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 mon…

Message from Providence Midland on 3 August 2025By Providence Midland

Message from Jordan Thyer on 27 July 2025By Providence Midland

Message from Jordan Thyer on 20 July 2025By Providence Midland

Message from David Edwards on 13 July 2025By Providence Midland

Christina Roberts and Robin Clossman discuss how MasterMinds can help you advance your spiritual direction practice. For more information regarding the Spirituality Network, contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at Spiritualitynetwork.org!By The Spirituality Network

Message from Josh Thorne on 6 July 2025By Providence Midland

Message from Providence Midland on 6 July 2025By Providence Midland

Message from Jordan Thyer on 29 June 2025By Providence Midland

Message from Thom Bull on 22 June 2025By Providence Midland

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.…

Message from Jordan Thyer on 15 June 2025By Providence Midland

Jordan brings us the second message in the series on creation. The video referenced in the sermon can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGNb4d6UdeUBy Providence Midland

With Dan Mendoza away in D.C., Steve Tavares and Shawn Wilson went old school with insights on the U.S. Attorney's target letter to San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo, San Leandro's mayor calling the city poor and striving to be average, the Trump administration's assault on local funding and sanctuary cities, and the surprising removal of Hay…

The East Bay Insiders couples retreat in Mexico was a success. They let us back into America. We play some catch-up with San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo's excruciatingly bad TV interview; Oakland's budget situtation, Alameda County Dems bid to censure Eric Swalwell and Raj Rajwan, Pamela Price's new club, plus East Bay MUD's parking space-g…

John Florian and Alejandro Rodriguez discuss the upcoming contemplative event: The Language of the Soul. For more information regarding the Spirituality Network, contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at Spiritualitynetwork.org!By The Spirituality Network

Progressive icon Barbara Lee is Oakland's next mayor. How did Lee hold off Loren Taylor's upstart campaign, and how will she tackle the city's pressing issues? Like Oakland, Pleasanton is facing a significant budget shortfall. So why were Pleasanton officials so fixated on orange signage at a gas station? Horse racing is a thing of the past at the …

Bob Meyer and Dana Riddel discuss the joys and challenges of aging. Is a mindset shift waiting in the wings for you? For more information regarding the Spirituality Network, contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at Spiritualitynetwork.org!By The Spirituality Network

Oakland's special mayoral election is suddenly a close race. We break down what Barbara Lee and Loren Taylor need to do to win on April 15. Later, the behavior of elected officials at taxpayer-paid conferences and the incidient involving a San Leandro councilmember. Plus, a segment on Oakland Councilmember Kenny Houston; and Shawn's late 80s rap kn…

Amanda Cushing joins Alejandro Rodriguez as they discuss why spiritual direction is such a life-giving way to navigate through these uncertain times. For more information regarding the Spirituality Network, contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at Spiritualitynetwork.org!By The Spirituality Network

While Oaklanders are figuring out who will be their next mayor, Interim Oakland Mayor Kevin Jenkins sat down with us for coffee in a wide-ranging interview. Jenkins, who also serves East Oakland's District 6 council seat, chatted about juggling two big jobs at once, the upcoming budget process, his optimism about the Coliseum deal, a casino by the …

Shawn Wilson was overjoyed to be back in his hometown of Hayward. At our live recording at historic Buffalo Bill's Brewery, Shawn came loaded with Hayward trivia and some friends. Cat Man, Mayor Mark Salinas and Councilmember Julie Roche stopped by before we chatted with State Sen. Aisha Wahab. The first-term state senator discussed her plans for B…

Recalled Alameda County DA Pamela Price is starting a podcast. Meanwhile, the newly appointed DA takes the reins. What does she need to do to stabilize the DAs office? Barbara Lee keeps making unforced errors. We take a look at recent polling that shows her support is dropping. Fremont wants to focus only on local issues. We talk about cats.…

