Hello everybody,

I'm excited to share the latest episode of Notes from the Front, featuring Whitney Tilson, a centrist Democrat, philanthropist, and candidate for New York City mayor.

Whitney's journey is fascinating—from his early years overseas in Tanzania and Nicaragua, to co-founding Teach For America and advocating for education reform in NYC.

In our conversation, we covered critical issues facing New York City:

* The education crisis and how to solve it

* Housing affordability and the future of rent stabilization

* Public safety, policing, and crime trends

* Fighting antisemitism and political extremism

Whitney doesn't shy away from bold policy solutions or candid critiques of his political rivals. This episode is a must-listen if you care about the future of New York City.

Listen on Apple or Spotify, or watch on YouTube, and let me know your thoughts!

~ Michelle

Podcast Chapters:

00:00 – Episode Introduction01:00 – Whitney’s Childhood & Background05:00 – Family Values & Service07:00 – Founding Teach For America12:00 – KIPP Schools & Education Philanthropy15:00 – Education Politics & Teachers' Unions16:20 – Fourth Grade Reading Crisis in NYC Schools22:00 – NYC Department of Education Budget & Bureaucracy24:00 – Why Are People Leaving NYC?27:00 – Solving NYC’s Housing Crisis33:00 – Rent Stabilization & Vacant Apartments44:00 – Crime Trends & Public Safety in NYC51:00 – Combating Anti-Semitism & Zoran Mamdani Critique54:00 – Why Whitney Tilson Chose to Run for Mayor

📺 Watch here on YouTube

🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com

Welcome back to Notes from the Front —

In this episode, Nicholas Kristof talks with us about the critical role of journalism in exposing and addressing global crises such as genocide, human trafficking, and inequality. He reflects on the moral dilemmas journalists face, balancing the pursuit of accurate reporting with a deep desire to inspire social change. Kristof also explores the challenges of today’s polarized political landscape, emphasizing the need to tackle working-class issues and foster bipartisan solutions on pressing topics like addiction, education, and housing. Amid the shifting dynamics of media and the rise of social platforms, he shares thoughtful insights on journalism’s evolving role in an ever-changing world.

I hope you find this episode inspiring!

~ Michelle

📺 To watch on YouTube, click here.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction of Nicholas Kristof and Vision for Notes from the Front podcast

3:13 Reporting on global issues and the impact of personal experiences

5:41 The power of journalism and storytelling in coverage of Tiananmen Square

7:58 Acts of courage and the evolution of Kristof's mission

10:21 Selecting impactful topics and tackling taboo subjects

14:10 Challenging audiences and navigating conflicts in journalism

17:07 Safety concerns and working with local teams

19:12 The power of personal stories and confronting evil

24:31 Balancing activism and journalistic ethics

27:27 Critiques of activism in modern journalism

31:06 The importance of diverse viewpoints and social media's role

37:10 Social media's impact on news consumption and accountability

41:18 Misinformation and the realignment of political affiliations

45:21 Democratic party's challenges and conflicting views on immigration

55:29 Addressing the working-class crisis and political failures

58:43 The impact of methamphetamine and synthetic drugs

1:03:13 Challenges with drug treatment and Kristof's future focus areas

1:06:24 Gender disparities and maintaining optimism in crises

1:10:18 Inspirational resilience story and conclusion

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com

Hi everybody & welcome (back) to Notes from the Front —

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio, a neurosurgeon at Zuckerberg San Francisco General - the leading trauma center & public hospital in the city of San Francisco.

This discussion focuses on the challenges of treating brain & spinal injuries in patients who are marginally housed, homeless, and/or struggling with addiction to substances like methamphetamine and fentanyl. We discuss the legal and ethical aspects of neurosurgery and trauma care, including patient capacity and conservatorship. Dr. DiGiorgio also offers insights into how policy and culture shape healthcare, drawing critical distinctions between the healthcare systems in Louisiana and California.

I found this conversation fascinating, and I hope you will too.

~ Michelle

Chapters

02:17 A Day in the Life of a Neurosurgeon

04:01 Elective and Emergency Injuries

05:46 The Reality of Uninsured and Homeless Patients

07:36 The Cost and Challenges of Long-Term Care

09:51 The Impact of Policy and Culture on Healthcare

17:47 The Struggle with Patient Capacity and Conservatorship

23:24 The Role of Drugs in Traumatic Brain Injuries

29:15 The Legal and Ethical Aspects of Patient Care

33:56 Comparing Healthcare Systems in Different States

38:13 Understanding the California MCO Structure

38:48 The Impact of MCOs on Long-Term Care

40:29 Comparing MCO Systems: California vs. Louisiana

41:02 The Complexity of MCO Systems

41:22 The Role of Politics in Healthcare

41:37 The Challenges of MCOs and ER Care

42:26 Advocating for Change in the Healthcare System

42:48 The Importance of Patient Autonomy and Choice

45:28 Addressing Substance Abuse and Mental Health

47:22 The Ethics of Capacity and Decision Making

47:47 The Impact of Drug Addiction on Health

49:31 The Struggle with Patient Autonomy and Treatment

52:04 The Consequences of Uncontrolled Drug Use

57:11 The Ethics of Using the Term 'Zombies'

