The Middle American

Brian Groesser
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Do you find yourself to be politically homeless?  Do you feel like nobody represents you in Washington or state/local government?  Are you tired of rising rhetoric and hyper partisanship?  Are you finding that your affording less regardless of which party is in power?  This podcast is for you.   I am in the middle.  I am registered unaffiliated.  But we need to do more than simply change our voter registrations.  And we certainly cannot afford to completely opt out of politics.  We must engage if we want real change.   This podcast is a step towards that change.  But real change happens when listeners decide to do more than just listen - when they decide to act.  My hope is that listening motivates you to take that step, no matter how small, to make your community better.  

  1. 9h ago

    Conversation with Jacob Arthur: Candidate for WCPSS School Board District 7

    Jacob, a fellow attorney and father of four, decided in the midst of COVID that he should do something more upon seeing his children struggle with remote learning.  He had been involved in state government, but not as an elected official.  He was practicing citizenship.  In 2021, he decided to run for WCPSS School Board.  He lost.  But rather than treat the loss as a verdict, he used it as a lesson to learn from.  Now he is running again.  Tune in for our conversation about: 1.  Why he decided to step beyond his comfort zone and get involved in state government.  2.  What he learned from his time at the state legislature that gave him confidence to run on his own. 3.  What he learned from his first campaign, including how partisan non-partisan races are in reality.   4.  Why he decided to keep running, after losing two straight campaigns, and how he is a better candidate now than when he started.   5.  How is vision for The Wake Framework can be applied at WCPSS.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

  2. 5d ago

    Conversation with Wesley Warshawer

    Being comfortable with the uncomfortable.  Wesley Warshawer joins the podcast for a discussion of how he took a significant step in practicing citizenship by stepping outside of his Silicon Valley bubble and moving to Bismarck, North Dakota, to experience what he thought would be the opposite of his life experience.  He toured the country for 18 months, from Bismark to Biloxi and many stops in between that did not resemble his California home.  He found along the way that we are more alike than we are different, despite the political polarization and binaries were are sold.  This is his journey.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

  3. Aug 24

    Conversation with Concord Mayor Steve Morris

    Steve Morris, mayor of Concord, North Carolina, joins me to discuss his experiences over the past two decades participating in local government.  We cover topics addressed in my upcoming book, Our Middle American Life, including: (1) Why he chose to take an initial step as a citizen practicing citizenship more than 20 years ago when he joined the Chamber of Commerce and became its chair. (2) How did his time on the Chamber prepare him to run for County Commissioner.  (3) What political muscle did he build over three successful terms as a moderate Republican on the County Commission. (4) What lessons did he learn from losing during his fourth campaign. (5) How he became mayor of the 10th largest city in North Carolina, in a non-partisan race, when both parties endorsed other candidates.   This conversation is the upcoming book in real world action.    Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

  4. Aug 17

    The Middle American Reboot

    I'm back.  I've been writing a book.  It's called Our Middle American Life.  In the process of writing it, the thesis of the book changed - as did my perspective on politicians, the parties and the political system.  We live in a society where the middle politically (independents) are the largest voting bloc in the country - throw in disenchanted moderates and the number is even larger.  Yet, we have no representation.  Not in DC.  Not in most state capitals.  Not even likely in your local governments.  Why?  While at the same time, the middle class is shrinking, both in size and its ability to afford what has defined the middle class (and the American Dream) for generations.  What happens this November on Election Day will make zero difference.  We need to do more.  I need to do more.  And this podcast's purpose is a start.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

  5. Jun 8

    Live and Lie in LA?

    The Los Angeles race for Mayor has garnered unprecedented national media coverage with a script worthy of its Hollywood background.  An incumbent mayor who has overseen a bungled response to a catastrophic natural disaster.  A reality TV star with viral AI-generated campaign videos.  Drugs, deception and manipulation.  But this is no script.  Instead, we have seen a third candidate swoop in after Election Day to win a spot for the two-person race in November.  Allegations of fraud, rigged elections and illegal votes.  Let's take a look beyond the headlines.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

  6. Jun 7

    The Affordability Crisis: Listener Conversation with Rebekah and Ryan Rose

    Rebekah and Ryan are in their 30s.  Two young kids.  Listen to a wide-ranging discussion of living within your means, trying to save to buy a home, the rising costs impacting thin margins of running a small business, and how one voice can lead to community activism in local politics.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

  7. Jun 3

    Rate Rage

    Property taxes are going up in Wake County.  This is on top of a 2024 tax valuation that saw increases in tax assessed values of over 50%.  Homeowners insurance is up 15% over the past two years.  Auto insurance up 5%.  Duke Energy is seeking an 18% increase after only recently getting a 20% increase.  Increasing rates are decreasing consumer spending power as wages have not followed suit.  Individually, each rate increase may not seem significant, but collectively, they are pushing an already cash-strapped middle class to their breaking point.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

  8. May 29

    The Affordability Crisis: Listener Conversation with Matt Johns

    Matt is a college grad in his mid-40s living in Michigan.  He discusses his employment journey from Michigan State to his current job working with Hillsdale College.  Matt is now trying to make a living with a girlfriend, two kids and a full-time job while feeling the same constraints many Americans are feeling in terms of making ends meet in today's economy.  Here's his story.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

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5
out of 5
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About

Do you find yourself to be politically homeless?  Do you feel like nobody represents you in Washington or state/local government?  Are you tired of rising rhetoric and hyper partisanship?  Are you finding that your affording less regardless of which party is in power?  This podcast is for you.   I am in the middle.  I am registered unaffiliated.  But we need to do more than simply change our voter registrations.  And we certainly cannot afford to completely opt out of politics.  We must engage if we want real change.   This podcast is a step towards that change.  But real change happens when listeners decide to do more than just listen - when they decide to act.  My hope is that listening motivates you to take that step, no matter how small, to make your community better.  

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Groesser
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    184
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Middle American
  • Show Website
    The Middle American