For our final episode of 2023 we've got a big show with three special segments: 

First up, hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster talk with Sammy Perez of Prison Fellowship to learn about the Angel Tree Program, which gives incarcerated parents a way to provide a Christmas gift and a personal message for their children. Perez, who spent nearly a decade in prison, shares the importance of family connections for prisoners and their families on the outside - and how others can help support the program.

Next up, we are joined by longtime Capitol Weekly editor John Howard. Rich Ehisen took over the editor's chair from John in January, and we talk about his first year helming the publication, and what it was like to take on production of The Top 100. John, meanwhile, has taken over our Oral History program, and talks about the contrast between churning out daily news and taking the long view.

Finally, we buckle in for a countdown of the Top 10 candidates for Who Had the Worst Year in California Politics. This is our final show of the year - we'll be back with plenty to talk about in 2024!

SAMMY PEREZ

1:26 The Angel Tree program

3:44 Sammy's story

7:04 The impact of the program

8:27 How to support Angel Tree

14:13 JOHN HOWARD

15:17 The Oral History Project

17:40 49 years of daily reporting

20:16 The Rich Ehisen era

23:06 Learning the Top 100

25:52 "Lobbyists are the engine of what makes Sacramento work"

27:58 Staffers

34:01 Rising Stars

37:31 Folks outside of Sacramento?

41:32 Biggest surprise?

48:15 #WWCA - Sean Loloee

49:05 Worst YEAR in CA Politics

49:44 No. 10 - Barbara Lee

51:34 No. 9 - John Eastman

53:07 No. 8 - Omar Navarro

55:56 No. 7 - Curren Price

56:54 No. 6 - Pamela Price

58:40 No. 5 - Reggie Jones-Sawyer

1:02:11 No. 4 - Kevin McCarthy

1:06:47 No. 3 - Harry Sidhu

1:08:16 No. 2 - Nathan Fletcher

1:11:39 No. 1 - Mark Ridley-Thomas

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Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang

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