Episodes

I am pleased to welcome Vanessa Springett to the JRP Podcast Studio to discuss her campaign for Poway City Council. During our discussion I hope to learn more about Vanessa’s priorities for Poway, as well as her motivation to be on City Council. We will cover a lot of ground in Poway including housing development, The Farm, pickleball, citizen planning committees, traffic safety, term limits, water rates, public safety, and much more. We welcome your comments and questions during the livestream....

Trump is going to war against Iran! This is long overdue, but the way Trump is going about it is all wrong! We remember Jimmy Carter, the Iran Hostage Crisis, and the surprising bright spots in Jimmy Carter’s presidency. I share my thoughts on the drive along Hwy 395 in the Eastern Sierras to visit friends in Tahoe/Reno while wondering what the point is of these state inspection checkpoints. Finally, I’m rewatching Peaky Blinders preparing for the new movie. It’s amazing how much I missed or for...

Happy New Year! This Minnesota ICE shooting story has captivated the nation. It’s like a political Rorschach Test… you see what your political mind thinks it sees. Was JD Vance gaslighting the press as he scolded them about their coverage? Meanwhile, Trump has invaded Venezuela and continues making overtures about Greenland. We discuss Trump’s potential plans, as well as the future of the Western Hemisphere. Finally, we breakdown Mohram Zamdani’s comments about the frigidity of individualism ver...

Are we seeing the beginnings of something that might fix or replace Social Security? Dell Computer founder Michael Dell and his wife Susan are donating $6.25B to fund children under 10 years old to supplement Trump Accounts for newborns. These private accounts will grow faster than Social Security. Trump sees an opportunity to throw gas on the immigration fire by enacting greater travel bans. Costco is fighting back against Trump tariffs. Is Tom Steyer the CA YIMBY hero we need? Bernie Sanders a...

Why is everything so expensive? We break down the average family budget and discuss a range of government policies that increase prices unnecessarily on American consumers. Poway councilman Tony Blain has been indicted. Is he back stateside or still on deployment? Who might run against him? Plus, the Ken Burns documentary The American Revolution has evoked rage from MAGA because it doesn’t always portray our Founding Fathers in the best possible light. It’s Wednesday, November 19, 2025. This is...

Is Trump bailing out Argentina? It’s complicated. We break down the positive and negatives of Javier Milei’s Argentina turnaround. San Diego homeowners are upset when ADUs are built towering over their backyard fence. But do people understand why these distortions are happening? Poway Councilman Tony Blain has been indicted for perjury, bribes and much more. Meanwhile, there is a Recall Tony Blain campaign happening right now. Is there a way he can survive this? I share my ballot choices which o...

Today we discuss Trump and Gaza, America is an Idea, CA Prop 50 Gerrymandering, CA SB79 and the Housing Crisis, Best Places for a quick San Diego Tour, Rush is touring again!, Poway’s struggle with the City in the County idea, Tony Blain Poway Recall, and much more. Got a question or comment? Drop your take in the live chat on YouTube, X or Facebook to join the Community Forum. It’s Friday, October 17, 2025. This is what John Riley thinks. Trump Gaza Ceasefire It’s a ceasefire and hostage exc...

Good to be back! Our favorite guest, Pete Neild, joins me to discuss his new e-book (working title Memories of Driving Calypso. It’s an exploration of the songs that backup Pete’s pursuit of happiness. Feel join us on the live chat with questions and comments. It’s Wednesday, October 8, 2025. This is what John Riley thinks. Pete Neild shares his passion project documenting the songs and stories of his life. Regular people write autobiographies, but Pete is not a regular person. LOL. Pete has ...

How can you protest for equal rights while violating it at the same time? When protestors block the road, they undermine their cause. Trump now competes as a phone entrepreneur while regulating his competition with tariffs. World War 3 is just a stupid move from happening and now MAGA Libertarians are finally giving up on Trump. Plus, I share thoughts on my recent appearance on the Ed Franklin – No Limits podcast. It’s Wednesday, June 18, 2025. This is what John Riley thinks. WHEN PROTESTING B...

I’ve come up with a con man theory on Donald Trump. His economic policies are foolish. His immigration policy damages America. So, what is Trump really up to? What is Trump’s goal? We also check in on local Poway news including the Tony Blain Recall, another Poway Housing proposal, and discussion of Poway Mayor in 2026. It’s Wednesday, June 4, 2025. This is what John Riley thinks. WHEN YOU JUST FIGURE OUT THAT Trump is a con man then everything makes sense in its own weird way. The bombastic ...

There’s a bunch of Poway news that I want to share involving two of our city council members: Tony Blain and Peter DeHoff. Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs and trade policies indicate a failure in economics. The Escondido Anti-ICE Rally was filled with good vibes, but a bad look. Got a comment on news in the San Diego County area? Drop your take on Facebook, X or YouTube to get involved in our Community Forum. It’s Wednesday, February 12, 2025. This is what John Riley thinks. Topics: Tony Blain Blo...

Pete Neild joins me to discuss his candidacy for appointment to Poway City Council representing District 1. We will discuss Pete’s reason for running, election vs appointment process, district elections, Candy Cane Courts and so much more. Got a question or comment for Pete? Drop your take in the live chat on Facebook, X or YouTube and we’ll get you involved in the conversation. It’s Wednesday, January 8, 2025. This is what John Riley thinks. What an enjoyable conversation with Pete Neild as w...

