Meyerside Chats: Government, Policy & Civility
Meyerside Chats seeks to eliminate the “us and them” narrative and toxic polarization by praising those who lead by example, virtuous community leadership, and authentic conversation. The intent is to showcase the humanity in those that take on the often thankless jobs of public service through civil discourse, and honoring differing points of view.
Cities are an essential part of our identity. Depending on where we live, we develop different attitudes, personalities, perspectives, and ways of living. But is the average citizen aware of how their cities actually operate? Likely not. Conflicts between landlords and tenants are common. Many people lack knowledge of the ordinances their leaders enact. For those residents and communities that lack communication, the gap will worsen if left unaddressed.
There are deep-seated issues in many cities that prevent them from progressing. People tend to look at national-level issues rather than concentrating on issues in their own localities, and they are not aware of these severe problems. It is only as they become immersed in the country's biggest issues (which are outside of their control) that they realize what they want. But a knee-jerk response of fury or blame is useless without productive action.
What can be done to correct issues like poor compost, unfair ordinances, or substandard infrastructure? The key is to shift the focus to the local level, get involved, and become part of the solution. Identifying what you can do to contribute begins with listening and trying new ideas. We must establish deeper relationships with each other to achieve more practical solutions.
To find out how, host Evan leads eye-opening conversations about civic and community leadership that highlight how to stand up and make cities better. Addressing the "Us and Them" mentality, he brings people together to see eye to eye and provide their unique viewpoints.
This show aims to humanize politics, break the toxic bureaucracy, and reconnect residents with their city leaders. Evan explores the muddied relationships with politicians. With their grand buildings and great powers, these individuals usually appear distant and untouchable. But they are not infallible. It is possible to start authentic conversations that eventually lead to sustainable and inclusive communities.
Long-time community leader Evan Meyer invites you to focus on this alarming state of living through his podcast, Meyerside Chats. On this show, you'll hear real talks about rebuilding trust between people, leaders, and our government.
Evan brings vast experience to the podcast as a civic guru and community leader. For many years, he has been heavily involved in the development of Santa Monica using highly innovative approaches. He created the city's Civic Love program, a group focused on volunteerism and making change through the process of "doing good." He also served his neighborhood association for a decade, eventually as president.
In addition to outstanding community involvement, Evan founded several start-up businesses. He actively works to transform neglected communities globally through murals, art education, and social responsibility. The efforts of Evan are a perfect example of what citizens can do to make their city a better place to live, work and thrive.
Meyerside Chats: Government, Policy & Civility
Politics Vs Parenting: Why Control Breaks Trust, Relationships, & Democracy w/ Lura Forcum
What if modern politics is failing for the same reason bad parenting fails?
In this episode of Meyerside Chats, Evan Meyer sits down with political psychologist Lura Forcum, President of the Independence Center, to explore a powerful and uncomfortable truth: you can have control, or you can have a relationship—but not both.
Using insights from psychology, public policy, and real-world governance, this conversation breaks down much of the deeper issues behind our polarization.
You’ll learn:
- Why reactance explains voter backlash and polarization
- How political control mirrors ineffective parenting
- Why trust matters more than power in a healthy democracy
- How identity politics shuts down problem-solving
- Why independent voters and “politically homeless” Americans are ignored
- How unfixed problems become politically valuable
If you’re tired of outrage politics and want a deeper, more psychologically grounded way to understand what’s breaking democracy—and how to fix it—this episode is for you.
🎙 Guest: Lura Forcum
President, Independence Center
Political Psychology • Civic Trust • Independent Voters
🌐 https://www.independencecenter.org
🎧 Meyerside Chats features long-form conversations with thinkers, builders, and leaders working to make politics and institutions function better.
⏱ Timestamps / Chapters
00:00 – Why this conversation matters
01:15 – Four years of Meyerside Chats & polarization
03:10 – Why good intentions create bad policy
05:40 – Reactance: why forcing people backfires
08:10 – COVID, control, and behavioral resistance
11:05 – Politics like parenting explained
14:20 – Control vs relationship in democracy
17:30 – Why trust matters more than authority
20:45 – Identity vs belief in politics
24:00 – Why nuance disappeared
27:15 – The myth of party alignment
30:10 – Urban vs rural political blind spots
33:00 – Tribal instincts and dehumanization
36:15 – When conflict replaces competition
39:10 – Why parties avoid solving problems
41:50 – The politically homeless voter
45:30 – How independents threaten power
48:15 – Local government as the fix
51:00 – What a healthier democracy looks like
54:00 – Final thoughts & where to find Lura
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.