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PODCAST

Texas Talks

Texas Talks with Brad Swail is a weekly podcast that features wide-ranging discussions with the people, organizations, and businesses that shape public policy in Texas. Texas Talks aims to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the policy debates and reasons and insight into the personalities that shape public policy in Texas.

government politics

All Episodes

01:06:07

Future of Work in Texas: Skills, Mobility,...

Texas Talks ·

2026/03/24

As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores a critical question: how does Texas ensure its economic growth translates into real opportunity, mobility, and purpose for its people?In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail is joined by Roy Spence, co-founder and longtime chairman of GSD&M and founder of the Make It Movement and the Purpose Institute, along with Renzo Soto, Deputy Director of Education and Workforce Policy at Texas 2036, for a

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00:43:00

Using AI to Improve Transparency w/Charles Blain

Texas Talks ·

2026/03/19

Brad Swail welcomes Charles Blain—Houston Chronicle contributor, Manhattan Institute City Journal writer, Fox 26 panelist, author of the forthcoming The Brotherhood of Facts (Johns Hopkins Press, spring 2027), and founder of Local Insights. Charles shares how an accidental AI-assisted review of Houston Metro contract documents uncovered a $215k-to-$4.2M ballooning deal tied to board chair conflicts—ultimately leading to cancellation after public pushback. He explains how Local Insights aggregates

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00:44:10

Educating Tomorrow’s Texas: From Classrooms to...

Texas Talks ·

2026/03/17

Brad Swail sits down with Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath and Mary Lynn Pruneda (Texas 2036 Director of Education & Workforce Policy) for a forward-looking conversation on the future of Texas public education. They discuss post-COVID recovery (literacy at all-time highs, math still climbing), the game-changing Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) shifting to performance-based pay and creating more six-figure teacher salaries, the role of timeless classics vs. accelerating technology (robots,

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00:41:39

Property Taxes, the Texas Liberty Compact, and the...

Texas Talks ·

2026/03/12

After the 2026 primaries delivered a fresh wave of “new blood” in the Legislature, will property taxes finally get crushed… or will the same old insider games continue?In this hard-hitting episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Jeramy Kitchen, President of Texas Policy Research and the driving force behind the brand-new Texas Liberty Compact. Jeramy breaks down exactly what the primary results mean for the 90th Legislature, why compression beats gimmick exemptions, how to finally

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00:44:10

Innovation Nation: Texas’ Next Economic Boom (Future...

Texas Talks ·

2026/03/10

Future of Texas is a special limited series from Texas Talks exploring the ideas, leaders, and innovations shaping the state’s next century. As Texas approaches its bicentennial in 2036, this series brings together some of the state’s most influential thinkers—from entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to policy experts and public leaders—to discuss the opportunities and challenges that will define Texas for generations to come. Each episode features in-depth conversations with guests who are

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00:40:25

The Texas Miracle, Data Centers, and the Future of...

Texas Talks ·

2026/03/05

Is the “Texas Miracle” still alive — and what does it take to keep Texas competitive in 2026 and beyond?In this episode of Texas Talks, Megan Mauro, Interim President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business (TAB), joins Brad Swail to break down the state of the Texas economy. As the state chamber of commerce representing businesses of every size and industry, TAB sits at the center of Texas’ pro-growth policy debates. Mauro explains how Texas maintains its reputation as a top business

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00:35:46

Texas Economy, Education Freedom Accounts, and State...

Texas Talks ·

2026/02/26

In this episode, Kelly Hancock, Acting Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, breaks down what the Comptroller’s office actually does—and what the latest numbers say about the Texas economy. Hancock discusses revenue estimating, procurement, contracts, and why sales tax trends matter so much to the state budget. He also explains how Texas is tracking key indicators like manufacturing, construction, and the impact of major projects such as data centers, plus how the state is making more economic data

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00:42:47

Mandy Drogin on School Choice, ESAs & the Future of...

Texas Talks ·

2026/02/19

On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Mandy Drogin of the Texas Public Policy Foundation to discuss Texas Education Freedom Accounts, school choice policy, and the evolving future of education in the state.The conversation explores how education savings accounts (ESAs) work, why more than 100,000 families applied within days of launch, and the ongoing debate between supporters and critics. Topics include parental rights, funding models, homeschooling options, special-needs

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00:25:59

Ep. 101 - Margaret Byfield (Energy Policy)

Texas Talks ·

2026/02/12

In this episode of Texas Talks, Brad Swail interviews Margaret Byfield, Executive Director of American Stewards of Liberty, to break down the growing controversy surrounding proposed transmission lines across Texas. The discussion explores property rights, eminent domain, data-center energy demand, grid reliability after Winter Storm Uri, and the debate between local dispatchable power and large-scale transmission infrastructure.Byfield shares firsthand insight into how landowners could be affected

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00:37:32

Ep. 100 - Jaime Olin (Animal Policy Advocate)

Texas Talks ·

2026/02/05

Brad Swail interviews Jaime Olin, interim executive director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, about landmark animal welfare laws in Texas, enforcement challenges, and upcoming legislative priorities. They cover spay-neuter funding, roadside puppy sales bans, criminal negligence protections, ethical pet store reforms, and rural veterinary access. A must-listen for animal advocates, policy watchers, and Texans who care about humane treatment for all.Watch Full-Length Interviews:

