Mick Unplugged

Michael Tubbs: Governing with Heart, Elevating Stockton, and Fostering Inclusive Urban Progress


Listen Later

Michael Tubbs is a trailblazing leader who made history as Stockton, California’s youngest and first Black mayor. Renowned for his bold approach to public policy and his pivotal role championing universal basic income, Michael rose from humble beginnings—shaped by poverty, an incarcerated father, and personal tragedies—to become a national voice for change and equity in American cities. A Stanford graduate, Tubbs has transformed adversity into action, focusing on making stories like his less rare by reshaping government to serve everyone and igniting opportunity in underserved communities. Today, he continues his mission running for California’s lieutenant governor and leading initiatives to end poverty and drive policy innovation nationwide.

Takeaways:

Grassroots Change Starts Local: Michael emphasizes that impactful change often begins at the local level, where community members can partner with government and step into leadership roles without years of experience—just a willingness to listen, learn, and serve.
  • Adversity Can Drive Purpose: Tubbs’ journey from growing up with significant challenges in Stockton to leading his hometown is a testament to the power of channeling personal hardship into a broader mission of service, showing that lived experience, combined with competence and discipline, fuels meaningful leadership.
  • Innovation and Policy Are Accessible: Michael dispels the myth that policy innovation is limited to experts—encouraging young leaders and business owners to engage with their local governments, uncover opportunities like government contracts or community collaborations, and believe that anyone invested can make a difference.

    Sound Bites:

    “If you have a heart to serve, a willingness to listen and to read, you are above 99% of folks in local office and you should be a part of the ecosystem. You don't just have to complain. You could do something about it.” – Michael Tubbs

    “People were finally coming to look to us for solutions and not just for problems.” – Michael Tubbs

    “Passion without competence is irrelevant. You have to marry that passion with some knowledge… or else you may make a bad problem worse.” – Michael Tubbs

    Quote by Mick: Dominate your hometown or wherever it is you live, dominate there."

    Connect & Discover Michael:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldtubbs

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StocktonTubbs

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC21utOIFQ8Wgw77WxMxzZKw

    Website: https://mtubbs.com/

    Website: https://endpovertyinca.org/

     

    FOLLOW MICK ON:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/  
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/  
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mickunplugged  
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/
    Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com                                                                                   Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Mick UnpluggedBy Realm

    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    3,616 ratings


    More shows like Mick Unplugged

    View all
    The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes

    The School of Greatness

    21,203 Listeners

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty by iHeartPodcasts

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    27,759 Listeners

    Habits and Hustle by Jen Cohen and Habit Nest

    Habits and Hustle

    827 Listeners

    Everyday Better with Leah Smart by LinkedIn

    Everyday Better with Leah Smart

    350 Listeners

    3 Takeaways by Lynn Thoman

    3 Takeaways

    276 Listeners

    How to Be a Better Human by TED

    How to Be a Better Human

    1,389 Listeners

    Passion Struck with John R. Miles by Passion Struck Network

    Passion Struck with John R. Miles

    706 Listeners

    Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin by Money News Network

    Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin

    1,687 Listeners

    The Daily Motivation by Lewis Howes

    The Daily Motivation

    912 Listeners

    The Money Mondays by Dan Fleyshman

    The Money Mondays

    461 Listeners

    Proven Podcast by Charles Schwartz

    Proven Podcast

    302 Listeners

    The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex by Paul Alex Espinoza

    The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex

    409 Listeners

    Impact with Eddie Wilson by Eddie Wilson

    Impact with Eddie Wilson

    42 Listeners

    We're Out of Time by Richard Taite

    We're Out of Time

    110 Listeners

    Mind If We Talk? by BetterHelp

    Mind If We Talk?

    107 Listeners