The Find Out Podcast – Gavin Newsom Joins the Find Out Pod

Date: October 15, 2025
Guest: Governor Gavin Newsom

Overview

This episode tackles the urgent state of American democracy during Trump’s second term, featuring a candid, impassioned conversation with Governor Gavin Newsom of California. The discussion zeroes in on California’s groundbreaking response to Republican gerrymandering, the erosion of democratic norms, economic and policy crises, and what genuine leadership and progressive action should look like in an era many feel is teetering on the edge.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Yes on 50” Ballot Initiative — A Democratic Response to Gerrymandering

[01:15–05:16]

• Context: Texas recently redrew congressional districts to favor Republicans, adding five Republican seats. California’s response is Proposition 50 (“Yes on 50”), a ballot measure proposing sending an equivalent five Democratic seats to Congress to counter the Texas power grab—but through a public vote, not partisan backroom deals.

• Newsom’s Framing:

  • Newsom highlights the historical moment, noting Trump personally demanded new congressional seats from Texas’ governor.
  • California, he says, is striking back “fire with fire...in a very honest...and transparent way,” by putting the maps to a popular vote rather than drawing them in “darkness” ([02:30]).

• Quote:

  • “We didn’t draw the maps in Mar-a-Lago...We did it in daylight in a transparent way...a temporary solution to this crisis of Donald Trump’s making, his willingness to rig the 2026 election.” — Gavin Newsom [03:09]

• Moral Position:

  • Newsom and hosts argue this is “protecting democracy, not trying to steal seats” ([04:36]).

• Obama’s Support:

  • Newsom notes a new ad campaign backed by President Obama, emphasizing the gravity and broad coalition behind the measure ([05:16]).

2. The Stakes of Democratic Erosion

[06:00–10:00]

• The Existential Threat:

  • Hosts and Newsom agree: America’s crisis is no longer hypothetical—it is “just reality.”
  • Newsom recaps the campaign kickoff, disrupted by Border Patrol and the arrest of a strawberry vendor, underscoring escalating authoritarian tactics ([08:06]).

• Quote:

  • “They tried to send [National Guard] up to Portland and a federal judge said no. And they sent 14 of them to train...in Illinois, despite some lower court rulings. This is a remarkable moment...masked men, ICE and Border Patrol, watch that space around polling booths and voting places...This is serious and sober moment.” — Gavin Newsom [09:17]

3. Coping with Fear and Navigating Hopelessness

[12:17–16:25]

• Left-wing Paralysis:

  • Hosts discuss left-wing cynicism and paralysis: constant bad news has numbed many, fostering inaction ([12:17]).
  • Newsom talks about his sources of resolve, describing his journey from hand-wringing to action.

• Quote:

  • “There’s a preciousness to the moment, because if we miss this moment, we will never get it back. He’s trying to wreck this country. There may not be another free and fair election.” — Gavin Newsom [15:37]

• Emergency Powers & Legal Gray Zones:

  • Newsom warns of Trump using ambiguous legal “gray areas” and emergency powers, aided by a “supine” Congress and Supreme Court.

4. Leadership, Digital Strategy, and the Democratic Response

[16:25–20:00]

• Why Aren’t More Democrats Stepping Up?

  • Newsom admits frustration with his own party’s slow response and complacency ([16:55]).

• Personal Turning Point:

  • He describes a “come to Jesus” moment: “Stop complaining. Get your shit together. Honestly, I literally had to come to Jesus with myself.” ([17:27])

• Quote:

  • “I started...I took Sean Hannity’s call, man...I said, alright, Sean, fine, stop calling me. I’ll sit down with you...doing a debate with DeSantis, started to go out on the road, only to red states.” — Gavin Newsom [17:37]

• No Heroes Coming:

  • The group agrees: no white horse is coming to save the left—“we” must step up ([19:49]).

5. Progressive Action on Affordability and Housing

[20:10–26:07]

• California Housing Reform:

  • Newsom details his landmark housing bill: historic zoning reform, upzoning along transit corridors, slashing red tape, tying housing legislation to the state budget for the first time ([21:31]).

