The Middle Ground

In this unforgettable episode of The Middle Ground , host Tom Letizia sits down with actor and storyteller Gianni Russo , best known for his role as Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather . From working with legends like Marlon Brando and Al Pacino , to real-life brushes with the mob and running his iconic State Street restaurant in Las Vegas, Gianni shares candid stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and ref...

On this episode of Middle Ground , host Tom Letizia sits down with Clark County Commissioner April Becker , who has uncovered a troubling misuse of public funds. Shortly after taking office, Becker learned that $10 million allocated to her district was already spent —with nearly $8 million redirected to the Commission Chairman’s district without a public vote or transparency. Commissioner Becker s...

On this episode of The Middle Ground , host Tom Letizia sits down with prominent election attorney Bradley Schrager of Bravo Schrager to tackle the legal and political issues shaping Nevada and the nation. From record-low approval ratings for Democrats to the state of gridlock in Carson City, Schrager weighs in with sharp analysis and candid commentary. We dig into: Who’s really leading the Democr...

On today’s episode of The Middle Ground with Tom Letizia , we shine a spotlight on one of the most influential voices in Nevada’s labor movement — Vince Saavedra, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Southern Nevada Building Trades. Vince shares his inspiring journey from apprentice ironworker to leading a coalition representing thousands of union members across more than a dozen construction trad...

Voices of Justice & Compassion On today’s episode of The Middle Ground with Tom Letizia , we spotlight two inspiring women who are making a real difference in Nevada’s legal and community landscape. First, we welcomed Judge Jennifer Schwartz of Department 17 in the Eighth Judicial District Court. With over two decades of experience as a public defender, prosecutor, and civil attorney, Judge Sc...

On today’s episode of The Middle Ground , host Tom Letizia brings you a dynamic, justice-focused show featuring two distinguished guests shaping the future of our legal community. First, we sit down with Judge Dawn Throne , Family Court Judge for Clark County’s Eighth Judicial District Court. Judge Throne shares her insights from decades on the bench, discussing the importance of fairness, compass...

In this episode of The Middle Ground Radio Show , host Tom Letizia welcomes back Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson for a timely and in-depth discussion on the current state of justice in Southern Nevada. Joined in-studio by Tom’s son Russell Letizia , the conversation explores the Nevada Legislature’s recent decision not to advance AB66 , a bill that would have added more judges to reli...

On today’s episode of The Middle Ground , host Tom Letizia sits down with Peter Guzman , President of the Latin Chamber of Commerce of Nevada , for a powerful and insightful conversation about the future of Nevada’s business community, the role of Latino leadership, and what it means to drive real impact at the grassroots level. Now in his third appearance on the show, Peter shares updates on the...

On today’s episode of The Middle Ground , host Tom Letizia sits down with Betsy Fretwell , a dynamic force in Southern Nevada’s growth and development. From her tenure as City Manager of Las Vegas during a time of major transformation, to her role today as CEO of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance , Betsy shares her journey and the lessons she’s learned from decades of leadership in both publi...

On this episode of The Middle Ground , host Tom Letizia welcomes one of Nevada’s most respected civic leaders and legal minds — Joe W. Brown . With a career spanning decades in law, public service, business, and philanthropy, Joe shares powerful insights into what makes Nevada unique, the importance of civic responsibility, and the critical role of ethical leadership in today’s polarized political...

On today’s episode of The Middle Ground Radio Show , host Tom Letizia sits down with Joseph Ferreira, President and CEO of the Nevada Donor Network — one of the nation’s leading organ procurement organizations. In this inspiring conversation, Joseph shares how the Network transforms tragedy into life-saving opportunity through organ, eye, and tissue donation. He opens up about the groundbreaking i...

In today’s episode of The Middle Ground , host Tom Letizia welcomes two dynamic legal minds shaping justice in Southern Nevada. First, in our ongoing judicial series, we sit down with Judge Adriana Rincon White , the newest appointee to Clark County Family Court. Judge White shares her inspiring journey to the bench, her deep-rooted passion for family law, and her vision for a more compassionate,...

