Getting to Third Space with Lamar and Tom

About this EpisodeMichael Gaskins is a Philadelphian by birth and heart. In fact, he’ll take a soft, chewy Philly pretzel anytime over cookies. He began his career in television production with CBS, NBC, and CNN affiliates but has found himself drawn to work with incarcerated young men to help them prepare for their re-entry into society as citizens upon their release. For a time he operated a prison ministry to do that work and worked with Prison Fellowship (https://www.prisonfellowship.org/) as an area director. His desire to produce a reality TV show about young men returning to society from a prison sentence led him back to television production. For the past several years he has worked on TV courtroom shows including Relative Justice, Judge Steve Harvey, Tribunal Justice, and Judy Justice. In this conversation we learn more about his journey and the challenges of having open, honest, and civil conversations in the TV and film industry and also with young men in prison. Michael also shares an act of kindness he has received as well as one he has passed on. After leaving Hollywood in 2025, Michael Gaskins became the Director of Media and Communications for a faith community in Virginia and is in the process of starting his own production company. We are Looking for Acts of KindnessDo you have an act of kindness that you’d like to share?These are the two questions in our survey:What is an act of kindness you’ve received that made a difference to you?What is an act of kindness you have done which you hope changed another person’s life?You can participate through a Google Forms poll at this link: https://forms.gle/Po83D9TBY2UUAuoZ8Finally, please share this survey because an act of kindness shared begets others.Learn more: Drexel Alumni Spotlight: Michael Gaskins - https://drexel.edu/westphal/about/alumni-spotlight/Michael-Gaskins/When US Outlets Cover Black Shooting: An Interview with Michael Gaskins - https://www.media-diversity.org/when-us-outlets-cover-black-shootings-an-interview-with-michael-gaskins/Michael Gaskins’ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelcgaskinsHow We Check OurselvesFact Checking: Because there are a lot of things happening…some true, some false, some unbelievable…we use the following fact checking sites. Take a look for yourself:Snopes - https://www.snopes.com/ FactCheck.org - https://www.factcheck.org/ Politifact - https://www.politifact.com/RealClearPolitics - https://www.realclearpolitics.com/ Because media can have its own biases, we also rely upon these sites to help us get balanced coverage:Media Bias/Fact Check - https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/All Sides - https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-newsAd Fontes Media Bias Chart - https://app.adfontesmedia.com/chart/interactive Want to watch us do the podcast? Visit the Klaus Haus Productions YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@KlausHausProductions. Comments? Suggestions? Ideas for guests or topics? Send us a voice message on Spotify or email us at [email protected] and [email protected]:Wild Opinions and Nonsensical Musings by Lamar Roth & Tom KlausImages by Getty Images, Pexels, Pixabay, Roth Images, and CyberlinkFinal review and approval by Jake and Ebie Dawgs Inc. Photos by Lamar Roth are copyrighted by Roth Images, All Rights Reserved. For permissions or additional information: [email protected] and https://www.rothimages.com/Getting to 3rd Space with Lamar and Tom is produced and sponsored by Klaus Haus Productions LLC and Acorn Consulting, LLC. © 2025. All Rights Reserved. Permissions: [email protected]. No living creature was harmed in the production of this film but a lot of Colombian coffee was consumed.Recorded using Riverside.fm - http://riverside.fm/ - from “home studio” locations in Maryland and Kansas, USA; Original Publishing Date, December 9, 2025.

