Housing affordability is collapsing for America’s middle class—and small businesses are feeling the impact.

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with real estate developer Michael Burkentine to break down the growing U.S. housing crisis and what it means for working families, entrepreneurs, and first-time homebuyers.

With the U.S. facing an estimated 5 million home shortage, Burkentine explains how rising costs, restrictive zoning laws, labor shortages, and institutional homebuyers have turned America into a “renter nation.”

They also dive into the proposed “Trump Homes” initiative—a bold plan to build up to 1 million entry-level homes through private-sector partnerships, deregulation, and innovative rent-to-own pathways designed to help Americans achieve homeownership again.

In this episode:

Why the U.S. is millions of homes short—and how we got here

How housing impacts small businesses and Main Street growth

The real reason starter homes disappeared

The role of Wall Street investors in driving up home prices

How zoning reform and deregulation could unlock supply 

The feasibility of building 1 million new homes

Why trade jobs and workforce training are critical to solving the crisis

As policymakers debate solutions ahead of key elections, this conversation highlights what must change to restore the American Dream of homeownership.

Housing affordability is collapsing for America&rsquo;s middle class&mdash;and small businesses are feeling the impact.
On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with real estate developer Michael Burkentine to break down the growing U.S. housing crisis and what it means for working families, entrepreneurs, and first-time homebuyers.
With the U.S. facing an estimated 5 million home shortage, Burkentine explains how rising costs, restrictive zoning laws, labor shortages, and institutional homebuyers have turned America into a &ldquo;renter nation.&rdquo;
They also dive into the proposed &ldquo;Trump Homes&rdquo; initiative&mdash;a bold plan to build up to 1 million entry-level homes through private-sector partnerships, deregulation, and innovative rent-to-own pathways designed to help Americans achieve homeownership again.
In this episode:
Why the U.S. is millions of homes short&mdash;and how we got here
How housing impacts small businesses and Main Street growth
The real reason starter homes disappeared
The role of Wall Street investors in driving up home prices
How zoning reform and deregulation could unlock supply&nbsp;
The feasibility of building 1 million new homes
Why trade jobs and workforce training are critical to solving the crisis
As policymakers debate solutions ahead of key elections, this conversation highlights what must change to restore the American Dream of homeownership.

Main Street Matters with Elaine Parker and Alfredo Ortiz explores the intersection of small business and government policy. With more than 90 million Americans either owning or depending on small business for their household income, policies like taxes, regulations, and access to credit have a huge effect on the American Dream. Elaine and Alfredo talk with small business owners, government officials and office holders, and experts about everything from education to the labor market on this interesting and entertaining podcast.

Main Street Matters with Elaine Parker and Alfredo Ortiz explores the intersection of small business and government policy. With more than 90 million Americans either owning or depending on small business for their household income, policies like taxes, regulations, and access to credit have a huge effect on the American Dream. Elaine and Alfredo talk with small business owners, government officials and office holders, and experts about everything from education to the labor market on this interesting and entertaining podcast.

Main Street Matters

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with real estate developer Michael Burkentine to break down the growing U.S. housing crisis and what it means for working families, entrepreneurs, and first-time homebuyers.

Crisis Explained—Trump Homes Plan & 5M Home Shortage

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/1fdbcf93-3064-4ff7-a220-b3f50033c38b/transcript

January’s jobs report just shattered expectations—and it could signal a major turning point for the U.S. economy.

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network sits down with Mike Palicz, Tax Policy Director at Americans for Tax Reform and former Trump administration official, to break down the latest economic data. With 130,000 jobs added, rising wages, and a shrinking federal workforce, the numbers point to renewed private sector strength and growing economic momentum.

 They dive into how pro-growth tax policies are driving investment, boosting worker productivity, and increasing take-home pay for American families. Plus, what role AI is playing in reshaping the workforce, why construction jobs are surging, and how falling interest rates and rising wages are improving affordability.

Elaine and Mike also tackle the political messaging battle ahead of the midterms—why many Americans still don’t feel the full impact of tax relief, and how conservatives can better connect policy wins to real-life stories from small businesses and workers.

January&rsquo;s jobs report just shattered expectations&mdash;and it could signal a major turning point for the U.S. economy.
On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network sits down with Mike Palicz, Tax Policy Director at Americans for Tax Reform and former Trump administration official, to break down the latest economic data. With 130,000 jobs added, rising wages, and a shrinking federal workforce, the numbers point to renewed private sector strength and growing economic momentum.
&nbsp;They dive into how pro-growth tax policies are driving investment, boosting worker productivity, and increasing take-home pay for American families. Plus, what role AI is playing in reshaping the workforce, why construction jobs are surging, and how falling interest rates and rising wages are improving affordability.
Elaine and Mike also tackle the political messaging battle ahead of the midterms&mdash;why many Americans still don&rsquo;t feel the full impact of tax relief, and how conservatives can better connect policy wins to real-life stories from small businesses and workers.

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network sits down with Mike Palicz, Tax Policy Director at Americans for Tax Reform and former Trump administration official, to break down the latest economic data. With 130,000 jobs added, rising wages, and a shrinking federal workforce, the numbers point to renewed private sector strength and growing economic momentum.

Blowout Jobs Report, Tax Cuts & America’s Economic Comeback

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/adb2e991-0b50-4aa0-92ee-b3f0003acfb3/transcript

Healthcare was supposed to protect families and small businesses—not bankrupt them.