On this episode of The Middle Ground Radio Show , host Tom Letizia and Executive Producer Russell Letizia sit down with Heather Engle , CEO of the Las Vegas Rescue Mission , for a candid and compelling conversation about one of Southern Nevada’s most urgent challenges— homelessness . Heather shares her firsthand experience leading one of the region’s most impactful nonprofit organizations, offerin...

On today’s episode of The Middle Ground , host Tom Letizia welcomes a truly inspiring guest— Jon Ponder , Founder and CEO of Hope for Prisoners . Jon’s life is a powerful story of transformation: from serving time in federal prison to building one of the most impactful reentry programs in the country. Hope for Prisoners helps formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate into society—...

On this episode of The Middle Ground Radio Show , host Tom Letizia welcomes a leading voice in Western water policy— John Entsminger , General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority. With over 20 years of experience, John has helped shape the region’s water strategy during one of the most challenging periods in the Colorado River’s history. Together, they explore how Southern Nevada has be...

On today’s episode of The Middle Ground , we welcomed Liz Ortenburger, the dynamic CEO of SafeNest—Nevada’s largest nonprofit committed to ending domestic and sexual violence. Liz shared her powerful story of transformation, from surviving cancer to becoming a leading voice for justice and systemic change in Southern Nevada. Under her leadership, SafeNest has shifted from a crisis-response model t...

Today’s episode of The Middle Ground Radio Show featured Lisa Mayo-DeRiso—a respected community advocate, strategic consultant, and voice for responsible development in Las Vegas. From supporting small businesses disrupted by major city events to advocating for forward-thinking housing solutions like tiny homes, Lisa consistently works to ensure our city grows in ways that benefit everyone. Her pa...

In this powerful episode of Middle Ground Radio , host Tom Letizia sits down with Marla Letizia, founder of the Long-Life Era® Community, to explore the hidden forces shaping America's food and healthcare systems. Marla, a passionate advocate for purposeful aging and conscious living, unpacks the alarming changes in our food supply—from the rise of ultra-processed, chemical-laden meals to the...

On today’s episode of The Middle Ground Radio Show , we were proud to welcome Councilwoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong, who represents Ward 5 in Las Vegas. With a remarkable background in public service, including two terms in the Nevada State Legislature, she brings a deep commitment to grassroots advocacy and community empowerment. We discussed her legislative journey, her priorities for Ward 5, a...

On today’s Middle Ground Radio Show , we explored the dynamic world of real estate and development in Southern Nevada — starting with a look at one of Henderson’s most exciting new projects: The Cliff at Green Valley Ranch . What was once a traditional office complex is now undergoing a $30 million transformation into a vibrant, open-air lifestyle destination. With local shops, restaurants, and lu...

On today’s episode of Middle Ground , host Tom Letizia leads a timely and urgent discussion on the rise of antisemitism — from college campuses to online platforms and across our communities. Joining the conversation are two distinguished guests who are leading the fight against hate: 🎙️ Jolie Brislin , Regional Director for Nevada and Arizona of the Anti-Defamation League, shares her insights on...

Today’s Middle Ground show was a special two-guest edition, featuring two women who have dedicated their lives to public service and advocacy. First, Judge Margaret Pickard of the Eighth Judicial District Court – Family Division shared insights from her remarkable career. Known for her fairness and compassion, Judge Pickard has long been a champion for children and families. Before taking the benc...

On today’s Middleground Radio, we welcome Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown, the first African American elected mayor of North Las Vegas and a lifelong resident of the city. With a strong background in education and community service, she brings both passion and extensive experience to her role. Prior to her mayoral position, she served on the City Council for over ten years and worked as an educator and...

Today on Middle Ground, we welcome Henderson Mayor Michelle Romero, who has strong ties to the community and previously served as a city councilwoman. Under her leadership, Henderson has emerged as one of the nation’s fastest-growing and most livable cities, recognized for its focus on public safety, economic development, and quality of life. We'll explore the city's advancements, the ch...

In today's episode of Middle Ground, we welcome Hilarie Grey, CEO of The Animal Foundation, one of the largest animal shelters in the U.S. Hilarie shares insights on the foundation's mission and the vital role it plays in the Las Vegas community. We'll discuss the challenges and successes in animal welfare, as well as how our community can get involved to support responsible pet own...