Best Eri Johnson Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 33: “Dare to Be Wise: Stoicism, Psychology, and the Practice of Flourishing Leadership” with Donald Robertson 1:14:13

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2d ago1:14:13

1:14:13

What if the greatest leadership challenge of our time isn’t a lack of information — but a lack of wisdom? In this rich and wide-ranging episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons and Jason Viyar sit down with Donald Robertson — philosopher, former cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist, and one of the world’s leading interpreters …

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Episode 32: "Heroic Leadership, Anti-Fragile Confidence, and Flipping the Switch” with Heroic CEO Michael Balchan 57:10

9d ago57:10

57:10

What does it actually look like to be a flourishing leader in a turbulent world? In this episode, Dr. Scott Parsons and co-host Jason Viyar sit down with Michael Balchan — CEO and Head Coach at Heroic Public Benefit Corporation — for a rich, practical, and deeply human conversation on how to operationalize flourishing in everyday life and leadershi…

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Episode 31: “Other People Matter: Character, Culture, and Workplaces at Their Best” with Dr. Jillian Coppley 38:00

16d ago38:00

38:00

What happens when leaders see character not as a buzzword, but as the invisible architecture of how they show up every day? In this episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons and co-host Jason Viyar sit down with Dr. Jillian Coppley, President and Chief Products, Programs, and Services Officer at the VIA Institute on Character. D…

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Episode 30: “Virtuosity, Character, and the Science of Flourishing” with Dr. Corey Crossan Stevens 24:54

24d ago24:54

24:54

Exploring how science, sport, and virtue unite to help leaders strengthen character and flourish through daily, deliberate practice. What if building character was as deliberate as building muscle? In this energizing conversation, Dr. Scott Parsons sits down with Dr. Corey Crossan Stevens, Research and Teaching Fellow at the Oxford Character Projec…

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Episode 29: “Full-Spectrum Flourishing: Ethics, Wonder, and the Concept of ‘Human Flourishing’” with Dr. Eri Mountbatten-O’Malley 42:34

1M ago42:34

42:34

What if our current ways of measuring “well-being” are quietly undermining the very idea of human flourishing? In this thought-provoking episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons sits down with Dr. Eri Mountbatten-O’Malley — Senior Lecturer in Education at Bath Spa University and author of Human Flourishing: A Conceptual Analysi…

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Episode 28: "Leading with Dignity: Repair, Reconciliation, and Cultures Where Everybody Matters” with Dr. Donna Hicks 38:04

1M ago38:04

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What if the most powerful lever for culture change isn’t policy or perks—but dignity? When leaders treat dignity as non-negotiable (and know the difference between dignity and respect), conflict de-escalates, trust returns, and people bring their best. In this episode, Dr. Scott Parsons and Jason Viyar chat with Harvard’s Dr. Donna Hicks, internati…

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Episode 27: “Soul-Care, Character, and Practical Wisdom: Ecosystem-Wide Flourishing in Health” with Dr. Kimara Ellefson 1:04:15

1M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

What if flourishing leadership isn’t something we achieve, but something we practice — moment by moment — through intention, vulnerability, and wisdom? In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Scott Parsons sits down with Dr. Kimara Ellefson — National Director of Strategy & Partnerships at the Kern National Network for Flourishing in Health — and explo…

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Episode 26: “Serving Those Who Served: Leadership, Compassion, and the Power of Purpose” with Kate McCauley 35:16

2M ago35:16

35:16

What does flourishing leadership look like when the mission is to serve those who’ve sacrificed for us all? In this deeply moving conversation, Dr. Scott Parsons and Jason Viyar sit down with Kate McCauley, President and CEO of Wounded Warriors Family Support — one of America’s most respected veterans’ organizations. Kate shares her remarkable jour…

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Episode 25: “Distilling Flourishing: Positive Education, Sustainable Leadership, and Bringing Well-Being Alongside Academics” with Justin Robinson 1:04:48

2M ago1:04:48

1:04:48

What happens when wellbeing becomes the heart of education — not an add-on, but a way of life? In this uplifting episode, Justin Robinson — Co-founder of The Wellbeing Distillery and former Director of the Institute of Positive Education at Geelong Grammar School — joins Dr. Scott Parsons and Jason Viyar for an inspiring exploration of leadership, …

