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Description
Welcome to 'Mike's on Mike,' your newest favorite political podcast.
Hosted by Mike Miller, Mike Tolbert, and Mike Hightower. We delve deep into the political landscape.
Tune in every week as we unpack the complex world of politics, observing and discussing the most pressing issues of the time.
Drawing from our extensive experience and unique perspectives, we're dedicated to providing you with thoughtful insights, sparking meaningful discussions, and challenging conventional wisdom.
So, whether you're a political junkie or just curious about what's going on in the world, 'Mikes on Mic' is here to guide you through it all.
Join us on this enlightening journey and let's dive into politics, one episode at a time!
119 Episodes
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It was an experience that very few or any Americans will ever have this opportunity to witness. Our podcast co-host, Mike Hightower, recently returned from a two week trip to Ukraine with an international group. The primary purpose was to deliver much needed medical supplies to battle field Ukraine soldiers. During this episode of Mikes on Mic, Hightower describes what he saw and summaries of meetings he had with Ukraine officials, doctors, patients and others whose lives have been tur...
We're throwing it back to one of our favorite milestone moments—the one-year anniversary of Mikes on Mic! In this special episode, originally recorded at The Jacksonville History Center, the Mikes reflect on highlights from the first 51 episodes that helped shape the conversation in and around Jacksonville. From Sheriff Nat Glover’s powerful stories, to Michael Krause of Politico on the influence of political strategist Susie Wiles, to early memories of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, and ins...
This week, we’re tackling a topic that’s hard to ignore: the growing political polarization in the U.S. To help us unpack it, we sat down with Dr. Sean Freeder, associate professor of political science at UNF, for a powerful and timely conversation. Why does the divide feel so personal these days? Why do disagreements so often spiral into full-blown hostility? Dr. Freeder brings a wealth of insight into the why behind the polarization — from the psychology driving it, to the role social...
On this episode of Mics on Mic, hosts Mike Miller and Mike Tolbert sit down with Leslie Jean-Bart—fifth-gen Jacksonville native, attorney, and activist—for a bold conversation on ethics, transparency, and power at City Hall. From Sunshine Law concerns to nonprofit funding tied to council members, Leslie brings legal insight and personal passion to the table. This one’s all about civic courage—don’t miss it. Tune in to the show on your favorite Podcasting platform and on MikesOnMic...
Welcome back to Mikes on Mic, where we dive into the conversations shaping our community, government, and the future of Jacksonville. Today, we’re joined by David McGowan, CEO of WJCT Public Media — the voice and vision behind our city’s public radio and television outlets. Under his leadership, WJCT continues to inform, educate, and inspire Northeast Florida through trusted journalism, cultural programming, and innovative storytelling. In this episode, we dig into one of the most pressing c...
In this week’s episode of Mikes on Mic, we sit down with Bryan Moll, CEO of Gateway Jax, the visionary developer behind one of the most ambitious urban revitalization efforts in Florida. Bryan pulls back the curtain on how he and his team are reimagining downtown Jacksonville—turning overlooked blocks into a dynamic, inclusive destination where business, culture, and community thrive. You'll hear: The bold strategy behind Gateway Jax’s $500M+ investment in the urban core How they're balan...
Kay Ehas, CEO of Groundwork Jacksonville, is a driving force behind one of the city's most transformative urban renewal projects—the Emerald Trail. With a deep commitment to environmental justice, equitable development, and community engagement, Ehas has led Groundwork Jacksonville in its mission to restore and reconnect the city's urban core through green infrastructure. Under her leadership, the Emerald Trail is taking shape as a 30-mile network of trails, parks, and waterways...
Jacksonville’s budget battle is heating up — and the stakes are higher than ever. After 3 weeks, we sit sit down with veteran Times-Union reporter David Bauerlein to break down the political tug-of-war shaping the city’s financial future. From proposed property tax cuts to controversial reductions in affordable housing and health services, this conversation dives deep into the growing divide between the mayor's administration and the City Council's Finance Committee. Is public safety...
Jacksonville is at a crossroads—tough decisions are being made about the city's future, and they all come with a price tag. From infrastructure and public safety to education and economic development, what should the city prioritize—and more importantly, how will it pay for it? This week on Mikes on Mic, we go over one of our Best Of the Best conversations where we sit down with former Mayor John Peyton, who led Jacksonville through his own era of high-stakes financial decisions. With two t...
