Last week, we had one of those “this is why we do what we do” moments.
Radio Garden State was the exclusive broadcaster of a live, in-depth gubernatorial forum at NJIT in Newark — a conversation that brought together seven of New Jersey’s leading candidates for governor to talk about something near and dear to me: small business and equity.
The event was hosted by the New Jersey Diverse Business Advisory Council, and let me tell you — this wasn’t your typical political photo op. It was real, it was raw, and it was packed with the kinds of stories you don’t always hear in front of a podium. Small business owners asked the questions directly. They shared their struggles — from loan rejections to red tape to the feeling that, no matter how hard they work, the system isn’t built for them.
And for almost two hours, the candidates had to answer for it.
We’re proud that Radio Garden State was the only media outlet to broadcast the entire conversation live. We’re even more excited to bring it to a wider audience on the Greetings From the Garden State podcast — because these conversations shouldn’t live in one room for one night. They should be heard by anyone who cares about the future of this state.
So What Actually Got Said?
The forum covered a lot of ground. Here are some of the key takeaways that stuck with me:
- Governor Murphy’s Economic Council was a big topic — should it stay or go? Some candidates argued it needs to be more connected to real business owners. Others said it’s just another bloated meeting. And one called for a full-on Department of Commerce.
- Access to capital came up over and over again. A lot of small business owners said they’ve done everything “right” — applied for loans, filed the paperwork — and still come up short. One candidate pushed for a public investment bank. Another said we should stop working with private banks that aren’t investing in local communities.
- Cannabis equity was called out hard. It’s legal now, but many in the room said the rollout failed the very communities it was supposed to uplift.
- Workforce training, trade education, and apprenticeships got a lot of attention too. As someone who’s seen the power of local trades firsthand, I was glad to hear candidates talk seriously about how we can make those paths more accessible, especially in underrepresented communities.
- Veterans, LGBTQ+ New Jerseyans, minority-owned businesses — and the folks not in the room — all became part of the larger conversation about who gets a seat at the table when decisions are being made. Some candidates had solid answers. Others danced around it. But the message from the audience was clear: Do better.
Why We Aired It
We launched Radio Garden State because we believe in lifting up Jersey voices — from musicians and artists to local leaders, entrepreneurs, and the people building this state from the ground up.
Broadcasting this forum felt like an extension of that mission. This is what we’re about — not just playing great music (though we do that too), but being a place where New Jersey hears itself. Where local stories, perspectives, and conversations actually get airtime.
If you missed the live broadcast, you can now listen to the full forum on the Greetings From the Garden State podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts or at greetingsfromthegardenstate.com.
Final Thought
I’m not here to tell you who to vote for. That’s on you. But I will say this — if you care about small business in New Jersey, if you care about equity and representation, if you’ve ever filled out one of those ridiculous forms and wondered who is this system actually for? — this conversation is worth your time.
And Radio Garden State will always be here to make sure it gets heard.
Mike Ham is the voice behind the popular podcast, "Greetings From the Garden State". Traveling up and down New Jersey, Mike brings his listeners the stories of the people and places shaping the Garden State. Not only is he a Jersey diehard, he is also a respected member of the podcast community and has spoken at several podcasting conferences. As he continues to amplify the voices of New Jersey, Mike Ham remains a passionate advocate for the diverse narratives woven into the fabric of the Garden State.