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PODCAST

California Insider

The Epoch Times

California, as the wealthiest and most populated state in the nation, carries many leading roles in policy making, economic growth, cultural influences and technology development. California Insider, hosted by Siyamak Khorrami with The Epoch Times Southern California, showcases leaders and professionals across the state with inside information about trending topics and critical issues. Our mission is to inform California residents through the experiences and knowledge of our guests.

news politics

All Episodes

43:26

What One of America’s Busiest Ports Is Doing About...

California Insider ·

2025/07/23

As tariff policies evolve, California ports are under pressure to adapt. The Port of Long Beach, one of the busiest in the country, is moving record volumes without the backlogs of recent years. Chief Operating Officer Noel Hacegaba joins us to discuss how they're managing changes in cargo flow and labor needs while global trade remains in flux.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

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42:45

16 California Universities Rejected Asian Teen...

California Insider ·

2025/07/19

Stanley Zhong, a teen prodigy from Palo Alto, earned a 1590 on the SAT and built a secure code tool during the pandemic that later led to a job offer from Google. However, he was rejected by every University of California campus he applied to. In this episode, his father, Nan Zhong, explains why their family is challenging the college admissions process and what this means for other high-achieving students in California.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not

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38:02

California Reforms Major Environmental Law: What’s...

California Insider ·

2025/07/16

Assembly Bill 130 and Senate Bill 131 aim to speed up housing approvals by limiting CEQA in targeted areas. Former Costa Mesa Mayor Jim Righeimer explains how faster permitting could help ease delays, while also pointing to deeper pressures on infrastructure and housing costs that remain unresolved. He shares how these changes are showing up in local communities and where gaps in the broader response still exist.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not

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44:58

California Prisons Gang and Drug Culture Making...

California Insider ·

2025/07/12

California’s prison system has been experimenting with rehabilitation for years. Programs like Zac Skow’s dog rescue work inside facilities to build trust and teach responsibility. But as Hector Bravo, a former correctional lieutenant, explains, drugs and gang control still run deep. This episode looks at where reform efforts meet resistance, and what that means for safety, staff, and the people inside.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily

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40:31

US Army Corps Exits LA Fires Cleanup Effort — What’s...

California Insider ·

2025/07/09

Cleanup in LA’s fire zones has slowed to a crawl. The Army Corps finished its work, but half the burned lots are still sitting untouched. Homeowners are now on their own, facing blocked haul routes, limited permits, and rising costs. Some of the debris is being dumped in local landfills, triggering lawsuits and raising new concerns for nearby communities. In this episode, developer Elaine Culotti explains what’s been overlooked and what it will take to move forward.Views expressed in this video are

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24:53

How a Family-Run Truck Business Survived LA’s...

California Insider ·

2025/07/08

Mark Baatz moved to Los Angeles from Canada in the 1980s and took a sales job at a small tow truck dealership run by his father and a partner. Over the next 37 years, he helped grow the business through recessions, legal setbacks, and a changing city. He built a team that stayed together, bought property, and worked to keep the business steady through uncertainty. This is a story about staying in business rather than scaling it, and what that kind of work requires in Los Angeles.Views expressed in

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39:32

How is LA's Mansion Tax Impacting Housing...

California Insider ·

2025/07/05

Voters thought Los Angeles’ mansion tax would target luxury home sales to help fund solutions for homelessness. In practice, it’s affecting a much wider range of properties, including apartment buildings and commercial spaces. Developer and urban policy educator Mott Smith explains how this is changing the real estate landscape in LA and what adjustments could help restore balance while still supporting public goals.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not

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26:15

California Is Rolling Back Its Landmark Environmental...

California Insider ·

2025/07/03

For decades, California’s environmental law, CEQA, has made it harder to build housing, even in places where it makes the most sense. A new reform changes that. In this episode, land use attorney Dave Rand explains how the rules just shifted and why this could open the door to more housing in the communities that need it most.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

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49:38

California’s Gas Prices Are 50 Percent Higher Than...

California Insider ·

2025/07/02

California’s Phillips 66 refinery will close this October, and Valero’s Northern California facility is expected to follow in 2026, reducing in-state refining capacity by 20 percent. USC professor Michael Mische examines how shifts in where California gets its fuel could affect local prices.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

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51:40

Behind the Mixed Signals in U.S.–China Education Ties...

