SacTown Talks

Today we welcome to the program Aaron Vad, Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Connolly. Vad is one of the youngest staffers to hold a Chief of Staff position. We discuss Aaron's journey in politics, the challenges and rewards of working in the Capitol, the importance of communication and networking, and more.

This episode was recorded 3/5/2024

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome back to the program Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry. Aguiar-Curry represents the 4th California Assembly District. We discuss local housing, public infrastructure, mental health, supporting families and more.

This episode was recorded 2/22/2024

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome former Mayor of West Sacramento, and current Senate candidate, Christopher Cabaldon. Cabaldon is running for Senate District 3. We discuss Cabaldon's experience as Mayor of West Sac, restoring communities, economic development, climate protection, education and more.

This episode was recorded 2/8/2024
 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome back, now full-time staffer for Senator Brian Dahle, Andrew Nickens. Nickens is a UC Davis graduate and has already gained exposure fighting hard legislative battles, and we are following Nickens' journey in the Capitol. Today we discuss all he's learned in his first year, what has been most helpful, advice for fellows and more.

This episode was recorded 1/26/24

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome back to the program, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. McCarty, a Sacramento native, represents Assembly District 06. We discuss issues in Sacramento such as homelessness, housing, public safety, and more.

This episode was recorded 1/26/2024

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome the great visionary Herby Kay to the program. Kay is the founder of the 1964 plan. We discuss Kay's journey from crime to visionary, the 1964 Plan, issues in crime, drug legalization, homelessness and more.

This episode was recorded 1/24/2024

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome Assemblymember Matt Haney to the program. Haney represents AD 17. We discuss Haney’s path to politics, issues in San Francisco such as Fentanyl, housing, as well as a look ahead to goals for 2024.

This episode was recorded 1/10/2024

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome back to the program Lance Hastings, President and CEO of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association. We discuss the artificial intelligence, the future of technology, California manufacturing and more.

This episode was recorded 1/09/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome back Kristina Bas Hamilton, of KBH Advocacy, to the program. Hamilton also hosts her own podcast, Blueprint for California Advocates. We discuss Hamilton’s current focuses, the affordability crisis, organizing, the California Budget and more.

This episode was recorded 1/08/2024

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we revisit our episode with Senator Alvarado-Gil from May 2023. Alvarado-Gil represents Senate District 4 and serves as State Commissioner for Special Education. The Senator and Jarhett had a fantastic discussion on education, fentanyl, public safety, and more.

This episode was originally released 5/08/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome to the program Vice President of H Cycle, Quentin Foster. H Cycle produces low-carbon hydrogen using  an innovative waste processing system, redirecting municipal waste and organic waste before it hits landfills. We discuss landfill waste issues, related bills, hydrogen solutions and more.

This episode was recorded 12/20/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome back to the program Assemblymember Mike Gipson. Gipson represents Assembly District 65 and previously served as Mayor Pro Tempore for Carson City. We take a look back and recap 2023, the budget, and goals looking ahead to 2024.

This episode was recorded 12/19/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we revisit our episode with now Speaker, Robert Rivas, taking the oath of office as Speaker of the California State Assembly on June 30, 2023. Prior to being elected Speaker, Rivas served as the Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee and as Vice-Chair of the influential Latino Legislative Caucus. Rivas and Jarhett discuss agriculture, food shortage, immigration, the American Dream and more.
 

This episode was originally released 6/20/2022.

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome to the program Chris Lane, Director for  Cygnal. Cygnal is known for their work in polling, analytics and targeting. We discuss Lane's journey to polling, election analytics, the 2024 presidential election and more.

This episode was recorded 12/05/2023

Today we welcome to the program Roger Salazar, President of ALZA Strategies. Salazar is known for his work in the White House under the Clinton Administration, working on the 2000 Gore campaign and as campaign press secretary for former California Governor Gray Davis. We discuss Salazar's journey to politics, experience in the White House, crisis communication, and more.
 

This episode was recorded on 11/28/2023
 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome to the program Assemblymember Devon Mathis. Mathis represents Assembly District 33 and previously served as Sergeant for the Army National Guard for nearly ten years, with two combat tours in Iraq. We discuss Mathis' career, path to politics, the opioid crisis, helping veterans and more.
 

This episode was recorded on 11/09/2023
 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome to the program regulatory expert, activist,  and former President of the California PUC, Loretta Lynch. We discuss Lynch's career, the rising cost of utilities, AB 205 and more!

This episode was recorded 11/08/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome back Principal Clerk II/Reading Clerk, David Bowman. We reflect on the year, David's 15 years in the Capitol, dive into the staffers perspective and more.

This episode was recorded on 10/24/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome back Russell Lowery of High View Strategies. Lowery is an expert in digital communication and political bridge building. We discuss effective lobbying, digital communication strategy, social media success and more.

(01:11) High View Strategies update 

(07:49) Using social media to your advantage

(13:49) Communication and social media strategy 

(22:31) How to successfully reach a member and digital ads

(31:48) Regulatory work vs. legislative work

This episode was recorded on 10/10/2023
 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome back California water expert, Alexandra Biering, of California Farm Bureau. Here Biering provides us with an update on California water, discusses the water year, flood protection, water rights and more.

(03:49) Melting snow and how it affects reservoirs 

(11:00) Why we can expect more and more flooding this year

(14:26) California water rights

(22:18) CA agriculture and the water bond

(32:56) Union workers, farm workers, and funding

(39:45) End of session, important water bills

This episode was recorded on 10/03/2023.

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!