Best Marshall Toplansky Podcasts (2024)

1
Former Sheriff Explains Why Californians Are Mobilizing to Change Prop 47 | John McGinness 55:41

3d ago55:41

55:41

“You can literally walk into a retail store every single day of the year and steal $949 worth of merchandise and you will never do a minute in jail. No compounding consequence. The voters I believed were duped because the summary and title said it was the Safe Neighborhoods and Safe Schools Act. So that’s all you see in this Prop 47.” Siyamak sits …

1
What’s Happening on the San Diego Border? First-Hand Account | Cory Gautereaux 49:00

5d ago49:00

49:00

“I constantly see these white buses coming down full of illegal immigrants who are claiming asylum. Not through the port of entry—they’re coming through the fence, cutting the fence, around the fence, over the fence. I have found documents giving them exact instructions. This is a very regimented, professional operation. Who’s doing it?” Siyamak si…

1
The Impact of Third-Party Candidates in Tipping the Election Scale 37:02

6d ago37:02

37:02

Could the fate of an entire election hinge on the unsung heroes of American politics, the third-party candidates? Join us as Professor John Compton and Michael Barone unpack that very question, offering an electrifying discourse on the stirrings within third-party politics that could tip the scales in a nail-biter of an election. Our guests peel ba…

1
California Restaurants on Verge of Going Under With Excessive Mandates, Higher Costs | Brian Back | John Kabateck 31:15

11d ago31:15

31:15

“I’ve sent an open letter to [California Gov.] Gavin Newsom. Not only have we seen the cost of almost everything go up exponentially in the last few years, but also faced new regulations and mandates. If I were to match our increased costs with menu pricing, we would be forced to charge about $40 for a cheeseburger. We can’t explain that to the cus…

1
California’s Dam Removal Damages: Local Farmers Fear Liability for Massive Salmon Deaths | Theodora Johnson 51:48

13d ago51:48

51:48

“It really has been the biggest dam removal experiment in modern history. People who were very much in favor of dam removal are now beside themselves because they had no idea this would be the outcome.” Siyamak sits down with Theodora Johnson, a sixth-generation rancher from Siskiyou County. The Klamath Dam removal project is the largest of its kin…

1
What Californians Can’t Afford to Miss in Prop 1 | Susan Shelley 44:48

17d ago44:48

44:48

“It’s being sold to the voters as treatment. But you’ve got $2 billion going into housing that can be for people who are still using hard drugs. If you have a building with, let’s say, 40 units, and 15 of the people in them are addicted to hard drugs, that is going to have an impact on the community, and the community has no say in that land use at…

1
Former Homeless Reveals What Homelessness is Like in Sacramento | Matt King 55:21

19d ago55:21

55:21

‘It’s almost like we’re living in an open-air mental health facility. There are people walking down the streets; you don’t know if they’re going to shoot you, stab you, punch you, spit on you... And we, as parents, are kind of teaching our kids and grandkids how to be numb to the situation.’ Siyamak sits down with Matthew King, former homeless and …

1
Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis and Protecting the Middle Class Dream 39:54

22d ago39:54

39:54

Unlock the mystery behind why securing a roof over your head has become an arduous quest in today's Western civilization. This episode promises to gift you with the perspectives of housing experts Joel Farkas, Wendell Cox, and Karla López del Río, as we navigate through the complexities of local and state regulations, fees, and the polarizing anti-…

1
Are California Housing Mandates Ending Community Involvement and Character of Cities? | Amy Kalish | Lydia Kou 49:57

1M ago49:57

49:57

“The goal is to densify every town in the state. To densify it—so that‘d be walking around, not driving. In some places, it doesn’t work. But this whole policy has been applied as ’one size fits all' with no complaining.” Siyamak sits down with Amy Kalish, with Citizen Marin. She’s been studying what the housing mandates are for different cities in…

1
Navigating the Tides of Change: How Global Politics May Shape America's 2024 Elections 1:20:15

1M ago1:20:15

1:20:15

Uncover the unforeseen ways foreign policy sways the American electoral tide with us, Marshall Toplansky and Joel Kotkin, as we host a conversation that traverses the global political landscape and its potential shocks to the 2024 elections. With luminaries like former U.S. Ambassador to Italy Ron Spogli and Asia Pacific expert Robert Koepp sharing…

