Playing Hookie with KBJ, Easy Come Easy Go, and Who's Your Daddy
Hey Common Sense Ohio listeners,
We’re back with another fiery episode of Common Sense Ohio! If you missed our live show on April 23, 2025, don’t worry — we’ve got the highlights, hot topics, and fresh takes you need.
Playing Hooky with KBJ We kicked off debating whether the US Supreme Court is “playing hooky” in more ways than one — especially Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. What happens when the nation’s top court takes a step back on crucial parental rights questions, and what could it mean for your kids’ education? We unpack how far we’ve come (or gone) from Shakespearean ideals of leadership and courage, with a nod to Caesar and Trump alike.
Parental Rights in the Crosshairs The Supreme Court’s recent case out of Maryland brings it home: who has the final say in what your kids learn at school? We dive deep on the controversy over DEI curriculum, schoolbooks that raise eyebrows, and the constitutional battle about religious opt-outs. Even Justice Kagan was “shocked”—and we are too. Is “teaching acceptance” being pushed too far? We think so—and, as always, we’re not afraid to challenge the status quo.
Who’s Your Daddy? Ohio’s New Parental Crisis Line Governor DeWine has launched the Mobile Response and Stabilization Service, so now you can call a hotline for a state-sanctioned intervention if your kid’s in crisis. But is this “help” or just more government in your home? We discuss the blurred (and often blurry) line between needed support and government overreach. Where’s the balance between safety nets and personal responsibility? We say, raise your kids—don’t outsource it!
A Moment of Reverence—and Outrage With the passing of Pope Francis right after Easter, we reflect on media reactions, responsibility, and the meaning of leadership. Plus, we dissect the kneejerk reactions blaming public figures (yes, all eyes on JD Vance) and remind everyone to keep the day sacred.
Immigration, Lawfare, and Trump’s Tightrope From mass parole for migrants to national injunctions, we break down the latest border policies and the “lawfare” game against Trump. Is it principle, or just anti-Trump for the sake of it? Both sides are missing the bigger picture, and we explain why the real loser might just be the country itself.
Ohio Local: Chillicothe’s Paper Plant Lifeline It’s not all doom-and-gloom! Senator Bernie Moreno steps in to save hundreds of jobs at the Chillicothe paper plant. Sometimes government can be the good guy—when it remembers who it really serves.
Outrage and Wonderful of the Week Corrupt double-dipping with federal pensions, questionable school handouts, and shocking jailhouse ethics — we call it like we see it. But there’s always goodness to spotlight, from professional courtrooms to public servants finding their humanity.
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Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.
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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.