In this conclusion of this two-part conversation with Beth Bourne, Rich and Beth talk about the harrowing decisions and ethical crossroads faced by individuals navigating gender dysphoria. Prepare to have your preconceptions challenged as we dissect the medical community's delicate dance between preventing harm and honoring the deeply personal jour…

When Beth Bourne's daughter declared her transgender identity at just 13, it sent shockwaves through their family life, challenging Beth's beliefs and opening a dialogue that few are prepared for. Join us on the Common Bridge as we navigate the turbulent waters of transgender rights and gender ideology with her. Our heartfelt conversation explores …

When faith meets public square, the intersection can be complex. On The Common Bridge, we navigate these crossroads with Bill McKenzie and Chris Walsh, delving into the potency of religious pluralism in underpinning democracy. Their profound insights spring from a wealth of experience—Bill's front-row seat to George W. Bush's political ascent, and …

In this episode titled "Response to Reader-Listener-Viewer Mail" of the host, Richard Helppie, delves into a diverse range of thought-provoking questions and comments from his engaged online audience. Touching upon hot-button topics of the time, Richard fearlessly navigates the murky waters of politics, starting with an insightful examination of th…

Unlock the secrets behind boosting school attendance and graduation rates with Ohio's own Bill Seitz and Dani Isaacsohn. Our latest podcast episode delivers a compelling conversation on House Bill 348 and the bold, bipartisan strategy to use cash incentives as a catalyst for educational success. We're not just talking about the principles of the bi…

Kevin Fisher's raw and powerful narrative takes center stage as he joins us for a poignant conversation about loss, love, and the drive to make a difference in the mental health landscape. His journey from business to advocacy, precipitated by his son's battle with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is a stirring reminder of the human stories behi…

Ever wondered what happens behind the political curtains during the heated rush of primary elections? Dive into a gripping conversation with Congressman Dean Phillips as we peel back the layers of the Democratic primaries and his eye-opening campaign trail adventures. Phillips sheds light on his New Hampshire primary surprise and the DNC's delegate…

As American voters voice their exasperation with traditional party lines, the No Labels movement emerges as a beacon of bipartisan problem-solving. Picture this: an America where the lesser of two evils is no longer the default choice at the ballot box. This episode welcomes the esteemed former Governor of North Carolina, Pat McCrory, whose rich ex…

Peel back the layers of history with Dr. Todd Endelman, as he joins us to dissect the complex tapestry of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. From the rise of Jewish nationalism amidst European anti-Semitism to the absence of a historical Palestinian state, we tackle head-on the misconceptions that cloud our understanding of this enduring struggle. W…

What happens when two politically inclined podcasters, born out of the world of writing, collide? You get a riveting and insightful discussion between yours truly, Rich Helpe, and Russell Dabular from Due Dissidence. We're taking you on a journey from the bustling streets of Flushing, New York, to the global stage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflic…

Welcome to a captivating episode of the Common Bridge, where we sit down with the three-term congressman and Democratic presidential candidate, Dean Phillips. Prepare to be inspired as Phillips shares the story of his unique journey - from growing up fatherless due to the Vietnam war to becoming a successful entrepreneur. His resolve to bridge the …

Wondering how to shield yourself from the rising tide of cyber threats? Do you have a small or medium-sized business with limited resources for a dedicated IT security staff? Fret not, as we bring you insights straight from cybersecurity experts, Rick Snyder, the 48th Governor of Michigan, and Dave Bint, the co-founder and Chief Client Success Offi…

Highlighting the incredibly inspiring and thought-provoking journey of Adam Coleman, we engage in a powerful conversation that leaves no stone unturned. From his humble beginnings in Detroit to his passionate advocacy ignited by George Floyd's death, Coleman’s mission is to empower those who feel unheard. As an op-ed writer, public speaker, and hos…

Unearth the hard truths behind the housing crisis and homelessness with our distinguished guest, Professor Gregg Colburn, from the University of Washington. His perspectives from his insightful book "Homelessness is a Housing Problem" gives us more than just an academic exploration of this pressing issue - it presents us with solutions. Ever wonder…

Welcome to Season 5 of The Common Bridge as we sift through the political and media chaos with your host Richard Helppie. As we strip away the narratives, we promise to offer our growing audience of over 4 million viewers, readers, and listeners, a fiercely non-partisan perspective on the escalating tensions within the Republican and Democratic par…

Hold on tight as we examine the roots of tribalism in our media and question the effects of party loyalty on our political discourse. As we wrap up season four of the Common Bridge, we invite you to challenge the mainstream narratives and engage with critical societal issues. The traditional media's role in promoting tribalism is examined with a cr…

