Only days before the 2016 presidential election, Wall Street Journal veteran journalist Kristina Peterson weighs in on the race and what we can expect from the 115th Congress. Kristina knows Capitol Hill inside and out, and she shares her perspective on what's working and what's broken in our congressional system. Tune in to this episode of the "Mean" to hear a genuine pro!

Former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl welcomes the "Mean" into his home in Phoenix, Arizona for a wide-ranging conversation about the problems and challenges in American democracy. The Senator and Michael exchange perspectives on campaign finance reform, the length of U.S. House terms, and the critical issue of long-term fiscal solvency in our country.

As the Chicago Cubs try to win their first World Series since 1908, the MVP from the 2005 Series, Chicago White Sox slugger Jermaine Dye, joins the "Mean" and says he's all in when it comes to cheering for a Northsiders' championship!

A champion for reforming the dirty river of money flowing through Washington, Congressman John Sarbanes talks about how his "Government By The People Act" would return the power back to every day Americans. Sarbanes also talks about our country's challenges with health care and rebuilding our infrastructure - and connects them right back to the money flood problem.

Rock 'n' Roll collides with political reform on this episode of the "Mean," as Nirvana's founding bass guitar player, Krist Novoselic, talks about both! Krist looks back on his historic band during the 25th Anniversary of the their breakout record, "Nevermind." The Chairman of the FairVote organization also talks with Michael about their efforts to reform the actual rigging that does exist in our U.S. House elections.

John Bouman, President of the Shriver Center, talks about real results achieved through the "War on Poverty," the connection between race and America's poor, and how anyone can get involved in helping the less fortunate Americans among us.

My old friend Bill Burton joins me on the Mean to talk politics and Election 2016. The former White House Press Secy. for President Obama describes what the day-to-day is really like in the West Wing, the "stupidity" and corruption spawned by the money flood in our system, and his thoughts on the impact that Donald Trump's campaign has wrought on our country. A veteran talks the talk!

Melinda Henneberger has seen it all in politics - especially after this year! A columnist at USA Today and the Philadelphia Daily News, Henneberger weighs in on the second presidential debate, sexism in the race and the potential of a legitimate third party in 2017.

Congressman Steve Israel has served the people of New York's 3rd District for 16 years. Author of the acclaimed new book, "The Global War on Morris," Israel is retiring from Congress in 2017. In this episode of The Golden Mean, Rep. Israel talks about a wide range of issues, including: reforming the money flood in Congress, ending the rigging of districts through gerrymandering reform, national security, cyber-warfare, and his burgeoning new career as a writer.

Christie Hefner is a woman of many talents - and she knows how to put 'em to great use. In this episode of The Golden Mean, Christie talks about her 13-year journey to becoming CEO & Chairman of Playboy Enterprises and how the election of President Obama changed the course of her career. Christie also breaks down the status of the "Independent Maps" project geared toward reforming the rigged districting process in the state of Illinois.