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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

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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43:46

The Race for CA Governor Begins— Who Are the...

California Insider ·

2025/06/04

California’s next governor will face real, day-to-day problems that affect millions—housing, insurance, energy, and more. In this conversation, Democrat Mike Gatto and Republican Jim Reighaimer explore how the state’s open primary influences who makes it to the top—and what kind of leadership could connect in today’s California.

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40:07

What Happens When a City Is Built Just for Kids? |...

California Insider ·

2025/06/03

Many parents sense it: something’s missing in how we prepare young kids for real life. In this episode, we sit down with Sandy Stone, founder of Pretend City, a nonprofit in Orange County that has served over 2.4 million children and families. Built from the ground up using real neighborhood data, Pretend City offers hands-on experiences—from running a grocery store to visiting a doctor’s office—that help kids develop practical skills, empathy, and confidence before they even reach kindergarten.

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43:56

California’s Last Sugar Beet Plant Is Closing—What’s...

California Insider ·

2025/05/31

A century-old sugar plant in California’s Imperial Valley is shutting down—marking a shift in the state’s farming economy. Gil Rebollar, Mayor of Brawley, shares how the closure is affecting his community—and how the rise of renewable energy is changing how land, water, and opportunity are managed across rural California.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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41:26

What’s Driving California’s $4.1 Trillion Economy? |...

California Insider ·

2025/05/28

California recently became the world’s fourth-largest economy. In this conversation, State Treasurer Fiona Ma discusses the industries that are driving the momentum, the role of human capital, and how public investment is being used to meet the state’s evolving needs. She also addresses pressure points in agriculture, housing, and small businesses—offering a clearer view of where California stands today.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily

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45:52

What a Secret Service Agent Learned Protecting...

California Insider ·

2025/05/27

Ron Williams protected six U.S. presidents and some of the most high-profile figures in the world. But what did decades inside the Secret Service really teach him? In this conversation, he opens up about the moments that changed him—on duty, in loss, and in faith.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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33:58

California’s EV Mandate Overturned by Congress |...

California Insider ·

2025/05/24

California’s move to electric vehicles has a lot of momentum, but most of the talk sticks to the tech. In this episode, Larry Elder shares what he learned while making a documentary on how EVs are built, where the materials come from, and the often overlooked policies and trade-offs behind it all. The discussion opens up what this shift could mean for California’s future—and whether we’re getting the full picture.Watch EV movie https://gjw.us/evfilmyt1Views expressed in this video are the opinions

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39:42

How Getting A Permit For One Tree Has Taken Over 3...

California Insider ·

2025/05/21

Independent LA builder John Gregorchuk spent over a decade navigating delays, shifting requirements, and a maze of unclear rules—just to build housing on land he already owned. At one point, he created a chart to track what no one at the city could explain. His experience shows how red tape, appeals, and siloed departments can quietly stall housing projects in Los Angeles.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch

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26:52

19-Year Old, 5 Degrees and Now She is Running The...

California Insider ·

2025/05/20

Kaylee Law is just 19 years old—and already a city council member in her California hometown. In this episode, she shares how homeschooling, early college enrollment, and strong community support helped shape her path into public service.“I want my ceiling to be their floor,” she says, reflecting on her family's journey and why she’s committed to helping the next generation succeed.Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The

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47:27

California Has Thousands of Empty Rooms Right Now—Can...

California Insider ·

2025/05/17

As California’s shelters reach capacity, thousands remain on the streets. Hotel GM Claudio Bono believes there’s a practical, dignified alternative—one that uses empty hotel rooms to offer temporary shelter and a path back into society. Therapist Cameron Flanagan joins to share firsthand insight into how the current shelter system is falling short.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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34:48

What’s Happening With Los Angeles Burglaries | Diana...

California Insider ·

2025/05/15

Many Los Angeles residents aren’t reporting home burglaries, but real estate agent Diana Lavu Weems says they’re happening more often than people realize. She shares firsthand accounts from her community, while LAPD Captain Brian Wendling explains how organized crews operate, what data shows, and why reporting matters.

