Look West: How California is Leading the Nation
111 episodes - English - Latest episode: 29 days ago - ★★★★★ - 53 ratingsLook West - A unique view of the people representing you in the State Assembly who are leading California to a better future for all. A series of conversations with California State Assembly members and the people they represent, the Look West podcast brings you a unique view of the people leading California to a better future for everyone.
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Episodes
Connecting Californians: Expanding High Speed Internet
May 06, 2021 19:00 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBThe COVID-19 pandemic highlighted something many already knew before it struck last year – California needs to expand and improve high speed internet, or broadband, to everyone. Availability, Affordability, Devices and Digital Skills are just a few of the challenges facing Assembly Democrats as they work to close the digital divide and provide high speed internet to everyone. On the this episode of Look West Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon talks about broadband in California.
Earth Day: A Greener Future
April 19, 2021 16:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBLearn about Earth Day and legislation authored by Assembly Democrats that can protect our environment.
Vaccine Equity – Vaccinating All 58
March 23, 2021 18:45 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBAs California works tirelessly to make sure everyone has access to vaccines, it is left to each individual county to determine how they are distributed. Listen in as Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula speaks with two local health experts Tania Pacheco-Werner, PhD, and Joe Prado about COVID-19 vaccine distribution efficiency and equity.
International Women's Day - Women of the California State Assembly
March 05, 2021 17:15 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBMarked annually on March 8, International Women's Day is a global day of celebrating the social, cultural and political achievements of women. California continues to lead in the inclusion of women and their leadership. Meet some of the amazing leaders in the CA State Assembly: Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes, Chief Clerk Sue Parker and Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore Rebecca Bauer-Kahan.
The State of Water
February 26, 2021 16:45 - 32 minutes - 29.3 MBWater is an issue addressed by the California State Legislature every session. We had the opportunity to speak with Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath, grassroots organizers Susana De Anda, Executive Director of Community Water Center and Michael Claiborne, Directing Attorney of Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. Our guests discuss the complexity of water issue and how every aspect of it is related to affordability, accessibility, pollution, ...
Make A Plan to Get the Vaccine
February 16, 2021 20:30 - 30 minutes - 28 MBThe novel vaccines are on the cutting edge of science. While the technology has been studied for years, this is the first in-human use of this technology, so some are slow to say Yes to being vaccinated. On this episode Dr. Shirley Weber describes her experience receiving her vaccine. Plus - a conversation about the cutting-edge nature of the vaccine with Assemblymember Dr. Jim Wood and Nurse Practitioner Christy Sillman. Sillman has written about how she owes her life to "living at the cutt...
Roots and Heritage: Speaker Anthony Rendon
January 29, 2021 16:45 - 5 minutes - 5.04 MBGet to know Speaker Anthony Rendon like never before. Join us as he shares how a son of Mexican immigrants came to be the Speaker of the CA State Assembly.
Covid-19 Vaccines: Hope is Here
January 15, 2021 21:15 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MBHope is finally here. Listen to Look West as Dr. Elaine Batchlor and Dr. Jorge Reyno, experts from MLK Hospital in LA talk vaccines with Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez, a former first responder. We also chat up two front line health workers who talk about their experiences with the vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
New Laws You Should Care About
December 21, 2020 23:15 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBWith 2020 in the rearview mirror, new laws are coming your way on January 1st. In this episode of Look West you’ll hear from the authors of legislation that will affect millions of Californians in 2021. Listen as Assemblymembers Eloise Gómez Reyes, Mike Gipson, Dr. Shirley Weber, Jacqui Irwin and Sydney Kamlager, and State Senator Richard Pan tell you about their laws regarding COVID-19, community immunity, protecting domestic violence and sexual assault victims, implicit bias, first respond...
Your New Assembly Legislators
December 07, 2020 16:30 - 27 minutes - 25 MBThe Assembly Democratic Caucus will continue to be the most diverse majority in the history of the California State Assembly. Joining more than four dozen returning Democratic Assembly Members are five newly elected legislators: Steve Bennett (AD 37 – Ventura), Alex Lee (AD 25 – San Jose), Christopher Ward (AD 78 – San Diego), Lisa Calderon (AD 57 – Whittier) and Carlos Villapudua (AD 13 – Stockton). In this episode of Look West you’ll learn about their backgrounds, why they decided to accep...
