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Staying Put In A State On Fire | Elaine Culotti #450 | The Way I Heard It

2025-09-18 Entertainment
447.2k
17.4k
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Mike Rowe
Mike Rowe
1.3m subscribers

California's Crisis: Resilience, Mismanagement, and the Fight to Stay

Discover why leading Californian entrepreneurs remain determined to fix the state despite catastrophic mismanagement, and learn the specific failures hindering disaster recovery efforts now.

Short Summary

  • Analyze the immense bureaucratic hurdles slowing post-fire recovery in areas like the Pacific Palisades.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of federal vs. local disaster response, highlighting FEMA's superior organization.
  • Uncover specific, shovel-ready solutions, like a rail-based debris removal system, that officials chose not to implement.
  • This discussion grounds personal entrepreneurial drive in the urgent need for structural political change within California governance. It provides a clear assessment of why simple observation has turned into determined local advocacy against a "conspicuous lack of urgency."

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Description

I love California. Really, But these days, it feels like loving California is like loving someone who keeps setting your stuff on fire. My guest this week is Elaine Culotti—developer, farmer, entrepreneur, and one of the few people I know who loves this state even more than I do. You might know her as the “Lipstick Farmer” or from Undercover Billionaire. While thousands are fleeing the madness, Elaine’s staying put—not out of denial but out of determination to fix what’s broken. We talk about what’s gone wrong—the fires, the red tape, the incentives that make it easier to leave than to lead—and why, despite it all, some of us are still here. If you've ever loved a place that stopped loving you back, you’ll want to watch this. A Special Thanks: Knobel Tennessee Whiskey—a Knobel whiskey for a noble cause. Try it now: https://bit.ly/KnobelSpiritsxTWIHI #podcast #california #government If you like me, and even if you don't, subscribe to my channels and follow me. Much obliged. https://www.youtube.com/@therealmikerowe https://www.youtube.com/@therealmikeroweshorts https://www.youtube.com/@PYSKshow http://instagram.com/mikerowe http://facebook.com/TheRealMikeRowe https://twitter.com/mikeroweworks 00:00 Coming Up 00:31 Elaine on Undercover Billionaire 08:21 Elaine's family 11:44 Elaine's first job 15:00 Making money from old jeans 18:57 It's easy to spread a lie 27:57 Investing in real estate 32:03 The reality of the California fires 45:44 Leadership's lack of urgency 49:02 Next governor of CA? 53:40 Everyone's leaving CA 59:42 Elaine's message to Californians

Top Comments (10)

@blackeneddarkangel 2025-09-18

Most people have no clue that Colorado is doing everything California has done and it's getting JUST AS BAD as anything California is doing. Lifelong Colorado residents are moving out of the state because of how bad it's getting and how fast it's happening.

896 199 replies
@aazken 2025-09-18

The state of California needs a lot more Elaine Culotti type people to stand up and speak out. It IS a beautiful state but it has been slowly and systematically destroyed over the past forty or fifty years by professional politicians who have had no clue how to run a successful business. Kudos to you Mike for having Elaine on and to her for her strength to stand up!

410 20 replies
@dougturner1468 2025-09-20

She will never get a minute on main stream but, like Trump, HIT THE PODCAST CIRCUIT. Get the message out! Elaine Culotti, you rock!

395 12 replies
@dem0nchild610 2025-09-18

I can't explain how much I admire the fact that Mike has been in TV for so long and still down to earth and seems like a honestly great guy to meet

352 3 replies
@jb4321-x3x 2025-09-19

It’s hard to describe how much I love Elaine Culotti. She is exactly the person who can turn this state around. I’d vote for her for Mayor of LA or Governor of California. If she declares I’ll join the campaign. I’m retired after 30 years of running a business in a state that was hostile to me every step of the way. I agree with her…we’ve “splatted”. It’s time for a real change. And as she says, do NOT vote for anything Newscum wants. This means vote NO on 50. Elaine please run for Governor!!!

311 20 replies
@larsporsena7115 2025-09-21

She’s wonderful. She almost has me believing California can save itself . Almost

273 11 replies
@SempervirenRaven 2025-09-29

I’ve done exactly what Elaine said 2 years ago. I’m a moderate independent but I changed to republican just to send a message to Newsom and other entrenched Democrats. Elaine is just verbalizing what many of us are thinking . We do need more balance and accountability in California.

62
@keitha.9788 2025-09-21

Grew up in California. Moved out 12 years ago. California is nuts...............

35
@azorean_rose 2025-09-24

Native Californian. Grew up in the central valley. Been out of the state since 2016. My family and I took a road trip out there to visit family. I felt such sorrow of what I saw driving north on Interstate 5. The Interstate was lined with garbage, dead orchards, and hazy skies. The worst I've ever seen it. There was such a wholesome farmland beauty in the central valley, and now it has vanished. 😢

26
@denisemckinney3973 2025-09-23

Love her positive attitude. We are native Californians and still live here. Our adult kids are here too. Relatives have moved out of state and keep asking when we will move. Right now we will stay. Our family is here. Our church is here. Our friends are here. There are still lovely and wonderful people here doing their best to serve our community and reach people who need love. Our liberal government is a disappointment, however, we believe there is still hope because people need the love of God offered to them.

17

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