Meyerside Chats: Government, Policy & Civility

Why is politics so broken — and why do we keep blaming our presidents for everything?Is dark money the real problem… or is it the incentive structure behind the system?In this episode of Meyerside Chats, I sit down with Neil Thanedar — Executive Director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, author of Positive Politics, and a founder who went through Y Combinator — to explore campaign finance reform, political incentives, direct democracy, and how everyday citizens can move from outrage to action.Neil draws a powerful parallel between startups and politics — asking: what if there were a “Y Combinator for politics”? A structured accelerator that helps ambitious optimists launch campaigns, pass ballot initiatives, and build real civic momentum the same way founders build companies.As the son of U.S. Congressman Shri Thanedar — and someone who helped guide and advise his father’s congressional campaigns — Neil brings firsthand insight into how incentives, messaging, fundraising pressure, and party structures shape political decisions long before legislation is ever passed.We unpack:• Why presidents get too much credit — and too much blame• How money and party incentives drive political behavior• Whether you must pick a political party to succeed• Direct democracy and ballot initiatives as reform tools• The “Y Combinator for Politics” concept• Applying startup discipline to civic reform• The human reality of serving in Congress• Why action beats social media outrageIf you care about political reform, startup thinking, civic engagement, or breaking the red vs blue blame cycle — this conversation is for you.Check it out, and please subscribe to support our mission: https://youtu.be/zkpyJUEYWJ8⏱ CHAPTERS00:00 Intro02:30 Changing Political Incentives06:45 The Startup Mindset in Politics09:30 What If There Were a Y Combinator for Politics?14:00 Why Most Candidates Quit After One Loss18:40 Complaining vs Civic Action22:00 The Presidential Blame Cycle27:30 Direct Democracy & Ballot Reform32:00 Do You Have to Pick a Party?38:00 Fighting Corruption Without Becoming Toxic46:00 Inside Congress: The Human Reality52:00 Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena”55:00 Final TakeawaysSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Are we truly as divided as we’re told — or are we being conditioned to believe we are?In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan sits down with Adam Mizel — longtime CEO, investor, and co-founder of US United — to explore how media incentives, cognitive bias, and social algorithms amplify division while drowning out unity.At the heart of this conversation is a powerful idea: we can change the algorithm.Adam argues that polarization isn’t just political — it’s cultural and psychological. Social media rewards outrage. News cycles reward conflict. Labels replace people. But what if millions of Americans deliberately posted stories of cooperation, compassion, and bridge-building once a week? What if we overwhelmed the system with unity instead of anger?They explore:What a “fact” really is — and why definitions matterHow media and incentives distort perceptionWhy politics has become identityThe psychology behind tribalism and confirmation biasThe wealth and power dynamics that fuel divisionThe “Unity Seats” concept at sporting eventsHow storytelling and lived experience shift mindsWhy self-work is the starting point for cultural changeIf division is profitable, unity must be intentional.This episode challenges you to rethink how you consume information — and how you contribute to the algorithm shaping our culture.Chapters00:00 Introduction 02:00 US United & The Mission of Unity 07:45 What Is a “Fact”? 12:00 Media Manipulation & Algorithmic Incentives 18:30 Politics as Identity 24:00 Abortion & Moral Complexity 35:00 Wealth, Power & Democracy 47:00 Self-Work & Psychological Awareness 55:00 Changing the Algorithm 59:30 Unity Seats & Cultural SolutionsIf this conversation resonates, share it — especially with someone who sees the world differently than you.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

In this episode of Meyerside Chats, I sit down with Mark Pinsley, the elected Controller of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, for a wide-ranging conversation on transparency, public trust, and how government financial systems really work when you look under the hood.Mark explains why his office uncovered unpaid rent tied to ICE’s use of county buildings, how a simple breakdown in contracts and oversight led to years of missed payments, and why fiscal accountability must remain separate from political pressure—even when the headlines get loud.We also dive deep into:Why 70% of county spending goes to law and orderHow jail phone commissions and healthcare middlemen distort incentivesThe hidden role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and how Lehigh County saved millions by auditing themWhat government efficiency efforts get right—and wrong—when compared to initiatives like DOGEWhy transparency changes behavior before laws ever doHow political labels collide with the reality of independent oversightThe rising personal risks faced by local officials—and how we lower the temperatureThis conversation isn’t about left vs. right. It’s about systems vs. incentives, people vs. power, and what it actually takes to earn public trust in government again.Video here:  https://youtu.be/1Crt-mysGG800:00 Intro – What a County Controller Actually Does01:10 Evicting ICE: How the County Discovered Unpaid Rent02:25 Contracts, Oversight Failures, and Government Blind Spots04:05 Separating Fiscal Oversight from Political Polarization05:40 ICE, Community Trust, and Reporting Crime Without Fear08:50 Citizens vs Residents: How County Spending Really Works10:40 Where County Money Actually Goes (71% to Law & Order)13:30 Balancing Objectivity and Personal Convictions as Controller15:30 Public Defenders vs Prosecutors: A Budget Fairness Problem16:45 Why Mark Identifies as a Democrat (and What That Really Means)18:10 Populism, Corporate Power, and Anti-Trust Failures20:40 Why Independents Can’t Win (Yet) + Ranked Choice Voting22:10 Modernizing Government Systems: Process Before Software23:30 Tools of Oversight: Excel, Python, and Catching Errors24:45 Legacy Systems, Data Access, and Why IT Bottlenecks Matter26:00 DOGE: Good Idea, Flawed Execution28:10 Can Government Really Cut $2 Trillion?29:40 Who Should Pay More Taxes—and Why32:10 Wealth, Assets, and Buying Influence34:00 Money in Politics and the Limits of Reform36:30 Why Transparency Is the Real First Step39:15 Civics Education and Who People Blame (Wrongly)41:50 Where Mark Gets His News—and Why He Trusts None of It43:40 Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Hidden Healthcare Grift46:30 How Lehigh CouSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Cincinnati City Councilmember Mark Jeffreys joins Meyerside Chats for a grounded, wide-ranging conversation on how cities actually govern during moments of national tension.Drawing on his background as a Procter & Gamble executive, entrepreneur, and public servant, Jeffreys explains how local governments balance housing shortages, public safety, federal immigration enforcement, media narratives, and community trust — all while operating within real political and legal limits.This episode covers housing supply, federal-local power dynamics, data-driven governance, political narratives, AI in government, and how cities can remain pragmatic in an increasingly polarized environment.🎧 Available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Local leadership in national moments01:05 – What’s top of mind for Cincinnati residents right now03:30 – Minneapolis, ICE, and local government anxiety06:00 – Separating public safety facts from political narratives09:00 – Data vs headlines: how cities assess risk11:30 – Procter & Gamble, brands, and political narratives14:45 – KPIs, bureaucracy, and governing by metrics18:20 – Housing supply, zoning, and neighborhood resistance22:00 – Why housing has become so polarized26:10 – Comparing Cincinnati and California housing policy30:00 – Why developers won’t build at 3% returns33:30 – AI, automation, and the future of city government37:30 – One-party cities, red states, and balance of power41:45 – How to restore healthy debate without culture wars46:00 – What real federal-local collaboration should look like48:00 – Closing thoughts on trust, safety, and governance 🎧 Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GR_TnZGjZ28Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