Transgender Awareness in California
November 13, 2020 18:00 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MB2020 is set to be the most violently deadly year on record for transgender and gender-conforming individuals. We recognize Transgender Awareness Week by delving into the hardships, successes and progression of the Transgender community with Human Rights Activist, Ebony Ava Harper and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. In this episode, we raise our voices for those who deserve visibility.
CA for Black Lives Part 3 - How We Fight
July 24, 2020 18:30 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBIn Part 3, How We Fight, we discuss legislation, community organizing, police abolishment, Black economic investment, and the 2nd Amendment as just a few in the long list of tools needed to dismantle structural racism and white supremacy. Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager, Bryon F. Wilson, Headmaster of the Wilson Academy in Conyers, GA and leader of #HowWeFight, and Dr. Melina Abdullah, Co-founder Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, shed light on these issues.
Coronavirus Shutdown Our Schools – What’s Next?
June 16, 2020 19:00 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MBThe impact of the coronavirus on California schools reverberates throughout the rest of our communities. From missing proms and graduations to parents learning to home school their children, to the creation of a distance learning system, the closure and eventual reopening of schools directly impacts the students, teachers and administrators. But it also impacts the parents, our neighborhoods and the business community. Look West talks with Assemblymembers Patrick O'Donnell (Chair of the Edu...
CA for Black Lives part 2: Inclusion & Diversity
June 12, 2020 19:00 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBContinuing our discussion on race with Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber and guest, Rosalyn O'Neale, a Diversity & Inclusion Specialist, to talk about affirmative action, considering reparations for the descendants of former slaves, and how to foster communities and workplaces that not only include, but also celebrate diverse voices. In a time when nationwide protests hit home across California, Assemblymembers are listening to the experts and their communities to bring forth reformative poli...
CA for Black Lives part 1: Criminal Justice Reform
June 10, 2020 19:00 - 36 minutes - 33 MBWhile week-long peaceful demonstrations across California continue on, our podcast team spoke with Assemblymember Gipson, a member of the Legislative Black Caucus, and his guest Eva Tak, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and former police lieutenant, on racial inequality and the role police can play moving forward.
Mental Health During the Coronavirus Crisis (Part 2)
May 21, 2020 17:30 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBThe World Health Organization and the United Nations have issued warnings of a pending global mental health crisis due to the wide, long-lasting implications of the coronavirus outbreak. Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Sharon Quirk-Silva, James Ramos, and Phil Ting address the growing needs for mental health during this pandemic and what communities are affected the most. They emphasize these issues and specific ways to take care of our mental health.
Mental Health During the Coronavirus Crisis (Part 1)
May 14, 2020 19:15 - 24 minutes - 22.3 MBIn Part 1 of Look West’s coronavirus mental health response, California’s Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, shares her expertise about how increased stress negatively impacts physical health and how to manage it. Next week, in Part 2, Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Sharon Quirk-Silva, James Ramos and Phil Ting share their insights on mental health and what they’re doing to address the mental health concerns of the people in their districts and all of California.
Public Health During the Coronavirus Crisis
May 05, 2020 18:45 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBOn this episode of Look West you’ll hear about maintaining public health by staying together even though we’re apart. How widespread testing and tracing will be needed to maintain public health when the state begins to reopen. What it’s like for one nurse who works at the intersection of public health and the health care system – a covid-19 intensive care unit. And, from former ER physician now State Assemblymember, Dr. Joaquin Arambula.
First Responders in a Covid-19 World
April 23, 2020 19:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBBeing a first responder has always been a very difficult job. The Covid-19 crisis has made that job even more stressful and dangerous. Two former first responders, who now serve in the State Assembly, talk about the challenges facing first responders today and how the State Legislature is working to make it safer for all the front line personnel.
Quarantine Life in California
March 30, 2020 19:45 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MB#WorkFromHome is the hashtag of the moment. Millions of Californians are staying at home to flatten the curve of the coronavirus. On this episode of Look West California Assembly Democrats report in from their homes about the impacts of the COVID-19 quarantine in their districts and in their homes.
