Overcoming the Divide: Nonpartisan Politics Daniel Corcoran

The following conversation looks at: the history of drugs in the United States, the dichotomy between the word 'medicine' and 'drug', the ongoing opioid crisis and much more.
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This episode features David Herzberg. Herzberg is a historian of drugs whose research focuses on the legal kind—psychoactive pharmaceuticals. He explores the nature and trajectory of drug commerce, drug use, and drug policy in American racial capitalism. His work has appeared in numerous scholarly and medical journals, in popular media, and in two books: White Market Drugs: Big Pharma and the Hidden History of Addiction in America (University of Chicago Press, 2020) and Happy Pills in America: From Miltown to Prozac (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2009). Herzberg is also co-editor of Social History of Alcohol and Drugs: An Interdisciplinary Journal, the official organ of the Alcohol and Drug History Society.

Music: Coma-Media (intro)
                 WinkingFoxMusic (outro)
Recorded: 12/8/2022

The following conversation looks at: stemming the brain drain from rural communities, revitalizing a region, driving economic growth through government & politics, why employee satisfaction may be higher in rural communities, and much more.
This episode features Will Payne. Payne is managing partner of Coalfield Strategies, an economic development matchmaker for companies seeking expansion opportunities in rural Virginia. Projects include InvestSWVA, a public-private economic diversification campaign for Southwest Virginia, Appalachian Grains, a specialty grain broker for the craft beverage industry and Energy DELTA Lab, an energy testbed focused on leveraging previously-mined land as a proving ground for the commercialization and deployment of innovative energy technologies. Will serves in board leadership roles at William & Mary and UVA's Darden School of Business and also authored a book on leadership at the intersection of business and politics.

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Time Stamps:


03:30 Intro 
8:10 South Western Virginia and  stemming the brain drain
13:45 Attracting talent to rural communities and revitalizing a region
9:45 Driving economic growth through government & politics 
24:45 Partnering with both parties with increasing political polarization 
28:10  The disconnect and challenges between rural and metropolitan areas 
34:30 Attracting expanding companies to the region
40:00  Why employee satisfaction may be higher in rural communities 
46:30 Misconceptions regarding rural communities 
53:45 Innovating a new farmer model in South Western Virginia


Follow InvestSWVA, Energy DELTA Labs, Appalachian Grain & Coalfield Strategies on social media to keep up with Will’s work

Music: Coma-Media (intro)
                 WinkingFoxMusic (outro)
Recorded: 4/26/23

This minisode focuses on the utility and potency of silence in your daily life. It's a skill that appears to be neglected in contemporary society. Ignoring the aimless political and nonsensical remarks of some and instead retaining control and pursuing what is meaningful and purposeful. This minisode provides anecdotal experiences, contemporary examples, and historical strategies like presidents such as FDR utilized.  I hope you enjoy and take something away from the minisode. 

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Recorded: 4/10/23

Book referenced: The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Green

The following conversation is with Ant Diandrea. Diandrea started his journey of learning health and fitness when he enrolled in college as a nursing student. He ended up leaving school to start earning certifications of his personal interests. Ant is currently a certified personal trainer, nutrition and lifestyle coach and a certified mental wellness and emotional eating specialist from the Institute of Transformational Nutrition. While he continues to overcome and battle his own trauma, Ant strives to be a living example of what it means to take control of your one life and own health. Guiding others on their journey of personal excellence, live the life they’ve always dreamed of, and become the happiest and healthiest version of themselves is what drives Ant to continue spreading his own experience and insight in all things mental, physical, and spiritual. Follow on Instagram at ant_diandrea and join The Grit & Gratitude Community for free on Facebook!

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Time Stamps:
01:45 Intro
3:30 The loss of friends in society
7:00 What is  workism? And how money won't be the solution for your health
12:00 The perception of men being open about their mental health
17: The intertwined relationship of mental and physical health
21:25 The rise of prescription drugs for teenagers and the historical malpractice of Big Pharma
30:45The contemporary popularization of staying sad through music and the lack of encouragement to be better
37:25 The attack on masculinity through the usage of "toxic masculinity" and shaping yourself in the world
48:15 The tendency to blame instead of deep diving the root cause of an issue and provide a solution
55:00 The social status and perception of a college degree
59:25 Role models in one's life and the lack of in pop culture
1:05:15 A positive direction to move in as a nation and society

Music: Coma-Media (intro)
                 WinkingFoxMusic (outro)
Recorded: 4/6/23

The following conversation is with Ben Olszewski. Olszewski is the controller for Operating Engineers Local 542 (greater Philadelphia area). Olszewski studied Economics at Penn State, and is now finishing up a Masters of Accounting at the University of Scranton. He is currently running for the Upper Moreland (UM) Township Board of Commissioners. Olszewski aims to be a true representative of the people of UM. He believes our leaders are too focused on party agendas and can lose sight of the main reason why they hold office, which is to serve the people. His focus is to listen to the residents, gather their feedback on the issues, and make decisions accordingly, to the best of his ability.

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I was almost a school shooter | Aaron Stark | TEDxBoulder 
Time stamps:
1:45 Intro
3:45 Inspirations to run for public office
6:40 The office at play
7:150 Local issues that would be addressed
10:40 The importance of getting involved in local politics
12:150 Getting involved in your local community
14:30 The dichotomy between national and local politics
16:30 Approach to school safety
21:10 Moving away from the 'blame game'
24:15 Starting a campaign in your local community
27:45 Discourse in reality vs. virtually
29:30 One's Civic Duty
33:30 Voting for candidates
34:55 Supporting Ben's Campaign: Instagram- Benforum & Facebook-Ben Olszewski for Upper Moreland Board of Commissioners Ward 2
36:30 Ben's platform for public office

Music: Coma-Media (intro)
                 WinkingFoxMusic (outro)
Recorded: 2/15/23

The following conversation is with Liana Fix. Dr. Fix is a fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). She is a historian and political scientist, with expertise in German and European foreign and security policy, European security, transatlantic relations, Russia, and Eastern Europe. She is also the author of A New German Power? Germany’s Role in European Russia Policy (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021). Dr. Fix’s work focuses on German domestic and foreign policy, the European Union, transatlantic relations, and Europe’s relations with Russia and China.
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Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
02:40  The Nord Stream Pipeline and it's destruction
5:10  The possible actors involved in destroying the pipeline
8:30 The hypothetical if the Ukrainian state did have ties to the Nordstream pipeline
11:45 NATO's and Ukraine's best interest
19:30 The long term strategy aim for Putin's war in Ukraine
25:30 The concern with if Putin were to be removed from power
29:30 Germany's role in the war vs what it should be
35:15 Understanding the depth of this war and its history
The Story of Russia (Orlando Figes)

Music: Coma-Media (intro)
                 WinkingFoxMusic (outro)
Recorded: 3/3