Amit Asaravala joins me in a wide-open discussion of local politics here in Poway 92064. Amit serves as the President of the Poway Democratic Club and has great insight on local elections and candidates. We will discuss the next step for Poway District 2 to replace the resigning Brian Pepin. Should this go to a vote or simply a council appointment? We review Jenny Maeda’s upset win over Caylin Frank in District 4 by just twelve votes. Plus, we look at new District 2 councilmember Tony Blain. Are...

I decided to make a podcast out of filling out my ballot. I will go through each race, offer my thoughts, and then fill in the circle. This is your last chance to change my mind! Got a question or comment? Drop your take in the live chat on Facebook, X or YouTube to get it presented on the podcast. It’s Wednesday, October 30, 2024. This is what John Riley thinks. If you are interested in a long form article, you can visit my recent blog post: https://johnrileyproject.com/2024-ballot/ If you ...

The election season is really hot, and we are hearing more and more irrationality from candidates, the media and party supporters. What ever happened to thinking for yourself? People who live in poor states have higher homeownership levels. Does this seem counter intuitive to you? Poway Life Time Fitness survey and proposal to City Council. Poway Unified School District in trouble again. Got a question or comment? Drop your take in the live chat on Facebook, X or YouTube. It’s Wednesday, July 1...

Tomorrow, we celebrate America’s birthday! I share some of my Independence Day memories and invite you to share yours. We also discuss Poway term limits, Poway Voices, Biden vs Trump debate, SCOTUS cases and more. Got a question or comment? Drop your take in the live chat on Facebook, X or YouTube to get involved in the San Diego Community Forum. It’s Wednesday, July 3, 2024. This is what John Riley thinks. Poway News Term limit campaign suspended. Haters hating People in denial about the c...

I enjoy covering local news issues, so we will be doing a deep dive on the latest with the planned Life Time Fitness at The Farm in Poway. Some locals are opposing the project and micromanaging the details. Plus, we will discuss the upcoming presidential debate, SCOTUS social media ruling, and Trump on Green Cards. Got a question or comment? Drop your take in the live chat on Facebook, X, or YouTube and I will get you involved in the San Diego Community Forum. It’s Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Thi...

There’s not much to discuss at the local level here in San Diego or Poway, so I thought I would comment on some of the bigger national stories. We will discuss Donald Trump, Trump’s attempt to partner with the Libertarian Party, breaking down political myths, and a review of our vacation in Ireland. Got a comment or question? Type it in the live chat on Facebook, X or YouTube. It’s Wednesday, June 12, 2024. This is what John Riley thinks. Donald Trump and the Libertarian Party The headlines in...

What’s going on in Poway? John shares stories about Poway City Council Term Limits, Tony Blain, and Poway Unified Marian Kim-Phelps’s termination and demand for her job back. Plus, John shares what he’s watching on streaming media. It’s Wednesday, June 5, 2024. This is what John Riley thinks. Poway Term Limits What are your thoughts on term limits? We have them for President, and in many state and local political races. But not here in Poway. Now Tony Blain is circulating a petition to get ter...

Fernando Garcia returns to the JRP Podcast Studio. Fernando is a candidate for San Diego City Council District 9. We discuss a range of issues affecting San Diego including: Homelessness Housing (SB10, high density, ADUs) Energy (SDG&E, solar) Mass Transit (SANDAG, EVs, busses, trolley) Election Reform (Rank Choice Voting, Democracy Dollars) For more information about Fernando Garcia: https://www.garciaforsandiego.com/ Recorded Friday, January 12, 2024. #SanDiego #fernandogarcia #homeles...

We take a look at some of the big news stories in Poway in 2023 and plans for 2024. Topics include The Farm, Life Time Fitness, Homelessness, Traffic Safety, water, hate litter, Poway Community Foundation, and more. Got a question or comment? Drop your take in the live chat on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. It’s Wednesday, January 10, 2024. This is what John Riley thinks. Relevant Articles: 2023 Year in Review: Top news stories in Poway https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/pomerado-news/news/...

What’s new in San Diego? Lots of things! In one study San Diego was ranked as the most expensive city to live in the United States. Surprised? San Diego officials are considering a sales tax increase. We remember the 20-year anniversary of the Cedar Fire. Plus, new developments in the Poway Life Time Fitness controversy. Got a comment or question? Drop your take in the livestream on Facebook or YouTube. It’s Wednesday, October 25, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: San Diego is the Most Expe...

In this week’s John Riley Project, we discuss the proposed Raising Canes on Poway Rd, the plans for the San Marcos Bike Park, a teacher quitting her job and making 50% more at Costco, Steve Garvey running for Senate, and Biden’s War on Junk Fees. It’s Wednesday, October 11, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: Poway Raising Cane over Raising Canes Chicken Restaurant The Poway City Council gave their thumbs up to a chicken restaurant replacing a vacant lot. Some Poway locals are upset. They say...

The Midway Rising project at the site of the San Diego Sports Arena has changed their plan on housing and San Diego City Council representatives are angry! We also discuss El Cajon ADUs, Escondido Cannabis, new CA Senator Laphonza Butler, and Gavin Newsom vetoing UE benefits for striking workers. It’s Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: Midway Rising Dumps Middle Income Homes, Hotel The San Diego Sports Arena construction project now has a few changes. Due to mortgage ra...