Oliver talks to former Florida Congressman Ric Keller about his 8-year stint as the representative for Florida's 8th district as well as his new book Chase the Bears: Little to Achieve Big Dreams (Simon & Schuster, 2022). Oliver and Ric discuss the challenges of serving in a "swing" district, the impact of primary elections on polarization, the fundraising costs associated with serving on congressional committees, the importance of civility in public discourse, and the difficulties associated with achieving wholesale reform in a large, complicated political system. Along with that, they discuss topics covered in Ric's new book, such as the value of networking and the necessity of maximizing one's talents and opportunities to achieve personal success. Suggested Links Ric Keller on the power of self-deprecating humor, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiX85UzI86Y&ab_channel=TEDxTalks Ric Keller on the importance of networking, https://soundcloud.com/user-759550640/ric-keller-former-congressman-on-networking-the-right-way-for-success Keller's "hamburger bill," https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/hr554

Marketing professor (and Oliver's high school classmate) Lura Forcum returns to the show to discuss some of the challenges facing academia. Become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft