Fifth & Mission

301
Politics #195

The flagship news podcast of the San Francisco Chronicle. Producer/host Cecilia Lei and co-host Laura Wenus discuss the biggest stories of the day with Chronicle journalists and newsmakers from around the Bay Area. | Get full digital access to the Chronicle: sfchronicle.com/pod

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Recent Reviews
  • HalogenL
    Thank you for a great show
    Sad to hear it ending. Thank you for a great show
  • ND#33
    Thank Youđź’«
    I am sorry to hear that podcast will no longer be broadcasted. I enjoyed host Cecilia Lei, the podcast team and all of subject topics covered. We need your important voices. Thank you!!
  • Manderson_Jr
    The Chronicle’s disappointing decision
    Because of my disabilities, audio media is easier for me to process than written media. The Chronicle’s decision to shut down their audio division is not only disappointing to the jobs they are displacing, but to people like me who will now struggle to keep up with local news. Shame on you for this inequitable decision.
  • LLY2019
    Thank you all
    Thank you all for the amazing run. The end of the show due to the SF Chronicle’s sudden decision is shocking. I wish you all the best!!
  • CredibleReviews
    I gave it a shot..
    When the SF Chronicle, which has for the last 7yrs or so become the media wing for leftwing regimes in SF and Oakland, can barely defend what has happened to those cities, you know things have gone off the rails. More so in Oakland which has ideological fervor and incompetence all in one. Honestly, it’s hard to listen to because the whole time I thinking if your paper had been doing real objective reporting and not advocacy and propaganda then maybe just maybe we wouldn’t be in this spot. Fix that paper then I’ll listen..
  • elv1960
    This isn’t journalism, this is some clueless leftists opinions. Worthless podcast.
    Don’t even bother with this. It’s not journalism. Just some leftist opinions.
  • telletelltelle
    Good production, biased coverage
    I’ve been listening for almost 2 years now waiting to see if a diverse perspective will ever make it to air. And I’m so disappointed. I love my home- the Bay. But this podcasts continues to present biased coverage and stories that lean to one side. The news coverage here only reinforces identity politics and constantly presents anything other than Uber progressive as authoritarian. Sick of it.
  • Learner A.
    John Muir Stanford Partnership
    This investigative reporting was excellent and a genuine public service. So many questions remain: What is Stanford’s role in overseeing how its “name” and perceived quality of care is used? Where is the John Muir Board of trustees in this equation? What kind of oversight does the State of CA have? My condolences to the families.
  • Drewse13
    Good Content, Poor Editing
    Fifth & Mission is a great podcast to get local news and opinion about SF and Bay Area. However, the poor editing of the podcast can be a major distraction from quality content. The same commercial repeating itself, long gaps of no audio, unequalized audio levels between the different speakers—these mistakes do not represent a quality product by a professional news organization.
  • TLine1638
    Great show for Bay Area current events!
    Great show for Bay Area current events!
  • X13_0
    Tenderloin rooster
    I’m backing the rooster.
  • xgeen
    Conservative takes w limited perspectives
    That’s often my sense after listening to many episodes over first months of 2022... today’s episodes on mask mandates in schools, for example, barely mentioned or presented issues of protecting those that have compromised immunity and did not mention at all that everyone that needs or wants to be inside for work, leisure or pleasure will greatly benefit from outside air circulation indoors, & if in a location where environmental hazards are high (much of CA!) drastically improved air filtration systems. But that would require we admit and do something about air pollution + prioritize retrofitting HVAC systems & revision of the conventions of new construction. People b4 profit$.
  • dancingwitch
    eugenicist garbage
    Uncritically interviewing Monica Ghandi on behalf of the overlords while millions die as a result of policies for which she’s advocated…. Embarrassing.
  • Alex w 1313
    Covid covid covid
    Nearly every episode is about covid. We are in one of the most vacccinated areas of the world. Please stop stoking fear about the pandemic when there are so many other interesting and important topics to discuss as it relates to the Bay Area. The covid fear mongering is exhausting.
