Our special guest is Greg Lawson from The Buckeye Institute! We talk about some riveting ideas they are proposing for Ohio's energy policies, higher education reform, and other critical topics shaping our state.

Here are some key takeaways:

Energy Policy Reform:

• Greg Lawson emphasized the potential of modular nuclear plants to meet Ohio's rising energy demands while maintaining a market-based approach.
• There's a strong push to streamline permitting processes, enabling quicker and more efficient energy solutions.
• The importance of balance and being resource-agnostic, focusing on practical, needs-based energy production without unnecessary subsidies.

Higher Education Overhaul:

• Lawson highlighted the need for higher education institutions to share the risk of student loans, ensuring they produce job-ready graduates.
• Emphasis on reforming administrative bloat, which could reduce tuition costs significantly.
• The critical need to align educational programs with current market demands, especially in STEM fields and practical skill certifications.

School Choice Expansion:

• Ohio's move towards universal EdChoice vouchers, making education funding more student-focused.
• Addressing logistical challenges such as transportation and underutilized school buildings to support the growth of school choice.
• Advocating for parity in support services for voucher students to ensure equitable educational opportunities.

Common Sense Moments

00:00 "Seeking Strong Leadership in the West"

07:38 Ohio's Evolving Energy Landscape

13:07 Rise of Smaller Energy Collaborations

17:45 "Hope for Energy Production Expansion"

27:00 Rethinking Education for Modern Workforce

30:24 Universities Must Ensure Graduates' ROI

37:25 Promoting Trade and Certificate Jobs

40:57 Government's Role & Private Sector Decline

48:41 Enhancing School Voucher Resources

49:37 School Infrastructure and Choice Challenges

59:16 "Individual Freedom in Public Unions"

01:00:44 Unlawful Deductions as Wage Theft

01:09:05 Game Win and Policy Insight

01:11:19 Nonprofit Funded by Private Donations

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

info@commonsenseohioshow.com

Copyright 2025 Common Sense Ohio

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.

Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.

We kick things off by dissecting the confirmation hearings of Pam Bondi and Pete Hegseth. Norm doesn't hold back, slamming the hypocrisy of these political hearings where personal lives are dragged through the mud for sport, drawing comparisons to Brett Kavanaugh's infamous hearing.

Steve then brings up a red-hot topic—California's response to wildfires and calls out Governor Gavin Newsom for his seemingly clueless call for a federal "Marshall Plan." The crew critiques the political missteps and budget cuts that left the LA Fire Department scrambling.

Then things get a bit futuristic as Norm dives into the latest buzz surrounding Anduril's autonomous drones. He paints a picture of these Terminator-esque machines and sparks a debate about the ethical implications of using AI in warfare. It's like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, and the guys grapple with whether this tech leap is brilliant or terrifying.

As we weave through topics, there’s a consistent theme of calling out the nonsense within government systems and society at large. We stress the importance of practicality over political theatrics, urging a return to good old common sense.

Wrapping things up, we dive into some local and national tidbits. Now you know about using Waze to spot snowplows in Ohio and lament the ongoing issues with Apple’s privacy blunders. They also share a bizarre story about a police officer in Ohio whose child was wrongfully taken by local authorities, shining a light on systemic screw-ups.

Of course, no Ohio-based podcast would be complete without a nod to Ohio State's sports triumphs. And cheer on the Buckeyes on the the intense upcoming matchup against Notre Dame.

To cap it all off, we celebrate the reopening of a beloved local restaurant, Ghost Rider, and reflect on the passing of sports legend Bob Uecker. They quit for a minute on how much they'll miss his legendary "just a bit outside" calls.

Common Sense Moments

00:00 Bolsheviks vs. Mensheviks: Power Struggle

09:11 Complex Issues in Fire Response

15:26 Conditional Disaster Aid Politics

19:32 Zoning Creates Land Scarcity

22:15 Biden Commutes Federal Drug Sentences

27:14 Trump's TikTok Policy Reversal

33:57 False Accusations and Innocence Dilemma

39:53 Israel-Hamas Conflict Challenges Ceasefire

46:55 "Star Trek Childhood Memories"

47:26 Star Trek's Moral Dilemma Insight

52:53 Dangers of Sharing Intimate Photos

Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.

Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

info@commonsenseohioshow.com

Copyright 2025 Common Sense Ohio

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

We kick off by addressing the ongoing California wildfires—exploring the devastating impact on communities and questioning public officials' management strategies. We don’t shy away from controversial opinions, criticizing the stringent rebuilding regulations and the financial burden this disaster places on taxpayers nationwide.

Then, we look into the intricate legal landscape surrounding Donald Trump’s sentencing. Steve offers an in-depth look at legal concepts like "intervention in lieu of conviction" and the complexities of mandatory minimum sentencing. Norm brings a political lens, questioning the motives and implications of Trump's potential conviction.

Switching gears, the conversation also examines evolving social media dynamics, Dana White's corporate influence, and Mark Zuckerberg’s transformation—probing the sincerity behind these high-profile changes. Plus, we explore a major legal case concerning TikTok and discuss the broader implications of government intervention in tech.

From regulatory mishaps to the economics of disaster management, we debate free speech, government roles, and market freedoms—all while tackling contemporary issues like congestion pricing in urban New York and its ripple effects.

Common Sense Moments

00:00 Trump's delay request denied by Supreme Court.

10:30 Final appealable order required for federal review.

11:07 Supreme Court denies Trump's sentence delay request.

18:43 State cannot prosecute Trump based on precedent.

23:54 Trump delays sentence, plans to appeal soon.

29:03 Understanding context is vital for historical education.

33:32 Budget cut prioritized diversity over competence concerns.

41:52 Authorities complicate rebuilding California coastal mansions.

45:53 TikTok resists U.S. ownership; Supreme Court intervention.

50:23 Admits to government pressure, promises policy change.

56:52 Entry fees for vehicles entering central New York.

01:01:59 Concerns about Joe Biden issuing future pardons.

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

info@commonsenseohioshow.com

Copyright 2025 Common Sense Ohio

Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.

Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/