While walking through the streets of Detroit, it's hard not to be moved by the sheer resilience of its people. Yet, as we explore the city, we also find ourselves confronted with the stark realities of spiritual and material crises that plague the community. In our most recent conversation with Zoe Kennedy, he shines a light on the work of local ac…

Ready to decode the tangled web of big tech and government regulation? Today's episode promises to do just that, with an in-depth look at the antitrust investigations into giants like Amazon, Google, and potentially Apple. Our guest, Adam Kovacevich, leader of the Chamber of Progress, lends his expertise as we explore the intricacies of Amazon's Pr…

Join us on an intense exploration of the US political landscape, with our special guest - Thomas Hicks, a dedicated voter from Atlanta, Georgia. Thomas brings his unique perspective on the voting process in his home state, where recent elections have been nail-bitingly close. Amid the swirling controversy around the integrity of Georgia's voting pr…

Prepare to set sail on a voyage of discovery with us in the third and final part of a three-part series of conversations with our insightful guest, Robert Greenfield. We're mapping out the territories of Indigenous Peoples' rights, immigration complexities, and the landscape of digital media. We're journeying through the rich historical narratives …

What if you could navigate the stormy seas of today's political climate with a non-partisan compass? Picture yourself engaging with the deep-seated narratives around election deniers and dementia deniers, the political prosecutions of Donald Trump, and the impact of age on voters' preferences. We also highlight possible alternatives to Trump, like …

Join us as we welcome back our favorite globetrotter, Robert Greenfield! As he navigates his recent move from Australia to Europe, he brings a fresh perspective on life, culture, and the political landscape following the pandemic. We kick off with a unique blend of sports and travel, diving into the thrill of a Detroit Tigers game, the anticipation…

Join us on The Common Bridge as Rich talks with stage, screen, and television star Greg Jbara's inspiring journey from a public school system to Juilliard and his rise in the performing arts. We explore the impact of the ongoing Writers Guild strike, differences between guilds, challenges faced by actors and producers, and how automation is reshapi…

Join Rich in a thought-provoking discussions with Konstantin Kissen, a prominent comedian and YouTube sensation. They explore his journey from Moscow to England, the influence of censorship and cancel culture on comedy, and the limitations of the right versus left political paradigm. Delving into public perception versus media portrayal, they analy…

Rich responds to selected questions and comments from his nearly four million viewers, listeners and readers of The Common Bridge. Topics range included censorship, Big Tech, First and Second Amendments, and more. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!Richard Helppie

Ever wonder how the proposed assault weapons ban might reshape our society? Or question how common sense could be applied to the Second Amendment? Join us as we welcome back Ryan Busey, author of "Gunfight", for a compelling discussion on these topics and more. We reflect on the societal norms set by the 1994–2004 ban and explore bipartisan-support…

Peel back the curtain on the divisive discourse around guns and gun laws in America with my captivating conversation with Ryan Bussey, author of the book Gunfight. As an experienced outdoorsman, hunter, conservationist, and influential figure in the firearms industry, Ryan’s insights promise to reshape perceptions and prompt critical thinking. His …

What are the policies needed to overcome today's small business workforce challenges? Join us for an insightful conversation with our special guest, Brian Calley, President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan. From automation to remote work to artificial intelligence, we discuss these changes' impact on the tax base and how they'v…

What if you were given a blank canvas to construct a new country from scratch - What would your ideal nation look like? Tune in as I challenge you to contemplate this intriguing thought experiment. From governance and prosperity to equality and leadership, we delve into the fundamental building blocks of nationhood and the meticulous considerations…

Was the Kennedy Assassination the beginning of conspiracy theories that spawned today’s rampant mistrust of government and the reporting industry? Renowned investigative reporter and author Gerald Posner discusses the newly-released CIA records about the 1963 murder of the president in this riveting episode. Mr. Posner is the author of 13 books, an…

World War II is often portrayed as a period of national unity and purpose in the USA. However, many of the same divisions present today existed then. As the country pivoted to a war economy and then back to a civilian economy, the opportunities for corruption and incompetence were rife. Enter an honest and capable Senator from Missouri – Harry S. T…

How do we navigate the controversial and sensitive topic of transgenderism and pediatric gender medicine? Today, we're joined by Leor Sapir, a PhD holder in Political Science, who shares his insights from years of analyzing the legal, policy, and evidence-based landscape surrounding gender affirming care. We'll explore the medicalization of young p…

After an informative discussion on the PEPFAR program, in Part 2 of this interview Dr. Birx responds to Rich’s questions about the loss of scientific credibility in the 2020 Covid pandemic response. CDC Policies were not designed for, nor were responsive to the coronavirus pandemic, causing the CDC to fail the country and support policy actions oft…

