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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.