Richard Helppie's Common Bridge

Rich talks with retired Drug Enforcement Administration officer, Derek Maltz about the dramatic increase in counterfeit drugs being sold on the black market that contain potentially deadly doses of fentanyl.  Maltz talks about how the Chinese underground and Mexican cartels are working in tandem to create a conduit for these deadly narcotics into the United States. Support the show Engage the conv...

Rich reflects on the past year, and what's ahead for America after a cross country trip down Route 66.   He sets the stage for his Common Bridge Season 3 and talks about the important policy decisions ahead, and as a country, what we've gotten right and what we've gotten wrong. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

This is the second of a two-part interview with Robert Greenfield, as he returns to The Common Bridge.  Greenfield travels from Perth, Australia to talk about US politics, policy, elections and COVID.  A favorite guest of The Common Bridge, Rich and Robert finally meet face-to-face and have a great conversation.  Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Robert Greenfield returns to The Common Bridge, but this time in our Ann Arbor studio.  Greenfield travels from Perth, Australia to talk about US politics, policy, elections and COVID.  A favorite guest of The Common Bridge, Rich and Robert finally meet face-to-face and have a great conversation.  This is the first of two parts. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Br...

Rich discusses actual election law and history, without the partisan and media hype,  with Iowa College Professor of Law, Derek Muller.   Muller goes through the history of election law in the US, and talks about what he thinks we get right and wrong, and how we may be able to improve it. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich talks with Rakhi Ruparelia, professor of Law at Ottawa University, on Critical Race Theory, and why it strikes such a chord with those who oppose its presence in public school curriculum. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich does a very quick take on what he sees would be a sensible approach to gun control. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich talks with retired Detroit Police Chief James Craig about his career, and how the community and police department in Detroit avoided the social chaos that tore apart other cities across the United States in the Summer of 2020. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich and Russian-British comic and political commentator, Konstantin Kisin talk about the minefield of standup comedy in a world where every word can be used as ammunition to destroy the comic on social media. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich talks about blockchain technology with the author of "Blockchain: The Next Everything," Stephen R. Williams.   Williams talks about what exactly blockchain is, how it is currently being use, and what the promises of it's implementation could be. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich talks with the CEO of Action Benefits, Karl Albrecht about the state of Health Insurance.  Albrecht also gives a candid insight to his personal fight with pancreatic cancer and how being a Health Insurance executive as well as a patient, has given him a unique perspective on how things work, and how they could improve. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

A fast- paced discussion of Delta Variant, Breakthrough Infections, Gain-of-Function, Vaccine Success & Side Effects, with Dr. James Baker of Michigan Medicine. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich talks with the founder of the Educational Travel Alliance, Michael Eizenberg, about the history of Cuba, and the politics of the US/Cuban relationship for the last 150 years.  They discuss what may be the causes of the current strife in Cuba and what might be done to help. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich brings back healthcare expert and consultant, Nathan Kaufman, Managing Director of Kaufman Strategic Advisors.  Rich and Nate talk about the current policy issues surrounding healthcare, and why the United States' approach to health insurance, care, and finance, are  woefully inadequate in today's landscape. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich continues his analysis of what he considers the three flawed pillars that are driving division and misinformation in our country today; The Republican Party, The Democratic Party, and Mainstream Media. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich talks with Frank Supovitz, who for over 30 years, has been the producer of some of the world's most prestigious, widely-viewed, and most well-attended sports and entertainment events.  Frank is the host of the When Things Go Wrong podcast and author of What to Do When Things Go Wrong and The Sports Event Management & Marketing Playbook, the definitive textbook used by sports business...

Rich releases his weekly episode a few days early this week in honor of Independence Day.  He takes some time to reflect on why we still should celebrate our nation's birthday even though our history has been imperfect. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich talks about the science of climate with Dr. Judith Curry.  Dr. Curry explains how politics have clouded solid scientific-based climate policy over the last few decades, and why that needs to change going forward if we're going to rationally address hunger, clean water supply, and energy.. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich talks with actor, producer, playwright, and musician, Jeff Daniels about live theater, movies, and the importance of the arts in general post Covid, and what it will take to get live entertainment back on stage in front of live audiences. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich invites Westland, Michigan Mayor, Bill Wild to The Common Bridge.  They talk about issues facing local governments, and how state and federal policies can impact decision making.  Westland is Michigan's tenth largest city and it's a fascinating conversation that goes from finance to policing, to Covid, and more. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Brid...

Rich talks with veteran telehealth executive, CJ Mark about the growth of Telehealth in the last decade.  They discuss the issues surrounding Telehealth, and how Covid has accelerated the importance of remote medical care. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich talks with Fortified Health Security CEO Dan L. Dodson about the landscape of cyber security today.  They also cover national and personal security vulnerabilities and what is the path going forward. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Pandemic Ending? How are Hospitals Doing? with Brian Peters.  Rich brings back Brian Peters, the CEO Michigan Health and Hospital Association to talk about the current state of Covid-19;  what we may have gotten  right, what we may have gotten wrong and how to move forward. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich brings back Dr. James R. Baker Jr., M.D.,  from The University of Michigan to discuss the way forward a year and 15 months after the Covid Pandemic.  Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!

Rich takes a break from his vacation to comment on what's happening, what's being reported, and what's NOT being reported. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!