This week is Thanksgiving in the United States and Lamar & Tom take time to celebrate by sharing acts of kindness submitted by listeners and viewers over the last two months.Since August 2025, Lamar & Tom have been collecting responses to two questions about acts of kindness. The first is, “What is an act of kindness you’ve received that made a difference to you?” The second is “What is an act of kindness you have done which you hope changed another person’s life?” In today’s episode they share responses they’ve received from listeners from around half the world (from Hawai`i to the United Kingdom), recent guests, and their own stories. Today, settle back, listen, smile, laugh, and be thankful for the many people in our world who, despite the news, are still acting with kindness. Then, consider sharing your responses to those two questions in our ongoing Acts of Kindness survey. We start collecting for next Thanksgiving’s podcast today. A 3rd Space Survey: Acts of KindnessDo you have an act of kindness that you’d like to share? We gather Acts of Kindness for two reasons. First, we believe there is much more kindness in the world than incivility and that it needs to be highlighted. Second, we collect these Acts of Kindness to share and highlight during our annual Thanksgiving podcast. For this reason, it is always open and you can come back as many times as you like. We don't ask your name and only tell us where you live (without too much detail please). These are the two questions in our survey: What is an act of kindness you’ve received that made a difference to you? What is an act of kindness you have done which you hope changed another person’s life?You can participate through a Google Forms poll at this link: https://forms.gle/Po83D9TBY2UUAuoZ8 Finally, please share this survey because an act of kindness shared begets others. Learn more: Fresh Step Laundry, https://www.freshsteplaundry.com/Lasagna Love, https://lasagnalove.org/Midlife Stockman, https://www.youtube.com/@MidlifeStockman How We Check OurselvesFact Checking: Because there are a lot of things happening…some true, some false, some unbelievable…we use the following fact checking sites. Take a look for yourself:Snopes - https://www.snopes.com/ FactCheck.org - https://www.factcheck.org/ Politifact - https://www.politifact.com/RealClearPolitics - https://www.realclearpolitics.com/ Because media can have its own biases, we also rely upon these sites to help us get balanced coverage:Media Bias/Fact Check - https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/All Sides - https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-newsAd Fontes Media Bias Chart - https://app.adfontesmedia.com/chart/interactive Want to watch us do the podcast? Visit the Klaus Haus Productions YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@KlausHausProductions. Comments? Suggestions? Ideas for guests or topics? Send us a voice message on Spotify or email us at [email protected] and [email protected]:Wild Opinions and Nonsensical Musings by Lamar Roth & Tom KlausImages by Getty Images, Pexels, Pixabay, Roth Images, and Cyberlink AIFinal review and approval by Jake and Ebie Dawgs Inc. Photos by Lamar Roth are copyrighted by Roth Images, All Rights Reserved. For permissions or additional information: [email protected] and https://www.rothimages.com/Getting to 3rd Space with Lamar and Tom is produced and sponsored by Klaus Haus Productions LLC and Acorn Consulting, LLC. © 2025. All Rights Reserved. Permissions: [email protected]. No living creature was harmed in the production of this film but a lot of Colombian coffee was consumed.Recorded November 18, 2025 using Riverside.fm - http://riverside.fm/ - from “home studio” locations in Maryland and Kansas, USA; Original Publishing Date, November 25, 2025.

This episode of Getting to 3rd Space is Part 2 of our conversation with Christie Vilsack, writer, teacher, Former First Lady of Iowa, and sponsor of the Navy’s U.S.S. Iowa, a nuclear submarine. Our conversation continues with a focus on literacy, acts of kindness, and the benefits of growing up in rural America. Christie writes the Substack column, “Common Ground,” in which she tells stories of the people she has met and the ties that connect them. A link to her Substack is provided below. This podcast is the second of two and you can listen to or view the first part @klaushausproductions on YouTube. A 3rd Space Survey: Acts of KindnessChristie Vilsack is the most recent of our guests to talk with us about acts of kindness they have received and extended. Do you have an act of kindness that you’d like to share? There are two kindness questions we’d like you to consider responding to:What is an act of kindness you’ve received that made a difference to you? What is an act of kindness you have done which you hope changed another person’s life?You can participate through a Google Forms poll at this link: https://forms.gle/5NQakn6bgeXpm2us5 Learn more: Common Ground, a Substack column by Christie Vilsack - https://christievilsack.substack.com/ USS Iowa (nuclear submarine) - https://ssn797.com/about-us American is Sliding Toward Illiteracy, by Idrees Kalhoon in The Atlantic - https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/10/education-decline-low-expectations/684526/?gift=OkCOMnff83tE105ER-Egr9RBJ6X_L1UNSsOAWWYxod8&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shareThe Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt - https://a.co/d/8tWME8nDisagree Better, An Initiative by the National Governor’s Conference - https://www.nga.org/disagree-better/ And of course, the Frederick Flying Cows Basketball team - https://goflyingcows.com/ How We Check OurselvesFact Checking: Because there are a lot of things