The California Conversation

The California Department of Education is waging a full-scale war on local school districts—suing, pressuring, and punishing those that refuse to teach controversial topics like gender ideology. Across the state, school boards are facing legal threats and massive fines for changing their curriculum in these subject areas. So, what does this power struggle really reveal? What is the state’s role in mandating curriculum? I’m your host, Tess Abraham, and we are breaking down the latest in this escalating battle between state power and local control, and why it matters more than ever for families like yours, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Brand Partnerships Mentioned in Today's Show:

AMALLOW: Get 15% off clean skincare at Amallow Naturals through my link https://amallow.com/tessabraham. *Discount code will automatically be applied at checkout through my link!

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/californias-war-on-school-districts.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:05:34 California Sues Cajon Valley School District

00:05:35 - 00:09:32 Other Education Battles Across California

00:09:33 - 00:10:56 Brand Partner! Amallow

00:10:57 - 00:15:46 The State's Role in Education

00:15:47 - 00:21:23 Why Does This Matter for You?

Oscar Eduardo Ortega killed two teenagers in a drunk driving incident and is set to be released from prison early after just three years of his sentence. His controversial case has sparked calls for new legislation, a conversation around California’s sanctuary policies, and even the involvement of the federal government. I’m your host, Tess Abraham, and we are breaking down who this criminal is, what the handling of his case and related legislation means for our state, and why you should pay attention to all of it, in this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Advertisers Mentioned in Today's Show:

CONNECTED CARE: Whether you’re looking for therapy, or a therapist looking to serve your clients without the burden of administrative tasks, Connected Care is a great place to start—right from the comfort of your own home. Visit www.connectedcareinc.com to learn more and get started.

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/sb-554.

For ways to take action, see my pre-addressed letter templates here to your state representatives who blocked the passage of SB 554 and who support the unacceptable sanctuary state policies in California: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/66981fd83f6af967ee673d95/t/68180b10ad8dac5c0aed75be/1746406160980/Template+for+Failure+of+SB+554.pdf

For more information on California's sanctuary state laws like SB 54, check out episode 20 of the show!

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:01:22 The Controversial Case Taking Center Stage

00:01:23 - 00:06:07 Who Is Oscar Eduardo Ortega?

00:06:08 - 00:07:24 Advertiser - Connected Care

00:07:05 - 00:11:10 Federal Involvement

00:11:11 - 00:17:42 The Safety Before Criminal Sanctuary Act

00:17:43 - 00:21:30 This is Why Politics Matter

Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new lawsuit against the Trump Administration this month – this time over the Administration’s recent foreign and economic policy decisions. What is behind this lawsuit and what ramifications could it have? Plus, what happens when one of the most powerful states in the country starts acting like its own diplomatic actor? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we are digging into California’s escalating conflict with the federal government, what it means for the balance of power, and whether Newsom’s headline-making decisions cross the line from leadership into overreach, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Advertisers & Brand Partners Mentioned in Today's Show:

CONNECTED CARE: Whether you’re looking for therapy, or a therapist looking to serve your clients without the burden of administrative tasks, Connected Care is a great place to start—right from the comfort of your own home. Visit www.connectedcareinc.com to learn more and get started.

WE HEART NUTRITION: Get 20% off high-quality supplements and support mothers facing unplanned pregnancies! They are pro-baby, pro-mama, pro-life, and American owned! Use code TESSABRAHAM at checkout, or shop through my link here: https://www.weheartnutrition.com/tessabraham.

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/california-foreign-policy.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00: 02:29 The Tariff War

00:02:30 - 00:03:09 Show Sponsor - Connected Care

00:03:10 - 00:06:40 California's Response to the Trump Tariffs

00:06:41 - 00:14:39 Governors vs. the Federal Government

00:14:40 - 00:16:00 Brand Partner! We Heart Nutrition

00:16:01 - 00:18:23 Governors vs. Foreign Leaders

00:18:24 - 00:20:08 Final Thoughts & Action Items

Assembly Bill 84 has the potential to reduce school choice across California by making key changes to public charter schools in the state. Charter school communities and local advocacy groups are already calling on parents and teachers to speak out and oppose this bill. But what exactly would it change, and why should we care? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be covering the education landscape in our state, how this bill would affect charters, and how you can get involved on this week’s episode of The California Conversation.

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/assembly-bill-84. For information about how to contact your legislative representatives on this issue, please see the action items linked in my corresponding article!

