Podcast appearances and mentions of Mark Brewer

Send us a textJoin Jack Jenkins on the number 2 podcast in Hopton On Sea; to thank you for the long wait before season 4, we have got an episode we weren't going to release, but here it is just for you to tide you over until Monday!Catch up with Jack Jenkins, Mark Brewer and Roxy Yarnold with their conversations from before the summer, talking all things Cabaret, Comedy and Simply The Best!Like, follow and subscribe for all the very best bits, of the All Exclusive Podcast. Support the show

This week's show is sponsored in part by EPIC-MRA Public Opinion Research MIRS News

This week's show is sponsored in part by EPIC-MRA Public Opinion Research MIRS News

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Esta semana, en una nueva sesión de Rebelión Sónica, los invitamos a escuchar material del disco "The Music of Anthony Braxton" del destacado saxofonista estadounidense, Steve Lehman. El álbum, que celebra los 80 años del legendario e influyente compositor, vientista, pianista y filósofo Anthony Braxton, fue editado el 28 de febrero por el sello Pi Recordings. Grabado en Los Ángeles, junto a su trío integrado por él en saxo alto, Mark Brewer en bajo y Damion Reid en batería, además del invitado especial Mark Turner en saxo tenor, Lehman rinde homenaje a uno de sus primeros mentores, con un álbum en vivo de “swing duro”, que conmemora el 80 aniversario del nacimiento del influyente vientista Anthony Braxton. Lehman estuvo en el grupo de gira de Braxton de 1999 a 2007, actuando en festivales internacionales y apareciendo en una serie de grabaciones, incluido un tributo a la música de Andrew Hill, “Nine Compositions (Hill)” (2000). "Desde el principio, supe que quería conectar la música de Anthony con nuevas audiencias y defender la música de su pequeño grupo como una parte realmente indispensable del canon del jazz”, señaló Lehman sobre este nuevo disco. “Entonces, eso significó ser realmente exigente con el repertorio y hacer un esfuerzo consciente para trabajar con músicos fuera de la órbita de Braxton que pudieran aportar nuevas perspectivas a la música”. Según el sello, Lehman eligió composiciones intrincadas, pegadizas y únicas para grupos pequeños de Braxton que grabó originalmente en las décadas de 1970 y 1980 con músicos como Ed Blackwell, Dave Holland y Kenny Wheeler, entre otros, en álbumes como “Fall” (1974) y “Six Compositions: Quartet” (1981). Al final del programa, viajamos al pasado en el catálogo de Lehman y su trío, para escuchar música de su colaboración con el pianista Craig Taborn, “The People I Love”. Según Pi Recordings, el título del disco “fue tomado por Lehman de unas palabras que entregó el ahora fallecido vibrafonista Bobby Hutcherson en una entrevista de 2010: “Cuando era más joven, pensaba que la música era lo primero. Y ahora que he envejecido, me doy cuenta de que toda esa música, no es más que el reflejo de las imágenes de las personas que amo y de la presencia Dios”. Rebelión Sónica se transmite por radio Rockaxis los jueves a las 10 y 22 horas, con la conducción de Héctor Aravena.

David Horsey - Seattle Times The Musk coup is moving forward with minimal signs of effective opposition. Congressional Republicans are rolling over complacently while the Musk teenage Ninjas storm federal offices, and Democrats do little other than scream. A lot of federal employees deemed insufficiently loyal to the Mar-a-Lago golf pro are being fired, laid off or encouraged to quit … meaning literally millions of hours of professional expertise will be lost, replaced by True Believers. In Michigan, the race for the U.S. Senate is beginning to take form in both parties. We take a deep dive into the likely primary contests. Joining the discussion with an update on the turmoil in the state Legislature is veteran Michigan politics and state government reporter Lauren Gibbons from Bridge Michigan. Prior to joining Bridge's Capitol team, she worked at MLive, where she led coverage of the state Legislature and the redistricting process, and before that covered the state Senate for MIRS News. She has covered the ins and outs of Michigan politics for nearly a decade and has won awards both for her political coverage and her work documenting the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. Lauren grew up in the Lansing area and graduated from Michigan State University, majoring in journalism and history. She lives in Ferndale, and her party tricks include Irish dancing and telling friends what political districts they live in without looking. She is also an expert on music that highlights Michigan! The first major partisan battle with the new split-control Legislature is underway, with the Senate majority leader suing the Speaker of the House. We begin this week's pod exploring that lawsuit with Majority Leader Winnie Brink's lead attorney in the case: the honorable Mr. Mark Brewer! =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA, a full service survey research firm with expertise in • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management Joel Heller:Hellertoon.com

Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered how a simple misunderstanding could lead to a minute's silence for someone still very much alive? This episode hosted by Jack and Henry brings you a roller coaster of emotions as Mark Brewer hilariously recounts his recent health issues and the comedic chaos that followed. From a poignant surgical experience under the whimsical care of Mr. Knackler, who played Mark's own singing in the operating room, to the touching moments of his recovery journey, you'll find yourself laughing through the tears. Mark's story is a testament to finding joy and humour even in the most unexpected places, offering a heartwarming look at resilience and the power of a good laugh.thumb and thumber Join Finn White and Quinn Ireland for a funny and random 20-minute podcast full of laughs.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the Show.