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42:14

How Education Breaks the Cycle of Incarceration? |...

California Insider ·

2025/05/13

A former corrections officer and his wife returned to California’s toughest prisons—not to enforce rules, but to offer a new way forward. In this episode, they share how education, discipline, and human connection helped shift prison culture from within, and why lasting change starts with responsibility.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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47:15

Why Is Movie Production Getting Outsourced From Los...

California Insider ·

2025/05/10

Hollywood work is moving out of California—and it’s not just about cost. In this episode, composer and producer Brian Ralston explains how remote technology, global tax incentives, and union structures are changing film production. He offers a clear view of how these changes are affecting jobs in Los Angeles and what it means for California’s film economy moving forward.

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40:25

Why California Students Are Falling Behind in a...

California Insider ·

2025/05/07

California pours billions into public education. Yet classrooms remain under strain, student outcomes lag, and programs multiply without clear accountability. In this episode, Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh shares what she’s seeing from inside the legislature—and why the conversation may finally be shifting.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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27:25

One Musician Walks Away from Pop Fame to Follow a...

California Insider ·

2025/05/06

Melody Noel spent years writing songs in the pop industry. Today, she’s witnessing something different—Californians showing up for quiet worship nights, finding purpose in faith, and forming communities that feel more real than routine. In this episode, she shares what’s behind this shift, what it’s changing for young people, and why she believes something bigger is underway across the state.

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33:38

How Joshua Tree Protection Law Is Impacting CA Cities...

California Insider ·

2025/05/03

California’s effort to protect the iconic Joshua tree is well-intentioned—but the law has led to unintended consequences for homeowners, developers, and even public infrastructure projects. In this episode, we hear from Curtis Yakimow, the town manager of Yucca Valley, and Madelaine LaVoie, a local resident and real estate broker, who explain how basic home repairs and new housing have become increasingly difficult under the current permitting system.While the law was designed to preserve a native

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31:18

California DA Explains Why Shoplifing Is Going Down |...

California Insider ·

2025/04/30

Retail theft laws in California have changed—but is it enough to make a difference? With felony charges now on the table for repeat offenders, some business owners say they’re already seeing fewer incidents. Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, one of the authors of the sentence-increasing statute Prop 36, joins us to explain how the law is being applied, what’s happening behind the numbers, and how the system handles cases involving mental illness or addiction.

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32:22

Marine Veteran Turns Adversity Into Purpose | Kate...

California Insider ·

2025/04/29

Marine veteran Kate Monroe’s journey began with injury and disappointment during her military service, and deepened as she faced the complexity of the Veterans Affairs system after leaving the Marine Corps. Out of that experience, she built VetComm, a company that today generates tens of millions in revenue by helping veterans access benefits that often go unclaimed. In this episode, she reflects on the mindset that turned hardship into purpose, how broken exit systems affect veterans long after

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33:34

600,000 Residents Could Lose Water Under Potential...

California Insider ·

2025/04/26

Thousands of families, farms, and businesses across three Northern California counties—Sonoma, Mendocino, and Marin—could lose a vital water supply as two key dams face removal. Chris Coulombe joins us to explain how this could raise living costs, strain firefighting efforts, and pressure local economies—and why some say better solutions to avoid long-term damage are being overlooked.For more background on this issue, we recommend Keely Covello’s reporting:

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35:24

California Utilities Cost Is 85% Higher Than the...

California Insider ·

2025/04/23

Could California’s old oil fields become part of the state’s clean energy future? In this episode, we meet Mike Umbro, a California native testing a new approach to long-duration energy storage. With support from federal labs and the Department of Energy, his team is working to store solar heat deep underground—potentially generating zero-emission electricity for up to 42 days. While the science behind it is established, the project still faces long permitting delays. We take a closer look at how

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329 results

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