Meyerside Chats: Government, Policy & Civility
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. Cities are an essential part of our identity. Depending on where we live, we develop different attitudes, personalities, perspectives, and ways of living. But is the average citizen aware of how their cities actually operate? Likely not. Conflicts between landlords and tenants are common. Many people lack knowledge of the ordinances their leaders enact. For those residents and communities that lack communication, the gap will worsen if left unaddressed. There are deep-seated issues in many cities that prevent them from progressing. People tend to look at national-level issues rather than concentrating on issues in their own localities, and they are not aware of these severe problems. It is only as they become immersed in the country's biggest issues (which are outside of their control) that they realize what they want. But a knee-jerk response of fury or blame is useless without productive action. What can be done to correct issues like poor compost, unfair ordinances, or substandard infrastructure? The key is to shift the focus to the local level, get involved, and become part of the solution. Identifying what you can do to contribute begins with listening and trying new ideas. We must establish deeper relationships with each other to achieve more practical solutions. To find out how, host Evan leads eye-opening conversations about civic and community leadership that highlight how to stand up and make cities better. Addressing the "Us and Them" mentality, he brings people together to see eye to eye and provide their unique viewpoints. This show aims to humanize politics, break the toxic bureaucracy, and reconnect residents with their city leaders. Evan explores the muddied relationships with politicians. With their grand buildings and great powers, these individuals usually appear distant and untouchable. But they are not infallible. It is possible to start authentic conversations that eventually lead to sustainable and inclusive communities. Long-time community leader Evan Meyer invites you to focus on this alarming state of living through his podcast, Meyerside Chats. On this show, you'll hear real talks about rebuilding trust between people, leaders, and our government. Evan brings vast experience to the podcast as a civic guru and community leader. For many years, he has been heavily involved in the development of Santa Monica using highly innovative approaches. He created the city's Civic Love program, a group focused on volunteerism and making change through the process of "doing good." He also served his neighborhood association for a decade, eventually as president. In addition to outstanding community involvement, Evan founded several start-up businesses. He actively works to transform neglected communities globally through murals, art education, and social responsibility. The efforts of Evan are a perfect example of what citizens can do to make their city a better place to live, work and thrive.
Episodes
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 i...
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, ...
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 — ...
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, en...
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 mov...
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 board
Running a medical & court interpreting age...
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...
Government Cyber Security Breaches, Trust, & Why Many Systems Are Designed to Fail | Alexander Rogan
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...
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...
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 pol...
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 t...
Bipartisanship, Structural Partisanship, Activists vs Jurors & Comfort w/ Ambiguity | Shannon Watson
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, ...
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 b...
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 a...
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, ...
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, ...
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 I...
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 in...
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 t...
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 ma...
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