Annus Horribilis is behind us. Coronavirus, masks, hand sanitizer, defund the police, recession, George Floyd dominated a memorable, yet forgettable year. We also look ahead to 2021 and the changes that may happen in the new year. Enjoy the show… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders
East Bay Insiders – Ep. 28 – Swalwell and the Fang Gang Christmas special
Rep. Eric Swalwell and Fang Fang, the Chinese spy who shagged him, is riveting the 15th Congressional District. What might be Swalwell’s future? An Alameda County elected official won two races last month and one jurisdiction wants him and the… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Ep. 27 – Election recap: Trash talk and infighting begins
The covid-19 election in the East Bay is in the books. There were some upsets and voters were clearly apprehensive about too much change during a year of uncertainty. But the election also revealed fissures within the local Alameda County… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 25 – Remembering Charlie Gilcrest
Shortly after this episode was recorded, Eden Health District board director Charlie Gilcrest passed away. At the beginning and end of this episode, Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson remember the man who gave so much to San Leandro. Also, the… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 24 – Raise your glass to freedom
Hamilton, baseball and politics, and another round of sneak peaks for the fall election season in the East Bay. In particular, two races that are big in both consequence and size-Oakland’s up-for-grabs District 7 council seat and the four seats… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 23 – Season 2: Time travelers
A new election. A new season of the East Bay Insiders. Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson travel from the future to fix a wrong that will occur on Sept. 20, 2020. Plus: November elections analysis of the Alameda County Board… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 22 – Liberate the podcast
East Bay Insiders Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson, wearing masks and social distancing, are together for the first in-person episode since the pandemic started. Two candidates in San Leandro might be showing how campaign outreach will be done this… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 21 – Fantasy City Council League update
After Steve talked smack about his girlfriend during the shelter in place, she surprises him and talks smack back. Steve and Shawn add perspective to the shooting of a 33-year-old black man at Walmart by San Leandro Police. Meanwhile, how… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 20 – You down with PPE? Yeah, you know me!
Alameda Councilmember Jim Oddie joins Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson discuss his profanity-laced comments against delaying the minimum wage in Alameda, and the island city’s potentially grim budget outlook. And what about the time a constituent invited Jim to discuss… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 19 – Covid-15 minimum wage delay
The shelter in place continues. Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson, however, sort of like the new routine presented by the covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, they discuss the potential for delays in raising the minimum wage spreading across the East Bay. Happy… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 18 – Shelter in place
After a nearly month-long hiatus as Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson help save Alameda County from the coronavirus, “We’re baaaaaaaack!” Shawn moved in with his better half right in the smack of the shelter in place. Meanwhile, our lives, like… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 17 – Love songs and election returns after dark
The votes are in, but Alameda County voters and candidates eagerly awaiting all of the ballots to be counted. We look at the returns in all the March primary races in Alameda County. But things also got steamy and Shawn… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 16 – Election Day special with Rob Bonta
Eighteenth District Assemblymember Rob Bonta is upset about insults hurled against him recently by East Bay Insiders co-host Shawn Wilson. “I thought he was my friend,” a downtrodden Bonta said. In this Election Day special podcast, Bonta discusses his California… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 15 – March primary preview
Co-host Shawn Wilson busted out of his hospital room to record the March Primary Election Preview. Despite hand and buttocks injuries, Shawn persisted (with help from pain killers). It’s the loopiest episode yet. We look at the big Alameda County… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 14 – The Winners, Part 2
An enlightened conversation with water district official Olivia Sanwong is interrupted by retiring Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty. “I’ve got news for you, nobody likes you guys,” Haggerty said, in response to the show’s tagline. But he also offers unvarnished… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 13 – The Winners, Part 1
Zone 7 Water District Boardmember Olivia Sanwong joins the East Bay Insiders podcast as the first official to appear on the show who has not lost their last election. She chats about her district, espionage, the presidential race, Thai food,… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Ep. 30 – Retirement and the Legend of Cracker McCracker
It’s already a tumultuous 2021. Steve is hanging up his notebook and tape recorder and Shawn is under fire for calling a white guy a “Cracker McCracker” in Episode 29. Down to business, we look at the undercurrent of opposition… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 11 – The Original KD
Kevin Dowling, a former Hayward councilmember and Pete Buttigieg supporter, has seen a whopping 19 Democratic presidential candidates in the flesh. He gives his thought on the race, along with analysis of the big Alameda County Board of Supervisors primary… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 10 – East Bay bubbles
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East Bay Insiders – Episode 9 – End of a decade
As we head toward 2020, Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson look back at the past decade, from Alameda County’s change in attitudes for cannabis to the growing housing crisis. Plus, some predictions for the next year. Happy New Year!
East Bay Insiders – Episode 8 – Ding Dong nuts
Ding Dong nuts is the Christmas stocking stuffer that keeps giving. The holiday season is almost over and Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson break down the annual end of the year weirdness that often happens in East Bay politics. Plus,… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 7 – Rain delay
The heavens opened up, resulting in podcast history’s first rain delay. Shawn Wilson handles the hosting duties and we talk about Developer Phil Tagami and Oakland’s cancel culture, and nightmare dates. Also, why in the world would somebody want to… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 6 – Let’s play Hardball
And we’re back! Rep. Eric Swalwell’s #fartgate (#shartgate) still lingers. We break it all down, along with a post-mortem on why Sen. Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign faltered. Also, a first look on the candidate’s performance in the big Alameda County… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 5 – Thanksgiving Leftovers
Steve Tavares is cooking the turkey this year and Shawn Wilson has no place to go for Thanksgiving. In the meantime, the East Bay Insiders take another look at the Alameda County Board of Supervisors race next year, and shopping… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 4 – Fantasy City Council League Draft
The first of its kind East Bay Fantasy City Council League Draft commences. Who is drafted as the first-overall pick? How will you know who wins the fantasy league? Who knows? Plus, reminiscing about the old Castro Valley Flea Market,… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 3 – Release the tape! It’s not a physical tape! It’s a digital recording!
A transcript of Alameda’s secret audio recording will be released to the public. How should the two Alameda councilmembers recorded in the conversation react to the fallout? Also a bonus appreciation for Alameda builder Ron Cowan and how Willie Brown… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 2 – McPartland, condos for squirrels, and free stuff
Maybe they should call him John McPardon? East Bay Insiders Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson chat about BART Board Director John McPartland’s embarrassing gaffe. Why Hayward is always late to the party, and the future of its rising star, Hayward… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders – Episode 1 – Tale of the Tape
The District 1 Alameda County Supervisors campaign is the East Bay’s top March 2020 primary race. But why are the candidate’s keeping their campaigns a secret? Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson provide an introduction of the candidates with the Tale… Read More ›
East Bay Insiders podcast with Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson now available
The pilot episode of the East Bay Insiders with Steve Tavares and Alameda County insider Shawn Wilson provides a tasting menu for what’s to come. From the up-for-grabs Alameda County supervisor’s race to one of the candidate’s choice of tight… Read More ›