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 valuable

If 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 Forcum
President, Independence Center
Political 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 / Chapters

00:00 – Why this conversation matters
01:15 – Four years of Meyerside Chats & polarization
03:10 – Why good intentions create bad policy
05:40 – Reactance: why forcing people backfires
08:10 – COVID, control, and behavioral resistance
11:05 – Politics like parenting explained
14:20 – Control vs relationship in democracy
17:30 – Why trust matters more than authority
20:45 – Identity vs belief in politics
24:00 – Why nuance disappeared
27:15 – The myth of party alignment
30:10 – Urban vs rural political blind spots
33:00 – Tribal instincts and dehumanization
36:15 – When conflict replaces competition
39:10 – Why parties avoid solving problems
41:50 – The politically homeless voter
45:30 – How independents threaten power
48:15 – Local government as the fix
51:00 – What a healthier democracy looks like
54:00 – Final thoughts & where to find Lura

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 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
---

 📌 Chapters

00:00 – Intro – Who is Eva Posner and why this conversation matters
02:00 – 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 common
12:00 – Shared values vs different approaches – Safety, climate, and why voters who disagree aren’t stupid
13:10 – 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-limits
30:30 – Nonpartisan races, labels, and missing information – Why she thinks every candidate’s party should be on the ballot
35:40 – Propaganda, algorithms & broken civic education – Why we can’t even agree on the color of the sky

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 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 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 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 protection

The economics of creative destruction

What Uber, taxi medallions, and Waymo teach us about breaking regulatory capture

The beauty of nuance in civic debate and political philosophy

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Crom’s background (60+ startups; political philosophy roots)
02:30 – Nobel Prize & innovation: why IP protection matters
04:50 – The government shutdown analogy & innovation’s “destruction”
13:54 – The $1,200 vs $6,600 colonoscopy and broken incentives
15:35 – HSAs + price transparency could drop outpatient costs 70%
19:00 – WWII wage controls created employer-based insurance
29:50 – Taxi medallions → Uber → Waymo: breaking captured markets
39:00 – Political philosophy: from Plato to today’s “nuance gap”
42:00 – MDsave & paying cash for procedures: mdsave.com

45:00 – Crom’s personal health routine & Soltea

47:30 – 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 Carmichael

Crom 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 Chats

Meyerside 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 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 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 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 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 Intro
3:00 How Bills Live or Die in Sacramento
10:00 Bias in Ballot Summaries
18:00 Civic Education & Engagement
19:00 California’s Budget Challenges
30:00 AI in the Legislature
34:00 Closing Thoughts

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 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 & Welcome
01:00 | Vijay’s Unusual Journey from Roadie to Public Servant
03:00 | Big "P" vs Small "p" Politics Explained
06:00 | The Decline of Public Service Ethos
08:00 | Founding Siva: Reforming Public Services from Outside
10:00 | Entrepreneurship & Bureaucracy: Where They Meet
13:00 | Local Government, Risk, and Innovation Constraints
15:00 | The Power of Local Engagement in the UK & US
17:00 | NHS Transformation: The Biggest Reform in a Generation
20:00 | Virtual Wards & Healthcare Innovation
23:00 | Navigating Trade Unions in the UK
26:00 | Cultural Differences in UK vs US Labor Dynamics
28:00 | Class Systems, Military, and Social Stratification
30:00 | Vijay’s Wish: Undoing Brexit’s Damage
32:00 | Lessons for the U.S.: Division, Democracy & Unity
34:00 | 🔚 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

