The Think Tank with Mike O'Neil

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The program is hosted by KTAR political analyst Dr. Mike O'Neil. "The Think Tank" is where the Valley's most influential and opinionated leaders come together for one-hour every weekend. We discuss and debate the major economic, political and social issues of the week, making genuine attempts to rea…

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    • Sep 20, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 34m AVG DURATION
    • 251 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Think Tank with Mike O'Neil

    Think Tank 9-20-23 // Voters and the 2024 Election Part 2 w/ Paul Bentz

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023 25:09


    In the second part of Mike O'Neil's conversation with Arizona Highground political analyst, Paul Bentz, they discuss the arguments around early voting in Arizona, why water and mass transit have been gaining traction post-pandemic, and more.  Find more from Dr. Mike O'Neil at https://mikeoneil.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 9-13-23 // Voters and the 2024 Election Part 1 w/ Paul Bentz

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 22:48


    Arizona Highground political analyst, Paul Bentz, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss what he's seen as far as early 2024 polling, how abortion and education policy could sway voters, and more. Find more from Dr. Mike O'Neil at https://mikeoneil.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 8-30-23 // The 2024 Presidential Election w/ Steve Krafft

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2023 23:50


    Steve Krafft, Phoenix lawyer and retired Fox10 journalist of more than three decades, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss the latest developments in the race for the presidency in 2024, whether or not Donald Trump's upcoming court dates will sway voters, and more. Find more from Dr. Mike O'Neil at https://mikeoneil.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 8-23-23 // Freedom of Speech in Arizona w/ Herb Paine

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2023 25:24


    Herb Paine, writer and former KJZZ political commentator, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss censorship in universities, art as a means of censoring freedom of speech, and more.  Follow Herb's writing on Substack: https://substack.com/@herbpaineFind more from Dr. Mike O'Neil at https://mikeoneil.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 8-17-23 // The Choice of School Choice Part 2 w/ Ericka Donalds and Beth Lewis

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2023 26:45


    In part two of two, Mike O'Neil continues his discussion with Erika Donalds and Beth Lewis on the debate around school voucher programs, getting schools ample resources, how the First Amendment plays into which schools get attention, and more.  Listen to Part 1 here: http://bitly.ws/S9NX Find more from Dr. Mike O'Neil at https://mikeoneil.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 8-11-23 // The Choice of School Choice Part 1 w/ Ericka Donalds and Beth Lewis

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2023 24:52


    In part one of two, Mike O'Neil is joined by Erika Donalds, Florida education activist and OptimaEd CEO, and Beth Lewis, career teacher and executive director of Save Our Schools Arizona. Together, they explore what the movement behind school choice really entails, how parents should evaluate their kids' teachers, and more.  Find more from Dr. Mike O'Neil at https://mikeoneil.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 8-1-23 // 2024 Election Hopefuls w/ Chuck Coughlin

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2023 26:39


    HighGround Inc. CEO, Chuck Coughlin, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss whether or not Kyrsten Sinema will be running for re-election, who from Arizona stands to make waves with voters if not her, and more.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 7-26-23 // Homeless Arizonans and the Heat w/ Stacey Champion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2023 25:09


    Arizona housing advocate, Stacey Champion, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss the clearing of "The Zone" in Downtown Phoenix, the health risks that put homeless people at risk during our current heat wave, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 7-19-23 // The Empire Strikes Back w/ Stephen Richer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2023 29:06


    Maricopa County Recorder, Stephen Richer, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss accusations and a lawsuit from former Arizona candidate for governor Kari Lake, as well as his own countersuit alleging libel from Lake, the risks to this family and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 7-12-23 // The Story of the Universe w/ Stan Owocki

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2023 24:13


    University of Delaware astrophysicist, Professor Stan Owocki, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss the big questions of how did the universe initially form, how likely is it that we find and communicate with any possible extraterrestrial life, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 6-28-23 // The Evolution of Arizona Politics w/ Steve Goldstein

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2023 25:05


    Steve Goldstein, former KJZZ reporter, joins Mike O'Neil what he's learned in more than two decades as a respected political journalist, which party has the bigger pull amongst Arizona voters and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 6-21-23 // From Policing to Politics w/ Kevin Robinson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2023 23:42


    Phoenix city councilman and former PHXPD assistant chief, Kevin Robinson, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss the similarities between his two careers, how the city council addresses police and homeless issues, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 6-14-23 // The New Arizona Budget w/ Chuck Coughlin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2023 25:40