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Episode 24: “Flourishing Across Divides: Building Unity, Hope, and Global Goals for a Better Future” with CEO Brandyn Keating 26:09

2M ago26:09

26:09

How can leaders turn polarization into possibility — and help people come together to write a hopeful, flourishing future? In this inspiring episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons is joined by Brandyn Keating, CEO and Co-Founder of YOUnify, an organization working to reduce political polarization and cultural divisions of all…

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Episode 23: “Flourishing with Hope: Character, Virtue, and Leadership” with Dr. Michael Lamb 34:11

2M ago34:11

34:11

What does it mean to be a flourishing leader—someone whose character inspires flourishing in others? In this episode, Dr. Scott Parsons sits down with Professor Michael Lamb, F. M. Kirby Foundation Chair of Leadership and Character and Senior Executive Director of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University. A Rhodes Scholar,…

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Episode 22: “Character, Culture, and the Long Game of Leadership” with Professor Mary Crossan 34:05

3M ago34:05

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By Scott Parsons

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Episode 21: “The Long Win: Lessons in Leadership, Resilience, and Purpose” with Dr. Cath Bishop 44:08

3M ago44:08

44:08

What does it really mean to win? And how can leaders build cultures that prioritize purpose, connection, and continuous growth over short-term success? In this episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, host Dr. Scott Parsons is joined by Dr. Cath Bishop—Olympic silver medalist, World Champion rower, former British diplomat, leadership consultant,…

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Episode 20: “Humanistic Leadership: Building a Culture Where Everybody Matters” with David Pickersgill 44:58

3M ago44:58

44:58

How does dignity transform workplaces into spaces where everybody truly matters? In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Scott Parsons and co-host Jason Viyar sit down with David Pickersgill, Senior Outreach Program Leader at Barry-Wehmiller and key leader within the Humanistic Leadership Academy. David shares how Barry-Wehmiller’s culture of care has …

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Episode 19: “Flourishing Through Change: A Story of Passion, Perseverance, and Performance” with Tom Gaymor 57:00

3M ago57:00

57:00

How does anti-fragility fuel flourishing when life takes an unexpected turn? In this inspiring episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons is joined by returning co-host Jason Viyar for a powerful conversation with Tom Gaymor—former professional racing driver turned international broadcaster and commentator for Formula 1, IndyCar,…

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Episode 18: "Strengths for Flourishing: Leadership, Strengths-Spotting, and the Future of Character” with Professor Robert McGrath 37:16

4M ago37:16

37:16

How do character strengths transform the way we lead, parent, and flourish? In this episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, host Dr. Scott Parsons welcomes Professor Robert McGrath—clinical psychologist, Senior Scientist at the VIA Institute on Character, Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), and the recent co-founder of the Center…

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Episode 17: "Measuring What Matters: Accountability, Forgiveness, and Flourishing Leadership” with Dr. Ryan Brown 48:01

4M ago48:01

48:01

How do we measure the “immeasurable” in leadership? In this episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, host Dr. Scott Parsons sits down with Dr. Ryan Brown, Managing Director for Measurement and Associate Director at the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University. In this inspiring conversation, Ryan shares his groundbreaking work on how c…

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Episode 16: “Integrative Oncology, Metabolic Health, and Flourishing” with Dr. Nasha Winters 1:03:54

4M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

What if the future of healthcare isn’t just about managing illness—but about truly flourishing? In this powerful episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons welcomes Dr. Nasha Winters, a globally recognized integrative oncology specialist, bestselling author of The Metabolic Approach to Cancer and Mistletoe and the Emerging Future…

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Episode 15: “Major League Mindset, Identity Beyond Performance, and the 'Be, Do, Have' Approach to Flourishing” with Brandon Guyer 39:53

4M ago39:53

39:53

What does it take to thrive under pressure, reframe fear, and build a flourishing life beyond performance? In this episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, host Dr. Scott Parsons is joined by co-host Jason Viyar for a powerful conversation with Brandon Guyer—former Major League Baseball player, 2016 World Series competitor, and founder of Major …

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Episode 14: “From Brainomics to Global Impact: Leadership, Health, and Flourishing” with Dr. Andrew Nevin 36:29

