Topic: Ep. 205 – How To Fix Congress
When: Tuesday 3/26/2024 at 2:00 pm ET
Are you frustrated with the state of Congress? Fed up with feeling like your voice gets drowned out?
You’re not alone.
Our upcoming podcast brings you the author of the groundbreaking book “Fixing Congress: Restoring Power to the People” — Join us as we sit down with Author Michael S. Johnson to unpack the challenges facing Congress and how we — as citizens — can reclaim our role in the process.
Constitutional Chats are hosted by Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, student ambassadors, and experts who join us weekly to discuss hot-topic issues! The audience is not on camera, but you may ask questions!
Meet the Guest
Michael S. Johnson
Mike spent 47 years serving in the White House, Congress, private sector public affairs, and advocacy as well as volunteering with nonprofit organizations. His congressional service spanning 13 years was with Rep. Robert H. Michel, R-IL, the House Republican Whip, and later the Republican Leader who retired from Congress in 1994.
Prior to that Mike spent seven years in print journalism. In his last year he was Editor-in-Chief of the Register-Mail, a daily newspaper paper located in Galesburg, IL. He was reared and educated in Sioux Falls, SD.
Mike is a co-author of the book Surviving Inside Congress, published by the Congressional Institute, with Institute colleagues Jerry Climer and Mark Strand, both of whom served as President of the organization. Surviving Inside Congress was originally conceived as a guide for new members of Congress and staff but has been well received by Washington organizations and academia. It is now in its sixth edition.
Mike has also authored columns for the website NewGOPForum.com and other publications, podcasts, and news shows. He is married to Thalia Assuras and has five children and four grandchildren. Mike and Thalia live in Alexandria, VA.
Meet the Hosts
Janine Turner
Actress Janine Turner is famous for her role as Maggie O’Connell in television’s Northern Exposure. She is the Founder of Constituting America which launched in 2010. She is still acting but is also actively teaching kids about the U.S. Constitution and has given over 540 speeches to classrooms across the country.
Cathy Gillespie
Cathy Gillespie is the Chair of Constituting America, a former Congressional Chief of Staff and former Commissioner of the White House Fellows Commission. She is currently serving as one of 16 private citizens serving on the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, helping organize the celebration of our country’s 250th birthday in 2026!
Tova Love Kaplan
Tova Love Kaplan is a student at Harvard University. She currently serves as the National Youth Director for Constituting America and runs the National Youth Advisory Council. She is a three-time winner of the “We The Future” Contest and is passionate about educating and empowering young people to use their constitutional rights!
Jorne Gilbert
Jorne Gilbert is a recent graduate of Moravian University where he designed a major entitled Dramatic Production and Musical Performance. He used what he learned to further develop the charitable organization Sing For America which he co-founded to produce musicals portraying the art of Truth and Light.
Jewel Gilbert
Jewel Gilbert is Executive Producer of Sing for America, a charity founded by him and his family. Sing for America reveals the Art of Truth and Light through live performance. He is the Operations Director for a new business venture, J. Barker Paving. Jewel holds a BA in Musical Performance/Dramatic