East Bay Insiders

East Bay political discourse will never be the same! Political reporter Steve Tavares, and Alameda County insiders Shawn Wilson and Dan Mendoza, dish the scoop on Alameda County, state, and national political scenes, with a few hijinks along the way.

East Bay Insiders Centenary with Loren Taylor and Supervisor Nate Miley 11/18/2024

East Bay Insiders Centenary with Loren Taylor and Supervisor Nate Miley Recorded live at Humble Sea Brewing Co. in Alameda, Steve, Shawn and Dan reminisce about the podcast, its beginnings, highlights, hijinks, and lowlights. Oakland special mayoral election candidate Loren Taylor made his pitch to voters, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley talked about the Coliseum deal and the state of Oakland, and Shawn was roasted by his kids, and much more! /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/33985172

How 'bout them recalls?!! 11/08/2024

How 'bout them recalls?!! Alameda County and Oakland voters just recalled two recently elected officials. We break down how and why, in addtion to analysis of early election results from some of the biggest East Bay races. Plus, we leave a voicemail with the likely Pleasanton mayor-elect to apologize for doubting his success during the last podcast. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/33855232

Election 2024 Preview Show 10/25/2024

Election 2024 Preview Show Election Day in the East Bay is just days away. Steve, Shawn, and Dan give their bold predictions for Alameda County's biggest fall races. Plus, results, analysis of the Oakland Chamber poll, the recalls, and Alameda Councilmember Trish Spencer's long night in Long Beach. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/33621537

Scam Alert 10/09/2024

Scam Alert Oakland is again plunged into chaos over the emergence of a "new" Coliseum land deal and questions about its legitimacy. Shawn recevies a call from his creditors, and we chat about the recalls, Campaign Finance 101, and much more toward the stretch run to Election Day. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/33397457

Welcome to the Shawn Wilson podcast 09/20/2024

Welcome to the Shawn Wilson podcast A now-former Fremont councilmember slams Shawn for making inappropriate comments on "his podcast." For the first time, Steve gives his blow-by-blow account of the "Throwdown in the 'Dro Town." Plus, analysis of the Pleasanton mayoral race and supervisorial candidate Nikki Bas' attack website against opponent John Bauters. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/33134492

Call me incompetent all day long 09/07/2024

Call me incompetent all day long Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said this week, "call me incompetent all day long." Is it too late for Thao to save her job? Alameda County Democrats created yet another embarrassing scene. We take a look at the recalls, and Fremont's unusual moves to replace its departing councilmember. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/32951447

Carson asks Bauters to the couch 08/27/2024

Carson asks Bauters to the couch Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson's big endorsement could be a gamechanger in a tight District 5 race this fall. We take a look a what the endorsement means and how the race between John Bauters and Nikki Fortunato Bas may evolve. Fremont needs a new councilmember, and an Oakland candidate is searching for way back onto the ballot. Plus, Steve gets a pep talk and East Bay Regional Parks District Board Director Olivia Sanwong podcast-bombs the show. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/32767637

Pamela Price's worst nightmare 08/16/2024

Pamela Price's worst nightmare Brenda Grisham, co-leader of the DA Pamela Price recall campaign, provides personal insights about the begining of the recall and her interactions with Price in this special edition of the East Bay Insiders Podcast. Later, we remember Ellen Corbett, one the East Bay's political greats. Shawn Wilson, who worked for Corbett during her first stint in the assembly, has a funny story about his old boss. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/32600912

Breaking Bad Polling 08/05/2024

Breaking Bad Polling Election 2024 takes center stage with the release of devastating polling for Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and DA Pamela Price. John Bauters released his own poll in the Alameda County District 5 supervisorial race. We breakdown the numbers, in addition to a look at a peculiar campaign strategy in Fremont's competivie mayoral race. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/32437877

High-stakes hot takes 07/18/2024

High-stakes hot takes We take a local angle at the attempted assassination of President Trump, update the developing scandal in the East Bay, and break down Alameda County supervisorial candidate Nikki Bas' peculiar survey to voters. Along the way, Steve provides a view from the future on Oakland's city budget, the fates of the A's, Roots, and Ballers. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/32205197