California Insider ·

2025/06/28

American universities are known for their openness to global collaboration. But some partnerships may carry more than academic goals. In this episode, investigative journalist Joshua Philipp looks at how foreign-backed programs on U.S. campuses have intersected with national security concerns, from research funding to curriculum decisions.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

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39:38

Why Is the Solar Industry in California on the Brink...

California Insider ·

2025/06/25

California has long been a testing ground for clean energy solutions like rooftop solar. State and local leaders promoted adoption to cut emissions and lower long-term costs. But recent policy shifts and rising expenses are changing the equation for homeowners. In this episode, Johnny Graham, CEO of Pacific United Power, explains what’s behind the change and what it means for those considering solar.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect

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46:21

Meet the Pharmacist Whose Personalized Medicine...

California Insider ·

2025/06/24

As California pushes health care innovation, working through a system not built for individual care can be limiting. That challenge led pharmacist Nayan Patel to develop tailored treatments now helping patients across the state and in more than 10 countries. The path wasn’t simple. Each step along the way guided how he approaches care and what it takes to build something sustainable. This is his story.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily

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01:38:18

California Is About to Lose 20% of Its Gas...

California Insider ·

2025/06/22

As California continues investing in clean energy, the gradual decline of in-state refineries is drawing attention. In this episode, a panel explores how this shift could influence long-term energy reliability and what solutions, both policy driven and independent, are emerging to help meet demand.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

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53:41

California Moves Closer to Mass Production of...

California Insider ·

2025/06/21

A significant lithium resource, among the largest identified in the U.S., is gaining national attention as California works to secure more of its own battery material supply. In this episode, we explore with geologist Michael McKibben the promise of geothermal lithium extraction and its economic potential. Community leader Luis Olmedo shares concerns about the initiative’s impact on local communities and the risk of repeating historical oversights.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of

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48:55

Why Does Affordable Housing Cost More Than Market...

California Insider ·

2025/06/18

In California, the cost of building affordable housing keeps climbing, with some units nearing $1 million to construct. At the same time, older developments are at risk of falling out of affordability as costs rise and protections expire, putting pressure on the system meant to support low-income residents. Tia Patterson, CEO of the California Community Reinvestment Corporation, lays out what’s driving these pressures and what it would take to build and preserve housing that meets people's

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42:43

Could Reusing 39,000 Idle Oil Wells Impact...

California Insider ·

2025/06/14

California has more than 39,000 idle oil wells, many of which pose environmental and financial risks if left unaddressed. While often treated as a burden, former state energy regulator Bill Bartling sees a missed opportunity. In this episode, he shares how a tech-driven solution could cut emissions and help stabilize the grid, but only if the state is willing to act.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

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41:01

California’s Bonus ADU Program Allows Apartment...

California Insider ·

2025/06/11

California is expanding a policy that lets homeowners build multiple ADUs on single-family lots, in some cases adding dozens of units where one home once stood. Officials say it’s a step toward easing the housing shortage. Others worry about what it means for infrastructure, privacy, and neighborhood character. This episode breaks down how the policy works and what’s unfolding on the ground.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views

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41:09

What Can $700 and a Dream Build in California? | Tom...

California Insider ·

2025/06/10

Tom Miller started his business in California with $700 and a clear view of what car dealerships needed but weren’t getting. He built a model that streamlined fragmented services and scaled it to 850 employees. In this episode, he reflects on the pressure, the cost of growth, and what kept him going.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The California Insider.

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22:24

Former LA Sheriff Explains What's Behind The Riots In...

California Insider ·

2025/06/10

Riots broke out in Los Angeles after federal immigration agents carried out enforcement actions in the city’s garment district. But what actually sparked the unrest, and why didn’t local law enforcement step in? Former LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva explains what’s happening and what’s at risk if the response doesn’t change.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The California Insider.

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45:49

Why Is Evicting Squatters So Hard in California? |...

California Insider ·

2025/06/07

In California, some property owners return to find strangers living in their homes, and police often can’t remove them. The law doesn’t always distinguish between a squatter and a tenant. Jonathan Madison, Lead Attorney at The Madison Firm, explains how this legal gray area is playing out across the state and what might shift next.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The California Insider.

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