public finance and governance, Knaus has been a fierce advocate for empowering counties to address core issues like homelessness, affordability, housing, and disaster response. He believes in a commonsense formula: Let the state set the goals, and let local governments decide how to get the job done.

Show Summary

What if California’s most expensive problems—homelessness, housing, affordability—aren’t being solved simply because no one knows who’s responsible? In this episode, Graham Knaus delivers a powerful breakdown of why top-down state mandates keep failing and what it will take to rebuild from the bottom up.From misaligned funding and broken incentives to the absence of clear accountability regarding homelessness, Knaus calls for a simple but radical shift: give local governments the authority, tools, and flexibility to meet their communities’ needs. He also shares candid insights into California’s affordability crisis, overregulation, CEQA’s unintended consequences, and what it would really take to let our counties thrive. If you're ready to understand California’s dysfunction—and how to fix it—this episode is a must.

Chapters

00:00 – The Role of Counties vs. the State

01:30 – Why Homelessness Efforts Keep Failing

04:25 – Who Should Be Accountable?

06:00 – Where the $30B Homeless Funds Went

07:25 – A Broken Housing System

09:30 – Planning for Water, Disasters & the Future

11:55 – Affordability Crisis and Overregulation

13:30 – California’s Hidden Strengths

14:08 – Rapid Fire: Governor for a Day, Jerry Brown, and What Outsiders Get Wrong

Connect with Graham Knaus

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-knaus-4102596b/

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

The One Memo That Made 200 DOJ Attorneys Immediately Resign | Harmeet Dhillon Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Guest Bio:

Harmeet Dhillon is the U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, a nationally recognized constitutional attorney, and a former Republican National Committeewoman for California. Known for her legal battles on behalf of free speech and equal protection, Dhillon has taken on cases involving Big Tech censorship, UC Berkeley, and controversial DEI policies. A former candidate for RNC Chair, she now leads the federal government’s Civil Rights Division under the Trump administration, steering it in a bold new direction focused on protecting the rights of all Americans.

Show Summary

In this no-holds-barred conversation, Harmeet Dhillon joins Jon Slavet to talk about her powerful new role reshaping the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ. She discusses her ongoing investigation into UC Berkeley’s response to violent protests, explains why DEI policies may be on their way out, and shares how she's pushing back against the old status quo.

Dhillon also offers a candid diagnosis of California’s legal system, why she calls it the "utopian petri dish of bad ideas," and what she would do—if King for a day—to fix the state. Her views are bold, controversial, and grounded in decades of legal experience. Whether you agree or disagree, you’ll walk away thinking differently about the future of civil rights and California politics.

Chapters
00:00 – Why Civil Rights Should Protect All Americans

00:49 – Free Speech & Violence at UC Berkeley

02:29 – State of Free Speech on College Campuses

03:09 – Competing Trends: Conservative vs. Anti-Speech Culture

05:50 – Race in Admissions: What’s Really Changing

08:23 – Rewriting the Mission of the Civil Rights Division

11:30 – Comparing Civil Rights Priorities Under Past Administrations

13:09 – How Lawsuits & DEI Are Hurting California

15:45 – Corruption & One-Party Rule in Sacramento

17:16 – Why Californians Still Vote Blue

18:02 – If King for a Day: Dhillon’s Top Fix

18:14 – What Gives Her Hope About the State

19:31 – Admired Political Leaders & California’s Future

Connect with Harmeet Dhillon

X: https://x.com/HarmeetKDhillon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pnjaban/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/harmeet-k-dhillon-543773/

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

WHO REALLY LED CALIFORNIA? A Look at Reagan, Wilson and the State’s Most Influential Leaders Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

Show Summary

In the Rapid-Fire close to each episode Jon asks every guest “which California leader do you most admire?” – and we’re proud to bring you some of those answers from our guests in 2025. From Ronald Reagan’s optimism and Pete Wilson’s pragmatism to Pat Brown’s legacy of building – the answers reveal a longing for principled leadership, effective governance, and the return of California’s bold vision. This is a unique reflection on the values Californians still hold — and what they want to see in the state’s future.

Chapters

00:00 – Which California Leaders Still Inspire Respect?

