State of Gold is a show and citizens' movement about reclaiming California's promise, one bold idea at a time. In each installment we explore what’s gone off track in our state and what it will take to fix it, with the rebels and leaders on the frontlines of change. It’s for anyone who believes California is worth fighting for.
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About State of Gold
A veteran of the media and technology worlds, Jon has spent his career at the intersection of culture and innovation. He’s led multiple consumer companies from start-up to scale, including as CEO of Sentral, the housing innovator. Previously, he co-led WeWork’s US business, and currently advises numerous mission-driven companies.
Jon got his start in media with NPR, E!, and Wired, giving him a front-row seat to the early waves of disruption that would go on to reshape how we work, communicate, and connect. That same spirit of innovation drives his work today.
He’s the proud father of 5 kids all growing up in California, and a fierce believer in our state’s potential to lead the nation—again.
Civic Entrepreneur
California Optimist | FATHER OF FIVE
Host Jon Slavet
keep up with Jessica on Instagram —
Kids, carbs & Fashion
evan smith
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hobbies
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currently inspired by
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claim to fame
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by day
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favorite cities
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hobbies
Nulla blandit tortor quis egestas elementum. Aenean in semper odio. Nullam vestibulum arcu eget turpis scelerisque suscipit.
currently inspired by
Nulla blandit tortor quis egestas elementum. Aenean in semper odio. Nullam vestibulum arcu eget turpis scelerisque suscipit.
claim to fame
Nulla blandit tortor quis egestas elementum. Aenean in semper odio. Nullam vestibulum arcu eget turpis scelerisque suscipit.
by day
Nulla blandit tortor quis egestas elementum. Aenean in semper odio. Nullam vestibulum arcu eget turpis scelerisque suscipit.
favorite cities
keep up with Jessica on Instagram —
Kids, carbs & Fashion
jessica smith
JUST WHO are jessica and evan?
The Faces Behind the Mic
EPISODE 1
DAVID CRANE
A former Schwarzenegger advisor explains where the money went—and why services keep failing.
EPISODE 4
ASSEMB. JOE PATTERSON
What one California lawmaker discovered inside the Capitol and why he’s speaking out.
EPISODE 5
ASSEMB. DAVID TANGIPA
California’s youngest Assemblyman exposes what’s really driving the budget collapse and unsafe streets.
EPISODE 6
DAN SCHNUR
A POLITICAL INSIDER EXPLAINS HOW CALIFORNIA LOST ITS MIDDLE - AND WHY BOTH PARTIES ARE AT FAULT.
EPISODE 7
ELIZABETH BARCOHANA
how overlooked California voters could shape the next election — and why ignoring them might be a mistake.
EPISODE 8
STEVE WESTLY
A former State Controller breaks down the real numbers behind California’s crisis, and what Sacramento keeps getting wrong.
EPISODE 9
CATHERINE REHEIS-BOYD
California’s top energy expert on how climate policies are driving up costs and hurting working families.
EPISODE 11
ELEX MICHAELSON
Straight talk from a news anchor who’s seen it all — what the media’s missing about California’s future.
EPISODE 12
STEVE HILTON
An inside look at how one-party rule is fueling California’s decline—and the bold ideas that could turn it around.
EPISODE 13
ALEXANDRA MACEDO
A rising voice from the Central Valley speaks out on taxes, farmers, and Sacramento’s mistaken priorities.
EPISODE 14
SONJA TRAUSS
The Yimby Movement vs. California: Sonja Trauss On Housing, CEQA & Fighting For The Future.
EPISODE 15
CURT PRINGLE
A Former Speaker’s Unfiltered Take on What’s Broken in California — and How to Fix the State.
EPISODE 17
LAURA POWELL
Laura Powell reveals California’s civil rights crisis — and what it takes to push back.
EPISODE 18
ROB STUTZMAN
Rob Stutzman On Gerrymandering, Prop 50 & Why Affordability Defines California PoliticS.
EPISODE 23
KEVIN FAULCONER
How Mayor Kevin Faulconer Reduced Homelessness & His Take On Prop 50’s Power Grab.
EPISODE 24
ROXANNE HOGE
Roxanne Hoge on fighting the Crime and Grime in LA, and her own political awakening.
EPISODE 26
MITCH MITCHELL
Mitch Mitchell on California’s Broken Energy Policies, Solar Subsidies & the Fight for Affordability.
EPISODE 27
ELIZABETH BARCOHANA
THE TRUTH ABOUT PROP 50: REDISTRICTING, POWER GRABS & THE FUTURE OF CALIFORNIA POLITICS.
EPISODE 28
KEVIN DALTON
KEVIN DALTON ON LEADERSHIP FAILURE, ENERGY PRICES & WHY CALIFORNIA IS STILL SAVABLE.
