Meyerside Chats: Recent Episodes
Evan Meyer
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view. Cities are an essential part of our identity. Depending on where we live, we develop different attitudes, personalities, perspectives, and ways of living. But is the average citizen aware of how their cities actually operate? Likely not. Conflicts between landlords and tenants are common. Many people lack knowledge of the ordinances their leaders enact. For those residents and communities that lack communication, the gap will worsen if left unaddressed.
Long-time community leader Evan Meyer invites you to focus on this alarming state of living through his podcast, Meyerside Chats. On this show, you'll hear real talks about rebuilding trust between people, leaders, and our government.
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the "us and them" narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example. It highlights virtuous community leadership and emphasizes authentic conversation. By honoring differing points of view, and by using civil discourse, this podcast showcases the humanity of those who take on often thankless jobs in public service.
There are deep-seated issues in many cities that prevent them from progressing. People tend to look at national-level issues rather than concentrating on issues in their own localities, and they are not aware of these severe problems. It is only as they become immersed in the country's biggest issues (which are outside of their control) that they realize what they want. But a knee-jerk response of fury or blame is useless without productive action.
What can be done to correct issues like poor compost, unfair ordinances, or substandard infrastructure? The key is to shift the focus to the local level, get involved, and become part of the solution. Identifying what you can do to contribute begins with listening and trying new ideas. We must establish deeper relationships with each other to achieve more practical solutions.
To find out how, host Evan leads eye-opening conversations about civic and community leadership that highlight how to stand up and make cities better. Addressing the "Us and Them" mentality, he brings people together to see eye to eye and provide their unique viewpoints.
This show aims to humanize politics, break the toxic bureaucracy, and reconnect residents with their city leaders. Evan explores the muddied relationships with politicians. With their grand buildings and great powers, these individuals usually appear distant and untouchable. But they are not infallible. It is possible to start authentic conversations that eventually lead to sustainable and inclusive communities.
Evan brings vast experience to the podcast as a civic guru and community leader. For many years, he has been heavily involved in the development of Santa Monica using highly innovative approaches. He created the city's Civic Love program, a group focused on volunteerism and making change through the process of "doing good." He also served the Ocean Park Association for a decade, was a board member for nine years, and recently became president.
In addition to outstanding community involvement, Evan founded several start-up businesses. He actively works as an artist who helps transform neglected communities globally through murals, art education, and social responsibility. The efforts of Evan are a perfect example of what citizens can do to make their city a better place.
Listen to these insightful conversations about the places you live in and get motivated to take action before it's too late. Take action by tuning into Meyerside Chats at https://meyersidechats.com.
In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer speaks with Cesar Hidalgo, a Chilean Spanish-American scholar known for his contributions to economic complexity, data visualization, and applied artificial intelligence. They discuss the problems with democracy today, such as political polarization and identity-based politics. They also explore the idea of augmented democracy, using AI agents to support politicians and citizens in the voting process. They highlight the need for a more direct and nuanced representation of people's opinions and propose starting with low-stakes contexts to test the effectiveness of augmented democracy.
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by striving to create virtuous community leadership and authentic conversation. We showcase the humanity in those who take on the often thankless jobs of public service, civil discourse, differing points of view, and how we can improve our politics and society as a whole.
Recorded July 18, 2023
About Cesar Hidalgo
César A. Hidalgo is a Chilean-Spanish-American scholar known for his contributions to economic complexity, data visualization, and applied artificial intelligence. Hidalgo leads the Center for Collective Learning at the Artificial and Natural Intelligence Institute (ANITI) of the University of Toulouse and the Corvinus Institute for Advanced Studies at Corvinus University of Budapest. He is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Manchester. Between 2010 and 2019 Hidalgo led MIT’s Collective Learning group. Prior to working at MIT, Hidalgo was a research fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Hidalgo is also a founder of Datawheel, an award winning company specialized in the creation of data distribution and visualization systems. He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor in Physics from Universidad Católica de Chile. Hidalgo’s contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2018 Lagrange Prize and three Webby Awards. Hidalgo's is also the author of dozens of peer-reviewed papers and of three books: Why Information Grows (Basic Books, 2015), The Atlas of Economic Complexity (MIT Press, 2014), and How Humans Judge Machines (MIT Press, 2021).
About Evan Meyer
Evan is the Founder of
Support the showAbout Evan Meyer
Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.
He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.
As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.