What really changed after the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision—and why do most Americans believe it broke democracy?In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer sits down with Tiffany Muller, President and Executive Director of End Citizens United, for a deep, practical conversation about money in politics, dark money, corporate influence, and what can actually be done to fix it.Tiffany brings rare, end-to-end experience to this conversation—having served as an elected City Council Member on the Topeka City Council, Deputy Political Director at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Chief of Staff to a Member of Congress. Together, we explore how incentives—not just ideology—shape political behavior, why reform remains bipartisan among voters but partisan in Washington, and whether democracy can be “unrigged” without changing human nature itself.🎧 You can also find the audio version on your favorite podcast players.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Introduction & Tiffany Muller’s background01:50 – What Citizens United actually decided03:40 – How money creates gridlock & public distrust06:30 – Super PACs, dark money & billionaire influence09:10 – Campaign donations vs lobbying explained12:40 – The revolving door: Congress → lobbying16:00 – Is corruption just human nature?20:40 – Why voters support reform but Congress resists24:30 – Supreme Court ethics & reform ideas29:50 – A realistic roadmap to reform35:00 – Why reform has become partisan38:20 – Local politics, civic engagement & hope42:00 – Final reflections & how to get involvedSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

What do paid protests actually represent in modern society?In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer sits down with Adam Swart, founder of Crowds on Demand, for a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation about how public demonstrations are organized, funded, perceived, and often misunderstood.Rather than debating headlines, this discussion explores the mechanics, tradeoffs, and philosophical questions behind modern protest movements — including authenticity, transparency, media incentives, and how crowds differ from true measures of public opinion.This episode is about understanding how influence, visibility, and civic participation actually work today.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Introduction Adam Swart’s background and why modern protests deserve deeper examination01:45 – How Crowds on Demand Works From first inquiry to campaign strategy and execution04:50 – Lessons from Political Campaigning What Adam learned working in electoral politics and how it applies today06:30 – Why Context Matters More Than Crowd Size Media attention, symbolism, and strategic visibility09:05 – Paid Participation vs. Authentic Engagement How authenticity is defined, sourced, and maintained11:45 – Who Gets Left Out of “Grassroots” Activism Time, money, opportunity cost, and civic access14:00 – Protest, Pressure, and Power Structures Unions, staffers, institutions, and informal coercion16:40 – Criticism, Class, and Bad-Faith Arguments Who gets paid to speak — and why that matters18:45 – Transparency in Political Protest The proposed Transparency & Political Protest Act22:30 – Manufactured Support vs. Public Awareness Why protests are not polls — and never were26:40 – Social Media, Protests, and Misread Signals Why visibility ≠ public consensus30:00 – Statistics, Data, and False Inference Why crowds and metrics are often misunderstood35:30 – Measuring ROI in Advocacy Campaigns When outcomes are tangible — and when they aren’t38:45 – Notable Campaigns & Real-World Impact From prescription drugs to tech accountability41:45 – Choosing Clients & Drawing Ethical Lines Merit, free speech, and where Adam says no44:30 – Causes Adam Wants to Champion Social media reform, food systems, and better cities48:15 – Cities, Governance, and Practical Outcomes Why results matter more than rhetoric52:30 – Social Media Incentives & Platform Failure Crime, virality, spam, and moderation tradeoffs56:30 – Closing Reflections Understanding nuance beyond headlines🎧 Why This Episode MattersSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer sits down with Dr. Nelva Lee, healthcare executive, former gubernatorial appointee, and candidate for Georgia Superintendent of Schools, to unpack why the system is failing — and what practical reforms could actually work.Dr. Lee shares firsthand insight from:Serving on Georgia’s Department of Community Health boardRunning a medical & court interpreting agencyHomeschooling and navigating special education systemsCampaigning statewide for education reformTopics covered:Why government moves slowly — and when it can move fastTrade school certification for every high-school graduateTrue school choice & funding that follows studentsWhy 50% of education funding goes to administrationAI in classrooms: tool vs threatLanguage barriers, medical errors, and healthcare outcomesWhy values — not party labels — drive policy decisionsThis is a policy-grounded, real-world conversation about education, healthcare, and how leadership decisions actually affect families.📌 Learn more about Dr. Nelva Lee:👉 https://drnelvalee.com🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform🔔 Subscribe for more conversations bridging citizens & governmentChapters Time Chapter0:00 Introduction: Why Georgia’s Education Rankings Matter2:10 Why Government Moves So Slowly5:30 Trade Schools for Every Graduate8:45 Homeschooling, Special Needs & Montessori11:40 School Choice & Funding That Follows Students14:00 Why 50% of Education Spending Is Administrative16:10 AI in Education: Tool, Not Replacement19:40 Language Barriers & Medical Errors23:30 Fixing Prescription & Healthcare System Failures26:10 Faith, Values & Political Identity30:40 Black Republicans & Political Stereotypes34:00 Georgia’s Decline — And What Must Change36:00 Final Message to Georgia VotersSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Most Americans feel unrepresented — trapped between “the lesser of two evils,” media narratives, and party gatekeeping.In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer sits down with Travis Misurell, founder of FiNC (Future Is Now Coalition), to explore a radically different idea: a citizen-owned digital democracy.We unpack how money, media concentration, and party infrastructure shape elections long before voters ever see a ballot — and how a “People’s Primary” could give independent, third-party, and grassroots candidates a real chance to compete.This conversation goes beyond Left vs Right and introduces a new lens: People-first vs Power-first politics — and what citizens can do right now to reclaim representation.Guest: Travis Misurell (Founder, FiNC)Host: Evan Meyer🔗 Learn more & get involved: https://futureis.org🔗 Digital Politics Hub: https://hub.futureis.orgChapters00:00 Introduction & Why the System Feels Rigged01:30 The Concentration of Power, Money, and Media04:00 Why “Lesser of Two Evils” Keeps Winning07:00 A Citizen-Owned Alternative to Party Infrastructure10:30 What It Means for Citizens to “Buy In”13:00 Independent Journalists & Media Accountability18:30 Beyond Left vs Right: People vs Power23:00 How the Digital Politics Hub Works27:30 The People’s Primary Explained32:00 Are Third-Party Votes Really “Wasted”?36:00 What Citizens Can Do Right Now41:00 Final Thoughts on Rebuilding DemocracySupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

In this conversation, Evan Meyer and Alexander Rogan discuss the critical issues surrounding cybersecurity, particularly in government and public systems. Rogan shares his background and the innovative approach of his company, Abatis, which aims to prevent cyber attacks before they occur. They explore the challenges faced by government agencies in securing their systems, the financial implications of cybersecurity failures, and the role of AI in both facilitating and combating cyber threats. The discussion emphasizes the need for accountability in cybersecurity practices and the importance of integrating security into political platforms as technology continues to evolve.00:00 – Why cybersecurity is really a trust issue02:10 – Alexander Rogan’s background & Russia experience04:30 – Notable government cyber breaches (SolarWinds)06:40 – Why detection-based security fails10:20 – CrowdStrike, Cloudflare & centralized risk14:40 – Incentives inside the cybersecurity industry18:30 – What happens when governments get hacked22:00 – Nation-state attacks & critical infrastructure26:00 – How AI accelerates cyber threats31:00 – Why government systems can’t keep up36:00 – Legacy systems, DMVs & public services41:20 – Cybersecurity as a pillar of public trust47:00 – Why prevention is politically uncomfortable52:00 – Final reflections on trust & governancekeywordscybersecurity, trust, government, AI, breaches, infrastructure, risk management, public safety, technology, digital systemsSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

