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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

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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00:33:04

Ep. 89 - Kelly Shannon (Freedom of Information...

Texas Talks ·

2025/10/30

In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail interviews Kelly Shannon, Executive Director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. They discuss the state’s Public Information Act, government transparency, and why access to information is essential for accountability. Shannon explains how Texas laws were built after the Sharpstown scandal, how lawmakers have gradually weakened them, and what reforms could restore stronger transparency. The conversation also touches on the Hill Country

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00:33:56

Ep. 88 - Reed Clay (Texas Nuclear Alliance)

Texas Talks ·

2025/10/23

Texas Talks host Brad Swail sits down with Reed Clay, President of the Texas Nuclear Alliance, to discuss how nuclear energy could reshape Texas’ power future. Clay explains why the state hasn’t built a new plant in over 30 years, the myths and politics that sidelined nuclear in the 1990s, and how AI data centers and small modular reactors (SMRs) are driving a modern nuclear renaissance. From Winter Storm Uri to House Bill 14 and the creation of the Texas Nuclear Energy Office, this episode explores

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00:38:07

Ep. 87 - Dr. Raymond Robertson (Economist)

Texas Talks ·

2025/10/16

Economist Dr. Raymond Robertson joins host Brad Swail on Texas Talks to explain a surprising discovery: the United States actually imports plastic waste — and how tariffs, recycling incentives, and Texas-style solutions could change that. Robertson, Director of the Mosbacher Institute at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, breaks down how a simple deposit-refund system could clean up our lakes, create jobs, and save millions, while reviving the “Don’t Mess With Texas” spirit for a new

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00:38:04

Ep. 86 - Tanner Jones (CEO)

Texas Talks ·

2025/10/09

In this Texas Talks interview, Vulcan Technologies CEO Tanner Jones explains how his AI platform “maps the law” to simplify regulation, empower builders, and strengthen American competitiveness. From Virginia’s landmark use of AI in government to the potential for Texas to unleash new growth, Jones shares a bold vision for abundance, innovation, and smarter governance.Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

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00:38:10

Ep. 85 - Tom Butler (TX Dept of Licensing and...

Texas Talks ·

2025/10/02

In this episode of Texas Talks, Brad Swail sits down with Tom Butler, Vice Chair of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. They dive into Texas’s booming energy sector, the state’s role in powering the nation, and how licensing reforms are shaping a skilled workforce. Butler shares insights on balancing regulation with growth, the rise of AI and data centers, and why small nuclear power and water management will be central to Texas’s future. A must-listen for anyone interested in Texas

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00:44:56

Ep. 84 - Mike Morath (TX Education Commissioner)

Texas Talks ·

2025/09/25

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath joins the Texas Talks podcast to discuss the future of education in the Lone Star State. From literacy challenges and the impact of cell phones in classrooms, to the A–F accountability system and the new Bluebonnet curriculum, Morath shares his vision for improving student outcomes statewide. He also breaks down the Teacher Incentive Allotment program, which is reshaping how educators are paid—rewarding performance, boosting retention, and pushing more

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00:33:52

Ep. 83 - Mary Lynn Pruneda

Texas Talks ·

2025/09/18

In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Mary Lynn Pruneda, Director of Education & Workforce Policy at Texas 2036 and former education policy advisor to Gov. Greg Abbott.They dive into the controversies and complexities of Texas public education—from the end of the STAAR test to the new three-test system, literacy challenges, teacher pay, and the long-term workforce impact if Texas fails to catch up.Pruneda explains why public education is harder than most people realize, the

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00:34:26

Ep. 82 - Kelsey Streufert

Texas Talks ·

2025/09/11

In this episode of Texas Talks, Brad Swail sits down with Kelsey Streufert, Chief Public Affairs Officer at the Texas Restaurant Association, to discuss the future of Texas dining. From Covid recovery to supply chain disruptions, property tax hikes, immigration, tariffs, and credit card swipe fees, restaurants are facing relentless challenges. Kelsey breaks down how new legislation like SB 1008 is cutting red tape, how childcare access and workforce policies are shaping the industry, and why Texas

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00:31:51

Ep. 81 - Senator Tan Parker (District 12)

Texas Talks ·

2025/09/04

In this Texas Talks interview, Senator Tan Parker of District 12 joins Brad Swail to discuss his decades-long fight against human trafficking, including the passage of Senate Bill 11 to protect victims and prosecute traffickers. Parker also breaks down disaster relief efforts following the July 4th floods, new legislation to safeguard Texas children, and the state’s leadership in AI innovation and regulation. A deep dive into protecting the vulnerable, strengthening public safety, and keeping Texas

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00:36:18

Ep. 80 - Gary VanDeaver (TX House District 1)

Texas Talks ·

2025/08/28

In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Representative Gary VanDeaver (TX House District 1) to discuss the future of rural healthcare, the ongoing opioid crisis, and the heated debate over hemp-derived THC in Texas. VanDeaver, a retired educator and cattle rancher, shares his perspective on hospital closures, telemedicine, physician shortages, and policy battles shaping public health. From House Bill 18 on rural health stabilization to the controversy around THC regulation and

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00:36:04

Ep. 79 - Cody Vasut (HD-25)

Texas Talks ·

2025/08/21

In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with State Representative Cody Vasut (HD-25) for an in-depth conversation about the most pressing issues facing Texas lawmakers. Vasut, Chair of the Redistricting Committee, breaks down the quorum standoff at the Capitol, why redistricting has become a national story, and how Texas maps compare to Democratic-led states.The discussion also covers hemp-derived THC regulation, the fight over age limits and bans, and the balance between public

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00:37:34

Ep. 78 - Lloyd Potter (TX State Demographer)

Texas Talks ·

2025/08/14

In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Texas State Demographer Dr. Lloyd Potter to explore the trends shaping Texas’s future. From population growth and migration patterns to slowing birth rates, infrastructure demands, and water security, Dr. Potter explains the demographic forces influencing policy, the economy, and everyday life in the Lone Star State. They also discuss the impact of urbanization, housing pressures, immigration shifts, and how Texas can plan ahead to

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101 results

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