Jon Mays, editor of the San Mateo Daily Journal, joins Mark Simon and Bob Marks for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of local journalism, AI in media, political endorsements, education policy, historic preservation, and the changing political landscape in San Mateo County and California.

Jon discusses how the Daily Journal approaches endorsements during election season, why the paper rejects AI-generated submissions, and the challenges local newspapers face in the social media era. The conversation also explores school cell phone bans, California’s gubernatorial race, housing and historic preservation debates, and how local communities are evolving politically and culturally.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at the role of journalism in democracy and the tensions between growth, technology, and preserving community identity.

Subscribe for more conversations on California politics, national issues, and the people shaping both.

The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com.

You can see more information about The Game at TheGamePeninsula.com.

Time Breaks

• (00:00) - – Introduction and Jon Mays joins the show
• (00:45) - – San Mateo County assessor race and newspaper endorsements
• (02:36) - – Reactions to endorsements and public criticism
• (05:05) - – Why local newspapers still make endorsements
• (07:24) - – Do endorsements actually influence voters?
• (08:54) - – AI-generated letters and Daily Journal policy
• (10:18) - – Why Jon Mays opposes AI-written submissions
• (11:57) - – AI in journalism and the Fresno Bee controversy
• (14:57) - – School cell phone bans and the value of writing
• (18:50) - – The state of local journalism and social media challenges
• (21:35) - – Sales tax proposals and public frustration
• (24:22) - – San Mateo historic preservation debate explained
• (32:00) - – How San Mateo County has changed over the years
• (35:02) - – Diversity and change in local politics
• (38:38) - – The hardest part of being a journalist
• (40:40) - – California governor’s race discussion begins
• (41:34) - – Republicans, Democrats, and California’s political reality
• (46:16) - – Why Xavier Becerra may emerge as the Democratic frontrunner
• (49:50) - – Closing thoughts and wrap-up

Legendary trial attorney Joe Cotchett joins The Game for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation on law, politics, and the future of the country.
Cotchett breaks down his firm’s landmark $2.5+ billion securities fraud verdict against Elon Musk, explains why it’s a rare case of driving stock prices down, and what it means moving forward.
The conversation then turns to the darker side of AI and social media, including rising teen suicide rates, scams targeting seniors, and the legal battle over Section 230.
From California politics and Gavin Newsom’s future to the 2028 presidential race, Cotchett shares insider perspectives on candidates, the Democratic bench, and what it will take to win back power.
He also reflects on decades of landmark civil rights cases, why he never ran for office, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
🔥 A powerful conversation about justice, power, and the fight for democracy.
⏱️ Time Chapters

• (00:00) - – Intro & Joe Cotchett joins the show
• (00:01) - – Lawsuit vs Elon Musk explained
• (00:03) - – Why this securities fraud case is historic
• (00:05) - – What Musk was like on the stand
• (00:07) - – The social media & AI addiction lawsuits
• (00:09) - – AI scams, deepfakes, and rising dangers
• (00:10) - – Section 230 and the legal battle ahead
• (00:11) - – Shocking real-world case involving online deception
• (00:13) - – Why Cotchett never ran for office
• (00:15) - – Civil rights cases that shaped his career
• (00:18) - – California governor race breakdown
• (00:21) - – State crises: fires, homelessness, and policy failures
• (00:25) - – Billionaire tax debate
• (00:27) - – What Democrats are getting wrong
• (00:28) - – Gavin Newsom’s presidential potential
• (00:31) - – 2028 contenders & “sleepers” to watch
• (00:37) - – Did Democrats miss their chance in 2024?
• (00:43) - – Midterm outlook: can Democrats take the House & Senate?
• (00:45) - – DOJ, Trump, and the state of democracy
• (00:49) - – Should the Supreme Court be expanded?
• (00:52) - – What keeps Cotchett going
• (00:55) - – His legacy and message to young lawyers
• (00:57) - – Closing thoughts

The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com.

You can see more information about The Game at TheGamePeninsula.com.

Mark Simon and Bob Marks wrap up a packed month of interviews and dive deeper into the biggest political stories shaping the moment.

From rising gas prices and escalating tensions with Iran to the looming midterms and shifting voter sentiment, the conversation explores what success actually looks like in U.S. foreign policy—and whether the current strategy is sustainable.

They also break down:

• The political risks facing President Trump
• How gas prices could reshape the election
• Growing distrust in elections and the SAVE Act debate
• California’s chaotic governor’s race
• Local San Mateo County battles heating up
• And a lighter note: Opening Day and optimism for the Giants

It’s a wide-ranging, candid discussion on politics, policy, and the unpredictability of what comes next.

⏱️ Time Breaks (Chapters)

00:00 – Intro & March recap

00:31 – A month of major interviews

00:53 – Iran conflict & rising gas prices

01:41 – U.S. policy on Iran & nuclear threats

03:20 – What does “success” even look like?

05:18 – Military options & Strait of Hormuz

07:23 – Global economy & oil disruption

09:29 – Gas prices and political fallout

10:53 – Trump’s possible endgame

12:39 – What has actually been accomplished?

15:02 – Midterms outlook & political risks

16:18 – “No Kings” protests & voter sentiment

18:04 – Will protests impact elections?

19:12 – Trump, health, and political stability

21:09 – Election trust & voting concerns

23:17 – Vote-by-mail debate & Supreme Court

26:06 – California governor’s race chaos

27:54 – Strategy, money & campaign dynamics

29:24 – Why candidates stay in the race

33:09 – Why voters aren’t paying attention yet

33:41 – Local San Mateo County races

38:22 – Development battles & community tensions

40:10 – Social media & political polarization

42:15 – Giants Opening Day & sports talk

46:18 – Buster Posey & rebuilding optimism

46:46 – Final thoughts & wrap-up

Subscribe for more conversations on California politics, national issues, and the people shaping both.
The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. You can see more information about The Game at TheGamePeninsula.com.