Steve Grove has had a front-row seat to the evolution of the internet, from his early days at YouTube shaping the political division to navigating crisis in state government, and now—reinventing local journalism as publisher of the Star Tribune.
In this episode, I talk with Steve to talk about the through lines in his career, what led him to leave Silicon Valley for his home state of Minnesota, and why going local may be the most overlooked solution to our national dysfunction. We unpack the early optimism of platforms in politics, the challenges of shifting between tech, government, and media, and what it really takes to rebuild trust—community by community.
Whether you're considering a big life pivot or trying to find purpose in a broken system, Steve’s story is a reminder that reinvention isn’t a detour—it’s the path.
🔑 Key Topics:
* The early days of YouTube politics and platform optimism
* Leaving Big Tech for state government—and what he learned
* The culture shock (and opportunity) of working in government
* Rebuilding trust through local journalism
* The underestimated power of community and place-based identity
* Advice for anyone considering a career pivot
* Why reinvention is a superpower
📌 Mentioned:
* Steve’s new book: How I Found Myself in the Midwest: A Memoir of Reinvention
* The Minnesota Star Tribune: www.startribune.com
* Steve’s website and book tour: www.stevegrove.com
💬 Favorite Quote:
“When you go local, you don’t have time for polarization—you’re too busy solving problems.” —Steve Grove
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