The Golden Mean

There is one national news publication that covers every angle of the movement to reform and strengthen American elections and governance -- The Fulcrum! David Meyers serves as publisher and executive editor, and he talks on the Mean about how The Fulcrum is making a difference in informing and motivating Americans to fight for their rights!

"One thing about working at the Polar Science Center is that you're confronted with these kinds of realities each day, and sometimes it can be disheartening to know that there are animals whose lives are being affected by the changing environment and changing qualities of our climate. But what brings me hope is working with such passionate people about those things." As a technician at the Polar Science Center at the Univ. of Washington, Ben Cohen is studying the effects of climate change on Polar Bears - and what that also means for the rest of the world.

“Now more than ever, it's local news's job to tell its people that it's going to be okay. Y'know, to ease, to calm, to keep people safe. I'm seeing that first-hand, how important that really is.” WXOW Anchor/reporter Declan Levy talks about broadcast journalism and the value of local news in the middle of the Conornavirus pandemic.

“I think people are going to lose their lives because of the difference in coverage, honestly. I don't see how it could be otherwise.” National award-winning journalist & columnist Melinda Henneberger sounds off on the media's performance in covering the Coronavirus crisis - and the differences across various national outlets.

“The value and valor is in the leap…Stop trying to control for perfection, and start trying to control for effort. That's the one thing we can control in our lives.” Alyssa Rapp is a wildly successful CEO and entrepreneur - and now the author of the brand new book: Leadership & Life Hacks. On this episode of the Mean, Alyssa talks about the strategies that have made all the difference along her path - and how everyone can apply these simple keys in their own lives!

Once upon a time this conservative columnist supported Jimmy Carter. Now, after 23 years as the Chicago Tribune's lead opinion writer, he is one of the city's most controversial media figures. John Kass talks about his childhood on the South Side, how he learned the chase down political corruption and his idea of the perfect Chicago day. Plus, his defining principle on politics: "Coincidences are for suckers!"

Suburban women will be the #1 key to who wins the White House in 2020 according to polling guru Celinda Lake. The founder of Lake Research Partners, Celinda talks about how polling works, why it still matters, and what trends are likely to play out as we head toward the presidential election!

“It's not enough anymore in American politics to be the smartest person or the most experienced or the best CEO or the guy who ran a city. If you can't communicate, forget about it.” Mark McKinnon has advised everyone from City Councilmen to the President of the United States. He now hosts Showtime's hit show "The Circus. Mark visits with us from South Carolina, where he gives a preview of the Saturday primary - and grades each of the candidates' communications skills.

Jobi Cates fights for the forgotten. She fights for fairness for the folks who've done wrong and are serving inordinately long prison sentences as a result. Jobi fights for a more just justice system. She is an Illinois hero, who uses the lessons of her own life to teach others how to make the world a better place.

A master of health transformation and strength building, Brian Gryn shows people how they can eat clean to GET LEAN! He's an author, coach, entrepreneur -- and an incredible golfer! Learn the secrets to making "intermittent fasting" an easy and effective way to look and feel your best. Brian is the leader.

Search Marketing Specialist Patrick Berlinquette talks about how he turned the tables on Google -- and likely saved some lives in the process!

"It's (the GOP) morphed into a cult not with an ideology but a theology, and that means you follow the cult leader. And it means you are especially burdened if you are an apostate and you get shunned or even excommunicated.” Congressional Scholar Norman J. Ornstein ("The Dean")gets to the guts of the Senate Impeachment Trial and describes how the parties have changed since Watergate and the Clinton trial.

"My doctors were assuming that I was a medical student and somehow that meant that I understood, or it somehow meant that I was immune to the disease of addiction. I learned the hard way that I was not." Sarah Gad talks about her experiences with addiction, the Cook County jail system, recovery - and her 2020 candidacy for the U.S. Congress.

He is THE storyteller. Doug Levy has had a towering career in Chicago broadcasting. For years a popular DJ on the preeminent rock station, he parlayed his on-air talent into a business career where he ascended to be president of Univision Television and Radio. If you're in the mood to be both entertained and inspired, listen to my dear friend Doug as he shares a lifetime of wisdom, love and laughs.

Eddie Bocanegra is the preeminent expert on gun violence in the city of Chicago, because he grew up in it, served 14 years in prison for it -- and then decided to do something about it. The Senior Director of Heartland Alliance's READI Chicago program talks about how they are building a national model for slashing shootings by working with men to change their lives.

He went from being wrongly convicted and imprisoned to becoming an attorney at law fighting to exonerate other victims of a corrupt criminal justice system. Jarrett Adams was the very first guest on The Golden Mean, and he joins Michael for Episode #100 to share more of his inspiring life journey!

No one knows the digital news landscape better than Jimmy Greenfield - because he's lived it for 25 years in Chicago. Jimmy joins the show to talk about his career as a news and sports editor, including what it's been like to cover the Chicago Blackhawks and Major League Baseball. Michael also gets Jimmy to tell the story of how he came to write his classic book: "100 Things Cubs Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die."

