On this episode of the Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Susan Crabtree, National Political Correspondent for RealClearPolitics and author of Fool’s Gold, to break down the growing concerns surrounding California’s political future.

Crabtree explains why she’s pessimistic about the direction of the state, pointing to a lack of accountability, one-party dominance, and the collapse of local media institutions. The conversation dives into controversial practices like “behest payments,” the role of investigative journalism, and how corruption stories are increasingly being uncovered through both traditional reporting and citizen journalism.

They also discuss:
The potential political future of California post-Gavin Newsom
Media bias, access journalism, and the decline of watchdog reporting
How social media platforms like X are reshaping journalism
The cultural and economic challenges facing middle-class Californians
The impact of AI and information overload on the next generation

Plus, Crabtree shares her personal journey from Washington, D.C. to California, her passion for investigative journalism, and practical advice on staying grounded in a fast-moving, high-pressure world.

On this episode of the Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Susan Crabtree, National Political Correspondent for RealClearPolitics and author of&nbsp;Fool&rsquo;s Gold, to break down the growing concerns surrounding California&rsquo;s political future.
Crabtree explains why she&rsquo;s pessimistic about the direction of the state, pointing to a lack of accountability, one-party dominance, and the collapse of local media institutions. The conversation dives into controversial practices like &ldquo;behest payments,&rdquo; the role of investigative journalism, and how corruption stories are increasingly being uncovered through both traditional reporting and citizen journalism.
They also discuss:
<ul data-start="1340" data-end="1710">
<li data-section-id="ywwq9i" data-start="1340" data-end="1431">The potential political future of California post-Gavin Newsom</li>
<li data-section-id="1uhpbi3" data-start="1432" data-end="1504">Media bias, access journalism, and the decline of watchdog reporting</li>
<li data-section-id="nkrd0l" data-start="1505" data-end="1567">How social media platforms like X are reshaping journalism</li>
<li data-section-id="1pgmros" data-start="1568" data-end="1641">The cultural and economic challenges facing middle-class Californians</li>
<li data-section-id="1ahnu4k" data-start="1642" data-end="1710">The impact of AI and information overload on the next generation</li>
</ul>
Plus, Crabtree shares her personal journey from Washington, D.C. to California, her passion for investigative journalism, and practical advice on staying grounded in a fast-moving, high-pressure world.

Hosted by New York Post and Fox News columnist, and co-author of the best-selling book, “Stolen Youth,” The Karol Markowicz Podcast expands on the topics that drove Karol’s most popular columns and conversations, namely, the cultural and social issues that affect us all. What's marriage really like? Why are we lied to about what it's like to have children? What does it mean to succeed in your career? In each episode, Markowicz aims to find real answers to the deep questions that really matter, while taking listener questions and welcoming some of the biggest names in news, politics and entertainment for candid conversations. Get ready to lean in and listen! Subscribe now to The Karol Markowicz Show - new episodes post every Wednesday and Friday on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted by New York Post and Fox News columnist, and co-author of the best-selling book, &ldquo;Stolen Youth,&rdquo; The Karol Markowicz Podcast expands on the topics that drove Karol&rsquo;s most popular columns and conversations, namely, the cultural and social issues that affect us all. What's marriage really like? Why are we lied to about what it's like to have children? What does it mean to succeed in your career? In each episode, Markowicz aims to find real answers to the deep questions that really matter, while taking listener questions and welcoming some of the biggest names in news, politics and entertainment for candid conversations. Get ready to lean in and listen! Subscribe now to The Karol Markowicz Show - new episodes post every Wednesday and Friday on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Karol Markowicz Show

On this episode of the Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Susan Crabtree, National Political Correspondent for RealClearPolitics and author of Fool’s Gold, to break down the growing concerns surrounding California’s political future.

The Karol Markowicz Show: California Corruption, Media Decline & the Fight for Accountability with Susan Crabtree

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b1986759-1727-4084-8fdd-b42101382937/transcript