It's been a great week for the late night comics: Trump's courtroom catnaps, Kristi Noem's one-person animal control program, and Joe Biden's week-late contribution to the annual 4-20 marijuana celebration. Abortion laws continue to torment elected Republicans South Dakota abortion rights groups collect enough signatures to advance ballot measure - NBC News Joe Biden has an epiphany with a reclassification of weed Trump opens up to Time magazine about his 2nd term plans – and it's dystopian preview Donald Trump on What His Second Term Would Look Like - TIME And the Trump stage show drops into Michigan to heap insults on state Democrats, judges and prosecutors ‘Everything's bad,' Trump tells Michigan rally, offering policy solutions - mlive.com Trump warns of tax hikes, EV doom in Michigan rally. Here are the facts - Bridge Michigan Trump backs surveillance and prosecution of women to enforce abortion bans - Judd Legum/Popular Information Alleged Republican leaders who loudly proclaim Donald Trump is a threat to the nation say that's not as bad as Joe Biden Peter Meijer concedes the obvious: he can't win the GOP Senate nomination GOP frontrunner Mike Rogers has a residency problem - his alleged Michigan home has been torn down Two top-level Michigan congressional candidates face challenges on their petitions. We hear from the state's top election lawyer … that would be Mark Brewer! =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA,  a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management ===========================  

Still another week like no other: the previous guy napping at his own criminal trial, the current guy seeing his polling numbers nudge upwards with an economy that the Wall Street Journal calls "The Envy of the World", and a stunning tipping point in a major Michigan political scandal: Attorney General Nessel stuns Lansing with criminal indictments of former House Speaker Lee Chatfield and his wife. We'll talk with outspoken campaign finance reform advocate Bob LaBrant. Democrats, as expected, win the 2 special elections to fill state House vacancies, restoring the Dem's trifecta control of state government. More campaign finance shenanigans, with our Mark Brewer hot on the trail of the malefactors. In national political news – Sleepy Donald Trump's social media company's stock matches his New York trial energy level: sinking fast.  Joe Biden continues to gain ground in national polling as he campaigns while Trump fumes in court. The U.S. economy is, in the words of a Wall Street Journal Headline, “the envy of the world” … but that's not registering with American voters. Crime in the U.S. is dropping … but that's not registering with voters either. Our focus is the story of the week (and maybe the year) in Michigan: a 13-count indictment of former House Speaker Lee Chatfield. Dave Grandlund - Caglecartoons.com =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA,  a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management ===========================

For his 2017 PhD, John Hunter put forward a hypothesis that offers insights into both the “transformational” experiences associated with large group awareness training (LGAT) participation and the common claims of psychological harm and problematic behaviour associated with participation. Dr Hunter presented his work at the 2023 International Cultic Studies Association conference, and for this episode, he breaks down some of his findings – including where LGATs may or may not intersect with cults and cult-like behaviour.Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation. Links:John Hunter PhD websiteStress-induced hypomania in healthy participants: the allostatic “manic-defence hypothesis” — Dr John Hunter's 2017 PhD DissertationRational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (Dr Albert Ellis)Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (Dr Aaron T. Beck)Robert J. Lifton's Eight Criteria for Thought ReformThe Book of est — Kirkus Reviews'We're Gonna Tear You Down and Put You Back Together" — by Mark Brewer, Psychology Today, August 1975Mindbreakers — by Roland Howard, The Daily Mail, 23 July 2001Cults in Our Midst — by Margaret Singer, 1995Psychiatric disturbances associated with Erhard Seminars Training — by L. L. Glass, M. A. Kirsch & F. N. Parris, American Journal of Psychiatry, 1977Psychological effects of participation in a large group awareness training — by Fisher, J. D., Silver, R. C., Chinsky, J. M., Goff, B., Klar, Y., & Zagieboylo, C., Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1989The Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion — by Richard E. Petty & John T. Cacioppo, Advances in Experimental Social Psychology Vol 19, 1986Thinking, Fast and Slow — by Daniel Kahneman, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping — Fishbowl Films, 2024 Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elections attorney Mark Brewer and retired political action executive Bob LaBrant take a look at ongoing headlines surrounding Michigan's independent redistricting commission. After 13 legislative districts were ruled as racially gerrymandered, does the commission need to tidy up its operations? Also, can the districts be redrawn without impacting others?     William Lawrence, coordinator of the 'Rent is Too Damn High' coalition in Michigan, calls for the state to address both tenant rights and housing supply needs at the same time.  Additionally, Policy Director Jennifer Peacock of the Michigan Center for Youth Justice explains how for most of 2024, local governments will be preparing for multiple changes to the state's juvenile justice system, which she says aims to prevent an "over reliance on detention" following youths' offenses.