20 years ago, as HIV and AIDS threatened vast populations in sub-Saharan Africa, Haiti, Guyana and Vietnam, the US Government made the largest investment in battling a pandemic. Known as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). May 27th marked the 20th anniversary of the creation of this bipartisan program which coordinated the work…

This week on The Common Bridge, Rich's guest is M.L. Elrick, a Pulitzer Prize and Emmy Award winning Investigative Reporter. ML leads the discussion from the intensely competitive “keep ‘em honest” role of the 4th Estate to national media degrading from reporting facts to the spread of affirmation programming. All beginning with a current story abo…

In the aftermath of the the CNN Town Hall, Rich argues that Donald Trump lacks the skills required to be President and would not be a good choice to lead the Republican Party in the upcoming elections. Despite Trump's appeal to some voters, Helppie suggests that the country needs to move on from the Biden versus Trump narrative and choose better ca…

We cordially invite you to watch, listen, or read this episode of The Common Bridge. Join Rich as he delves into the insights of an educational leader, Dr. Ernestine Sanders, who presents a data-driven model that ensures all kids can achieve academic success while building strong character. This episode offers valuable lessons for public and privat…

In a very popular episode from Season 3, Rich welcomes Professor Emeritus of Texas Christian University to talk about society and civilization in history and how common forces or influences can affect stability today just as it did in antiquity. A fascinating conversation that involves reflections on Greece, Rome, Russia and the US. Support the sho…

Upon his return from vacation, Rich addresses headlines in the news and fields a few audience queries. He sifts through topics, seeking out the ridiculous and the impactful. These include the Trump indictment, Tennessee House Expulsions, the role of guns in the nation's issues, Dominion Voting Systems & Fox News, George Santos & Congressional Circu…

Rich welcomes Kory to The Common Bridge, a Substack author and Twitter personality of "Show Me The Data." They cover a broad range of topics, including living partially off the grid, student debt, the ease with which porn purveyors access children, a unique take on Black History Month, and others from a data-driven and perhaps Libertarian perspecti…

The Godfather of Supply Chain, Bill Michels, returns to The Common Bridge. Mr. Michels’ forecasts from his earlier appearances have proven accurate. Today he calls for Agility, Flexibility and Resiliency as the economy grapples with the Geopolitical situation, interest rates, stress on manufacturing companies, looming bankruptcies, the end of seeki…

Two things that are certain, death and taxes. The Common Bridge has covered tax policies from many angles. So, this week we will wade into the topic of death. In these times of great division, one thing we can agree on is that death is a certain eventuality. Today a leader from the funeral industry – a pioneer, teacher and practitioner, Martha Thay…

To celebrate his 200th episode of The Common Bridge, Rich spends a few minutes reflecting on his take of modern journalism, then replays an earlier episode where he has author, journalist, and political analyst, Matt Taibbi on to talk about the circling of the drain of American journalism. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The…

Voters want compromise yet parties depend on partisanship... The 50 states are said to be the laboratories of democracy... There is widespread voter unease with the current voting system.... In our continuing series about election reform ideas, Rich welcomes to The Common Bridge Joe Kirby from South Dakota. Could open primaries bring better candida…

Rich and former Michigan Attorney General, Mike Cox, discuss the environmental disaster, contamination, and resulting illnesses from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. For 35 years, Marines, soldiers, Navy personnel and others were infected with contaminated water. How did this happen? What’s the VA‘s role? What are the ABCs of getting justice? Watch, L…

Authors of the epic book, “Nothing is Too Big to Fail" Kerry and Linda Killinger return to the Common Bridge. An update on bubbles, government policy and the disconnect between United States citizens and the policies and viewpoints of their government. These Pulitzer nominated authors, have data that encompasses nearly every aspect of the economy t…

Justin Higgins, host of the “Politics and Media 101” podcast, joins Rich on The Common Bridge for a fresh take about issues of the day and media coverage. Higgins brings first-hand knowledge from our nation’s capitol in part 2 of this 2-part series. These two rising independent journalists cover Hunter Biden’s Laptop, House Committee Assignments, G…

Justin Higgins, host of the “Politics and Media 101” podcast, joins Rich on The Common Bridge to talk about issues of the day and media coverage or non-coverage. Higgins brings the Washington insider look at what’s important In part 1 of a 2-part series, these two Independent interviewers discuss Chinese balloons, who’s got what documents, Federal …

In celebration of Black History Month, Rich invites Brian Kruger to The Common Bridge to talk about his Emmy-Nominated documentary, “Black and Blue- The Story of Gerald Ford, Willis Ward, and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech Football Game.” Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!…

Rich responds to comments, emails, and reactions from Common Bridge readers, listeners and viewers. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!Richard Helppie