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Dr. Firouz Daneshgari, a former surgeon-scientist and hospital board member at major health systems including Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, who became a whistleblower after witnessing firsthand how financial incentives began outweighing patient outcomes.

With U.S. healthcare spending topping $5.6 trillion annually, Dr. Daneshgari explains:

Why over half of healthcare spending may be waste How hospitals evolved into revenue-driven “sick care” systems

Why employer-sponsored insurance distorted the doctor-patient relationship

The hidden cost drivers behind rising premiums and medical debt How direct primary care and health “guardianship” models restore transparency and trust 

Why cash-pay pricing dramatically lowers specialty and surgical costs How small businesses can cut healthcare expenses without sacrificing quality

What President Trump’s HSA subsidy proposal could mean for consumers Dr. Daneshgari shares how his BowTie Health Guardianship model combines subscription-based primary care, proactive chronic disease prevention, and upfront pricing to deliver affordable, high-quality care nationwide—without waiting for Congress to act.

For small business owners struggling with rising premiums and unpredictable costs, this episode offers a real-world alternative that puts patients—not hospital systems—back in control.

Healthcare was supposed to protect families and small businesses&mdash;not bankrupt them.
On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Dr. Firouz Daneshgari, a former surgeon-scientist and hospital board member at major health systems including Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, who became a whistleblower after witnessing firsthand how financial incentives began outweighing patient outcomes.
With U.S. healthcare spending topping $5.6 trillion annually, Dr. Daneshgari explains:
Why over half of healthcare spending may be waste How hospitals evolved into revenue-driven &ldquo;sick care&rdquo; systems
Why employer-sponsored insurance distorted the doctor-patient relationship
The hidden cost drivers behind rising premiums and medical debt How direct primary care and health &ldquo;guardianship&rdquo; models restore transparency and trust&nbsp;
Why cash-pay pricing dramatically lowers specialty and surgical costs How small businesses can cut healthcare expenses without sacrificing quality
What President Trump&rsquo;s HSA subsidy proposal could mean for consumers Dr. Daneshgari shares how his BowTie Health Guardianship model combines subscription-based primary care, proactive chronic disease prevention, and upfront pricing to deliver affordable, high-quality care nationwide&mdash;without waiting for Congress to act.
For small business owners struggling with rising premiums and unpredictable costs, this episode offers a real-world alternative that puts patients&mdash;not hospital systems&mdash;back in control.

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Dr. Firouz Daneshgari, a former surgeon-scientist and hospital board member at major health systems including Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, who became a whistleblower after witnessing firsthand how financial incentives began outweighing patient outcomes.

Healthcare Is Broken—A Surgeon Whistleblower Explains How to Fix It

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/fe18cbdd-2708-42d7-ade9-b3ee011579ca/transcript

Corporate America didn’t “go woke” overnight—it was pushed there through ESG and DEI mandates driven by powerful asset managers, proxy advisors, and activist investors.

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network is joined by Allen Mendenhall, Senior Advisor for the Free Enterprise Initiative at the Heritage Foundation.

Mendenhall breaks down what ESG and DEI really mean, how the shift from shareholder capitalism to stakeholder governance reshaped corporate decision-making, and why non-financial political standards began overriding profit, performance, and fiduciary duty. The conversation explores how large asset managers and proxy firms exert massive influence over corporate boards—often pushing companies into cultural battles that alienate customers and hurt long-term value.

The episode also dives into Heritage’s groundbreaking strategy to flip the script—using the same shareholder tools once weaponized by ESG activists to restore corporate neutrality, protect investors, and refocus companies on profitability and lawful governance. Mendenhall explains how shareholder engagement, proposal withdrawals, and behind-the-scenes negotiations are already changing corporate behavior across major brands.

Corporate America didn&rsquo;t &ldquo;go woke&rdquo; overnight&mdash;it was pushed there through ESG and DEI mandates driven by powerful asset managers, proxy advisors, and activist investors.
In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network is joined by Allen Mendenhall, Senior Advisor for the Free Enterprise Initiative at the Heritage Foundation.
Mendenhall breaks down what ESG and DEI really mean, how the shift from shareholder capitalism to stakeholder governance reshaped corporate decision-making, and why non-financial political standards began overriding profit, performance, and fiduciary duty. The conversation explores how large asset managers and proxy firms exert massive influence over corporate boards&mdash;often pushing companies into cultural battles that alienate customers and hurt long-term value.
The episode also dives into Heritage&rsquo;s groundbreaking strategy to flip the script&mdash;using the same shareholder tools once weaponized by ESG activists to restore corporate neutrality, protect investors, and refocus companies on profitability and lawful governance. Mendenhall explains how shareholder engagement, proposal withdrawals, and behind-the-scenes negotiations are already changing corporate behavior across major brands.

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network is joined by Allen Mendenhall, Senior Advisor for the Free Enterprise Initiative at the Heritage Foundation.  Mendenhall breaks down what ESG and DEI really mean, how the shift from shareholder capitalism to stakeholder governance reshaped corporate decision-making, and why non-financial political standards began overriding profit, performance, and fiduciary duty. 

How ESG & DEI Captured Corporate America—and How Shareholders Are Taking It Back

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/1ebcbe83-f39b-488a-86b2-b3e900d4d12e/transcript

Crisis Explained—Trump Homes Plan & 5M Home Shortage

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