Mikes on Mic
Welcome to 'Mike's on Mike,' your newest favorite political podcast.
Hosted by Mike Miller, Mike Tolbert, and Mike Hightower. We delve deep into the political landscape.
Tune in every week as we unpack the complex world of politics, observing and discussing the most pressing issues of the time.
Drawing from our extensive experience and unique perspectives, we're dedicated to providing you with thoughtful insights, sparking meaningful discussions, and challenging conventional wisdom.
So, whether you're a political junkie or just curious about what's going on in the world, 'Mikes on Mic' is here to guide you through it all.
Join us on this enlightening journey and let's dive into politics, one episode at a time!
Episodes
127 episodes
Reflecting on Two and a Half Years: Jacksonville’s Stories, Leaders, and Civic Pride
Welcome to a special year-end milestone episode of Mikes on Mic.In this reflective wrap-up, the hosts come together with community leaders and longtime friends of the show to look back on more than two and a half years of meanin...
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Episode 126
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25:10
Lenny Curry, JEA, and the Jacksonville Public Trust Crisis: Deep Dive with Investigators
Today we talk about something important happening in Jacksonville. A former mayor, Lenny Curry, just became a lobbyist for JEA—the city’s power and water company. This is surprising because, not long ago, he tried to sell JEA, which caused a lo...
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26:01
Mayor Donna Deegan on Jacksonville’s Downtown Revival, Riverfront Parks, and Transparent City Government
For this episode we sat down with Mayor Donna Deegan—right in her office—for an open, honest conversation about where Jacksonville’s headed.Two and a half years into her first term, she’s had some big wins—downtown development, the rive...
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Episode 124
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26:22
Jacksonville’s Growth, Community Impact, and Leadership with Vystar CEO Brian Wolfburg
What does it take to turn a hometown credit union into a driving force behind a city’s rebirth?Today, we sit down with Brian Wolfburg, President & CEO of Vystar Credit Union, for a powerful conversation on corporate culture...
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Episode 123
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25:23
Why Are We So Divided? A Thanksgiving Reflection on Political Polarization with Dr. Sean Freeder
Hi! Today we’re doing something a little different—and a little deeper—to honor the Thanksgiving holiday.This episode brings back one of our most requested conversations: Why are we so divided?Together with my co-hosts Mike High...
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Episode 122
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27:37
Are We Repeating the Skyway Mistake? The Shocking Truth About Jacksonville’s Autonomous Shuttle
Is Jacksonville’s $370-a-Ride Transit Bet a Bust?Today we dive deep into Jacksonville’s bold experiment with autonomous transportation — NAVI — a cutting-edge, self-driving shuttle system meant to revolutionize downtown transit.Bu...
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Episode 121
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31:20
Florida’s Top Concern: Housing Costs and What Polls Reveal About the 2026 Political Landscape
Welcome back to the show!This week, we are diving headfirst into the kitchen-table issues hitting Floridians the hardest—housing costs, property taxes, and skyrocketing insurance rates.Joining the conversation is special gu...
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29:02
Navigating Political Challenges in City Governance with Bill Gulliford
Why do city leaders say "no" so often—and what does it really cost them?Today we dive deep into the behind-the-scenes world of city council politics, revealing the often unseen pressures, personal dilemmas, and power dynamics that shape...
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21:38
An Inside Look Into the Ukraine/Russian War
It was an experience that very few or any Americans will ever have this opportunity to witness. Our podcast co-host, Mike Hightower, recently returned from a two week trip to Ukraine with an international group. The primary purpose...
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28:18
Looking Back, Moving Forward: A Whole Lot of Jacksonville History
We're throwing it back to one of our favorite milestone moments—the one-year anniversary of Mikes on Mic! In this special episode, originally recorded at The Jacksonville History Center, the Mikes reflect on highlights from the first 51 ...
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Episode 117
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43:27
Why Are We So Divided? Exploring the Roots and Remedies of Political Polarization with Dr. Sean Freeder
This week, we’re tackling a topic that’s hard to ignore: the growing political polarization in the U.S. To help us unpack it, we sat down with Dr. Sean Freeder, associate professor of political science at UNF, for a powerful and timely conversa...
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Episode 116
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27:56
Leslie Jean-Bart on Sunshine Law, City Hall Transparency, and Jacksonville’s Political Legacy
On this episode of Mics on Mic, hosts Mike Miller and Mike Tolbert sit down with Leslie Jean-Bart—fifth-gen Jacksonville native, attorney, and activist—for a bold conversation on ethics, transparency, and power at City Hall. <...