What if modern politics is failing for the same reason bad parenting fails?In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer sits down with political psychologist Lura Forcum, President of the Independence Center, to explore a powerful and uncomfortable truth: you can have control, or you can have a relationship—but not both.Using insights from psychology, public policy, and real-world governance, this conversation breaks down much of the deeper issues behind our polarization. You’ll learn:- Why reactance explains voter backlash and polarization- How political control mirrors ineffective parenting- Why trust matters more than power in a healthy democracy- How identity politics shuts down problem-solving- Why independent voters and “politically homeless” Americans are ignored- How unfixed problems become politically valuableIf you’re tired of outrage politics and want a deeper, more psychologically grounded way to understand what’s breaking democracy—and how to fix it—this episode is for you.🎙 Guest: Lura ForcumPresident, Independence CenterPolitical Psychology • Civic Trust • Independent Voters🌐 https://www.independencecenter.org🎧 Meyerside Chats features long-form conversations with thinkers, builders, and leaders working to make politics and institutions function better.⏱ Timestamps / Chapters00:00 – Why this conversation matters01:15 – Four years of Meyerside Chats & polarization03:10 – Why good intentions create bad policy05:40 – Reactance: why forcing people backfires08:10 – COVID, control, and behavioral resistance11:05 – Politics like parenting explained14:20 – Control vs relationship in democracy17:30 – Why trust matters more than authority20:45 – Identity vs belief in politics24:00 – Why nuance disappeared27:15 – The myth of party alignment30:10 – Urban vs rural political blind spots33:00 – Tribal instincts and dehumanization36:15 – When conflict replaces competition39:10 – Why parties avoid solving problems41:50 – The politically homeless voter45:30 – How independents threaten power48:15 – Local government as the fix51:00 – What a healthier democracy looks like54:00 – Final thoughts & where to find LuraSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Ever wonder who actually shapes our elections — the candidates, the parties, or the consultants behind the scenes?In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer sits down with Eva Posner, founder of Evinco Strategies, a full-service Democratic consulting firm helping first-time and underrepresented candidates run and win all over the country. From county assessor races to million-dollar campaigns, Eva has seen how the political industrial complex really works — and where it’s quietly warping our democracy. We dive into negative campaigning, ballot guide language, why California can be “performatively progressive,” and how local politics (the stuff that actually touches your life) gets overshadowed by presidential horse races.🎧 What we cover:– How Sandy Hook pushed Eva from journalism into campaigns and political consulting– Why Sandy Hook pushed her to work on the “fixing” side of politics– What the political industrial complex looks like from the inside– Why California can be “performatively progressive”– Why she only works with Democratic & left-leaning causes — and still battles the cognitive dissonance of performing her work in this industry–How consultants, vendors, and “percentage deals” shape strategy and messaging–The surprising power (and manipulation) inside voter information pamphlets– Why local offices matter more to your daily life than the president ever will– How negative campaigning works and where she draws ethical lines– Why local offices matter far more to your daily life than the presidential race– The surprising ways voters are misinformed (or underinformed)–  How to run for office without losing your integrity--- 📌 Chapters00:00 – Intro – Who is Eva Posner and why this conversation matters02:00 – From political journalism to campaigns – Sandy Hook, motherhood, and changing careers 06:25 – Starting Evinco Strategies – Why she went out on her own & what “full-service” really means 08:10 – Living red & blue – Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, California, Virginia and what they actually have in common12:00 – Shared values vs different approaches – Safety, climate, and why voters who disagree aren’t stupid13:10 – Defining the Political Industrial Complex – How profit, vendors, and kickbacks steer campaigns 18:50 – Cognitive dissonance & doing this work – “Am I part of the problem?”21:00 – Writing the voter pamphlet to win – What’s really going into those ballots you get in the mail 25:00 – Where’s the line on negative campaigning? – What’s fair game and what’s off-limits30:30 – Nonpartisan races, labels, and missing information – Why she thinks every candidate’s party should be on the ballot35:40 – Propaganda, algorithms & broken civic education – Why we can’t even agree on the color of the skySupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Guest: Crom Carmichael – investor in 60+ startups, host of From Our Generation, and creator of Giants of Political ThoughtIn this episode, Evan Meyer and Crom dig into why healthcare in America costs what it does — and what could truly fix it. They unpack how price transparency, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and market-driven competition could bring down costs by up to 70%, and why innovation is inherently destructive to old, inefficient systems.Along the way, Crom explains the absurd incentives in today’s insurance system (like getting billed $6,600 for a $1,200 colonoscopy), shares a skin cancer story that reveals why doctors are paid per visit rather than per solution, and walks through how WWII-era policies still shape healthcare pricing today.They also explore:Why innovation needs intellectual property protectionThe economics of creative destructionWhat Uber, taxi medallions, and Waymo teach us about breaking regulatory captureThe beauty of nuance in civic debate and political philosophy⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro & Crom’s background (60+ startups; political philosophy roots)02:30 – Nobel Prize & innovation: why IP protection matters04:50 – The government shutdown analogy & innovation’s “destruction”13:54 – The $1,200 vs $6,600 colonoscopy and broken incentives15:35 – HSAs + price transparency could drop outpatient costs 70%19:00 – WWII wage controls created employer-based insurance29:50 – Taxi medallions → Uber → Waymo: breaking captured markets39:00 – Political philosophy: from Plato to today’s “nuance gap”42:00 – MDsave & paying cash for procedures: mdsave.com45:00 – Crom’s personal health routine & Soltea47:30 – Wrap-up: Giants of Political Thought, Rousseau to Locke🔗 Links Mentioned🎙️ Meyerside Chats podcast: https://meyersidechats.buzzsprout.com📚 Giants of Political Thought: https://giantsofpoliticalthought.com💸 Cash-price care examples: https://www.mdsave.com🧃 Soltea (green tea supplement): https://soltea.com🧠 Evan Meyer: https://evanmeyer.io | LinkedIn💬 About Crom CarmichaelCrom is an entrepreneur, investor, and lifelong student of political philosophy. Through Giants of Political Thought, he curates the works of history’s most influential thinkers—from Locke and Adam Smith to Marx and Wollstonecraft—making them accessible through audio and streaming.📬 About Meyerside ChatsMeyerside Chats features civic innovators, leaders, and thinkers exploring how we fix broken systems with transparency, innovation, and empathy.🔔 Subscribe for conversations that cut through partisanship to find practical, human solutions.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

How do bills really get passed — or stopped — in California? 🏛️In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer sits down with California State Senator Roger Niello (6th District, Vice Chair of the Senate Budget Committee) to discuss:- The real process behind passing legislation — and why some bills never see a vote.- The Title & Summary Bill and efforts to reduce bias in ballot measures.- California’s budget challenges and the push for fiscal responsibility.- The role of transparency, bipartisanship, and civic engagement in a supermajority state.- How artificial intelligence could change government operations.Whether you’re passionate about politics, governance, or understanding how laws are made, this conversation offers a rare insider’s perspective on the power and process shaping California.📌 Chapters:0:00 Intro3:00 How Bills Live or Die in Sacramento10:00 Bias in Ballot Summaries18:00 Civic Education & Engagement19:00 California’s Budget Challenges30:00 AI in the Legislature34:00 Closing ThoughtsSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

