Access To Democracy

This episode takes you behind the scenes with Eagan TV, our own community television station and studio.

ETV Manager Hailee Boston, and ETV Community Producer Josh Sibley, discuss with Access to Democracy host Steve Francisco what it takes to put programs on television.

Did you know that Eagan TV actually has three channels covering local government, community, and high school sports? ETV covers 150 live events annually. Programs are also available on social media websites including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

ETV, like Access to Democracy, shares its programs with other interested community television stations. You will also get a look at ETV’s control room and some of the staff and volunteers who keep our program on the air.

“Onward with Gratitude and Purpose”

Our guest, the multi-talented T. Mychael Rambo, gives an energetic, entertaining and inspiring interview with host Bill Raker.

T. Mychael talks about the numerous experiences and acting roles he has had in movies and on stage. He shares a story about the original art and touching messages in the new book he has co-authored Stories from My Grandmother’s Hands. You’ll enjoy his telling of his singing the National Anthem for President Obama. T. Mychael relates the meaning embedded in the title of this program, “Onward with Gratitude and Purpose”.

“The Man, the Myth, the Legend”

This memories interview with guest Alan Miller and host Bill Raker recounts interesting highlights from Alan’s varied careers.

Alan was an on-the-ground correspondent during Operation “Desert Storm” in 1991. He’s authored three novels and two non-fiction books. For 20 years, he was a law book and law journal editor for West Publishing and Thomson-Reuters.

Alan is the founder and producer emeritus of “Access to Democracy” program, now in its 26th year of continuous airing of public affairs programming. Alan now produces and hosts his newest TV program “Writers Corner.” This special interview concludes with Alan’s being commissioned into the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (HOKC). Congratulations, Col. Miller!

Susie Brown, president of the Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF) sits down with host Steve Francisco to discuss how MCF works to strengthen the power of philanthropy.

Susie traces the history of Minnesota’s long-established tradition of corporate and private philanthropy and how it has improved the lives of all Minnesotans. Some 170 foundation are current members of MCF. An important part of MCF’s mission is working in coalition with Independent Sector, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and other organizations to advance the public policy priorities of philanthropy and nonprofits.

Guild, Inc. CEO Trish Thacker joins host Steve Francisco to discuss how Guild works to empower people living with mental illness, long-term homelessness and unemployment.

Trish’s experience as a therapist for 25 years provides her with valuable understanding in leading Guild’s dedicated staff and volunteers in serving the needs of their clients. Treating all people with dignity and respect is at the core of Guild’s life-changing and life-saving work.

Learn how Guild has grown from a meeting of the Guild of Catholic Women to a highly successful nonprofit that is making a difference in peoples’ lives and in our community.