EPISODE 31
DAVID TANGIPA
David Tangipa on Prop 50, Political Gaslighting, and Fighting for Fair Representation.
EPISODE 37
HARMEET DHILLON
HARMEET DHILLON ON CIVIL RIGHTS, CAMPUS FREE SPEECH & WHAT'S REALLY WRONG WITH CALIFORNIA.
EPISODE 38
GRAHAM KNAUS
Fixing California from the Ground Up: Graham Knaus on Homelessness, Housing & Local Control.
EPISODE 40
LANCE CHRISTENSEN
LANCE CHRISTENSEN ON FIXING CALIFORNIA’S EDUCATION CRISIS, ENERGY POLICIES & GOVERNMENT REFORM.
EPISODE 41
MIKE MADRID
MIKE MADRID ON CALIFORNIA’S POLITICAL FUTURE, THE LATINO VOTE & WHY BOTH PARTIES ARE FAILING.
EPISODE 44
JOEL FOX
JOEL FOX ON CALIFORNIA'S ONE-PARTY SYSTEM, TAXES & WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO WIN AGAIN.
EPISODE 45
JOEL KOTKIN
How California Hollowed Out the Middle Class — Joel Kotkin on Housing, Politics & California's Future.
EPISODE 46
DR. HOUMAN DAVID HEMMATI
DR. HOUMAN HEMMATI ON LA’S HOMELESSNESS SCAM, THE BILLIONAIRE TAX & WHY CALIFORNIA IS BLEEDING TALENT.
EPISODE 48
LANHEE CHEN
LANHEE CHEN ON CALIFORNIA’S BUDGET CRISIS, THE BILLIONAIRE TAX & HOW TO FIX STATE FINANCES.
EPISODE 49
CHAD PEACE
CHAD PEACE ON INDEPENDENT VOTERS, OPEN PRIMARIES & THE FUTURE OF ELECTION REFORM IN CALIFORNIA.
EPISODE 50
JOEL POLLAK
JOEL POLLAK ON THE PALISADES FIRE, GOVERNMENT FAILURE & WHY THE BILLIONAIRE TAX WILL BACKFIRE.
EPISODE 51
ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA
ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA ON FIXING CALIFORNIA’S SCHOOLS, ECONOMY & THE CALIFORNIA DREAM.
EPISODE 52
JEREMIAH OWYANG
JEREMIAH OWYANG ON AI, STARTUPS & WHY THE NEXT TECH REVOLUTION IS HAPPENING NOW.
EPISODE 53
JAY CHENG
JAY CHENG ON SAN FRANCISCO’S TURNAROUND, SCHOOL FAILURES & THE DANGER OF THE BILLIONAIRE TAX.
EPISODE 54
PATRICK WOLFF
PATRICK WOLFF ON CALIFORNIA’S INSURANCE COLLAPSE & HOW TO FIX THE FIRE RISK CRISIS.
EPISODE 55
JESSICA PATTERSON
JESSICA PATTERSON ON HOW REPUBLICANS CAN WIN CALIFORNIA, THE BILLIONAIRE TAX & WHAT’S BROKEN IN SACRAMENTO.
EPISODE 29
ELIZABETH FUNK
Elizabeth Funk on How We Can Get All Unhoused People off the Street in 2 Years.
EPISODE 35
DON WAGNER
DON WAGNER ON VOTER ID, ELECTION INTEGRITY & WHY HE’S RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.
EPISODE 33
MARIE ALVARADO-GIL
SUSAN SHELLEY ON CALIFORNIA’S CLIMATE TAX, HOUSING CRISIS & THE FIGHT TO SAVE PROP 13.
EPISODE 32
CARL DEMAIO
CARL DEMAIO CALLS OUT BOTH REPUBLICANS & DEMOCRATS, AND REFORM CA’S VOTER ID INITIATIVE.
EPISODE 2
JENNIFER HERNANDEZ
How California’s laws are weaponized to block housing and protect the powerful.
EPISODE 3
FMR. SEN. GLORIA ROMERO
Why a lifelong Democrat endorsed Trump—and her damning critique of ca machine politics.
EPISODE 30
CHAD BIANCO
SHERIFF CHAD BIANCO ON PROP 50, CALIFORNIA’S CRISIS & WHY HE’S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.
EPISODE 34
SUSAN SHELLEY
SUSAN SHELLEY ON CALIFORNIA’S CLIMATE TAX, HOUSING CRISIS & THE FIGHT TO SAVE PROP 13.
EPISODE 56
DEBORA ALLEN
DEBORA ALLEN ON BART’S FINANCIAL MELTDOWN AND THE STUNNING LACK OF COMMON SENSE IN CA STATE GOVERNMENT.
AS HEARD ON THE FOLLOWING PODCASTS
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