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...