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.

Congressman Kevin Mullin joins The Game for a wide-ranging conversation on the SAVE Act, voting rights, the war with Iran, Democratic strategy for the 2026 midterms, and California’s unpredictable governor’s race.

He also discusses his endorsement of Eric Swalwell, the debate over a billionaire tax, and his work to make hearing aids more affordable. After the interview, Mark Simon and Bob Marks break down Mullin’s comments and discuss the latest political fallout in California and beyond.

Time Breaks / Chapters

00:00 Intro and welcome

00:26 Congressman Kevin Mullin joins the show

00:39 Mullin on the SAVE Act and threats to voting by mail

03:02 Voter ID, access to the ballot, and democracy concerns

05:31 Georgia voting laws and whether voter ID can work

08:29 Why turnout could surge in November

11:16 What message Democrats should run on in the midterms

15:28 Iran, terrorism, and divisions inside the Democratic Party

18:03 Bob challenges Mullin on “imminent threat” and presidential war powers

19:09 Mullin on diplomacy, Congress, and international alliances

22:05 What Democrats would do if they retake the House or Senate

25:07 Town halls, activist pressure, and being in the minority

30:11 California governor’s race and the possibility of two Republicans advancing

35:57 Why Mullin endorsed Eric Swalwell for governor

40:15 Billionaire tax debate and California’s fiscal reality

45:20 Mullin on hearing loss and making hearing aids more affordable

48:37 Interview ends

49:08 Mark and Bob discuss the Cesar Chavez allegations

52:38 Postmortem on Iran, Trump, and what happens next

56:16 Final thoughts on the California governor’s race

57:05 Outro

The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com. You can see more information about The Game at TheGamePeninsula.com.

On this episode of The Game, Mark Simon and Bob Marks are joined by Rosanne Foust, President and CEO of the San Mateo County Economic Development Association, for a conversation about the economic and political future of San Mateo County.

They discuss the local economy, tech layoffs, housing affordability, workforce development, artificial intelligence, office vacancies, transit funding, and the role of major employers in shaping the region. Rosanne also offers her take on county politics, regional leadership, and how San Mateo County can continue to grow while addressing inequality and cost-of-living pressures.

In the bullpen, Mark and Bob discuss the crowded California governor’s race and what it means for the Democratic field.

Time Breaks

0:00 Intro

0:26 Rosanne Foust joins the show

1:28 San Mateo County’s economic outlook

2:42 Tech layoffs and employment trends

4:17 Cost of living and younger generations

6:51 SAMCEDA’s role in the local economy

9:41 Housing challenges and solutions

12:58 AI and the future of work

16:00 Development, density, and community pushback

20:07 Hillsdale redevelopment

22:16 Billionaire tax debate

24:26 Wealth, philanthropy, and community responsibility

30:45 Transit tax and county funding

32:25 Business concerns in San Mateo County

34:26 Prop. 13 and split roll taxes

36:23 Office vacancies and commercial real estate

37:54 The county’s political identity

40:24 Should San Mateo County have a mayor?

43:32 Bullpen: governor’s race discussion

50:54 Outro

See more at TheGamePeninsula.comProduced by Frank Bravo, Bravo IT Consulting (BravoITC.com)

Mark Simon and Bob Marks are joined by Julie Lind, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the San Mateo County Central Labor Council, representing 105 unions and more than 95,000 workers and their families.

Julie explains how labor endorsements are earned, how political resources are allocated, and what labor sees as the biggest challenges facing working families in 2026 — from wages and housing costs to public budgets. The conversation also tackles artificial intelligence and automation, and how emerging technologies may reshape the workforce.

After the interview, Mark and Bob discuss the crowded California governor’s race and what it means for Democrats statewide, along with the evolving political landscape in San Mateo County.

⏱ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Opening

00:31 – Labor’s role in county politics

06:11 – Inside the endorsement process

14:43 – Campaign support from labor

22:48 – AI & automation impacts

30:58 – Governor’s race dynamics

38:15 – Post-game analysis

45:12 – Wrap-up

Sheriff Ken Binder, appointed on November 12, 2025 as the 27th Sheriff of San Mateo County, joins The Game to talk about rebuilding leadership and culture inside the Sheriff’s Office after a turbulent year.

Bender discusses morale and resilience among staff, the staffing picture today, recruitment standards, and the importance of professionalism and consistency across the department. He also explains how internal affairs cases are handled — including what can (and can’t) be done when timelines under California’s Peace Officer Bill of Rights have expired.

The conversation expands into San Mateo County’s non-cooperation policy with ICE, how trust impacts public safety, and the Sheriff’s constitutional role in maintaining peace during demonstrations. The episode also highlights the county’s new focus on combating human trafficking, including coordination with the District Attorney’s office.

In the bullpen segment, Mark and Bob discuss the California governor’s race, Democratic field dynamics, and local campaign developments as mail-in ballots near.

Featuring: Mark Simon, Bob Marks

Guest: Sheriff Ken Binder

Produced by: Frank Bravo

The Game is back! After a brief hiatus, Mark Simon and Bob Marks return to break down what they missed — and what’s coming next in a fast-moving 2026 election year.

They revisit the biggest local political story of 2025: the removal of Sheriff Christina Corpus and why new Sheriff Bender may be the stabilizing leader the department needs. They also dig into the dynamics on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors — including how trust, alliances, and personality conflicts may shape the next year.

From there, Mark and Bob discuss Mark’s recent “most influential people in the county” columns and what they reveal about a leadership transition underway — plus why emerging communities and coalitions could play a bigger role in the future.

They preview key 2026 races (including a surprisingly heated contest for County Assessor), debate whether certain offices are being politicized, and examine the charter review proposal to name the Board President the “mayor of San Mateo County.”

The episode wraps with a broader look at the governor’s race and national politics heading into the midterms — including voter trends, immigration enforcement, and why “affordability” could become the defining issue.

New shows every Friday at 10:00 AM. Learn more at thegamepeninsula.com.