At the Square

American Public Square at Jewell is thrilled to be hosting its annual premier event, Evening at the Square, on December 4th at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. This year's event will feature a conversation between two renowned political experts, David Axelrod and Michael Steele. David Axelrod is a political strategist, commentator, and former chief strategist and senior advisor to President Barack Obama; he was the founding director of the University of Chicago's non-partisan Institute of Politics and now serves as a senior fellow to that organization.  Michael Steele is the former Chairman of the Republican National Committee, the former Lt. Governor of the State of Maryland, a political analyst for MSNBC, and host of The Michael Steele Podcast.  This conversation is moderated by American Public Square at Jewell Executive Director, Claire Bishop and American Public Square at Jewell Intern, Ian Wooldridge.  This episode serves a special preview of what's to come at the live event on December 4th, 2023. To buy tickets to attend the event in person or participate via Livestream, please visit: www.eveningatthequare.org 

In this episode of Both Sides, Allan and Mike discuss Gender & Identities in relation to American Public Square's upcoming program 'Exploring Gender & Identities' taking place at Johnson County Community College on September 26th at 5:30PM. The program is hosted in partnership with the Johnson County Library and Kansas City PBS. Sharing from their point of view, Allan & Mike discuss the culture war(s) in America, trans rights, access to healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community, and how this difficult issue is shaping up to effect American values in the coming years Stick around to the end of the episode to hear Allan & Mike's take on the 2024 Presidential Election during their classic headlines round up!  For more information and registration for Exploring Gender & Identities on 9/26, visit: https://americanpublicsquare.org/event/gender-and-identity/    

On June 7th, 2023, American Public Square at Jewell hosted a Signature Event, Reparations in KC, at University Academy in partnership with Kansas City PBS. The live recording of this event is available on the At the Square feed, the same place you found THIS episode, for anyone desiring to listen back. In effort to continue the conversation, American Public Square is launching this new series So What, Now What to provide a platform for the questions and subtopics that arise from our Signature Events. In this case, Reparations in KC, there are many questions left to be answered. Though this episode won't address everything, we're hopeful that you will learn something and feel inspired to stay engaged in the topic area. In this episode of So What, Now What, you'll hear some of the audience member questions that we couldn't get to at the event answered through follow up interviews from:  Kansas City's Third District Councilperson, Melissa Robinson   Director of Economic Information at the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC), Dr. Linwood Tauheed. Senior Reporter at Kansas City PBS, Mary Sanchez, who covers Race & Identity. At the Square is American Public Square at Jewell's podcast channel. You'll find Both Sides episodes, playbacks of Signature Events, and our latest podcast offering, a new series So What, Now What aimed at exploring the questions and subtopics that arise from American Public Square Signature Events.

  This is an At the Square Playback episode featuring the live recording of Reparations in KC, an American Public Square at Jewell panel discussion recorded live at University Academy on June 7th, 2023 in partnership with Kansas City PBS. In an engaging discussion, panelists explored the complicated issue of reparations and delved into:   examples of other cities that have made reparations to Black residents,  historic and economic considerations,  and the impact Reparations may have on racial tensions in Kansas City. At the Square is American Public Square at Jewell's podcast channel. You'll find Both Sides episodes, playbacks of Signature Programs recorded and released as episodes, and our latest podcast offering, a series aimed at exploring the questions and subtopics that arise from Signature Programs.  Reparations in KC program audio courtesy of Kansas City PBS. If you'd like to support the work of American Public Square at Jewell, head to www.americanpublicsquare.org/membership to learn more.

