Blueprint for California Advocates

There's 21 days left until election day - November 5th, 2024.

We discuss the heavy weight of this political moment, what we can learn from billionaire preppers, and where we go from here.

Darcy Totten is the Interim Executive Director at California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.

If you want to learn more about Darcy's work, you can find her on Twitter at @Miss_Mausie.

"We are the ones we have been waiting for."

- June Jordan

Want to defeat Donald Trump, retake the House, and keep the US Senate? Now's the time to step up.

Go to https://www.mobilize.us/ to find local, state and national races that need your help. Donate. Make phone calls. Send texts. Knock on Doors. Help in any way you can.

Referenced in this episode:

"The super-rich ‘preppers’ planning to save themselves from the apocalypse" by Douglas Rushkoff, The Guardian, Sept 22, 2022.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/sep/04/super-rich-prepper-bunkers-apocalypse-survival-richest-rushkoff

In this episode of the Blueprint for California Advocates podcast, I'm honored to be joined by Arianna Z. Smith, founder of Arianna Public Affairs.

As thousands of competing interests vie for attention at the California Capitol, it's hard to overestimate the importance of writing content that is compelling and persuasive.

With 15+ years experience writing for a Capitol audience, Arianna Smith shares her expertise with advocates seeking to break through the noise. From how to avoid common mistakes to actionable tips for clear, impactful writing, you will learn a TON from this episode.

03:51 A Humbling Lesson in Writing

06:07 Challenges in Legislative Communication

06:48 Common Mistakes in Writing for the Capitol

08:38 Words and Phrases to Avoid

10:07 Tips for Clear and Impactful Writing

12:57 Benefits of Clear Communication

17:22 Final Advice and Closing Remarks

BIOGRAPHY

Arianna Z. Smith is the Founder and Principal of the boutique firm Arianna Public Affairs.  She specializes in policy writing of all kinds, advocacy training, and lobbying materials.  Arianna has spent nearly 20 years in California's policy circles as legislative Capitol staff and as a consultant to statewide professional associations, progressive non-profits, and lobbying firms.  

Find Arianna on LinkedIn or ariannazsmith.com. 

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LinkedIn: @kbashamilton

IG: @kbh_advocacy

YouTube: @kbh_advocacy

In today’s episode I have the honor of speaking with California Senator Josh Newman (D-29), representing portions of Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Senator Newman shares his journey to the California Senate, from a close election victory in 2016 to being the only legislator in state history to be recalled and then regain his seat.

Prepare for a free-ranging and candid discussion about the challenges of governing and advocacy at the state level. From the need for bill introduction limits to navigating the complexities - and contradictions - of the legislative and budget processes, you’ll be sure to learn something new. 

Episode highlights:

00:11 - An Unconventional Path to Politics

06:22 - Running for office as the Underdog - and winning

11:51 - Effective Advocacy in the California Legislature

18:59 - Bill introduction overload and the Push for Reform

28:52 - The delicate dance between budget and policy

33:09 Advocacy and Budgeting: Aligning for Success

36:41 The Power of Narrative: Winning Support for Your Bill

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Senator Josh Newman’s Website: https://sd29.senate.ca.gov/index.php/

Book: Changemaker: An Insider’s Guide to Getting Sh*t Done at the California Capitol  www.kbhadvocacy.com/changemaker

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If you found this episode helpful, learned something new, or enjoyed listening, be sure to leave a review on your podcast player and share it with your friends and colleagues. 

CONNECT WITH KRISTINA BAS HAMILTON

Founder of California lobbying and political consulting firm KBH Advocacy

🌐 Website: https://www.kbhadvocacy.com

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbashamilton

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbashamilton/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbh_advocacy

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kbh_advocacy

© 2024 KBH Advocacy, Inc.

I'm thrilled to share my conversation with California State Controller Malia Cohen recorded Live at Manny's in San Francisco on February 22, 2024

01:01 Diving Into the Book: The Power of Legislative

02:06 The Journey of a Lobbyist Turned Author

04:37 Understanding the Role of California's State

10:55 The Art of Making Change: Clarity, Advocacy, and

26:44 Coalition Building: The Key to Legislative Success

31:31 Navigating California's Political Landscape

34:49 The Controller's Role in Policy and Change

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If you found this episode helpful, learned something new, or enjoyed listening, be sure to subscribe and leave a review!

🌐 Website: https://www.blueprint-pod.com

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbashamilton

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbashamilton/

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

🎥 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@kbh_advocacy

© 2024 KBH Advocacy, Inc.

You may have heard about the “creator economy” and think it has nothing to do with politics or advocacy. It’s time to think again.  

How we communicate with each other is constantly evolving in the digital age. Advocates who adapt to and embrace these changes will have a significant advantage when it comes to winning policy and political campaigns.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Ashwath Narayanan, Co-founder & CEO at Social Currant, a Gen-Z-led, DC-based managed service that matches social impact organizations and nonprofits with mission-aligned influencers and content creators across social media platforms. 

In today’s episode, Ashwath and I discuss how advocates can leverage new tools and opportunities to reach and influence their target audience - be it voters, lawmakers, or the general public. 

We explore the advantages of connecting on a deeper level with creators and examine past campaigns in which influencer marketing helped organizations not only reach but surpass their goals. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

05:13 — Micro trends that are driving the creator economy. 

07:58 — Evidence or data that proves this strategy leads to people taking action.

10:55 — How they go about finding the right influencers and the back-end work it requires.

12:45 — The start-to-finish steps on working with creators.

15:00 — What kind of budget you might need.

17:34 — The hesitation to take the leap into social media marketing vs. traditional lobbying.

22:57 — How the concept of asking trusted members of the community for advice is timeless.

25:30 — Changing the narrative so we can be drivers of culture. 

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Ashwath can be reached at [email protected] - IMPORTANT: let him know that the Blueprint for California Advocates podcast referred you!

Find him on Instagram at @ashwathhhh

Learn more about Social Currant at https://socialcurrant.co/

Connect with the Social Currant @socialcurrant on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn.

Click here for the full transcript and video.

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Stay up to date with the podcast that brings you high-value conversations with advocacy leaders and lawmakers who share their insight and tactical advice on what it takes for legislative and political campaigns to succeed.

https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/subscribe

📱BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION

Are you ready to make a powerful impact in Sacramento? Book a free consultation to learn how KBH Advocacy can help move your campaign forward. https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/book

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW AND SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND

If you found this episode helpful, learned something new, or enjoyed listening, be sure to leave a review and share it with your friends and colleagues. 

CONNECT WITH KRISTINA BAS HAMILTON

Founder of California lobbying and political consulting firm KBH Advocacy

🌐 Website: https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbashamilton

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbashamilton/

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

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kbh_advocacy

© 2024 KBH Advocacy, Inc.

In today's episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with California Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-33), hailing from the great city of Long Beach.

00:07:20 - Committee Process and Chair Responsibilities
00:09:33 - Importance of Advocate Letters and Communication
00:10:45 - Committee Consultants and Their Role
00:13:08 - Last-Minute Advocacy and Committee Decisions
00:14:35 - Utilizing Social Media for Advocacy
00:15:48 - The Impact of Sample Messaging and Personalization
00:17:43 - The Dynamics of 'Rolling the Chair'
00:18:24 - The Importance of Advocacy and Community Engagement
00:19:33 - The Role of District Staff in Advocacy
00:21:46 - Advice for Continued Engagement and Advocacy

EPISODE SPONSOR:

Remember to leave a review and connect with me on social media - @kbashamilton on Twitter and LinkedIn, @KBH_advocacy on IG!

Enjoy the show!

Have you ever given your most passionate, well rehearsed pitch for a bill during a lobby visit, only to find the lawmaker or staff barely listening? You look up to find them with eyes glazed over or worse checking their phone as you speak? 

It’s happened to me and let’s just say I’ve left those meetings angry and deflated. 

So what can advocates do to keep our audiences engaged and open?

