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Welcome To The Empower Podcast
Empower Mississippi is committed to helping all Mississippians rise by removing barriers to opportunity. In this podcast, we talk with state and national experts about ways the Magnolia State can grow and thrive. These conversations help shape the debate for future legislative sessions and highlight policy changes that are necessary to make Mississippi the best place in America to live, work, and raise a family.
Subscribe below to The Empower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform to stay updated on our latest episodes. Join us as we explore some of Mississippi’s biggest challenges and brightest opportunities!
Interview Library
DeArchie Scott: Charter Schools and Educational Excellence This week, host Grant Callen dives into the world of charter schools with DeArchie Scott, Founder of Ambition Prep, Mississippi’s top-performing public charter school located in west Jackson. Ambition Prep is a B-rated school (and climbing) and is the most academically successful open-enrollment public elementary school in Jackson.…
Listen NowRichard Cross: Quarterbacking Mississippi’s Political Discourse Following in the footsteps of the legendary radio host Paul Gallo, Richard Cross has quickly become a significant player in every public policy debate because he interviews the policymakers. Every morning Richard welcomes heavyweights like the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker, U.S. Senators, and lawmakers from across the state, asking…
Listen Now Dallis Ketchum: Building a Better Jackson In this episode host Grant Callen sits down with Dallis Ketchum, a real estate broker, co-founder of NeighborHouse, and a dedicated community leader in Jackson. Dallis recounts how entrepreneurship became his defining path, from an unforeseen shift into real estate following his paramedic career to launching a business…
Listen NowGovernor Haley Barbour: Leadership and Legacy When Mississippians think about consequential leaders who have significantly impacted the Magnolia State over the last half century, it’s hard to name anyone who looms larger than Mississippi’s 63rd governor, The Honorable Haley Barbour. In this episode, host Grant Callen sits down with Governor Barbour to hear his perspective…
Listen NowDoug Deason: First Step Act and Second Chances Conservative activist, businessman, and Texas donor Doug Deason was our guest this week for an in-depth conversation about Doug’s work on criminal justice reform. Host Grant Callen asked him about his relationship with President Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and how that relationship resulted in the passage…
Listen NowState Rep. Trey Lamar: The Build Up Mississippi Act This week, host Grant Callen went to the Mississippi State Capitol to sit down with Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, State Representative Trey Lamar. Chairman Lamar is the lead author of newly introduced House Bill 1, the “Build Up Mississippi Act”, which…
Listen NowCapitol Chat Library
Capitol Chat: Week 13 In the Sine Die episode of Capitol Chat, we’re wrapping up the 2025 legislative session, which finished a bit ahead of schedule. However, lawmakers did not agree on a budget before adjourning, which means a special session is on the horizon. We break down the key details, potential impact, and…
Listen Now Capitol Chat: Week 12 The countdown is on! Only 9 days remain in the legislative session. This week, the Governor signed House Bill 1 into law, and this weekend is crunch time on appropriations and revenue bills. All that, and more, on this week’s episode of Capitol Chat.
Listen Now Capitol Chat: Week 11 A little luck of the Irish helped push an income tax elimination bill over the finish line this week. We’ll dive into House Bill 1 and what it means for you, as well as what’s next in the legislative session, on this week’s episode of Capitol Chat.
Listen Now Capitol Chat: Week 10 Week 10 was filled with excitement and acronyms! On this week’s episode we cover DEI, PBMs, and THC, as well as everything else you need to know from this week at your state Capitol.
Listen NowCapitol Chat: Week 9 Dead or alive? That’s the key question this week as another big deadline has come and gone. With yet another key deadline on the horizon, we’ll highlight some of the bills that are still moving forward this session – at least for now.
Listen Now Capitol Chat: Week 8 Taxes, taxes, taxes. That and other news from the Capitol this week, including a new entry on “how a bill really becomes law – or doesn’t.”
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