  • Ben from Fresno
    Reflexively and blindly progressive
    I listen to podcasts from across the spectrum, from The Weeds to the Daily to The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg, to the Realignment. I’m not afraid of differing opinions. But this podcast is shockingly bad. It has no understanding that people might reasonably differ, like for instance, it’s not absurd to take off your mask when you are vaccinated and you don’t need to worry or identify others around you are vaccinated. It’s truly a terrible attempt at information.
  • JimTurner
    Ban cars
    Streets are for people!
  • sfimporter2
    Stop trying to make Slow Streets a thing
    I get the feeling that Heather Knight believes that everyone thinks the same way she does. Not all vehicles are the “enemy”. Cars belong in streets - stop closing them. It’s not “environmentally friendly” for people to take longer to get where they need to go - or have to circle more blocks because there is no available parking.
  • qwerty72asd23
    Good...but that covid long haul episode 🤥
    Overall, quality podcast. But come on, where was even a shred of journalistic critical thought on the Covid long-hauler episode. You just let a random person talk about his super non-specific symptoms and pontificate about the health care system for 30 min. It probably scared people recovering from Covid who don’t have more medical knowledge. That sort of topic deserves medical experts weighing in. Swing and a miss, Chronicle.
  • Patrick Tra
    Coronavirus surge episode
    This episode was filled with misinformation. Inaccurate reporting on the number of ICU beds available in San Francisco and many unfounded anecdotes from the reporter Erin. Disappointing and reflects poorly on this podcast and the Chronicle. Need better reporting than this. Unsubscribing and recommending that others not listen to this podcast anymore due to poor journalism.
  • wallyinsf
    Best local podcast
    This is my favorite daily local podcast by far. It’s definitely worth the time investment, if you are interested in or care about the bay area
  • jeremyianmeyer
    Ms. Ghandi’s Interview
    Great podcast today regarding San Francisco’s restrictions due to Covid. I left Miss Gandhi’s take on a compassionate approach to all of this and breaking down the four safety measures so eloquently is really helpful. However I’m really curious as to how many children Ms. Gandhi has in the San Francisco public school system.She spoke of tech’s wrong in the changing of our city but I think we need to look at tech’s roll in the upkeep of our schools through taxes. When we went on lockdown San Francisco schools were nowhere near one to one with technology and there lies the delays and problems we saw in getting teachers and students up to speed. What makes anyone believe that unified will be capable of providing dividers masks sanitizers and extra staff to supervise the hallways during passing time. Why on earth would we think sending our children to school one day a week without the ability to socialize with friends or have lunch at school or do group projects would be more beneficial than what we are experiencing right now? Not to mention that the glaring inequities would be even more pronounced since manyWealthier families would never even consider sending their children back to school. Thereby creating homogeneous environments of learning that would benefit no one. I realize I’m speaking into av void but at this point it’s the only place I feel my voice can go.
  • SgtGrumbles11111111111
    Really weak analysis in Ballot Guide
    I was hoping for a local perspective on strong arguments for and against the issues. Instead, I got people who had already made up their minds trying to sell a crowd with superficial arguments. And instead of focusing on policy details, the commentary included meta-commentary like poll results.
  • margaretfent
    Local news source
    This is my go-to podcast for deeper dives on Bay Area stories. The hosts’ interview styles are very effective, and the podcast brings on a good mix of reporters and public figures. The hosts ask meaningful questions which allow their subjects to speak candidly about various relevant topics. I always learn something when I listen to 5th & Mission and appreciate the work they are doing to provide these important and sometimes controversial stories in a relatively unbiased manor. I need to remove a star because one particular reporter, Rachel Swan, is impossible to listen to. She cannot put a sentence together between the constant iterations of “um”, “like”, and “you know?”. No, I don’t know... that’s why I’m listening to the episode. The way she speaks is so distracting that I can’t pay attention to what she’s saying, so now I just delete the episodes she’s on.
