Not Quite Quorum - Laura Bergus and Oliver Weilein

Latest Episodes:

Who Defines Public Safety? May 30, 2026

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Laura and Nick Bergus continue their weekly discussion of a proposed new Johnson County jail, focusing on how we define "public safety," and why it must be different than just the reactive State punishment system.

Are We Done with Silly(est) Season Yet?? May 29, 2026

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Oliver and Laura discuss the upcoming primary election on June 2.

What Do the Jail Pricetags Include? May 23, 2026

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Laura Bergus and Nick Bergus provide a weekly update on public discourse and questions about the proposed new Johnson County, Iowa, jail.

Why Try Deer Birth Control? May 23, 2026

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Oliver and Laura discuss progress on the Summit Street City-developed affordable housing project, deer "management," and how everything (literally everything in society) is made up.

What Do Jail Stats Say About the Need for a Bigger Jail? May 16, 2026

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Laura and Nick Bergus discuss a recent Community Conversation hosted by Great Plains Action Society about the question of a new, bigger jail.

Why Can't We Just Be Normal to Each Other? May 16, 2026

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Laura and Oliver discuss the upcoming city council meeting, ongoing silliness at the Board of Supervisors, and the standards we should hold each other to, as elected officials.

What's New in the (In)Decision for a New County Jail? May 09, 2026

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Nick and Laura discuss the happenings of the past week around the County's (in)decision to push for a new jail.

How Do We Manage Big Feelings in Small Political Spaces? May 08, 2026

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Oliver shares about his recent tour with Japanese hardcore band Wipes, Laura vents about Johnson County Board of Supervisors shenanigans--could there be a community effort for transformative investments in affordable housing?!--and both reflect on the challenges of needing therapy and a thick skin to govern well.

How Does the 13th Amendment Influence Our Jail Vote? May 02, 2026

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Special guest Nick Bergus returns to talk with Laura about plans for the Johnson County jail, the upcoming vote on ballot language for a new jail, conversations with other local elected officials about the jail, and the history of jail bond votes locally.

How Do Electeds Handle Interpersonal Conflict? Apr 24, 2026

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Laura and Oliver discuss the aftermath of the shooting in the ped mall, creation of a new community response reserve fund, and how local elected leaders talk to each other.