East Bay Insiders

For the first time, East Bay Insiders founder Steve Tavares tells the behind-the-scenes story of how he was unexpectedly pulled into what would become the East Bay's sprawling public corruption scandal. Steve reveals the alleged efforts to influence his reporting surrounding an infamous 2023 Vietnam trip, including escalating offers of money that he later believes were intended to discourage negat...

Few politicians have left a bigger mark on the East Bay than Don Perata. In a candid and often hilarious conversation, the former State Senate President Pro Tem, assemblymember, Alameda County supervisor, and almost-Oakland mayor reflects on a career that helped shape California politics for more than four decades. Perata discusses how Sacramento has changed—and why he believes the Legislature is...

The votes are in, and the June Primary election results are already reshaping East Bay politics. This week, Steve Tavares, Trishala Vinnakota, and Justin Berton break down the surprising defeat of Oakland's Measure E parcel tax, the outcomes of revenue measures in Hayward and Castro Valley, and what the results could mean for future tax and bond proposals across Alameda County. In congressional po...

The June primary is finally here, and we're breaking down every major race shaping the East Bay and California politics. Steve Tavares is joined by special guests Rocky Fernandez, California Democratic Party Region 5 director, and former San Leandro Councilmember Lee Thomas for a wide-ranging preview of Election Day. The panel analyzes the wide-open race for governor, the battle to replace Eric Sw...

Steve Tavares and Trishala Vinnakota welcome back Justin Berton to break down the week in East Bay politics and why our mothers are so great. Happy Mother's Day! We recap the first-ever East Bay Insiders SD10 debate, including standout performances from Anne Kepner and David Cohen, sharp insights on housing and AI, and why Scott Sakakihara largely escaped scrutiny over his Palantir ties. Why is th...

On this week's East Bay Insiders , we're giving listeners a preview of After Hours —our subscriber-only deep dive where the conversation gets a little looser and a lot more insidey. Steve Tavares and Jason Teramoto chop it up on Castro Valley's recurring push for incorporation, what it was like growing up there in the '80s and '90s, and—yes—the possible existence of Stranger Things -style creature...

Eric Swalwell's political career has come to an abrupt and stunning end—but for some, the warning signs were there all along. In this episode, former Pete Stark staffer Jason Teramoto revisits the 2012 congressional campaign that launched Swalwell's rise, sharing behind-the-scenes insights and allegations that, he says, were known at the time but largely ignored. From documented concerns during th...

A once ascending political career is on the brink of collapse. In this episode, we break down the mounting sexual misconduct claims facing  Eric Swalwell . In addition to his gubernatorial campaign, does it force a resignation from Congress? We dig into the long-running whispers that dogged Swalwell for years. What does this moment reveal about power, privilege, and the protection men often receiv...

Oakland Unified is at a crossroads—and the stakes couldn't be higher. This week, Oakland school boardmember Mike Hutchinson joins the podcast for a blunt conversation about OUSD's deepening budget crisis, and whether the district is inching toward another era of receivership. Hutchinson doesn't hold back, delivering sharp criticism about fellow elected officials up and down the Oakland political l...

  We break down the latest twists in California's governor's race—why  Eric Swalwell continues to dodge sustained scrutiny, whether Matt Mahan 's big-money campaign is failing to translate into real support. Plus, our early predictions for where the race is headed. We also dive into Oakland's growing debate over the strong mayor system, and Mayor Barbara Lee 's new plan to tackle homelessness, plu...

San Leandro City Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen joins the program for an unflinching and deeply personal conversation about the inequities—and consequences—women still face in local politics. Bowen recounts being assaulted by an elected official while attending a city-sponsored event in Florida, and the isolating aftermath that followed. She also speaks candidly about the blowback she faced after fili...

Former Oakland City Councilmember Loren Taylor joins the show to break down a busy week in East Bay politics. We unpack new developments in the East Bay's federal corruption case, including insights from last week's court hearing and what to expect next with Bryan Azevedo's upcoming appearance. Loren also offers an insider's view of the first major gubernatorial debate, new candidates entering the...

Former Alameda City Councilmember Malia Vella joins the show with Steve Tavares and Trishala Vinnakota for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of Alameda and what comes next for the city, and whether she has plans for a new chapter in her political service. Vella reflects on her time in office and offers a candid assessment of where Alameda stands today, from its two business districts to...