Welcome to another exciting episode of Meyerside Chats! In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Leslie Crutchfield, an author, educator, and social change expert. Leslie is the Executive Director of Business for Impact at Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, and her latest book, "How Change Happens: Why some movements succeed while others don't," has garnered significant praise and recognition. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of social change and gain insights from Leslie's extensive experience and research.
Podcast Highlights:
[00:03:00] Impartiality and focus on understanding how change happens
[00:06:00] Understanding the big changes that have occurred in the 21st century
[00:09:00] LGBT marriage equality movement and the power of reframing the narrative
[00:13:00] Transcendent listening and understanding different viewpoints
[00:16:00] The challenge of implementing active listening and empathy in a divisive society
[00:20:00] The impact of algorithms and divisive content on social media
[00:23:00] The need to engage in transcendent listening on both sides of the political spectrum
[00:30:00] Importance of the right message, messenger, and medium in creating effective content
[00:31:08] Importance of reaching the right audience and using the right medium
[00:31:34] Marketing in business vs social change
[00:32:40] Examples of behavior change campaigns
[00:33:20] Adopting the "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk" slogan
To listen to the full episode and explore more exciting conversations, follow Meyerside Chats on your preferred podcast platform. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review to support the show and help us bring you more valuable content in the future.
Stay connected with us:
- Visit our website: https://evanmeyer.io/
Support the showAbout Evan Meyer
Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.
He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.
As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.
In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer interviews Ramayya Krishnan, Dean of Public Policy and Information Systems @ Carnegie Melon University, an expert in digital transformation and technology management. They discuss the role of decision-making models in voting, particularly in local and state issues. Krishnan highlights the importance of an informed populace and the challenges of acquiring accurate information in the age of filter bubbles and misinformation. They also touch on the need for humility in the information we consume and how technology can support this. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the significance of having a shared base of information to make informed decisions. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on Meyerside Chats!
Podcast Highlights:
[00:01:41] Exploring the use of cloud technology in society and policy-making.
[00:02:11] Discussing decision-making models in voting for the public and policymakers.
[00:09:01] The importance of having an informed populace in a democracy.
[00:12:16] The influence of technology on shared experiences and bridging differences.
[00:14:01] Building relationships and bridges between different political opinions.
[00:16:00] The role of being a good listener and demonstrating respect in conversations.
[00:17:43] Overlap between AI and politics in policy making.
[00:18:00] AI for policy making and policy for AI.
[00:23:00] Policy catching up with technological change and the role of AI.
[00:24:47] Contrasting the lack of understanding of social media by policymakers in the past.
[00:25:25] The potential of AI to educate and provide faster access to information for policymakers and the public.
[00:27:00] AI's role in helping understand complex public interest issues.
[00:29:48] Mitigating AI's negative effects through measures like provenance and watermarking.
[00:32:14] Using reputation and crowdsourced approaches to evaluate information sources.
[00:33:00] The absence of a perfect solution to the information problem.
[00:33:33] Cautions about AI's predictive capabilities and data representation.
[00:35:37] The potential benefits of AI in supporting decision-making and speeding up processes.
[00:36:13] Importance of representative data for predictive models and the risk of bias.
[00:37:00] Overcoming bias in data to ensure representation of society as
Support the showAbout Evan Meyer
Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.
He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.
As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.
In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer interviews Rammayya Krishnan, Dean of Public Policy and Information Systems @ Carnegie Melon University, an expert in digital transformation and technology management. They discuss the role of decision-making models in voting, particularly in local and state issues. Krishnan highlights the importance of an informed populace and the challenges of acquiring accurate information in the age of filter bubbles and misinformation. They also touch on the need for humility in the information we consume and how technology can support this. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the significance of having a shared base of information to make informed decisions. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on Meyerside Chats!
Podcast Highlights:
[00:01:41] Exploring the use of cloud technology in society and policy-making.
[00:02:11] Discussing decision-making models in voting for the public and policymakers.
[00:12:16] The influence of technology on shared experiences and bridging differences.
[00:14:01] Building relationships and bridges between different political opinions.
[00:16:00] The role of being a good listener and demonstrating respect in conversations.
[00:24:47] Contrasting the lack of understanding of social media by policymakers in the past.
[00:25:25] The potential of AI to educate and provide faster access to information for policymakers and the public.
[00:27:00] AI's role in helping understand complex public interest issues.
[00:29:48] Mitigating AI's negative effects through measures like provenance and watermarking.