At the Square is American Public Square at Jewell's podcast channel. You'll find Both Sides episodes, playbacks of Signature Programs, and our latest podcast offering, a reactionary series aimed at exploring the questions and subtopics that arise from APS Signature Programs. In this Both Sides episode, Allan and Mike discuss the complicated topic of Reparations in connection to American Public Square at Jewell's upcoming Signature Program 'Reparations in KC' presented in partnership with Kansas City PBS. Allan and Mike talk through some of the same questions that panelists will explore at the program, including but not limited to: Do you think society owes the descendants of enslaved people anything? How can we measure the harms caused by slavery? Is it fair to characterize social programs as reparations? 'Reparations in KC' is on Wednesday June 7th, 2023 at University Academy in Kansas City, Missouri. Virtual and in person registration is available at https://americanpublicsquare.org/event/reparations/ . 'Reparations in KC' will air on Kansas City PBS on June 16th, 2023.

Mark your calendars for APS' biggest event of the year, Evening at the Square! This year's event will happen on November 29th and will feature today's special podcast guest Robert Costa. Don't miss this unique opportunity to share a room with the best-selling author and journalist who has extensively covered historic events, including the Trump-Biden presidential transition and the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Allan and Tricia are joined by two special guests who each in their own way play a role in the education landscape in Missouri. First up is Representative Chuck Bayse!  Rep.Basye, a Republican, represents parts of Boone, Howard, Cooper and Randolph Counties (District 47) in the Missouri House of Representatives. In the second part of this episode we welcome Jason Roberts!  Jason is president of the Kansas City Federation of Teachers and School related personnel.

Most citizens deplore the mass gun violence that is currently plaguing our nation.  However, Second Amendment advocates fear their rights could be limited if laws addressing guns are changed.  What can be done to mitigate the increasing prevalence of gun violence in American society?  On this Episode of Both Sides, Allan and Mike are joined by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to discuss guns in public places.   

On this Episode Mike is joined by APS executive director Claire Bishop as they talk with Joe Bednar, registered lobbyist and attorney with Spencer Fane. Joe served nearly seven years as Chief Legal Counsel to the late Governor Mel Carnahan and Governor Roger B. Wilson.  He also served as Special Counsel to former Governor Robert Lee Holden.  

On this episode, we are joined by applied economist Dr. David Slusky to talk the economics of Roe v. Wade.   

We will take several episodes of the podcast to explore organizations in our city that are working in the climate or environmental space. On this episode Allan and Mike visit with Mahreen and Michael of the Sunrise Movement in Kansas City.  The Kansas City hub of Sunrise is building a movement of young people across race and class to take an intersectional focus on the climate crisis.  

On this episode of both sides Allan and Mike discuss the mass shootings in both Bufflao and Texas.

On this episode of Both Sides Allan and Mike discuss the recent Atlantic Article by Johnathan Haidt, delving  into how social media has made America stupid. They also talk Donald Trump running in the 2024 election and flying unmasked!

On this episode Allan and Mike continue the conversation about the war in the Ukraine, based on information Allan says is imperative to understanding.  They also talk about Supreme Court Nominations, and how things are looking for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Would these hearings be the same if she wasn't a black woman?

On this episode Allan and Mike continue the conversation about the situation in the Ukraine.  They also delve into culture wars, and of course talk about the topic we are all thinking abou when will baseball start?

In this episode Allan and Mike talk about their thoughts and understanding of the invasion in the Ukraine. 

On this episode of Both Sides, Allan and Mike talk to elections Commisioner Benjamin Hovland!  Comissioner Hovland serves on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Listen in as they talk conspiracy theories and election security.

 On this episode of Both Sides, Allan and Mike talk to Benjamin Singer, CEO of Show Me integrity!  Show me Integrity is a cross partisan group of reformers in Missouri who are passionate about creating a government that is open, accountable, and not beholden to special interests. They are committed to building a strong coalition all across the state putting power back into the hands of the people. Listen in as they dig deeper into Approval and Rank Choice Voting.

On todays podcast  Allan and Mike talk about voter and election reform, do we have more important things to focus on?  Are our elected officials doing too much, or too little?     

2021 has been a year filled with vaccines, mandates, masks, international withdrawals, and so much more! On this episode of Both Sides, Allan and Mike discuss their top 5 world events in 2021.  Did they agree on anything? Do YOU agree with them?  We would love to hear your thoughts as you listen to this special end of the year episode!