In this episode of Coffee Culture in the Capitol, Sophia Lorey and Greg Burt break down what to expect at the upcoming California March for Life on March 16 and highlight two life-affirming bills attendees will be encouraged to support when they visit legislators at the State Capitol.

The conversation focuses on AB 1628 and AB 2073, two proposals aimed at strengthening California’s Safely Surrendered Baby Law. The hosts explain how AB 1628 would extend the surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days, giving mothers in crisis more time to safely surrender a child without facing abandonment charges. They also discuss AB 2073, which would allow hospitals and fire stations to install Safe Haven baby boxes—secure, climate-controlled incubators that allow anonymous surrender and have already helped save infants across the country.

Sophia also reviews several sweeping abortion laws signed in California after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, explaining how recent legislation expanded abortion access, lowered medical requirements, and allocated taxpayer funding for out-of-state abortion travel.

Later in the episode, Greg dives into a growing controversy in California schools over PRISM training, a required program that instructs educators on gender identity policies and how to address “misgendering” and “deadnaming.” The hosts discuss the tension between these policies and recent rulings from the Supreme Court of the United States affirming parental rights and limiting schools’ ability to socially transition students without parental knowledge.

Throughout the episode, Sophia and Greg encourage listeners to stay informed, engage with public policy, and take part in the March for Life by rallying, marching, and meeting with legislators to advocate for policies that protect life and uphold biblical values.

In Episode 90 of Coffee Culture & the Capitol, Sophia and Greg break down a dramatic week at the California State Capitol — including a heated Assembly floor vote on ACA 7, a constitutional amendment that would partially roll back California’s ban on race-based preferences.

What does ACA 7 actually do? How is an ACA different from an AB or SB? And why did this vote stall for minutes on the Assembly floor before narrowly passing? Sophia and Greg unpack the political maneuvering, the constitutional stakes, and what this means as the proposal heads to the Senate.

Then, they shift to a positive development: AB 1835, a bill that would place a 90-day limit on the governor’s emergency powers. After California’s three-year COVID state of emergency, is it time for stronger legislative accountability? The conversation revisits lockdowns, church restrictions, and why constitutional checks and balances matter.

Plus, with the California March for Life just weeks away, Sophia shares exciting updates and stories from students who are traveling across the state to stand for life on March 16th.

Grab your coffee (or Hint water 😉) and join the conversation as we break down the policies shaping California — and how you can stay informed and involved.

Grab your coffee and join the conversation with Coffee Culture & the Capitol.

In Episode 89, Sophia shares what happened at a press conference and CIF meeting where seven female athletes, parents, and leaders spoke out against policies allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports and use girls’ locker rooms. Hear highlights from speeches by Assembly members Kate Sanchez and David Tangipa, who stood boldly for fairness, privacy, and Title IX protections and the surprising response from Asm. Josh Lowenthal.

Then the conversation shifts back to the Capitol, where Planned Parenthood helped kill a common-sense transparency bill that would simply have notified parents when outside groups teach sex ed in schools. Greg breaks down what happened to AB 281 by James Gallagher and what it reveals about Planned Parenthood’s political influence.

Finally, don’t miss details on how you can get involved at the upcoming California March for Life and why showing up matters now more than ever.

Links:

March for Life: https://www.californiafamily.org/2026-ca-march-for-life/

Inside CIF Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXOCSZc7R7E

2026 CIF Press Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIt1LLTqoY0

CFC Story link: https://www.californiafamily.org/2026/02/gallagher-fought-for-transparency-planned-parenthood-shut-it-down/

PPAC Letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q2Y59sLJ86MTYQIJG-j5FrbTgEDznozh/view

PP Classroom Ed link https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-los-angeles/local-education-training/classroom-education

In this episode, Sophia and Greg unpack two major battles unfolding between California and the federal government.

First, they will break down what they call California’s latest “abortion bailout.” After federal funding cuts led to Planned Parenthood clinic closures nationwide, California lawmakers introduced AB 106 and SB 106 allocating an additional $90 million in one-time taxpayer funds to abortion providers. Sophia and Greg explain how this follows last year’s $140 million budget allocation, why state leaders frame it as “reproductive health care,” and what it signals about California’s direction post-Roe. They also invite listeners to take action at the California March for Life on March 16, and reveal a special speaker announcement, exclusive to podcast listeners.

Then, they will shift to what they describe as a major federal win on parental rights. The U.S. Department of Education found California in violation of FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) for allowing “secret gender transition” plans in schools without parental notification. The ruling challenges AB 1955 and warns that continued noncompliance could risk loss of federal education funding. Sophia and Greg discuss what this means for parents, school districts, and the ongoing fight over student privacy and gender identity policies.

Links:

https://www.californiafamily.org/2026-ca-march-for-life/

https://www.instagram.com/californiafamilycouncil/

https://www.genderspectrum.org/resources

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/63ebbd468a9d2d129d622b91/t/679a48f2661ac31c3ae92ff0/1738164468208/Fillable_Student_Gender_Support_Plan_2023.pdf

https://www.californiafamily.org/2026/02/ca-state-lawmakers-push-90-million-abortion-bailout-for-planned-parenthood/

Welcome back to Coffee Culture & the Capitol with Sophia and Greg!

In this episode, we dive headfirst into California’s legislative session and break down a newly introduced bill that has major implications for free speech, religious liberty, and biblical values. Sophia and Greg unpack AB 578, a vague “anti-hate” training mandate introduced by Assembly Member Corey Jackson, and explain why Christians should be paying close attention. While opposing hate is something everyone agrees on, the real concern lies in how lawmakers define “hate”—and how biblical beliefs on sex, gender, and marriage are increasingly being labeled as harmful or discriminatory. You’ll hear firsthand accounts from the California Capitol, including Sophia’s experience testifying in defense of girls’ sports and how those beliefs were shockingly compared to Nazi-era ideology.