5M ago36:29

36:29

What does it take to lead with wisdom across continents, crises, and cultures? In Episode #14 of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons sits down with Dr. Andrew Nevin — economist, philosopher, healthcare leader, and one of Africa’s most influential voices — for a sweeping conversation on the art and science of flourishing. Together, th…

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Episode 13: "Character, Culture, and the Future of Flourishing Leadership” with Professor Edward Brooks 37:49

5M ago37:49

37:49

What does it take to lead with character in today’s complex world? In this inspiring episode, Scott speaks with Professor Edward Brooks, Executive Director of the Oxford Character Project and Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford. Ed is one of the world’s leading voices in characte…

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Episode 12: “True Success, Inner Resilience, and the Art of Flourishing” with Dr. Tom Morris 50:02

5M ago50:02

50:02

What if Aristotle ran General Motors—or Harry Potter led your organization? In this delightful and enlightening episode, Scott sits down with one of the world’s most celebrated public philosophers and bestselling author Dr. Tom Morris to explore the art of achievement, the power of change, and the ancient wisdom needed to flourish in modern life. T…

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Episode 11: “Know, Love, Inspire: Flourishing Leadership” with Dr. Katy Granville-Chapman & Ms. Emmie Bidston 34:51

5M ago34:51

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What does it mean to know, love, and inspire the people you lead? In this episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott sits down with two extraordinary leaders—Dr. Katy Granville-Chapman and Ms. Emmie Bidston—for a heart-opening conversation about character, flourishing, and the transformative power of leadership rooted in love. Katy and Emmie…

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Episode 10: "Aristotle, Emotions, and the Science of Practical Wisdom" with Prof. Kristján Kristjánsson 52:11

5M ago52:11

52:11

In this illuminating episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons is joined by internationally renowned philosopher and scholar of character education, Professor Kristján Kristjánsson. Together, they explore the powerful intersections of moral philosophy, moral psychology, and moral education, charting how these once-parallel field…

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Episode 9: "Beyond the Scoreboards and the Power of Mental Fitness" with Gina Tucci-Karnisovas 39:36

6M ago39:36

39:36

What if your greatest strength as a leader, athlete, or high-performer isn’t just in what you do—but how you show up? In this powerful episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott sits down with Gina Tucci-Karnisovas, an elite mental performance coach, licensed counselor, and founder of Beyond the Scoreboards. With decades of experience in spo…

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Episode 8: "Trust, Inspire, and Unleashing Human Potential" with Stephen M.R. Covey & David Kasperson 1:02:17

6M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

What does it take to move from managing people… to unleashing their greatness? In this high-impact episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott sits down with Stephen M.R. Covey, bestselling author of The Speed of Trust, and David Kasperson, his longtime collaborator and co-author of Trust & Inspire. Together, they explore a powerful paradigm …

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Ep 30 | Oxford High School, Samuel Sterling & Systemic Failures 50:39

6M ago50:39

50:39

Ven Johnson, joined by special guests Jason Carr and Christopher Desmond, dives into key updates on the Oxford High School shooting and Samuel Sterling cases, calling for deeper investigations, fair compensation and real accountability. The discussion explores Michigan judicial decisions, the limits of immunity, systemic failures in Grand Rapids po…

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Ep 29 | Civil Rights and the Law 54:02

6M ago54:02

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In this powerful episode, Ven is joined by special guests Jason Carr, Steve Fishman and Chris Desmond to discuss the latest in the Patrick Lyoya case, including body cam footage, excessive force and troubling patterns in police stops and training. He tackles issues like racial profiling, immunity laws, prosecutorial decisions and the broader implic…

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Episode 7: "Training the Mind to Flourish" with Dr. Cortland Dahl 36:51

6M ago36:51

36:51

What if the key to flourishing isn’t found in doing more—but in being more present? In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott welcomes Dr. Cortland Dahl—a scientist, author, meditation teacher, and Chief Contemplative Officer at Healthy Minds Innovations. Cort’s life journey has taken him from monaster…

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Episode 6: “Abundance, Agreements & the Architecture of Flourishing” with Dr. Jim Ritchie-Dunham 34:49

