In 1998, at the age of 18, Jarrett Adams was wrongly convicted and sentenced to 28 years in a maximum security prison. After losing nearly a decade of his life to confinement, Jarrett not only won his exoneration, he went on to graduate  from Loyola Law School and recently passed the New York State Bar Exam. He is now serving as the first ever Post-Conviction Fellow at the National Innocence Project. 

In this maiden episode, I'll explain what The Golden Mean podcast is going to be all about, followed by our interview. The journey that Jarrett's been traveling on is an extraordinary story of fortitude, survival and success. I hope you'll enjoy listening to our conversation as much as we enjoyed having it. 

EPISODE 1: JARRETT ADAMS - EXONOREE AND ATTORNEY AT THE NATIONAL INNOCENCE PROJECT

Mark McKinnon first dreamed up the idea for a behind-the-scenes documentary series about the grueling nature of a presidential campaign back in 2002. Fourteen years later, "The Circus " is a smash hit on Showtime! In this episode of The Golden Mean, Mark joins Michael to talk about producing the show, this crazy political season, the upcoming presidential debates - and the hidden meaning behind his ubiquitous Open Road Stetson!

EPISODE 2: MARK MCKINNON - "THE RINGMASTER"

In his Hall of Fame basketball career, Boston Celtic Kevin McHale scored more than 17,000 points and won three NBA Championships. On St. Patrick's Day, Kevin joins the show to talk about his playing career, today's NBA, a breakdown of the top NCAA teams competing in March Madness - and his hilarious guest appearances on "Cheers."

EPISODE 35: KEVIN MCHALE, NBA HALL-OF-FAMER

EPISODE 50: CHARLES WHEELAN, AUTHOR, THE CENTRIST MANIFESTO

The future of America! Three Arizona State Sun Devils from Michael's class on The Congress meet at Zipps Grill to talk politics, higher education and the future they foresee for themselves!

EPISODE 64: ASU "BARRETT HONORS" STUDENTS TALK POLITICS

"I felt more comfortable in a woman’s body. And that’s who I truly was. I wanted to bring out my inside and reveal it on the outside. It’s almost like self expression." - Jamie Vallas

"She’s more my hero than I am hers… To me she is not a transgender, she is 100% woman. She’s a woman." - Dean Vallas

EPISODE 67: TRANSGENDER INDEPENDENCE - DAUGHTER/FATHER INTERVIEW, JAMIE & DEAN VALLAS

An American businessman is vowing to shake up the whole damn broken system if he makes it to the U.S. Senate! Neal Simon is running as an independent candidate - and in this interview he details his actual plans to reform the rules. Listen to the man from Maryland describe what he believes needs fixing - and how he's gonna get us there!

EPISODE 70 - U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE NEAL SIMON (I)

"I do know that for many, treatment saves lives."

Congressional scholar Norman Ornstein has become a champion on the issue of mental health in America - and he came by it in the hardest way possible. In 2015, the Ornstein family lost their son Matthew who had struggled for 10 years. Since then, Norm has dedicated himself to reforming and strengthening mental health assistance in our country - and he's making a big difference. Listen to "The Dean" talk about this critical issue.

EPISODE 71: NORMAN ORNSTEIN - CONGRESSIONAL SCHOLAR, AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE

Enough is enough! Nick Penniman is taking dead aim at the corruption in our politics by building a bipartisan, national coalition to attack the outsize influence of big money in our system. "It’s really reached the point of stage IV cancer, where it’s shutting down the body politic, it’s shutting down our ability to self-govern."

On the show, the CEO of Issue One talks about how his team is fighting the good fight - and how EVERY AMERICAN can get on board to help!

EPISODE 72: NICK PENNIMAN - COFOUNDER & CEO, ISSUE ONE

"Congress is really policing itself and that's a huge, huge problem. It's not really meaningful oversight." 

From the settlements of harassment claims on Capitol Hill to the lawsuits pending against the Trump administration, Jennifer Rodgers sounds off about corruption in government. The head of the Center for the Advancement of Public Integrity also describes HOW her team is helping cities and states across the country to fight political corruption!

EPISODE 73: JENNIFER RODGERS, EXEC. DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF PUBLIC INTEGRITY

Investigative journalist Bethany Mclean explains how large parts of the banking system are still "profoundly corrupt." The author of "The Smartest Guys in the Room" - about the Enron scandal - weighs in on the Wells Fargo scam, the actions of James Comey and how our government's regulation of Wall Street is losing much of its muscle under the Trump administration.

