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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Be Curious Contra Costa is a podcast talking everything Contra Costa County and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. From local happenings, to the people, to supporting local business and upcoming events.

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60 recent

October 13, 2026Episode 1081 hr 3 min

98: Dena Acosta-Beere, Concord City Council Candidate

Concord City Council District 3 candidate Dena Acosta-Beere joined the Be Curious Contra Costa podcast to discuss her campaign, community involvement and vision for the city, including housing affordability, economic development, public safety, transportation and the future of the Concord Naval Weapons Station. Unlike candidates who have spent years in elected office or political circles, Acosta-Beere comes from a background in real estate and community volunteering. She says her decision to run for office began four years ago when she wrote her own name on her ballot as a personal commitment to seek a council seat in the future. With incumbent Councilmember and Vice Mayor Dominic Aliano not seeking reelection, Acosta-Beere believes the opportunity has arrived to bring a different perspective to City Hall.

October 13, 2026Episode 1071 hr 9 min

97: Ahmad Anderson, Richmond Mayoral Candidate

Richmond mayoral candidate Ahmad Anderson returned to the Be Curious Contra Costa podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about the city's future, touching on public safety, economic development, the $550 million Chevron settlement, housing, political division and the need for stronger leadership at City Hall. Anderson, who last appeared on the podcast in April 2026, has since advanced through the primary election and is now campaigning in the November 3 general election. Throughout the conversation, Anderson emphasized that Richmond has tremendous potential but needs to move beyond political disagreements and begin delivering measurable results for residents.

October 10, 2026Episode 10659 min

96: Maria Bagley, Concord City Council Candidate

Concord City Council District 1 candidate Maria Bagley says it's time for a new perspective at City Hall, arguing that her background in finance, local government and small business ownership would bring a different approach to economic development, government spending and community engagement. During a nearly hour-long interview on the Be Curious Contra Costa podcast, Bagley discussed her campaign against longtime incumbent Laura Hoffmeister, who has served on the Concord City Council for approximately 30 years. The conversation covered a wide range of issues, including Concord's budget deficit, business regulations, the Concord Naval Weapons Station redevelopment, housing affordability, homelessness, public safety and the need for greater communication between elected officials and residents.

October 9, 2026Episode 1051 hr 16 min

95: Oxsana Pajoluk, Candidate for Brentwood School Board

Brentwood Union School District candidate Oxsana Pajoluk joined the Be Curious Contra Costa podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about her childhood in the Soviet Union, her family's experiences with religious persecution, her introduction to Brentwood politics and why she is now seeking a seat on the school board. During the 76-minute interview, Pajoluk discussed school district transparency, education funding, parental involvement, bullying, student safety, academic performance and the importance of returning to the fundamentals of reading, writing and mathematics. However, much of the conversation focused on her personal journey and how a woman who grew up in a country where speaking against the government could carry serious consequences eventually found herself speaking publicly at Brentwood City Council meetings. For more on her campaign, visit: www.oxsanapajoluk.com

September 28, 2026Episode 1041 hr 12 min

94: Dionne Adams, Mayor of the City of Pittsburg

Pittsburg Mayor Dionne Adams joined the Be Curious Contra Costa Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that covered everything from the controversial data center project and heated City Council meetings to the city budget, economic development, homelessness, public safety, transportation and her vision for Pittsburg over the next decade. Adams, who was born and raised in Pittsburg, opened the conversation by reflecting on how much the city has changed. She recalled growing up in a smaller industrial community of roughly 49,000 people where neighbors knew one another and the community often operated like an extended family. Today, Pittsburg has grown to more than 70,000 residents and become increasingly diverse. For Adams, the challenge is continuing that growth without losing the community identity that has long defined Pittsburg. She described what locals sometimes call “Pittsburg love”—a culture where longtime residents look out for one another and where generations of families remain connected to the city.

September 26, 2026Episode 1031 hr 12 min

93: Aeysha Corio, Concord City Council Candidate

The race for Concord City Council is heating up, and Aeysha Corio, a candidate for District 5, joins the Be Curious Contra Costa Podcast to discuss her campaign, her vision for Concord and the issues facing one of Contra Costa County's largest cities. From economic development and public safety to housing, city finances and the future of Concord, we'll explore what Corio believes the city should prioritize and what she would bring to the City Council. We also discuss what motivated her to run, how she would approach working with fellow councilmembers and what she believes Concord needs to do to attract businesses, support its existing neighborhoods and plan for future growth.

September 25, 2026Episode 10254 min

92: Nakenya Allen, Martinez City Council Candidate

Martinez City Council District 1 candidate Nakenya Allen joined the Be Curious Contra Costa Podcast to discuss her second campaign for office, her community advocacy and her vision for addressing the city's financial challenges, economic development and public safety. Allen, who is once again challenging incumbent Jay Howard, reflected on her first campaign four years ago and how she has spent the intervening years expanding her involvement in Martinez and throughout Contra Costa County. Rather than stepping away from public service following her previous election loss, Allen said she focused on organizing cultural events, advocating for community funding and serving on county commissions. She currently serves as vice president of the county's women's commission and represents District 5. During the nearly hour-long conversation, Allen emphasized the importance of listening to residents, involving neighborhoods in city decisions and developing a broader vision for Martinez beyond its downtown.

September 24, 2026Episode 1011 hr 24 min

91: Tammy Zickuhr, Brentwood City Council Candidate

Brentwood City Council District 2 candidate Tammy Zickuhr joined the Be Curious Contra Costa Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about her personal experiences, support for police and firefighters, challenges facing small businesses, and what she would like to see change at Brentwood City Hall. During the interview with ContraCosta.news publisher Mike Burkholder, Zickuhr discussed the loss of her 16-year-old daughter, Michaela, in a 2009 traffic collision and how that tragedy shaped her family's appreciation for first responders and commitment to roadway safety. The conversation also covered Brentwood's ongoing fire station projects, the proposed Contra Costa County administrative building, the city's planning and permitting processes, and the importance of working collaboratively with other elected officials.

September 23, 2026Episode 1001 hr 33 min

90: Monica Wilson, Antioch City Councilmember and Candidate

Antioch City Councilmember Monica Wilson joins the Be Curious Contra Costa Podcast for a conversation about her years in public office, the challenges facing Antioch, and her vision for the city's future. From economic development and revitalizing downtown to public safety, city finances and the direction of City Hall, we dive into the issues facing Antioch and the decisions that will shape its future. But this conversation isn't just about where Wilson stands on the issues. It's about understanding how she makes decisions, what she's learned during her time on the City Council, what she believes the city has accomplished and where she sees opportunities for improvement.

September 22, 2026Episode 991 hr 39 min

89: Tamisha Torres-Walker, Antioch City Councilmember and Candidate

Be Curious Contra Costa, where we sit down with the people shaping our communities, ask questions, and give you an opportunity to hear directly from them. On this episode of Be Curious Contra Costa, a chat with Antioch City Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker, who is seeking re-election in District 1. Antioch has no shortage of challenges, from public safety and economic development to the city's budget, homelessness and the future of its downtown. As an incumbent, Torres-Walker has a voting record, decisions to explain and a vision for where she believes Antioch should go next. First elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2022 in a race decided by just four votes, she's now facing former Councilmember Joy Motts. Today, we'll discuss what she's learned during her time on the council, the decisions she stands behind, what she might do differently and why she believes voters should give her another four years. This isn't about gotcha questions or telling you how to vote. It's about understanding the person behind the decisions, the thought process and the vision.