6M ago34:49

34:49

What if flourishing—at both the individual and organizational level—came down to the agreements we make every day? In this enlightening episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott welcomes Dr. Jim Ritchie-Dunham, a global leader in the science of abundance and founder of the field known as pactoecography—the study of human agreements that sha…

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Episode 5: “4,000 Mondays and the Courage to Live Fully" with Jodi Wellman 41:10

7M ago41:10

41:10

What if you only had 4,000 Mondays to live—and you’d already spent half of them? In this episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, my Guest Co-host, Jason Viyar and I are joined by Jodi Wellman—executive coach, speaker, and author of You Only Die Once. Jodi invites us into a conversation that’s as life-affirming as it is mortality-facing. Her mes…

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Episode 4: "Grit, Goals, and the Power of Ampliship" with Caroline Adams Miller 38:51

7M ago38:51

38:51

What does it really take to pursue our biggest, boldest goals—and thrive while doing it? In this powerful episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Scott sits down with Caroline Adams Miller, one of the world’s leading experts on goal setting, grit, and positive psychology. A bestselling author, speaker, and trailblazer in the field, Caroline bri…

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Episode 3: "Mindset, Grit, and Character in Sports and Life" with Sean Casey 56:08

7M ago56:08

56:08

In this episode of The Flourishing Leaders Podcast, I sit down with 3x MLB All-Star and beloved broadcaster Sean Casey, affectionately known as “The Mayor.” We explore Sean’s remarkable journey—from the dugout to the broadcast booth to the inner life of a flourishing leader. Sean shares timeless lessons on humility, perseverance, character, and pur…

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Episode 2: “The Science of Flourishing, Happiness, and Leadership” with Tal Ben-Shahar 40:25

7M ago40:25

40:25

World-renowned author and happiness expert Tal Ben-Shahar unpacks how leaders can foster meaning, joy, and atifragility — personally and organizationally. Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and lea…

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Episode 1: “Heroic Leadership and Daily Flourishing” with Brian Johnson 46:27

8M ago46:27

46:27

Brian Johnson, Founder and CEO of Heroic Public Benefit Corporation, shares insights on activating heroic potential, building virtuous habits, and living a flourishing life every day. Thank you for listening to the Flourishing Leaders Podcast! Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a …

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Season 1 Trailer: Welcome to The Flourishing Leaders Podcast 2:34

8M ago2:34

2:34

Welcome to The Flourishing Leaders Podcast with Dr. Scott Parsons. This is your invitation to explore what it truly means to lead—and live—with character, virtue, courage, and purpose. In this trailer, you’ll hear a preview of Season 1’s inspiring guest lineup, including global thought leaders in psychology, philosophy, sports, business, health, an…

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Ep 28 | Criminal v. Civil Law 48:48

2y ago48:48

48:48

Civil attorney Ven Johnson and criminal lawyer Steve Fishman sit down with tv anchor Jason Carr to break down the various similarities and stark differences between civil and criminal trials.By Ven Johnson

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Ep 27 | The Psychology and Media in the Law 47:19

2y ago47:19

47:19

Attorney Ven Johnson chats with former tv anchor Jason Carr and clinical psychotherapist Tracey Stein about how cameras in the courtroom can impact public opinion, pulling examples from the OJ Simpson murder trial that was widely televised, and Heard v. Depp defamation case where clips went viral on social media.…

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Ep 26 | Ven Johnson Law’s Fight on the (Tennis) Court 24:55

2+ y ago24:55

24:55

Attorney Ven Johnson, a Kalamazoo College grad and former tennis player, invites men’s tennis head coach Mark Riley on the podcast to chat about how K-College became the hotspot for the junior nationals - a 10-day tennis tournament that starts the first Friday in August. Ven Johnson Law has been a sponsor of the tournament since the firm’s inceptio…

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Ep 25 | Governmental Immunity – The Guilty Have More Rights Than YOU Pt. 2 37:30

3y ago37:30

37:30

Ven Johnson, Chris Desmond, Paul Doherty, and former Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Amy Ronayne continue the conversation on governmental immunity, including the difficulties plaintiff lawyers face to prove gross negligence and the proximate cause in a case. They also discuss the lawsuit against Oxford Community Schools following the Nov. 30, 2021…

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Ep 24 | Governmental Immunity – The Guilty Have More Rights Than YOU Pt. 1 31:01

