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Hello, welcome to the Common Bridge. I'm your host, Richard Helppie. We have just completed Season Four of the Common Bridge. It has been a very fun and hopefully informative season. We have been able to produce a weekly podcast with transcription videos for those of you who prefer to watch or read. We have also published a couple of written columns along the way. In the beginning, four years ago, when we started this show, we wanted to focus on policy-oriented discussions. The two major political parties are often more invested in beating each other rather than working together for the best path for our country. However, the problems we face are solvable, and in the meantime, the issues of the day continue to go unaddressed and the opportunities of the moment are missed.
I am encouraged by the comments from our listeners, readers, and viewers, and especially by our constantly growing audience on Substack and podcast outlets. It seems to me that the only people not listening are those in the political class or the entrenched media ecosystem that is failing us so badly. Speaking of the media ecosystem, if journalism were actually fulfilling its role as the fourth estate, the political structure would be doing a better job. Unfortunately, there seems to be little audience for programs like the Common Bridge because the media has become tribal. Outrageous crimes are downplayed or ignored when committed by one side, but blown out of proportion when committed by the other. They often ignore corruption, malfeasance, and incompetence based on political affiliations. It seems like very few of them actually go out and investigate stories anymore.
When independent journalists outside of that ecosystem uncover evidence of wrongdoing, the entrenched media joins their political allies in attacking the journalist instead of addressing the problem. Reporters are supposed to present facts, but now fact-checkers often render opposing views devoid of facts. I encourage people to dig deeper and read beyond the headlines.
Can the Common Bridge make a difference? I don't know for sure, but I can promise that we will be different. We provide a platform for experts to discuss various topics at length. Some of our guests have gone on to be featured on large-scale international platforms, and we are proud of the role we play in introducing them to our audience. We have covered a range of topics, from voting systems to technology's impact on our lives, from media models to immigration and mental health. We have engaged with the President of the United States and featured authors like Brian Busey. We have also discussed guns with specific policy recommendations. We strive to provide a non-partisan perspective, even though it can be challenging. No matter what we cover, some people will try to categorize us as being in one camp or the other.
Making a difference is not going to be easy. It requires being informed and non-partisan. The easy path is to remain silent as politicians, media, and people with certain views spew narratives that don't make sense. We can make a difference by speaking up and having respectful conversations. Let's demand better from our elected officials and from the media. Thank you for your loyal support as we close Season Four of the Common Bridge.
(Watch, Listen, or Read) Tribalism vs. The First Amendment: Reflections on Season Four of The Common Bridge.