In this episode of Meyerside Chats, I sit down with Vijay Luthra—a UK-based public service reformist, ex-councilmember, and management consultant—to explore the future of government, the crisis in public trust, and why systems must evolve to meet 21st-century challenges. We dive into small “p” vs. big “P” politics, the transformation of the NHS, trade unions, and lessons from Brexit for the U.S.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about government innovation, local leadership, and global civic lessons.⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters:00:00 | 🎙️ Introduction & Welcome01:00 | Vijay’s Unusual Journey from Roadie to Public Servant03:00 | Big "P" vs Small "p" Politics Explained06:00 | The Decline of Public Service Ethos08:00 | Founding Siva: Reforming Public Services from Outside10:00 | Entrepreneurship & Bureaucracy: Where They Meet13:00 | Local Government, Risk, and Innovation Constraints15:00 | The Power of Local Engagement in the UK & US17:00 | NHS Transformation: The Biggest Reform in a Generation20:00 | Virtual Wards & Healthcare Innovation23:00 | Navigating Trade Unions in the UK26:00 | Cultural Differences in UK vs US Labor Dynamics28:00 | Class Systems, Military, and Social Stratification30:00 | Vijay’s Wish: Undoing Brexit’s Damage32:00 | Lessons for the U.S.: Division, Democracy & Unity34:00 | 🔚 Final Thoughts & Closing RemarksSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

In this powerful episode, Evan Meyer sits down with Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete and Los Angeles Councilmember Traci Park to explore how two neighboring cities are breaking down silos to address homelessness, emergency response, and community safety. From invisible borders on the beach to upcoming global events like the Olympics, this conversation unpacks what effective local collaboration really looks like.📍 Topics Include:Joint operations on homelessnessRegional planning for tourism & transportationCommunication breakdowns across agenciesWhy political differences shouldn’t stop progressBuilding tools for cross-jurisdictional problem-solving💡 This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in local government, regional planning, and public innovation.Time | Section Title | Summary00:00 | Opening: Meet Lana & Traci | Intro to both guests and the purpose of their collaboration01:00 | Shared Challenges: Homelessness at the Beach | Transit-driven inflows and cross-jurisdiction coordination03:00 | Joint Policing & Outreach Efforts | Examples of Santa Monica & LA joint operations04:00 | Future Goals: Olympics, World Cup, and Tourism | Preparing for global events through regional partnerships05:00 | Origins of Collaboration | How Lana & Traci connected personally and professionally06:30 | Breaking the “Invisible Line” on Beaches | Using outreach teams like West Coast Cares across borders07:30 | Post-Fire Response & Mutual Aid | How disaster response accelerated regional unity08:30 | Why Two Voices Are Louder Than One in Sacramento | The power of joint advocacy at the state level10:00 | Big Ask: What Should Higher Governments Fix? | Calls for a shared dashboard, streamlined communication13:30 | County-Level Homelessness Shakeup | LASA changes and the push for local control15:30 | Vision for a Regional Dashboard Tool | Transparent, real-time issue tracking for agencies and public18:00 | Navigating Political Differences | Governing across ideological lines and building Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Join us for an insightful conversation with California State Senator Ben Allen as he discusses the complexities of governing through crises, including the devastating wildfires affecting California communities. Senator Allen shares his firsthand experiences and challenges of managing disaster recovery, addressing bureaucratic inefficiencies, and the role entrepreneurs can play in supporting these efforts.In this candid interview, Senator Allen also dives into pressing topics such as artificial intelligence regulation, the future of Prop 13, environmental sustainability, and the importance of public-private partnerships. Gain valuable insights into how California plans to balance innovation, economic growth, and regulatory frameworks to ensure a resilient and prosperous future.Whether you're an entrepreneur, policymaker, or concerned citizen, this conversation offers meaningful perspectives on how communities and government can collaborate effectively.Hosted / Video Production by the Kinn, in Venice, CA.#CaliforniaPolitics #WildfireRecovery #AIregulation #PublicPrivatePartnerships #Entrepreneurship #BenAllen #Innovation00:00Introduction and Welcome00:29 Addressing the Fires: Challenges and Responses05:02 Understanding Government Levels and Functions09:04 Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Government Interaction14:45 California's Innovation and Regulatory Landscape26:51 Audience Q&A29:26 Governmental Dysfunction and Deferred Maintenance30:02 COVID Loans and LLC Costs31:35 Regulating AI and Protecting Creativity34:11 Challenges of Starting a Mining Company in California36:18 Prop 13 and Real Estate Tax Issues39:38 Rebuilding After Fires and Climate Resilience43:56 Toxic Waste and Fire Cleanup49:54 Engaging with Government and Procurement Processes55:52 Final Thoughts and Call to ActionSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with the Mayor of San Jose, as he discusses his journey from the private sector to public office. Discover the nuances between running a business and managing a city, and learn about the challenges and strategies in tackling issues like homelessness, public safety, and civic engagement. Get an inside look at the importance of performance management, the role of technology, and the need for transparency and accountability in government operations.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:27 Entrepreneurial Mindset in Government00:49 Differences Between Private Sector and Government02:18 Performance Management in Government03:22 Motivation and Challenges in Public Sector04:24 Setting and Achieving Goals in Government04:54 Addressing Homelessness in San Jose11:34 Community Engagement and Civic Participation21:06 Balancing Priorities in Government29:09 Rebuilding Trust in Government34:12 Closing Remarks and Future TopicsSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Navigating Civility: A Deep Dive with Shola RichardsJoin me and special guest Shola Richards as we discuss the importance of civility in today's world. Shola shares insights from his latest book, 'Civil Unity,' and reflects on its relevance to relationships, workplace environments, and social media conduct. We touch on Shola's testimony before Congress, the impact of the LA fires, and the nuances of maintaining civility amidst disagreements. Shola also delves into the concept of intellectual humility, the dangers of radicalization, and shares personal anecdotes that highlight the power of kindness and understanding in transforming lives. Don't miss this profound conversation on how civility can change the world.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:15 Discussing the Book 'Civil Unity'01:33 Survivor's Guilt and Helpers02:22 Uncivil Narratives on Social Media03:55 Cognitive Biases and Confirmation Bias07:00 The Importance of Intellectual Humility08:04 Personal Anecdotes on Bias11:40 The Pie of Knowledge13:59 Engaging in Civil Discourse27:04 The Role of Local Politics32:11 Emotional Intelligence and Inner Work33:05 The Power of Civil Discourse33:50 Navigating Hard Lines in Civility38:01 Social Media and Civility46:52 Radicalization and Substance AbuseWebsite: Sholarichards.comCivil Unity (Book): https://a.co/d/3RrtMXoSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Join me as I sit down with visionary artist and activist Ruben Rojas to explore how we can bridge divides, embrace new perspectives, and bring a spirit of civility into our polarized world. In this candid conversation, we discuss the power of reframing narratives, fostering empathy, and focusing on actionable ways to create meaningful change in our communities and beyond.From the challenges of navigating political toxicity to the importance of grassroots involvement, Ruben shares insights from his mission to inspire positive transformation through his work. Together, we unpack themes of unity, understanding, and the role each of us plays in shaping a better future.🔹 Topics Covered:How to foster open dialogue despite differences.The value of starting change at the local level.Why reframing perspectives leads to better outcomes.Practical steps for building bridges in divided times.🎨 Ruben Rojas is a celebrated artist and advocate whose work has empowered countless individuals to see the world through a lens of possibility. His unique approach to creativity and activism has inspired partnerships with global brands and a movement for change.👉 Watch now and be inspired to take action, create connections, and rethink what’s possible!✨ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations about creating a positive impact!#Unity #Empathy #BridgingDivides #CommunityLeadership #PositiveChangeMeyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by striving to create virtuous community leadership and authentic conversation.  We showcase the humanity in those who take on the often thankless work through public/civic service, civil discourse, differing points of view, and how we can improve our politics and society as a whole.About Ruben RojasRuben Rojas is a visionary artist and advocate for positive change through his mission, Live Through Love. This lifestyle brand inspires creativity and optimism and is channeled into various mediums such as streetwear, art prints, and public art, including sculptures and murals in cities around the world, and uniting communities with beauty and hope.His work empowers individuals to dream big, live with possibility, and create lasting impact. He collaborates with major brands like NFL, BMW, and Google to promote social responsibility and inspire innovation.He’s a sought-after speaker and TED presenter, and through his podcast, he delves into how love can transform lives and communities.For the early part of his journey I’ve personally had the pleasure of working with Ruben in building and scaling the organization Beautify Earth. “Until no unkempt wall remains” was our mission using murals to end whaSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