Action Items:

Sign the petitions:

https://chartercenter.quorum.us/campaign/115259/

https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/promo/69g

Oppose AB 84 on the Assembly Education Committee page here: https://aedn.assembly.ca.gov

Submit an Opposing comment through the State portal here: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/.../billNavClient...

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:01:54 Introduction

00:01:55 - 00:08:18 California's Education Landscape

00:08:19 - 00:10:59 Current Regulation of Charter Schools

00:11:00 - 00:22:39 Assembly Bill 84

00:22:40 - 00:25:36 Responding to Advocates of AB 84 and Call to Action

00:25:37 - 00:30:45 Christian Perspective

Ranchers in Point Reyes, California are being forced to close their operations after over 150 years of multigenerational farming practices. This raises serious questions about our state’s environmental priorities. How should we think about the impacts of farming practices on ecosystems, and why should everyone across California pay attention to what’s happening in Point Reyes? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we are diving into who the Point Reyes farmers are, how to balance environmental goals with human life, and why you should care, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Advertisers Mentioned in Today's Show:

CONNECTED CARE: Whether you’re looking for therapy, or a therapist looking to serve your clients without the burden of administrative tasks, Connected Care is a great place to start—right from the comfort of your own home. Visit www.connectedcareinc.com to learn more and get started.

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/point-reyes-farm-closures. For information about how to contact your legislative representatives on this issue, please see the article and download my template here: Template to Oppose Point Reyes Farm Closures.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:01:36 Point Reyes Settlement

00:01:37 - 00:03:34 Who ARE the Point Reyes Ranchers?

00:03:35 - 00:07:05 So...What Happened?

00:07:06 - 00:09:36 The Outcome

00:09:37 - 00:10:56 Advertisement - Connected Care

00:10:57 - 00:17:33 Why Does This Matter?

00:17:34 - 00:23:17 How to Balance Environmentalism with Effective Policy

00:23:18 - 00:25:44 Action Items & Resources

Erik and Lyle Menendez are notorious for the cold-blooded murder of their parents back in the 1980s. Now, the Los Angeles District Attorney and Governor Gavin Newsom appear to be at odds – as the Governor seeks to commute the brothers’ lifelong prison sentence, while the DA seeks to block efforts for resentencing. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will dive into the details of this infamous case, recent developments in the case, and why it matters for California politics, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Partnerships Mentioned in Today's Show:

CURIE: Get 10% off nontoxic deodorant and other crunchy approved products at Curie with my code, CURIETESSABRAHAM, or shop my link: curiebod.com/CURIETESSABRAHAM

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/menendez-brothers-update. For information about how to contact your legislative representatives on this issue, please see the article and download my template here: https://violet-fox-jert.squarespace.com/s/Template-for-Letter-to-Gavin-Newsom-Menendez-Brothers.docx

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:01:57 Current Controversy - Nathan Hochman vs. Gavin Newsom

00:01:58 - 00:04:15 So...Who ARE the Menendez Brothers?

00:04:16 - 00:07:11 Why Does This Matter in California Politics?

00:07:12 - 00:08:19 Brand Partner! Curie

00:08:20 - 00:11:52 Why Is This Coming Up Now?

00:11:53 - 00:14:38 How Should We Think About This?

00:14:39 - 00:17:55 Action Items

California’s Medi-Cal Program is facing a $6 billion shortfall for the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year. The situation is so dire that Governor Gavin Newsom has requested a loan from the state’s general fund to cover the expenses. But what’s most shocking about this is that the reason for the deficit is due to the state’s expansion of the program to provide free healthcare to illegal immigrants. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be exploring the Medi-Cal budget crisis, its financial impact on California residents, and the arguments for and against paying for illegal immigrants’ healthcare, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Partnerships Mentioned in Today's Show:

SEVEN WEEKS COFFEE: Get 10% off high-quality, mission-oriented coffee products while supporting pregnancy resource centers throughout the country! Use my code TESSABRAHAM at checkout or shop through my link here: https://snwbl.io/seven-weeks-coffee/TESSABRAHAM

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/california-medical-crisis. For information about how to contact your legislative representatives on this issue, please use my article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/resources.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:05:17 The Medi-Cal Budget Crisis

00:05:18 - 00:07:53 The Band-Aid Fix & Its Consequences

00:07:54 - 00:09:27 Brand Partner! Seven Weeks Coffee

00:09:28 - 00:21:04 Should California Pay for Illegal Immigrants' Healthcare?!