Life of Thao 06/28/2024

Life of Thao The FBI raids on Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and others on June 20 have set the East Bay afire with rumors, speculation, and expectations of the worst. We breakdown down what appears destined to be one of the biggest stories in East Bay political history. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/31936647

Handicapping the recalls 06/08/2024

Handicapping the recalls It's becoming increasingly likely two high-profile recalls will be on the ballot in Alameda County this November. We handicap the potential recall of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and the recall against DA Pamela Price. Plus, we take a look at the changing of the guard in Dublin, and Shawn reminisces about call-waiting. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/31658777

Really?!! 05/20/2024

Really?!! Co-host Dan Mendoza is out on assignment. Really?!! Tavares! Really?!! Capt. Wilson. How does Alameda County DA Pamela Price avoid a recall this fall? We break down how the recall campaign may go down. Homelessness is down a bit in Alameda County. Which cities are doing better than others? Hayward is begrudingly moving to district-based elections, plus who will be the next BART Board member? Really?!! /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/31377662

Our comms expert Justin Berton is back! 04/29/2024

Our comms expert Justin Berton is back! The communications director for former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf offers some tips for Oakland's incoming police chief, and the "greater crime against communication" that was the San Leandro mayor's cringeworthy state of the city. We also remember East Bay legend Delaine Eastin, along with much more! *Birthday boy Shawn Wilson is on vacation this week. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/31025838

Aisha Knowles and The Apology 04/08/2024

Aisha Knowles and The Apology Alameda County Board of Education Trustee Aisha Knowles joins the show to chat about "The Apology," the acclaimed documentary about the forced relocation of Russell City; the push for reparative justice for its former residents and descendents; and her future political plans. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/30725563

Back to basics 03/23/2024

Back to basics We debut our new recording equipment, even though we didn't test it beforehand. With the primary election in the books, we're going back to basics. Oakland finally has a new police chief. We weigh-in on the rollout, along with the Russell City documentary "The Apology," the intra-county rivalries stoked by the proposed regional housing bond measure, and questions being raised by members of the Alameda County Election Commission. Plus, did you know Mt. Eden High in Hayward once had a secret bar for students? /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/30512793

Primary Answers 03/11/2024

Primary Answers The March Primary in the East Bay provided a few surprises. We break down the biggest races. East Bay Insiders Podfather Matt Santos sits in as guest and recording engineer, and recalls Steve Tavares' first foray into politics, among other embarrassing tidbits, and we reminisce about our first-ever live recording. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/30316653

Loren Taylor: Live in front of a studio audience 02/28/2024

Loren Taylor: Live in front of a studio audience The first-ever East Bay Insiders LIVE was a smashing success! We sat down in front a live studo audience with Alameda County Democratic Central Committee candidate and former Oakland mayoral candidate Loren Taylor at Awaken Cafe in Oakland. Loren laid out his vision for Oakland, the Alameda County Democratic Party, his views on ranked choice voting, the recalls, and a few jabs at current Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's job performance. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/30158658

He's just Ken 02/24/2024

He's just Ken The March Primary is around the corner. Don't forget to vote! Alameda County District 5 supervisorial candidate Ken Berrick joins the program to talk about his plans for the county--fixing Santa Rita Jail, caring for children, and helping Oakland. Later, we break down the big March Primary races in Alameda County, along with predictions. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/30087763

Newsom's coup 02/12/2024

Newsom's coup Gov. Gavin Newsom is tired of the mayhem on the streets of Oakland and the East Bay, essentially sending in the troops and taking over the district attorney's office. We break down the unprecedented moves with Alameda County District 5 supervisorial candidate Chris Moore. Later, the boys dish on "Super Dan," Vegas' mayor telling the A's to go home, campaign commercials, and the anonymous article slamming Supervisor Nate Miley. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/29894993