The Journey of Rocky Rhodes - From Tech to Coffee and Public ServiceJoin us for an engaging conversation with Mayor Pro Tem Rocky Rhodes of Simi Valley, California, as we explore his unique journey from the high-tech industry to founding a coffee business and eventually delving into public service. This episode dives into the principles of compassionate capitalism, the challenges of urban vs. rural governance, and the importance of maintaining a high quality of life in Simi Valley. Rocky shares insights from his global travels, the economic challenges of housing development, and the fundamental issue of balancing government control and local autonomy. Don't miss this in-depth discussion on sustainable development, the intricacies of city planning, and the ever-evolving political landscape.00:00 Intro to Rocky Rhodes00:53 Rocky's Journey to Public Service01:11 Entrepreneurial Ventures in Coffee Industry02:56 Compassionate Capitalism Explained05:47 Global Impact and Cultural Insights09:31 Challenges in Local Governance11:22 Housing Projects: Successes and Failures18:33 Political Philosophy and Government Critique30:34 The Single Issue Voter Mentality31:20 The Complexity of the Presidency32:42 Thanos and Historical Villains34:16 China's Surveillance and Capitalism36:56 Cultural Differences and Privacy40:22 Diversity of Religion46:46 The Middle Ground in Politics54:50 Challenges of Bureaucracy and Government Efficiency58:42 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer speaks with Cesar Hidalgo, a Chilean Spanish-American scholar known for his contributions to economic complexity, data visualization, and applied artificial intelligence. They discuss the problems with democracy today, such as political polarization and identity-based politics. They also explore the idea of augmented democracy, using AI agents to support politicians and citizens in the voting process. They highlight the need for a more direct and nuanced representation of people's opinions and propose starting with low-stakes contexts to test the effectiveness of augmented democracy.Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by striving to create virtuous community leadership and authentic conversation.  We showcase the humanity in those who take on the often thankless jobs of public service, civil discourse, differing points of view, and how we can improve our politics and society as a whole.Recorded July 18,  2023About Cesar Hidalgo César A. Hidalgo is a Chilean-Spanish-American scholar known for his contributions to economic complexity, data visualization, and applied artificial intelligence. Hidalgo leads the Center for Collective Learning at the Artificial and Natural Intelligence Institute (ANITI) of the University of Toulouse and the Corvinus Institute for Advanced Studies at Corvinus University of Budapest. He is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Manchester. Between 2010 and 2019 Hidalgo led MIT’s Collective Learning group. Prior to working at MIT, Hidalgo was a research fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Hidalgo is also a founder of Datawheel, an award winning company specialized in the creation of data distribution and visualization systems. He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor in Physics from Universidad Católica de Chile. Hidalgo’s contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2018 Lagrange Prize and three Webby Awards. Hidalgo's is also the author of dozens of peer-reviewed papers and of three books: Why Information Grows (Basic Books, 2015), The Atlas of Economic Complexity (MIT Press, 2014), and How Humans Judge Machines (MIT Press, 2021).About Evan MeyerEvan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of muralSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Welcome to another exciting episode of Meyerside Chats! In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Leslie Crutchfield, an author, educator, and social change expert. Leslie is the Executive Director of Business for Impact at Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, and her latest book, "How Change Happens: Why some movements succeed while others don't," has garnered significant praise and recognition. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of social change and gain insights from Leslie's extensive experience and research.More About Leslie CrutchfieldLeslie is an author, educator, social change expert and Executive Director of Business for Impact at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Business for Impact is founded on the belief is that companies can be a powerful force for good in the world, and delivers world-class education, student experience, and cross-sector collaborations for people, planet and profit.Leslie’s latest book is How Change Happens: Why Some Movements Succeed While Others Don’t, noted in The New York Review of Books as a blueprint for groups inspired to take action on today’s major causes. Leslie also co-authored the bestselling Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits – recognized by The Economist on its Best Books of the Year list – and Do More than Give. She teaches corporate social responsibility in Georgetown’s MBA program and nonprofit leadership on LinkedIn Learning.Leslie previously was managing director at Ashoka, the global venture fund for social entrepreneurs, and co-founded a national nonprofit social enterprise in her 20s. Leslie has contributed to Fortune, Forbes, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and Stanford Social Innovation Review, and has appeared on programs such as ABC, FOX, NPR and PBS. She has volunteered on SEED Foundation and Kiva’s boards and with Crossroads Africa. About Evan MeyerEvan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents aSupport the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer interviews Rammayya Krishnan, Dean of Public Policy and Information Systems @ Carnegie Melon University, an expert in digital transformation and technology management. They discuss the role of decision-making models in voting, particularly in local and state issues. Krishnan highlights the importance of an informed populace and the challenges of acquiring accurate information in the age of filter bubbles and misinformation. They also touch on the need for humility in the information we consume and how technology can support this. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the significance of having a shared base of information to make informed decisions. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on Meyerside Chats!Podcast Highlights:[00:01:41] Exploring the use of cloud technology in society and policy-making.[00:02:11] Discussing decision-making models in voting for the public and policymakers.[00:12:16] The influence of technology on shared experiences and bridging differences.[00:14:01] Building relationships and bridges between different political opinions.[00:16:00] The role of being a good listener and demonstrating respect in conversations.[00:24:47] Contrasting the lack of understanding of social media by policymakers in the past.[00:25:25] The potential of AI to educate and provide faster access to information for policymakers and the public.[00:27:00] AI's role in helping understand complex public interest issues.[00:29:48] Mitigating AI's negative effects through measures like provenance and watermarking.[00:33:00] The absence of a perfect solution to the information problem.[00:33:33] Cautions about AI's predictive capabilities and data representation.[00:35:37] The potential benefits of AI in supporting decision-making and speeding up processes.[00:37:00] Overcoming bias in data to ensure representation of society as a whole.[00:39:48] Responsible AI implementation, understanding the system as a whole, and differential impact on individuals.[00:40:23] Augmentation for democracy and the need for careful consideration of the pipeline.[00:41:00] Assisting policymakers with AI tools to catch up with policy-making demands.[00:43:35] Vision for a more prosperous, peaceful, and just society using technology for good.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

