The Capitol Weekly Podcast covers California politics and public policy, and features interviews with elected officials, staffers, advocates, analysts, newsmakers, and even, -gasp- journalists. Listen at Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, or at capitolweekly.net
Kelly Calkin heads Calkin Public Affairs, a Sacramento-based firm that advises some of the biggest names in California politics. Calkin has a different background from many of his public affairs colleagues - he cut his teeth working for Labor, first at the California Building and Construction Trades State Council then for the California Professional Firefighters. Later stints with the Personal Insurance Federation of California and PG&E broadened his portfolio and gave him a look at the "business" side of doing business in California. He launched CPA thirteen years ago, but "refreshed" and expanded the firm in 2025. He joined us to talk about his career, how government affairs has changed, and his approach to making things happen in California. Plus, as always, we tell you who had the Worst Week in California Politics.
28 Sept 2026
Special Episode: California Health Care - The Impact of H. R. 1
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at California Health Care which was held in Sacramento on September 23, 2026.
This is Panel 1: The Impact of H. R. 1
Our panelists are: Ben Avey, WellSpace Health; Tam Ma, UC Office of the President; Katie Rodriguez, California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems; Christine Smith, Health Access; Josh Stehlik, California Immigrant Policy Center
Moderated by Rich Ehisen, Capitol Weekly
Thanks to our event sponsors:
THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALKIN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, STUTZMAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS and FIONA HUTTON & ASSOCIATES
21 Sept 2026
Larry Lee and The Sacramento Observer
We're joined today by Larry Lee, Publisher of The Sacramento Observer, and head of the rapidly expanding OBSERVER Media Group, which now includes the Sacramento News and Review, the Chico News and Review, and the Stockton Observer. The Sacramento Observer was founded in 1962 by Lee's father, Dr. William H. Lee, radio personality Geno Gladden, and businessman John W. Cole. The Observer has a well-deserved reputation for excellence, and has been named the "Best Black Newspaper in America" eight times. And, speaking of excellence, The Observer is hosting the 2026 ONYX Awards, honoring Sacramento's most influential and respected Black leaders. Lee Gives us the history of the paper, shares his vision for OBSERVER Media, and talks about the honorees of this year's ONYX Awards, including Hall of Famer Willie Brown.
Who has been a guest on Capitol Weekly Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Christina Snider-Ashtari
Chris Lehane
Suzette Martinez Valladares
Lance Hastings
Amy O'Gorman Jenkins
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
3.8 / 5
20 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
74
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
84
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Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
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