As a long-time resident of California for over 20 years, the steady decline of my cherished state deeply saddens me.

Having grown up in Iran and lived in several countries, including Mexico and China, I can attest that California was a true paradise for me when I arrived. Unfortunately, in the past decade, I have witnessed a shift in the state’s fortunes. It hit home for me when family members and colleagues started leaving, and I began to wonder what was causing these changes.

In 2019, I started the California Insider show on YouTube with the purpose of exploring into the intricacies of the state, uncovering its challenges, and, most importantly, seeking solutions to address the issues plaguing California and restore it to its former beauty.

Through over 300 expert interviews on topics ranging from rising crime and homelessness to housing costs and education, I realized that many of California’s most pressing challenges could be solved by simply raising awareness. This is where the power of truthful information comes in.

If every Californian were aware of the underlying causes behind these problems and the true state of affairs in the state, we could stem the tide of this mass exodus.

That’s why my team and I felt an urgent need to produce this documentary. It’s not just an informative piece; it’s an immersive experience that will leave you pondering long after the credits roll. I sincerely hope you will enjoy it as much as I have, and that it can help change the course of our paradise lost.