EPISODE 74: BETHANY MCLEAN, AUTHOR & VANITY FAIR CONTRIBUTOR

"As a society, we have so demonized this population. But they just want what most people want, which is a little stability and safety, and they want their kids to be safe." 

Evelyn Diaz is one of the most fierce and effective social justice champions in the country. President of Heartland Alliance, Evelyn is now taking on Chicago gun violence with a groundbreaking approach that just might prove to be transformational.

EPISODE 77: EVELYN DIAZ, PRESIDENT, HEARTLAND ALLIANCE

Who would embark upon a "mission to bridge the gap between liberals and conservatives?" Annafi Wahed would. The founder of TheFlipSide.io is working every day to get American news consumers out of their bubbles! Listen to Annafi talk about the state of American politics, our media blind spots - and the solutions her team is serving up on these civic challenges!

EPISODE 79: ANNAFI WAHED, COFOUNDER of THE FLIP SIDE

Can the new House Majority get anything done in 2019? Democratic Congressman Rep. Tom O'Halleran says new members from his own party have to find a way to work together, or they'll have a short shelf life: "If the Democrats in Congress don’t lead, they’re at risk again… I think the American people sent a very clear signal - we want you to do better. And you better."

EPISODE 80: CONGRESSMAN TOM O'HALLERAN (D-AZ)

EPISODE 82: LYNN SWEET, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

On the eve of the biggest Chicago Mayoral Election in 30 years, NBC veteran Mary Ann Ahern weighs in on the two final candidates and how they beat out the other dozen. Who will win? Who screwed up? How will either one of them fix the enormous problems Chicago is facing? Listen to a pro who covers all the angles!

EPISODE 83: MARY ANN AHERN, NBC-5 CHICAGO POLITICAL REPORTER

How did Lori Lightfoot achieve her crushing victory to become Chicago's next mayor? Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn weighs in on the election results, the future of the city, the bumbled Jussie Smollett case - and the real burning question behind the college admissions scandal!

EPISODE 84: ERIC ZORN, CHICAGO TRIBUNE COLUMNIST

Former Illinois Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn has strong views on whether his predecessor, Rod Blagojevich, should be freed from federal prison. In a wide-ranging interview, the Gov talks about Illinois politics, Election 2020, his support for One Million Degrees and community college students, fighting poverty across the country, creating grassroots movements, outlawing rigged US House Districts - and of course - his predictions on how the Chicago Bears will fare in 2019! Join us on the Mean!

EPISODE 85 - PAT QUINN, FORMER GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS

Karen Hinton nearly lost her life - it was split-second decision-making by her doctors that prevented her death. Then she faced the real battle: astronomical medical bills not covered by insurance. 

Listen to Karen's survival story, and also what she learned first-hand about America's broken healthcare situation.

EPISODE 88: KAREN HINTON, Founder, Hinton Communications

"I believe that when people talk about what they love, they come alive!" 

That's what Kate Sullivan's show, To Dine For, is all about! Kate joins the podcast to describe how her show was born, how it's become a smash success on PBS in just one year - and fascinating moments with her fascinating guests! 

"Everybody on the show is not only jaw-dropping inspiring, but also has a blueprint for success. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best."

EPISODE 91: KATE SULLIVAN, HOST, "TO DINE FOR" on PBS

"As college costs go up, sometimes students take out those loans and then they also have to use that money to pay for their living expenses, so they literally have no money for food. It’s just heartbreaking."

Soledad O'Brien's moving documentary, Hungry To Learn, will premiere at DOC NYC on Saturday, Nov. 9th. The Peabody-winning reporter and producer joins us to talk about this crisis on college campuses -- and how journalism can still be a powerful force for good!

EPISODE 94: SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, EXEC. PRODUCER, "HUNGRY TO LEARN" DOCUMENTARY

Eddie Bocanegra is the preeminent expert on gun violence in the city of Chicago, because he grew up in it, served 14 years in prison for it -- and then decided to do something about it.

The Senior Director of Heartland Alliance's READI Chicago program talks about how they are building a national model for slashing shootings by working with men to change their lives.

EPISODE 101: EDDIE BOCANEGRA, SENIOR DIRECTOR, R.E.A.D.I. CHICAGO

A master of health transformation and strength building, Brian Gryn shows people how they can eat clean to GET LEAN! He's an author, coach, entrepreneur -- and an incredible golfer!

