Episodios

  • From City Council to Reform Leader: Vijay Luthra on UK Politics, NHS Change & Public Service
    Jul 5 2025

    In this episode of Meyerside Chats, I sit down with Vijay Luthra—a UK-based public service reformist, ex-councilmember, and management consultant—to explore the future of government, the crisis in public trust, and why systems must evolve to meet 21st-century challenges. We dive into small “p” vs. big “P” politics, the transformation of the NHS, trade unions, and lessons from Brexit for the U.S.

    🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about government innovation, local leadership, and global civic lessons.

    ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters:

    00:00 | 🎙️ Introduction & Welcome
    01:00 | Vijay’s Unusual Journey from Roadie to Public Servant
    03:00 | Big "P" vs Small "p" Politics Explained
    06:00 | The Decline of Public Service Ethos
    08:00 | Founding Siva: Reforming Public Services from Outside
    10:00 | Entrepreneurship & Bureaucracy: Where They Meet
    13:00 | Local Government, Risk, and Innovation Constraints
    15:00 | The Power of Local Engagement in the UK & US
    17:00 | NHS Transformation: The Biggest Reform in a Generation
    20:00 | Virtual Wards & Healthcare Innovation
    23:00 | Navigating Trade Unions in the UK
    26:00 | Cultural Differences in UK vs US Labor Dynamics
    28:00 | Class Systems, Military, and Social Stratification
    30:00 | Vijay’s Wish: Undoing Brexit’s Damage
    32:00 | Lessons for the U.S.: Division, Democracy & Unity
    34:00 | 🔚 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

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    About Evan Meyer

    Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
    He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

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    35 m
  • Mayor Lana Negrete on Fighting Bureaucracy, Homelessness & Starting Up in Santa Monica
    Jun 24 2025

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    About Evan Meyer

    Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
    He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

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    53 m
  • California Assemblyman Rick Zbur & Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete on Cross-Jurisdictional Partnerships
    Jun 16 2025

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    About Evan Meyer

    Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
    He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

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    25 m
  • Santa Monica x Los Angeles: Collaboration to Solve Homelessness, Community Safety & more
    Apr 22 2025

    In this powerful episode, Evan Meyer sits down with Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete and Los Angeles Councilmember Traci Park to explore how two neighboring cities are breaking down silos to address homelessness, emergency response, and community safety. From invisible borders on the beach to upcoming global events like the Olympics, this conversation unpacks what effective local collaboration really looks like.

    📍 Topics Include:
    Joint operations on homelessness
    Regional planning for tourism & transportation
    Communication breakdowns across agencies
    Why political differences shouldn’t stop progress
    Building tools for cross-jurisdictional problem-solving

    💡 This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in local government, regional planning, and public innovation.

    Time | Section Title | Summary
    00:00 | Opening: Meet Lana & Traci | Intro to both guests and the purpose of their collaboration
    01:00 | Shared Challenges: Homelessness at the Beach | Transit-driven inflows and cross-jurisdiction coordination
    03:00 | Joint Policing & Outreach Efforts | Examples of Santa Monica & LA joint operations
    04:00 | Future Goals: Olympics, World Cup, and Tourism | Preparing for global events through regional partnerships
    05:00 | Origins of Collaboration | How Lana & Traci connected personally and professionally
    06:30 | Breaking the “Invisible Line” on Beaches | Using outreach teams like West Coast Cares across borders
    07:30 | Post-Fire Response & Mutual Aid | How disaster response accelerated regional unity
    08:30 | Why Two Voices Are Louder Than One in Sacramento | The power of joint advocacy at the state level
    10:00 | Big Ask: What Should Higher Governments Fix? | Calls for a shared dashboard, streamlined communication
    13:30 | County-Level Homelessness Shakeup | LASA changes and the push for local control
    15:30 | Vision for a Regional Dashboard Tool | Transparent, real-time issue tracking for agencies and public
    18:00 | Navigating Political Differences | Governing across ideological lines and building

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    About Evan Meyer

    Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
    He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

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    25 m
  • Entrepreneurs & Government - CA Fires, AI, Regulation, Prop 13 | Senator Ben Allen
    Mar 12 2025

    Join us for an insightful conversation with California State Senator Ben Allen as he discusses the complexities of governing through crises, including the devastating wildfires affecting California communities. Senator Allen shares his firsthand experiences and challenges of managing disaster recovery, addressing bureaucratic inefficiencies, and the role entrepreneurs can play in supporting these efforts.

    In this candid interview, Senator Allen also dives into pressing topics such as artificial intelligence regulation, the future of Prop 13, environmental sustainability, and the importance of public-private partnerships. Gain valuable insights into how California plans to balance innovation, economic growth, and regulatory frameworks to ensure a resilient and prosperous future.

    Whether you're an entrepreneur, policymaker, or concerned citizen, this conversation offers meaningful perspectives on how communities and government can collaborate effectively.

    Hosted / Video Production by the Kinn, in Venice, CA.

