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It's time to take stock.  We can benefit greatly from taking a pause and reflecting upon our history, life events, and performance. So, if you indulge me for a moment, let's take a backward glance. After reading my new post, please take a moment to reflect upon the last 18 months and share your own backward glance in the comments section.

I'm happy to have Michael D. Tanner on the podcast to talk about poverty, economic growth and entitlement reform. Michael is a Senior Fellow at the CATO Institute, a public policy research organization dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Michael Tanner heads research into a variety of domestic policies, with an emphasis on poverty and social welfare policy, health care, and Social Security and entitlement reform. How to find Michael Tanner: CATO Profile | Twitter

I was happy to have Matt Warner, the President of Atlas Network, on as a guest. At Atlas Network, he works in an industry we often don't think about and likely never consider as a possible career path.  That industry, ironically, is Think Tanks. Atlas Network provides support, training, grants and awards to over 500 partner Think Tanks throughout the world, that are focused on the topic and activities that affect economic freedom and poverty.  My wide ranging conversation touches upon the work Atlas Network is focused on, how "Think Tanks" became a career path for him and the kinds of economic activities that have lasting affect on depressed regions.

Nothing galvanizes a strong organizational culture better than a healthy chip on its shoulder; that is, uniting around a challenge that moves that organization beyond its comfort zone. Read the blog by clicking here: https://jeffbullock.com/commitment-to-place/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.f.bullock/

The Iowa Caucuses have been an election institution since 1972. Iowans got pretty good at separating the good kernels from the bad cobs, and our nation was the better for it; but not anymore. The one true fact in this cacophony of misdirection is this: the voices of regular people won’t be heard anymore.  Click here to read the full post: https://jeffbullock.com/weak-after-excuses/

I have little in common with Art Cullen, the Editor and Chief of the rural Iowa newspaper, The Storm Lake Times. Yet, I find myself in awe of his commitment. Particularly his commitment to place. His commitment to Storm Lake's beauty, challenges, triumphs, people, diversity and its message to America. His example is a beacon to all who hope to lead in some small way. Read the blog by clicking here: https://jeffbullock.com/commitment-to-place/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.f.bullock/

I am in awe of those individuals who have found their calling to be nurses, doctors and hospice workers. These individual's ability to care for and bring dignity to the end of a person's life is worth praising. So take a moment when you meet someone in this industry, or find your loved one under the care of these incredible human beings, and thank them for their contribution. Read the blog by clicking here: https://jeffbullock.com/walking-home/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.f.bullock/

Originally published in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald, my Op-Ed attempts to refocus the Dubuque community on that which is important. Dignity & Opportunity. Read the blog by clicking here: https://jeffbullock.com/a-tail-of-two-cities/

Good ideas inform good public policy, and having the courage to thoughtfully engage all ideas is part of being a leader.  Read the blog by clicking here: https://jeffbullock.com/when-ideas-matter/

Anderson Sainci, (C’10/MAC ’12) has been part of the University of Dubuque community for over a decade. In addition to his work with the City of Dubuque, Anderson campaigned for a seat on the Dubuque Community School Board. He won his election and, like many of his classmates, continues to serve our community as a servant-leader.

Raw beauty is a portal to better understand the human spirit which is forged in places like Cruit Island & my own flyover state, where leaders are built. An ode to my own home of Iowa and the island to which inhabitants have made us felt at home, I hope you enjoy this post. Read the blog by clicking here: https://www.jeffbullock.com/blog/raw-beauty/

Roy Buol (Twitter: @CityofDubuque Instagram: @cityofdubuquegov Website: https://www.cityofdubuque.org/173/Mayor-Roy-D-Buol) is the longest-serving mayor in Dubuque's history.  A Dubuque native and a 30-year retired employee of John Deere Dubuque Works. Since 2002, he has been Director of the Landscaping & Grounds Department at the University of Dubuque. Mayor Buol holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a double major in business and marketing from the University of Dubuque, where he also completed graduate coursework toward a Master of Arts in Communication.  Mayor Buol and his wife, Deborah, are parents of four children and grandparents of 10. For the full interview transcript, click here. 

My commentary on the college admissions scandal and a better way to rank colleges, was originally published in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. In it, I propose exploring a new, more purposeful way, to critique and rank colleges and universities. Supported by data from Brandon Busteed, a former researcher from the Gallup-Purdue Index, this new ranking format takes into account six experiences which are important for any student's development in college, regardless of the school's name or US World Report Ranking. If you wish to engage in discussion, please click here to make a comment on the post. Click here to join over 15,000 blog subscribers!

 The greatest minds among us are not immune to immoral beliefs. Therefore, it's all of our responsibility to strengthen our reckless minds. This sample podcast is a reading of my blog post Strengthening Reckless Minds, published 3/22/19 on my blog jeffbullock.com. Strengthen your reckless mind by; Understand your prejudices.  Recognize how social media confirms your biases & language. Intentionally disrupt your brain’s hard drive.  Check sources. Have discipline. Listen.  Take a sabbath.  Click here to join over 15,000 blog subscribers!