In this episode, we delve into the critical issues of leadership, transparency, and distorted narratives that impact the construction of a more perfect union in the United States. Our guest, David Satterfield, brings a wealth of experience and firsthand knowledge from being in the room where important conversations take place. We explore the limitations of public information and the potential consequences of misleading representations. Join us as we discuss the significance of accurate narratives, the role of the media, and the challenges faced in ensuring that the American people have access to vital information.Podcast Highlights:[00:02:41] Discussion on the current state of division and disagreement in US foreign policy.[00:03:00] Historical context of sharp divisions and the exceptional degree of public agreement in the past.[00:10:17] The role of the internet and social media in creating a lack of common facts and information.[00:11:37] The impact of changing expectations and globalization on populist and demagogic appeals.[00:13:31] Avoiding contempt and catering to ethnic or racial identities as a response.[00:14:22] Different approaches: feeding, exploiting, or addressing the concerns.[00:16:00] Socioeconomic drivers behind the problems and the need for their resolution.[00:16:45] Loss of trust in foreign policy experts due to events like 9/11 and disastrous military adventures.[00:19:58] The concept of being "in the room where it happens" and how certain information is withheld from the public in various conversations and levels of decision-making.[00:20:00] The issue of the media and the distortion of narratives, questioning how far the American people and others are from the information presented in these private discussions.[00:27:40] Media's role in polarizing issues and the influence of corruption, lobbying, and private interests.[00:38:00] Three critical threats: divisions in the United States, socioeconomic challenges, and poorly considered military adventures overseas.[00:41:34] Discussion on the influence of business dealings on political decisions.[00:42:50] Exploring personal vision and the importance of facts shaping action.[00:44:03] The danger of ideology overpowering available facts.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Maria Madison is the interim Dean of Brandeis University.A trained global public health researcher, Madison holds a Doctorate in population and international health from Harvard. She joined Brandeis with over two decades of international experience, designing, implementing and managing various projects and studies including clinical drug trials and registries, where she oversaw large, complex, multinational teams, with an abundance of her work in Africa. She is also president and founder of The Robbins House, a historic building and nonprofit organization focused on preserving Concord, Massachusetts’ Black history. She is also a trustee of Tufts University, from which she holds bachelor's and master’s degrees, and is an associate editor of the journal Health Equity. Podcast SummaryThe innate human propensity for hierarchy and "us and them." | 6:00Paying for the sins of our grandparents | 8:00Challenging your echo Chambers with opposing views | 10:00Quality of life in America and it's barriers | 14:00Exercise & nutrition information during COVID vis a vis social drivers | 17:00Obesity in America and how to start fixing it | 22:00The balance of responsibility | 24:00The responsibility of universities | 26:00Adaptive capacity | 32:00Private interest vs social responsibility | 35:00Venture capitalism & social businesses | 39:00Replacement theory | 42:00Greater exposure means greater respect | 44:00How to deal with information and/or people you disagree with & recast theory | 45:00How to accept new information that conflicts with your previous knowledge | 49:00Everyone has a migration story | 55:00Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

SummaryIntro to Nolan McCary | 0:00What is Democratic backsliding and are we experiencing it?  | 5:15Why every president is blamed or praised for his successes and failures depending on what side you're on? |  6:30How the train derailment in East Palestine exemplified the fundamental toxic polarization issue? | 7:40Politics of confirmation bias | 10:55Why does every election gets delegitimized by the opposite party? | 13:30What is the general margin of error for election votes?Issues with our election process 18:00Why the context of "facts" matters & Trump/Biden election fairness | 25:00Why is civic humility so hard? |  26:00 Marriage between couples of different political parties has become less accepted than that of different faiths, religions, or ethnicities |  35:00 Many political leaders misusing social media. |  37:00 Is polarization intentional?  39:30 Where does Princeton stand with the claims about liberal University indoctrination? | 43:00 Academic freedom and institutional neutrality | 48:00What are Nolan's goals as a result of his efforts in polarization? | 55:00The importance of not eliminating polarization if it means not talking about important topics | 58:00Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Recorded February 1,, 2023Evan Meyer welcomes the Dean of Public Policy at New York University, Sherry Glied on this episode of Meyerside Chats. Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the "us and them" narrative and toxic polarization by striving to create virtuous community leadership and authentic conversation.  The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view.About Sherry GliedIn 2013, Sherry Glied was named Dean of New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. From 1989-2013, she was Professor of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. She was Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management from 1998-2009. On June 22, 2010, Glied was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services, and served in that capacity from July 2010 through August 2012. She had previously served as Senior Economist for health care and labor market policy on the President’s Council of Economic Advisers in 1992-1993, under Presidents Bush and Clinton, and participated in the Clinton Health Care Task Force. She has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Social Insurance, and served as a member of the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. In 2021, the Association of University Programs in Health Administration selected her as the recipient of the William B. Graham Prize for Health Services Research. The following year, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences elected her as a 2022 Fellow.Glied’s principal areas of research are in health policy reform and mental health care policy. Her book on health care reform, Chronic Condition, was published by Harvard University Press in January 1998. Her book with Richard Frank, Better But Not Well: Mental Health Policy in the U.S. since 1950, was published by The Johns Hopkins University Press in 2006. She is co-editor, with Peter C. Smith, of The Oxford Handbook of Health Economics, which was published by the Oxford University Press in 2011.Glied holds a B.A. in economics from Yale University, an M.A. in economics from the University of Toronto, and a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University.Podcast SummaryIntroduction to Sherry Glede | 0:00What is the problem with politics? | 1:53Overconfidence in solutions and media headline click-bait | 8:24Treating people as more intelligent | Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Recorded January 19, 2023Evan Meyer welcomes Former Texas State Representative, Kyle Biedermann (R-TX) on this episode of Meyerside Chats. Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the "us and them" narrative and toxic polarization by striving to create virtuous community leadership and authentic conversation.  The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view.Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily PressSummaryKyle's background and how, and why he got into politics.The separation of church and state, how it started, how it's interpreted and what it means today | 5:00Religion vs politics role in individual values | 9:00Who are actually the people writing policy and with what standards | 12:00How to begin getting people to see their shared values and alignment | 15:00How Damar Hamlin brought the country together | 16:00Christianity in California | 19:00Due to media, we don't hear the things that are actually happening in government unless we "seek them out" | 19:00Can we separate the speak of God, from a unifying fundamental set of values? | 26:00Incorrect categorization of extreme politicians for the majority | 30:00The difference of rights versus policy for minority interest groups | 33:00The biggest problem in politics | 35:00Understand what the major issues are in politics vs using it in practice and how we create our beliefs | 37:00How Kevin McCarthy won the speaker seat | 39:00How to be effective in the legislature | 40:30Money, it's influence on politicians, & how the lead | 44:00Most people don't understand local politics, the realm they can actually effect change | 48:00How selling out in local politics can push you into "the club" and further away from the people | 50:00The "incumbent protection plan" | 52:00In order to be part of "the club" you need to raise money for the club | 53:00Ego and how desire for authorship in policy & programs can sway the voting decision | 57:00The power and pressure as a politician. "What would YOU do?" | 1:00Starting debates with the things we agree on | 1:03:00Kyle's current dilemma & how the top people coming together let's the communities come together | 1:04:00Evan is the Founder of Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

