Uncommon Democracy Uncommon Democracy

Kama Ross is the Regional Forester for Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Benzie conservation districts in northern Michigan. Working with landowners to preserve and protect forests, and combating the effects of climate change, has been her focus since earning her forestry degree. Her commitment to her community and her country, has never been more evident than in her re-enrolling in the Peace corps some 30+ years after her first enlistment and being stationed in Paraguay.

Mayor Jim Carruthers is the consummate public servant. He has served the citizens of Traverse City Michigan as commissioner on the parks and recreation commission and city council, and was elected Mayor in 2015. His love and passion for his hometown shines through in everything that he does however it has not come with challenges. Being Mayor of a small but growing city brings with it the challenges on local issues such as housing affordability and environmental conservation. Traverse City has become a sought after vacation and tourist destination but how does a Mayor balance that against the desires of the local residents?

We also spoke to Jim about how a kid from Cincinnati, Ohio and the University of Connecticut ended up settling in Traverse City over two decades ago and how a Supreme Court decision in 2015 changed his and his partner's (now husbands) lives forever. In addition to his advocacy for his hometown as Mayor, Jim is also deeply involved in the gay and human rights movement in Northern Michigan.

Nearly 1 in 5 American adults struggle with some form of mental health challenge and yet, the stigmas and negative contexts associated with mental illness, continues to persist. Jennifer Elzey is a licensed therapist and clinical social worker based in Pontiac, Illinois. Her work is deeply personal as she experienced negative labels, placed upon her at an early age, similar too many of her clients. Specializing in working with parolees and individuals on probation, Jennifer aspires to help her community and clients strive to be the best they can be.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health challenge and needs help, please contact a local therapist or call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration confidential hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Independent filmmaker Carl Kriss tells the stories of workers at a GM manufacturing plan, in Lordstown Ohio, and the impact the plants closure has on the community. We also discuss how laws such as NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) have impacted northeast Ohio and how voters who in this area overwhelmingly supported President Barack Obama, in 2008 and 2012, but switched to Donald Trump in 2016.

Sports and the positive impact it can have on kids, is undeniable. In 2009, Tina Sernett started The Sports Shed, a not-for-profit focused of taking gently used sports equipment and matching it up with resource strapped schools and sports programs in the Chicagoland area. Celebrating 10 years in 2019, the Sports Shed now partners with over 230 programs and has provided over $2million worth of equipment & resources to schools and sports programs on the south & west sides of Chicago.

Entrepreneurship is a big scary word and many are scared of the stress and uncertainty associated with starting a business from scratch. Not so for Mark Colwell, COO & President of NewClub Golf in Chicago. Mark, and his business partner, started NewClub in 2017 with core values of bettering the communities they are active within and that is no more evident than at Canal Shores golf course in Evanston, Illinois.