Alejandro Rodriguez discusses his decision to step down as executive director of the Spirituality Network, along with some of the accomplishments during his tenure, and offers listeners questions to ponder for their own journeys. For more information regarding the Spirituality Network, contact us at [email protected] or visit our website…

The big three applicants for the Alameda County DA appointment hit the stretch run to Tuesday's decision. We handicap the race. FBI raids come to San Leandro, and public doesn't seem to care. Plus, sanctuary cities, and Shawn makes his early Super Bowl picks.By Steve Tavares

The East Bay Insiders Podcast hits the road with a live recording in Castro Valley. Thank you to the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce and the Moose Lodge for having us. There's a lot to talk about: The FBI raid in San Leandro, impending indictments, seven D.A. applicants move ahead to the interview stage of the appointment process, the O…

Join us as we explore what it means to be an author. Three Spirituality Network friends share about their experiences being published. Heather Monkmeyer and Mary Ruth Kamp read poems published in "Voice of the Moon" and Andrea Pannell talks about her two books, "Joyfully Becoming Undone: Bestirring from Within," and "No Apologies, I Want More!" For…

We wrap up 2024 with the 2nd Annual Insidey Awards, recognizing the best and worst in Alameda County politics. Plus, we remember Rickey Henderson. Thank you for listening. See you next year! INSIDEY NOMINEES -Best Recall Campaign Pamela Price Sheng Thao Ryan Jergensen/Linda Hurley -Best performance by an elected official Janani Ramachandran, Oaklan…

Perhaps no other mindset has a greater impact on us than one of gratitude. Former Fortune 100 executive Mark Hiltz explores why a life of gratitude can lead to more fulfillment. For more information regarding the Spirituality Network, contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at Spiritualitynetwork.org!…

We wrap up the November General Election with analysis of Alameda County's two recall campaigns. What comes next? Who will be Oakland's next mayor? Who wants to be Alameda County's next DA? Plus, the surprsing result in the Board of Supervisors race, and more.By Steve Tavares

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 roaste…

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.…

Dave Long-Higgins shares the process of developing his new book, Yes, Love, Thank You! a collection of prayers and photography. For more information regarding the Spirituality Network, contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at Spiritualitynetwork.org!By The Spirituality Network

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.By Steve Tavares

Kevin Anderson shares how he blends spirituality into his psychotherapy practice, and shares a few of his nested meditations. For more information regarding the Spirituality Network, contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at Spiritualitynetwork.org!By The Spirituality Network

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.By Steve Tavares

Alejandro Rodriguez joins Seth Stearns, leader of the Spiritual Life & Learning Center, as they discuss creative deconstruction with the Naked Pastor, David Hayward. For more information regarding the Spirituality Network, contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at Spiritualitynetwork.org!…

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.…

How do you engage with the other... especially when the other had vastly different beliefs than you? Alejandro Rodriguez shares his thoughts on the series of events being held in partnership with the Spiritual Life & Learning Center and the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio. Let's learn how to engage each other with civility and respect. For m…

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.By Steve Tavares

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…

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 …

How would you define spirituality? Join four of the Network's seasoned spiritual directors (Andrea Pannell, John Florian, Jessie Vicha and Douglas Argue) as they explore the question, what is spirituality? For more information regarding the Spirituality Network, contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at Spiritualitynetwork.…

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.…

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.…

Sabbaticals are not just for those in the clergy and higher learning. Dave Long-Higgins just returned from a three-month sabbatical. Learn from his insights and consider how you might incorporate this spiritual practice into your life. For more information regarding the Spirituality Network, contact us at [email protected] or visit our w…

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.By Steve Tavares

Seth Stearns leads the Spiritual Life and Learning Center. He and Alejandro Rodriguez discuss the partnership that is growing between his organization and the Spirituality Network. Listen in as they discuss possibilities for joint programming. For more information regarding the Spirituality Network, contact us at [email protected] or vis…

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.…

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, …