Christmas comes early for the now-departed Michigan Legislature, but only after an unprecedented year of major legislation. Ho ho ho! The Legislature is taking an early (and extended) holiday break. With two House members set to resign after being elected Mayors of their hometowns, Democrats and Republicans have a 54-54 split in the state House, meaning an end (for now) of Democrats' state government trifecta. Adding to their early holiday joy, good tidings from Republicans in the form of guaranteed messy and expensive Republican primary for the U.S. Senate as Peter Meijer joins the field, along with more news of internal turmoil for the Michigan Republican Party. Ethics (or a lack of same) make headlines this week. In Washington, Republicans in the Senate make it clear they have no interest in the apparent long-term corruption of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, but Republicans in the House are focused on what is, to now, an evidence-free drive to impeach Joe Biden. In Michigan, a watered-down financial disclosure package clears the state House in a late-night marathon session and is on its way to Governor Whitmer for signing.  Also this week:  Mark Brewer updates us on the legal efforts (in which he is a lead attorney) to keep Insurrection Master Strategist Donald Trump off the Michigan ballot. The U.S. House votes to censure Michigan congresswoman Rashida Tlaib which could well help her in her reelection bid next year. Right to Life is suing to overturn Michigan's newly approved constitutional amendment guaranteeing women's reproductive healthcare options Legal arguments have concluded in a federal trial over whether Michigan's Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission violated the Voting Rights Act in drawing Michigan's legislative maps.  We're joined in the podcast by Bridge Michigan reporter Lauren Gibbons who has been covering all the legislative action in Lansing, as well as the federal court case on redistricting. Lauren covers state politics and policy for Bridge Michigan. Prior to joining Bridge's Capitol team, she worked at MLive, where she led coverage of the state Legislature and the redistricting process, and before that covered the state Senate for MIRS News. She has covered the ins and outs of Michigan politics for nearly a decade and has won awards both for her political coverage and her work documenting the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. Lauren grew up in the Lansing area and graduated from Michigan State University, majoring in journalism and history. She lives in Ferndale, and her party tricks include Irish dancing and telling friends what political districts they live in without looking. Reach her at lgibbons@bridgemi.com or on Twitter @LaurenMGibbons. =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA,  a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management ===========================

A group of Michigan voters filed a complaint alleging that former President Donald Trump should be prohibited from being on the Michigan ballot. What disqualifies candidates from being on a ballot? Mark Brewer, an attorney, joined Stephen to discuss why he believes Trump violated the U.S. Constitution. Professor David Orentlicher discusses his concerns with preventing Trump from being on the ballot. And Professor Richard Broughton lends his constitutional insights to the case.

August 22, 2023 ~ Mark Brewer, attorney representing the House Democrats facing recall, talks with Kevin and Tom about how the Board of State Canvassers approved one recall petition against a sitting House Democrat, and rejected another five.

This has been a very very very very very bad week for Donald Trump … and Matt DePerno … and former Representative Daire Rendon … and the Michigan Republican Party.  Spoiler alert: it's another week of our true-crime podcast. But for six state House Democrats who were targeted for recall It was a pretty good week with the state Board of Canvassers rejecting the proposed recall petitions (all of them ably represented by their lawyer, Mark Brewer!) The podcast was recorded minutes after Donald 'Jail-Adverse" Trump was arraigned for the third time this year on felony criminal charges. Joining the conversation as we mark a truly momentous moment in U.S. political history is longtime Trump critic Rick Wilson. A former member of the Republican Party, Rick has produced televised political commercials for governors, U.S. Senate candidates, Super PACs, and corporations. He left the Republican Party following the 2016 United States presidential election, and in late 2019 went on to co-found The Lincoln Project. In 2018, Rick released his first book, Everything Trump Touches Dies, in which he laments the re-alignment of the Republican Party behind Trump. The book reached number one on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list. Wilson's second book, Running Against the Devil: A Plot to Save America from Trump – and Democrats from Themselves, was published in January 2020. He now hosts the podcast “Rick Wilson's The Enemies List.” =========================== This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management ===========================  

Mark Brewer (WB, Archie Comics, Disney) has been inking for a living since a young age. We covered his background and growth when I first interviewed him back in 2020. Today, we catch up to see what he's been up to, how his hunger for knowledge led him into teaching… and how that made him an even better artist (and human).

