San Mateo County debuts “Open Mike” podcast to pull back the curtain on local government
San Mateo County, California – A new podcast is giving people in San Mateo County a unique look behind the scenes of their local government. The monthly series, called “Open Mike,” is hosted by County Executive Mike Callagy. Its goal is to make county processes less mysterious and to demonstrate how everything is operating behind the scene.
Open Mike started last week and offers both audio and video episodes that look at the programs, services, and public resources that taxpayers pay for. The podcast doesn’t only list services; it also brings in the people who run those programs, which makes the system feel less abstract.
“I want to shine a light on the amazing people behind the work we do and help the public understand more about their own local government,” Callagy said. “The County has such a vast array of programs and departments that I bet many residents may not even know about. This podcast is an effort to really highlight the breadth of what the County touches.”
The first episode sets the tone. It was filmed at Edgewood Park and includes an interview with Parks Director Nicholas Calderon. The two talk about how the county’s park system has changed over time, from preserving old redwood groves to adding new recreational elements like pump tracks and pickleball courts. It’s a combination of the past, present, and future, all focused on connecting with others in the community.
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Future episodes will switch between filming in the field and in the County’s own production studio. This will give listeners a variety of visuals and stories that reflect the county’s wide range of services. People can see and listen to episodes directly on www.smcgov.org/openmike or on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Open Mike is a new way for residents to get involved in their government. It’s for anyone who want to know what their government does or who just want a good tale behind the scenes. The County is also asking people to be engaged. You can send ideas for future subjects to [email protected].
Open Mike pledges to cover anything you’re interested in, from community parks to social services to disaster preparedness to public works, one episode at a time.