The Importance of the Census
March 12, 2020 23:15 - 27 minutes - 24.7 MBThe Census count happens every ten years. Each Census response is a piece of a puzzle that, when completed, creates a picture of who we are as Americans and Californians. And how best our resources can be shared. The Census determines how the federal government funds and responds to the needs of families, neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, roads, and community centers. In this episode, Assemblymember Marc Berman, Chair of the California Assembly Select Committee on the Census and Secretary o...
The Future of CA Civic Engagement – The Latinx & Youth Vote
February 28, 2020 22:45 - 38 minutes - 35 MBAssemblymembers Evan Low & Cecilia Aguiar-Curry discuss legislative efforts to increase civic engagement in our youth and Latinx populations to ensure a more diverse and inclusive electorate. Special guests in this episode include Dr. Mindy Romero, Director & Founder of the California Civic Engagement Project (CCEP), Jesse Salinas, Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Chief Elections Official from the Yolo County Registrar, and four student delegates including the Youth Governor and his Chief of Staff, Y...
Thoughts and Prayers Are Not Enough
February 13, 2020 22:00 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MBGo in-depth with Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and her husband, Giffords Executive Director Peter Ambler, as they discuss their efforts to prevent gun violence in California and nationwide, and how this work brought them together.
Women's Health and Reproductive Rights
January 23, 2020 23:30 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBJanuary 22nd, 2020 celebrates the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. In those 47 years, the decision has been challenged tightening restrictions towards abortions and healthcare providers. In contrast, CA legislators and activists have worked tirelessly to establish the state as a safe-haven for women and anyone seeking help towards their reproductive health. Listen to our conversation with women's rights champions Assemblymembers Buffy Wicks, Bauer-Kahan, and Planned Parenthood's President an...
Navigating Data Privacy in the Digital Age – Part 2
January 14, 2020 20:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBConsumers can always learn more about how to protect the information companies know about them. In Part 2 on this issue, we sit down with Elizabeth Gettleman Galicia, Vice President of Common Sense Media. She shares her knowledge of the CCPA, what the new law does for privacy rights, and tips for navigating data privacy in the digital age. After listening, check out commonsense.org/privacy-rights for resources.
Navigating Data Privacy in the Digital Age – Part 1
January 03, 2020 19:30 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBLiving in the digital age should not mean that we have to live without privacy. California’s new law, the CCPA, is giving consumers the rights and resources they need to start taking back control of their own data and personal information. In Part 1, we talked with to the bill’s author, Assemblymember Chau, and privacy activist and founder of Californians for Consumer Privacy, Alastair Mactaggart, on how we’re taking back control, and where the nation is heading on this issue.
Kids and Football: Are Helmets Enough?
December 17, 2019 16:45 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBYouth tackle football is as controversial as it is prevalent in California. Thousands of California kids suit up and play just like their heroes in the NFL—but are their heads protected? Can the game be made safer? The program features a discussion with retired San Francisco 49er George Visger, who talks about both his life in football and afterward living with the brain injuries brought on by his time on the field. His story provides the context for why Assemblymembers Kevin McCarty and Ji...
Mental Health: Breaking and Accessing
December 05, 2019 16:15 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBHow is California breaking the stigma on mental health? Are mental health services accessible for every community? Assemblymember Phil Ting, Mark Salazar the Executive Director of Mental Health Association of San Francisco, and Sherrel Cross Assistant Manager for the California Peer Run Warm Line discuss the disparities in access and stigma of mental health. Further, we explore efforts of Assemblymember Phil Ting, Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Scott Wiener who helped set a budget of $10....
Honoring Native American Heritage
November 22, 2019 21:30 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBCalifornia is taking steps to heal the relationship with the Native American community just as the first California Native American Assemblymember, James C. Ramos, was elected into the state legislature last year. This year, Governor Newsom apologized to Native Americans for the state’s history of violence against them. Since Assemblymember James C. Ramos swearing, he has passed legislation that not only reflects the current state of Native Americans but also with a deep commitment to the p...