An informative chat with U.S. Congressman, Jay Obernolte on this episode of Meyerside Chats. Please subscribe to my channel to help eliminate the "us and them" political narrative.Please pardon my less-than-ideal microphone during this episode filmed during my travels.Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the "us and them" narrative and toxic polarization by striving to create virtuous community leadership and authentic conversation.  The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view.Summary-----------How a Computer Engineering degree with a graduate degree in AI helps lend a unique perspective to our government | 1:30How the US is faring with policy and regulation around AI | 3:00Policy Implications of AI | 5:00The power of ChatGPT   | 6:30How can we use AI to improve government? | 7:50AI's ethical issues and job replacement vs it's powerful benefits (e.g. physicians) | 9:20How can we improve our democracy with AI? | 12:30Where can regulation be replaced with better education? | 14:00 How do we get people to read source information without being misled by polarized media narratives? | 17:00The impact of anonymity on the internet | 20:00Can technology (i.e. social media) help provide context or source information in dialogue around polarized issues? | 23:00Why people vote red or blue down the line and how to improve the election process | 30:00Are we providing the majority of people with the right resources for informed voting? | 34:00If you're eligible to vote and don't, you have no right to complain | 35:30The difficulty in voting for judges | 38:00The detriments of intense polarization in our federal and local governments | 40:00Political parties specialize, not in solving individual issues, but trashing the other party | 43:00Is California a better example of collegial state politics than the nation as a whole? || 44:00A great solution to a kinder and more cooperative government | 50:00If you don't challenge your perspective, you can't learn. | 52:00Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

With so many issues at the forefront of today’s society, polarization in our political climate is at an all-time high. From the issues of trans rights to tackling homelessness, everyone seems to have varied opinions on what to prioritize. Here to share thoughts on the matter is Senator Scott Wiener, representative of District 11 in the California State Senate. He joins Evan Meyer to discuss his Legislation to provide refuge for trans kids and their families, Senate Bill 107, which recently got passed, and the response it’s gotten since. Senator Wiener also explains the matter of legalese when it comes to creating these laws and why it’s essential to be precise. The two also discuss homelessness and why housing should be a priority to solve this issue and the adjacent ones around it, such as drug addiction and mental health. Diverse perspectives help bring quality conversation, and it doesn’t have to be vitriolic. This clash of opinions and ideas can even bring out the best outcomes. Listen to hear more about how we can achieve more balanced approaches without the toxic polarity. Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Continuing his deep dive into the local government of Wrocław, Poland, Evan Meyer chats with Councilman Michal Kurczewski. Together, they discuss how their two-party system works and how they solve conflicts when passing mandates. Michal explains why a proper feedback-gathering mechanism must be implemented to ensure every constituent is heard, minimizing huge conflicts and disagreements. He also talks about the issues they face at a local level and how they solve them through impeccable public discourse. Michal opens up about their increased housing fee, the high demand for better public transport (without sacrificing historic landmarks), protecting rivers from hazardous chemicals, and jumping back from the harsh effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

The world is vast, and with it comes different places that have different ways of looking at things. What can we learn from them? Here to shed some light on what it’s like to live under the local government of Wrocław, Poland, is Councilman Bartlomiej Ciazynski. He is the Deputy Chair of the city council and Social Advisor to the Mayor of Wroclaw for Tolerance and Counteracting Xenophobia. The city has recently experienced a rise in population to become the third largest city in the country as they welcomed close to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees to their population of approximately 600,000. In this episode, he chats with host Evan Meyer about their policies regarding the discrimination of minority groups and how he proposes expanding their policies to protect the LGBT community. He also highlights the need for regulation regarding information being spread and what’s being taught at schools. Stay tuned for more of the great insights you can take away from this episode.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

