Welcome to Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig where we discuss local, state, national, and international stories. My co-host, assistant producer and show editor is Andrew Ferguson.
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Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig (@ThinkwingRadio) is now on Wednesdays at 11AM (CT) or Thursdays at 6PM on KPFT 90.1 FM-HD2, Houston’s Community Media. You can also hear the show:
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“There’s a reason why you separate military and police. One fights the enemy of the State. The other serves and protects the People. When the military becomes both, then the enemies of the State tend to become the People.” ~ Commander Adama, “Battlestar Galactica” (“WATER”, Season 1 episode 2, at the 28 minute mark.)
Many people have the drive to do something that puts a smile on the faces of others. If you feel this same passion welling within you, you might not know exactly what you can do to spread positivity. One wonderful thing about communities is that the smallest acts of kindness can ripple out and make huge changes.
You might feel dedicated to taking even more large-scale actions though, and there are accessible options in that regard, as well. Once you know a few effective ways to further your cause in the community, you will be able to decide the best path for yourself. The following guide from ThinkWing Radio with Mike Honig can help you find ways to get involved with your local community.
Register to Vote in Local Elections
One of the easiest ways to bring about noticeable change is to exercise your right to vote for politicians who will advocate for causes you support. Refinery29 cites statistics showing that in 2016, only 27% of voters cast their ballots in local elections.1 While you might feel that a single vote does not make enough of a difference, these numbers suggest that a landslide election can be completely reversed if less than one-fourth of the community simply opts to participate.2
Support Local Businesses
Buying from local shops instead of large chain retailers is a great way to boost your town’s economy and keep your community strong. You can go the extra mile by spreading the word about your favorite local businesses through social media or other avenues. Your efforts might even serve to help business owners connect and pool their resources for everyone’s benefit.
If you are an entrepreneur yourself, you might consider networking with other nearby business owners. When like-minded individuals collaborate and bolster each other’s marketing endeavors, the entire community can thrive as a result. You could even create your own networking event and extend personalized invitations to other community business owners — you can try this online tool to help. A personal invitation is more likely to create interest in your event.
Raise Environmental Awareness
Protecting the environment is an important responsibility that everyone should shoulder together. Within your local community, strong environmental awareness can encourage beautiful and healthy spaces that future generations can enjoy too.
You can help spread the message about conservation efforts by attending or organizing activist rallies, or even an event like a walk-a-thon (an especially popular idea among those living in walkable cities) that generates proceeds to give to a local charity. Social media can be an equally powerful method when attending events in person is not an option. Creating persuasive content such as blog articles and videos to share on your social accounts can really help get your point across.
If positively influencing the next generation is important to you, you might also consider exploring your options to teach by earning a teaching certification. And thanks to the flexibility of online learning platforms, you can proceed at your own pace without having to take too much time off from your current career.
Start a Nonprofit Organization
When you want to accomplish greater things than what can be done alone, forming a nonprofit organization could be the answer. Nonprofits serve as a perfect meeting ground for volunteers and donors who all want to do their part. It is also much easier to apply for grants and secure other forms of public funding when operating as a nonprofit corporation.
Your nonprofit organization must state a specific purpose upon its founding and this should align with your own personal passions. You might decide to form a charitable organization, veterans organization, or any other community-serving cause. Be aware that when you form a nonprofit, it is necessary to draft bylaws that outline how you will operate. It is important to plan management details, board meeting schedules, voting rules, and guidelines on what constitutes a conflict of interest.3
Working toward a cause believe in takes effort, but it can be more fulfilling than anything else. Your passion might drive you to lead a nonprofit or a huge campaign that spurs others to action within your community. However, you should take equal pride in the small and simple actions that contribute to greater change as well.
Katybeth Dee was inspired to co-create Self Exam after her sister was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23. She hopes to use the site to spread awareness on preventing illness, as well as lend support to those currently facing their own medical battles. She lives in California with her golden retriever, Luna.
MIKE NOTES:
The Refinery29 article has a lot of interesting stats. It specifically mentions very low turnout in “off cycle elections”. I’ve come to call these “stealth elections”, because so few people even know they’re occurring. In Harris County alone, I’ve seen precincts with literally 0-to-2 votes, and turnouts below 4%.
Probably true based on stats I’ve seen.
As the referenced article points out, there will be ongoing reporting, as well, just like a for-profit corporation.
This is a live link to Houston Police Department Recruiting: hpdcareer.com
On last week’s show, there was a lot of discussion on police and a police department’s relationship with the community it serves. There was also some discussion of the kinds of recruits police departments are attracting. Callers concluded that the primary pool of police recruits may come from ex-military personnel. At first blush, this would seem a perfect skillset fit; ex-military people are typically tough, disciplined, know how to take and give orders, and are trained in enforcing compliance.