Learn the secrets to making "intermittent fasting" an easy and effective way to look and feel your best. Brian is the leader.

EPISODE 106: BRIAN GRYN, HEALTH COACH & FOUNDER of GET LEAN - EAT CLEAN

Jobi Cates fights for the forgotten. She fights for fairness for the folks who've done wrong and are serving inordinately long prison sentences as a result. Jobi fights for a more just justice system. 

She is an Illinois hero, who uses the lessons of her own life to teach others how to make the world a better place.

EPISODE 107: JOBI CATES, FOUNDER, RESTORE JUSTICE

“It’s not enough anymore in American politics to be the smartest person or the most experienced or the best CEO or the guy who ran a city. If you can’t communicate, forget about it.” 

Mark McKinnon has advised everyone from City Councilmen to the President of the United States. He now hosts Showtime's hit show "The Circus. Mark visits with us from South Carolina, where he gives a preview of the Saturday primary - and grades each of the candidates' communications skills.

EPISODE 108: MARK MCKINNON, HOST & COFOUNDER, "THE CIRCUS" on SHOWTIME

Suburban women will be the #1 key to who wins the White House in 2020 according to polling guru Celinda Lake. The founder of Lake Research Partners, Celinda talks about how polling works, why it still matters, and what trends are likely to play out as we head toward the presidential election!

EPISODE 109 - CELINDA LAKE, FOUNDER, LAKE RESEARCH PARTNERS

Once upon a time this conservative columnist supported Jimmy Carter. Now, after 23 years as the Chicago Tribune's lead opinion writer, he is one of the city's most controversial media figures. 

John Kass talks about his childhood on the South Side, how he learned the chase down political corruption and his idea of the perfect Chicago day. Plus, his defining principle on politics: "Coincidences are for suckers!"

EPISODE 110: JOHN KASS, CHICAGO TRIBUNE COLUMNIST

“The value and valor is in the leap…Stop trying to control for perfection, and start trying to control for effort. That’s the one thing we can control in our lives.”

Alyssa Rapp is a wildly successful CEO and entrepreneur - and now the author of the brand new book: Leadership & Life Hacks. On this episode of the Mean, Alyssa talks about the strategies that have made all the difference along her path - and how everyone can apply these simple keys in their own lives!

EPISODE 111: ALYSSA RAPP - 3:17:20

“I think people are going to lose their lives because of the difference in coverage, honestly. I don’t see how it could be otherwise.”

National award-winning journalist & columnist Melinda Henneberger sounds off on the media's performance in covering the Coronavirus crisis - and the differences across various national outlets.

EPISODE 112: MELINDA HENNEBERGER,  COLUMNIST, KANSAS CITY STAR, USA TODAY

“Now more than ever, it’s local news's job to tell its people that it’s going to be okay. Y’know, to ease, to calm, to keep people safe. I’m seeing that first-hand, how important that really is.” 

WXOW Anchor/reporter Declan Levy talks about broadcast journalism and the value of local news in the middle of the Conornavirus pandemic.

EPISODE 113 - DECLAN LEVY, WXOW-TV SPORTS ANCHOR & NEWS REPORTER

"One thing about working at the Polar Science Center is that you’re confronted with these kinds of realities each day, and sometimes it can be disheartening to know that there are animals whose lives are being affected by the changing environment and changing qualities of our climate. But what brings me hope is working with such passionate people about those things." 

As a technician at the Polar Science Center at the Univ. of Washington, Ben Cohen is studying the effects of climate change on Polar Bears - and what that also means for the rest of the world.

EPISODE 115: BEN COHEN, POLAR SCIENCE CENTER GIS TECHNICIAN

There is one national news publication that covers every angle of the movement to reform and strengthen American elections and governance -- The Fulcrum! 

David Meyers serves as publisher and executive editor, and he talks on the Mean about how The Fulcrum is making a difference in informing and motivating Americans to fight for their rights!

EPISODE 119: DAVID MEYERS, PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR, THE FULCRUM

Personalities and perspectives from every part of the American spectrum. The Golden Mean features athletes, authors, musicians, journalists, opinion makers, entrepreneurs, scientists, politicians - and we're just gettin' started! Hosted by national award-winning broadcaster Michael Golden, the "Mean" will bring you new views and keep you enthused. Give us a listen!

THE GOLDEN MEAN

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