happening…some true, some false, some unbelievable…we use the following fact checking sites. Take a look for yourself:Snopes - https://www.snopes.com/ FactCheck.org - https://www.factcheck.org/ Politifact - https://www.politifact.com/RealClearPolitics - https://www.realclearpolitics.com/ Because media can have its own biases, we also rely upon these sites to help us get balanced coverage:Media Bias/Fact Check - https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/All Sides - https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-newsAd Fontes Media Bias Chart - https://app.adfontesmedia.com/chart/interactive Want to watch us do the podcast? Visit the Klaus Haus Productions YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@KlausHausProductions. Comments? Suggestions? Ideas for guests or topics? Send us a voice message on Spotify or email us at [email protected] and [email protected]:Wild Opinions and Nonsensical Musings by Lamar Roth & Tom KlausImages by Getty Images, Pexels, Pixabay, Roth Images, and Cyberlink AIFinal review and approval by Jake and Ebie Dawgs Inc. Photos by Lamar Roth are copyrighted by Roth Images, All Rights Reserved. For permissions or additional information: [email protected] and https://www.rothimages.com/Getting to 3rd Space with Lamar and Tom is produced and sponsored by Klaus Haus Productions LLC and Acorn Consulting, LLC. © 2025. All Rights Reserved. Permissions: [email protected]. No living creature was harmed in the production of this film but a lot of Colombian coffee was consumed.Recorded October 16, 2025 using Riverside.fm - http://riverside.fm/ - from “home studio” locations in Maryland and Kansas, USA and Iowa; Original Publishing Date, November 11, 2025.

Today’s guest on Getting to 3rd Space is Christie Vilsack. She describes herself as a "Teacher, writer, wife, mom and gramma. Proud Iowa first lady, congressional candidate, and USAID education advisor. A world traveler but an Iowan by birth and choice. I write about people living close to the land, who believe in community and the public good. I tend to favor underdogs.” She is also the sponsor of the U.S.S. Iowa, a nuclear submarine commissioned earlier this year.This podcast is Part 1 of 2. In this episode Christie talks about her Substack column “Common Ground,” speaking truth to power and authority, the pride she has in her Iowa roots, and, of course, what it means to sponsor a Navy submarine. Part 2 will air on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.A 3rd Space Survey: Acts of KindnessInspired by our recent conversation with Joolz Casey of #behumankind are now inviting listeners/viewers to participate in our ongoing “Acts of Kindness” poll. You can participate by answering two simple questions: What is an act of kindness you’ve received that made a difference to you? What is an act of kindness you have done which you hope changed another person’s life?You can participate through a Google Forms poll at this link: https://forms.gle/5NQakn6bgeXpm2us5 Learn more: Common Ground - https://christievilsack.substack.com/USS Iowa (nuclear submarine) - https://ssn797.com/about-usAmerican is Sliding Toward Illiteracy, by Idrees Kalhoon in The Atlantic - https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/10/education-decline-low-expectations/684526/?gift=OkCOMnff83tE105ER-Egr9RBJ6X_L1UNSsOAWWYxod8&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shareThe Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt - https://a.co/d/8tWME8nDisagree Better, An Initiative by the National Governor’s Conference - https://www.nga.org/disagree-better/ How We Check OurselvesFact Checking: Because there are a lot of things happening…some true, some false, some unbelievable…we use the following fact checking sites. Snopes - https://www.snopes.com/ FactCheck.org - https://www.factcheck.org/ Politifact - https://www.politifact.com/RealClearPolitics - https://www.realclearpolitics.com/ Because media can have its own biases, we also rely upon these sites to help us get balanced coverage:Media Bias/Fact Check - https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/All Sides - https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-newsAd Fontes Media Bias Chart - https://app.adfontesmedia.com/chart/interactive Meet Lamar and TomLamar Roth and Tom Klaus are lifelong friends exploring how to get to a 3rd Space - a space where two or more people with opposing viewpoints, ideologies, and worldviews can come together to hear, listen, share, and connect with one another. Want to watch us do the podcast? Visit the Klaus Haus Productions YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@KlausHausProductions. Comments? Suggestions? Ideas for guests or topics? Send us a voice message on Spotify or email us at [email protected] and [email protected]:Wild Opinions and Nonsensical Musings by Lamar Roth & Tom KlausImages by Getty Images, Pexels, Pixabay, Roth Images, and Cyberlink AIFinal review and approval by Jake and Ebie Dawgs Inc. Photos by Lamar Roth are copyrighted by Roth Images, All Rights Reserved. For permissions or additional information: [email protected] and https://www.rothimages.com/Getting to 3rd Space with Lamar and Tom is produced and sponsored by Klaus Haus Productions LLC and Acorn Consulting, LLC. © 2025. All Rights Reserved. Permissions: [email protected]. No living creature was harmed in the production of this film but a lot of Colombian coffee was consumed.Help us grow our audience by sharing this post. It is public and can be shared without obligation or cost. Thanks!Recorded October 16, 2025 using Riverside.fm - http://riverside.fm/ - from “home studio” locations in Maryland, Kansas, and Iowa, USA; Original Publishing Date, October 28, 2025.