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 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 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 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 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 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 homelessness
Regional planning for tourism & transportation
Communication breakdowns across agencies
Why political differences shouldn’t stop progress
Building 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 | Summary
00:00 | Opening: Meet Lana & Traci | Intro to both guests and the purpose of their collaboration
01:00 | Shared Challenges: Homelessness at the Beach | Transit-driven inflows and cross-jurisdiction coordination
03:00 | Joint Policing & Outreach Efforts | Examples of Santa Monica & LA joint operations
04:00 | Future Goals: Olympics, World Cup, and Tourism | Preparing for global events through regional partnerships
05:00 | Origins of Collaboration | How Lana & Traci connected personally and professionally
06:30 | Breaking the “Invisible Line” on Beaches | Using outreach teams like West Coast Cares across borders
07:30 | Post-Fire Response & Mutual Aid | How disaster response accelerated regional unity
08:30 | Why Two Voices Are Louder Than One in Sacramento | The power of joint advocacy at the state level
10:00 | Big Ask: What Should Higher Governments Fix? | Calls for a shared dashboard, streamlined communication
13:30 | County-Level Homelessness Shakeup | LASA changes and the push for local control
15:30 | Vision for a Regional Dashboard Tool | Transparent, real-time issue tracking for agencies and public
18:00 | Navigating Political Differences | Governing across ideological lines and building

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 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 #Innovation00:00

Introduction and Welcome
00:29 Addressing the Fires: Challenges and Responses
05:02 Understanding Government Levels and Functions
09:04 Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Government Interaction
14:45 California's Innovation and Regulatory Landscape
26:51 Audience Q&A
29:26 Governmental Dysfunction and Deferred Maintenance
30:02 COVID Loans and LLC Costs
31:35 Regulating AI and Protecting Creativity
34:11 Challenges of Starting a Mining Company in California
36:18 Prop 13 and Real Estate Tax Issues
39:38 Rebuilding After Fires and Climate Resilience
43:56 Toxic Waste and Fire Cleanup
49:54 Engaging with Government and Procurement Processes
55:52 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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 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 Welcome
00:27 Entrepreneurial Mindset in Government
00:49 Differences Between Private Sector and Government
02:18 Performance Management in Government
03:22 Motivation and Challenges in Public Sector
04:24 Setting and Achieving Goals in Government
04:54 Addressing Homelessness in San Jose
11:34 Community Engagement and Civic Participation
21:06 Balancing Priorities in Government
29:09 Rebuilding Trust in Government
34:12 Closing Remarks and Future Topics

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 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 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 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 Welcome
00:15 Discussing the Book 'Civil Unity'
01:33 Survivor's Guilt and Helpers
02:22 Uncivil Narratives on Social Media
03:55 Cognitive Biases and Confirmation Bias
07:00 The Importance of Intellectual Humility
08:04 Personal Anecdotes on Bias
11:40 The Pie of Knowledge
13:59 Engaging in Civil Discourse
27:04 The Role of Local Politics
32:11 Emotional Intelligence and Inner Work
33:05 The Power of Civil Discourse
33:50 Navigating Hard Lines in Civility
38:01 Social Media and Civility
46:52 Radicalization and Substance Abuse

Website: Sholarichards.com
Civil Unity (Book): https://a.co/d/3RrtMXo

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 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 #PositiveChange

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 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 Rojas

Ruben 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 wh

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 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 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 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 Rhodes
00:53 Rocky's Journey to Public Service
01:11 Entrepreneurial Ventures in Coffee Industry
02:56 Compassionate Capitalism Explained
05:47 Global Impact and Cultural Insights
09:31 Challenges in Local Governance
11:22 Housing Projects: Successes and Failures
18:33 Political Philosophy and Government Critique
30:34 The Single Issue Voter Mentality
31:20 The Complexity of the Presidency
32:42 Thanos and Historical Villains
34:16 China's Surveillance and Capitalism
36:56 Cultural Differences and Privacy
40:22 Diversity of Religion
46:46 The Middle Ground in Politics
54:50 Challenges of Bureaucracy and Government Efficiency
58:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 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,  2023

About 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 Meyer

Evan 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 mura

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 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 Crutchfield

Leslie 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 Meyer

Evan 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

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 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 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 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 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 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 Summary