02:15 – Why Ronald Reagan’s Style Still Resonates

04:20 – Pete Wilson and the Art of Practical Politics

06:00 – Remembering Pat Brown’s Bold Infrastructure Vision

08:10 – Pat Brown’s Balance of Environment & Economy

09:45 – The Leadership of George Deukmejian

11:00 – Scott Wiener’s Policy Persistence

12:05 – The Power of Bipartisanship & Compassion

13:45 – Lessons from Hiram Johnson’s Reform Era

15:20 – What We Need from Today’s Leaders

17:10 – A Call for Dignity, Respect & Results

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

California’s First Millennial Majority Leader: "The System Is Broken" | Ian Calderon Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Guest:

Candidate for Governor of California Ian Calderon

Guest Bio:

Ian Calderon was the first millennial elected to the California State Assembly and later served as the Assembly Majority Leader. During his time in office (2012–2020), he was deeply involved in major budget and policy negotiations. After leaving office, he became a small business owner, giving him a dual perspective on both governance and entrepreneurship. Now, as a candidate for Governor of California, he’s focused on fixing California’s housing crisis, improving affordability, and restoring common sense to state government.

Show Summary

Is California still a place where families can thrive? Former Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon joins Jon Slavet for a candid conversation about what it would take to restore affordability, unlock housing, and lead the state into a more hopeful future.

Calderon shares his experience navigating budget negotiations, the unintended costs of overregulation, and why he believes single-family homeownership must be restored as a priority. He outlines a path to fiscal responsibility and explains how technology could revolutionize state government.

Chapters
00:00 – Why He’s Running: From Majority Leader to Governor

01:35 – What Legislative Experience Brings to the Governor’s Office

03:45 – California’s Affordability Crisis Explained

05:55 – Single-Family Housing, Zoning & Choice

08:11 – What He’d Do to Lower Costs

09:45 – How to Incentivize Developers and First-Time Buyers

12:00 – Tackling Institutional Investors & Housing Supply

14:18 – Budget Reality: What He’d Cut

16:00 – Using Blockchain to Modernize Government

17:50 – Revenue, Taxes & the Role of the Governor

19:55 – Could AI Shrink California’s Government Workforce?

20:34 – Rapid Fire: First Priority as Governor

20:41 – Leader He Most Admires

21:18 – What Outsiders Get Wrong About California Politics

22:21 – California Is…

Connect with Ian Calderon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianforca2026/
X: https://x.com/iancalderon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ianforca2026

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

A DOG Voted In CA ... And They Won't Say If It Was a Democrat | Don Wagner Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Guest:

Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner

Guest Bio:

Don Wagner is the Mayor of Irvine and a former California State Assemblyman, known for his long-standing public service across multiple levels of government. With deep experience in state and local politics, Wagner is now running for California Secretary of State in 2026. His campaign centers on restoring voter integrity, cleaning up voter rolls, and ensuring secure, transparent elections in the Golden State.

Show Summary

What if your dog could vote in California? In this eye-opening (and yes, partly hilarious) conversation, Don Wagner sits down with Jon Slavet to reveal what he calls “the quiet crisis” in California elections — a system flooded with ballots, outdated rolls, and slow results. Wagner shares why he’s running for Secretary of State, his plans to implement voter ID, and what he sees as the public's overwhelming demand for election reform

From the story of a dog who allegedly voted in a recall, to the legal battles between state officials and cities like Huntington Beach, this episode exposes a side of California politics that’s both urgent and surprising. Wagner argues that fixing our voting system is step one in restoring public trust, accountability, and the California Dream.

Chapters

00:00 – Running for Secretary of State

00:32 – California’s Broken Voting System

01:10 – Voter ID, Ballot Integrity & Legal Reform

02:00 – A Dog Voted in Orange County?

03:00 – Rapid Fire: Fixing CA, Reagan's Legacy & Hope for the Future

Connect with Don Wagner

X: https://x.com/DonWagnerCA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donwagnerca/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonWagnerCA/

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

California's Climate Mandates Are Bankrupting Families | Columnist Susan Shelley Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Guest:

Southern California News Group Columnist Susan Shelley

Guest Bio:

Susan Shelley is the Vice President of Communications at the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, a columnist for the Southern California News Group, and a leading voice on California’s fiscal policy, tax reform, and constitutional protections.

