State of Gold
State of Gold
Podcast Description
Restoring the California Dream One Bold Idea at a TimeCalifornia was once a beacon of prosperity, hope and innovation – symbolized by the Gold Rush, Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Today it’s the least affordable state in the nation and plagued by poverty, homelessness, and sky-high taxes. How did we get here, and how do we turn California around?State of Gold is a media platform and citizens’ movement dedicated to restoring the California dream. Host and longtime real estate and tech executive Jon Slavet combines practical wisdom and insurgent energy, as he sits down with voices from across the spectrum. The show will examine and promote the best ideas from any corner to solve the state’s most pressing issues. State of Gold cuts through the noise to explore what’s gone wrong in the Golden State – and what it’ll take to make things right.www.stateofgold.com
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores various themes such as housing affordability, budget crises, education reform, and government transparency. Episodes delve into topics like the detrimental impacts of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) on housing, the state's financial issues as discussed by Arnold Schwarzenegger's former budget director, and the issues of government oversight highlighted by a young assemblyman. The show's focus is on presenting actionable ideas to restore the California dream.
Restoring the California Dream One Bold Idea at a Time
California was once a beacon of prosperity, hope and innovation – symbolized by the Gold Rush, Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Today it’s the least affordable state in the nation and plagued by poverty, homelessness, and sky-high taxes. How did we get here, and how do we turn California around?
State of Gold is a media platform and citizens’ movement dedicated to restoring the California dream. Host and longtime real estate and tech executive Jon Slavet combines practical wisdom and insurgent energy, as he sits down with voices from across the spectrum.
The show will examine and promote the best ideas from any corner to solve the state’s most pressing issues. State of Gold cuts through the noise to explore what’s gone wrong in the Golden State – and what it’ll take to make things right.
www.stateofgold.com
Guest
Jodie Muller, CEO – Western States Petroleum Association
Guest Bio
Jodie Muller serves as the President and CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), representing the companies that explore, produce, refine, and transport petroleum products in the West. Muller took the helm as CEO during one of the most volatile periods for energy in California’s history. Under her leadership, WSPA has focused on educating policymakers and the public on the ”all-of-the-above” energy strategy, advocating for the preservation of high-paying local jobs, and addressing the regulatory ”layers” that contribute to California's nation-leading gas prices. Muller is a prominent voice for balancing environmental goals with economic reality, emphasizing the importance of domestic production to maintain strict environmental and labor standards.
Show Summary
Why does California consistently have the highest gas prices in the nation? According to WSPA CEO Jodie Muller, it isn’t one person or one event—it’s the result of decades of policies layered on top of one another.
In this episode, Jon Slavet talks with Muller about the complex reality of California’s energy market. From the impact of the Iran war and global spot markets to the ”Truman Show” bubble of California’s environmental regulations, Muller explains how the state has hamstrung its own supply chain. She shares startling data on why California now imports over 75% of its crude and what the idling of major refineries means for the families who rely on those six-figure jobs.
The conversation also tackles the controversial Cap-and-Invest program, the ”baby steps” of recent permitting in Kern County, and why the smartest energy innovations of the future will likely come from within the oil and gas industry. Muller offers a candid look at the upcoming Governor’s race and her ”Queen for a Day” wish.
Chapters
00:00 – Who is Responsible for $6 Gas?
01:18 – Decades of Layered Policies: Connecting the Dots
02:45 – The Education Gap in Sacramento
03:16 – Iran and the Global Energy Market: Why Prices Stay High
07:12 – The Environmental Irony of Importing 75% of Our Oil
09:34 – From 25 Refineries to 6: The Impact on Consumers
11:11 – Six-Figure Jobs and the Economic Knock-on Effects
12:59 – Cap and Invest: The Multi-Billion Dollar Business Calculus
15:53 – Newsom, Kern County, and the Future of Permitting
17:59 – Advancing Renewables: An All-of-the-Above Strategy
20:06 – Evaluating the Governor’s Race and Tom Steyer
22:27 – Rapid Fire: Pausing Regulations and Keeping Kids in California
Connect with Jodie Muller
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiemuller/
- Twitter: https://x.com/WSPAPrez/with_replies
Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast
Connect with State of Gold
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.