Has the entire county gone nuts? 01/28/2024

Has the entire county gone nuts? Alameda County Democrats went berserk earlier this month, now their brethren across the aisle are trying to match their lunacy. Is there something in the water? A Hayward school boardmember made an incendiary comment toward a staffer, Rep. Eric Swalwell's opponent releases attack ad, BDS movement joins Gaza conversation in the East Bay, plus much more! /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/29682583

What's up with that, Dems? 01/15/2024

What's up with that, Dems? It was a wild first two weeks of 2024. Alameda County Democrats held a meeting that evoked a skit on Saturday Night Live, a judicial candidate undermined his own impartiality, and Vicki-Sparkle-Titz joined our political lexicon. We kickoff the new year with analysis on the demise of the Democratic Central Committee, legislation banning tackle football for kids, Libby Schaaf's return, and the Board of Supervisors primary races, and more. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/29475298

Insidey Awards 01/02/2024

Insidey Awards The first annual Insidey Awards, already the least prestigious honor in Alameda County politics, makes it debut. Tune in for the best and worst performance by an elected official, best hair, and mayor of the year, among other categories, including the ultimate honor, Quote/Rant of the Year. We also chat up the Oakland Police situation and Gaza resolutions. Happy New Year! /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/29302823

Shawn is back! 12/15/2023

Shawn is back! The long wait is over. Shawn Wilson makes his triumphant return to the podcast. He has a new title and lays out his first directive as the podcast's president of code compliance, censorship, and content filtering. With the filing deadline for the March Primary past us, we preview the big races for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and State Senate. Merry Christmas and thank you for spending time with us this year. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/29102718

Seneca Scott vs. Oakland Progressives 12/09/2023

Seneca Scott vs. Oakland Progressives Oakland has a population of more than 400,000 and most of them will be listening to find out if Oakland raconteur Seneca Scott said anything about him. Scott joins the podcast for a second time and had plenty of barbs ready for Oakland progressives. He also recounted recently saving a woman from being robbed while shopping in Oakland. Plus, our big announcement. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/28997203

East Bay poster child for how the GOP has lost suburban voters 11/20/2023

East Bay poster child for how the GOP has lost suburban voters In part two of our discussion with former East Bay Assemblymember Catharine Baker: President Trump was not the reason why she lost re-election in 2018. "Candidates are responsible for either winning or losing their campaigns," Baker said, but "Trump was the single most dominant issue in my race." Her 16th Assembly District, she added, is the poster child for why Republicans across the country are losing support in suburban districts. Plus, more. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/28731938

Last of the East Bay Republicans 11/17/2023

Last of the East Bay Republicans Former East Bay Assemblymember Catharine Baker joins the podcast for a lengthy discussion on the lack of civility in local and national politics, and how we can fix the problem. Baker served from 2014 to 2018. She is the last Republican elected from the East Bay to serve in the state Legislature. Baker, now a member of the state Fair Political Practices Commission, also gives a lesson in government transparency. Look for Part 2 of the discussion on Monday! /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/28661813

State of Alameda County's safety net hospitals 11/07/2023

State of Alameda County's safety net hospitals East Bay labor leader Doug Jones of SEIU-UHW dishes on the Alameda County labor movement, including insights in the big 7th State Senate primary race, and helps us understand the dire state of safety net hospitals in Hayward, Alameda, and San Leandro, and what may come next. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/28539194

Sheng Show 10/20/2023

Sheng Show From unceded Ohlone land, Steve Tavares and Dan Mendoza welcomed Justin Berton, former director of communications for Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, to breakdown current Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's first state of the city address, and other issues facing the city. Later, the latest developments in the recall of Alameda County DA Pamela Price. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/28380320

March Primary Reset 10/02/2023

March Primary Reset A U.S. Senate appointment could shake up the East Bay's primary election in several ways. Castro Valley school boardmember Mike Kusiak makes a cameo appearance while bearing empanadas, and Lee Thomas returns a co-host. We discuss Sen. Dianne Feinstein's passing, the epic rant by Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas, and how DA Pamela Price should handle the recall threatening her first-year administration. /episode/index/show/eastbaycitizenshow/id/28196075

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