Show Summary

What’s really driving California’s skyrocketing cost of living? In this conversation with Jon Slavet, Susan Shelley breaks down how climate mandates, hidden taxes like Cap & Invest, and misguided housing laws are crushing working Californians. From the impact of SB 79 and CEQA to the truth about Prop 13 and California’s bloated budget, Susan delivers a passionate and informed critique of the state’s current path — and offers bold, realistic alternatives.

She also shares insights on COVID policies, insurance premiums, the social safety net, and why the Save Prop 13 initiative is more urgent than ever.

Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & Susan Shelley Intro

00:32 – The Hidden Cost of Climate Mandates

02:21 – Cap & Invest: How You’re Paying for It

03:46 – Are Energy Companies Really Gouging Us?

04:44 – California’s Regulatory Burden

06:49 – How Environmentalism Got Hijacked

07:38 – California’s Taxes: Where’s the Money Going?

08:39 – Prop 13 Explained & Why It Matters

10:46 – The Truth About SB 79 & Housing Policy

16:56 – Unintended Consequences of Density Mandates

18:01 – Cuts to Insurance & Food Assistance Programs

21:03 – Prop 50: A “Gross” Power Grab

25:02 – Rapid Fire: Greenhouse Mandates, Reagan & COVID

26:54 – Save Prop 13: Why It Matters Now

Connect with Susan Shelley

X: https://x.com/Susan_Shelley
Linked In:https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

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

Is California FINALLY Leaving the Democratic Party? | Senator Alvarado-Gil Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Guest:

CA State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil

Guest Bio:

Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil represents California’s 4th Senate District, covering 13 counties and over a million constituents across the Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, and rural California. Formerly a Democrat, she made national headlines in August 2024 when she switched parties, citing extreme ideological shifts and a loss of shared values. With a background in charter school leadership and deep roots in her community, she advocates for parental rights, balanced governance, and elevating underserved regions of the state.

Show Summary

Why would a sitting California State Senator walk away from the Democratic Party — and what happened next? In this bold and revealing conversation, Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil joins Jon Slavet to unpack her decision to switch parties and the fallout that followed. From receiving death threats to feeling politically homeless, Marie shares how she found clarity in her values and what California’s heartland voters really need.

She also breaks down one of the most controversial bills impacting parental rights, her thoughts on Katie Porter and the CA Dems, the underrepresentation of rural districts, and why she believes it’s time to dismantle the partisan supermajority. If you care about courage, common sense, and California’s future, this is a must-watch.

Chapters
00:00 – Why She Left the Democratic Party

01:26 – Reaction to Trump Assassination Attempt & Political Rhetoric

02:42 – Katie Porter's Comments on Ignoring 40% of Voters

03:25 – The Bill That Let Strangers Sign Out Kids From School

05:15 – The Moral Hazard Hidden in the Legislation

06:34 – Rural California Is Being Ignored

09:12 – Political Fallout After Her Party Switch

11:37 – Rapid Fire: Fixing California, Leadership, & Her Teacher Hero

Connect with Marie Alvarado Gil

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 California Republican Party Is Officially "NON-EXISTENT" | Carl DeMaio Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

Guest:

Assemblyman Carl DeMaio

Guest Bio:

Carl DeMaio is a longtime political reformer, policy expert, and the Chairman of Reform California. Based in San Diego, he’s known for calling out corruption in both parties and spearheading grassroots campaigns around voter ID, tax reform, and ballot accountability. In this episode, Carl pulls no punches about the dysfunction in Sacramento — and what voters can do to take back control.

Show Summary

Why is California so broken — and what can actually fix it? Carl DeMaio joins the show to expose why the state’s political system is rigged against the people, and how bipartisan dysfunction has made both parties part of the problem. From redistricting to crime to school reform, Carl outlines why grassroots movements — not career politicians — are the only hope to restore democracy in the Golden State. Plus, he shares how a new Voter ID initiative could shake things up.