From The Ley Theatre at Wayne State College, Genevieve Randall and guests have lively conversations about: Music and Art at Wayne State, John G Neihardt, exhibitions at the Blue Cat Gallery, Little Red Hen Theatre productions Also, poetry from Zach Drees, Stephanie Marcellus and Chad Christensen. And, music from Mariachi Negro y Oro, Mark Brewer, Chamber Choir, and Sarah Farr & Angela Miller-Niles.

From The Ley Theatre at Wayne State College, Genevieve Randall and guests have lively conversations about: Music and Art at Wayne State, John G Neihardt, exhibitions at the Blue Cat Gallery, Little Red Hen Theatre productions Also, poetry from Zach Drees, Stephanie Marcellus and Chad Christensen. And, music from Mariachi Negro y Oro, Mark Brewer, Chamber Choir, and Sarah Farr & Angela Miller-Niles.

The Michigan Legislature's 2023 session has officially started. Democrats, now controlling both chambers for the first time in 40 years, have already introduced a raft of high-priority bills. And the 2024 game of political musical chairs is underway. We update the race to succeed Debbie Stabenow in the Senate, and the likely domino effect of that race on Michigan's congressional delegation. Walt Sorg sits in for Mark Brewer who is on vacation. Walt and Jeff decided that makes it a good time to talk about Mark behind his back ... specifically about how Mark was one of the behind-the-scenes heroes of the 2022 midterm election. His constant vigilance over those who would wreak havoc on the electoral process was a big factor in keeping the election and post-election period quiet and without controversy. Some of the stories in this week's panoply of Michigan politics: Perry Johnson considering U.S. Senate bid, launching book Holly Otterbein on Twitter: "Abdul El-Sayed…doesn't “have any plans” to run for Senate in 2024 Ken Coleman on Twitter: "Former state Rep. Leslie Love (D-Detroit) interested in running for U.S. Senate Opinion | Debbie Stabenow retires, but Democrats can keep Michigan's Senate seat - The Washington Post Benson on Michigan Senate run: 'I'm really happy in my current job' Michigan AG Nessel reopens investigation into false Trump electors - Detroit News Dana Nessel: There's ‘clear evidence' to charge fake electors loyal to Trump - Bridge Michigan Returning citizens feel betrayed after Bernstein blasts clerk hire - Detroit Free Press Peters will again chair the Senate Democrats' campaign arm - NBC News AP-NORC Poll on 2023 Priorities CBS News poll: Inflation, cooperation and…investigation? Americans on what the new Congress should — and shouldn't — deliver - CBS News DeVos-funded campaign for school voucher-like plan withdraws petitions in a sign of defeat | Bridge Michigan Ann Arbor Public Schools mask mandate relieves some, frustrates others | Bridge Michigan Michigan Republicans pitch absentee ‘ballot harvesting.' That's not legal. | Bridge Michigan Speaker, Senate Majority Leader Make Priorities Known with First Bills - Senate news release New Democratic majority kicks off session with bills axing Right to Work, 1931 abortion ban ⋆ Michigan Advance Michigan Democrats, back in power in Lansing, eye quick action on tax cuts - Bridge Michigan Historic fight brewing over repeal of Michigan's right-to-work law - Detroit Free Press 8 Republicans vote against Tate as House speaker as GOP grapples with life in the minority ⋆ Michigan Advance =========================== This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in: • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management

PASSED BALL SHOW #66 2/7/2013 Part 1 WITH MARK BREWER AND JUSTIN MILLER; On this version of the PBS, I start out by giving my approval of Felix Hernandez's new contract with the Mariners and General Manager Jack Zduriencik's commitment to perhaps the greatest player in Seattle Mariners history. I speak with former Mets minor league pitching coach Mark Brewer about his experience as a pitching coach and with the young Mets pitchers and AAA manager Wally Backman. I also speak with former Blue Jays, Marlins and Giants RHP Justin Miller about having his arm tattoos covered as well as being on the 2007 Marlins team that eliminated the Mets from postseason contention

Lame ducks, federal subpoenas re: Michigan's 2020 election, a Supreme Court hearing on ending democratic elections, another court hearing on the lawyers who pushed the BIg Lie in Michigan, a bizarre farewell speech from the top Republican in state government, and a new wrinkle in the Democratic Party's plans to shift the presidential primary schedule - a shift that could mean even better news for Michigan. And for the last few days Mark has been in the middle of some of some won't-change-anything recounts … which are really an effort to shore up the BIg Lie conspiracy theories from 2020. Jeff Timmer and Mark Brewer sound off on all of these issues ... and more Some links to help you follow all the crazy: Michigan board slams recounts as 'frivolous,' allows them to proceed - Detroit News Michigan recounts of ballot proposals underway: Here's why - Detroit Free Press Georgia becomes major roadblock to Biden's 2024 primary calendar plan - Axios Atlanta Trump's bad week is bad news for his comeback | CNN Politics Georgia Runoff Election Results: Warnock Beats Walker - The New York Times 'Very lame lame duck': Michigan lawmakers wrap up work for the year - Detroit Free Press Michigan GOP's reign in Legislature ends with a whimper: No spending deal | Bridge Michigan Michigan Senate GOP leader warns of push for 'one world governance Special counsel Jack Smith subpoenas Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin officials for Trump communications in Jan. 6 probe - The Washington Post Justice Department special counsel subpoenas Wayne County Officials - Detroit Free Press North Carolina redistricting case before Supreme Court could lead to profound change - The Washington Post How Right-Wing Groups Set the Stage for the Supreme Court to Rig Future Elections – Mother Jones Sen. Gary Peters issues sweeping report on government's COVID response - Detroit Free Press Senate Dems' victorious campaign QB reluctant to run it back - POLITICO Midwestern House Dems push for leaders between the coasts - POLITICO ________________________________________________ This week's podcast is underwritten by Practical Political Consulting and EPIC-MRA. We thank them for supporting "A Republic, If You Can Keep It."  

