Brian and Derek sit down with several key Congressional Members, influencers, journalists and others “fighting the good fight” at the 2024 Texas State Republican Convention in San Antonio.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian Phillips and Andrew Brown are joined by Texas House District 68 Representative David Spiller to discuss a variety of topics ranging from national presidential politics to local schools and our southern border. 0:54 Hot Takes: Caitlin-Gate - Dirty play or “Welcome to the league, Rook!”? 4:28 Political fallout after the Trump verdict 12:06 A ho…

Brian and Derek sit down with Texas-based political consultant Tyler Norris and TPPF’s Distinguished Senior Fellow Sherry Sylvester to discuss the aftermath of the May 2024 Texas runoff election results. 0:50 Hot Takes: The Trial of the Century! 4:25 Initial reactions to May 2024 Runoff Election Results 4:44 Big Winner: School Choice 8:14 The New P…

Episode 50! Brian and Derek sit down with Jonathan Pidluzny, the Director of the Higher Education Reform Initiative at America First Policy Institute, to discuss the current status and influence of DEI on our college and university campuses and much more. 0:34 Hot Takes: Will the Cowboys and/or Texans eclipse 10 wins in 2024? 8:26 Special guest: Jo…

Brian and Derek sit down with Better Tech for Tomorrow’s David Dunmoyer and the Honorable Zach Whiting to discuss the pros, cons, and oversight efforts surrounding A.I., digital safety for Texas families and much more. 0:20 Hot Takes: Will Biden debate Trump in person? 5:45 Conservative Approach to Tech Policy 10:55 AI: good, bad, or ugly? 35:15 Th…

In this special episode of The Right Idea, Brian and Derek sit down with UT Senior and Editor-in-Chief of The Texas Horn, Gerrit Blizzard, to discuss the recent upheaval at the University of Texas.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek have the pleasure of sitting down with TPPF’s Director of Litigation, Chance Weldon, to discuss Olympic break dancing, squatter's rights (or the lack thereof), overpaid superintendents, and much more. 0:55 Olympic Breakin’: Electric Boogaloo 4:05 Squatting in America 19:25 Governor Abbott’s warning to squatters 30:30 Survey Says! 75…

Brian and Derek have the pleasure of sitting down with author, podcast host and founder of the Bahnsen Group, David Bahnsen, to discuss millennials’ attitudes towards work and retirement, the myth of “work/life balance,” the truth behind ESG investing, and much more. 0:23 Hot Take: Willie Nelson taking his Fourth of July Picnic to Jersey? 3:14 Over…

Brian and Derek have the pleasure of sitting down with Jacob Howland, the Provost and Dean of Intellectual Foundations at University of Austin, to discuss the need for an entirely new type of university in response to young Americans turning away from higher education… and for good reasons. 3:55 Jacob Howland’s victory lap for UATX 6:40 The Left’s …

Brian and Derek have the pleasure of sitting down with the CEO and Founder of OpenTheBooks.com, Adam Andrzejewski, who works to promote transparency in public policy and politics by removing the veil of secrecy that covers up national and local spending. 2:10 What is OpenTheBooks.com? 3:45 How “Free and transparent” are Freedom of Information Act r…

Brian and Derek have the pleasure of sitting down with TPPF’s Distinguished Senior Fellow Sherry Sylvester to discuss the results of the 2024 Primary Election, from a national, statewide and local perspective. 2:26 Derek’s take on the major headlines coming out of Tuesday’s results - Parents Win! 3:19 Sherry’s take on the big winners and losers - D…

TPPF Vice President of Research Derek Cohen interviews National Review senior writer Dan McLaughlin about the philosophy of conservatism, the current state of politics and policy, and Major League Baseball.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

