Silicon Valley used to dream of liberation. Now some of its loudest voices are cozying up to Trump and talking like monarchists. What happened? Is oligarchy the bug in our tech-friendly society we didn't anticipate and need to stem?

Once upon a time, Silicon Valley stood for idealism: personal freedom, creative rebellion, and maybe even the most fully realized form of democracy itself. But something shifted. In this episode of Pacific Time, host Greg Amrofell talks with historian Margaret O’Mara about how tech's brightest minds—and wealthiest billionaires—ended up funding and fueling an anti-democratic turn.

We trace the evolution from daydreams about Apple laptops in Yosemite to Elon’s DOGE-soaked disassembly of the public square. We explore what tech workers really believe, why West Coast universities matter more than ever, and what it will take to rebuild a shared civic foundation.

The West Coast is ready to resist. And the West Coast owes the rest of you an apology for its naughty billionaires.

In this episode:

• How Big Tech's politics fragmented post-Obama
• Why “tech workers” stayed liberal, even as their bosses flipped
• The rise of Curtis Yarvin, Peter Thiel, and the new techno-reactionaries
• Lessons from the origins of Silicon Valley
• What history tells us about moments like this one
• Why West Coast states (and their universities) could hold the line

Guest Bio:
Margaret O'Mara is a professor of history at the University of Washington and author of The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America. She's a New York Times Contributor and her research traces the deep links between government, innovation, and ideology in the rise of modern tech.

Related Episodes:

• Ep 07: What If the West Coast Actually Got Its Act Together? (With John Zysman)
• Ep 06: What If We Designed Healthcare from Scratch? (With Mike Hanlon)
• Ep 08: Leave America and Discover Ecotopia? (Solo)

Blue cities are struggling—and it’s not MAGA’s fault. What if Seattle, San Francisco, and LA became models of good governance?

Blue cities helped shape modern America. But they’ve been having a hard time—with homelessness, affordability, public safety, and internal political warfare. In this episode, political consultant and Blue City Blues co-host Sandeep Kaushik joins Greg to unpack why. Together, they ask: What if the West Coast’s most liberal cities actually figured out how to govern effectively?

We explore why progressive vs. liberal fights have taken over city halls, why governance is now a one-party problem, and how cities like San Francisco and Seattle can either become models—or warnings—for the rest of the country. From Ezra Klein’s “abundance” critique to San Francisco’s moderate backlash, from coalition-building to regional autonomy, this conversation isn’t just about what’s wrong. It’s about what could work.

Because if the West Coast wants more autonomy, maybe the first step is for our biggest cities to run well.

Highlights:

• Why the “urban archipelago” metaphor still matters—and what it misses
• How blue cities became laboratories of policy innovation and political dysfunction
• What most national media gets wrong about the West Coast left
• The surprising story of San Francisco’s moderate resurgence
• What Seattle can learn from its own legislative battles
• Why good governance might be the best resistance strategy of all

About Sandeep Kaushik:

Sandeep Kaushik is a Seattle-based political consultant, and commentator who co-hosts the podcasts Blue City Blues and Seattle Nice. He previously worked at The Stranger, advised mayors and campaigns across Washington, and brings decades of experience navigating the internal divides of liberal cities. His current work explores the tensions between movement progressives and center-left liberals—and what comes next.

Resources & Related Content:

• Blue City Blues – Sandeep’s podcast with David Hyde
• The Urban Archipelago (The Stranger, 2004)
• Sound View Strategies - Sandeep's political consulting firm

Related Pacific Time Episodes:

• Ep 08: Leave America and Discover Ecotopia? (Solo)
• Ep 06: What if the West Coast Designed Healthcare from Scratch? (with Mike Hanlon)
• Ep 07: What if California Had a Foreign Policy? (with John Zysman)
• Ep 03: What if the West Coast Reclaimed its Federal Taxes? (With Julie Dingley)
• Ep 02: How can the West Coast Redesign Itself? (With Mickey McManus)

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California pays more and receives less and less from DC. Could independence—or just grown-up governance—fix this imbalance?

Summary: California's relationship with the federal government is reaching a critical juncture. Esteemed political journalist Dan Walters joins Greg to discuss CalExit, the growing frustration with federal tax inequities, and the stark contrast between California’s progressive policies and Washington's increasingly (deep breath) regressive stances. But what if the biggest threat to California’s future isn’t DC—or even Donald Trump? What if California can’t but help continuing to ignore the unsexy basics of governing?

Walters calls for a reality check: more attention to budgets, infrastructure, housing, and water—and less to political theatrics. He makes the case that California has the means to solve its problems but lacks the will. Along the way, we explore the myth of West Coast exceptionalism, the impact of population stagnation and corporate flight, and the potential parallels between California today and the decline of Detroit.

