by Greg Amrofell
What if the West Coast could chart its own course? What if our innovations, values, and creative energy weren’t diluted by national politics? What if West Coast sovereignty was a dream and a strategy? Welcome to Pacific Time, where host Greg Amrofell—a relentless provocateur who has lived his whole life up and down the West Coast—invites you to imagine bold solutions. We explore how to make the West Coast better if it's undistilled by the faltering American experiment.. Each episode features meaningful conversations with thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, and visionaries. We’ll tackle the big questions of sovereignty, and self-determination, imagining and sharpening the West Coast’s cultural identity, economic potential, and environmental leadership. Pacific Time is for the intellectually curious, the disillusioned optimists, and the dreamers who refuse to accept that status quo in America is the best we can do on the West Coast. Here, we cut through the partisan noise and welcome transformative ideas from a broad spectrum of iconoclasts. We ask how we can work together to elevate the West Coast and get past the narratives that marginalize us “Out West” on the “Left Coast.” It’s time to reimagine what’s possible. Let’s ask, “What if…” and find out.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/19/2025
Email Addresses
2 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
April 16, 2025
<p>Can the West Coast outgrow America? Greg explores Ecotopia, sovereignty, and the future of freedom—solo.</p><p><br>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:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ecotopia-Ernest-Callenbach/dp/0553348477"> Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach</a>.</p><p><br>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.</p><p><br>Is Ecotopia just a retro fantasy? Or a prophetic prototype for a West Coast that’s already halfway out the door?</p><p><strong>🔍 Episode Highlights<br></strong><br></p><p><br>✅ Why Ecotopia still resonates 50 years later<br>✅ The difference between freedom and isolation<br>✅ A fictional interview between Greg and William Weston<br>✅ Callbacks to insights from<a href="https://www.yescalifornia.org/"> </a>recent guests<br>✅ What West Coast sovereignty might actually look like<br>✅ Independence and interdependence: Why we need both<br>✅ What we can learn from fiction—and how to turn it into policy<br>✅ A closing invitation: What if we stopped asking permission from DC?</p><p><strong>📚 Related Resources</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ecotopia-Ernest-Callenbach/dp/0553348477">Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach</a><br><a href="https://www.cascadiabioregion.org/">“What Is Bioregionalism?” – Cascadia Dept. of Bioregion</a></p><p><a href="https://calexitnow.org/">CalExit Campaign<br></a><br></p><p><strong><br>🎧 Related Episodes</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://pacifictimepodcast.transistor.fm/2">02: What If the West Coast Designed Itself? (with Mickey McManus)</a></li><li><a href="https://pacifictimepodcast.transistor.fm/3">03: What If We Took Back the Budget? (with Julie Dingley)</a></li><li><a href="https://pacifictimepodcast.transistor.fm/4">04: What If California Was Already a Nation? (with Marcus Ruiz Evans)</a></li><li><a href="https://pacifictimepodcast.transistor.fm/5">05: What If We Drew the Map Differently? (with Yogi Uriah)</a></li><li><a href="https://pacifictimepodcast.transistor.fm/6">06 If American Healthcare is Broken, What Can the West Coast Do? (with Mike Hanlon)</a></li><li><a href="https://pacifictimepodcast.transistor.fm/7">07: What If the World Doesn’t Need Us Anymore? (with John Zysman) </a></li></ul><p><strong><br>👤 About the Host</strong></p><p><br>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: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p><p><br><strong>Join the movement:</strong></p><p>💬 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 <a href="https://substack.com/@pacifictimepodcast"><strong>Substack</strong></a>.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow:</strong></p><p>📲 Pacific Time is making good trouble asking questions about the future of the West Coast on <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/pacifictimepodcast.bsky.social">BlueSky</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pacifictimepodcast/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573646480753">Facebook</a></p><p><strong><br>Listen:</strong></p><p>🎧 Pacific Time Podcast is on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2gcIB4qF91fvWxvzDfE4jW?si=6bae7b1b8a194f15">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pacific-time-the-what-if-of-west-coast-independence/id1791420270">Apple Podcasts</a>, and many other platforms. Please follow, share, and leave a review.</p>
April 7, 2025
<p>EARLY RELEASE In the face of chaotic US economic policy, how can the West Coast insulate itself and cultivate cooperation across borders and build global leadership?</p><p>In this episode of Pacific Time, UC Berkeley political scientist and global economic expert John Zysman joins Greg Amrofell to unpack how U.S. trade and technology policy are unraveling—and what that means for the West Coast. From the decline of American dominance to the rise of China, the shift in European alliances, and the fragility of global supply chains, John paints a sobering picture. But he also sees opportunity. Could the West Coast lead in AI, Electric Vehicles, and biotech by building cross-state coalitions and pursuing its own international path?