There's 21 days left until election day - November 5th, 2024. It's a perfect time for me to share my compelling conversation with guest Darcy Totten, recorded some time back. We discuss the heavy weight of this political moment, what we can learn from billionaire preppers, and where we go from here. Darcy Totten is the Interim Executive Director at California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. If you want to learn more about Darcy's work, you can find her on Twi...

In this episode of the Blueprint for California Advocates podcast, I'm honored to be joined by Arianna Z. Smith, founder of Arianna Public Affairs. As thousands of competing interests vie for attention at the California Capitol, it's hard to overestimate the importance of writing content that is compelling and persuasive. With 15+ years experience writing for a Capitol audience, Arianna Smith shares her expertise with advocates seeking to break through the noise. From how to avoid co...

I have the pleasure this week of talking with Impact Strategist Earl Dos Santos. Earl supports creators like Julia Louis-Dreyfus and other mission-driven celebrities to leverage their creativity and platform to drive real change in the world. Earl's journey is not your everyday story. With a background in digital marketing, like many of us, he was compelled to get involved in political action after the 2016 presidential election. After working on several political campaigns, he creat...

33. From the Army to the California Senate: An Unfiltered Take on Policymaking with guest Senator Josh Newman In today’s episode I have the honor of speaking with California Senator Josh Newman (D-29), representing portions of Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Senator Newman shares his journey to the California Senate, from a close election victory in 2016 to being the only legislator in state history to be recalled and then regain his seat. Prepare for a free-ranging and candi...

I'm thrilled to share my conversation with California State Controller Malia Cohen recorded Live at Manny's in San Francisco on February 22, 2024 With excellent moderation by Precious Green, we explore the art and science behind effective advocacy and the role we all can - and must - play in defending democracy and uplifting our communities. 01:01 Diving Into the Book: The Power of Legislative Advocacy 02:06 The Journey of a Lobbyist Turned Author 04:37 Understanding the Role of Cali...

You may have heard about the “creator economy” and think it has nothing to do with politics or advocacy. It’s time to think again. How we communicate with each other is constantly evolving in the digital age. Advocates who adapt to and embrace these changes will have a significant advantage when it comes to winning policy and political campaigns. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Ashwath Narayanan, Co-founder & CEO at Social Currant, a Gen-Z-led, DC-based managed service t...

In today's episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with California Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-33), hailing from the great city of Long Beach. As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Gonzalez shared her unique insights into the legislative committee process. We discuss the behind-the-scenes work that goes into vetting and advancing bills and the Senator offers valuable advice to advocates on how to effectively communicate with committee members and ensure their voices are he...

Have you ever given your most passionate, well rehearsed pitch for a bill during a lobby visit, only to find the lawmaker or staff barely listening? You look up to find them with eyes glazed over or worse checking their phone as you speak? It’s happened to me and let’s just say I’ve left those meetings angry and deflated. So what can advocates do to keep our audiences engaged and open? In this week’s podcast, I'm thrilled to introduce you to groundbreaking communicator and beha...

I had the great fortune recently to speak with Michael Tubbs, former Mayor of Stockton and Founder of End Poverty in California (EPIC) and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income. Mayor Tubbs is also currently serving as Special Advisor for Economic Mobility and Opportunity to Governor Gavin Newsom. In today's episode, we discuss why and how advocates must focus on narrative change as a key yet often missing component of campaigns for policy and political change. Storytelling is how we make sense of the ...

On the 1 year anniversary of the devastating US Supreme Court Dobbs decision, which overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, I have the honor to speak with Libby Schaaf, former two term mayor of Oakland and interim executive director of Emerge California. We discuss her journey to public office, why we need to elect more pro-choice women into all levels of government, and what it really means for women to "step into your own power". In this episode you’ll learn: 2:20...

The most anticipated - and dreaded - event of this year's #CABudget process is on the horizon - the Governor's "May Revision" 😱 This is an annual event in which the Governor updates his January budget proposal to account for updated revenue estimates and economic conditions. For FY 23-24, it is almost certain advocates will face far worse proposed reductions to hard fought investments in services and programs from past years. Join Anthony Wright, Executive Director of Health Access C...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Assemblymember Damon Connolly, who represents California's 12th Assembly District, for a spirited conversation recapping his first 100 days in office. Elected to the Assembly in November 2022, Connolly is one of 34 new members of the California Legislature. This is a record number and that turnover will only increase in the next few years. An additional 24 seats will open in 2024 and, according to Close the Gap California, by 2028 a “Motherlode” of 96 s...