In this week’s episode of The Right Idea, Brian and Derek discuss The Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup, and the global “sport” of polling and politics!By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian Phillips is joined by TPPF's Vice President of Policy, Andrew Brown, and Director of Litigation, Chance Weldon, to discuss Texas Senate Bill 14, which prohibits gender modification procedures for children in the state.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek are joined by this week’s special guest, TPPF’s Distinguished Senior Fellow, Mark Mills for an intriguing discussion regarding the impact that leftist green initiatives have made on our industries, personal lives and economy.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek are joined by this week’s special guest, TPPF’s Chief of Intelligence & Research and Director for Texas Identity, Joshua Treviño for a lively discussion regarding the current status of the crisis along our southern border and beyond, as well as predictions for what 2024 might have in store for Texas. 3:00 Derek’s Interim Update 8:45…

Jennifer Maritza McCauley discusses her short story collection, When Trying to Return Home, the writers she adores, and how a close family member has influenced her work.By Marva Hinton

Brian and Derek are joined by this week’s special guest, Senior Reporter for the Texan, Brad Johnson, for a year in review episode where the trio hands out “The Righties.” 5:45 Biggest Stories of 2023 15:15 Biggest Wins of 2023 20:20 Biggest Disappointments of 2023 34:10 Biggest Surprises of the Year 39:25 Legislators of the Year 47:10 Texans of th…

Brian and Derek are joined by Josh Findlay, Director of TPPF's new National Election Protection Project, to discuss the current state of our elections and efforts being made to make them more secure and trustworthy for everyone. 1:30 Derek’s Lege-Land Update 1:45 School Choice in Special Session #4 7:20 Border Safety Legislative Wins 12:10 Intervie…

Author Jonathan Escoffery discusses his award-winning, debut, short story collection If I Survive You, the perils of writing about identity, and the question he's so tired of answering.By Marva Hinton

In this special episode, Brian and Derek are joined by Dr. Richard Johnson, Director of the Booker T. Washington Initiative and Senior Fellow for Urban Education at TPPF to discuss School Choice and the potential impacts it has on Texan families. 2:20 Derek’s Lege-Land Update 6:20 School Choice with Dr. J 10:50 Potential Impact of School Choice on …

In this special episode, Brian and Derek are joined by State Senator Brandon Creighton to discuss the current Special Session and the truths versus myths surrounding School Choice.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

In this special episode, TPPF's Brian Phillips sits down with a variety of parents, pastors, and activists from across the state who share their stories about how empowering parents and creating Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) will lift our children’s educational experiences to new heights. 0:55 Brenda Howard 12:05 Richard Vega 23:05 Jerry Davis …

Children's book author Alice Faye Duncan discusses her latest book, Coretta's Journey: The Life and Times of Coretta Scott King, how King was shaped by her unconventional upbringing, and why she encourages parents to take their children to community libraries.By Marva Hinton

Brian and Derek are joined by this week’s guest, Selene Rodriguez to share her firsthand experiences and observations from her recent trip to Del Rio and Eagle Pass, where she witnessed the ugly truth of what is happening along our southern border. 1:20 Derek’s “Lege-land Update” regarding the Special Session 8:55 Border Buoys - Truth vs. Myth 10:0…

Brian is joined by this week’s guest, Tanner Aliff, to make sense out of one of the most confusing aspects of life that we all have to deal with - medical insurance.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Next Generation Texas Campaign Director Mandy Drogin stops by to discuss school choice and empowering parents in their kids’ education. Check out TXParentsMatter.com for more information. 2:20 What Led Texas to Another Special Session 10:05 Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) 33:15 Debunking School Funding Myths…

Derek is joined by this week’s guest host, Andrew Brown, to discuss the foster care system, the child gender modification debate, trends in higher education, a close call with the Texas grid, and the legal battle over Texas' buoy barrier on the border. 1:58 Meet TPPF's Andrew Brown 4:03 Conservative Child Welfare Policy 12:57 Legislative Process Ta…

Brian and Derek are joined by this week’s guest, James Quintero to discuss the issues and trends that drive Texas, especially regarding the largest property tax cut in state history.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