</p><p><strong><br>What We Talk About:</strong></p><p>✔️ The collapse of the post-WWII international order</p><p>✔️ Why tariffs might backfire—and how they could hurt West Coast tech and agriculture</p><p>✔️ The dangers of alienating allies and driving innovation away</p><p>✔️ Semiconductor sovereignty and the tech talent brain drain</p><p>✔️ Why West Coast autonomy is more realistic than full-on independence</p><p>✔️ What California, Oregon, and Washington could build together</p><p><strong>Guest Bio:</strong></p><p>John Zysman is a political science professor at <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/">UC Berkeley</a>, co-founder of the <a href="https://brie.berkeley.edu/">Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy (BRIE)</a>, and a leading thinker on global competition, innovation, and industrial transformation. His work explores how digital platforms, AI, and geopolitics intersect in shaping economic futures.</p><p><br></p><p>Professor Zysman received his B.A at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard">Harvard</a> and his Ph.D. at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIT">MIT</a>. He has written extensively on European and Japanese policy and corporate strategy; his interests also include comparative politics, Western European politics, political economy and energy policy.</p><p><strong><br>Resources & References:<br></strong><br></p><p><a href="https://johnzysman.online/"><strong>John Zysman</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://brie.berkeley.edu/home"><strong>The Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy (BRIE)</strong></a><strong> <br></strong><br></p><p><a href="https://brie.berkeley.edu/publications/pathways-green-transition-bio-economy">Pathways For A Green Transition To A Bio-Economy</a> John Zysman; Dan Breznitz; David Zilberman – Working Paper, 2024</p><p><a href="https://brie.berkeley.edu/publications/generative-ai-and-future-work-augmentation-or-automation">Generative AI and the Future of Work: Augmentation or Automation?</a> John Zysman; Mark J. Nitzberg – Working Paper, 2024</p><p><a href="https://brie.berkeley.edu/publications/new-logic-globalization-uncertainty-volatility-and-digital-economy">The New Logic of Globalization: Uncertainty, Volatility, and the Digital Economy</a> Laura Tyson; John Zysman; Brian Judge – Working Paper, 2023</p><p><a href="https://brie.berkeley.edu/publications/will-national-sovereignty-splinter-internet">Will National Sovereignty Splinter the Internet?</a> Angela Garcia Calvo; Martin Kenney; John Zysman – Working Paper, 2023</p><p><a href="https://brie.berkeley.edu/publications/mirage-decentralized-finance">The Mirage of Decentralized Finance</a> Brian Judge; Barry Eichengreen; John Zysman – Working Paper, 2023</p><p><strong><br>Listen:</strong></p><p>🎧 Pacific Time Podcast is on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pacific-time-the-what-if-of-west-coast-independence/id1791420270">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2gcIB4qF91fvWxvzDfE4jW?si=6bae7b1b8a194f15">Spotify</a>, and many other platforms. Follow, share, and leave a review.</p><p><strong>Follow:</strong></p><p>📲 Pacific Time is making good trouble asking questions about the future of the West Coast on <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/pacifictimepodcast.bsky.social">BlueSky</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pacifictimepodcast/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573646480753">Facebook</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Join the movement: Subscribe on Substack @PacificTimePodcast</strong></p><p>💬 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 <a href="https://substack.com/@pacifictimepodcast"><strong>Substack</strong></a>.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Related Podcast Episodes:</strong></p><ul><li>Ep 01 Making the Case for West Coast Independence (Greg Amrofell)</li><li>Ep 04 Is California Ready for Independence? With Marcus Ruiz Evans</li></ul>
April 2, 2025
<p>Is the U.S. Healthcare System Beyond Repair? Mike Hanlon Explains How the West Coast Could Lead a Revolution</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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?</p><p><strong>Key topics include:</strong></p><p>✔️ The hidden costs of fragmented healthcare and poor communication <br>✔️ How Medicare cuts could amplify existing healthcare crises <br>✔️ Lessons from international healthcare systems that outperform the U.S. <br>✔️ Why employer-sponsored healthcare isn't the core problem <br>✔️ How data transparency could revolutionize healthcare decisions</p><p><br>Join us to explore transformative ideas for healthcare innovation on the West Coast and beyond.</p><p><strong><br>Resources & References:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.abett.com/">Abett</a>: The company Mike founded to work on health data problems</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericbrickermd/">Eric Bricker, MD | LinkedIn</a>: An expert Mike recommends</p><p><a href="https://em.uw.edu/people/faculty/herbie-duber">Herbie Duber | UW Department of Emergency Medicine</a>: Another expert Mike recommends</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Join the movement: Subscribe on Substack @PacificTimePodcast</strong></p><p>💬 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 <a href="https://substack.com/@pacifictimepodcast"><strong>Substack</strong></a>.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow:</strong></p><p>📲 Pacific Time is making good trouble asking questions about the future of the West Coast on <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/pacifictimepodcast.bsky.social">BlueSky</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pacifictimepodcast/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573646480753">Facebook</a></p><p><strong><br>Listen:</strong></p><p>🎧 Pacific Time Podcast is on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2gcIB4qF91fvWxvzDfE4jW?si=6bae7b1b8a194f15">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pacific-time-the-what-if-of-west-coast-independence/id1791420270">Apple Podcasts</a>, and many other platforms. Follow, share, and leave a review.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Related Podcast Episodes:</strong></p><p>Ep 01 Making the Case for West Coast Independence</p>
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at [email protected] for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.