Richard Helppie's Common Bridge

To celebrate his 200th episode of The Common Bridge, Rich spends a few minutes reflecting on his take of modern journalism, then replays an earlier episode  where he has author, journalist, and political analyst, Matt Taibbi on to talk about the circling of the drain of American journalism.    Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Voters want compromise yet parties depend on partisanship... The 50 states are said to be the laboratories of democracy... There is widespread voter unease with the current voting system.... In our continuing series about election reform ideas, Rich welcomes to The Common Bridge Joe Kirby from South Dakota.  Could open primaries bring better candidates? Would representatives be more in touch and m...

Rich and former Michigan Attorney General, Mike Cox, discuss the environmental disaster, contamination, and resulting illnesses from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. For 35 years, Marines, soldiers, Navy personnel and others were infected with contaminated water. How did this happen? What’s the VA‘s role? What are the ABCs of getting justice? Watch, Listen or Read about this and more in this week’s e...

Authors of the epic book, “Nothing is Too Big to Fail" Kerry and Linda Killinger return to the Common Bridge. An update on bubbles, government policy and the disconnect between United States citizens and the policies and viewpoints of their government. These Pulitzer nominated authors, have data that encompasses nearly every aspect of the economy that affects nearly every person. Don't m...

Justin Higgins, host of the “Politics and Media 101” podcast, joins Rich on The Common Bridge for a fresh take about issues of the day and media coverage. Higgins brings first-hand knowledge from our nation’s capitol in part 2 of this 2-part series. These two rising independent journalists cover Hunter Biden’s Laptop, House Committee Assignments, Green Shoots of Bipartisanship, COVID policies, Ukr...

Justin Higgins, host of the “Politics and Media 101” podcast, joins Rich on The Common Bridge to talk about issues of the day and media coverage or non-coverage. Higgins brings the Washington insider look at what’s important In part 1 of a 2-part series, these two Independent interviewers discuss Chinese balloons, who’s got what documents, Federal Debt, Social Security with today’s demographics, T...

In celebration of Black History Month, Rich invites Brian Kruger to The Common Bridge to talk about his Emmy-Nominated documentary, “Black and Blue- The Story of Gerald Ford, Willis Ward, and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech Football Game.” Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich responds to comments, emails, and reactions from Common Bridge readers, listeners and viewers.  Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

The old media model on its deathbed? Soon to follow the idea of profiting from political polarization? Rich sits for an interview to reflect on nearly 200 episodes. Seems there is an audience to hear, see and read about good people doing good things and learned people providing deep insight.  Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Medical Assistance In Dying. Rich and Psychiatrist Dr. Nicholas Tito discuss the upcoming changes to Canada’s MAID law. A deep conversation about eligibility for assisted death, juxtaposition and conflict with mental health treatment and societal impacts. Your thoughtful comments welcomed at Substack.  Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich and noted columnist, author and analyst Adam Coleman discuss how slanted reporting  ultimately hurts those exercising the bias and those targeted by it. Adam slams fandom and team sport mentality of politics and reporting. The noise blocks policy solutions and drives division.  Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Dr. Lauran Star, Ph. D, brings her practical experience with implementing measurable programs for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in enterprises of all types. Definitions and practical experience beyond the headlines and the hype. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich talks about the emerging new media model and invites your participation on The Common Bridge.  Follow and comment on this episode on Substack  https://thecommonbridge.substack.com/ Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

John U Bacon joins Rich for a fun chat about this year’s bowl season, the rise of mega-conferences and the coming expanded playoff system.  Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Is there an exit from lesser-of-evils, hyper partisan political polarization? Is there a way off the cliff of tribal politics? Is there a place for kindness and decency in politics? Rob Sand, State Auditor of Iowa started his career as chief public corruption officer for attorney general’s office where he busted the biggest lottery scam in American History. Matt The only Iowa Democrat to win state...

Suppose you were an actual journalist who walked hundreds of miles all over Chicagoland, blended your first-person experience with a lot of data and then wrote a book entitled, “What Next, Chicago?: Notes of a Pissed-Off Native Son.”  You don’t have to make the walk or look up the data because Matt Rosenberg joins The Common Bridge this week to tell you all about it. Don’t miss this hard-hitting e...

We’ve all heard the reports of a rising mental health calamity in America. Whether mental health matters manifest as violence, physical illness,  or despair, what are the facts from the front lines? Dr. Victor Hong, M.D., is the Medical Director of Psychiatric Emergency Services of University of Michigan Medicine and brings a full picture of what’s troubling Americans. How the situation evolved, a...

In a reprised broadcast from June this year, and in response to President Joe Biden’s June 2, 2022 speech, “Remarks by President Biden on Gun Violence in America.”  Rich creates a reaction video that looks for sensible gun control. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Dr. James Baker returns to The Common Bridge to clear the conflict between politics and pandemic responses. Rich & Dr. Baker talk about whether vaccines make sense at this stage of COVID, especially for children, and why is a dangerous bio-lab located in Boston?  Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

In an quick and sometimes irreverent episode, Rich comments on midterm election results that saw the extremes crumbling, abortion decisions returned to the states, new voting methods employed and what may loom ahead for 2024, indictments and more.  Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich recaps the recent campaign season of ads, debates, “reporting” and of course social media postings from candidates and the punditry. In this short episode Rich’s disgust and amusement sometimes spills over into sarcasm. We hope you enjoy this entertaining take on the midterm election.  Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

The same votes may result in different outcomes, depending on the election systems and laws. Rich talks with election expert Steven Hill on voting systems around the world, with an explanation of Italy’s most recent election  Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Southern Methodist University’s Professor Anthony Colangelo returns to The Common Bridge to talk about Universal Jurisdiction and how it may apply to Russia and its leaders and their war against Ukraine.  Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich and Adam Kovacevich talk about the power of big technology platforms, and whether breaking up today’s behemoths would impair chances for better lives or open risks for personal intrusions and social regimentation. You are reading or listening to this online, so this is important to you. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich kicks off Season 4 of The Common Bridge, with a two-part interview with the President and CEO of FairChoice, Rob Richie.   Richie has been involved in helping to develop, win, and implement ranked-choice voting in states and cities across the US.   This is the second of a two-part interview. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!