01:06:56 The Role of Work Requirements in Healthcare

01:17:16 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Further Study & Resources

Books:

* Poverty & The Myth of Healthcare Reform by Richard (Buz) Cooper 

* The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth by Sam Quinones

Charities & Causes: 

* Saul’s Light

More about Dr. DiGiorgio: 

* UCSF Profile

P.S. If you have read this far… A special request. I am seeking all the feedback I can get! Please feel free to leave any thoughts or ideas by clicking the button below. Alternatively, you can email me directly. Thank you in advance! ~ MT

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com

“We will not fix San Francisco one project at a time. We must fight for structural change, which includes electing better officials and passing legislation.” - GrowSF Mission

Hello everybody -

Welcome to Notes from the Front. 

This episode features Steven Buss & Sachin Agarwal, two former tech executives now dedicating their time to building GrowSF, a nonprofit focused on advocating for common sense policy in San Francisco. From writing voter guides to running political education events, Steven & Sachin are working tirelessly to turn around the city they love. Their vision is for a growing, safe, vibrant, family-oriented future.  

I found this conversation fascinating, and I hope you will too. 

~ Michelle 

📺 To Watch on YouTube

🎧 Other audio versions: Spotify, Apple, Overcast

📖 Learn More:

* GrowSF voter guide

* GrowSF Feb Poll 

* Lanier Coles for DCCC (Notes from the Front episode)

* On defunding SFPD: “Did S.F. deliver on promise to redirect $120 million from law enforcement to Black community? (SF Chronicle)

* On SF Board of Supervisors part time vs full time: “S.F. supervisor moonlighting ban a burden” (SF Gate)

* Are There More Dogs Than Children in S.F.? (KQED)

* San Francisco has more drug users than public high school students (KTVU)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com

Hello everybody -

Welcome to Notes from the Front! This episode features Lanier Coles, a San Francisco resident running for the Democratic County Central Committee (aka DCCC). It will be a tight race, and she will need all the support she can get. Our conversation about her run for office (and views on San Francisco politics) is attached.

Have a great week!

~ Michelle

Links for viewing & sharing:

* YouTube (video version)

* Spotify

* Apple Podcasts

* Overcast

* Lanier’s Campaign Website

* SF Register to Vote (Deadline is Feb 20)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com

Hello everybody,

In this episode, we're speaking with Sam Lessin, a prominent figure in tech and venture capital. Sam has held several exciting roles in his career. He was VP of Product at Facebook and subsequently founded two companies - drop.io and Fin. Most recently, he co-founded and is a General Partner at Slow Ventures, a VC firm that has raised over $750 million. He’s invested in dozens of innovative startups like Venmo, Solana, and Teamshares. Sam also writes prolifically, both on X/Twitter and The Information. 

In this conversation, we'll explore Sam's latest endeavor: an against-all-odds run for the Harvard Board of Overseers. Sam, a Harvard alum, has grown increasingly alarmed by changes on the Harvard campus in recent years. He believes that the school requires serious reform - and must focus on academic excellence above all else while embracing free speech in the classroom & beyond. To reach the ballot, he must receive 3,300 write-in nominations.

We'll delve into what this role entails, the significance of the Harvard example in higher education, and the challenges of running as a write-in candidate. I found the conversation fascinating, and I hope you will, too.

~ Michelle

🎥 P.S. If you prefer to watch the video, you can find it below or on YouTube.

Resources/links:

* Sam for Overseer Website (includes instructions for nomination)

* Sample email template

Chapters:

* Introduction and Background: 00:00

* The Harvard Overseer Board: 03:20

* Confusion between Harvard Corporation and Harvard Overseers: 05:20

* Election and Term of the Overseers: 07:40

* Running as a Write-In Candidate: 09:10

* Challenges and Requirements for Nomination: 10:00

* Multiple Candidates and Bill Ackman's Slate: 13:50

* Power Dynamics and Administrative Reform: 17:00

* The Importance of Harvard's Example: 18:40

* Consistency in Political Statements: 22:10

* Advocating for Change as an Insider-Outsider: 25:40

* How to Support Sam's Campaign: 28:30

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com

Hello everybody —

Please find attached a draft of The New Meth & Fentanyl Crisis. It features Sam Quinones, author of Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic & The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth.

The episode covers a wide range of topics. From the Sacklers & role that McKinsey played in the Opioid crisis, to the dangers associated with the new synthetic versions of meth & fentanyl, and the new supply chain from China to Mexico. We wrap with a discussion of what could be done to reduce overdose deaths & turn things around.

If you have any feedback or ideas for how this could be better, please leave a comment or email me.

Notes & timestamps will be posted soon.

Hope you find this thought-provoking,

Michelle

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com

Hi everybody -

This is a working draft of our launch episode, How to Fight the Overdose Crisis in San Francisco. If you have any feedback or ideas about how it could be better, please email us or leave a comment below.

Also, if you would like to watch the episode on YouTube, click here.

Thank you for listening/watching!

~ Michelle

*Notes coming soon.*

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com