From debating the roots and realities of American immigration history and the evolving complexities of cultural assimilation, to unpacking the impact of the 1965 Immigration Act and discussing whether our system is truly as "systemically racist" as some claim, the conversation pulls no punches.

We examine everything from the shifting demographics of immigration and the recent arrival of South African Afrikaner refugees, to the persistent media narratives around race and discrimination.

But that's not all—this episode covers a wide range of topics including Pete Rose’s complicated case for entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame, the shifting landscape of drug pricing and Trump’s latest moves on pharmacy benefit managers (BPM), and the ongoing debates over healthcare and government involvement.

We also touch on local stories like Columbus’ approach to renter representation and a shocking crime wave, as well as national and cultural phenomena, such as the rise of AI girlfriends and shifting attitudes in younger generations.

Packed with insightful debate, historical perspective, and plenty of unfiltered opinions, this episode of Common Sense Ohio is your front-row seat to fact-based, common sense talk on today’s most complex issues—served up with the wit and candor you’ve come to expect from the team. Buckle up and join the conversation!

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Common Sense Moments

00:00 Immigration and Assimilation History

07:41 Immigration Policy Shift in 1965

13:34 Desmond Tutu's Forgiveness Mission

18:53 Explaining Crime & Remorse

25:17 "Trump's Drug Pricing Reform"

28:49 Discussion on Free Market and Antitrust

36:11 "No EV Subsidies in Bill"

40:52 Son's Conservative Shift in Ohio

47:21 Alleged Abuse and Legal Controversy

48:54 Missing Evidence Raises Retrial Concerns

54:56 "Ohio Serial Killer Arrested"

01:03:00 American Apathy: Human Rights Concerns Ignored

01:06:47 "Madman Theory in Politics"

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

info@commonsenseohioshow.com

Copyright 2025 Common Sense Ohio

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

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This story may be one of the unknowns to Ohioans, but we look into the hidden world of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), broken healthcare incentives, and the collapse of community pharmacies.

We welcome Marty Schladen from Ohio Capital Journal back to the podcast.

AND we took a detour through Ohio’s energy controversy and—yes—why Alcatraz is back in the headlines.

3 Key Takeaways:

• PBMs & Hidden Healthcare Costs: The lack of transparency with pharmacy benefit managers drives up prices for everyone, even leading to $250M in excess costs in Ohio Medicaid alone. It’s a tangle of rebates, “safe harbors,” and backdoor deals that rarely save money for actual patients.
• Pharmacy Deserts Are Real: Ohio’s local, independent pharmacies are closing at an alarming rate, threatening access to care in underserved areas. When a pharmacy shuts down, it’s not just a business lost—it’s often the only healthcare touchpoint for miles.
• Bi-Partisan Reform is Gaining Steam: From Ohio’s Attorney General to 39 state AGs teaming up, there’s momentum to fix the system—by enforcing transparency, capping “middleman” profits, and ending conflicts of interest (like PBMs owning retail pharmacies).

Special thanks to Marty for the clarity and to all listeners who care about a fairer, healthier future for Ohio.

Harper CPA Plus

Key Moments

00:00 Ohio's PBM Safe Harbor History

08:23 Pharmacy Pricing Investigation in Ohio

14:15 Cancer Clinics Frustrated by PBMs

20:02 Locked-In Government Revenue Politics

21:03 Ohio Medicaid Reform Saves $333M

31:06 Unregulated Drug Compounding Issues

36:19 Jim Jordan's FTC Reallocation Proposal

39:41 EV Rebate Removed, Elon Affected

46:49 Discussion on House Bill 15

49:06 House Bill 15: Environmental Concerns

55:07 "3 Mile Island vs. Chernobyl"

01:03:11 Ohio's Health vs. Corporate Welfare

info@commonsenseohioshow.com

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

Copyright 2025 Common Sense Ohio

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Harper CPA Plus

The team kicks things off with historical reflections on George Washington's inauguration and the Louisiana Purchase before steering into current events, like the recent suspensions of judges in New Mexico and Wisconsin for shocking courtroom misconduct.

You'll hear the hosts’ candid takes on the responsibilities that come with upholding the law, as they dissect what happens when those in power break or bend the rules for their own moral reasons. The conversation doesn’t stop there: they also dive into the economics of electric trucks, dissect why Toledo was recently ranked the #1 market in America, and debate the fairness and effectiveness of big tax incentive packages for businesses in Ohio.

From judicial ethics to the cost of brand new pickups, and the ongoing debate over DEI policies and free speech on campuses, nothing is off limits at this roundtable. If you’re ready for lively, informed, and unfiltered talk about the issues affecting Ohio and beyond, this episode has got you covered.

3 Key Takeaways:

Judicial Accountability Matters: We explored recent stories where judges overstepped legal bounds—including a Wisconsin judge who facilitated a defendant’s escape—highlighting why trust in the judiciary relies on their impartial compliance with the law.

Ohio Real Estate Surprises: Toledo took the top spot in the Wall Street Journal’s ranking of affordable and desirable real estate markets, but as the discussion revealed, economics and regional trends don’t always make perfect sense on paper.

Government, Business & Equity: From billion-dollar tax credits to state-level DEI reforms, this episode dug into how government intervention can shape (and sometimes complicate) the playing field for businesses and individuals in Ohio.

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We have our moments

00:00 Judges Involved in Criminal Scandals

05:29 Judge Aids Defendant's Escape

11:09 Wisconsin's Policy on ICE Coordination

20:38 Jeff Bezos-Backed Slate Trucks

25:06 Toledo: Top City for Homebuyers

31:18 Ohio Tech Job Investment

32:52 Grant Bias and Taxpayer Impact

42:19 DEI Concerns on Liberal Campuses

47:14 Freedom of Speech and Discrimination Debate

50:31 Client Notification and Ethical Concerns

55:32 Executive Orders: A Shift in Perspective?

59:03 "Trump's Immigration Policies Praised"

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

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.

info@commonsenseohioshow.com

Copyright 2025 Common Sense Ohio

Mentioned in this episode: