Many Los Angeles residents aren’t reporting home burglaries, but real estate agent Diana Lavu Weems says they’re happening more often than people realize. She shares firsthand accounts from her community, while LAPD Captain Brian Wendling explains how organized crews operate, what data shows, and why reporting matters.

A former corrections officer and his wife returned to California’s toughest prisons—not to enforce rules, but to offer a new way forward. In this episode, they share how education, discipline, and human connection helped shift prison culture from within, and why lasting change starts with responsibility.

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Hollywood work is moving out of California—and it’s not just about cost. In this episode, composer and producer Brian Ralston explains how remote technology, global tax incentives, and union structures are changing film production. He offers a clear view of how these changes are affecting jobs in Los Angeles and what it means for California’s film economy moving forward.

California pours billions into public education. Yet classrooms remain under strain, student outcomes lag, and programs multiply without clear accountability. In this episode, Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh shares what she’s seeing from inside the legislature—and why the conversation may finally be shifting.

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Melody Noel spent years writing songs in the pop industry. Today, she’s witnessing something different—Californians showing up for quiet worship nights, finding purpose in faith, and forming communities that feel more real than routine. In this episode, she shares what’s behind this shift, what it’s changing for young people, and why she believes something bigger is underway across the state.

California’s effort to protect the iconic Joshua tree is well-intentioned—but the law has led to unintended consequences for homeowners, developers, and even public infrastructure projects. In this episode, we hear from Curtis Yakimow, the town manager of Yucca Valley, and Madelaine LaVoie, a local resident and real estate broker, who explain how basic home repairs and new housing have become increasingly difficult under the current permitting system.

While the law was designed to preserve a native species, its ripple effects may soon reach far beyond this desert town—impacting communities across Southern California where Joshua trees naturally grow. We take a closer look at the law's real-world impact and the conversation around finding a balanced fix.

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Retail theft laws in California have changed—but is it enough to make a difference? With felony charges now on the table for repeat offenders, some business owners say they’re already seeing fewer incidents. Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, one of the authors of the sentence-increasing statute Prop 36, joins us to explain how the law is being applied, what’s happening behind the numbers, and how the system handles cases involving mental illness or addiction.

Marine veteran Kate Monroe’s journey began with injury and disappointment during her military service, and deepened as she faced the complexity of the Veterans Affairs system after leaving the Marine Corps. Out of that experience, she built VetComm, a company that today generates tens of millions in revenue by helping veterans access benefits that often go unclaimed. In this episode, she reflects on the mindset that turned hardship into purpose, how broken exit systems affect veterans long after discharge, and the discipline behind building lasting success.

For veterans seeking support, more information is available at www.vetcomm.us or by texting “claim review” to 858-360-2227.

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of California Insider.

Thousands of families, farms, and businesses across three Northern California counties—Sonoma, Mendocino, and Marin—could lose a vital water supply as two key dams face removal. Chris Coulombe joins us to explain how this could raise living costs, strain firefighting efforts, and pressure local economies—and why some say better solutions to avoid long-term damage are being overlooked.

For more background on this issue, we recommend Keely Covello’s reporting: https://www.americaunwon.com/p/breaking-california-to-spend-500

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Could California’s old oil fields become part of the state’s clean energy future? In this episode, we meet Mike Umbro, a California native testing a new approach to long-duration energy storage. With support from federal labs and the Department of Energy, his team is working to store solar heat deep underground—potentially generating zero-emission electricity for up to 42 days. While the science behind it is established, the project still faces long permitting delays. We take a closer look at how this unconventional idea might help California meet its energy goals—and what stands in the way.

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.