  • sick_jam_band
    Update: recent improvements
    I’m updating this because the podcast definitely feels like it’s changed for the better since the editorial switch. The tone seems less judgmental and more journalistic. I’ve left the original review below. I appreciate local Bay Area news, and there aren’t many podcasts I’ve found that do that regularly, so for that, thank you SF Chron. But this podcast gets under my skin almost every episode. Mostly it’s the tone, which is unapologetically conservative (by Bay Area standards). Talking about homeless people in the North Bay, the reporter mentions “their misery” multiple times, and how folks in the camp are “fighting over crack pipes.” He mentions possible reasons for the size of the encampment he’s covering (the North Bay fires from two years ago), but he doesn’t actually tell any stories from the perspective of the people living there. He only mentions the discomfort of the neighbors who no longer wish to use their bike path. Recently one of the editors interviewed a reporter who covered the story of Omar Ameen, an Iraqi refugee living in California who is facing a court battle over extradition. Y’all can look up the story, but the whole podcast the editor presented this story as though it was reported by the Chron, when in fact the original in-depth reporting was done by Ben Taub at the New Yorker. Sure, the Chronicle has a “new angle” about how Facebook and Twitter are involved in Ameen’s story, but there wasn’t even a hat tip to Taub. TL; DR: There are basically no other good options for a Bay Area news podcast, but this has a lot of room for improvement.
  • Rchek
    What’s so funny?
    Listening to today’s podcast (6/1/2020) and at about 20 minutes in Ms. Cooper laughs about two white people she saw joining a protest (in Oakland, I believe). She describes them, laughing, as about 70, white, and carrying a home made placard that stated, Black Lives Matter. What was so laughable about them that you couldn’t contain yourself? Was it because they were “old” and is it for you decide they’re old? Or was it because, being old and white, you presumed them to be clueless? Was it because they attempted to give expression to their emotions in an arena you thought they had no legitimate place in? What? What was so funny? Rebecca
  • Funny Bunny726
    Who is heather?
    I used to love this podcast, especially being new to the area. However, they switched the host and she’s terrible. She’s short and comes off as uninterested in the topics she is covering. The guests are the only reason why I still listen but I cringe when I hear her voice.
  • runnerr00
    Love the local focus - Kinghs growing on me
    Digging the pod, Heathers doing good and growing on me. Keep on going and don’t listen to all the hate reviews, it’s hard to please everyone...
  • c_kirsch
    It’s okay?
    I feel like these episodes should only be a few minutes long. Instead I’m just listening to long episodes without much content. Yawn. I’m sure the reporters are great but they need more help from production. I recommend that the Chronicle invest in more editorial or production help for the podcast specifically.
  • Tuesday's gone
    Note to Editor and chief/Host
    Your laughs and chuckles many times are incongruent with the subject of discussion and comes across as insensitive. Difficult listen
  • irrelevance is taken
    heather knight!!!!!!
    awesome. i enjoyed their tenderloi interview a lot.
  • IMHOAlso
    Heather Knight has room to grow
    I’ve listen to a number of podcasts with Heather Knight and on numerous occasions where she’s interviewing someone and it’s quite apparent that she’s still got a lot to learn about engaging with people. She asks a question, but you can tell it’s something written on paper by the way she responds, actually doesn’t respond, and just moves in to the next question. She makes no effort to engage or establish a dialogue with the person, which really gives off the feel that she’s “just working” and not caring. I’ve observed this more than once in her interviews. The latest was the one where she was interviewing the “Mayor of the Tenderloin” Del Seymour. As an SF resident, I want to support the Chronicle and it’s podcasts, but they need to step up their game with some of these reporters.
  • Sheniakl
    Great Podcast!
    I love this podcast! It is great to get fresh news about the city and also to learn fun facts. The interviewers are doing a wonderful job!