Today begins Transgender Week of Visibility and to celebrate I am sharing this special episode with guests Evan Minton and Rainer Apostol. Evan (he/they) is a nationally recognized transgender advocate whose fight for gender-affirming healthcare reached the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a national co-Chair of the Transgender Advisory Committee of the Democratic National Committee and also serves as co-Chair of the Lt. Governor’s Transgender Advisory Council. Rainer (they/them) is a legislative aide ...

If you want to understand the landscape of politics and policy-making at the California Capitol, it's hard to underestimate the role of Labor. In today's episode, I have the honor to speak with Tia Orr, Executive Director of SEIU California, one of the largest labor unions in the state. SEIU represents over 700,000 workers in both the public and private sectors. Tia and I dive into the historic power struggle between corporations and workers and the role of unions in combating unchecked co...

If Kenneth Mejia’s groundbreaking campaign for Los Angeles City Controller isn’t on your radar it needs to be. In November 2022, Mejia made history by becoming the first Asian American elected to citywide office in LA. Not only did he win in the second-largest city in the United States, but he also did it in a landslide — earning just over 63% of the vote. So how’d he do it? Meet his campaign manager, Jane Nguyen. A long-time LA housing rights activist, Nguyen had no prior experience...

I'm happy to share today my excellent conversation with Lauren Babb. Lauren is the chair of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. She is a change-maker and community leader. Last year, she was recognized as one of four black policy movers and shakers by the Women's Foundation. Lauren shares the amazing work that the Commission has accomplished around the state and her vision for the future. She highlights resources and opportunities from the Commission now available f...

We all know getting positive press coverage is an essential part of a winning legislative strategy. But for those of us without high-powered PR firms on retainer, where do we even start? Byrhonda Lyons, an investigative reporter with the Sacramento-based news organization Cal Matters, shares her valuable insight on producing national award-winning news stories and the role advocates can play in the process. We outline steps advocates can take to elevate their stories and gain more at...

We are nearly three years into the pandemic. At the same time we face an escalating climate crisis and are fighting to protect democracy from the rising tide of fascism. Add to this our "normal" struggles of every day life and work. We are coping with a lot. Too much. During this traditional time of reflection and rest, I am sharing my conversation with Victor Narro, faculty at the UCLA Labor Center, author, and renown labor and immigrant rights activist. Mr. Narro recently rel...

It's mid November and California budget revenue collections are way below projections. Paired with historically high rates of inflation, the Legislature may be facing a $25 billion deficit in FY 23-24. One big difference from budget deficits of the past, however, is the state has $23 billion saved in rainy day funds. Experts agree: Is the situation serious? Without a doubt. Is it a crisis? No. So what does this mean for advocates? Lobbying for new program investments is going to be h...

How do you compel lawmakers to take the hard votes needed to pass bold worker's rights and climate action policies when they have Corporate America breathing down their necks? Last fall I had the honor to interview Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-27 - San Jose) during my advocacy webinar “All Politics is Local”: How Communities can Build Political Power. Mr. Kalra represents the city of San Jose and made history in 2016 as the first Indian-American elected to the California Legislature. An una...

Jennifer Kent, knower of all things California health care policy, shares her valuable insight on how the state budget sausage gets made. Currently the CEO of the Kent Group, Jennifer Kent served under three different Governors, most recently as the Director of the California Department of Health Care Services. She’s held leadership roles in the Health & Human Services Agency and Governor's Office and also spent time in the third house as a lobbyist. Here are my top 5 takeaways from ...

There are few who can speak on electoral politics in California with as much authority as Bill Wong. As former Political Director for the California Assembly Democrats, Bill led efforts in 2018 and 2020 to build the largest Democratic “giga” majorities in the state Assembly in over a century. He served as a political advisor to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and is a regular feature in Capitol Weekly's Top 100 Power List. When I needed to know what was really going on behind the scenes in a...

How many times have you heard this? “I know federal elections are important, but I live in California - there’s nothing I can do.” Yes, California is as blue a state as they come. But the reality is pro-Trump extremists are active throughout the state and some of them are members and/or candidates for Congress. In California there are many critical Congressional races where grassroots support is urgently necessary. In other words, there is a lot you can do to ensure Trumpists do not ...

Who are the most influential groups in Sacramento? We all know the traditional power players. Organizations that play big in electoral politics. Either they write big campaign checks, mobilize big voter turnout, or perhaps do both. Dig deeper, though, and you’ll see they aren’t the only ones at the Capitol with clout. Just because you don’t participate in electoral politics - for whatever reason – it doesn’t mean you are relegated to the sidelines. Take stock of where you...