• Quote:

  • “This is a crisis...the first generation in US history not doing better than their parents. This is code red...the mistake I made...is we didn’t start with, ‘I feel your pain.’...My kids can’t afford rent, let alone housing, and they got three roommates.” — Gavin Newsom [22:32]

• Model for Other States:

  • Newsom calls California’s reforms a “model for other parts of the country to address this affordability crisis” ([25:54]).

6. California as a Case Study in Progressive Leadership

[27:08–30:56]

• Defending California:

  • Newsom rebuffs “California derangement syndrome,” listing the state’s unmatched economic output, innovation, and progressive policies as key drivers of national prosperity ([27:16–30:56]).

• Quote:

  • “I represent a state larger than 21 state populations combined...We are the tent pole of the U.S. economy, and so when they’re attacking California, they're attacking what makes this country so special and unique.” — Gavin Newsom [29:31]

7. Red-State vs Blue-State Realities

[31:21–33:23]

• Taker vs Donor States:

  • Newsom denounces the “messenger war” Republicans have won, citing better performance in blue states on health, life expectancy, and even taxes for working people ([31:24]).

• Homelessness:

  • Acknowledges the crisis isn’t unique to California, pushing back on red-state attacks ([32:24]).

8. Addressing Republican Concerns: Taxes & Gas Prices

[33:23–37:20]

• Rebuttal to “High Tax” Critique:

  • Newsom argues working people actually pay more in taxes in Texas/Florida than progressive California ([33:23–33:31]).

• Climate Policy & Gas Costs:

  • Traces California’s high gas prices back to regulatory leadership, environmental necessity, and the state’s focus on innovation and the future, not nostalgia ([36:35]).

• Quote:

  • “They’re doubling down on stupid...Meanwhile, places like China are leaping into the future and are going to dominate the supply chains and dominate consumer choice...We’re not going to give it up here in California because we believe that's the future.” — Gavin Newsom [36:46]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It's not the rule of law, it's increasingly the rule of dawn." — Gavin Newsom [05:52]
• On federal militarization: "Active duty Marines, almost 5,000 military to an American city. We still have hundreds of federalized National Guard in LA today. You’re paying for it. They’re doing nothing." — Gavin Newsom [09:04]
• On leadership: "I'm not trying to be the guy on the white horse...I'm just trying to be accountable and trying to see what works." — Gavin Newsom [18:42]
• On the American moment: "We’re that frog in the boiling water right now. Wake up." — Gavin Newsom [11:02]

Fun & Lighthearted Segments

• Clinton Impression:
  Newsom shares a story about being honored by Bill Clinton and jokes about nailing his Clinton impression ([37:38]).

• Fortnite Callout:
  The youngest host mock-roasts Newsom’s gaming skills: “Was there not room in the budget for a Fortnite coach?” — Youngest Host [39:13]. Newsom laughs and admits his gaming failures make the rounds online ([39:26]).

Timestamps of Note

• [01:15] – Introduction to “Yes on 50” and its national significance
• [03:09] – Newsom on the democratic process vs. GOP gerrymandering
• [09:17] – Militarization, border patrol, and threats to democracy
• [12:17] – Left-wing paralysis, coping with cynicism
• [15:37] – On what happens if this moment is missed
• [21:31] – California’s new housing reforms
• [27:16] – Defending California’s model
• [33:23] – Red and blue state economic realities
• [36:35] – Gas prices, environmental policy
• [37:38] – Bill Clinton impression
• [39:13] – Fortnite joke and Newsom’s response

Tone

The tone is irreverent, passionate, and at times darkly humorous—combining Newsom’s earnest warnings and policy wonkishness with the hosts’ banter, skepticism, and lived-out frustration. Both hosts and guest frequently deploy sarcasm and profanity to emphasize urgency, and the discussion oscillates between policy details and raw, personal appeals for engagement and hope.

Summary Takeaways

• Democratic institutions are under direct attack — states must fight back strategically but transparently.
• California is positioning itself as a model and bulwark for progressive values, not just in policy but in defensive democracy.
• Housing affordability and economic inclusion are the dominant issues for American voters, and substantial reform is possible.
• Leadership requires initiative, courage, and humility—no saviors are coming, and every citizen, including those paralyzed by cynicism, must engage.
• Despite high stakes, the conversation retains a sense of camaraderie and humor—a reminder to “fight, but also live.”