The innate human propensity for hierarchy and "us and them." | 6:00
Paying for the sins of our grandparents | 8:00
Challenging your echo Chambers with opposing views | 10:00
Quality of life in America and it's barriers | 14:00
Exercise & nutrition information during COVID vis a vis social drivers | 17:00
Obesity in America and how to start fixing it | 22:00
The balance of responsibility | 24:00
The responsibility of universities | 26:00
Adaptive capacity | 32:00
Private interest vs social responsibility | 35:00
Venture capitalism & social businesses | 39:00
Replacement theory | 42:00
Greater exposure means greater respect | 44:00
How to deal with information and/or people you disagree with & recast theory | 45:00
How to accept new information that conflicts with your previous knowledge | 49:00
Everyone has a migration story | 55:00

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 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.

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 votes?
Issues with our election process 18:00
Why the context of "facts" matters & Trump/Biden election fairness | 25:00
Why 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 | 48:00
What are Nolan's goals as a result of his efforts in polarization? | 55:00
The importance of not eliminating polarization if it means not talking about important topics | 58:00

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 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,, 2023

Evan 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 Glied

In 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 Summary

1. Introduction to Sherry Glede | 0:00
2. What is the problem with politics? | 1:53
3. Overconfidence in solutions and media headline click-bait | 8:24
4. Treating people as more intelligent |

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 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, 2023

Evan 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 Press

Summary

1. Kyle's background and how, and why he got into politics.
2. The separation of church and state, how it started, how it's interpreted and what it means today | 5:00
3. Religion vs politics role in individual values | 9:00
4. Who are actually the people writing policy and with what standards | 12:00
5. How to begin getting people to see their shared values and alignment | 15:00
6. How Damar Hamlin brought the country together | 16:00
7. Christianity in California | 19:00
8. Due to media, we don't hear the things that are actually happening in government unless we "seek them out" | 19:00
9. Can we separate the speak of God, from a unifying fundamental set of values? | 26:00
10. Incorrect categorization of extreme politicians for the majority | 30:00
11. The difference of rights versus policy for minority interest groups | 33:00
12. The biggest problem in politics | 35:00
13. Understand what the major issues are in politics vs using it in practice and how we create our beliefs | 37:00
14. How Kevin McCarthy won the speaker seat | 39:00
15. How to be effective in the legislature | 40:30
16. Money, it's influence on politicians, & how the lead | 44:00
17. Most people don't understand local politics, the realm they can actually effect change | 48:00
18. How selling out in local politics can push you into "the club" and further away from the people | 50:00
19. The "incumbent protection plan" | 52:00
20. In order to be part of "the club" you need to raise money for the club | 53:00
21. Ego and how desire for authorship in policy & programs can sway the voting decision | 57:00
22. The power and pressure as a politician. "What would YOU do?" | 1:00
23. Starting debates with the things we agree on | 1:03:00
24. Kyle's current dilemma & how the top people coming together let's the communities come together | 1:04:00

Evan is the Founder of

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 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 | 1:30

How the US is faring with policy and regulation around AI | 3:00

Policy Implications of AI | 5:00

The power of ChatGPT   | 6:30

How can we use AI to improve government? | 7:50

AI's ethical issues and job replacement vs it's powerful benefits (e.g. physicians) | 9:20

How can we improve our democracy with AI? | 12:30

Where 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? | 17:00

The impact of anonymity on the internet | 20:00

Can technology (i.e. social media) help provide context or source information in dialogue around polarized issues? | 23:00

Why people vote red or blue down the line and how to improve the election process | 30:00

Are we providing the majority of people with the right resources for informed voting? | 34:00

If you're eligible to vote and don't, you have no right to complain | 35:30

The difficulty in voting for judges | 38:00

The detriments of intense polarization in our federal and local governments | 40:00

Political parties specialize, not in solving individual issues, but trashing the other party | 43:00

Is California a better example of collegial state politics than the nation as a whole? || 44:00

A great solution to a kinder and more cooperative government | 50:00

If you don't challenge your perspective, you can't learn. | 52:00

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 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 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 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 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 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.