Former Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison loves gangster rap, but dislikes Bacon. The Big Man joins the podcast to dish about Fremont, why he gave to John McCain, and brandishes some tough words for his former colleague who is running for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. Plus, lots of singing.

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 contest.

An ability to see the big picture may be hindering the judgment of progressives in the East Bay during the first two weeks of 2020. For instance in Alameda County's District 1 supervisorial race in moderate Fremont and Tri-Valley. Same for the growing Moms 4 Housing controversy. 

As we head toward 2020, Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson look back at the past decade, from changes in attitudes in Alameda County toward cannabis to the growing housing crisis. Plus, some predictions for the next year. Happy New Year!

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, what if Libby Schaaf faced off against Rob Bonta for congress? Who would win? **Note** A decade-ending special podcast is coming New Year's Eve.

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 run for office in Alameda?

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 Supervisors race, and a Thanksgiving update.

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 at union grocery stores, among many other topics on this expanded Thanksgiving edition.

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, and karaoke. 

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 once met with us and declared way before the 2014 Oakland mayoral election that Libby Schaaf would win. 

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 Councilmember Aisha Wahab. In the news: Cherryland is being eyed for annexation and a look at how the A's may not be in Oakland's future. Plus, much joking around about condos for squirrels, free Swedish manure helmets, and impromptu open forums in Oakland.

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 of the Tape. 

The pilot episode of the East Bay Insiders 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 jeans and the lack of a traditional guiding political figure in Alameda County. Why can't Fremont's Indo-American political infrastructure get itself together and actually win elections? And isn't Kohl's Cash a scam?

GOP consultant Jason Scalese joins the program (perhaps only for the craft beers) on this episode of the podcast. The killing by Hayward Police of a 29-year-old man with a history of mental illness last November, and the release last month of an Alameda County District Attorney report finding insufficient evidence to prosecute the case, has highlighted the fact that police officers are shielded by powerful state and federal laws.

Dublin typically stays out of the political limelight, but last week it's decision against flying the LGBT Pride flag brought the moderate to conservative Tri-Valley's ideology in full relief for all to see. What happens next? Castro Valley, meanwhile, is changing and some want to shed the oversight of Alameda County and become a city. Michael Kusiak of CV Matters talks about the long road toward incorporation. Plus, crying at an oath of citizenship ceremony.

Republican consultant and former California state director for Ted Cruz's 2016 presidential campaign talks about how progressives and conservatives can get along, Swalwell's unknown gambit for running for president, and the state of the California GOP.

Former San Leandro Councilmember Jim Prola reminisces about the political life of former San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos, who passed away on April 15. Santos served 18 years in San Leandro government and was known for his strong progressive credentials, admiration from labor, and his accomplishments in bringing forward a more diverse city.

Anybody know why East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell is running for president? Those who do, care to guess why the first three weeks of his campaign has been so bad? Over 10,000 people in Alameda voted against homeless seniors earlier this month in a special election, and brief tribute to former San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos, who passed away last week.

Alameda voters head to the polls April 9 for a two-ballot measure special election pitting NIMBYs versus advocates of a homeless wellness center on McKay Avenue near Crab Cove.

Alameda Vice Mayor John Knox White joins the program to discuss the controversial special election.

We also chat about the Alameda City Council's actions April 2, prescribing a large number of rent protections potentially coming in the next few months.

--Season Premiere of the Steve Tavares Is Angry Podcast--

After more than two years of asserting President Trump colluded with the Russians to swing the 2016 election, Rep. Eric Swalwell is facing a great deal of ridicule from the right now that the Mueller Report appears to have found insufficient evidence of collusion. What happens now for Swalwell's presidential aspirations?

April 1 is U.S. Census Day, Casey Farmer, the executive director of the Alameda County Complete Count Committee, explains the need for an accurate count, what it means for the county, and what you can do to help.

One clever Twitter user called Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer's re-election defeat last month an "end to an error." After covering Spencer for the last four years, I'll break down the worst mayor that I've covering over the last decade in East Bay politics. Later in the podcast, I look at the brighter side of local politics and lay out why San Leandro voter wrongly voted out one of the most ardent defenders of government transparency in the county. Since it's Christmas, stick around for the end of the show for a special gift!

The first-ever woman to lead the San Leandro Police Department is in hot water in her new job in Beverly Hills. Salacious allegations of sexual misconduct and racist comments by Sandra Spagnoli led this month to a $2.3 million settlement. Craig Williams joins the show to talk about Spagnoli's tenure in San Leandro. We also air problems at the city's chartered Democratic club, and discuss the rise of Latino politicians in 'Dro politics.

In the last few weeks, Oakland--and the East Bay's--stadium issues have becoming more clear. The A's announced their intention last month to build at Howard Terminal near the Port of Oakland, in addition, to a proposal to develop the Coliseum site for a housing and tech hub. This week, the city of Oakland sued the Raiders and the NFL for damages related to the team's move to Las Vegas. One of the insiders behind the lawsuit joins the program for a lengthy, and sometimes trash talk-filled, discussion on both developments.

Do you believe in miracles? 16th District Assemblymember-elect Rebecca Bauer-Kahan's major upset in the East Bay seemingly caught everyone off guard. How exactly did it happen? What unexpected East Bay legislator deserves a little credit for the result? 

In the interview, Hayward Councilmember-elect Aisha Wahab gives a candid, inside look into her successful City Council campaign. The doubts she received from the Hayward establishment and her Election Day nerves leading to becoming the first elected Afghan American public official in the U.S.

One of the most interesting East Bay election seasons in a long time is now in the books. Some local leaders justified their place as potential state and federal prospects. But there was also a distinctive anti-incumbent wave that took root all over the East Bay and was mostly related to housing. I'll take a look at the big winners and big losers from Tuesday's Election Day.