What We Talk About:

✔️The practical and political realities of governing in California
✔️The persistent drag of housing, water, and energy challenges

✔️Why 'West Coast Exceptionalism' may be more myth than model

✔️Why MAGA may be gaining a strangle-hold on the national electoral map

✔️ Ezra Klein’s "abundance" critique and Dan’s response

✔️ Early analysis of the 2026 CA gubernatorial race (Kamala: will she or won’t she?)

Guest Bio: Dan Walters is one of California’s most respected political journalists, known for his insightful analysis on California's complex relationship with federal politics. Currently with CalMatters, Walters has spent decades dissecting California’s political landscape, providing critical context for understanding the state’s challenges and opportunities. With over 9000 columns to his name, he’s a veteran voice unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom.

Related Resources:

• Dan Walters on CalMatters
• Ezra Klein on Jon Stewart’s The Weekly Show (Apple Podcasts)
• This is Gavin Newsom (Apple Podcasts)
• CalExit Movement
  
  

Related Pacific Time Episodes:

• 04 Marcus Ruiz Evans on the viability of CalExit (Apple Podcasts)
• 03 Julie Dingley on West Coast taxation and governance (Apple Podcasts)

Follow:

📲 Pacific Time is making good trouble asking questions about the future of the West Coast on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and BlueSky. Chime in, share feedback, and offer ideas on perspectives we need to include.

Listen:

🎧 Follow, share, and leave a review. Pacific Time Podcast is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and many other platforms.

New episodes most Wednesdays at 6a – just in time for your sunrise walk, drive to the beach, or bike commute to work. Or save it up for your chill time in the coffeeshop or puttering around the garden. Pairs nicely with Sunset Magazine and a Corona in the hammock or adirondack chair. Whenever you listen, talk it over with neighbors, and let me know what you think.

Thanks for being together in Pacific Time. Keep asking the ‘what if?’ questions about the future of the West Coast.

Can the West Coast outgrow America? Greg explores Ecotopia, sovereignty, and the future of freedom—solo.

In this episode of Pacific Time, host Greg Amrofell trades guests for green tea, a dog-eared novel, and a mic, inviting listeners on a hike through political despair, ecological design, and West Coast sovereignty. The guidebook? A 1975 cult classic: Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach.

This isn’t just a book review. It’s a reframing of what independence really means. Greg weaves personal reflection with insights from past guests—exploring the paradox of building a region that’s both more self-directed and more interconnected.

Is Ecotopia just a retro fantasy? Or a prophetic prototype for a West Coast that’s already halfway out the door?

🔍 Episode Highlights

✅ Why Ecotopia still resonates 50 years later
✅ The difference between freedom and isolation
✅ A fictional interview between Greg and William Weston
✅ Callbacks to insights from recent guests
✅ What West Coast sovereignty might actually look like
✅ Independence and interdependence: Why we need both
✅ What we can learn from fiction—and how to turn it into policy
✅ A closing invitation: What if we stopped asking permission from DC?

📚 Related Resources

Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach
“What Is Bioregionalism?” – Cascadia Dept. of Bioregion

CalExit Campaign

🎧 Related Episodes

• 02: What If the West Coast Designed Itself? (with Mickey McManus)
• 03: What If We Took Back the Budget? (with Julie Dingley)
• 04: What If California Was Already a Nation? (with Marcus Ruiz Evans)
• 05: What If We Drew the Map Differently? (with Yogi Uriah)
• 06 If American Healthcare is Broken, What Can the West Coast Do? (with Mike Hanlon)
• 07: What If the World Doesn’t Need Us Anymore? (with John Zysman)

👤 About the Host

Greg Amrofell is the host of Pacific Time, a podcast exploring the big 'what if' questions about the future of the West Coast. Greg is also an entrepreneur, writer and untrained thespian who believes we can challenge the broken systems around us without losing our curiosity, community, or sense of humor. Based in Seattle, Greg's work explores the intersection between personal and political sovereignty in the best places on Earth. Listener feedback and ideas welcome: greg@pacifictimepodcast.com

Join the movement:

💬 Participate in active, civil conversations with your neighbors on the West Coast who are asking ‘What if…?’ Come to the community center for Pacific Time at Substack.

Follow:

📲 Pacific Time is making good trouble asking questions about the future of the West Coast on BlueSky, Instagram, and Facebook

Listen:

🎧 Pacific Time Podcast is on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and many other platforms. Please follow, share, and leave a review.

Is the U.S. Healthcare System Beyond Repair? Mike Hanlon Explains How the West Coast Could Lead a Revolution

Mike Hanlon knows healthcare in America is broken. As a health economist, tech entrepreneur, and former early-stage Amazon employee, he's seen firsthand how complex systems can either hinder or help innovation. Mike joins Greg Amrofell on Pacific Time to discuss why the U.S. healthcare system, plagued by fragmentation and inefficiencies, consistently fails patients—and how the West Coast might lead the way to meaningful reform.