Dan Mendoza is back, along with  Steve Tavares and Trishala Vinnakota , and the timing couldn't be better. —We analyze the year in East Bay politics: President Trump's impact on the county and its cities; a look back at Oakland's special election; and the FBI investigations involving the Bryan Azevedo and Sheng Thao cases—and what to expect in 2026.

East Bay Insiders Podcast 3rd Annual Insidey Awards honoring the highs and lows in East Bay politics in 2025. Follow along with the list of this year's nominees: —Best performance by a public official Ken Houston, Oakland Kevin Jenkins, Oakland Jack Balch, Pleasanton Nikki Fortunato Bas, Alameda County Igor Tregub, Alameda County Democratic Party chair —Worst performance by a public official(s) Br...

East Bay Insiders welcomes Carla Marinucci back to the pod. We dive into reports that Attorney General Rob Bonta is eyeing a run for governor. What does it mean for Rep. Eric Swalwell's own ambitions? Did Swalwell miss a window to run for AG, and could a Bonta–Swalwell rivalry be shaping up? We break down the early race to replace Swalwell in Congress, featuring State Sen. Aisha Wahab and BART Dir...

Happy Thanksgiving! Following the bombsell East Bay Insiders report of a letter alleging the existence of a video showing California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a "compromising situation," Steve Tavares provides additonal insights into the story and the potential Easter eggs in the letter. Will Bonta still run for governor? Along with Trishala Vinnakota and Justin Berton, we also breakdown Eric...

A Bryan Azevedo–packed episode. From the rise to the downfall — we unpack how the Duong family built influence in San Leandro politics and trace Azevedo's wild ride: from the infamous "community freezer locker" idea, an inability to speak a human language, to the federal charges that brought everything crashing down. What does this scandal mean for San Leandro's future? Who might fill his vacant c...

State and local political strategist Jason Overman joins us to unpack his time working alongside Sheng Thao and Andre Jones in Oakland politics — and why their recent corruption indictments left him feeling "deeply betrayed." Later, we break down gubernatiorial candidate Katie Porter's rough week on the campaign trail, Oakland's search for a new police chief, Ken Houston's clash with homeless advo...

The shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk has shaken the nation—and this week, we're unpacking what it means closer to home. Guest co-hosts Trishala Vinnakota and Justin Berton join us to trace East Bay history of politically motivated killings and the rising hostility faced by local officials. Then, we dive into Oakland's new push to toughen its encampment policy and the Alameda County Board of...

Legendary Politico and San Francisco Chronicle political reporter Carla Marinucci joins Steve Tavares and Trishala Vinnakota for a candid conversation on the state of journalism and unforgettable moments from her career. Hear Carla's stories about being summoned by Gov. Schwarzenegger about a negative story, being banned by the Obama White House, and more. Plus, we dish on Newsom vs. Trump, covera...

Anxieties are rising in the East Bay as communities brace for the possibility of federal immigration crackdowns under President Trump . With guest co-host Trishala Vinnakota , we unpack California's upcoming effort to redraw its congressional maps, Alameda County's scramble to expand immigrant services, Trump's threat to deploy the National Guard in Oakland, and mounting concerns that the former f...

Former San Leandro Councilmember Lee Thomas of GrilleeQ joins the show this week—not to grill meat—but to help Steve Tavares and Dan Mendoza grill politicians. On the agenda: The potential costs of the lawsuit filed by San Leandro's former city manager; a local angle to the suddenly wide-open gubernatorial race; plus much more.

Guest co-host Trishala Vinnakota, the campaign consultant for both of Loren Taylor's runs for Oakland mayor provides some behind-the-scenes insights and stories from last spring's special mayoral election in Oakland, including a few "Oh, sh-t!" moments when it appeared that Taylor could actually upset Barbara Lee. Plus, takes on Lee's first two months in office, everyman Oakland Councilmember Ken...

Dan the Man is back just in time to moderate the most divisive East Bay Insiders podcast ever! From Trump and the threat to Alameda County to the proposed Coliseum deal to concerns about the county's 9-1-1 ambulance contract, there was no middle ground to be found other than the new Grilleeq ad is as sweet as Lee Thomas's blueberry corn muffins.