It's rare to see public stakeholders/constituents involved in the decision-making process these days. Instead, executives announce decisions and then turn to public relations to ‘spin it’ in a positive direction. Engaging stakeholders has become a leadership exception rather than a leadership rule. Democratic Professionalism is a much-needed alternative.

1939 and 2020 seem so far apart, but they aren't when it comes to living in the Land of Oz. "Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!"

The literature has helped me better understand the political realities of living in 21st Century America. I've already discussed two books in this podcast series, Anand Giridharadas' 'Winners Take All' and Joseph Stiglitz's, 'People, Power, and Profits.' I'll discuss another book in this podcast, Isabel Wilkerson's recently released, 'Caste.' But as I read books like those I'm also struck by how similar messages have been in the public domain for years. I pick two for discussion in this podcast: Rev. Fulton Sheen's popular network TV program of the 1950s, "Life is Worth Living,' and George Carlin's 2006 comedy album/special, 'Life is Worth Losing.' What do Sheen and Carlin have to say? Why did they say it? And what does it mean for today? Listen on as I talk about 'The United States of Plutocracy.'  

2020 and 1963 aren't far apart. (Excerpts from Dr. Martin Luther King's 'Letter from a Birmingham Jail,' April 1963)

You’ve heard it said hundreds of times, ‘It’s worth fighting for.’ It's a reference to something that's really important—deep and personal—and something from which you can’t turn away. A cause is also worth fighting for--like hunger, which you can see; intolerance which you can taste; and sexism, or homophobia, or racism which you can feel. Some causes require valor, including the possibility of giving your life for the greater good. And that's what happened in the two stories I share here.   

Jason Feirman (co-host of '3rd & 3' podcast) and Bill Rizzo (prof emeritus, U. of Wisconsin) join Frank to talk about the uncertain state of America's sports. From COVID-19 to systemic racism in sports/society to whether there should be sports this year, it's a conversation you won't want to miss.