What is California?

The celebrated author & farmer David Mas Masumoto drops by to discuss the magic of peaches, surviving the California water crunch, and how a family farmer makes a living in 2021.

The California Opinion Editor for McClatchy and longtime observer of the Golden State talks about the evolution—and the future— of public life, politics, and culture in a state under siege.

Jaime Lowe visits the show to discuss the strange luck of being Californian, the surprising history of some celebrated roads, and her revelatory new book about female inmate firefighters battling the state's wildfires.

As she prepares for retirement, state auditor Elaine Howle talks about speaking truth to power at the State Capitol, her favorite Californians, and her problems with the dreaded phrase "scathing audit."

Housing advocate Sonja Trauss talks about YIMBYs vs. NIMBYs in the Bay Area and beyond, and reveals a surprising choice for her favorite Californian.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and historian Miriam Pawel talks about her biographies of Jerry Brown and Cesar Chavez, and how she works to interpret California for folks nationwide.

Los Angeles Times columnist Erika D. Smith discusses her experience covering the diverse voices, regions and challenges of California, from Modoc County's sheriff to Southern California's unhoused.

The former books editor of the Los Angeles Times discusses some of the state's most important authors—led by the high priestess of California literature, Joan Didion.

A candid chat with the former mayor of Stockton about historic wins, hard losses, and how misinformation is warping California. PLUS: An excerpt from his new memoir, "The Deeper the Roots."

The creator and host of the hit podcast "You Must Remember This" talks about the ways Hollywood informs the past, present and perception of California.