Celebrating 100 Years of Women’s Right to Vote
November 01, 2019 15:45 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBNovember 1, 2019 marks 100 years since California ratified the 19th Amendment – however women had been voting in California since 1911! The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote but voter suppression discouraged and prevented specific groups from exercising their newfound right. With more women elected to office than ever before, the role of women in politics and society is ever-changing. Assemblymember Dr. Shirley N. Weber and Dr. Huma Ahmed-Ghosh dive into the last hundred years...
Protecting Consumers from Predatory Lenders
October 24, 2019 18:00 - 29 minutes - 26.8 MBFor years Loan sharks have been praying on California consumers through loans with interest as high as 200% or even 300%. Irresponsible lenders have particularly targeted low income African American and Latinos. In this new episode of Look West, Assemblymember Monique Limón, the author of the new law that caps interest rates for loans between $2,500 to $10,000 to 36%, talks about the problem and what is next with nationally recognized Social and Economic Justice advocate Reverend Shane B. S...
Honoring Chief Clerk E. Dotson Wilson
September 27, 2019 15:45 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBHe’s the most interesting man in CA. He is highly respected and looked up to. He is the reason why the CA legislature has run as smoothly as it has for the last 27 years. His next adventure? A well-deserved retirement. Join Speaker Pro Tempore Kevin Mullin as he speaks with Chief Clerk E. Dotson Wilson and his tenure guiding the legislature.
The Last Week of the Legislative Year
September 20, 2019 17:00 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBTake a behind the scenes look at the end of the 2019 legislative year with Assembly Democrats and their staff as they describe to us the crazy and exciting last week of session in the Capitol. We spoke to Assemblymembers, Chiefs of Staff, Legislative Directors, Legislative Aids, and Assembly Fellows about the long hours and the snacks that got them through the week and heard their thoughts on the protests that rocked the Capitol during the last week of session.
Best of Look West
August 29, 2019 19:00 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBThis episode of LookWest features some of the best and brightest segments that have been covered since the inception of the show. Topics include civil rights, aging and Alzheimer’s, Millennial leadership, restorative justice and more.
Best of Look West
August 29, 2019 19:00 - 20 minutes - 28.1 MBThis episode of LookWest features some of the best and brightest segments that have been covered since the inception of the show. Topics include civil rights, aging and Alzheimer’s, Millennial leadership, restorative justice and more.
Equal Pay for Equal Play
July 23, 2019 17:30 - 29 minutes - 26.8 MBOn this episode of Look West, Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner Horvath and Carlsbad City Councilmember and 3x Women’s World Longboard Surfing Champion, Cori Schumacher, discuss equal pay for equal play, and why gender pay inequity is still an issue in the world of sports. Earlier this year, Assemblywoman Boerner Horvath introduced Assembly Bill 467, which ensures equal compensation prizes for the male and female categories in competitions that take place on state lands. You can find the bill tex...
2019 Pride Awards
June 27, 2019 22:00 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBThe CA State Assembly annually celebrates Pride by honoring those who are making a difference in the LGBTQ community and beyond. On this episode of Look West, Assemblymember Todd Gloria meets with Pride Award recipient and former NBA player, Jason Collins. Jason shares his experience on coming out as a professional athlete, what it’s like to meet Oprah, and the work he’s doing to advocate for LGBTQ individuals and families who are struggling to survive the migrant crisis on the southern bord...
Celebrating Asian Pacific Islander Heritage
June 20, 2019 19:00 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBEach year the California State Assembly holds a special ceremony to highlight the achievements of people in the Asian Pacific Islander communities. In this episode of Look West, Assemblymember David Chiu talks with a Michelin star chef from Oakland (James Syhabout), the screenwriter of Crazy Rich Asians (Adele Lim) and the first Asian American to host a cable network news program (Richard Lui). #APICaucus #AsianPacificIslander #jamessyhabout #adelelim #richardlui #commis #crazyrichasians #m...