[00:33:00] The absence of a perfect solution to the information problem.
[00:33:33] Cautions about AI's predictive capabilities and data representation.
[00:35:37] The potential benefits of AI in supporting decision-making and speeding up processes.
[00:37:00] Overcoming bias in data to ensure representation of society as a whole.
[00:39:48] Responsible AI implementation, understanding the system as a whole, and differential impact on individuals.
[00:40:23] Augmentation for democracy and the need for careful consideration of the pipeline.
[00:41:00] Assisting policymakers with AI tools to catch up with policy-making demands.
[00:43:35] Vision for a more prosperous, peaceful, and just society using technology for good.
Support the showAbout Evan Meyer
Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.
He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.
As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.
In this episode, we delve into the critical issues of leadership, transparency, and distorted narratives that impact the construction of a more perfect union in the United States. Our guest, David Satterfield, brings a wealth of experience and firsthand knowledge from being in the room where important conversations take place. We explore the limitations of public information and the potential consequences of misleading representations. Join us as we discuss the significance of accurate narratives, the role of the media, and the challenges faced in ensuring that the American people have access to vital information.
Podcast Highlights:
[00:02:41] Discussion on the current state of division and disagreement in US foreign policy.
[00:03:00] Historical context of sharp divisions and the exceptional degree of public agreement in the past.
[00:10:17] The role of the internet and social media in creating a lack of common facts and information.
[00:11:37] The impact of changing expectations and globalization on populist and demagogic appeals.
[00:13:31] Avoiding contempt and catering to ethnic or racial identities as a response.
[00:14:22] Different approaches: feeding, exploiting, or addressing the concerns.
[00:16:00] Socioeconomic drivers behind the problems and the need for their resolution.
[00:16:45] Loss of trust in foreign policy experts due to events like 9/11 and disastrous military adventures.
[00:19:58] The concept of being "in the room where it happens" and how certain information is withheld from the public in various conversations and levels of decision-making.
[00:20:00] The issue of the media and the distortion of narratives, questioning how far the American people and others are from the information presented in these private discussions.
[00:27:40] Media's role in polarizing issues and the influence of corruption, lobbying, and private interests.
[00:38:00] Three critical threats: divisions in the United States, socioeconomic challenges, and poorly considered military adventures overseas.
[00:41:34] Discussion on the influence of business dealings on political decisions.
[00:42:50] Exploring personal vision and the importance of facts shaping action.
[00:44:03] The danger of ideology overpowering available facts.
Support the showAbout Evan Meyer
Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.
He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.
As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.
Maria Madison is the interim Dean of Brandeis University.
A trained global public health researcher, Madison holds a Doctorate in population and international health from Harvard. She joined Brandeis with over two decades of international experience, designing, implementing and managing various projects and studies including clinical drug trials and registries, where she oversaw large, complex, multinational teams, with an abundance of her work in Africa. She is also president and founder of The Robbins House, a historic building and nonprofit organization focused on preserving Concord, Massachusetts’ Black history. She is also a trustee of Tufts University, from which she holds bachelor's and master’s degrees, and is an associate editor of the journal Health Equity.
Podcast Summary
The innate human propensity for hierarchy and "us and them." | 6:00
Paying for the sins of our grandparents | 8:00
Challenging your echo Chambers with opposing views | 10:00
Quality of life in America and it's barriers | 14:00
Exercise & nutrition information during COVID vis a vis social drivers | 17:00
Obesity in America and how to start fixing it | 22:00
The balance of responsibility | 24:00
The responsibility of universities | 26:00
Adaptive capacity | 32:00
Private interest vs social responsibility | 35:00
Venture capitalism & social businesses | 39:00
Replacement theory | 42:00
Greater exposure means greater respect | 44:00
How to deal with information and/or people you disagree with & recast theory | 45:00
How to accept new information that conflicts with your previous knowledge | 49:00
Everyone has a migration story | 55:00
About Evan Meyer
Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.
He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.
As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.
Summary
Intro to Nolan McCary | 0:00
What is Democratic backsliding and are we experiencing it? | 5:15
Why every president is blamed or praised for his successes and failures depending on what side you're on? | 6:30
How the train derailment in East Palestine exemplified the fundamental toxic polarization issue? | 7:40
Politics of confirmation bias | 10:55
Why does every election gets delegitimized by the opposite party? | 13:30
What is the general margin of error for election votes?
