In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Ethan Penner — independent candidate for California governor and a trailblazer in U.S. commercial real-estate finance — to break down what he calls the “collapse of competent governance” in California. From a radical tax overhaul to fixing housing and energy costs, Penner outlines how he’d reverse decades of political decay — and why he believes Gavin Newsom’s policies have left the state weaker, poorer, and more divided. In this episode: – Why Penner says there’s “absolutely nothing” worth continuing from Newsom’s tenure – How a single-tax system could revitalize California’s economy – The real drivers of the housing and affordability crisis – How bureaucratic red tape adds $100K+ to every new apartment build – Why leadership grounded in empathy and business discipline matters now more than ever Lead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise. Start your adventure with TableTalk Friday: A D&D Podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgB6B-mAeWlPM9KzGJ2O4cU0-m5lO0lkr&si=W_-jLsiREjyAIgEs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75YJ921WGQqUtwxRT71UQB?si=4R6kaAYOTtO2V Sign up to The Lead-Lag Report on Substack and get 30% off the annual subscription today by visiting http://theleadlag.report/leadlaglive . Support the show