Our guest today is Mark Brewer, President and CEO of the Central Florida Foundation. Mark frequently advises private and corporate foundation grantmakers across the region and plays a public policy advisory role on strategy and advisory boards around the state of Florida.   Our conversation on this Giving Tuesday focuses on the role philanthropy in society, best practices on how to be strategic about causes you choose to support, and the major areas of need in Central Florida today.   Our co-hosts today are Steve Curley, CFA, and Colby Donovan. Please enjoy the episode.    Follow the CFA Society of Orlando on Twitter at @CFAOrlandoFL

Delighted to get Mark on the show, he's a great guy, a friend and I was lucky enough to train with him for a couple of years many many years ago!Mark reflects on his judo journey, leaving home in New Zealand at 17 to travel and train in Japan and then Europe. He discusses how he coped with injuries and finding work that he could train around, and finally culminating in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

This week in politics: Mark Brewer takes a victory lap as Pro-Choice advocates win a crucial court test Multiple state legislative candidates knocked off the ballot by the Secretary of State Mike Pence brings his defund the public schools campaign to Michigan Pennsylvania's GOP goes full MAGA; Democrats look to flip a Senate seat Two MAGA candidates bite the dust: Madison Cawthorn falls in North Carolina, a Trump-backed challenge to the Governor of Idaho falls short All that ... inside info bundled with more than a little snark ... on this week's hosts-only presentation!

After 21 years in Suppression with Brampton Fire and Emergency Services, Mark has transferred to the Training Division. In addition to firefighting, he brings years of experience in practical and competitive auto-extrication, and knowledge and wisdom gained from his time as an Honour Guard Member. As the Honour Guard Assistant Director for the past four years, he hopes to continue ensuring that all members understand the deep and meaningful history and tradition of their profession. A recent battle with cancer has reframed his perspective and reinvigorated his love for life and the fire service. Originally from Milton Ontario, he and Diane, his wife of 27 years, raised their two boys where they still reside in Waterdown. @mungobrewer@markbrewer Editing Credit: @bradshea

Another bizarre week in Michigan politics: * former Michigan Republican chairperson Laura Cox is subpoenaed by Congress * the home of two top staffers of former House Speaker Lee Chatfield is raided by the state police * the Michigan Republican Party has an internal fight over how it will count votes at its state convention - will they continue to use the machines they bought from Dominion? Mark Brewer and Jeff Timmer analyze the political fallout. Then they are joined by Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist for a broad-ranging discussion of the Whitmer administration's priorities for 2022 and beyond. Lt. Governor Gilchrist's professional background is in technology, receiving his first computer at age five and setting up a computer lab in a Detroit community recreation center using computers that he built himself at age 16. He studied computer engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, graduating with honors, and later had a successful career as a software engineer at Microsoft, helping to build SharePoint into the fastest growing product in the company's history. Lt. Governor Gilchrist spent the next several years of his career as a social entrepreneur and community organizer who helped people in communities across America realize their full economic and political potential. As part of the Whitmer Administration, Lt. Governor Gilchrist has sought to address injustice and inequity across our state at every level co-chairing the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration to leading the Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities. Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and his wife, Ellen, reside in Detroit where they are raising their twins, Emily and Garlin III, and daughter, Ruby.  