Issues with our election process 18:00
Why the context of "facts" matters & Trump/Biden election fairness | 25:00
Why is civic humility so hard? | 26:00
Marriage between couples of different political parties has become less accepted than that of different faiths, religions, or ethnicities | 35:00
Many political leaders misusing social media. | 37:00
Is polarization intentional? 39:30
Where does Princeton stand with the claims about liberal University indoctrination? | 43:00
Academic freedom and institutional neutrality | 48:00
What are Nolan's goals as a result of his efforts in polarization? | 55:00
The importance of not eliminating polarization if it means not talking about important topics | 58:00
About Evan Meyer
Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.
He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.
As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.
Recorded February 1,, 2023
Evan Meyer welcomes the Dean of Public Policy at New York University, Sherry Glied on this episode of Meyerside Chats.
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the "us and them" narrative and toxic polarization by striving to create virtuous community leadership and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view.
About Sherry Glied
In 2013, Sherry Glied was named Dean of New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. From 1989-2013, she was Professor of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. She was Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management from 1998-2009. On June 22, 2010, Glied was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services, and served in that capacity from July 2010 through August 2012. She had previously served as Senior Economist for health care and labor market policy on the President’s Council of Economic Advisers in 1992-1993, under Presidents Bush and Clinton, and participated in the Clinton Health Care Task Force. She has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Social Insurance, and served as a member of the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. In 2021, the Association of University Programs in Health Administration selected her as the recipient of the William B. Graham Prize for Health Services Research. The following year, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences elected her as a 2022 Fellow.
Glied’s principal areas of research are in health policy reform and mental health care policy. Her book on health care reform, Chronic Condition, was published by Harvard University Press in January 1998. Her book with Richard Frank, Better But Not Well: Mental Health Policy in the U.S. since 1950, was published by The Johns Hopkins University Press in 2006. She is co-editor, with Peter C. Smith, of The Oxford Handbook of Health Economics, which was published by the Oxford University Press in 2011.
Glied holds a B.A. in economics from Yale University, an M.A. in economics from the University of Toronto, and a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University.
Podcast Summary
- Introduction to Sherry Glede | 0:00
- What is the problem with politics? |
About Evan Meyer
Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.
He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.
As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.
Recorded January 19, 2023
Evan Meyer welcomes Former Texas State Representative, Kyle Biedermann (R-TX) on this episode of Meyerside Chats.
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the "us and them" narrative and toxic polarization by striving to create virtuous community leadership and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view.
Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily PressSummary
- Kyle's background and how, and why he got into politics.
- The separation of church and state, how it started, how it's interpreted and what it means today | 5:00
- Religion vs politics role in individual values | 9:00
- Who are actually the people writing policy and with what standards | 12:00
- How to begin getting people to see their shared values and alignment | 15:00
- How Damar Hamlin brought the country together | 16:00
- Christianity in California | 19:00
- Due to media, we don't hear the things that are actually happening in government unless we "seek them out" | 19:00
- Can we separate the speak of God, from a unifying fundamental set of values? | 26:00
- Incorrect categorization of extreme politicians for the majority | 30:00
- The difference of rights versus policy for minority interest groups | 33:00
- The biggest problem in politics | 35:00
- Understand what the major issues are in politics vs using it in practice and how we create our beliefs | 37:00
- How Kevin McCarthy won the speaker seat | 39:00
- How to be effective in the legislature | 40:30
- Money, it's influence on politicians, & how the lead | 44:00
- Most people don't understand local politics, the realm they can actually effect change | 48:00
- How selling out in local politics can push you into "the club" and further away from the people | 50:00
- The "incumbent protection plan" | 52:00
- In order to be part of "the club" you need to raise money for the club | 53:00
- Ego and how desire for authorship in policy & programs can sway the voting decision | 57:00
- The power and pressure as a politician. "What would YOU do?" | 1:00
- Starting debates with the things we agree
About Evan Meyer
Evan is the Founder of BeautifyEarth.com, a tech platform and marketplace that speed tracks the urban beautification process through art, as well as the original 501(c)3 sister organization and public charity that beautifies schools in the communities that need it most. Beautify has now facilitated thousands of murals around the planet, working with hundreds of communities, community organizations, cities and national brands.
He is also the Founder of RideAmigos.com, a tech platform that optimizes commuter travel and behavior through intelligent programs and analytics for governments, large enterprises, and universities, serving many regions across the US.