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Episode 115
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35:01
How will our local public broadcasting stations deal with public funding cutbacks?
Welcome back to Mikes on Mic, where we dive into the conversations shaping our community, government, and the future of Jacksonville. Today, we’re joined by David McGowan, CEO of WJCT Public Media — the voice and vision behind our city’s public...
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Episode 114
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40:11
The bold strategy behind Gateway Jax’s $500M+ investment in the urban core
In this week’s episode of Mikes on Mic, we sit down with Bryan Moll, CEO of Gateway Jax, the visionary developer behind one of the most ambitious urban revitalization efforts in Florida.Bryan pulls back the curtain on how he and his tea...
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32:44
What's the latest in the development of the Emerald Trail?
Kay Ehas, CEO of Groundwork Jacksonville, is a driving force behind one of the city's most transformative urban renewal projects—the Emerald Trail. With a deep commitment to environmental justice, equitable development, and communi...
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Episode 112
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25:35
Navigating Jacksonville's Budget: A Political Landscape with David Bauerlein
Jacksonville’s budget battle is heating up — and the stakes are higher than ever.After 3 weeks, we sit sit down with veteran Times-Union reporter David Bauerlein to break down the political tug-of-war shaping the city’s financial future...
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Episode 111
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33:34
Who Pays for Progress? Former Mayor John Peyton Weighs In (Best Of Mikes On Mic)
Jacksonville is at a crossroads—tough decisions are being made about the city's future, and they all come with a price tag.From infrastructure and public safety to education and economic development, what should the city prioritize—and ...
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Episode 110
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28:39
Best of Mikes On Mic - How Susie Wiles Shaped American Politics, The Untold Story with Michael Kruse
Today we are revisiting the intriguing world of Susie Wiles, the mastermind behind the success of key Republican campaigns.From her instrumental role in Ron DeSantis's 2018 victory to her critical contributions to Donald Trump's 2020 ef...
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Episode 109
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33:06
Overcoming Racial Challenges: How Sheriff Nathaniel Glover Transformed His Life
In this captivating episode our guest, Nathaniel Glover, shares his powerful and inspirational story. From a traumatic encounter with racism to becoming a sheriff, Nathaniel's journey is filled with resilience, forgiveness, and the...
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Episode 108
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35:35
Developing and reimagining downtown Jacksonville with Gateway Jax CEO Bryan Moll
This week Mikes on Mic sits down with Bryan Moll, the CEO of Gateway Jax. Brian has been at the forefront of transforming downtown Jacksonville into a thriving hub of culture, business, and community. His vision and leadership have been pivotal...
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Episode 107
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32:54
Jacksonville’s Parks Under Pressure: Safeguarding Natural Beauty and Historic Sites
Do you love Jacksonville’s parks or wonder how our local green spaces survive under constant pressure from funding cuts and development? Today we sit down with acclaimed Times Union columnist and author Mark Woods for a revealing co...
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Episode 106
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28:10
TA launches the Bay St. Innovation Corridor service
It's said that Jacksonville is a "City on the Move! Well there's no better example of that than JTA's U2C project, a three-phase program revolutionizing public transportation in Jacksonville. Launched on June 30th, the first phase ...
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Episode 105
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31:46
Unpacking the city's $2 Billion proposed 2025-26 annual budget
Welcome to Mikes On Mic — the podcast where Jacksonville talks politics, policy, and the people shaping our city.This week, we’re celebrating our 2nd anniversary with a deep dive into Mayor Donna Deegan’s proposed&nb...
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Episode 104
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30:53
Inside Jacksonville’s City Council: Mike Gay on Campaign Challenges, Party Divides & Stadium Deal
Welcome to another exciting episode of Mikes on Mic.This week, Councilman Mike Gay.We discuss how he overcame strong opposition and a flood of attack ads to win his campaign. His strong values guided him through a tough race.
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Episode 103
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25:08
Dr. Rahman Johnson on Redistricting, Race & Jacksonville’s Evolving Politics
This week, we chat with our dear friend, Dr. Rahman Johnson. He’s a City Councilman, award-winning broadcaster, educator, and true Renaissance man.Dr. Johnson shares his journey from Jacksonville neighborhoods to becoming the...
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Episode 102
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27:50