Lamar and Tom talk with Senator Ethan Corson about his decision to run for Governor the State of Kansas. Ethan emphasizes the importance of bipartisan leadership and staying focused on the everyday issues that matter to families. He shares insights on maintaining civility in political campaigns, the significance of community colleges, and his vision for making Kansas an affordable state. Throughout the discussion, Ethan Corson highlights the value of kindness and mentorship in politics as he reflects on his own path into politics. His own experience highlights the importance of fostering positive engagement with the next generation.Learn more: Ethan’s Kitchen Table Campaign Ad: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QBerwoq1ovk⁠ To learn more about how Republican colleagues view Ethan Corson, see: ⁠https://pro.stateaffairs.com/ks/elections/ethan-corson-kansas-governor⁠  Or download and read here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AfU1f3Q7IKAttNR-Ua4z_e7MKm7B7hTw/view?usp=sharing Meet Ethan Corson (Wikipedia)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Corson Ethan Corson Campaign Website https://www.ethanforkansas.com/aboutSenator Ethan Corson at the Kansas Statehouse https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/members/sen_corson_ethan_1/ A 3rd Space Survey: Acts of KindnessInspired by our recent conversation with Joolz Casey of #behumankind are now inviting listeners/viewers to participate in our ongoing “Acts of Kindness” poll. You can participate by answering two simple questions: What is an act of kindness you’ve received that made a difference to you? What is an act of kindness you have done which you hope changed another person’s life?You can participate through a Google Forms poll at this link: https://forms.gle/5NQakn6bgeXpm2us5 How We Check OurselvesFact Checking: Because there are a lot of things happening…some true, some false, some unbelievable…we use the following fact checking sites. Take a look for yourself:Snopes - https://www.snopes.com/ FactCheck.org - https://www.factcheck.org/ Politifact - https://www.politifact.com/RealClearPolitics - https://www.realclearpolitics.com/ Because media can have its own biases, we also rely upon these sites to help us get balanced coverage:Media Bias/Fact Check - https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/All Sides - https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-newsAd Fontes Media Bias Chart - https://app.adfontesmedia.com/chart/interactive Meet Lamar and TomLamar Roth and Tom Klaus are lifelong friends exploring how to get to a 3rd Space - a space where two or more people with opposing viewpoints, ideologies, and worldviews can come together to hear, listen, share, and connect with one another. Together Lamar and Tom hope to carve out a 3rd Space where everything can be on the table for open, straightforward, honest, and, yet kind and respectful inquiry. Want to watch us do the podcast? Visit the Klaus Haus Productions YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@KlausHausProductions. Comments? Suggestions? Ideas for guests or topics? Send us a voice message on Spotify or email us at [email protected] and [email protected]:Wild Opinions and Nonsensical Musings by Lamar Roth & Tom KlausImages by Getty Images, Pexels, Pixabay, Roth Images, and Cyberlink AIFinal review and approval by Jake and Ebie Dawgs Inc. Photos by Lamar Roth are copyrighted by Roth Images, All Rights Reserved. For permissions or additional information: [email protected] and https://www.rothimages.com/Getting to 3rd Space with Lamar and Tom is produced and sponsored by Klaus Haus Productions LLC and Acorn Consulting, LLC. © 2025. All Rights Reserved. Permissions: [email protected]. No living creature was harmed in the production of this film but a lot of Colombian coffee was consumed.Recorded September 16, 2025 using Riverside.fm - http://riverside.fm/ - from “home studio” locations in Maryland and Kansas, USA; Original Publishing Date, October 14, 2025.