As a civic leader in the City of Santa Monica, he is the past Chairman of his neighborhood (Ocean Park), giving residents a voice in the public process, as well as helping the City of Santa Monica with innovative, actionable ways of civic engagement. He gives seminars on building corporate cultures and the importance of community and civic engagement.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.
An informative chat with U.S. Congressman, Jay Obernolte on this episode of Meyerside Chats. Please subscribe to my channel to help eliminate the "us and them" political narrative.
Please pardon my less-than-ideal microphone during this episode filmed during my travels.
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the "us and them" narrative and toxic polarization by striving to create virtuous community leadership and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view.
Summary
How a Computer Engineering degree with a graduate degree in AI helps lend a unique perspective to our government | 1:30
How the US is faring with policy and regulation around AI | 3:00
Policy Implications of AI | 5:00
The power of ChatGPT | 6:30
How can we use AI to improve government? | 7:50
AI's ethical issues and job replacement vs it's powerful benefits (e.g. physicians) | 9:20
How can we improve our democracy with AI? | 12:30
Where can regulation be replaced with better education? | 14:00
How do we get people to read source information without being misled by polarized media narratives? | 17:00
The impact of anonymity on the internet | 20:00
Can technology (i.e. social media) help provide context or source information in dialogue around polarized issues? | 23:00
Why people vote red or blue down the line and how to improve the election process | 30:00
Are we providing the majority of people with the right resources for informed voting? | 34:00
If you're eligible to vote and don't, you have no right to complain | 35:30
The difficulty in voting for judges | 38:00
The detriments of intense polarization in our federal and local governments | 40:00
Political parties specialize, not in solving individual issues, but trashing the other party | 43:00
Is California a better example of collegial state politics than the nation as a whole? || 44:00
A great solution to a kinder and more cooperative government | 50:00
If you don't challenge your perspective, you can't learn. | 52:00
Evan Meyer welcomes Albin Gielicz to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Are you interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Santa Monica Travel and Tourism Chairman, Park and Recreation Commissioner, and past president and board member of nearly a dozen of Santa Monica’s various sustainability, economic development, neighborhood, and business committees, Albin Gielicz speaks about:
- His vision for Santa Monica,
- Tips for new businesses in Santa Monica,
- The state of and plan for tourism here in Santa Monica.
- Al Fresco dining,
- And much more goodness.
Meyerside Chats is an attempt to destroy the “us and them” narrative through virtuous community leadership, praising those who lead by example, starting right here in Santa Monica.
Evan Meyer welcomes David White to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Are you interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press.
David White is the current City Manager for the City of Santa Monica. White joined in October 2021 after serving as deputy city manager in Berkeley, where he championed reimagining public safety, including a new model of civilian oversight of Berkeley’s Police Department. Before his time in Berkeley, White was the city manager of Fairfield, CA.
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse and honoring differing points of view.
Recorded by santamonicamusic.com
Summary
• Some personal fun, well-groomed beard maintenance, and past DJ work.
• The importance of music in our lives
• Creating an ever-improving city culture
• How city staff can bring their best selves to work (e.g., David’s music in the office and falcon watching at City Hall)
• Infusing “who you are” into the workspace thru building safety, vulnerability, and purpose
• COVID Innovations, changes, and cuts we should keep
• Bureaucracy and how to create a “getting to yes” culture & mentality | 22:00
• Working through polarity at the city, council, and community levels
• Balancing “loud voices” that dominate conversations around issues with the ideal of true democracy.
• The importance and impressive nature of leadership involves the community, neighborhood, and business levels.
• Local government -> where action CAN lead to direct change
What's business like in Santa Monica post-pandemic? Joining Evan Meyer to shed light on the situation is Laurel Rosen, CEO and President of Santa Monica Chamber, for 23 years and running. As a civic leader, Laurel shares what the current state of business is like and what leaders should be doing for their business, their employees, themselves, and each other.
Laurel and Evan always have wonderful conversations, and we're excited to finally get one on record. In this episode, we discuss:
– The past and future of Business in Santa Monica
– The importance of emotional intelligence in civic and city leadership.
– How to stop complaining and start doing
– And much, much more
Thank you to Loews Hotel for hosting this episode and for their beautiful outdoor fireplaces – room side, poolside, and Meyerside :-). Special thanks to Younes Atallah!
Evan Meyer sits down with Councilman Phil Brock on the latest episode of Meyerside Chats.
Summary:
– The power of art.