1
California Parents Are Afraid of Losing Their Kids | Erin Friday 45:09

1M ago45:09

45:09

“The school adopted my daughter’s new identity, which was a boy, changed her records to be male name, called her that in class. They told me I was unsafe. So they were safer for my daughter. This is a new movement that all parents are bad until proven good.” Host Siyamak Khorrami sits down with Erin Friday, executive committee member for Protect Ki…

1
Former Prison Guard Explains Why California Prisons Are Becoming Unsafe | Hector Bravo 51:43

1M ago51:43

51:43

“It is like working at a zoo, and they’ve opened up every single cage: to the bears, to the lions, to the panthers, to the giraffes, to the elephants. And you got the correctional officers like: “Oh my god, what have they done here?” Siyamak sits down with Hector Bravo, a former correctional officer and lieutenant with the California Department of …

1
Will California Lose Its Entrepreneurial Spirit as More Businesses Invest in Other States? | Marshall Toplansky 46:14

1M ago46:14

46:14

“Who is leaving? That’s probably the most worrying aspect of all of this. The people who are leaving are the most productive, what I call the seed corn of California—people who are going into family formation stage, 30- to 50-year-old people who are mid-career, people who make $200,000 a year and above. And so what we’re left with, which is kind of…

1
From US ‘Murder Capital’ to Zero Homicides: A California City’s Remarkable Rebirth | Paul Bains 27:40

1M ago27:40

27:40

“I remember that year; there was just so much shooting going on. Kids would sleep in bathtubs to avoid stray bullets.” Siyamak sits down with Pastor Paul Baines from East Palo Alto. He will share how his city managed to turn around from being the murder capital of the state and the country to achieving zero homicides. “Believe it or not, a lot of t…

1
Is California Still Leading the Nation? | Larry Elder 38:45

1M ago38:45

38:45

“In the last three years, we’ve had a net outflow of 1 million people. I don’t want to leave; I want to help turn the state around because I think sooner or later the voters are going to wake up, and I want to be here when that happens.” Siyamak sits down with Larry Elder, a radio and TV host, former gubernatorial candidate in California, former pr…

1
How Los Angeles Mansion Tax Impacts Affordable Housing | Chris Tourtellotte 41:03

1M ago41:03

41:03

“You’re going to see housing supply dropped. Investors are no longer looking at the city of LA because it’s too risky. Why would you sell a property, if you would have to give all your profit to the city?” Siyamak sits down with Chris Tourtellotte, managing director of LaTerra, a large real estate development company based in California. He'll disc…

1
Exploring the Impact of Catholic Schools on Underserved Communities 39:14

1M ago39:14

39:14

Unlock the secrets of a holistic education that goes beyond academics as we engage with Stephannie Saroki de Garcia, Soledad Usura, and Tony Lemus, dissecting the profound effects of Catholic school environments on underserved communities in California. Discover how these institutions foster discipline, character development, and purpose, equipping…

1
Exploring the Paradox of Peace and Economics in Taiwan-China Relations and International Trade Expectations 8:02

2M ago8:02

8:02

Discover the nuanced complexities of Taiwan-China relations and the unexpected preferences of their people towards peace, as we're joined by Raymond Kuo from the Rand Corporation and Professor Robert Koepp of Chapman University. Instead of the often-presumed march towards military conflict, we uncover a deeper narrative that highlights the Taiwanes…

1
Famous Chef Explains Why It Is Hard to Operate A Restaurant in California | Andrew Gruel 51:49

2M ago51:49

51:49

“Opening a restaurant seems simple, right? You never anticipated that you would expect ... Every single restaurant owner I talked to, is in a PAGA lawsuit. None of them are less than six figures.” California is the hardest state to open a restaurant, according to a new study by Restaurant Furniture. Siyamak sits down with celebrity chef Andrew Grue…

1
Why California’s Budget Deficit Is Snowballing: Legislative Analyst | Gabriel Petek 39:57

2M ago39:57

39:57

Siyamak sits down with Gabriel Petek, California’s legislative analyst. He shares with us why California is facing such a huge budget deficit and how it may last a few more years. He also shares what it will take to solve this budget crisis. “A couple of years ago, we had a $100 billion surplus, and we heard about these big numbers. Now, we’re esti…

