Mikes on Mic

In this special episode marking the third anniversary of Mikes on Mic , hosts Mike Miller, Mike Hightower, and Mike Tolbert are back in the studio together to celebrate three years of insightful political conversation. Joining the celebration is investigative reporting legend and Executive Editor of The Tributary , Nate Monroe . The Mikes dive deep with Nate into the latest political shockwaves ro...

In this episode of Mikes on Mic , hosts Mike Miller, Mike Hightower, and Mike Tolbert sit down with Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan live from City Hall. As she begins the final year of her first term and launches her 2027 re-election campaign, Mayor Deegan reflects on her commitment to turning renderings into reality and keeping her administration's foot on the gas. From downtown revival and...

Why are working families in Jacksonville one rent increase away from financial distress? Why has homeownership become an elusive dream for an entire generation, even for those who can afford rent? In this episode of Mikes on Mic , Mike Miller and Mike Tolbert dive deep into the uncomfortable questions surrounding Jacksonville’s dramatic housing market shift. They are joined by Dr. David Jaffe (Soc...

In this incredibly special episode of Mikes on Mic , hosts Mike Hightower, Mike Tolbert, and Mike Miller dedicate the hour to honoring a true Jacksonville icon—philanthropist, trailblazer, and community champion Pam Paul .  With fingerprints all over the civic, political, and philanthropic fabric of Jacksonville, Pam has spent over six decades quietly transforming the city from the ground up. From...

Is Downtown Jacksonville truly booming, or are we just chasing buzzwords? In this episode of Mikes on Mic , Mike Miller, Mike Hightower, and Mike Tolbert sit down with Ennis Davis —a certified planner, public historian, and sixth-generation Floridian—to peel back the layers of Jacksonville’s urban development, transportation struggles, and rich cultural heritage.  From the future of the Laura Stre...

The three Mikes are taking a brief hiatus this week, but we’re digging into the vault to bring you a discussion that is just as relevant now as it was when it first aired in March 2025 . Join Mike Miller , Mike Hightower , and Mike Tolbert for a deep dive into the political maneuvers and fiscal realities shaping Jacksonville. In This Episode: The UF Land Swap: We break down the friction between Ma...

In this episode, the "Three Mikes"—Mike Miller, Mike Hightower, and Mike Tolbert—are joined by long-time political leader and 5th-term City Councilman Matt Carlucci . With a legacy stretching back to the dawn of Jacksonville’s consolidation, Carlucci offers a candid look at the friction currently defines City Hall. From the "cancer" of partisanship to the ongoing investigations...

Jacksonville’s public utility is back in the headlines, and as the "Mikes" point out, it’s not for a billion-dollar deal or privatization efforts this time. In this episode, hosts Mike Miller , Mike Hightower , and Mike Tolbert sit down with David Bauerlein , the tireless investigative reporter for the Florida Times-Union , to peel back the layers of the latest controversies surrounding...

We’ve been watching Jacksonville politics for a long time… and I keep seeing the same pattern. Something happens. Tension builds. People point fingers. And then somehow, it all circles back to the same place. But this time feels different. There’s a message. A “favor.” And a series of moves that raise more questions than answers. The kind of questions most people don’t ask out loud. If you’ve ever...

Back for a new season, and this time I’m getting right into the pressure points shaping Jacksonville and Florida politics. A lot of people still believe party labels tell the whole story. They do not. Beneath the headlines, there are deeper problems driving voters, testing incumbents, and putting real pressure on local leadership. In this episode, we dig into what may really decide the next big ra...

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 meaningful conversations. With 125 episodes recorded, the podcast reflects on its journey exploring politics, government, and the evolving story of the Jacksonville community....

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 lot of people to get upset and worry about the future of the city’s utilities. We sit down with people who were part of the investigation into that attempted...

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 riverfront parks, and real investment in neighborhoods that have been overlooked for years. But we also got into the tough stuff: the pushback, the politics, and the c...

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, civic leadership, and Jacksonville’s future. From its roots serving military families on a naval air base to becoming a billion-dollar financial institution with over a...

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 Hightower and Mike Tolbert, we sit down with Dr. Sean Freeder, political science professor at UNF and expert on political polarization, to unpack the hard truths behind today...

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. But with only 76 daily riders and a staggering $370-per-passenger cost, is it already headed for the scrap heap? Joining us is veteran journalist David Bauerlein from the...

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 guest Dr. Michael Binder from UNF’s Public Opinion Research Lab, here to break down fresh polling data revealing what’s really keeping voters up at night—and why these concern...

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 local decision-making. You’ll hear how political leaders juggle transparency, legal fears, and public interest—all while keeping their cool (and sometim...

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 was to deliver much needed medical supplies to battle field Ukraine soldiers. During this episode of Mikes on Mic, Hightower describes what he saw and summaries of mee...

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 episodes that helped shape the conversation in and around Jacksonville. From Sheriff Nat Glover’s powerful stories , to Michael Krause of Politico on the in...

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 conversation. Why does the divide feel so personal these days? Why do disagreements so often spiral into full-blown hostility?  Dr. Freeder brings a wealth of insig...

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.  From Sunshine Law concerns to nonprofit funding tied to council members, Leslie brings legal insight and personal passion to the table.  This one’s all about civic courage—d...

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 radio and television outlets. Under his leadership, WJCT continues to inform, educate, and inspire Northeast Florida through trusted journalism, cultural p...

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 team are reimagining downtown Jacksonville—turning overlooked blocks into a dynamic, inclusive destination where business, culture, and community thrive. You'll...

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 community engagement, Ehas has led Groundwork Jacksonville in its mission to restore and reconnect the city's urban core through green infrastructure.  Under her lea...