    HighGround Inc. CEO, Chuck Coughlin, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss Arizona's new budget, how much aid there is for the housing market and water reserves, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 6-7-23 // The New Federal Budget w/ Chuck Coughlin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2023 22:49


    HighGround Inc. CEO, Chuck Coughlin, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss the newly signed federal budget from President Biden, how the president and Kevin McCarthy came to the agreement, what concessions were allocated to each of the major parties, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 6-1-23 // Donald Trump's Legal Liability w/ Tom Ryan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 25:59


    Tom Ryan, longtime valley attorney, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss the federal and state liability former president Donald Trump faces, where New York law plays into what charges he would face, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 5-24-23 // The New Arizona Budget w/ Carol Berry and Elaman Rodriguez

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2023 23:47


    Carol Berry, retired Phoenix municipal court judge, and Elaman Rodriguez, Senior Manager of Spanish Programs at Local First AZ join Mike O'Neil to discuss the Arizona Town Hall's report on equity, how attainable is equity in the eyes of the law, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 5-17-23 // The New Arizona Budget w/ Tom Ryan

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 21:55


    Valley attorney, Tom Ryan, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss threats to the American legal system, break down Arizona's recent state budget numbers, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 5-10-23 // Election Challenges w/ Barry Markson

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 25:21


    Valley attorney and KTAR host, Barry Markson, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss challenges to the 2020 and 2022 elections, if any of those challenges have the law in their favor, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 5-3-23 // Arizona Legislature w/ Chuck Coughlin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2023 22:45


    HighGround Inc. CEO, Chuck Coughlin, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss Arizona's upcoming budget and what's on it, attorney general Kris Maye's comments on the state's water conservation, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 4-26-23 // Getting Around Phoenix w/ Martin Schultz

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2023 24:48


    Transportation advocate, Martin Shultz, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss the importance of mass transit in Phoenix, how projects like the light rail system get funded, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 4-19-23 // Tempe Hockey Stadium Plan w/ Neil Giuliano and Charles Siler

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2023 24:15


    Neil Giuliano, former mayor of Tempe, and Charles Siler, Tempe-based economist, join Mike O'Neil to discuss the proposal to build a new stadium for the Arizona Coyotes, the land and financial logistics if the deal goes through, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 4-15-23 // Middle Ground for American Politics w/ Matt Grodsky and Tyler Montague

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2023 24:23


    Matt Grodsky, Democratic strategist, and Tyler Montague, Republican activist, join Mike O'Neil to discuss the future of center ground politics in the U.S, how Arizona's nearly equally split legislature fits into that future, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 4-4-23 // Donald Trump's Indictment w/ Paul Charlton

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2023 26:40


    Former U.S attorney, Paul Charlton, joins Mike O'Neil the afternoon of former president Donald Trump's being charged with 34 felony counts per his indictment. They discuss what it means for the former president's future election chances, what the prosecution needs to look for in the case, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 3-30-23 // The Early Civil Rights Movement Part II w/ Dave Tierney

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2023 24:24


    Sixty years ago, Phoenix lawyer, Dave Tierney, was part of the earliest efforts of Civil Rights movement in the American South. In Part 2 of 2, he sits down with Mike O'Neil to discuss how the government addressed protests across the south, lessons modern civil rights movements are taking from the past, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Think Tank 3-22-23 // The Early Civil Rights Movement w/ Dave Tierney

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2023 23:00


    Sixty years ago, Phoenix lawyer, Dave Tierney, was part of the earliest efforts of Civil Rights movement in the American South. Now, in Part 1 of 2, he sits down with Mike O'Neil to discuss the line from Civil War policies to the 1960s, his early student activism at Brandeis University, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 1-28-23 - Guest: Attorney General Kris Mayes.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2023 38:39


    Newly Elected Attorney General Kris Mayes joins Mike O'Neil on The Think Tank to discuss new policy changes to Arizona.   TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 9:03SEG 3 - 17:22SEG 4 - 30:33See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 1-14-23 - 2023 Predictions with The Think Tank // Guests: Chuck Coughlin, Steve Krafft and Steve Goldstein