1
California DA Explains Which Policies Lead To Increased Crime | Morgan Gire 35:28

2M ago35:28

35:28

"As an elected District Attorney, I have people from my county being released from prison early and I don't know why." Siyamak sits down with Morgan Gire, District Attorney of Placer County, who has over 24 years of experience working in the criminal justice system. He'll discuss recent criminal justice reforms in California and share his opinion o…

1
California Lawmakers Spending $1.2 Billion on Office Renovation | Bill George 41:09

2M ago41:09

41:09

Siyamak sits down with Bill George, historian and filmmaker, who has been studying and documenting the history and culture of California. He'll discuss the changes he has observed in California’s state capital when it comes to homelessness, crime, and transparency in the legislative body. We'll also take a deep dive into California's history and lo…

1
Navigating the Future of Higher Education: Challenges, Reform, and the Role of Civic Engagement 36:17

2M ago36:17

36:17

Embark with us as we traverse the complex terrain of higher education alongside our distinguished panel—Rick Hess, Justin Dyer, and Dean Andrew Moser. Together, we scrutinize the waning public confidence in academic institutions, dissect the legislative counteracts to campus culture, and address the impending demographic shift that predicts a drop …

1
Why Oakland Police Can’t Stop Criminals | LeRonne Armstrong 40:49

2M ago40:49

40:49

Siyamak sits down with LeRonne Armstrong, a former police chief who served for the Oakland Police Department for over 25 years. He explains how it’s difficult for the police to operate because of the rules and regulations they are facing from the city. This situation in Oakland is so dire that the governor is sending 120 California Highway Patrol o…

1
California EV Mandate: 14,000 Trucks With Limited Chargers At Ports: Matt Schrap 45:19

3M ago45:19

45:19

Siyamak sits down with Matt Schrap, CEO of Harbor Trucking Association, which represents trucking companies operating at the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland. Today, he'll share his insights on what it takes for trucking companies to comply with the zero-emission mandates at the ports and how this might affect Californians. Join us as …

1
How Working From Home Is Crushing Downtown Los Angeles | Chris Cooper 35:39

3M ago35:39

35:39

Siyamak sits down with Chris Cooper, principal and regional managing director at Avison Young. He talks about what challenges downtown Los Angeles is facing today in the aftermath of the pandemic and the impact on the commercial real estate industry. “I’m a third-generation Angeleno. We have a wonderful community.“ Mr. Cooper said. ”There are compe…

1
Who's Leaving California? Is It Impacting California's Economy? | Jim Doti 41:48

3M ago41:48

41:48

Siyamak sits down with Jim Doti, president emeritus at Chapman University. Today he will talk about his latest findings on the California Exodus and provide some insights on the demographics of people who are leaving California, why they are leaving, and the outmigration’s impacts on California's job market and economy. "Over the last five years, w…

1
California Cities Are Forced to Build ‘Unaffordable’ Housing | John Cruikshank 45:15

3M ago45:15

45:15

Siyamak sits down with John Cruikshank, mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes in Los Angeles County. He will discuss the challenges facing California cities regarding the state housing mandate and the potential problems of government overreach when it comes to improving housing affordability. “Right now the policymakers up in Sacramento don’t trust the citi…

1
Secret Chinese Biolab With Viral Diseases in California Under Investigation | Steve Ispas | Kevin Kiley | Lear Zhou 31:13

3M ago31:13

31:13

In this special episode, we discuss an unlicensed Chinese biolab in California that was illegally researching viral diseases. Siyamak sits down with investigative reporters Steve Ispas and Lear Zhou from The Epoch Times. He also talked to Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.), who, along with his colleagues in Congress, has been investigating this case. “The…

1
The Top Key Issues Facing Society in 2024 14:34

3M ago14:34

14:34

Could our current education system really be churning out a generation that's less learned than the last? Joel and I grapple with this unsettling possibility as we investigate the shifting tides within educational institutions, from the revered halls of Harvard to the vibrant classrooms of primary education. As 2024 dawns, we're pulling back the cu…