This might lead one to conclude that military training and experience is the perfect precursor to a police career.
This program was recorded early in the morning on SUNDAY, December 13. Due to Covid-19, shows are being prerecorded beginning March 13, 2020 and until further notice. We miss our live call-in participants, and look forward to a time we can once again go live.Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig(@ThinkwingRadio), a listener call-in show airing live every Monday from 3-4 PM (CT) on KPFT-FM 90.1 (Houston). My co-host and Editor is Andrew Ferguson.
Listen live on the radio, or on the internet from anywhere in the world! When the show is live, we take calls at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.) Please take a moment to visit Pledge.KPFT.org and choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate. Continue reading →
This program was recorded on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 at about 4:30 AM. Due to Covid-19, shows are being prerecorded beginning March 13th and until further notice. We miss our live call-in participants, and look forward to a time we can once again go live.
Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig(@ThinkwingRadio), a listener call-in show airing live every Monday night from 3-4 PM (CT) on KPFT-FM 90.1 (Houston). My co-host and Editor is Andrew Ferguson.
Listen live on the radio, or on the internet from anywhere in the world! When the show is live, we take calls at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.)
Please take a moment to visit Pledge.KPFT.org and choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate.
SHOW AUDIO: Link is usually posted within about 72 hours of show broadcast. We take callers during this show at 713-526-5738.
Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig(@ThinkwingRadio), a listener call-in show airing live every Monday night from 3-4 PM (CT) on KPFT-FM 90.1 (Houston). My engineer is Leti. Today’s show is a fundraising show, so, with apologies, we can’t take on-air phone calls,
Listen live on the radio, or on the internet from anywhere in the world! When the show is live, we take calls at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.)
Please take a moment to visit Pledge.KPFT.org and choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate.
For the purposes of this show, I operate on two mottoes:
You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts;
An educated electorate is a prerequisite for a democracy.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker [L] with Mike, just before the show. (Dec. 7, 2015)
Pledge by Text: Listeners can now text “GIVE” to 713-526-5738 and they’ll receive a text message back with a link to KPFT’s donation page, with which they can make their pledge on-line at their leisure.
SHOW AUDIO: Link is usually posted within about 72 hours of show broadcast. We take callers during this show at 713-526-5738.
Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig(@ThinkwingRadio), a listener call-in show airing live every Monday night from 3-4 PM (CT) on KPFT-FM 90.1 (Houston). My engineer is Leti. Today’s show is a fundraising show, so, with apologies, we can’t take on-air phone calls,
Listen live on the radio, or on the internet from anywhere in the world! When the show is live, we take calls at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.)
Please take a moment to visit Pledge.KPFT.org and choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate.
For the purposes of this show, I operate on two mottoes:
You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts;
An educated electorate is a prerequisite for a democracy.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker [L] with Mike, just before the show. (Dec. 7, 2015)
Pledge by Text: Listeners can now text “GIVE” to 713-526-5738 and they’ll receive a text message back with a link to KPFT’s donation page, with which they can make their pledge on-line at their leisure.
SHOW AUDIO: Link is usually posted within about 72 hours of show broadcast. We take callers during this show at 713-526-5738.
Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig(@ThinkwingRadio), a listener call-in show airing live every Monday night from 3-4 PM (CT) on KPFT-FM 90.1 (Houston). My engineer is Nabu’. Today’s show is a fundraising show, so, with apologies, we can’t take on-air phone calls,
Listen live on the radio, or on the internet from anywhere in the world! When the show is live, we take calls at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.)
Please take a moment to visit Pledge.KPFT.org and choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate.
For the purposes of this show, I operate on two mottoes:
You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts;
An educated electorate is a prerequisite for a democracy.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker [L] with Mike, just before the show. (Dec. 7, 2015)
SHOW AUDIO: Link is usually posted within about 72 hours of show broadcast. We take callers during this show at 713-526-5738.
Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig(@ThinkwingRadio), a listener call-in show airing live every Monday night from 3-4 PM (CT) on KPFT-FM 90.1 (Houston). My engineer is Leti. Today’s show is a fundraising show, so, with apologies, we can’t take on-air phone calls,
Listen live on the radio, or on the internet from anywhere in the world! When the show is live, we take calls at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.)
Please take a moment to visit Pledge.KPFT.org and choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate.
