The California Conversation

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced an investigation into California’s high-speed rail project. But what is this project, and why is the federal government getting involved? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be diving deep into the details of the high-speed rail, where the project stands today, and all things governmental mismanagement, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Partnerships Mentioned in Today's Show:

EVERY LIFE: Get 10% off your first order of premium, high-quality, and mission-oriented diapers! If you become part of the Changing Lives Club, EveryLife will send a month's supply of diapers to a church or pregnancy resource center of your choosing. Use my code TESSA10 at checkout or shop through my link here: https://everylife.com/discount/TESSA10

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-high-speed-rail

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:01:40 Transportation Secretary's Announcement

00:01:41 - 00:03:57 The Start of the High-Speed Rail Project

00:03:58 - 00:08:00 Early Obstacles

00:08:01 - 00:09:33 Brand Partner! EveryLife

00:09:34 - 00:13:11 Major Milestones & Status to Date

00:13:12 - 00:14:18 Legislation & Investigations

00:14:19 - 00:22:16 Response

00:22:17 - 00:26:55 Case Study - Theranos

In just the first month of his Presidency, the Trump Administration has issued numerous executive orders on hot topic issues like immigration, gender, and climate change. Many of the orders signed by President Trump are directly opposed to the policies in place in California. What impact do these orders have on our state? Who has the final say? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and I want to give you a framework for how to understand the impact of the federal government’s actions on life in California, 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/executive-orders.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:02:14 Special Announcement!

00:02:15 - 00:04:22 Executive Order Battles

00:04:23 - 00:09:17 Definition & Purposes of Executive Orders

00:09:18 - 00:12:14 What Executive Orders CAN'T Do

00:12:15 - 00:13:50 Brand Partner! Seven Weeks Coffee

00:13:51 - 00:18:03 The Anti-Commandeering Doctrine

00:18:04 - 00:23:23 Case Studies - Immigration, Gender Affirming Care, & Water Policy

00:23:24 - 00:27:42 My Response

The Palisades Fire displaced thousands of residents who are now wondering, what’s next? New regulations for affordable housing across LA county may make answering that question more complicated than many are hoping for. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be covering everything from the development process to housing regulations and the impacts of affordable housing on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Partnerships:

WE HEART NUTRITION: Get 20% off high-quality supplements and support mothers facing unplanned pregnancies! Shop through my link here: https://www.weheartnutrition.com/tessabraham or use my code TESSABRAHAM at checkout.

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!

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/affordable-housing-2025.

Socials:

Check out more content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCaliforniaConversation

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itstessabraham

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Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564213461410

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:01:36 Introduction

00:01:37 - 00:06:56 Housing Development Process in California

00:06:57 - 00:12:02 Regional Housing Needs Assessment

00:12:03 - 00:13:06 Brand Partnership! We Heart Nutrition

00:13:07 - 00:17:30 New Housing Laws for 2025

00:17:31 - 00:22:20 Real Impact of Affordable Housing

00:22:21 - 00:24:12 Why Should Christians Care About This?

Reproductive rights and abortion access were much debated topics of discussion during the 2024 Presidential Election. Since the overturning of Roe versus Wade, questions of what will be protected and what will be outlawed related to abortion have remained at the forefront of the national conversation. Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to protect abortion rights in California, but just what are the laws in our state on this issue? California is well-known as a safe haven for abortion care, but how did it get to be this way and is there any possibility for change? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be diving into the history and intricacies of abortion law in California, the impact of the Dobbs decision on the state level, and my response to abortion sentiment in the golden state on this week’s episode of The California Conversation.

Partnerships:

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!

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/california-abortion-law. Consider supporting the following pregnancy resource centers: https://www.openarmspregnancy.com/ ; https://www.dmcforwomen.org/

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:03:30 Questions About the State of Abortion

00:03:31 - 00:06:13 Current Events Regarding Abortion

00:06:14 - 00:10:57 History of Abortion Law in California

00:10:58 - 00:15:07 The Impact of Overturning Roe v. Wade

00:15:08 - 00:18:03 Debunking Abortion Claims

00:18:04 - 00:19:23 Brand Partnership - Amallow Naturals

00:19:24 - 00:22:59 Born Alive Infant Protections?

00:23:00 - 00:30:13 Response to California's Abortion Laws

00:30:14 - 00:36:11 What Can We DO About It?

00:36:12 - 00:38:59 The Importance of the Church - and the Gospel

California’s Attorney General filed a lawsuit against President Trump just one day into his presidency. The issue at the forefront of the debate? Birthright citizenship. But just what IS birthright citizenship and why is California getting involved? I’m your host, Tess Abraham, and we will be taking a deep dive into all things illegal immigration, the Fourteenth Amendment, and the impact on Californians, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Partnerships:

AMALLOW: Get 15% off clean skincare at Amallow Tallow through my link https://amallow.com/tessabraham or using the code 650Q2ZY3HL at checkout!

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/birthright-citizenship.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:02:49 The Latest Battle Between California and President Trump

00:02:50 - 00:06:03 What is Birthright Citizenship?

00:06:04 - 00:07:37 Legal Interpretation of Birthright Citizenship

00:07:38 - 00:14:37 President Trump's Executive Order

00:14:38 - 00:16:40 Why Should We Care?

