Smerconish Mingle Meetup | November 2 at Sketchbook Brewing Skokie

I'm a big fan of Michael Smerconish, the political commentator known for his balanced, centrist perspective. You might know him from SiriusXM, his podcast, or his Saturday morning show on CNN. His SiriusXM show opens with Stealers Wheel’s “Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right…”—a perfect nod to his middle-ground philosophy.

Michael often talks about how political polarization has grown as people stop mingling across lines. Too many of us retreat into echo chambers online instead of connecting through community activities—like bowling leagues, softball teams, or local clubs. He encourages listeners to get out, meet new people, and have thoughtful, respectful conversations.

With that spirit in mind, join me for a Mingle Meet-Up on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at Sketchbook Brewing Company in Skokie (note: they have two locations!) starting at 4:00 PM CST.

While politics might come up, the real goal is simple: bring together a diverse group of people to relax, connect, and enjoy good company.

If you’re new to Michael’s work, check out his website, sign up for his daily newsletter, or tune into his show.

And for the backstory on this whole “Mingle” idea, here’s the short film that started it all:
🎥 The Mingle Movie
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right… stuck in the middle with you.