"I want to believe, at the end of my life, that I had tried to do everything I could to fix things." Democracy Reform leader Madeleine Doubek talks about why she's dedicated to reforming and improving Illinois government. The head of CHANGE ILLINOIS, Doubek breaks down the fight for voting rights, gerrymandering reform, balot initiatives and fairness in taking the 2020 US Census. Listen to a pure leader!

"Being lost in what you're doing is really what it's all about. Great performers can't really explain why their performance was great when it was great, they just know that it felt right. And when it feels right, you're not thinking much, you're not trying much, but you're trusting it and you're letting go and allowing your instincts to surface." Dr. Jeffrey Fishbein talks about how patience, balance and never giving up leads to the deepest kind of success: fulfillment.

"Fearful." That's how Gilad Gordon described the feeling he had in 1973 when he attended the Watergate Impeachment Hearings. He was 16 years old. Forty-six later, on the morning of the Trump Impeachment Hearings, Gilad talks about what it was like - and how it compares to what we're going through now.

Loriana Hernandez-Aldama didn't just Leukemia - she used her journalism talents to turn her recovery into a mission to help others "get fit for the fight." Now, the founder of ARMOR UP FOR LIFE is waging a second public battle with cancer - and she's telling the story all over again in real time. Lori talks about it all on the new show: "You must become your own HERO, meet the medicine halfway and be an equal partner in your own success. Push for answers. Listen to your body. Pay attention to the warning light when it goes off."

"As college costs go up, sometimes students take out those loans and then they also have to use that money to pay for their living expenses, so they literally have no money for food. It's just heartbreaking." Soledad O'Brien's moving documentary, Hungry To Learn, will premiere at DOC NYC on Saturday, Nov. 9th. The Peabody-winning reporter and producer joins us to talk about this crisis on college campuses -- and how journalism can still be a powerful force for good!

On October 29, 2019, US Army Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman testified in front of a Congressional committee in the midst of the Impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. National voices in the Republican Party attached Vindman and accused him of potentially acting in the interest of the Ukraine, where he and his family escaped as refugees when he was three years old. The ugly public spectacle reminded Michael of the fictional conspiracy plot in the 1987 movie No Way Out. Michael and Francis Albert act out a scene from No Way Out - and explain why the hell it matters.

Shelley Jacobs believes that "everyone is an influencer." She would know! Shelley launched Chicago Is My Boyfriend on Instagram and has built a following of tens of thousands of followers who go to her to find awesome things to do!

"I believe that when people talk about what they love, they come alive!" That's what Kate Sullivan's show, To Dine For, is all about! Kate joins the podcast to describe how her show was born, how it's become a smash success on PBS in just one year - and fascinating moments with her fascinating guests! "Everybody on the show is not only jaw-dropping inspiring, but also has a blueprint for success. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best."

Alex Batdorf is the "Get Sh!t Done Queen" who specializes in "empowering badass female entrepreneurs to make their dream company a reality." Listen to Alex talk about how to get started, raise capital, build a great team and have FUN striving for success!

EPISODE 90 - DOUG SCHENKELBERG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS by Michael Golden

Karen Hinton nearly lost her life - it was split-second decision-making by her doctors that prevented her death. Then she faced the real battle: astronomical medical bills not covered by insurance. Listen to Karen's survival story, and also what she learned first-hand about America's broken healthcare situation.

"The value of journalism has never been greater. Its significance has never been more meaningful... If you've got a passion for telling people something that they don't know but need to know, you're in the right business." Legendary Chicago broadcaster Carol Marin on emerging journalism, political corruption, tips on interviewing -- and her rise from Tennessee schoolteacher to 60 Minutes correspondent.

"I never thought this was the track I was going to take until I lost Zachary. I feel like I'm doing this work for him. I'm working for him every day." Karen Cohn is literally a lifesaver. Here she talks about pool and water safety information that every parent should know - and the amazing growth she and her husband Brian are leading at The Zac Foundation!

Former Illinois Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn has strong views on whether his predecessor, Rod Blagojevich, should be freed from federal prison. In a wide-ranging interview, the Gov talks about Illinois politics, Election 2020, his support for One Million Degrees and community college students, fighting poverty across the country, creating grassroots movements, outlawing rigged US House Districts - and of course - his predictions on how the Chicago Bears will fare in 2019! Join us on the Mean!

How did Lori Lightfoot achieve her crushing victory to become Chicago's next mayor? Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn weighs in on the election results, the future of the city, the bumbled Jussie Smollett case - and the real burning question behind the college admissions scandal!

On the eve of the biggest Chicago Mayoral Election in 30 years, NBC veteran Mary Ann Ahern weighs in on the two final candidates and how they beat out the other dozen. Who will win? Who screwed up? How will either one of them fix the enormous problems Chicago is facing? Listen to a pro who covers all the angles!