Mike clearly lays out why the biggest issue isn't who pays—employers, individuals, or the government—but rather how the system operates. Hospitals and healthcare providers, shockingly behind in data management and communication, contribute significantly to escalating healthcare costs and poor patient outcomes. Mike also provides insights into recent federal budget proposals that could drastically cut Medicare funding, potentially destabilizing an already precarious system.

Through his startup Abett, Mike is pioneering solutions by improving healthcare data transparency and enabling better decision-making for employers and patients alike. Could this approach provide a template for broader reform?

Key topics include:

✔️ The hidden costs of fragmented healthcare and poor communication
✔️ How Medicare cuts could amplify existing healthcare crises
✔️ Lessons from international healthcare systems that outperform the U.S.
✔️ Why employer-sponsored healthcare isn't the core problem
✔️ How data transparency could revolutionize healthcare decisions

Join us to explore transformative ideas for healthcare innovation on the West Coast and beyond.

Resources & References:

Abett: The company Mike founded to work on health data problems

Eric Bricker, MD | LinkedIn: An expert Mike recommends

Herbie Duber | UW Department of Emergency Medicine: Another expert Mike recommends

Join the movement: Subscribe on Substack @PacificTimePodcast

💬 Participate in active, civil conversations with your neighbors on the West Coast who are asking ‘What if…?’ Come to the community center for Pacific Time at Substack.

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📲 Pacific Time is making good trouble asking questions about the future of the West Coast on BlueSky, Instagram, and Facebook

Listen:

🎧 Pacific Time Podcast is on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and many other platforms. Follow, share, and leave a review.

Related Podcast Episodes:

Ep 01 Making the Case for West Coast Independence

Bioregionalism envisions borders set by the natural environment and there’s a grassroots movement for it that envisions carving “Cascadia” out of the Pacific Northwest wilderness.

In this episode of Pacific Time, host Greg Amrofell talks with Yogi Uriah, a passionate grassroots organizer and leader with the Cascadia Department of Bioregion. Yogi eloquently explores the concept of bioregionalism—an idea that redefines our understanding of boundaries, not as arbitrary political lines, but through natural landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural interconnections.

Highlights of the Episode:
✔️ Defining Cascadia: Yogi describes Cascadia as a vast region connected by watersheds stretching from Alaska through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Northern California.
✔️ Natural vs. Political Boundaries: How the natural environment shapes culture and community identity, distinct from arbitrary political lines.
✔️ Symbols of Cascadia: The power of symbols such as the Douglas Fir tree and the iconic Cascadia flag to unify and inspire the movement.
✔️ Grassroots Movements and Climate Action: Insights into how the Cascadia Department of Bioregion mobilizes community action through initiatives like guerrilla gardening and mutual aid programs.
✔️ A Climate Haven: Discussing the West Coast’s potential as a refuge from climate change impacts and the implications of increased migration.
✔️ Cultural Connections and Differences: Yogi emphasizes the unique identity within the Cascadia bioregion compared to broader national affiliations, and discusses the critical importance of including indigenous communities and practices in the bioregional vision.

Resources & References

Cascadia Department of Bioregion

Cascadia Dept of Bioregion - Instagram

Georgetown Steam Plan - Instagram

PNW Climate Week - Instagram

Join the movement: Subscribe on Substack @PacificTimePodcast

💬 Participate in active, civil conversations with your neighbors on the West Coast who are asking ‘What if…?’ Come to the community center for Pacific Time at Substack.

Follow:

📲 Pacific Time is making good trouble asking questions about the future of the West Coast on BlueSky, Instagram, and Facebook

Listen:

🎧 Pacific Time Podcast is on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and many other platforms. Follow, share, and leave a review.

Is California ready for independence? The CalExit movement is making the case again and it's stronger

Marcus Ruiz Evans has a bold vision for California. As the founder of CalExit, he's spent over a decade exploring and advocating for California's independence. Marcus and Greg discuss why California could—and perhaps should—be its own nation. Marcus lays out the cultural, economic, and political rationale behind the CalExit movement, debunks myths about its legality, and paints a vivid picture of how independence could dramatically transform California for the better.

Key topics include:
✔️ The cultural identity gap between California and the rest of the U.S.
✔️ California's role as a net exporter of tax dollars, subsidizing 35 other states.
✔️ Economic benefits of independence, from infrastructure to homelessness.
✔️ Legal realities of secession and what mainstream media gets wrong.
✔️ Why Marcus believes CalExit could prevent, rather than provoke, civil conflict.

Explore what California sovereignty could look like and why some believe it’s not only achievable but necessary.