In this week’s podcast, I'm thrilled to introduce you to groundbreaking communicator and behavioral change expert Christina Harbridge. Christina is the founder of Allegory, Inc. a behavioral leverage company, and has spent her career "nerding out on human behavior". 

A long time social justice advocate, she's served on the founding boards of Emerge America and The Bay Lights, and as a 20-year member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization; a chair of the Global Leadership Conference, and founding EO Global Communications Chair; a past board member for the San Francisco Rotary Club

2:43 - We are being taught to do things that are fake and don't work

4:37 - What is physiology and afference and why does it matter in politics?

8:10 - Rethinking our approach to storytelling

11:24 - How to get in "the zone" to perform at your best

16:04 - Be loyal to the outcome, not how you get there

19:30 - What makes a lobby visit go wrong

25:52 - Fake is not a strategy

30:14 - Why you need to embrace nuance

38:33 - You need to get out of your head

⁠For the full transcript and video⁠ - https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/podcast/politicalinfluence

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Learn more about Christina Harbridge at https://christinaharbridge.com

Learn more about Allegory, Inc. at https://allegoryinc.com/

Connect with Christina Harbridge at https://linktr.ee/harbridge

Check out these books by Christina Harbridge:

"Swayed: How to Communicate for Impact" at https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/christina-harbridge/swayed/. Ranked #1 on Amazon for "Conflict" category.

"Your Professionalism Is Killing You (How to Be a Better Communicator)" at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3645801-your-professionalism-is-killing-you

"Afference" - New book forthcoming!

EPISODE SPONSOR:

⁠My Growth Marketer⁠ is a unique integrated marketing firm with over 15 years of experience that helps you frame the narrative, influence decision-makers, and advance your policy agenda in Sacramento.

© 2021 – 2023 KBH Advocacy, Inc.

I had the great fortune recently to speak with Michael Tubbs, former Mayor of Stockton and Founder of End Poverty in California (EPIC) and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income. Mayor Tubbs is also currently serving as Special Advisor for Economic Mobility and Opportunity to Governor Gavin Newsom.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Check out the End Poverty In California (EPIC) Documentary – “Poverty and Power” at https://endpovertyinca.org/povertyandpower/

National Domestic Workers Alliance - https://www.domesticworkers.org/

Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Final Report - https://oag.ca.gov/ab3121/report

© 2021 – 2023 KBH Advocacy, Inc.

On the 1 year anniversary of the devastating US Supreme Court Dobbs decision, which overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, I have the honor to speak with Libby Schaaf, former two term mayor of Oakland and interim executive director of Emerge California.

We discuss her journey to public office, why we need to elect more pro-choice women into all levels of government, and what it really means for women to "step into your own power".

In this episode you’ll learn:

2:20 - How Emerge California is nurturing the next generation of CA leaders

8:00 - How we fight back after the Dobbs decision

10:52 - If you’re uncomfortable it means you’re growing

14:44 - Don’t agonize, organize

17:47 - How to breakthrough to reach legislators

22:19 - Set your sights on local office

28:42 - One last piece of advice

Click here for video and to read the blog post

EPISODE RESOURCES:

https://ca.emergeamerica.org/

https://timothysnyder.org/on-tyranny

📧⁠ SUBSCRIBE ⁠TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR CALIFORNIA ADVOCATES NEWSLETTER 

Get valuable insight & advice on what it *really* takes for your advocacy campaign to succeed.

📱BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION

Are you ready to make a powerful impact in Sacramento? Book a free consultation to see how we might work together.

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW AND SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND

If you found this episode helpful, learned something new, or enjoyed listening, be sure to leave a review and share it with your friends and colleagues. 

🖥️ CONNECT WITH KRISTINA BAS HAMILTON

Founder of California lobbying and political consulting firm KBH Advocacy

🌐 Website: https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbashamilton

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbashamilton/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbh_advocacy

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXUzqjDz0RWXOEUo1PTQuXQ/videos

© 2021 – 2023 KBH Advocacy, Inc.