Former Illinois Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn has strong views on whether his predecessor, Rod Blagojevich, should be freed from federal prison. In a wide-ranging interview, the Gov talks about Illinois politics, Election 2020, his support for One Million Degrees and community college students, fighting poverty across the country, creating grassroots movements, outlawing rigged US House Districts - and of course - his predictions on how the Chicago Bears will fare in 2019! Join us on the Mean!

How did Lori Lightfoot achieve her crushing victory to become Chicago's next mayor? Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn weighs in on the election results, the future of the city, the bumbled Jussie Smollett case - and the real burning question behind the college admissions scandal!

On the eve of the biggest Chicago Mayoral Election in 30 years, NBC veteran Mary Ann Ahern weighs in on the two final candidates and how they beat out the other dozen. Who will win? Who screwed up? How will either one of them fix the enormous problems Chicago is facing? Listen to a pro who covers all the angles!

EPISODE 82: LYNN SWEET, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST by Michael Golden

Who says ya can't talk religion and politics with a stranger?? Kirsten Powers comes on the show to discuss 2020, racism in America, Trump, modern media, and her awesome podcast, "The Faith Angle." One of the sharpest opinion leaders in the country weighs in on The Golden Mean!

Can the new House Majority get anything done in 2019? Democratic Congressman Rep. Tom O'Halleran says new members from his own party have to find a way to work together, or they'll have a short shelf life: "If the Democrats in Congress don’t lead, they’re at risk again… I think the American people sent a very clear signal - we want you to do better. And you better."

Who would embark upon a "mission to bridge the gap between liberals and conservatives?" Annafi Wahed would. The founder of TheFlipSide.io is working every day to get American news consumers out of their bubbles! Listen to Annafi talk about the state of American politics, our media blind spots - and the solutions her team is serving up on these civic challenges!

She just might save journalism - by improving it! Pulitzer Prize winner Tina Rosenberg is also the cofounder of Solutions Journalism Network. SJN is spreading the word that including solutions in news stories can actually increase viewership. Tina and her team are teaching reporters across the country this new approach to covering the world around us.

"As a society, we have so demonized this population. But they just want what most people want, which is a little stability and safety, and they want their kids to be safe."

Evelyn Diaz is one of the most fierce and effective social justice champions in the country. President of Heartland Alliance, Evelyn is now taking on Chicago gun violence with a groundbreaking approach that just might prove to be transformational.

Will the Democrats win the midterms and regain the House Majority? And if they do, how can they get anything done in a hyper-partisan Washington? J.D. Grom says both are possible, and he would know! The Executive Director of the moderate New Dems Coalition breaks down the breakdown in D.C. - and also lays out the silver lining.