– The many opportunities for SM to be a “cradle of the arts in LA”.
– We need a “crusade of culture”.
– More art and music opportunities at our parks.
– Santa Monica’s rich history.
– Why is there distrust and how do we get rid of it?
– Embracing disagreeing parties, news and information to understand all sides
– Phil’s abundant volunteer work.
– Tons of ways to get involved. There are so many ways to help when we “act local.” | 44:00.
– Accepting change is necessary, but to what extent?
– History of Vons at Euclid & Wilshire.
– The nature of angry emails to council.
– The state of homelessness. Can we be more effective?
– Viewing constituents from a customer service perspective.
– “One Santa Monica.”
Thank you Phil Brock for your service, your commitment to Santa Monica, and for sharing this time with me.
Evan Meyer welcomes California State Senator, Ben Allen on this episode of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press.
California State Senator Ben Allen was elected in 2014 (and reelected in 2018) to represent the 26th Senate District covering the Westside, Hollywood, and coastal South Bay communities of Los Angeles County. Ben chairs the Senate’s Environmental Quality Committee and co-chairs the Legislature’s Environmental Caucus, is a member of the Legislative Jewish Caucus, chairs the Legislature’s Joint Committee on the Arts, and the Senate Select Committee on Aerospace and Defense. He previously served as Chair of the Education Committee (2017-2019) and Chair of the Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee (2015-2016).
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view.
Summary
– Ben’s lovely Beard. 0:00
– New SB54 plastics policy signed by Newsom, authored by Ben. 3:00
– Very little press attention, yet so much power at the state level 6:00
– State-level vs federal-level news 10:00
– The conflict of private companies distributing public information. 11:30
– Lots of ways to engage in the system and have your voice heard. 13:30
– Pushing social media companies to better their algorithms. 14:30
– What is a fact? 15:30
– Social Dilemma /BraverAngels.org 17:30
– Bond agencies charge communities higher interest rates to cities without local press. 20:00
– The public confusion around the process of writing policy. 25:00
– Policies are almost always a product of compromise. 28:00
– Policies evoke infinite possibilities of outcomes that need to be considered while the actual vote for the policy is binary 32:30
– Where Ben gets his news from. 35:30
– What overhauling changes need to be made in government in order to rebuild trust with its people. 39:00
– The important, yet “pernicious force” of money in politics. 43:00
– What power should be granted to the State versus Federal government? 50:00
– The issue of equal representation in the senate. 57:30
– People power, Georgia, and the 2020 elections. 58:30
– Urban vs Rural politics. 1:04:00
– Ben’s final words 1:08:00
Evan Meyer welcomes BraverAngels.org on this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Evan Meyer welcomes John Wood and Randy Lioz with BraverAngels.org on this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press.
BraverAngels.org is a nonprofit dedicated to political depolarization. The organization runs workshops, debates, and other events, where “red” (conservative) and “blue” (liberal) participants attempt to better understand one anothers’ positions and discover their shared values. Its mission is to bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse and honoring differing points of view.
Summary
-What isBraverAngels.org?
-Generalizing & grouping individuals based on a single belief.8:00
-The immense courage it takes to stand up for what is right.11:00
-The immense effort it takes to get out of the algorithm & echo chamber to understand the full picture.15:00
-Successful discourse between differing parties must be had in a context of trust.20:00
-Extreme viewpoints tend to be the most vitriolic, but not representative of whole group22:30
-The demographic disparity of civic involvement in local democracies26:30
-The irony of understanding the extreme level of information bias, yet evoking staunch emotional beliefs when exposed to it.31:10
-The “I’m right and you’re evil” precondition that prevents the trust required for healthy discourse.36:00
-Taking the first step in trust building.41:00
-Perfect justice is impossible.42:30
49/51% win is not really a holistic win, it’s just beating the game.43:00
-Understanding the difference between facts vs the interpretation of facts49:30
-Paleolithic brains, medieval institutions and God-like technology55:00
-Facebook’s anger button57:00
-Making politicians “human” and rebuilding an ecosystem of trust, and genuine connection.1:00:00
Evan Meyer welcomes Chief of Police Ramon Batista to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Ramon Batista is the current Chief of Police for the City of Santa Monica. "Putting values into action" is one of his fundamental approaches to law enforcement leadership. The strategy for doing so was successfully administered during his time as the Chief of Police in Mesa, AZ, and documented in his thoughtful and informative book, "Do No Harm."
