Podcast
The Podlight
Hosted by San José Spotlight · EN
The Podlight is produced by San José Spotlight, the city's award-winning nonprofit news organization dedicated to independent political and business reporting. Hosted by editor Nick Preciado and senior reporter Joseph Geha, our show features in-depth conversations with South Bay leaders, lawmakers and influencers about policy, politics and government, delving into critical issues such as housing, technology, business, homelessness, education and development.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Matt Mahan’s longshot governor bid
3w ago00:19:54Tap to summarizeSan Jose Mayor Matt Mahan launched an ambitious campaign for California governor backed by millions from Silicon Valley donors. But with weeks until the June primary, he has yet to break out of single-digit polling. Reporter Keith Menconi examines the state of the race, the challenges facing Mahan’s campaign and whether there’s still a path forward.
Transcribe →
East San Jose reckons with Cesar Chavez’s legacy
Apr 300:10:38Tap to summarizeNew allegations about Cesar Chavez are prompting difficult conversations in East San Jose, where he lived and began his organizing career. Reporter Keith Menconi explores how community leaders are grappling with the revelations, the tension between legacy and accountability, and what it means for a city he once called home.
Transcribe →
Inside San Jose's budget shortfall
Mar 2500:21:49Tap to summarizeFrom rising costs to slowing revenues, San Jose is facing a $56 million budget shortfall. Reporter Keith Menconi talks to city leaders about what’s driving the deficit, the difficult tradeoffs ahead and what potential cuts could mean for city services.
Transcribe →
How San Jose is betting on big games
Feb 1400:14:23Tap to summarizeFrom the Super Bowl to future global sporting events, San Jose is positioning itself for an economic surge. Reporter Keith Menconi explores the strategy, the stakes and what success would really look like for the South Bay.
Transcribe →
The cost of cutting SNAP: Families on the brink in Silicon Valley
Nov 700:10:55Tap to summarizeWith federal SNAP benefits stalling, food insecurity is rising sharply across Silicon Valley. In this episode, we sit down with Leslie Bacho, CEO of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, to talk about the growing demand for food assistance, the human toll of federal funding cuts and what can be done to ensure no one in our community goes hungry.
Transcribe →
County top boss on Measure A and the future of public health
Sep 3000:26:03Tap to summarizeAs voters consider a measure to fund public health, host Nick Preciado sits down with Santa Clara County CEO James Williams to explain the proposal and why it matters.
Transcribe →
New downtown San Jose councilman hits the ground running
Sep 1000:19:28Tap to summarizeJust weeks after taking office, San Jose Councilmember Anthony Tordillos sits down with editor Nick Preciado to discuss his historic election, policy ideas and priorities for the downtown district.
Transcribe →
Inside VTA's historic strike and lessons learned
Jun 1600:24:20Tap to summarizeVTA Board Chair and Campbell Mayor Sergio Lopez joins host Nick Preciado for a candid conversation about the historic VTA strike, his perspective on the labor negotiations and lessons learned by leadership.
Transcribe →
Who will be San Jose's next downtown councilmember?
May 15, 202500:18:56Tap to summarizeA dramatic special election to elect San Jose's next downtown councilmember was decided by a handful of votes, sending two contenders to a June runoff. Who is poised to win the San Jose City Council seat, and how will voter turnout impact the outcome? Host Nick Preciado sits down with political expert Garrick Percival to take a closer look.
Transcribe →
How a new Santa Clara County supervisor is making her mark
Apr 9, 202500:17:51Tap to summarizeNewly-elected Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga sits down with host Nick Preciado to detail her legislative priorities and how she's tackling some of the region's biggest challenges.
Transcribe →