00:16:41 - 00:24:08 How NOT to Think About This Issue

00:24:09 - 00:27:57 How TO Think About This Issue

00:27:58 - 00:30:08 Final Warning Against Manipulation

Thousands of victims of the Palisades and Eaton fires were uninsured, leaving them completely devasted in the wake of losing everything. Insurance companies have been leaving California in what is being called a mass exodus over the past few years. Just what are their reasons for leaving? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we’ll be talking all about the environment that California policy has created for insurance companies on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Partnerships:

AMALLOW: Get 15% off clean skincare at Amallow Tallow through my link https://amallow.com/tessabraham or using the code 650Q2ZY3HL at checkout!

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/california-insurance-crisis.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:02:20 Introduction & A Note on the Inauguration

00:02:21 - 00:05:32 What Happened with Insurance in CA?

00:05:33 - 00:14:41 California's Insurance Policies - Proposition 103

00:14:42 - 00:15:43 Brand Partnership! Curie Deodorant

00:15:44 - 00:22:11 The Results of Proposition 103

00:22:12 - 00:26:46 Analysis & Response

00:26:47 - 00:29:25 Case Study - Florida

00:29:26 - 00:32:35 The Importance of Policy & Concluding Thoughts

Southern California faced the devastation of multiple massive, destructive wildfire outbreaks last week – some of the worst in the state’s history. We have to ask – were these fires preventable? How could they have spread so quickly and destroyed entire communities? What policy decisions allowed this – or worse, enabled it? I’m your host, Tess Abraham, and we will be looking at the policy failures made by our elected leaders and their catastrophic results on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Resources to Help with LA Wildfires:

Volunteer: LA Dream Center – www.dreamcenter.org/volunteer/

My Safe LA – www.mysafela.org/volunteer

American Red Cross Los Angeles Region – redcross.org/local/California/los-angeles/volunteer

Hearts in Action LA - https://heartsinaction.org/volunteer/

LA Animal Services - https://www.laanimalservices.com/about-volunteering

Donate

LA Dream Center Donations – www.donate.dreamcenter.org

Every Life – https://everylife.com/products/buy-for-a-cause?selling_plan=5498536216

Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles – www.habitatla.org/support-us

Partnerships:

AMALLOW: Get 15% off clean skincare at Amallow Tallow through my link https://amallow.com/tessabraham or using the code 650Q2ZY3HL at checkout!

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 sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/california-wildfires-2025. Link to sign the petition for the resignation of Mayor Karen Bass: https://www.change.org/p/demand-the-immediate-resignation-of-mayor-karen-bass

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The Biden Administration just took action to approve California’s groundbreaking mandate that all new cars sold in the state in 2035 must be electric vehicles. President Trump is touting that he will rescind that approval upon his return to office. Just what is going on in California with electric vehicles? Is Newsom’s new mandate realistic and attainable with the next ten years? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be covering how the shift to electric cars affects YOUR life on today’s episode of The California Conversation!

Partnerships:

AMALLOW: Get 15% off clean skincare at Amallow Tallow through my link https://amallow.com/tessabraham or using the code 650Q2ZY3HL at checkout!

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/california-ev-mandates. Here's the link to let me know what you want to see from the show in 2025: https://www.thecaliforniaconversation.com/contact

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:04:05 Controversy over EV Mandate

00:04:06 - 00:08:23 How did we get here?

00:08:24 - 00:10:17 Current Status of Progress Made

00:10:18 - 00:11:26 New Partnership! Amallow Skincare

00:11:27 - 00:18:05 Consumer Concerns about EVs

00:18:06 - 00:23:20 Real Implications of EV Mandates

00:23:21 - 00:26:11 Final Thoughts

As 2024 ends, where is your hope rooted for 2025? How will you weather the political storms that may come our way, as both a country and as a state? I’m your host, Tess Abraham, and I want to give you some encouragement on where true hope can be found on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Partnerships:

AMALLOW: Get 15% off clean skincare at Amallow Tallow through my link https://amallow.com/tessabraham or using the code 650Q2ZY3HL at checkout!

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/new-year-2024. Here's the link to let me know what you want to see from the show in 2025: https://www.thecaliforniaconversation.com/contact

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:02:07 Show Introduction & Call to Hear from You!

00:02:07 - 00:03:41 New Brand Partnership - Curie

00:03:42 - 00:06:59 Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025

00:07:00 - 00:13:30 The Price of Politics & Examples of Political Failures

00:13:31 - 00:15:07 The Beauty of Purpose

00:15:08 - 00:18:21 Where True Hope is Found

00:18:22 - 00:19:47 Takeaways for Californians

Governor Gavin Newsom called for an emergency session to safeguard California’s laws and values before President Trump takes office in January. One of the issues at the forefront of the conversation is our state's status as a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants. But not everyone across California is on board with the Governor’s actions, including one outspoken Sheriff in Southern California. I’m your host, Tess Abraham, and we’ll be covering everything you need to know about California’s immigration laws on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Partnerships:

AMALLOW: Get 15% off clean skincare at Amallow Tallow through my link https://amallow.com/tessabraham or using the code 650Q2ZY3HL at checkout!

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/fighting-trump. To find your Senate or Assembly representative and information on how to contact them about our sanctuary state laws, check out my Resources Article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/resources.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:01:25 Show Introduction

00:01:26 - 00:03:45 San Diego Battle Between Policy & Sheriff’s Office

00:03:46 - 00:05:02 Coalition Against President Trump

00:05:03 - 00:11:44 Current State Law – Sanctuary Status

00:11:45 - 00:17:26 Real-Life Impacts of Sanctuary Status

00:17:27 - 00:21:40 Government's Responsibility to Protect its Citizens

00:21:41 - 00:26:03 State Defiance of Federal Law

00:26:04 - 00:29:02 Protection of Illegal Immigrants

00:29:03 - 00:30:17 Takeaways