    #CaliforniaPolitics #WildfireRecovery #AIregulation #PublicPrivatePartnerships #Entrepreneurship #BenAllen #Innovation00:00

    Introduction and Welcome
    00:29 Addressing the Fires: Challenges and Responses
    05:02 Understanding Government Levels and Functions
    09:04 Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Government Interaction
    14:45 California's Innovation and Regulatory Landscape
    26:51 Audience Q&A
    29:26 Governmental Dysfunction and Deferred Maintenance
    30:02 COVID Loans and LLC Costs
    31:35 Regulating AI and Protecting Creativity
    34:11 Challenges of Starting a Mining Company in California
    36:18 Prop 13 and Real Estate Tax Issues
    39:38 Rebuilding After Fires and Climate Resilience
    43:56 Toxic Waste and Fire Cleanup
    49:54 Engaging with Government and Procurement Processes
    55:52 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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    About Evan Meyer

    Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
    He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

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    59 m
  • From Tech Entrepreneur to Mayor of San Jose: Rebuilding trust in Government with Innovation | Mayor Matt Mahan
    Feb 5 2025

    Join us for an enlightening conversation with the Mayor of San Jose, as he discusses his journey from the private sector to public office. Discover the nuances between running a business and managing a city, and learn about the challenges and strategies in tackling issues like homelessness, public safety, and civic engagement. Get an inside look at the importance of performance management, the role of technology, and the need for transparency and accountability in government operations.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome
    00:27 Entrepreneurial Mindset in Government
    00:49 Differences Between Private Sector and Government
    02:18 Performance Management in Government
    03:22 Motivation and Challenges in Public Sector
    04:24 Setting and Achieving Goals in Government
    04:54 Addressing Homelessness in San Jose
    11:34 Community Engagement and Civic Participation
    21:06 Balancing Priorities in Government
    29:09 Rebuilding Trust in Government
    34:12 Closing Remarks and Future Topics

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    About Evan Meyer

    Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
    He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

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    38 m
  • Civility amongst Crisis: Shola Richards on the LA Fires, Intellectual Humility, Cognitive Bias
    Jan 21 2025

    Navigating Civility: A Deep Dive with Shola Richards

    Join me and special guest Shola Richards as we discuss the importance of civility in today's world. Shola shares insights from his latest book, 'Civil Unity,' and reflects on its relevance to relationships, workplace environments, and social media conduct. We touch on Shola's testimony before Congress, the impact of the LA fires, and the nuances of maintaining civility amidst disagreements. Shola also delves into the concept of intellectual humility, the dangers of radicalization, and shares personal anecdotes that highlight the power of kindness and understanding in transforming lives. Don't miss this profound conversation on how civility can change the world.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome
    00:15 Discussing the Book 'Civil Unity'
    01:33 Survivor's Guilt and Helpers
    02:22 Uncivil Narratives on Social Media
    03:55 Cognitive Biases and Confirmation Bias
    07:00 The Importance of Intellectual Humility
    08:04 Personal Anecdotes on Bias
    11:40 The Pie of Knowledge
    13:59 Engaging in Civil Discourse
    27:04 The Role of Local Politics
    32:11 Emotional Intelligence and Inner Work
    33:05 The Power of Civil Discourse
    33:50 Navigating Hard Lines in Civility
    38:01 Social Media and Civility
    46:52 Radicalization and Substance Abuse

    Website: Sholarichards.com
    Civil Unity (Book): https://a.co/d/3RrtMXo

    Support the show

    About Evan Meyer

    Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
    He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

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    59 m
  • Politics, Perspectives, & Progress - A Path Forward | Entrepreneur - Artist - Visionary, Ruben Rojas
    Dec 10 2024

    Join me as I sit down with visionary artist and activist Ruben Rojas to explore how we can bridge divides, embrace new perspectives, and bring a spirit of civility into our polarized world. In this candid conversation, we discuss the power of reframing narratives, fostering empathy, and focusing on actionable ways to create meaningful change in our communities and beyond.

    From the challenges of navigating political toxicity to the importance of grassroots involvement, Ruben shares insights from his mission to inspire positive transformation through his work. Together, we unpack themes of unity, understanding, and the role each of us plays in shaping a better future.

    🔹 Topics Covered:

    • How to foster open dialogue despite differences.
    • The value of starting change at the local level.
    • Why reframing perspectives leads to better outcomes.
    • Practical steps for building bridges in divided times.

    🎨 Ruben Rojas is a celebrated artist and advocate whose work has empowered countless individuals to see the world through a lens of possibility. His unique approach to creativity and activism has inspired partnerships with global brands and a movement for change.

    👉 Watch now and be inspired to take action, create connections, and rethink what’s possible!

    ✨ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations about creating a positive impact!

    #Unity #Empathy #BridgingDivides #CommunityLeadership #PositiveChange


    Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by striving to create virtuous community leadership and authentic conversation. We showcase the humanity in those who take on the often thankless work through public/civic service, civil discourse, differing points of view, and how we can improve our politics and society as a whole.

    About Ruben Rojas

    Ruben Rojas is a visionary artist and advocate for positive change through his mission, Live Through Love. This lifestyle brand inspires creativity and optimism and is channeled into various mediums such as streetwear, art prints, and public art, including sculptures and murals in cities around the world, and uniting communities with beauty and hope.

    His work empowers individuals to dream big, live with possibility, and create lasting impact. He collaborates with major brands like NFL, BMW, and Google to promote social responsibility and inspire innovation.

    He’s a sought-after speaker and TED presenter, and through his podcast, he delves into how love can transform lives and communities.

    For the early part of his journey I’ve personally had the pleasure of working with Ruben in building and scaling the organization Beautify Earth. “Until no unkempt wall remains” was our mission using murals to end wh

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    About Evan Meyer

    Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
    He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.

    Más Menos
    1 h y 5 m