3y ago31:01

31:01

Ven Johnson, Chris Desmond, Paul Doherty, and former Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Amy Ronayne Krause discuss governmental immunity and times where it may make sense. They also discuss the different ways the government throws cases out to avoid being sued, including requiring a notice provision, where a plaintiff only has a certain window to warn…

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Ep. 23 | The Oxford Shooting, Patrick Lyoya Murder, Flint Water Crisis & More 34:48

3y ago34:48

34:48

In episode 23, attorney Ven Johnson, Tom Waun, Paul Doherty and Chris Desmond continue the conversation about governmental immunity. A large focus on this episode includes key differences between a proximate cause and THE proximate cause, which is defined as one of the most immediate, efficient and direct causes of a plaintiff’s injury. The four di…

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Ep. 22 | Why You Can't Sue The King - A History of Governmental Immunity 29:11

3y ago29:11

29:11

In episode 22, attorney Ven Johnson, alongside partners Tom Waun and Paul Doherty, as well as chief appellate lawyer Chris Desmond talk about what governmental immunity is, how it’s evolved over the years, and the hurdles one needs to overcome to get around it. Additionally, they dive into exceptions and instances where you can sue governmental ent…

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Ep. 21 | 2021 Mega Trials: Recapping the Biggest National Lawsuits of 2021 55:38

4y ago55:38

55:38

In episode 21, attorney Ven Johnson, criminal law expert Steve Fishman and ‘Gloves Off’ producer Eri Johnson dive into some of the biggest trials over the past year, including many surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement. They discuss various lawsuits and verdicts against police officers Kimberly Potter and Derek Chauvin, as well as teenager Ky…

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Ep. 20 | The Derek Chauvin Trial: Evidence, Media Coverage and Sentencing 47:24

4+ y ago47:24

47:24

In episode 20, Ven Johnson, Charlie Langton and criminal law expert Steve Fishman dissect the high-profile trial of Derek Chauvin, who was charged with the murder of George Floyd. The panelists discuss the issue of pre-trial publicity, media transparency during trials, and how highly publicized cases can potentially taint a jury’s perspective on th…

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Ep. 19 | Floods and Sex Abuse Scandals – The Crumbling of American Infrastructure 38:12

4+ y ago38:12

38:12

In Episode 19, Ven Johnson and Charlie Langton discuss the latest updates in the mid-Michigan flood litigation against state entities, including a recent ruling in favor of flood victims to move the lawsuit forward. Ven and Charlie also dive into allegations that the University of Michigan and former football coach Bo Schembechler covered up years …

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Ep. 18 | Flint Water Crisis: When the Gov't Values Profits Over People 39:34

4+ y ago39:34

39:34

Attorney Ven Johnson and legal analyst Charlie Langton interviewed former Flint reporter Drew Moore, who was in and out of the courtroom and speaking with Flint residents during the height of the Flint Water Crisis. Episode 18 of “Gloves Off” dives into how the state of Michigan putting profits over people led to the poisoning of thousands in Flint…

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Ep. 17 | Is it a Crime to Neglect a City? The Flint Water Crisis with Young Activist Mari Copeny 31:47

5y ago31:47

31:47

In this episode, Ven speaks with Mari Copeny, also known as “Little Miss Flint” about the Flint Water Crisis. The 13-year-old activist talks about the social injustices sparked by elected city officials six years ago, who neglected to treat water coming from the Flint River. This ultimately caused lead to be leached from old pipes, poisoning thousa…

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Ep. 16 | Trauma and Its Impact on the Law 40:06

5y ago40:06

40:06

An unfortunate reality is that trauma and the law go hand in hand. As personal injury is a major part of our practice, Ven invited Dr. James Zender, a psychologist, to join the Gloves Off podcast to discuss the impact of trauma as it relates to chronic pain, the loss of a loved one, the aftermath of sexual assault and/or domestic violence and more,…

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Ep. 15 | Good Riddance 2020: Challenges & Silver Linings 38:20

5y ago38:20

38:20

For Ven Johnson Law, 2020 was a year of challenges and opportunities. The firm took on high-profile civil rights cases, represented victims of one of the most catastrophic floods in Michigan history, stood up for children and parents who were used as political propaganda by President Donald Trump and launched a podcast hosted by Ven and award-winni…