EPISODE 82: LYNN SWEET, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST by Michael Golden

Who says ya can't talk religion and politics with a stranger?? Kirsten Powers comes on the show to discuss 2020, racism in America, Trump, modern media, and her awesome podcast, "The Faith Angle." One of the sharpest opinion leaders in the country weighs in on The Golden Mean!

Can the new House Majority get anything done in 2019? Democratic Congressman Rep. Tom O'Halleran says new members from his own party have to find a way to work together, or they'll have a short shelf life: "If the Democrats in Congress don't lead, they're at risk again… I think the American people sent a very clear signal - we want you to do better. And you better."

Who would embark upon a "mission to bridge the gap between liberals and conservatives?" Annafi Wahed would. The founder of TheFlipSide.io is working every day to get American news consumers out of their bubbles! Listen to Annafi talk about the state of American politics, our media blind spots - and the solutions her team is serving up on these civic challenges!

She just might save journalism - by improving it! Pulitzer Prize winner Tina Rosenberg is also the cofounder of Solutions Journalism Network. SJN is spreading the word that including solutions in news stories can actually increase viewership. Tina and her team are teaching reporters across the country this new approach to covering the world around us.

"As a society, we have so demonized this population. But they just want what most people want, which is a little stability and safety, and they want their kids to be safe." Evelyn Diaz is one of the most fierce and effective social justice champions in the country. President of Heartland Alliance, Evelyn is now taking on Chicago gun violence with a groundbreaking approach that just might prove to be transformational.

Will the Democrats win the midterms and regain the House Majority? And if they do, how can they get anything done in a hyper-partisan Washington? J.D. Grom says both are possible, and he would know! The Executive Director of the moderate New Dems Coalition breaks down the breakdown in D.C. - and also lays out the silver lining.

"You are in the driver's seat and you can decide where you want to go - TAKE THE WHEEL!" Allison Task, author of Personal (R)evolution, is the kind of personal coach who walks the walk. Using her career background and life story, she had helped thousands of people "to do that thing you've always wanted to do!"

Investigative journalist Bethany Mclean explains how large parts of the banking system are still "profoundly corrupt." The author of "The Smartest Guys in the Room" - about the Enron scandal - weighs in on the Wells Fargo scam, the actions of James Comey and how our government's regulation of Wall Street is losing much of its muscle under the Trump administration.

"Congress is really policing itself and that's a huge, huge problem. It's not really meaningful oversight." From the settlements of harassment claims on Capitol Hill to the lawsuits pending against the Trump administration, Jennifer Rodgers sounds off about corruption in government. The head of the Center for the Advancement of Public Integrity also describes HOW her team is helping cities and states across the country to fight political corruption!

Enough is enough! Nick Penniman is taking dead aim at the corruption in our politics by building a bipartisan, national coalition to attack the outsize influence of big money in our system. "It's really reached the point of stage IV cancer, where it's shutting down the body politic, it's shutting down our ability to self-govern." On the show, the CEO of Issue One talks about how his team is fighting the good fight - and how EVERY AMERICAN can get on board to help!

"I do know that for many, treatment saves lives." Congressional scholar Norman Ornstein has become a champion on the issue of mental health in America - and he came by it in the hardest way possible. In 2015, the Ornstein family lost their son Matthew who had struggled for 10 years. Since then, Norm has dedicated himself to reforming and strengthening mental health assistance in our country - and he's making a big difference. Listen to "The Dean" talk about this critical issue.

An American businessman is vowing to shake up the whole damn broken system if he makes it to the U.S. Senate! Neal Simon is running as an independent candidate - and in this interview he details his actual plans to reform the rules. Listen to the man from Maryland describe what he believes needs fixing - and how he's gonna get us there!

From Frank Sinatra's connections to organized crime to his history with President Kennedy to the reasons why he was the greatest entertainer of the 20th Century, biographer James Kaplan tells all the tales. Kaplan joins the show to offer insights from his comprehensive volume on Sinatra: "The Chairman." (photo credit: Erinn Hartmann)

Author Brad Herzog has always taken risks when it comes to finding and writing about new ideas. On the show, he explains how "the act of pursuing creativity is a triumphant act." From civil rights to the Chicago Cubs to the inspirations behind the Gerber baby and the Nike swoosh, Herzog is always on the hunt for new subjects to write about. New ways to "turn the mundane into the miraculous."

"I felt more comfortable in a woman's body. And that's who I truly was. I wanted to bring out my inside and reveal it on the outside. It's almost like self expression." - Jamie Vallas "She's more my hero than I am hers… To me she is not a transgender, she is 100% woman. She's a woman." - Dean Vallas

"The process that the world undertakes to cure diseases is one that no logical business person would ever do if their ultimate goal was to cure. It's not in the interest of special interests to cure anything, because there's much more money in treating than there is in curing.” Lou Weisbach is the visionary entrepreneur and former Clinton Finance Co-Chair who is working to launch the American Center for Cures - and make medical history!

EPISODE 65: MELINDA HENNEBERGER, USA TODAY Columnist by Michael Golden