Bob Taylor is a former Major in the US Air Force and B-52 navigator/radar navigator.  He flew eleven combat missions during Operation Desert Storm.  Bob returned home after his tour of duty thinking that he was unaffected by what he saw and did…then the nightmares started.  Embarrassed by his emotional struggles and thinking that he had not sacrificed enough for his country, Bob suffered in silence as many other veterans do.  He finally turned to the VA for help.

Now, Bob Taylor wants to help veterans move beyond the nightmares and find the means to reach their full potential.  In this podcast episode, he shares insights from his new book, From Service to Success.  He discusses how it is critical for Veterans to become part of a new community, to forgive themselves, to develop healthy living styles, and to create a greater sense of themselves that will allow them to reach beyond just existing.

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Season 2 kicks off with the Vice President for Government Affairs at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce – Brad Williams. Well known by politicos across the state, Williams bring his common sense approach and the Chamber’s “AND” theory of public policy to the The Aisle Podcast

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John Proos and David Rutledge talk with producer Jonny Reinhardt about the origin of The Aisle Podcast. Learn a little more about these hosts, their favorite moments from Season 1 and the great conversations and things we can accomplish when we come together in The Aisle.

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“My name may not be on legislation that moved through the Michigan House of Representatives during my tenure as minority leader, but my fingerprints are all over it.” House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski

In this episode of the Aisle, Minority House Leader Donna Lasinski discusses how she was inspired to run for public office, and how she balances her commitment to family and her work as leader of the Democratic Caucus.  She gives examples of how she has managed to work across the aisle and produce bi-partisan legislation that benefits early childhood education.  Leader Lasinski represents northern and western Washtenaw County including Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Saline, and Whitmore Lake.  She is in her final term in the Michigan House.  

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Senator Ken Horn, a 40 year resident of Frankenmuth, Michigan, the home of Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, served as a County Commissioner for 16 years before his election to the Michigan House of Representatives. As the Chairman of the Energy and Technology Committee Ken helped to shape energy policy for the state.  Following his time in the House, Ken was elected to the Michigan Senate where he led the “Good Jobs” initiative that paved the way for major investments in technology and EV battery systems manufacturing in the state.  

Ken, however, is far more than a policy leader in the state of michigan.   Today on The Aisle Podcast, Ken shares more about how the future of economic development looks for the state and why his family and his faith gave him the foundation to handle unspeakable tragedy.

Join us in The Aisle to learn more about Senator Ken Horn of Frankenmuth.

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In the 185 year history of the State of Michigan there have only been 5 members of the Judiciary to serve as a Trial Court Judge, an Appeals Court Judge and as a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and that man is with us today in The Aisle:  Kurtis T. Wilder

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Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton is an expert on criminal justice issues and a consultant to law enforcement entities nationally including the US Department of Justice, The National Sheriff’s Association, and the American Civil Liberties Union.  In this podcast, he explains his policing philosophy and why he advocates for police departments to become value driven organizations focused on co-producing public safety.  Sheriff Clayton’s views about how the culture of an organization must be changed before internal values can change are insightful and worth noting.  He also gives his thoughts about the linkage between the Criminal Justice System and the Mental Health System. 

Sheriff Clayton’s visit to THE AISLE is timely and provides a important conversation related to providing public safety in today’s environment. 

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State Senator Jim Ananich grew up in a close-nit Genesee County family.  He is rooted in the working-class culture and demographics of the 27th State Senate District which he now represents.  Senator Ananich does not shy away from discussing his humble beginnings and how his parents taught him to have a strong faith, to value education, and to always extend a helping hand to others.

While he refuses to place blame for the Flint Water Crisis on any single person, he speaks about the pain that he deals with daily from knowing that a governmental system that should have protected the people of Flint from this type of disaster did not.  From his vantage point as State Senate Minority Leader, he currently fights to assure that harmed Flint residents receive the health and financial assistance they rightfully deserve.  He also speaks about his crusade like efforts to prevent other communities from experiencing a Flint-like crisis.  

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The Aisle Podcast welcomes 4th District Congressman John Moolenaar of Michigan.  

District Representative, State Representative, State Senator and now Congressman but John Moolenaar believes it’s far more than titles that make service an important part of his life.  In this video podcast, John and David learn more about what motivates the four-term Congressman and how he has managed to balance the responsibilities of the job with his love of family and country.

As a product of Midland, Michigan The Aisle Podcast learns more about the struggles that hit this mid-Michigan town during the global pandemic and how one member of Congress responded to the crisis.

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The aisle can bring us together, or the aisle can separate us.

The aisle is a path that can lead to a destination of connection and reconciliation. It is a clearing that is kept free of the clutter of confusion, dissension and hostility. And, it is an inviting opening to friend or foe alike where understanding is promoted, civility nourished, and harmonious relationships developed.

In these podcasts, we will explore just how the aisle has influenced our leaders and public servants; Republicans and Democrats, elected and appointed.

Join us in the Aisle where together we can deepen our understanding of the things that separate us, and explore how we can work together for the common good.

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