Richard Helppie's Common Bridge

Garlin Gilchrist II, Michigan's Lieutenant Governor and gubernatorial candidate, shares how his unique background as a software engineer and tech entrepreneur shapes his vision for the state's future. This fascinating conversation reveals how engineering principles can transform governance and policy-making.

"Being an engineer, you learn to be a problem solver," Gilchrist explains, drawing parallels bet...

What happens when you put one of America's leading healthcare governance experts in conversation with a veteran industry insider? You get a rare, unfiltered look behind the curtain of hospital boardrooms where life-and-death decisions get made every day.

Jamie Orlikoff, renowned governance consultant and active health system board member, joins host Nathan Kaufman to reveal the dramatic transformation of healthcare go...

When half the streetlights in Detroit were dark and the city led America in homicide, poverty, and unemployment, Mike Duggan stepped up to lead its transformation. Now, after 12 years of progress as Detroit's mayor, he's taking aim at Michigan's partisan gridlock with an independent run for governor.

"Every time the Republicans and Democrats switch control in Lansing, they change the rules," Duggan...

Get ready for two power-packed days of essential conversations when I take over hosting duties at WJR, the Great Voice of the Great Lakes! Mark your calendars for June 23rd and 24th, from 2-4pm Eastern Time, as we spotlight the critical issues shaping Michigan's communities.

We'll dive deep into healthcare challenges and opportunities with renowned expert Nate Kaufman, whose insights have guided healthcare instit...

What does Michigan need in its next governor? Sheriff Chris Swanson believes it's someone who can protect, serve, and unify.

The Genesee County Sheriff joins The Common Bridge to outline his vision as a Democratic candidate for Michigan's 2026 gubernatorial race. Drawing from his 33 years in law enforcement and extensive background in education and emergency medicine, Swanson offers a refreshingly practical appro...

America stands at a crossroads as Marines deploy on the streets of Los Angeles. This gripping analysis examines whether we're witnessing the early stages of a modern civil war or something else entirely. The evidence is sobering: combat-trained Marines entering densely populated urban areas, coordinated opposition with pre-positioned supplies, and definitions of conflict that match our current situation with disturbing accurac...

What happens when a state that was once the crown jewel of American prosperity finds itself near the bottom in employment, education, and population growth? Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox believes it's time for a dramatic course correction, and he's running for governor to make it happen.

The son of immigrants who chose Michigan in the 1950s because it was "the greatest state in America," Cox...

The $84 billion question haunting American healthcare takes center stage as Nathan Kaufman returns to unpack the bombshell criminal investigation into UnitedHealthcare's alleged Medicare fraud. Drawing from his 48 years of healthcare expertise, Kaufman reveals the troubling mechanics behind how the nation's largest insurer potentially manipulated the Medicare Advantage system through aggressive "upcoding" – arti...

The global economy stands at a crossroads as tariffs reshape international trade, and few understand these seismic shifts better than Bill Michels, returning to The Common Bridge with crucial insights on what's happening at our ports, in manufacturing, and throughout supply chains worldwide.

Shipping containers sit idle at major ports like Los Angeles and Houston as businesses hesitate to import goods, unsure what tar...

Professor Jesse Kaufman returns to The Common Bridge to deliver a sobering assessment of the Ukraine-Russia war three years after the invasion began. What started as a discussion about territorial disputes has revealed itself as something far more fundamental: Russia's existential denial of Ukrainian nationhood.

Kaufman shatters common misconceptions about the conflict, explaining that contrary to popular belief, NATO...

A refreshing voice cuts through the noise of gender politics as Larry Shell, a self-described "TERG" (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Gay), shares his journey from recognizing his homosexuality in sixth grade to finding his authentic voice in today's complex discussions about gender and sexuality.

Larry's story begins in 1970s Chicago where, unlike many of his peers, he recognized his same-sex attraction ear...

Fierce nonpartisanship meets listener curiosity in this mailbag episode where Richard Helppie tackles tough questions spanning economics, social policy, and political comparisons with refreshing candor.

When a listener asks whether recent stock market gyrations prove Trump's policies are "all wrong," Helppie cuts through the binary thinking to explore how markets react primarily to uncertainty rather than sp...

Dr. James Baker delivers a masterclass in scientific clarity as he breaks down what we truly know about COVID-19, vaccines, and our healthcare system's deepest challenges. With decades of experience as a physician, immunologist, and vaccine researcher, Dr. Baker provides a refreshingly honest assessment that cuts through political noise with precision and expertise.

The conversation begins with a fascinating explanati...

Author and educator Paul Cumbo joins us to shed light on the contemporary challenges faced by young men in a rapidly evolving world. He offers a treasure trove of encouragement and practical advice drawn from his two decades of experience. Our conversation navigates the complex terrain of building self-knowledge, emotional intelligence, and healthy relationships, underscoring the indispensable need for strong role models and a soli...

Ready to challenge your perspectives on government efficiency and economic resilience? Join us for a compelling conversation with Kerry Killinger, co-author of "Nothing is Too Big to Fail," as we question the true impact of federal workforce reductions on national unemployment and explore the potential fallout from dismantling entire departments like the Department of Education. With Washington, D.C. possibly facing signi...

In this conclusion of the conversation that began with Episode 262,  prepare to rethink everything you know about the American healthcare landscape as we sit down with esteemed guests Dr. Barry Meisenberg and Dr. Matthew Nathan. With candid insights, they help us untangle the chaotic initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the eventual pivot towards evidence-based interventions. Discover how government programs played a doubl...

How can we transform the U.S. healthcare system into one that prioritizes both patient-provider relationships and equitable access to care? Join us for a compelling conversation with healthcare visionaries Dr. David Harlan, Dr. Barry Meisenberg, and Admiral Matt Nathan as we navigate the complexities of modern healthcare. Learn from Dr. Harlan's call for a shift towards chronic disease management and health promotion, while Ad...

What if the biggest infrastructure overhaul in the U.S. since the interstate highway system is happening right now? Join us on the Common Bridge as we sit down with Professor Rick Geddes from Cornell University, a leading expert with an eye-opening perspective on the future of infrastructure policy. Professor Geddes enlightens us on the sweeping changes brought by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Chips and Science Ac...