I'm a big fan of Michael Smerconish, the political commentator known for his balanced, centrist perspective. You might know him from SiriusXM, his podcast, or his Saturday morning show on CNN. His SiriusXM show opens with Stealers Wheel’s “Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right…”—a perfect nod to his middle-ground philosophy. Michael often talks about how political polarization has grown as people stop mingling across lines. Too many of us retreat into echo chambers online instead of connecting through community activities—like bowling leagues, softball teams, or local clubs. He encourages listeners to get out, meet new people, and engage in friendly debate, open conversation, and active listening. The goal isn’t to win an argument, but to genuinely understand one another and enjoy the process of exchanging ideas. With that spirit in mind, join me for a Mingle Meet-Up on **Sunday, August 30 at Sketchbook Brewing Co at their SKOKIE location starting at 4:00 PM CST.** While politics might come up, the real goal is simple: bring together a diverse group of people to relax, connect, and enjoy good company. Whether you agree or disagree, this is a space for open-minded discussion, sharing perspectives, and listening with respect. If you’re new to Michael’s work, [check out his website](https://www.smerconish.com/), sign up for his daily newsletter, or tune into his show. And for the backstory on this whole “Mingle” idea, here’s the short film that started it all: 🎥 [The Mingle Movie](https://youtu.be/0Hx9NRR8Z3s?si=_gzPFPpdQcQZHjjM) Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right… stuck in the middle with you.