There is no hotter topic than politics. And with the midterm elections coming up, Evan Meyer chats with Pete Peterson to talk about what politics looks like and discusses important topics, including perceived threats from overseas, the COVID pandemic, and social issues that continue to drive US politics and policies. They also share their insights on how truth has become subjective and how disagreements can be resolved through humility, especially on issues where we hold different positions. Tune in as they recall lessons learned, or failures thereof, from previous generations and how historical awareness influences how we handle the crisis we face today.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Evan Meyer welcomes Senator Brian Dahle to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press.California State Senator and Republican gubernatorial nominee Brian Dahle talks about the need for government leaders to go beyond the sound bites and work on common sense solutions to make things better for the people of California. He also talks about some of the issues that he is advocating as a governor-hopeful for the state.Meyerside Chats is an attempt to destroy the “us and them” narrative through virtuous community leadership, praising those who lead by example, starting right here in Santa Monica.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Evan Meyer welcomes California State Senator, Ben Allen on this episode of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press. California State Senator Ben Allen was elected in 2014 (and reelected in 2018) to represent the 26th Senate District covering the Westside, Hollywood, and coastal South Bay communities of Los Angeles County. Ben chairs the Senate’s Environmental Quality Committee and co-chairs the Legislature’s Environmental Caucus, is a member of the Legislative Jewish Caucus, chairs the Legislature’s Joint Committee on the Arts, and the Senate Select Committee on Aerospace and Defense. He previously served as Chair of the Education Committee (2017-2019) and Chair of the Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee (2015-2016). Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view. Summary– Ben’s lovely Beard. 0:00– New SB54 plastics policy signed by Newsom, authored by Ben. 3:00– Very little press attention, yet so much power at the state level 6:00– State-level vs federal-level news 10:00– The conflict of private companies distributing public information. 11:30– Lots of ways to engage in the system and have your voice heard. 13:30– Pushing social media companies to better their algorithms. 14:30– What is a fact? 15:30– Social Dilemma / BraverAngels.org 17:30– Bond agencies charge communities higher interest rates to cities without local press. 20:00– The public confusion around the process of writing policy. 25:00– Policies are almost always a product of compromise. 28:Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Evan Meyer welcomes BraverAngels.org on this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press. Evan Meyer welcomes John Wood and Randy Lioz with BraverAngels.org on this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press. BraverAngels.org is a nonprofit dedicated to political depolarization. The organization runs workshops, debates, and other events, where “red” (conservative) and “blue” (liberal) participants attempt to better understand one anothers’ positions and discover their shared values. Its mission is to bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse and honoring differing points of view. Summary-What is BraverAngels.org?-Generalizing & grouping individuals based on a single belief. 8:00-The immense courage it takes to stand up for what is right. 11:00-The immense effort it takes to get out of the algorithm & echo chamber to understand the full picture. 15:00-Successful discourse between differing parties must be had in a context of trust.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Evan Meyer welcomes David White to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Are you interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press. David White is the current City Manager for the City of Santa Monica. White joined in October 2021 after serving as deputy city manager in Berkeley, where he championed reimagining public safety, including a new model of civilian oversight of Berkeley’s Police Department. Before his time in Berkeley, White was the city manager of Fairfield, CA. Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse and honoring differing points of view. Recorded by santamonicamusic.com Summary• Some personal fun, well-groomed beard maintenance, and past DJ work.• The importance of music in our lives• Creating an ever-improving city culture• How city staff can bring their best selves to work (e.g., David’s music in the office and falcon watching at City Hall)• Infusing “who you are” into the workspace thru building safety, vulnerability, and purpose • COVID Innovations, changes, and cuts we should keep• Bureaucracy and how to create a “getting to yes” culture & mentality | 22:00• Working through polarity at the city, council, and community levels• Balancing “loud voices” that dominate conversations around issues with the ideal of true democracy.• The importance and impressive nature of leadership involves the community, neighborhood, and business levels.• Local government -> where action CAN lead to direct change  Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Evan Meyer welcomes Chief of Police Ramon Batista to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press. Ramon Batista is the current Chief of Police for the City of Santa Monica. "Putting values into action" is one of his fundamental approaches to law enforcement leadership. The strategy for doing so was successfully administered during his time as the Chief of Police in Mesa, AZ, and documented in his thoughtful and informative book, "Do No Harm." Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the "us and them" narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse and honoring differing points of view. Recorded by santamonicamusic.com Summary– Background on the journey of Ramon’s path toward becoming police Chief.– Importance of connecting with our youth | 2:30– Impact of President Obama’s Strategies on 21st Century Policing– Origins of his book, “Do No Harm,” & how it is implemented in Mesa, AZ– Importance of small interactions with officers. Just say “hi!” | 8:30– How to approach officers when you get pulled over | 12:45– The truth about ticket quotas | 16:00– A holistic approach to officer wellness/stress management | 17:00– Managing resistance in an organizational culture shift | 27:00– Community trust-building with law enforcement is critical & ongoing | 31:30– Ramon’s book “Do No Harm,” as a visionary guide | 36:00– Guardian vs. Warrior mindset & when to use each | 37:30– Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) – The capabilities & opportunities in Santa Monica | 39:45– Management of dispatching, how it operates, & the new “Live 911” system | 51:30– Status on the shift to increased neighborhood patrol | 57:30– Mindset of continuous improvement & building the leadership for our future | 1:06:00Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Evan Meyer welcomes Debbie Lee to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press. Debbie has been the Chief Communications Officer for the City of Santa Monica for the past 8 years. Previously working for SM Travel & Tourism, and Downtown SM, Debbie has dedicated her professional career to our city for more than 23 years. She has helped shape the Santa Monica we live in today. Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view. Recorded by santamonicamusic.comSummary:– “Without building relationships, you can’t build trust”– “How to reach as many people as possible | 3:30– Access to information IS equity | 6:30– What are the factors that determine what “misinformation” is?– How the city differentiates fact vs opinion | 10:00– Debbie’s background in Santa Monica | 15:00– How the city can improve | 17:50– How access to information can change how we experience and build trust for government | 21:00– Anger as a legitimate emotion around policy impacts, and how to it convert into constructive kindness to help drive your point clearer and faster | 24:30– What advice would you give to other cities? | 33:10– Bureaucracy, and balancing cost, efficiency and equity | 36:00– Santa’s Monica’s strategy and metrics around multi-channel, targeted communications | 44:00/– Public/private partnership in Santa Monica – past successes & future opportunities | 46:00– Opportunities for Santa Monica/Los Angeles partnerships | Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Evan Meyer welcomes Lana Negrete to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press. Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the "us and them" narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on tough jobs (often in the public realm) through civil discourse and honoring differing points of view. Recorded by santamonicamusic.com Council member Negrete is a lifelong resident of Santa Monica, bringing a wealth of knowledge about the issues impacting youth and families, renters, and small business owners.”Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Evan Meyer sits down with Councilman Phil Brock on the latest episode of Meyerside Chats. Summary:– The power of art.– The many opportunities for SM to be a “cradle of the arts in LA”.– We need a “crusade of culture”.– More art and music opportunities at our parks.– Santa Monica’s rich history.– Why is there distrust and how do we get rid of it?– Embracing disagreeing parties, news and information to understand all sides– Phil’s abundant volunteer work.– Tons of ways to get involved. There are so many ways to help when we “act local.” | 44:00.– Accepting change is necessary, but to what extent?– History of Vons at Euclid & Wilshire.– The nature of angry emails to council.– The state of homelessness. Can we be more effective?– Viewing constituents from a customer service perspective.– “One Santa Monica.” Thank you Phil Brock for your service, your commitment to Santa Monica, and for sharing this time with me.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Community building is more than just doing acts of charity or being a law-obedient individual. At its more profound level, it is about creating a solutions-oriented public discourse between leaders and citizens. Evan Meyer explains how to achieve this common ground with Councilwoman Gleam Davis of Santa Monica. She discusses why politicians and people can make their cities a better place by setting aside differences, improving community feedback, and eliminating distrust of the political systems. Gleam also shares how they vastly improved housing projects, public transportation, healthcare, and education in Santa Monica through highly transparent and deeply democratic methods.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

After serving Downtown Santa Monica as its CEO for over two decades, Kathleen Rawson is now leaving to assume a new leadership role at The Hollywood Partnership. In this conversation with Evan Meyer, she looks back on vastly changing the landscape of Downtown Santa Monica, which she proudly considers her life's work. She explains how she started the Downtown Ambassador Program and now leaves a well-designed roadmap to guide her successor in continuing her efforts. Kathleen also discusses how she will bring her learnings to her new position, touching communities and people on an international scale.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

What's business like in Santa Monica post-pandemic? Joining Evan Meyer to shed light on the situation is Laurel Rosen, CEO and President of Santa Monica Chamber, for 23 years and running. As a civic leader, Laurel shares what the current state of business is like and what leaders should be doing for their business, their employees, themselves, and each other. Laurel and Evan always have wonderful conversations, and we're excited to finally get one on record. In this episode, we discuss:– The past and future of Business in Santa Monica– The importance of emotional intelligence in civic and city leadership.– How to stop complaining and start doing– And much, much moreThank you to Loews Hotel for hosting this episode and for their beautiful outdoor fireplaces – room side, poolside, and Meyerside :-). Special thanks to Younes Atallah!Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Evan Meyer welcomes Albin Gielicz to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Are you interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press. Santa Monica Travel and Tourism Chairman, Park and Recreation Commissioner, and past president and board member of nearly a dozen of Santa Monica’s various sustainability, economic development, neighborhood, and business committees, Albin Gielicz speaks about:His vision for Santa Monica, Tips for new businesses in Santa Monica,The state of and plan for tourism here in Santa Monica.Al Fresco dining, And much more goodness. Meyerside Chats is an attempt to destroy the “us and them” narrative through virtuous community leadership, praising those who lead by example, starting right here in Santa Monica.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

Evan Meyer welcomes Marc Morgenstern to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press. Past Ocean Park Association (OPA) President, Library Commission Chairman, public safety leader, and journalist, Marc Morgenstern discusses the one-year anniversary of his local online news distribution and his approach to civil and thoughtful community leadership; including, the barriers that make it difficult, how to overcome them. Meyerside Chats is an attempt to destroy the “us and them” narrative through virtuous community leadership, praising those who lead by example, starting right here in Santa Monica.Support the showAbout Evan MeyerTech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.