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00:35:16

Ep. 99 - Veronda Durden

Texas Talks ·

2026/01/29

Early childhood intervention can change the trajectory of a child’s life—but in Texas, funding hasn’t kept pace with growing need.In this episode of the Texas Docs Podcast, host Brad Swail sits down with Veronda Durden, President and CEO of Any Baby Can, to discuss how early intervention services support children with developmental delays, strengthen families, and build long-term community resilience across Central Texas.Drawing on her 32-year career in Texas state government and her leadership at

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00:43:02

Ep. 98 - Christo Van Rensburg

Texas Talks ·

2026/01/22

Former professional tennis player and ATP top-20 competitor Christo van Rensburg joins the Texas Talks podcast to discuss building the ATX Open into one of America’s premier women’s tennis tournaments. The conversation covers WTA rankings, why Austin is the perfect home for women’s pro tennis, developing public courts, attracting top players, and the future of tennis culture in Texas.Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

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00:39:18

Ep. 97 - Rob Morris (TX Healthcare)

Texas Talks ·

2026/01/15

Texas faces a growing rural health care crisis as hospitals close and emergency access shrinks. In this episode of the Texas Talk Podcast, Rob Morris—CEO of Complete Care and former president of the National Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers—explains how freestanding emergency rooms improve access, reduce costs, and stabilize rural communities. The conversation covers Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement barriers, the Emergency Care Improvement Act, rural hospital closures, wait times,

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00:50:44

Ep. 96 - Brad Johnson (TX Politics Reporter)

Texas Talks ·

2026/01/08

Veteran Texas politics reporter Brad Johnson joins the Texas Talks Podcast to break down the biggest policy fights shaping Texas in 2026. From water shortages and data centers to property tax relief, school vouchers, nuclear energy, and artificial intelligence, this wide-ranging conversation explains what actually passed in 2025—and what still lies ahead. The episode closes with a sharp analysis of the Texas U.S. Senate race, including Cornyn vs. Paxton, Democratic strategy, and what primary voters

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00:35:08

Ep. 95 - Stan Reed (TX Christmas Tree Growers...

Texas Talks ·

2025/12/18

Texas Christmas trees are more than a holiday tradition—they’re a growing agricultural industry reshaping rural economies across the state. In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Stan Reed, Executive Secretary of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association, to explore how Texas farmers are expanding from traditional crops into Christmas tree farming, agritourism, and year-round family experiences.The conversation covers how Christmas trees are grown in Texas, why demand for

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00:36:03

Ep. 94 - John Hawkins (TX Hospital Association CEO)

Texas Talks ·

2025/12/11

Texas Hospital Association CEO John Hawkins joins Brad Swail to break down the toughest challenges facing health care in Texas — from rural hospital closures and workforce shortages to Medicare policy, uninsured rates, and the future of federal funding. Hawkins explains how geography, payer mix, population growth, and administrative burdens are reshaping the system, and outlines the state and federal solutions that could stabilize care for millions of Texans. A must-listen for anyone tracking Texas

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00:40:42

Ep. 93 - Tray Bates (TX Realtors VP of Govt affairs)

Texas Talks ·

2025/12/04

Texas housing is shifting fast — and in this in-depth interview, Texas Realtors Vice President of Governmental Affairs Tray Bates breaks down the real forces driving prices, affordability, and policy debates across the state. We cover the post-COVID market cooldown, interest-rate shocks, short-term rentals, global capital flowing into Texas development, and the growing “missing middle” problem affecting first-time buyers.Bates also explains the legislative fights ahead: property-tax reform,

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00:47:33

Ep. 92 - Peyton Schumann (TX & Southwestern Cattle...

Texas Talks ·

2025/11/20

Texas Talks host Brad Swail sits down with Peyton Schumann — the Interim Executive Director of Government Relations for the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association — for a deep dive into the challenges and future of cattle ranching in Texas. They cover everything from rising beef prices and drought-driven herd declines to the complexities of beef imports, federal trade policy, and the threat posed by the New World screwworm. Peyton also breaks down the high costs ranchers face, processing

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00:38:49

Ep. 91 - Dr. Audrey Young (TX State Board of Education)

Texas Talks ·

2025/11/13

Dr. Audrey Young, elected to the Texas State Board of Education in 2020, joins Texas Talks for an in-depth conversation about the real state of special education in Texas. Drawing from 31 years in public schools as a speech therapist, reading specialist, administrator, and executive director, Dr. Young clarifies how dyslexia policy is being reshaped, why the statewide special-education population has risen to 20%, and how House Bill 568 is changing funding models across districts.We dig into the

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00:40:54

Ep. 90 - Barry Smitherman (Texas Geothermal Energy...

Texas Talks ·

2025/11/06

Former Railroad Commission Chairman and current head of the Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance, Barry Smitherman, joins host Brad Swail to break down the next big chapter in Texas energy. From the state’s oil legacy to the rise of geothermal power, Smitherman explains how advances in drilling technology, abandoned oil wells, and dispatchable clean energy could redefine the grid. They discuss what Texas lawmakers can do to meet surging power demands, the role of AI data centers, and why geothermal

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113 results

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