Happy Fourth of July! In this week’s episode, I take a deep dive into the Declaration of Independence and compare the colonists’ grievances with the British Crown to what we see happening in California today. From the explosion of unelected bureaucracies to the abandonment of public safety and parental rights, we explore how the very freedoms our nation was founded to protect are being quietly stripped away. Because the battle for liberty didn’t end in 1776—it begins again here, today, in California.

Check out more content related to California politics, here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI6CiPPZnCntOxJ2m6iAHX3sj1_Ll0RuF&si=7lANuFikHlkytmyh

For sources cited in compiling this week’s episode, check out the corresponding article on my website: https://www.thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/fourth-of-july-2025

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CONNECTED CARE: Whether you’re looking for therapy, or a therapist looking to serve your clients without the burden of administrative tasks, Connected Care is a great place to start—right from the comfort of your own home. Visit www.connectedcareinc.com to learn more and get started.

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The world seems like it has just been falling apart the last few weeks! There have been massive protests about immigration, riots that posed major threats to law enforcement and to the city of Los Angeles as a whole, the calling in of the national guard, and a legal showdown between Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump. The chaos that has unfolded in California is the perfect example of people wanting to be heard – but doing so without truth, without clarity, and without self-control. And when that happens, we don’t get change, we get chaos. I'm breaking it all down for you today.

Brand Partners and Advertisers Mentioned in Today's Show:

WE HEART NUTRITION: Get 20% off high-quality supplements and support mothers facing unplanned pregnancies! They are pro-baby, pro-mama, pro-life, and American owned! Use code TESSABRAHAM at checkout, or shop through my link here: https://www.weheartnutrition.com/tessabraham.

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/los-angeles-riots-2025

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Governor Gavin Newsom has implemented the most sweeping electric vehicle mandates in the country – aiming for 100% of new car sales by 2035 to be all electric. These mandates have left Californians concerned about the auto industry in our state and the ability to support such a massive shift in a short span of time. But the wins just keep on coming, with these mandates being officially struck down by Congress just a few weeks ago! I’m your host, Tess Abraham, and we are looking at our last conservative win and what it means for you on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Brand Partners and Advertisers Mentioned in Today's Show:

CONNECTED CARE: Whether you’re looking for therapy, or a therapist looking to serve your clients without the burden of administrative tasks, Connected Care is a great place to start—right from the comfort of your own home. Visit www.connectedcareinc.com to learn more and get started.

EVERY LIFE: Get 10% off premium diapers, wipes, and other baby products, while supporting a company that values every life by partnering with 900+ pro-life organizations. Use code TESSA10 or shop through my link here: https://everylife.com/discount/TESSA10

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/protecting-consumer-choice

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:01:44 Introduction & Advertiser - Connected Care

00:01:45 - 00:06:00 The Fight: Newsom's 2035 EV Mandate

00:06:01 - 00:08:32 The Win: Senate Revocation

00:08:33 - 00:10:07 Brand Partner! EveryLife

00:10:08 - 00:13:31 The Question of State's Rights

00:13:32 - 00:17:36 Real Life Effects of This Win!

What happens when the state that promised 'healthcare for all' suddenly changes its mind? In a surprising turn of events, Governor Gavin Newsom is quietly walking back one of California’s most expensive — and controversial — progressive policies to pay for the healthcare of illegal immigrants. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and I’m breaking down the reasons for this change of heart, and exactly it means for our budget, our values, and our future, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Brand Partners Mentioned in Today's Show:

CURIE: Get 10% off nontoxic deodorant and other crunchy approved products at Curie with my code, CURIETESSABRAHAM, or shop my link: curiebod.com/CURIETESSABRAHAM

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/prioritizing-the-taxpayer

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Timestamps:

00:00:00-00:03:39 The Fight: The Medi-Cal Shortfall

00:03:40-00:08:10 The Win: Recent Policy Rollback

00:08:11 - 00:09:23 Brand Partner! Curie

00:09:24 - 00:14:54 Real Life Effects of This Win!

Today, we’re celebrating a win — not just in policy, but for the safety of your family, your community, and your right to self-defense. Assembly Bill 1333 is dead, and it’s because people like you spoke up! This is what it looks like when public pressure works — and it’s exactly the kind of momentum we need to keep going. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we are going to cover what happened with the bill, why it matters, and what it means for the future of California, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Advertisers Mentioned in Today's Show:

CONNECTED CARE: Whether you’re looking for therapy, or a therapist looking to serve your clients without the burden of administrative tasks, Connected Care is a great place to start—right from the comfort of your own home. Visit www.connectedcareinc.com to learn more and get started.