For the first time ever, Michigan's new congressional and legislative district maps have been drawn by non-politicians: the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, created by the 2018 ballot proposal 2. What does it mean for Michigan's political balance of power? And will the maps survive inevitable court challenges? Mark Brewer and Jeff Timmer are both experts on partisan redistricting from previous battles. They are joined by longtime Lansing political columnist Bill Ballenger to analyze what's happened. Ballenger is a former state Representative and state Senator. For more than 40 years he's been one of the state's most respected commentators on the Michigan political scene. He founded the insiders' newsletter Inside Michigan Politics, and later started his Ballenger Report Blog and weekly podcast. Here are the final maps approved by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission on December 28th: Congressional: Chestnut State Senate: Linden State House: Hickory

Mark Brewer details the ballot proposal campaign he's leading to award Michigan's electoral votes to the national popular vote winner. The proposal, if approved by voters, would only become effective if states representing at least 270 electoral votes (a majority) were a part of the Electoral College Compact. Then, the discussion shifts to money: campaign fundraising. Joining the discussion is Simon Schuster, executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. Schuster was a reporter for the Michigan Information & Research Service and a freelance reporter for The Washington Post and The Detroit News. He earned his bachelor's and Master of Public Policy degrees from Michigan State University, where he was a graduate policy fellow at the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. Schuster has served on the boards of two Michigan non-profits, including serving as board president of MSU's The State News.

Jeff Timmer and Mark Brewer take a look at an under-reported effort by state Republicans to bring potential chaos to the 2024 election: stacking local boards of canvassers with "Big Lie" disciples. The end game: instead of voters deciding the outcome, Michigan's Legislature decides who gets the state's electoral votes. They are then joined by outspoken conservative commentator Charlie Sykes, a lifelong Republican who was one of the first never-Trumpers. Sykes is founder and editor-in-chief of the website The Bulwark and host of the Bulwark podcast. From 1993 to 2016, Sykes hosted a conservative talk show on WTMJ in Milwaukee. He was also the editor of Right Wisconsin. Sykes did not support the Donald Trump presidential 2016 bid, campaigning against him and instead choosing to cast a write-in vote for independent conservative candidate Evan McMullin. (Jeff) In December 2016, Sykes wrote an op-ed for The New York Times suggesting that the conservative movement had lost its way during the 2016 campaign, saying "...as we learned this year, we had succeeded in persuading our audiences to ignore and discount any information from the mainstream media. Over time, we'd succeeded in delegitimizing the media altogether — all the normal guideposts were down, the referees discredited."  

The Big Lie lives on in Michigan and nationally. Mark Brewer and Jeff Timmer comment on the latest efforts to disrupt our democratic system through Trump's core mendacity. They are then joined by columnist and military historian Max Boot, a self-described former conservative Republican who now says the overriding issue today is preserving our democratic republic. Boot has been called one of the “world's leading authorities on armed conflict” by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. He is the Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Senior Fellow in National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a columnist for the Washington Post. He has written five other best-selling books, including The Road Not Taken: Edward Lansdale and the American Tragedy in Vietnam, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Biography.  Boot was a senior foreign policy adviser to John McCain's presidential campaign in 2007–08, Mitt Romney's campaign in 2011–12, and Marco Rubio's campaign in 2015-2016. He served as an adviser to U.S. commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has lectured on behalf of the U.S. State Department and at many military institutions, including the Army, Navy, and Air War Colleges, the Australian Defense College, the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare School, West Point, and the Naval Academy.  

President Biden launches a national blitz for his agenda in Michigan. Jeff Timmer and Mark Brewer analyze the President's choice of location, and the impact of Build Back Better on Michigan Politics. Then they are joined by political scientist and new-age campaign consultant Dr. Rachel Bitecofer. Bitecofer is founder of the STRIKE-PAC. The mission: Where Democratic electioneering is now slow and reactive, STRIKE PAC makes it fast and proactive. With STRIKE PAC and other key innovators like Stacey Abrams leading the way, Democrats will be able to campaign more effectively in a polarized, hyper-partisan environment where “who votes” determines “who wins” and effective messaging and branding strategies are crucial to a party's success. Dr. Bitecofer earned her Ph.D. in political science and international affairs from the University of Georgia. In 2015 she became a lecturer at Christopher Newport University and assistant director of the Wason Center for Public Policy where she conducted polling. In 2019 moved to the Niskanen Center, a centrist think tank in Washington, D.C. Her analysis has appeared on multiple media platforms including MSNBC and The New York Times. She wrote the 2017 book The Unprecedented 2016 Presidential Election on the election of Donald Trump and runs a podcast titled The Election Whisperer.