1
Is Theft Causing the End of Retail Stores in California? | Juan Alanis 41:10

3M ago41:10

41:10

Siyamak sits down with Juan Alanis, an assemblymember from Modesto County and former law enforcement officer. He discusses the issue of rising retail theft in California and his insights from serving on the Assembly Committee on retail theft. He also talks about the impacts on businesses, law enforcement, and local communities. “We’re talking about…

1
The Rise of Populism in Europe: Immigration, Nationalism, and the Quest for Sovereignty 33:30

4M ago33:30

33:30

How has the mosaic of European politics been recast by the relentless waves of immigration? This pressing question takes center stage as Ambassador Ron Spogli and deputy editor Fraser Myers join me to unravel the complex tapestry of populism's ascent in the West. With the spotlight on Georgia Maloney's prime ministerial triumph in Italy, we peel ba…

1
Tax Expert Explains How High Taxes Drive Jobs Out of California | Joe Vinatieri 42:37

4M ago42:37

42:37

Siyamak sits down with Joe Vinatieri, Mayor of Whittier, California and a tax expert. He'll talk about why people are leaving California and the impact of high taxes on the state. “McDonald’s started here, Carl’s Jr. started here, Taco Bell started here, In-N-Out started here. There was just a great entrepreneurial spirit,“ said Mr. Vinatieri. ”Whe…

1
Shaping the Future: Challenges and Innovations in California's Education System 39:33

4M ago39:33

39:33

Education, the cornerstone of our future, teeters on a precipice of change. Former California State Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero and retired superintendent Mike Christensen join us to dissect the intricate web of challenges plaguing California's schools—from the scapegoating of teachers and the undervaluation of family engagement to the con…

1
50,000 Migrants Dropped Off With No Plan. Can San Diego Handle It? | Jim Desmond 27:38

4M ago27:38

27:38

Siyamak Khorrami sits down with Jim Desmond, San Diego County Supervisor. He'll talk about how the recent surge of migrants in San Diego is causing a big problem for the county and how he's worried that homelessness could get worse as a result. "We're not as bad off as San Francisco or LA but if we keep going down this path, we're going to have the…

1
LA Corruption: Where Did It Come From, and Can It Be Fixed? | Alex Villanueva 49:23

4M ago49:23

49:23

Siyamak sits down with Alex Villanueva, former sheriff of Los Angeles County. He'll give us a deeper look into how corruption works in Los Angeles, and what should be done to stop it. "It's billions of dollars that get poured into the pockets of the nonprofit world in the state of California. And what is the return on the investment? A bigger homel…

1
Former LA Sheriff Captain Concerned About Department Officers Losing Deputies Due to Stress | Michael Bornman | Cece Woods 52:29

4M ago52:29

52:29

Siyamak sits down with Michael Bornman, a retired captain from the LA County Sheriff's Department who had served for over 30 years. He shares his perspective on the issues the Department is currently facing. We also talked with Cece Woods, who has been reporting on the LA Sheriff's Department for many years. She provides her insight based on conver…

1
The Underlying Political & Economic Issues in the Middle East 43:37

5M ago43:37

43:37

Our latest episode featuring Walter Russell Mead, foreign affairs expert, is an eye-opener that transcends typical narratives, providing a profound understanding of how this conflict influences the Middle East. We also unveil American energy independence's under-appreciated significance and how it shapes the region's geopolitics. No foreign affairs…

1
Navigating Cancel Culture and Free Expression in American Education 40:16

6M ago40:16

40:16

Immerse yourself in a profound conversation with Sam Abrams and Daniele Struppa as we set sail into the stormy seas of cancel culture on American campuses. Ponder on the essence of freedom of expression, the intricacies of offensive language, and the implications of a trending phenomenon that is reshaping societal narratives. We dissect the potenti…

1
Shattering the Green Energy Illusion with Jennifer Shaigec and Robert Bryce 33:00

6M ago33:00

33:00

Ready to uncover the startling contradictions in the green energy movement? Promising a journey into the intricate ecosystem of sustainable power, our episode with Jennifer Shaigec and Robert Bryce will have you questioning what you thought you knew about the transition to alternative energy sources. We discuss the irony of advocating for green ene…