Chapters

00:00 – Why California’s Political System Is Broken

00:32 – The Real Problem Behind Homelessness, Crime & Cost of Living

01:19 – What Other States Are Doing Better

02:45 – Why Politicians Ignore 70% Consensus

04:30 – Prop 36, Crime Reform & Sacramento's Inaction

05:45 – Calling Out Republicans for Surrendering

06:30 – How the Lobbyist Culture Corrupts Both Parties

07:20 – What Real Republican Reform Should Look Like

08:00 – The Power of Grassroots Candidates

08:40 – His Case for Voter ID

09:40 – Who He Actually Sees as California’s Real Leaders

10:15 – There’s No White Knight — It’s Up to Us

11:00 – What We’ve Lost — And Can Regain

11:35 – Final Thoughts on Hope, Action & VoterIDpetition.org

Connect with Carl DeMaio

X: https://x.com/carldemaio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carldemaio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carldemaioca/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/carldemaioCA

Website: https://carldemaio.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

They Spent $250 Million on THIS in FOUR DAYS (But Not on Gas Prices!) | David Tangipa Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Guest:

California Assemblyman David Tangipa

Guest Bio:

David Tangipa is the first Polynesian ever elected to the California State Assembly. Known for his unapologetic advocacy, Tangipa has quickly become a voice for working-class Californians who feel left behind by Sacramento’s status quo. In his short time in office, he's been silenced on the floor, kicked off committees, and shut out of caucuses — all while calling out racism and corruption under the Capitol dome.

Show Summary

Why is Prop 50 a power grab — and what don’t voters understand about the redistricting ruse behind it? Assemblyman David Tangipa returns to State of Gold to break it all down.

In this revealing episode, Tangipa explains why California’s political elite are trying to dismantle the Independent Redistricting Commission, and how this move — disguised in Prop 50 — would further concentrate power in Sacramento. He talks openly about being denied entry into the AAPI Caucus, the hypocrisy he’s faced as a minority Republican, and how the real systemic issues live within the Capitol itself.

If you care about fairness, representation, and the future of California politics, this is a must-watch.

Chapters
00:00 – Welcome Back, David Tangipa

00:16 – What Prop 50 Really Means

01:40 – Why It’s a Sham Power Grab

03:14 – Why Voters Tune Out Redistricting

04:38 – The Ballot Lies and Fiscal Secrets

05:14 – Kicked Off Committees & Silenced

05:43 – What Sacramento Doesn’t Want You to Know

06:50 – Excluded from the AAPI Caucus

07:25 – Racism Inside the California Legislature

08:06 – Fighting for Real Representation

08:42 – Why He’s Staying in the Fight

09:05 – Final Thoughts

Connect with David Tangipa

X: https://x.com/DavidTangipa

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidjtangipa/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tong_ee_pa?_t=ZP-8xI2L7bsQFK&_r=1

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tangipa-819877b2/

Website: https://ad08.asmrc.org/

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

TAXES & REGULATION are DESTROYING California's Economy | Sheriff Chad Bianco Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

Guest:

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco

Guest Bio:

Chad Bianco leads Riverside County’s Sheriff’s Department, the fourth largest in the nation. With over 30 years of public service and a reputation for fiscal responsibility and tough leadership, Bianco is now running for Governor of California. He’s earned support across party lines for his honesty, policy experience, and commitment to restoring balance in Sacramento.

Show Summary

Is California ready for a leadership reset? Sheriff Chad Bianco joins Jon Slavet to discuss his run for Governor — and why he believes Prop 50 is a dangerous power grab. From skyrocketing costs to rising crime, Bianco doesn’t hold back as he breaks down the core issues he sees plaguing the state: Excessive regulation, one-party rule, and a government disconnected from everyday Californians.

He outlines what he’d do on day one to fix the economy, restore public safety, and create a more livable future for all. Whether or not you agree with his politics, his no-nonsense approach will leave you thinking hard about where California goes from here.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome Sheriff Chad Bianco

00:14 – Why He’s Voting No on Prop 50

01:16 – How Power Is Being Taken from the People

02:38 – Why He’s Running for Governor

05:45 – California’s Economic Pain Points

06:08 – The Real Problem: Taxes & Regulation

08:18 – Free Market Solutions vs. Government Control

09:03 – What He’d Do as Governor on Day One

09:25 – His Hope for California’s Future

11:55 – What He’s Learning on the Campaign Trail

13:11 – California Is…