With Derek out of town, Brian is joined by this week’s guest hosts, Ariana Silva and Taylor Dawson to discuss the issues and trends that drive Texas, especially regarding effective ways to communicate in the 21st century.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek are joined by this week’s guest host, Melissa Ford, to discuss the struggles at, below and surrounding our southern border, the quality of life in Texas, and the “Death Star” bill’s (non-)impact on local water break ordinances.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian is joined by this week’s guest host, Jason Isaac, to discuss the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas, including: the largest property tax break in state history, energy in the 21st century and AI tacos!By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek discuss the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas, including: a recap of the first and preview of this year’s second Special Session, a look into new polling that confirms conservative priorities, the ISD fight against the Woke Agenda, DeSantis’ new Border Plan and a big shift on approving new public school charters.…

Brian and Derek discuss the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas, including: the real problem within property tax reform, new laws signed by the Governor, California Senator says it’s time to FLEE and cigarettes score higher than Teslas!By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek discuss the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas, including: a look back on the 88th Legislative Session, a peek into the current Special Session regarding Border Security and Property Taxes, and peering into future Special Sessions regarding School Choice.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

In this week’s special presentation of The Right Idea, Derek takes part in a panel discussion recapping Texas’ 88th Legislature Session with TPPF’s Greg Sindelar, Sherry Sylvester and Andrew Brown.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek discuss the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek discuss the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas, including: the decline of Austin in the USA News rankings for greatest cities in America, with Austin falling out of the top 10 and ranking at number 40. They also mention the parent empowerment pause, illegal immigrants getting rocky mountain high in Colorado, and developme…

Brian and Derek discuss the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas, including: the emergency at our southern border, Texas’ recently passed border security legislation, Republicans wanting to “raise the age” to buy rifles, a parent’s worst nightmare – and the school that made it worse. And finally, some good news! Bill passes to give patient…

Brian and Derek discuss the week’s hottest legislative topics including Legislative “Chubbing”, the Senate’s Pediatric Gender Modification Ban, the war of words between Abbott & Lightfoot and President Trump’s input regarding Texas’ Property Tax Policy.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek discuss the week’s hottest legislative topics including Biden’s re-election campaign announcement, online safety and security for children, Texas House approving $4.5 billion in school funding, legislation cracking down on pediatric gender modification, and mythbusting the opinion that the Texas Legislature is hiding from its consti…

Brian and Derek discuss the week’s hottest legislative topics including the pace of Texas’ 88th Legislature and the odds on whether or not we will see special sessions, property tax reform, keeping sexually explicit materials out of public school libraries, the Regulatory Consistency Act (aka Death Star Bill), eliminating funding for Diversity, Equ…

Awarding winning author Natalia Sylvester discusses her YA novel, Breathe and Count Back From Ten, what it was like to write a book she's been dreaming about her whole life, and whether she'll be going back to writing for adults.By Marva Hinton

Brian and Derek discuss the week’s hottest legislative headlines including the debates over Education Savings Accounts, Border Security and Mental Health Services. Then they mythbust Texas’ State University Tenure policies.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek discuss the week’s hottest legislative headlines including School Choice, Parent’s Rights, Elimination of DEI at Texas Public Universities, Itemized Medical Billing, Drag Shows and Children and President Trump’s “trumped up” Indictment.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek are joined by Senior Reporter for the Texan, Brad Johnson to discuss the week’s hottest legislative headlines including The Great Honey Debate, Property Taxes, Border Security and the state’s Legacy Media.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Author Jennifer Rosner discusses her novel, Once We Were Home, which is about children stolen during or immediately after WWII, what sparked her interest in this topic, and how her work was influenced by being the hearing parent of deaf children.By Marva Hinton

Brian and Derek take on the week’s hottest legislative headlines and discuss the current happenings in the State Legislature, Universal School Choice and the status of several key pieces of legislationBy Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek take on the week’s hottest legislative headlines and discuss the crisis at the Mexican border, the debate over lowering property taxes and the State’s takeover of the Houston Independent School District.By Texas Public Policy Foundation

Brian and Derek take on the week’s hottest legislative headlines and discuss the latest battle lines being drown in the world of Presidential Politics. Then, they address the truth and lies that are tossed about regarding Texas laws and how they affect our children and the LGBTQ community. Finally, Brian sits down with former teacher and concerned …