00:21:05 - 00:22:09 Action Items

California has the highest homeless population of any state in the nation. Governor Newsom has poured over $24 billion dollars into solving the issue, yet the problem still persists. One city mayor is proposing a new solution, but it’s already receiving backlash. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we’ll be looking at the homelessness crisis across California, what approaches have been tried in our state so far, and principles for how to think about addressing homelessness on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Partnerships Mentioned in Today's Show:

AMALLOW: Get 15% off clean skincare at Amallow Naturals through my link https://amallow.com/tessabraham or use the code 650Q2ZY3HL at checkout! *Discount code will automatically be applied at checkout through my link!

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/homelessness.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:03:26 San Jose’s New Plan for Reducing Homelessness

00:03:27 - 00:09:18 Statewide Statistics and Root Causes Driving Homelessness

00:09:19 - 00:11:36 Investments and Initiatives to End Homelessness

00:11:37 - 00:14:12 Outcomes of Statewide Programs & Spending

00:14:13 - 00:15:24 Brand Partner! Amallow Naturals

00:15:25 - 00:33:45 How Should We Think About Homelessness?

00:33:46 - 00:36:54 Action Items

Assembly Bill 1333 was introduced a few weeks ago as legislation that would change self-defense protections across California. But it has quickly garnered severe backlash over concerns like rising crime and physical safety. What would this bill do if passed, how would it change existing law, and should we support or oppose it? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be covering current self-defense laws, constitutional protections, and what you can do about all of it on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Partnerships Mentioned in Today's Show:

WE HEART NUTRITION: Get 20% off high-quality supplements and support mothers facing unplanned pregnancies! They are pro-baby, pro-mama, pro-life, and American owned! Use code TESSABRAHAM at checkout, or shop through my link here: https://www.weheartnutrition.com/tessabraham.

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/ab-1333-self-defense. For information on how to find and contact your state representatives OPPOSING AB 1333, check out this article: https://www.thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/resources.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:02:11 Introduction to AB 1333

00:02:12 - 00:06:47 Current State Law - Penal Code 197

00:06:48 - 00:10:37 How Would AB 1333 Change State Law?

00:10:38 - 00:12:50 Support & Opposition

00:12:51 - 00:13:59 Brand Partner! We Heart Nutrition

00:14:00 - 00:17:11 Self-Defense in the Constitution

00:17:12 - 00:25:54 My Response to AB 1333

00:25:55 - 00:27:41 Call to Action!

Chad Bianco is Sheriff of Riverside County, and he just became the most prominent conservative figure to enter the race for Governor of California in 2026. Why is he running, what are his views, and does he stand a real chance as a conservative? And why should we care about an election that is still over a year away? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be diving into the state of the 2026 California Governor’s Race, as well as the policies that Sheriff Bianco is promoting in his campaign, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Partnerships Mentioned in Today's Show:

SEVEN WEEKS COFFEE: Get 10% off high-quality, mission-oriented coffee products while supporting pregnancy resource centers throughout the country! Use my code TESSABRAHAM at checkout or shop through my link here: https://snwbl.io/seven-weeks-coffee/TESSABRAHAM

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/bianco-for-governor

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Timestamps:

00:00:00-00:05:18 The State of the 2026 California Governor's Race

00:05:19 - 00:05:57 Who Is Chad Bianco?

00:05:58 - 00:07:56 Bianco in the Media

00:07:57 - 00:09:41 The Importance of Candidate Policy Positions

00:09:42 - 00:11:13 Brand Partner! Seven Weeks Coffee

00:11:14 - 00:15:08 Policy Position #1: Cost of Living

00:15:09 - 00:16:55 Policy Position #2: Housing Crisis

00:16:56 - 00:21:41 Policy Position #3: Water Supply & Fire Prevention

00:21:42 - 00:25:54 Policy Position #4: Homelessness

00:25:55 - 00:26:37 Policy Position #5: Public Safety

00:26:38 - 00:27:25 Policy Position #6: Education

00:27:26 - 00:28:24 Policy Position #7: Transportation & Summary of Policies

00:28:25 - 00:32:28 Does the Governor's Race Really Matter in California?

00:32:29 - 00:34:28 Why Should We Care So Early?