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the "us and them" narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse and honoring differing points of view.
Recorded bysantamonicamusic.com
Summary
– Background on the journey of Ramon’s path toward becoming police Chief.
– Importance of connecting with our youth | 2:30
– Impact of President Obama’s Strategies on 21st Century Policing
– Origins of his book, “Do No Harm,” & how it is implemented in Mesa, AZ
– Importance of small interactions with officers. Just say “hi!” | 8:30
– How to approach officers when you get pulled over | 12:45
– The truth about ticket quotas | 16:00
– A holistic approach to officer wellness/stress management | 17:00
– Managing resistance in an organizational culture shift | 27:00
– Community trust-building with law enforcement is critical & ongoing | 31:30
– Ramon’s book “Do No Harm,” as a visionary guide | 36:00
– Guardian vs. Warrior mindset & when to use each | 37:30
– Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) – The capabilities & opportunities in Santa Monica | 39:45
– Management of dispatching, how it operates, & the new “Live 911” system | 51:30
– Status on the shift to increased neighborhood patrol | 57:30
– Mindset of continuous improvement & building the leadership for our future | 1:06:00
Evan Meyer welcomes Debbie Lee to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Debbie has been the Chief Communications Officer for the City of Santa Monica for the past 8 years. Previously working for SM Travel & Tourism, and Downtown SM, Debbie has dedicated her professional career to our city for more than 23 years. She has helped shape the Santa Monica we live in today.
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view.
Recorded by santamonicamusic.com
Summary:
– “Without building relationships, you can’t build trust”
– “How to reach as many people as possible | 3:30
– Access to information IS equity | 6:30
– What are the factors that determine what “misinformation” is?
– How the city differentiates fact vs opinion | 10:00
– Debbie’s background in Santa Monica | 15:00
– How the city can improve | 17:50
– How access to information can change how we experience and build trust for government | 21:00
– Anger as a legitimate emotion around policy impacts, and how to it convert into constructive kindness to help drive your point clearer and faster | 24:30
– What advice would you give to other cities? | 33:10
– Bureaucracy, and balancing cost, efficiency and equity | 36:00
– Santa’s Monica’s strategy and metrics around multi-channel, targeted communications | 44:00/
– Public/private partnership in Santa Monica – past successes & future opportunities | 46:00
– Opportunities for Santa Monica/Los Angeles partnerships | 50:00
– Empathizing with those in Public Service | 58:00
– Debbie’s next journey | 1:00:40
– Debbie’s farewell message | 1:02:00
Evan Meyer welcomes Lana Negrete to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the "us and them" narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on tough jobs (often in the public realm) through civil discourse and honoring differing points of view.
Recorded by santamonicamusic.com
Council member Negrete is a lifelong resident of Santa Monica, bringing a wealth of knowledge about the issues impacting youth and families, renters, and small business owners.”
After serving Downtown Santa Monica as its CEO for over two decades, Kathleen Rawson is now leaving to assume a new leadership role at The Hollywood Partnership. In this conversation with Evan Meyer, she looks back on vastly changing the landscape of Downtown Santa Monica, which she proudly considers her life's work. She explains how she started the Downtown Ambassador Program and now leaves a well-designed roadmap to guide her successor in continuing her efforts. Kathleen also discusses how she will bring her learnings to her new position, touching communities and people on an international scale.
Community building is more than just doing acts of charity or being a law-obedient individual. At its more profound level, it is about creating a solutions-oriented public discourse between leaders and citizens. Evan Meyer explains how to achieve this common ground with Councilwoman Gleam Davis of Santa Monica. She discusses why politicians and people can make their cities a better place by setting aside differences, improving community feedback, and eliminating distrust of the political systems. Gleam also shares how they vastly improved housing projects, public transportation, healthcare, and education in Santa Monica through highly transparent and deeply democratic methods.
Evan Meyer welcomes Marc Morgenstern to this edition of Meyerside Chats. Interested in any of the civic topics below? Please tune in to Meyerside Chats on the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Past Ocean Park Association (OPA) President, Library Commission Chairman, public safety leader, and journalist, Marc Morgenstern discusses the one-year anniversary of his local online news distribution and his approach to civil and thoughtful community leadership; including, the barriers that make it difficult, how to overcome them.
Meyerside Chats is an attempt to destroy the “us and them” narrative through virtuous community leadership, praising those who lead by example, starting right here in Santa Monica.