Today we are revisiting the intriguing world of Susie Wiles, the mastermind behind the success of key Republican campaigns. From her instrumental role in Ron DeSantis's 2018 victory to her critical contributions to Donald Trump's 2020 efforts, uncover how Wiles navigates the complex web of politics with finesse. Journalist Michael Kruse shares exclusive insights from his extensive research, revealing the highs and lows of Wiles's influential career. We explore loyalty, power, and public pe...
In this captivating episode our guest, Nathaniel Glover, shares his powerful and inspirational story. From a traumatic encounter with racism to becoming a sheriff, Nathaniel's journey is filled with resilience, forgiveness, and the pursuit of justice. Tune in as he discusses his experiences with the criminal justice system, his path to law enforcement, and the pivotal moments that shaped his life. Join us as we delve into topics of racial inequality, personal growth, and ...
This week Mikes on Mic sits down with Bryan Moll, the CEO of Gateway Jax. Brian has been at the forefront of transforming downtown Jacksonville into a thriving hub of culture, business, and community. His vision and leadership have been pivotal in revitalizing the area, making it a more vibrant and attractive place to live, work, and play. In this conversation, Brian shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities that come with urban development. He'll talk about the strategies bein...
Do you love Jacksonville’s parks or wonder how our local green spaces survive under constant pressure from funding cuts and development? Today we sit down with acclaimed Times Union columnist and author Mark Woods for a revealing conversation about the past, present, and future of our treasured parks. Together, they discuss the pivotal roles played by influential figures like Congressman Charlie Bennett and passionate advocates Barbara Goodman and Mark Middlebrook. Mark shares uni...
It's said that Jacksonville is a "City on the Move! Well there's no better example of that than JTA's U2C project, a three-phase program revolutionizing public transportation in Jacksonville. Launched on June 30th, the first phase of the project features autonomous shuttles running on Bay St. in downtown Jacksonville between the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center and the sports and entertainment district near the stadium. JTA's CEO, Nat Ford again joins the Mikes to discuss th...
Welcome to Mikes On Mic — the podcast where Jacksonville talks politics, policy, and the people shaping our city. This week, we’re celebrating our 2nd anniversary with a deep dive into Mayor Donna Deegan’s proposed $2 billion city budget for 2025-26. Joining us is Mike Mendenhall, Associate Editor of JAXToday, to unpack where the money’s going — and what it means for you. We’re talking about the Mayor’s $10 million plan to address homelessness, o...
Welcome to another exciting episode of Mikes on Mic. This week, Councilman Mike Gay. We discuss how he overcame strong opposition and a flood of attack ads to win his campaign. His strong values guided him through a tough race. Join the Mikes as they examine Gay’s lone 'no' vote on Jacksonville's massive $1.4 billion stadium deal. They explore his practical approach to fiscal conservatism and the changes within the city’s Republican Party. Gay also sheds light on local infrastructure proj...
This week, we chat with our dear friend, Dr. Rahman Johnson. He’s a City Councilman, award-winning broadcaster, educator, and true Renaissance man. Dr. Johnson shares his journey from Jacksonville neighborhoods to becoming the first person of color and the first Democrat to represent District 14 since consolidation. He discusses running for office during a messy redistricting and navigating political divides at City Hall. His background in media, education, and the railroad gives ...
Last week, we spoke with Mayor Donna Deegan. Today, we’ll break down that meeting. We’ll reflect on her leadership style, coalition building, and big wins. These include the stadium contract talks and impressive downtown growth. We’ll also discuss the often dynamic—and sometimes dramatic—relationship between the Mayor and the Republican-led city council. A new council president is ready to take charge. Plus, we’ll cover hot topics from a UNF poll. It shows high approval for the Mayor but gr...
The focus of Mikes on Mic has been on the city of Jacksonville. We follow the politics of the city and projects and events that affect our quality of life. As we celebrate our 100th episode we again invited Mayor Donna Deegan to review with us all that's been done in her first two years of her administration and what she enters her third year. Join the celebration this week on Mikes on Mic. Tune in to the show on your favorite Podcasting platform and on MikesOnMic.com Apple Po...
The numbers go up and the numbers go down. And sometimes it's found that the most important issues are no longer what we've seen in the past. Joining the Mikes again this week is UNF Political Science and Public Administration professor Michael Binder. Dr. Binder is also the director of the highly respected Public Opinion Research Laboratory. The PORL has been tracking polling numbers for Mayor Deegan, the City Council and sheriff since they took office. While the latest polling numbers are q...
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