For the purposes of this show, I operate on two mottoes:
You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts;
An educated electorate is a prerequisite for a democracy.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker [L] with Mike, just before the show. (Dec. 7, 2015)
SIGNOFF QUOTE[s]:
“Our colleagues aren’t upset because you lied to Congress for the president. They’re upset because you’ve stopped lying to Congress for the president.” ~ Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., (Feb 27 2019, 1:05 pm ET, as per NBCNews.com) opened his allotted time to question Cohen’s response to a Republican line of attack on Cohen that has run throughout the day. (Republicans have repeatedly highlighted Cohen’s past lying to Congress, which he has admitted and pleaded guilty to. Cohen says he lied to help Trump, but Republicans have questioned whether he lied to help himself.)
SHOW AUDIO: Link is usually posted within about 72 hours of show broadcast. We take callers during this show at 713-526-5738.
Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig(@ThinkwingRadio), a listener call-in show airing live every Monday night from 3-4 PM (CT) on KPFT-FM 90.1 (Houston). My engineers are Abraham and Nibu.Today’s show is a fundraising show, so, with apologies, we can’t take on-air phone calls,
Listen live on the radio, or on the internet from anywhere in the world! When the show is live, we take calls at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.)
Please take a moment to visit Pledge.KPFT.org and choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate.
For the purposes of this show, I operate on two mottoes:
You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts;
An educated electorate is a prerequisite for a democracy.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker [L] with Mike, just before the show. (Dec. 7, 2015)
SIGNOFF QUOTE[s]:
“Our colleagues aren’t upset because you lied to Congress for the president. They’re upset because you’ve stopped lying to Congress for the president.” ~ Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., (Feb 27 2019, 1:05 pm ET, as per NBCNews.com) opened his allotted time to question Cohen’s response to a Republican line of attack on Cohen that has run throughout the day. (Republicans have repeatedly highlighted Cohen’s past lying to Congress, which he has admitted and pleaded guilty to. Cohen says he lied to help Trump, but Republicans have questioned whether he lied to help himself.)
SHOW AUDIO: Link is usually posted within about 72 hours of show broadcast. We take callers during this show at 713-526-5738.
Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig(@ThinkwingRadio), a listener call-in show airing live every Monday night from 2-3 PM (CT) on KPFT-FM 90.1 (Houston). My engineers are Don and Letty.
Listen live on the radio, or on the internet from anywhere in the world! When the show is live, we take calls at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.)
Please take a moment to visit Pledge.KPFT.org and choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate.
For the purposes of this show, I operate on two mottoes:
You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts;
Houston Mayor Annise Parker [L] with Mike, just before the show. (Dec. 7, 2015)
An educated electorate is a prerequisite for a democracy.
Listen live on the radio or on the internet from anywhere in the world! When the show is live, we take calls at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.)
Please take a moment to visit Pledge.KPFT.org and choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate.
For the purposes of this show, I operate on two mottoes:
You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts;
Houston Mayor Annise Parker [L] with Mike, just before the show. (Dec. 7, 2015)
An educated electorate is a prerequisite for a democracy.
Listen live on the radio or on the internet from anywhere in the world! When the show is live, we take calls at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.)
Please take a moment to visit Pledge.KPFT.org and choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate. Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig(@ThinkwingRadio on Twitter), is a listener call-in show airing live every Monday night from 9-10 PM (CT) on KPFT-FM 90.1 (Houston). My engineer is Bob Gartner.
For the purposes of this show, I operate on two mottoes:
You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts;
Houston Mayor Annise Parker [L] with Mike, just before the show. (Dec. 7, 2015)
An educated electorate is a prerequisite for a democracy.
SIGNOFF QUOTE[s]:
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” ~ John F. Kennedy, March 13, 1962.
Listen live on the radio or on the internet from anywhere in the world! When the show is live, we take calls at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.)
Please take a moment to visit Pledge.KPFT.org and choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate. Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig(@ThinkwingRadio on Twitter), is a listener call-in show airing live every Monday night from 9-10 PM (CT) on KPFT-FM 90.1 (Houston). My engineer is Bob Gartner.
For the purposes of this show, I operate on two mottoes:
You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts;
Houston Mayor Annise Parker [L] with Mike, just before the show. (Dec. 7, 2015)
An educated electorate is a prerequisite for a democracy.
![Houston Mayor Annise Parker [L] with Mike, just before the show. (Dec. 14, 2015)](https://i0.wp.com/thinkwingradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/mike-mayor-annise-parker-at-kpft2015-12-07-cropped.jpg?resize=220%2C193&ssl=1)
![Houston Mayor Annise Parker [L] with Mike, just before the show. (Dec. 14, 2015)](https://i0.wp.com/thinkwingradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/mike-mayor-annise-parker-at-kpft2015-12-07-cropped.jpg?resize=199%2C174&ssl=1)