Mikes On Mic

Mikes On Mic Join us on this enlightening journey and let's dive into politics, one episode at a time!

12/22/2025

Welcome to a special year-end milestone episode of Mikes on Mic.

In this reflective wrap-up, the hosts come together with community leaders and longtime friends of the show to look back on more than two and a half years of meaningful conversations. With 125 episodes recorded, the podcast reflects on its journey exploring politics, government, and the evolving story of the Jacksonville community.

This episode revisits some of the most impactful discussions—from conversations with city leaders, business innovators, and local historians to candid exchanges with everyday residents. Together, these moments have shaped the podcast into a living archive of the city’s past, present, and future.

Listeners will hear reflections on how long-form, civil dialogue has contributed to civic pride and deeper understanding, along with favorite episodes and memorable moments that helped frame key issues and opportunities facing the community.

As the show heads into a brief holiday hiatus, this episode invites listeners to reminisce, celebrate progress, and look ahead to more thoughtful conversations in the year ahead. Whether you’ve been listening from the beginning or are just tuning in, this episode captures the heart, history, and optimism driving Jacksonville forward.

Settle in for a meaningful year-end conversation focused on gratitude, growth, and bold visions for what’s next.

12/15/2025

Today we talk about something important happening in Jacksonville. A former mayor, Lenny Curry, just became a lobbyist for JEA—the city’s power and water company. This is surprising because, not long ago, he tried to sell JEA, which caused a lot of people to get upset and worry about the future of the city’s utilities.

We sit down with people who were part of the investigation into that attempted sale. We also talk with someone who reported the story and followed it closely.

Together, we ask questions like:
• What does this new job mean for JEA and the people who work there?
• Are the same people still making big decisions behind the scenes?
• Can the people of Jacksonville trust what’s happening?

We take a close look at how decisions made by leaders can leave a mark on a city, even years later. And we ask if lessons were really learned—or if history is about to repeat itself.

This is an honest talk about leadership, trust, and why it’s so important to pay attention to what’s happening in local government.

12/08/2025

For this episode we sat down with Mayor Donna Deegan—right in her office—for an open, honest conversation about where Jacksonville’s headed.

Two and a half years into her first term, she’s had some big wins—downtown development, the riverfront parks, and real investment in neighborhoods that have been overlooked for years. But we also got into the tough stuff: the pushback, the politics, and the challenges that come with trying to do things differently at City Hall.

We talked city spending, the telehealth program that’s helping uninsured folks, and how her team’s working to keep Jacksonville growing without bloating government. No fluff—just straight talk.

Plus, with the next election not too far off, she shared what she’s focused on right now, what’s keeping her fired up, and why she thinks Jacksonville’s best days are still ahead.

If you live here, work here, or just care about how this city runs—this one’s worth a listen.

Let’s dive in.

12/01/2025

What does it take to turn a hometown credit union into a driving force behind a city’s rebirth?

Today, we sit down with **Brian Wolfburg**, President & CEO of Vystar Credit Union, for a powerful conversation on **corporate culture, civic leadership, and Jacksonville’s future.**

From its roots serving military families on a naval air base to becoming a billion-dollar financial institution with over a million members, **Vystar’s journey is nothing short of transformational**. Brian shares how purpose-driven leadership has fueled community impact—from revitalizing downtown Jacksonville and backing the Emerald Trail to supporting veterans and enriching local culture through the Museum of Science & History.

Inside this episode:

- How Vystar is shaping downtown’s future—and why it matters
- The role of veterans at the heart of Vystar’s mission
- Why workplace culture is key to lasting impact
- Brian’s insights from serving as a Federal Reserve advisor
- What it means to build a *world-class city*—and how Jacksonville’s getting there

Whether you're a leader, a local, or someone who believes in the power of community, this episode will **shift how you see business, purpose, and the future of your city**.

11/24/2025

Hi! Today we’re doing something a little different—and a little deeper—to honor the Thanksgiving holiday.

This episode brings back one of our most requested conversations: *Why are we so divided?*

Together with my co-hosts Mike Hightower and Mike Tolbert, we sit down with Dr. Sean Freeder, political science professor at UNF and expert on political polarization, to unpack the hard truths behind today’s fractured political landscape.

