Talk of the Bay with Bodie Shargel

Odds are Donald Trump will be president next January. Many were upset by this result, many were surprised, and even more were surprised by the way it happened. Luckily, I had two great friends and activists join me to make sense of the campaign and the years ahead.

I like trains, they go chugga-chugga choo-choo, but a vote from the County Board of Supervisors on March 26th would imply that Supervisors Koenig and McPherson do not. I talked with Faina Segal and Barry Scott from Santa Cruz County Friends of the Rail and Trail about what this vote means and where advocates go from here. Talk of the Bay airs on K-Squid. Tune in to episodes I host every Tuesday fr...

West Cliff Drive is Santa Cruz's largest and most used recreational corridor. Despite this, most of its space is used for moving cars and parking cars. Due to recent damage in storms, change is coming to West Cliff. Transit advocates Lola Quiroga and Steven Svete joined me to discuss the conversations taking place and how listeners can get involved. Sign their petition here . Talk of the Bay a...

Gen Z's political impact is much discussed. Are they too radical and apathetic, or are they informed, activated, and ready to shape America's political (near) future? Two leaders in politically activating Gen Z, Josh Brons and Jason Park joined me to discuss. Talk of the Bay airs on K-Squid. Tune in to episodes I host every other Tuesday from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Listen at KSQD 90.7FM, KSQT 8...

Overthinking based on incomplete information is one of my passions, so I'm glad I get to share it with you, dear listener. I took this week's show to break down the day-after results from the March primary election. This included conversations with Kate Daniels, who looks headed for election to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, and Don Lane, who was integral in the campaign that lo...

In less than a month, District 5 voters will choose between 4 candidates to become their next county supervisor – either picking the winner or the two who will face off in November, if none get over 50%. From institutional experience to lived experience, each candidate brings a unique perspective and vision for the district's future. I spent a few minutes with each candidate to discuss what th...

In my continuing mission to talk to candidates for office in Santa Cruz's March primary election, I was joined by Hector Marin, a candidate for City Council District 2. He presented his argument to support Measure M, which will also be on March ballots in the city. UCSC Student Housing Coalition founder Zennon Ulyate-Crow joined to make the argument against Measure M. Differences of opinion on...

2023 was quite the year. We should probably talk about it. Talk of the Bay airs on K-Squid. Tune in to episodes I host every other Tuesday from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Listen at KSQD 90.7FM, KSQT 89.5FM and 89.7FM, or listen online at KSQD.org.

Lots is happening for Democrats. Hours before the show, it was announced that Donald Trump will not be appearing on primary ballots in Colorado under a State Supreme Court ruling. Here in Santa Cruz, our local Democratic Party (DCC) recently made its endorsements for County Supervisor, Santa Cruz City Council, and ballot measures. DCC delegate and host of KSQD's "What a Week" Tony Ru...

Since the Israeli military increased violence in Gaza after October 7th, organizers around the world have called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the region. Straight after a Santa Cruz City Council meeting, at which the Council voted to discuss a ceasefire resolution in December, activists Kayla Kumar and Sylvie Stein of the group Palestine Solidarity Central Coast spoke with me about local organi...

According to Lookout Santa Cruz, "Five men in the Santa Cruz Main Jail have been on a hunger strike for nearly a month citing poor treatment by guards,   the high costs of commissary goods and concerns that jail officials are reading their private communications with attorneys." Talk of the Bay airs on K-Squid. Tune in to episodes I host every other Tuesday from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Listen...

Housing for People is a ballot measure that City of Santa Cruz voters will be presented with in March of 2024. The measure would increase Santa Cruz's inclusionary rate to 25% and require city-wide referendum votes to change zoning to allow for more height. Affordable housing developer Diana Alfaro and retired land use planner Frank Barron joined my to talk about the merits of the ballot measu...

Happy Halloween!! If you're like me, there's nobody in this world more monstrous than the fascist Republicans working to harm people of color, LGBTQ+ people, women, working class people, and pretty much anyone they can in the United States. I spoke with BAYMEC Board President Drew Lloyd about what's going on and what we can do about it. Talk of the Bay airs on K-Squid. Tune in to episo...

Interspersed between KSQD's fall pledge drive, guest Ryan Meckel and I sat down to do some old-fashioned punditry on the 2024 elections for Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, Santa Cruz City Council and educational seats around the county. Talk of the Bay airs on K-Squid. Tune in to episodes I host every other Tuesday from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Listen at KSQD 90.7FM, KSQT 89.5FM and 89.7FM, o...

A development at 908 Ocean St in Santa Cruz is being proposed by the Trammell Crow Company, the development company formerly CEO'd by billionaire Harlan Crow. I spoke with Rob Moore, a Los Gatos Town Councilmember who was elected on a platform which included support for increasing development, yet offered some critiques of our current paradigm on development. I was also joined by Meilin Obinat...

The Free Guide is shifting the narrative on one of Santa Cruz's most politically charged topics: homelessness. The small service provider is punching above its weight, operating the City's RV safe parking program and severe weather shelters. My conversation with Executive Director Evan Morrison covered their work, progress made by the City, and public perception of the issue. Talk of the B...

As the race heats up to be the next United States Senator from California, all three frontrunners decided to make stops in Santa Cruz County. I spoke with Congresswoman Barbara Lee in advance of her August 28th campaign event in Watsonville. Talk of the Bay airs on K-Squid. Tune in to episodes I host every other Tuesday from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Listen at KSQD 90.7FM Santa Cruz and KSQT 89.5FM and 89...