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/preserving-self-defense

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Check out more content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCaliforniaConversation

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:03:24 The Fight: Assembly Bill 1333

00:03:25 - 00:05:32 The Win: The Death of AB 1333

00:05:33 - 00:06:47 ADVERTISER – CONNECTED CARE

00:06:48 - 00:09:21 Real Life Effects of This Win!

00:09:22 - 00:10:45 Call to Action

Do you feel exhausted by the constant news cycle? Like every headline is another blow, every update a reminder of how much work there is still to do? I get it. The issues we’re up against in California — from government overreach to broken policies — can feel overwhelming. It’s heavy. And when change feels slow, or like it’s never coming at all, it’s easy to wonder if staying informed and engaged is even worth it. If you’ve felt that weight lately — you’re not alone. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and I want to speak directly to that feeling… and offer you some hope, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Brand Partnerships & Advertisers Mentioned in Today's Show:

AMALLOW: Get 15% off clean skincare at Amallow Naturals through my link https://amallow.com/tessabraham or use the code 650Q2ZY3HL at checkout! *Discount code will automatically be applied at checkout through my link!

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/why-i-dont-give-up-on-california.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:02:38 New Summer Series! Wins Worth Fighting For

00:02:39 - 00:04:47 Is It Naive to Fight For California?

00:04:48 - 00:07:13 We Engage Because We Can

00:07:14 - 00:09:05 We Engage Because We're Hopeful

00:09:06 - 00:10:20 Brand Partner! Amallow

00:10:21 - 00:13:07 We Engage Because California Matters

00:13:08 - 00:17:24 We Engage Because People Matter

California residents are being warned to brace for massive spikes in gas prices over the next year due to the closure of two major refineries in the state. Why are these refineries shutting down operations, and how will it impact consumers? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we are breaking down a full history of California’s legislative and regulatory environment around gasoline, the effects it will have on your life, and what our state SHOULD be doing instead, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

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SEVEN WEEKS COFFEE: Get 10% off high-quality, mission-oriented coffee products while supporting pregnancy resource centers throughout the country! Use my code TESSABRAHAM at checkout or shop through my link here: https://snwbl.io/seven-weeks-coffee/TESSABRAHAM

CONNECTED CARE: Whether you’re looking for therapy, or a therapist looking to serve your clients without the burden of administrative tasks, Connected Care is a great place to start—right from the comfort of your own home. Visit www.connectedcareinc.com to learn more and get started.

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/californias-rising-gas-prices.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:01:57 $8/Gallon Gas?!!

00:01:58 - 00:04:26 What is Happening?

00:04:27 - 00:08:30 The Cleaner-Burning Gasoline Program (1992)

00:08:31 - 00:12:31 The Global Warming Solutions Act (2006)

00:12:31 - 00:14:02 Brand Partner! Seven Weeks Coffee

00:14:03 - 00:15:32 The Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (2011)

00:15:33 - 00:19:26. Assembly Bill X2-1 (2024)

00:19:27 - 00:25:50 What Should We Think About These Policies?

00:25:51 - 00:26:32 Advertiser - Connected Care

00:26:33 - 00:27:12 Show Conclusion

The California Department of Education is waging a full-scale war on local school districts—suing, pressuring, and punishing those that refuse to teach controversial topics like gender ideology. Across the state, school boards are facing legal threats and massive fines for changing their curriculum in these subject areas. So, what does this power struggle really reveal? What is the state’s role in mandating curriculum? I’m your host, Tess Abraham, and we are breaking down the latest in this escalating battle between state power and local control, and why it matters more than ever for families like yours, on this week’s episode of The California Conversation!

Brand Partnerships Mentioned in Today's Show:

AMALLOW: Get 15% off clean skincare at Amallow Naturals through my link https://amallow.com/tessabraham. *Discount code will automatically be applied at checkout through my link!

Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com. For sources used in researching today's episode, check out my corresponding article at thecaliforniaconversation.com/articles/californias-war-on-school-districts.

Socials:

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:05:34 California Sues Cajon Valley School District

00:05:35 - 00:09:32 Other Education Battles Across California

00:09:33 - 00:10:56 Brand Partner! Amallow

00:10:57 - 00:15:46 The State's Role in Education

00:15:47 - 00:21:23 Why Does This Matter for You?