The vote for 17-year-olds – Learn about ACA 4 from the two Mullins
June 10, 2019 22:30 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBAssembly Constitutional Amendment 4 is a measure to allow 17 year olds to vote in the primary if they are 18 by the general election. It is an effort to increase civic participation among young people and to encourage interest in the electoral process for a lifetime. The idea has been around for more than 30 years and was first introduced by former Assemblmember Gene Mullin. At that time, although, it received a majority of votes, he could not receive the 54 needed for passage. Today, with y...
Farmworker Housing
May 28, 2019 16:00 - 24 minutes - 22 MBOn this episode of Look West, Assemblymember Robert Rivas sits down with civil and labor rights leader Dolores Huerta. Together, they discuss how California’s Housing Crisis is negatively impacting farmworkers and their families. Rivas’ legislation, the ‘Farmworker Housing Act of 2019’ hopes to address the issue.
Genocide Education
May 21, 2019 19:15 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBOn this episode of Look West, Assemblymembers Adrin Nazarian and Laura Friedman, Holocaust survivor Ruth Wildorff, and descendants of genocide survivors Vanndearlyn Vong, Nora Hovsepian, Esq., and Mihran Toumajan discuss why genocide education is so important.
Offshore Drilling and Environmental Justice
April 25, 2019 17:15 - 32 minutes - 25.7 MBOn this episode of Look West, Assemblymember Monique Limón sits down with EDC’s Linda Krop and CAUSE’s Lucas Zucker at the site of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill - the largest spill in California’s history. They discuss the different roles of the coastal environment and why it continues to be so important to fight for environmental justice, especially here in California.
Equity in Film: Latino Representation
April 18, 2019 17:00 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MBOn this episode of Look West, Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon sits down with the creators and cast of the film, “El Chicano” to discuss the challenges Latino productions face in the film industry and how the California Film Commission’s Tax Credit Program empowers filmmakers to prioritize diversity.
Prevention & Justice
March 05, 2019 20:45 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBOn this episode of Look West, Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer links up with the folks of Ear Hustle Podcast and hears from the inmates at San Quentin State Prison on the subject of trauma-informed care, a revolutionary concept in youth justice, and how it could play a role in preventing at-risk youth from offending again.
TRAILER: State of the State 2019
February 20, 2019 22:45 - 6 minutes - 5.84 MBOn this episode of Look West, Governor Gavin Newsom outlines his plans for California, and some Assemblymembers offer insight on issues like education, water high speed rail and more.
New Laws for California in 2019
December 18, 2018 20:45 - 5 minutes - 5.48 MBOn this episode of Look West, kid reporter Elena hits the streets of Sacramento to find out what people know about the New Laws coming in 2019. Elena shares some of the changes surrounding Homemade Food Sales, the Straw Ban, Election Transparency and more.
Look West Goes Back To School!
August 30, 2018 21:15 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBOn this episode of Look West, Assemblymembers Sharon Quirk-Silva, Patrick O’Donnell, Jose Medina and Blanca Rubio remember their times as teachers, and what it was like to go Back To School! They share stories about what led them to teaching, the mentors that inspired them and talk about some of the challenges they faced from the classroom to the Capitol.
Fire & Wine with Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
August 09, 2018 16:00 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBAs wildfires continue to rage across California, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) looks back on the devastation that ravaged Napa and Sonoma counties last October. A winemaker, the Mayor of Calistoga and a local Battalion Chief all share their stories of loss and resilience, and discuss how wildfires are creating a “new normal” in the Golden State.
Sheryl Sandberg, Assemblymember Evan Low and The Power of Social Media
July 12, 2018 20:45 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBOn this episode of Look West, Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) meets with world-renowned author and Facebook C.O.O. Sheryl Sandberg. They talk about the power of social media, diversity in technology, and how STEM is changing the way young women enter the workforce.
LGBTQ Pride with Sarah McBride Assemblymember Todd Gloria (D-San Diego)
June 20, 2018 23:30 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBOn this episode of the Look West, Assemblymember Todd Gloria (D-San Diego) celebrates Pride Month at the CA State Capitol with LGBT Award winner, Sarah McBride. Sarah is an internationally-recognized transgender advocate, a successful author and currently serves as the National Press Secretary at the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C.. Together, they talk about LGBTQ rights, nerding out on CSPAN, the struggle comes to terms with their authentic selves, and what California is doing t...