  • brainbbbb
    New host lacks empathy and warmth
    I loved this podcast before the new host...unfortunately her interviews feel so cold to me. Even when speaking to individuals about deeply personal stories, her only response is a trite “uh huh” or “ok”. It feels like she only asks questions she wrote, and like there’s no attempt to establish a relationship or warmth with her interview subject. Really missing the old host, who seemed highly empathetic, warm, and had interesting follow up questions that showed she was really listening and interested.
  • mrharrybay
    Valuable Bay Area Resource
    If you live in the Bay Area, or (like me) are interested from afar, this podcast is a valuable source of real-time news and analysis. Glad to see the Chronicle is leveraging their outstanding reporters on another platform.
  • SFWestSide
    SF local flavor
    I am a big fan of Heather Knight’s articles in the SF Chronicle because it’s so important to get local news. Loved the recent podcast on JFK Drive and the local trivia questions like favorite burrito shop in SF!
  • RadLil
    Great podcast. Feel much more informed about SF.
    5th and Mission has helped me feel more connected to San Francisco, and has helped me understand the intricacies, dynamics and politics of this complicated city. The hosts, Heather Knight and Audrey Cooper, are smart, well informed and adept at keeping the conversation flowing. Love this podcast!
  • like satie
    please stop laughing!
    I know the pandemic is upsetting but will the commentator please stop laughing. It’s disturbing.
  • Lauramacky
    Good lord
    Please get rid of Rachel. The annoying laugh and use of the word like constantly is like fingers on a chalkboard.
  • Zamsky
    The homeless issue
    The show about homeless in Sonoma was eye opening. We have homeless folks in Seattle. My heart is broken.
  • RssnHil
    Wildfire reporting updates- greatly appreciate it
    Thank you to all the journalists at the Chronicle for your amazing reporting. You are always willing to go to the frontlines when it matters and the wildfires are something we know is not easy to be in and yet you are all out there to make sure you provide quality local coverage for all of us who are eager to understand what this means to our greater Northern California community. Stay safe, please!!! Aside from the frequent wildfire coverage, thank you for your other Bay Area centric topics. I miss KFOG because it was the radio that served our community. I feel these podcasts are a great way to supplement that void in an informative way. Audrey Cooper, thank you for your time interviewing your journalists on the podcast. You are exemplary to your craft as editor-in-chief and I love how help us get to know you. I’ve been through the Chronicle tour and it doesn’t surprise me that you make the time to do these podcasts as often as you do. What surprises me is how you find the time with all other responsibilities you have in producing quality journalism and maintaining the business. Best wishes, Lifelong Chronicle print subscriber
  • lafemmedelatint
    Getting ppl to listen
    I’m happy there’s a podcast taking the place of the old way of finding out about things (newspapers). Cut the personal banter. Get right to the news, leave your personal opinions out of the commentary and just give the facts. Ppl are hyper and don’t want to waste time listening to your personal bs. Just report what you’ve uncovered and let your listeners form their own thoughts. The sound of a persons voice is omnipotent in podcasting. I can’t specifically describe a winning podcast voice but I will say this; you know it when you hear it. Yours is an important podcast with good information for Bay Area locals and whoever else sees the importance of what’s going on here in this area.
  • gimetime
    Recommend local podcast
    Solid reporting and engaging host and guests.
  • MarzViewz
    Fifth & Mission podcast
    Excellent reporting about Bay Area news. Very much worth the listening time!
  • Knickenig
    Great and Informative
    Great podcast to help me stay up to date on the goings on in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Well done and easy to listen to while driving or running.
  • McGraph415
    Stay informed!
    Really easy way to stay a bit more informed about what’s going on on the ground in SF.
  • CMVx3
    New Fav Pod!
    Love it
  • MamaBowen2015
    Concise and Informative!
    Great follow up to some of the most interesting Chronicle stories. Terrific work.
  • loving life daily
    Rebuilding Aisha
    What an inspirational story! Much needed feel good story!!!
  • tcostan
    Fascinating Stories
    I love this podcast and the insights it brings to the newsroom and the work and values of the journalists and editors
  • MoeCain
    Nice work
    I thought the mid market episode was great. Thanks
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