1
The Political Paradox of Marriage Decline 28:57

7M ago28:57

28:57

Are you aware that the decline in marriage rates could be silently and profoundly shaping our society? Today, we're joined by Sam Abrams and Brad Wilcox, esteemed visiting fellows at the American Enterprise Institute, to dissect this pressing issue. We deliberate on how the health of marriage could determine the economic mobility of less fortunate …

1
Behind the Scenes of Global Labor: Asia and America 39:06

7M ago39:06

39:06

Ever marveled at the staggering trends of youth unemployment and labor participation across the globe? Each region presents its unique set of challenges and as we unfold the layers of this discussion, our guests, John Russo of Georgetown University and Rob Koepp of Chapman's Asia-Pacific Geoeconomics and Business Initiative, bring their insights to…

1
State-Mandated Housing Coming to Your Town | Christine Epperly 47:02

7M ago47:02

47:02

Siyamak sits down with Christine Epperly, a licensed civil engineer and building designer with over 30 years in business. She discovered a state-run plan called the "15 Minute City" that is changing the landscape of California. "What's happening in California is we're building these high-density communities in the middle of the towns and suburbs. I…

1
Why California Electricity Costs Have More Than Doubled | Susan Shelley 44:33

8M ago44:33

44:33

Siyamak sits down with Susan Shelley, columnist with Southern California News Group. She discusses California's renewable energy policies and their impact on the cost of living. "We are in California, bearing this tremendous burden financially to model good climate behavior. And it does not affect the global climate because it's too small. It’s 1 p…

1
Uncovering the Economic Transformation and Challenges of Appalachia 35:44

8M ago35:44

35:44

Ever wondered what's brewing in the land of Appalachian charm? Buckle up as we journey through the changing landscapes of this region, guided by our expert guests Aaron Renn and Jessie Wall. From the sun-soaked South, attracting folks with its warm weather and proximity to buzzing metropolises, to the Northern parts, diversifying their economy from…

1
Why California's Insurance Crisis Is Putting Homeowners' Lives at Risk in Wildfires | Sam DiGiovanna 44:33

8M ago44:33

44:33

"It's like apocalypse when you're on these wildfires and everything is burning. Homeowners in sandals, shorts, and a T-shirt on their roof, watering the roof down. A lot of people cannot get fire insurance because it's getting so expensive in California." Siyamak sits down with Sam DiGiovanna, fire chief for Verdugo Fire Academy. He discusses his p…

1
Why San Francisco Parents Are Outraged Over Math | Rex Ridgeway 45:05

8M ago45:05

45:05

Siyamak sits down with Rex Ridgeway, president of the PTA at Lincoln High School in San Francisco. He explains how San Francisco's inclusion policies are actually hurting the overall performance of students and why parents are leaving the public school system. "Kids in San Francisco can't get to calculus. They moved Algebra 1 out from the 8th grade…

1
Industrial A.I. 33:55

9M ago33:55

33:55

On this episode of Feudal Future, hosts Joel Kotkin and Marshall Toplansky are joined by robotics engineer, Wyatt Newman, and executive director of the Twin Institute, Michael Grieves, to discuss industrial artificial intelligence. Dr. Michael Grieves is an internationally renowned expert on Digital Twins, a concept that he originated, and organiza…

1
"Carjacking is a serious felony, but selling a child for sex is not. I would ask them as a parent, why would you not support a bill to make human trafficking of minors [a serious felony]? ... This is a ... 32:22

9M ago32:22

32:22

"Carjacking is a serious felony, but selling a child for sex is not. I would ask them as a parent, why would you not support a bill to make human trafficking of minors [a serious felony]? ... This is a place where good public safety bills go to die from both Democrats and Republicans." Siyamak sits down with California state Sen. Shannon Grove, aut…

1
Why LAPD Lost 1,000 Officers | Marlon Marrache 41:39

9M ago41:39

41:39

"We were called agents of racial genocide. That really hits bad, that is so, so not true. So when you start hearing those types of words that are describing what you do every single day, it doesn't sit well." Siyamak sits down with Marlon Marrache, a retired LAPD officer to discuss the impact that legacy media has on people's perception of policing…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Marshall Toplansky Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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