The Game

Mark Simon and Bob Marks
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Mark Simon and Bob Marks revive their long-running cable TV show The Game, where they interview local leaders and talk widely about politics, business and sports. Produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com Also available on... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-game/id1765748285 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d566eea9-b519-4d14-a7cd-db9ffeaf04cf/the-game YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGame-IsOn

  1. MAR 27

    War, Gas Prices & Midterms: Is Trump on the Brink? | March Political Roundup

    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 TrumpHow gas prices could reshape the electionGrowing distrust in elections and the SAVE Act debateCalifornia’s chaotic governor’s raceLocal San Mateo County battles heating upAnd 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.

    48 min

  2. MAR 20

    Congressman Kevin Mullin on the Iran War, Voting Rights, California's Wild Governor's Race & More

    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.

    58 min

  3. MAR 6

    Rosanne Foust on San Mateo County’s Economy, Housing, Transit, AI, and the Future of Business

    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)

    52 min

  4. FEB 27

    How Labor Endorsements Really Work in San Mateo County — Julie Lind Explains

    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

    46 min

  5. FEB 20

    Rebuilding Trust in San Mateo: Sheriff Ken Binder on Culture, Accountability, and ICE Policy

    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

    44 min

  6. FEB 13

    The Game Is Back: 2026 Races, a New Sheriff, and a Board in Flux

    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.

    50 min

  7. 11/07/2025

    Supervisor Lisa Gauthier: Sheriff Appointment Crisis, Combating Over Policing, and District Priorities

    Mark Simon and Bob Marks welcome Supervisor Lisa Gauthier to discuss the demanding political landscape of San Mateo County. Supervisor Gauthier served 12 years on the East Palo Alto City Council from 2012 to 2024, including serving as mayor during the pandemic. After being elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2024, she immediately became involved in the ongoing controversy regarding former Sheriff Christina Corpus. Supervisor Gauthier details the high-profile process to appoint a new sheriff, noting that the situation has been a "huge distraction" from necessary county work and has been "weighing heavy on everyone". She explains the Board’s decision to pursue an appointment rather than a special election, citing that an election would cost additional resources and money. Furthermore, Gauthier felt an immediate appointment was fairer, as a short-timeline election favors popular candidates who already possess resources. The Board recently held a four-hour hearing with the applicants. Gauthier believes that two candidates show "a lot of promise": Ken Binder (the former undersheriff in Santa Clara County) and David Lazar (the assistant chief of police in San Francisco). She is looking forward to the public hearing on Monday to see how applicants handle themselves with public comments. The qualities she seeks in the next sheriff include integrity, authenticity, accountability, and the ability to heal a fractured department. She also stresses the importance of finding a leader who understands how the jail is operating and will ensure that incarcerated individuals are protected. Gauthier addresses specific historical issues concerning law enforcement's relationship with her constituency in East Palo Alto and North Fair Oaks, mentioning the history of "over policing". East Palo Alto became a city in 1983 specifically to gain self-determination and avoid being policed by the sheriff’s department due to heavy policing. She emphasizes the need for new police leadership to focus on community policing—officers must get out of their cars, engage with residents, and avoid judging people based on the color of their skin. Once the sheriff issue is finalized, Supervisor Gauthier is eager to focus on top constituent priorities: • Childcare Costs: San Mateo County has the fifth highest child care cost. When costs reach $4,000 a month, it becomes a barrier to families working. • Immigration: District 4 has a large immigrant community, and many residents are "scared and nervous" and require assistance. • Displacement and Homelessness: These issues remain persistent due to the high cost of living. Additionally, Gauthier confirms she has 100% confidence in County Executive Mike Halig, noting that an investigation proved allegations made by former Sheriff Corpus against him were false. She also discusses the difficulty in setting a clear policy regarding zero cooperation with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). You can see the game on TheGamePeninsula.com, on YouTube and wherever you get podcasts. Produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com.

    36 min

  8. 11/05/2025

    Election Recap: Prop 50 Landslide, the National Democratic Surge, and Congressman Kevin Mullin

    In this episode, recorded the day after the November 2025 election, Mark and Bob are joined by U.S. Congressman Kevin Mullin to analyze the results and national political landscape. Episode 16 dives deep into the overwhelming passage of Prop 50 in California, a single-item special election that saw an astounding 58.5% voter turnout. Congressman Mullin discusses the landslide win and the governor's vision that framed the measure as a critical defense against attacks on California by the authoritarian president. Prop 50's success, which involved mid-decade redistricting, is seen as a strong national message that Californians recognize the threats to democracy. Mullin also explains the nuance that the measure was temporary, intended to preserve the power of the non-partisan citizens commission for the next census. Key Topics Discussed: • National Democratic Wins: Analyzing whether the Democratic victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and other states constitute a "rebuke of Trump" or signal that "Democrats are back". Mullin argues that successful candidates, whether progressive or moderate, share a focus on affordability and kitchen table issues. • The Government Shutdown: Examining the real-world effects of the longest government shutdown in history, particularly the impending loss of Affordable Care Act tax credits and the immediate expiration of SNAP benefits for vulnerable residents. Mullin calls out the administration for its "chaos" and providing unreliable information. • The Redistricting Arms Race: Discussion of the "troubling trend" where 20 states are considering redistricting efforts, potentially leading to increased partisan advantage. Mullin outlines the goal for California Democrats to win all five newly redrawn seats. • Gavin Newsom’s 2028 Prospects: Following the Prop 50 victory, the conversation shifts to Governor Newsom's rising political profile and his status as a potential frontrunner for the 2028 presidential nomination. Mullin praises Newsom as a masterful communicator and savvy politician. • Local San Mateo Issues: The local vote by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to appoint a new sheriff after Sheriff Corpus was removed from office. Mullin expresses disappointment in the saga and the urgent need for a leader to stabilize the office. Mark and Bob conclude the show reflecting on the comprehensive nature of the issues facing Congressman Mullin's job. Find more episodes at TheGamePeninsula.com. Produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com

    43 min
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About

Mark Simon and Bob Marks revive their long-running cable TV show The Game, where they interview local leaders and talk widely about politics, business and sports. Produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com Also available on... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-game/id1765748285 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d566eea9-b519-4d14-a7cd-db9ffeaf04cf/the-game YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGame-IsOn

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Simon and Bob Marks
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mark Simon and Bob Marks
  • Show Website
    The Game

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