We talk about why it feels nearly impossible to have civil conversations, how social media might be warping our sense of reality, and why we’re stuck in what feels like a never-ending culture war. Dr. Freeder doesn’t sugarcoat it—but he also doesn’t leave us without hope.

Whether you're deeply political or completely burned out by the noise, this is a timely episode that will challenge the way you think, feel, and talk about politics in America.

11/17/2025

Is Jacksonville’s $370-a-Ride Transit Bet a Bust?

Today we dive deep into Jacksonville’s bold experiment with autonomous transportation — NAVI — a cutting-edge, self-driving shuttle system meant to revolutionize downtown transit.

But with only 76 daily riders and a staggering $370-per-passenger cost, is it already headed for the scrap heap?

Joining us is veteran journalist David Bauerlein from the Florida Times-Union, whose relentless reporting exposes the real numbers, political infighting, and future stakes surrounding NAVI and the U2C initiative.

We dig into:
• Why JTA employees were riding NAVI on the clock
• Whether city leaders are being sold another "Skyway" dream
• The looming $240M+ price tag for phase two
• And whether this is innovative foresight… or déjà vu disaster

Today we tackle the real question: Is NAVI the future — or Jacksonville’s next transportation failure?

Brought to you by the Jacksonville History Center.

Enjoy!

11/10/2025

Welcome back to the show!

This week, we are diving headfirst into the kitchen-table issues hitting Floridians the hardest—**housing costs, property taxes, and skyrocketing insurance rates**.

Joining the conversation is special guest **Dr. Michael Binder** from UNF’s Public Opinion Research Lab, here to break down **fresh polling data** revealing what’s *really* keeping voters up at night—and why these concerns are resonating **across party lines**.

- What’s fueling the anxiety over affordability?
- Are Florida’s leaders addressing the crisis—or just dodging it?
- And how might this all shape the upcoming elections?

Dr. Binder shares insider insights, surprising data points, and the rare issues **uniting Republicans and Democrats**.

We unpack what it all means for **Tallahassee, local governments**, and the delicate balance of political power in the state.

**Tune in now—and get the scoop before the next headline hits.**

11/03/2025

Why do city leaders say "no" so often—and what does it really cost them?

Today we dive deep into the behind-the-scenes world of city council politics, revealing the often unseen pressures, personal dilemmas, and power dynamics that shape local decision-making.

You’ll hear how political leaders juggle transparency, legal fears, and public interest—all while keeping their cool (and sometimes cracking a joke) in high-stakes environments.

We also talk:
• Why the fear of legal backlash shapes political decisions
• How humor becomes a survival tool in tense council meetings
• The delicate dance of saying “no” and what it means for leadership
• Why transparency isn’t just ideal—it’s essential for public trust
• How personal and public interests clash behind closed doors

Whether you're a policy wonk, a curious voter, or an aspiring leader, this episode pulls back the curtain on governance, leadership, and the real cost of power in city politics.

10/27/2025

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 turned upside down by the killing and destruction for more than two years. It was an emotional experience which Mike describes in great detail.

Join us as Hightower takes us to the front lines of this war.

10/20/2025

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 insights from UNF pollster Dr. Michael Bender on the city's shifting political landscape—this episode packs a punch.

We’re also joined in-studio by Dr. Alan Bliss, CEO of the Jacksonville Historical Society, for a rich discussion on how history continues to shape the city’s future.

Whether you're new to the show or a longtime listener, this episode is a perfect snapshot of what Mikes on Mic is all about—and a reminder of the big stories and voices we've brought to the mic.

🎙️ Tune in and get ready—because there’s a lot more coming your way.

10/13/2025

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 media plays in fueling our echo chambers, to the steep decline in trust among American voters.

We also ask the big question: is there any hope for bridging the gap? Whether it’s through tough conversations, institutional change, or waiting on the next generation — we explore what it might take to rediscover a sense of shared purpose.

This one’s thoughtful, raw, and real — and we hope it gets you thinking.

Stick around to the end, and don’t miss what’s coming next week, when Mike Hightower takes us behind the scenes of his eye-opening journey to Ukraine.

Hit play, and let’s talk about where we go from here — is unity possible, or is polarization here to stay?

10/06/2025

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.

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