Mark Brewer discusses the ballot proposal he's launching towards getting rid of the Electoral College (no more 2nd-place finishers in the White House), and Jeff analyzes another chaotic week for Michigan Republicans as their big-ticket Mackinac Conference finishes 2nd in attendance to a grassroots rally of party insurgents. They are then joined by nationally renowned pollster Celinda Lake. Lake is one of the Democratic Party's leading political strategists. She was one of two lead pollsters for the Biden campaign in 2020 and continues to serve as a pollster to the Democratic National Committee (DNC), other national party committees, and dozens of Democratic incumbents and challengers at all levels of the electoral process. Celinda and her firm, Lake Research Partners, are known for cutting-edge research on issues including the economy, health care, the environment, and education. Her international work has included work in Liberia, Belarus, Ukraine, South Africa, and Central America. Since its formation, Lake Research Partners has become one of the most respected Democratic polling firms in the country. The firm's work has moved the progressive agenda forward on a variety of issues. Working against conservatives, Celinda's research demonstrated that the phrase "religious political extremists” was much more communicative than the vernacular "religious right." In the health care arena, her research has shown that talking about "reducing health care costs" is key, as well as focusing on the 8 out of 10 working families without adequate health insurance. Lake is one of the nation's foremost experts on electing women candidates and on framing issues to women voters. American Politics calls Celinda a "super-strategist or, better yet, the Godmother," and Working Woman says she is "arguably the most influential woman in her field." She is renowned for her groundbreaking research on single women voters in conjunction with the Voter Participation Center and has helped elect numerous female candidates, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, former Senator Barbara Mikulski – also known as the "Dean" of Women Senators –  former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, former Attorney General Patricia Madrid – the first Hispanic woman Attorney General in New Mexico– and former Senator Carol Moseley-Braun in her historic victory to become the first African-American woman to be elected to the United States Senate. Celinda has also worked with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the House. Celinda has a long record of defeating incumbents, including congressional races for former Representative Donna Edwards, Representative Jerry McNerney, and former Representative Tim Walz. Celinda has also defeated several incumbents in the Senate, electing Senator Debbie Stabenow in Michigan, Senator Jon Tester in Montana, and former Senator Mark Begich in Alaska. She polled for West Virginia Governor Bob Wise's win over incumbent Cecil H. Underwood. And, in 2006, Celinda was an integral part of the successful effort to help Democrats take back control of the House of Representatives. Lake Research Partners has a long history of successful statewide initiative campaigns. Celinda polled in California to beat parental notification initiatives three times in a row. In 2006, Celinda helped with successful minimum wage campaigns in five states and was the pollster on the first successful effort to defeat an anti-gay marriage initiative in Arizona. During the 1992 election cycle, Lake oversaw focus group research for the Clinton-Gore campaign and served as a general consultant throughout the campaign. She is also credited with identifying key voter groups including Reagan seniors, NASCAR dads, waitress moms, the marriage gap, and generation D. In 2005, she and Kellyanne Conway published What Women Really Want, which examines the ways women are changing the political landscape in America,

Mark Brewer and Jeff Timmer offer their take on Donald Trump's intrusion into the Michigan GOP races for Secretary of State and Attorney General. Will his backing of far-right "Big Lie" promoters overcome the private hesitancy of party chair Ron Weiser? The two of them are also veterans of multiple battles over redistricting. They analyze the first draft maps published by the new Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. Michigan loses one seat in Congress. Which party is more likely to prevail with the proposed boundaries? In the second segment they are joined by international affairs expert and best-selling author Dr. Tom Nichols. Nichols is the author of the newly published best seller Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from within on Modern Democracy. His previous 7 books includes The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters, published in 2017, a study of why people mistrust established knowledge and how this damages democratic stability. … a title even more relevant 4 years later. Nichols is an academic specialist on international affairs, currently a professor at the U.S. Naval War College and at the Harvard Extension School. His work deals with issues involving Russia, nuclear weapons, and national security affairs. He was previously a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Nichols describes himself as a Never Trump conservative and a former Republican. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Nichols argued that conservatives should vote for Hillary Clinton, whom he detested, because Trump was "too mentally unstable" to serve as commander-in-chief. Nichols continued that argument for the 2018 midterm elections.

This week Mark Brewer and Jeff Timmer discuss in depth three of the issues that are driving politics: The Texas ban on virtually all abortions, 49 years after Roe v Wade The red-blue divide on voter suppression laws The new, organized far-right effort to control school boards through intimidation and organization Along the way, we get their analysis of why the upcoming state Republican summit on Mackinac Island is losing speakers. Mike Pence and Nikki Haley are "out" - are others also suddenly developing "scheduling conflicts"?

How does the new John Lewis Voting Rights Act - passed Tuesday by the House of Representatives - offer the potential for breaking the Senate deadlock over the filibuster? Mark Brewer explains changes in the bill and tells why it could convince Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema to support bypassing the filibuster to enact the bill. Then, Mark and Jeff Timmer are joined by the co-founder of Michigan's top polling company, Bernie Porn of EPIC-MRA. Now in its 36th year, the company is ranked as Michigan's top polling firm by FiveThirtyEight.com. Porn has nearly a half-century in public policy research, beginning as a staffer for the Michigan House of Representatives. EPIC·MRA is the most quoted polling firm in Michigan and regularly cited by both national and state media outlets. Michigan media clients include Detroit Free Press, WXYZ TV7, WOOD TV8, WJRT TV12 and WLNS TV6. The company's most recent poll, conducted for the Free Press, is at the heart of today's discussion.