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2023 39:35


    HighGround Inc. CEO, Chuck Coughlin, former Fox 10 reporter, Steve Krafft, and former KJZZ reporter, Steve Goldstein, join Mike O'Neil for the annual Think Tank predictions for 2023. TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 9:00SEG 3 - 17:47SEG 4 - 28:52See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 1-5-23 - The Think Tank 2022 Political Awards // Guests: Chuck Coughlin, Steve Goldstein and Steve Kraftt

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2023 39:14


    HighGround Inc. President Chuck Coughlin, former KJZZ reporter Steve Goldstein and Retired Fox 10 Reporter Steve Krafft join Mike O'Neil for the 2022 Arizona and National Political Awards, recognizing the biggest and boldest news stories of the year. TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 9:40SEG 3 - 17:38SEG 4 - 31:44See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 12-17-22 - The Republican Party's Future // Guests: Paul Bentz, Tyler Montague and Kathy Petsas

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2022 39:31


    Republican activist, Tyler Montague, former Paradise Valley Republican precinct committee chair, Kathy Petsas, and Arizona HighGround pollster, Paul Bentz, join Mike O'Neil to discuss what priorities the Republican party should focus on post-2022 election, where traditional conservatives feel the party is leaning, and more.  TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 9:09SEG 3 -  17:46SEG 4 - 27:54See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 12-10-22 - Election Integrity // Guests: Adrian Fontes and Stephen Richer

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2022 40:07


    Secretary of State-elect Adrian Fontes and Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer join Mike O'Neil to discuss how votes get counted in Arizona, the precautions that election officials have taken since 2020, and more. TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 11:11SEG 3 -  17:54SEG 4 - 33:37See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 11-19-22 - Post-Midterm Politics // Guest: Chuck Coughlin

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2022 38:58


    HighGround Inc. President Chuck Coughlin joins Mike O'Neil to discuss the results of Arizona's 2022 midterm elections, what the takeaways were, and what they mean for the future of both the Republican and Democratic parties.  TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 10:22SEG 3 -  17:45SEG 4 - 31:22See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 11-12-22 - Open Discussions of Science // Guest: Dr. Lawrence Krauss

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2022 39:18


    Internationally-known physicist, Dr. Lawrence Krauss, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss science as a public utility, the merits of open scientific discussion and details on his new event with the Origins Project Foundation. Click for more info on Dr. Krauss' event: https://originsproject.org/events/ TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 7:32SEG 3 - 17:35SEG 4 - 31:23See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 11-5-22 - Pre-Election Review // Guests: Stephen Richer and Chuck Coughlin

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2022 39:09


    Mike O'Neil is joined by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer to discuss the logistics of counting ballots in this year's midterm election and when voters can expect results. Then HighGround Inc. President Chuck Coughlin joins the show to discuss the high-profile races in Arizona and what that could mean for the future of democracy and of the Republican party. TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 11:57SEG 3 -  17:23SEG 4 - 30:27See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 10-29-22 - Prop 209 and Debt Collections // Guests: Will Humble and Christian Lehr

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2022 39:32


    Mike O'Neil is joined by the Arizona Public Health Association's executive director, Will Humble, and ACA International board member and debt collector, Christian Lehr. Together, they discuss Arizona Proposition 209, it's effect on good and businesses from debt collectors, and more.  TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 10:29SEG 3 -  17:45SEG 4 -  29:56See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 10-22-22 - Voter Priorities and State Elections // Guests: Sybil Francis and Adrian Fontes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2022 39:32


    Ahead of the state midterm election, Sybil Francis, CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss recent polls on what Arizonans want in their public officials and policies. Then Adrian Fontes, democratic candidate for Arizona secretary of state, joins to talk election security, appealing across party lines and more.  TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 12:01SEG 3 -  17:41SEG 4 -  30:52See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 10-15-22 - Election Preview // Guests: Terry Goddard and Kris Mayes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2022 40:09


    Mike O'Neil sits down with former Phoenix mayor, Terry Goddard, to discuss Proposition 211, which would require disclosing original sources for election donations. Then Kris Mayes, the democratic candidate for attorney general, joins Mike to discuss her campaign, protecting abortion rights in Arizona and more.  TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 8:01SEG 3 - 17:54SEG 4 -  29:47See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 10-8-22 - Maricopa County Attorney // Guests: Rachell Mitchell and Julie Gunnigle

