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 ...

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 warpin...

Guest: Crom Carmichael – investor in 60+ startups, host of From Our Generation, and creator of Giants of Political Thought In 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 i...

Support the show About Evan Meyer Tech 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 Sena...

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...

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...

Support the show About Evan Meyer Tech 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 Sena...

Support the show About Evan Meyer Tech 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 Sena...

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 homelessness Regional planning for tourism ...

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 artific...

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. 00:0...

Navigating Civility: A Deep Dive with Shola Richards Join 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 intellectua...

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 fr...

The Journey of Rocky Rhodes - From Tech to Coffee and Public Service Join 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 sh...

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...

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...

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...

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 narrat...

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...

Summary Intro to Nolan McCary | 0:00 What is Democratic backsliding and are we experiencing it? | 5:15 Why every president is blamed or praised for his successes and failures depending on what side you're on? | 6:30 How the train derailment in East Palestine exemplified the fundamental toxic polarization issue? | 7:40 Politics of confirmation bias | 10:55 Why does every election gets delegitimized by the opposite party? | 13:30 What is the general margin of error for election vote...