What does the census mean for upcoming Michigan elections? In the opening segment Mark Brewer and Jeff Timmer, both veterans of redistricting wars, analyze the changes in Michigan's population. And they discuss the re-emergence of John Engler on the Michigan political stage. In segment two, they are joined by Amanda Carpenter. Carpenter is an American author, political advisor, and speechwriter. She is a former senior staffer to Senators Jim DeMint and Ted Cruz. She was a columnist for The Washington Times from 2009 to 2010 and regularly appears as a political contributor on CNN. Carpenter grew up in Montrose, Michigan. She worked as a congressional correspondent for Human Events from 2005 to 2007 before going to Townhall.com to become its national political reporter. In July 2015, Carpenter returned to her journalism career. She is a contributor for CNN. She is known for critiquing President Trump, in particular his treatment of women. Carpenter has said that she agrees with some of his policy decisions, but that the scandals surrounding his presidency make it "very difficult" to defend him. In her 2018 book Gaslighting America: Why We Love It When Trump Lies to Us, she critiques Trump's propensity for lying.  

In the opening segment, Mark Brewer shares his thoughts on his longtime friend and colleague, Sen. Carl Levin. Then Mark is joined by Jeff Timmer and political commentator Tara Setmayer. A llfelong conservative, Tara is a former CNN political commentator, contributor to ABC News and a former Republican Communications Director on Capitol Hill. She has appeared on ABC's The View. ABC's Good Morning America, and on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. In  2020, she was named as a Harvard Institute of Politics Spring 2020 Resident Fellow. Also in January 2020, she joined The Lincoln Project as a senior advisor and hosts the live show "The Breakdown" along side co-founder Rick Wilson, on the organization's streaming channel, LPTV.  In 2017, Setmayer was named as a board director for Stand Up Republic, a non-profit organization formed in the wake of the 2016 election of Donald Trump to unite Americans behind the defense of democratic norms, ideals and institutions. Setmayer focuses her "tell it like it is" commentary and analysis on political issues that impact America's future. During the 2016 presidential election cycle, she earned the reputation of being an outspoken conservative critic of Donald Trump and challenged his surrogates on the veracity of their claims. Vulture.com recognized her as one of 2016's "Top 20 Election Coverage Stars" on TV.

In the opening segment, Jeff Timmer discusses how the departure of Michigan Republican Party executive director Jason Roe hurts the party as the internal RINO cleansing continues, and details his campaign finance complaint against soon-to-be-official gubernatorial candidate James Craig. Jeff and Mark Brewer are then joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tom Hamburger. He is an investigative reporter on the national desk of The Washington Post who has covered the White House, Congress and regulatory agencies, with a focus on the intersection of money and politics. He joined The Post in early 2012, having worked previously for the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, McClatchy Newspapers, The Minneapolis Star Tribune and The Arkansas Gazette.  His writing has received numerous national awards and citations, including the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting for work with a team of Washington Post reporters for coverage of the Trump campaign's ties to the Russian government (what Trump calls the “Russia hoax"). Hamburger has contributed to several books on national politics and policy and was the author, with Peter Wallsten, of the 2006 book "One Party Country," which described the Republican quest for political dominance on the state and national level during the presidency of George W. Bush.

Jeff Timmer and Mark Brewer are joined by outspoken attorney George Conway. Conway, a lifelong conservative, was considered by President Donald Trump for the position of Solicitor General of the United States, and a post as an assistant attorney general heading the Civil Division at the United States Department of Justice, but withdrew himself from consideration.  He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard, and was Law Journal editor at Yale.  In 2018 Conway emerged as a vocal Trump critic. During the 2020 presidential election, Conway was notably involved with the Lincoln Project, a coalition of former Republicans dedicated to defeating Trump, which prompted the former president to call him “a stone cold LOSER”. "America and the Republican Party need more losers just like him." - Jeff Timmer

Highlighting this week's discussion: Jeff Timmer and Mark Brewer take note of the Trump Education Secretary's recent high visibility in Michigan GOP events ... and ask longtime political consultant/analyst Matthew Dowd if the west Michigan billionaire may be angling to take on Gretchen Whitmer in 2022. A native of Detroit, Dowd began his political career as a Democrat, as a member of Senator Lloyd Bentsen's Senate and campaign staffs. In 1999, he switched parties to become a Republican. During the 2002 midterm elections, he was a senior adviser to the Republican National Committee; in the 2004 presidential election, he was chief strategist for George W. Bush's re-election campaign; in 2006 was the strategist for Arnold Schwarzenegger's reelection campaign. Dowd is currently a founding partner of ViaNovo, a strategy consultancy. He has taught at the University of Texas Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and is also a visiting Fellow at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. He is co-author of the New York Times bestseller Applebee's America: How Successful Political, Business and Religious Leaders Connect with the New American Community. His book, A New Way: Embracing the Paradox as We Lead and Serve, was released in 2017.