The episode also explores how similar laws and cultural pressures abroad have led to Christians being investigated or prosecuted simply for quoting Scripture. Throughout the conversation, Sophia and Greg address:

Why AB 578 could chill free speech and religious expression

How “anti-hate” training is being used as ideological enforcement

The growing pattern of labeling Christian beliefs as dangerous or violent

Why standing for biblical truth is not hateful—but rooted in love and truth

The episode wraps up with practical ways you can stay informed, take action, and engage with what’s happening at the California Capitol—without feeling overwhelmed.

In the first episode of 2026, Sophia Lorey and Greg Burt return to Coffee Culture and the Capitol with major updates from Washington, D.C. and California. They break down a landmark federal ruling in the Maribel A. case affirming parents’ constitutional right to be informed when their child expresses gender incongruence at school—and what the Ninth Circuit’s temporary stay means moving forward.

Sophia and Greg also recap critical meetings in D.C., discuss the federal government’s renewed acknowledgment of biological reality, and preview the upcoming Supreme Court cases that will determine whether states can protect girls’ sports from male competitors. Sophia shares her perspective as a former athlete and her role in an upcoming press conference alongside state attorneys general.

The episode also honors the life and legacy of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, reflecting on his faith, character, and unwavering commitment to truth. From parental rights to protecting children and standing firm in a culture of confusion, this episode sets the tone for the battles ahead in 2026.

In the final episode of 2025, Sophia and Greg tackle two of California’s pressing cultural battles: the state’s revived pronoun mandates and the growing legal attacks on life-affirming pregnancy centers. They revisit SB 219, a law that compels nursing home staff to use preferred pronouns under threat of penalties, and walk through Greg’s 2017 testimony warning lawmakers about the dangers of forced speech. With the California Supreme Court now upholding the pronoun provision as “regulating conduct,” Sophia and Greg explain why this ruling marks a serious escalation in the state’s campaign to redefine gender and silence dissenting voices—especially people of faith. They challenge Christians to stand firm in truth, refusing to compromise on God’s design even as cultural pressure intensifies.

Sophia and Greg then shift to the national fight surrounding pregnancy resource centers, highlighting a recent Supreme Court case responding to state-led efforts to harass and intimidate pro-life organizations by demanding donor lists, internal communications, and private records. Drawing parallels to similar hostility in California, they expose how government officials and abortion activists attempt to undermine centers that offer free, compassionate, medically licensed care to women and families. As they close out the year, Sophia and Greg urge listeners to stay engaged, sign up for CFC’s weekly newsletter, and prepare for a pivotal 2026 legislative session—one that will shape the future of life, liberty, and truth in California.

In Episode 84 of Coffee, Culture, and the Capitol, CFC Vice President Greg Burt sits down with Judi Kenney, founder and director of Operation Pray, a fast-growing ministry that stations volunteers on public sidewalks outside high schools to offer prayer, encouragement, and hope to students as they leave campus.

Judi shares the remarkable story of how Operation Pray began with a dream—literally—and how God confirmed that calling through a series of providential moments. What started with three high schools has now expanded to over 35 campuses across California and beyond, with thousands of students prayed for and hundreds making decisions for Christ.

Greg and Judi dive into:

• How Operation Pray works and why public sidewalks open the door for powerful outreach
• The emotional and spiritual needs of Gen Z, including the rise in anxiety and isolation
• Incredible testimonies, like groups of young men finding freedom from addiction and students praying over volunteers in return
• Partnerships with Christian clubs, teachers, youth pastors, and local churches
• The vision to place a prayer team at every public high school in California

Whether you're a parent, pastor, teacher, or someone longing to see revival among the next generation, this episode will encourage and challenge you. Learn how simple, consistent presence—and a sign that says “Need Prayer?”—is sparking transformation in communities.

👉 Get involved or learn more at OperationPray.com

In Episode 83 of Coffee, Culture & the Capitol, Sophia and Greg unpack two major developments shaking California’s education system. First, they break down the huge parental-rights victory in Encinitas, where a school district dropped its appeal after forcing a fifth grader to teach a kindergartener gender ideology using My Shadow Is Pink. The court’s ruling now requires schools to give parents advance notice and opt-outs before introducing gender-identity content — a major win for families who stood firm despite retaliation and bullying.

Sophia and Greg also dive into the fallout after the California Department of Education abruptly pulled its statewide PRISM teacher-training program offline. Whistleblowers exposed that the program still contained directives telling teachers to hide students’ gender identities from parents, contradicting what state officials told a federal judge. With sanctions now looming, the scandal raises serious questions about transparency, trust, and the state’s ongoing push for parental-exclusion policies.

Grab your coffee — this episode exposes the truth behind the headlines and highlights why momentum is finally shifting toward protecting parental rights in California.

In this week’s episode, Sophia Lorey and Greg Burt expose how California’s universities are using so-called “harassment prevention” training to force students to affirm radical gender ideology—or risk losing their education. The University of California’s SHAPE program, created under AB 2608, now defines “harassment” so broadly that simply disagreeing with transgender ideology can get students accused of creating a “hostile environment.”

Sophia and Greg break down how this ideological compliance test is being enforced statewide and why it marks the death of academic freedom in California.

Then, they turn to the volleyball court—where the Protect Girls’ Sports crowd packed the gym as male athlete competed against girls in a CIF playoff game. From the cheers in the stands to the shocking hostility from the other side, this episode captures the heart of a growing movement defending women’s sports and biological truth.

Finally, Sophia and Greg explain why Californians must vote NO on Prop 50—to stop the state’s attempt to further cement gender ideology into law.