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2022 39:12


    The election for the next Maricopa County Attorney is coming up soon, Mike O'Neil sits down with Republican incumbent, Rachel Mitchell to talk about the role of her office in enforcing the rule of law. Then Democratic opponent, Julie Gunnigle, joins the show to discuss what she would change if elected as attorney. TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 9:25SEG 3 - 17:27SEG 4 -  31:27See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    republicans democratic think tanks rachell rachel mitchell maricopa county attorney
    Can You Trust The Polls w/ Mike O'Neil

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2022 29:55


    Can you trust the polls? Mike O'Neil, polling expert of over 40 years, takes us through the history of polling to help us illustrate some of the strengths and weaknesses of polling in the 20th century.  TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 8:06SEG 3 - 17:32See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 10-1-22 - The Reliability of Polls // Guest: Jim Cross

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2022 38:42


    Can you trust the polls? Mike O'Neil, polling expert of over 40 years, takes us through the history of polling to help us illustrate some of the strengths and weaknesses of polling in the 20th century. Then KTAR's Jim Cross joins the show to discuss some of the political figures he's interviewed over the last 25 years.  TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 8:06SEG 3 - 17:32SEG 4 -  29:56See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 9-24-22 - Perspective from 50 Years of AZ Politics // Guests: Martin Schultz and Herb Paine

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2022 40:19


    Martin Shultz, retired lobbyist and former vice president of APS, and Herb Paine, social critic and columnist at KJZZ, join Mike O'Neil to discuss how Arizona has changed in five decades of covering politics, President Biden's speech on national security, and more.  TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 10:46SEG 3 - 18:07SEG 4 - 31:03See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 9-17-22 - Arizona Election Issues // Guests: Chuck Coughlin

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2022 39:36


    Highground Inc. President, Chuck Couglin joins Mike O'Neil to discuss Katie Hobbs' refusal to debate Kari Lake, what issues might not be immediately considered to voters in 2022 and more.  TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 9:23SEG 3 - 17:46SEG 4 - 30:13See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 9-10-22 -Student Loan Forgiveness // Guests: Cesar Aguilar and Michael Huemer

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2022 40:04


    Cesar Aguilar, executive director at the Arizona Students Association, and Michael Huemer, professor of philosophy at the University of Colorado Boulder, join Mike O'Neil to discuss President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, the question of who benefits from reduced loans and more.  TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 9:23SEG 3 - 17:53SEG 4 - 34:58See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 8-27-22 - Arizona Voter's Agenda // Guest: Sybil Francis and Paul Bentz

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2022 39:46


    Sybil Francis, President and CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona, and Paul Bentz, Arizona HighGround Vice President, join Mike O'Neil to discuss the intricacies of voter consensus, where Arizona voters land on issues like immigration and more. TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 11:00SEG 3 - 17:40SEG 4 - 27:53See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 8-20-22 - Post Primary Political Prognostications // Guest: Paul Bentz

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2022 39:50


    HighGround Senior Vice President, Paul Bentz, joins Mike O'Neil to discuss the current narrative around the Democratic Party, what the 2022 election looks like post-Arizona primary, and more. TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 10:13SEG 3 - 17:53SEG 4 - 31:22See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 7-30-22 - Citizen Movements // Guests: Beth Lewis and Sharon Kirsch

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2022 39:50


    Save Our Schools director, Beth Lewis, and ASU professor, Sharon Kirsch, join Mike O'Neil to discuss education reform in Arizona, how Save Our Schools has affected students and teachers alike, and more.  TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 9:35SEG 3 - 17:48SEG 4 - 32:10See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 7-23-22 - Abortion in AZ // Guests: Chris Love and Tom Ryan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2022 39:53


    Planned Parenthood AZ's, Chris Love, and valley attorney, Tom Ryan, join Mike O'Neil to discuss Planned Parenthood in Arizona, what the pro-choice strategy looks like in the U.S after the overturning of Roe v. Wade and more TIMESTAMPS:SEG1 - 0:00SEG 2 - 10:28SEG 3 - 17:51SEG 4 - 30:36See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    THINK TANK 7-16-22 - AZ Primaries // Guests: Chuck Coughlin and Tom Ryan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2022 40:02


    Highground Inc. President, Chuck Couglin and valley attorney, Tom Ryan, join Mike O'Neil to discuss the state of Arizona just before the 2022 Primary Elections, should Katie Hobbs' campaign be as loud as her competitors, and more. TIMESTAMPS: SEG1 - 0:00 SEG 2 - 10:35 SEG 3 - 18:05 SEG 4 -  31:08 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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