The Common Construct Podcast

David Morgan

Examining our institutions and traditions to shift the focus of our communities from the next 4 years - to developing a strong, resilient, and sustainable vision for the next 400 years. thecommonconstruct.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Episode 002: The Path to a Better Alabama

    14 JAN

    Episode 002: The Path to a Better Alabama

    Episode Summary In this episode of The Common Construct, host David Morgan sits down with Dr. Will Boyd to discuss a vision for Alabama that spans the next 400 years. Dr. Boyd, a polymath with background in engineering, religion, and management, breaks down the systemic “constructs” currently holding the state back—from educational funding gaps to an outsized prison system. They explore how to shift Alabama from a “welfare state” to a regional powerhouse by prioritizing community resiliency, leveling the educational playing field, and restoring the humanity often lost in the justice system. Key Takeaways (The TL;DR) * The ZIP Code Crisis: Education in Alabama is currently determined by geography. Dr. Boyd advocates for a statewide educational lottery to fund universal pre-K and certificate programs to ensure every child starts on a level playing field. * Justice as a Profit Center: The conversation highlights how Alabama’s prison system has become a profitable business, often at the expense of non-violent offenders. Dr. Boyd proposes “presumptive paroles” and independent audits to shift the focus from punishment to rehabilitation. * The “Brain Drain”: Alabama loses its most productive citizens to other states because of inconsistent laws and low educator pay. A proposed solution includes significant student loan forgiveness for teachers who commit to staying in the state. * Resiliency vs. Emergency: True community resiliency isn’t about wearing a hard hat after a storm; it’s about having the infrastructure (broadband, rural healthcare, and local food banks) in place before a crisis hits. * A “Star Trek” Future: Dr. Boyd envisions a unified Alabama that celebrates diversity and uses a “United Federation” approach to solve common problems like healthcare accessibility and infrastructure. Timestamped Chapters * [00:00:11] Introducing Dr. Will Boyd: The man of many doctorates and his 2026 run for Governor. * [00:02:48] The Hidden Beauty of Alabama: Caves, foliage, and the tourism potential of North Alabama. * [00:09:53] The Education Lottery: Using a lottery to fix the pre-K gap and level the playing field by ZIP code. * [00:18:04] High-Speed Rail & Broadband: Connecting the Black Belt to the economic hubs of the North. * [00:26:17] Historical Interlude: 1626, King Charles I, and the perils of incompetent leadership. * [00:30:20] The Justice System Crisis: “Othering,” heavy-handed prosecution, and the death of due process. * [00:35:35] The PTSD Approach to Parole: Presumptive Paroles and technical violation caps. * [01:02:38] The Public Servant Crisis: Why we are losing EMTs and Firefighters to Buc-ee’s and McDonald’s. * [01:18:41] COVID-19 & The Lost Manual: Why we ignored existing pandemic plans and what it means for future resiliency. * [01:31:02] Government as a Public Service: The argument for term limits and local engagement. * [01:50:36] “What is your Carthage?”: Dr. Boyd’s passionate concluding statement: “Alabama Can, Alabama Will.” Relevant Statistics & Data To provide context to the conversation regarding education and the justice system, consider the following current data: * Educational Ranking: As of 2024 reports, Alabama has moved up to roughly 44th or 45th in the nation for reading and math, though local proficiency in certain high schools remains as low as 25% for reading and 15% for math. * The “Welfare State” Dynamic: Alabama historically receives approximately $3.00 to $4.00 in federal funding for every $1.00 it contributes in federal taxes. * Prison Population Demographics: While Black Alabamians make up roughly 26% of the state’s total population, they represent over 50% of the incarcerated population. * Healthcare Crisis: Nearly 40% of Alabama’s rural hospitals are currently operating “in the red,” with roughly 23 hospitals at immediate risk of closure. Guest Spotlight Dr. Will Boyd Dr. Boyd is a 2026 Gubernatorial Candidate with a deep background in engineering and organizational management. He has served as a city councilman and a chancellor, and currently pastors a historic 166-year-old church in Florence, AL. * Connect: DrWillBoyd.com Call to Action Join the Construct: If you believe Alabama can do better, subscribe to the Common Construct and share this episode. We want to hear your thoughts on community stabilization—leave a comment or review wherever you listen to podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommonconstruct.substack.com

    1h 57m
  2. Episode 001: The Human Construct in a Digital Age

    5 JAN

    Episode 001: The Human Construct in a Digital Age

    In this inaugural episode, host David Morgan sits down with cybersecurity expert Jamie Ginn to explore the invisible frameworks that hold our society together—what David calls “The Common Construct.” From the ethics of Artificial Intelligence to the psychological toll of social media, they discuss how modern technology is reshaping our relationships, our faith, and our very perception of reality. Jamie shares his “Carthage”—a plea for ethical guardrails and foresight in an industry often blinded by the “shiny and new.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommonconstruct.substack.com

    1h 47m

  3. 19/10/2025

    Coming Soon - The Common Construct Podcast

    Subscribe on Substack to stay informed. TheCommonConstruct.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommonconstruct.substack.com

    1 min

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Examining our institutions and traditions to shift the focus of our communities from the next 4 years - to developing a strong, resilient, and sustainable vision for the next 400 years. thecommonconstruct.substack.com

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