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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.
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Interview Library
Written by Empower Mississippi Speaker Jason White: Education Freedom and Mississippi’s Future Fresh off his speech at the Neshoba County Fair, Mississippi’s 62nd Speaker of the House, Jason White joins host Grant Callen for this episode of the Empower Podcast. We recap his fair speech and talk about the experience of walking out on that storied…
Written by Empower Mississippi Former Speaker Philip Gunn: Faith, Resilience, and Leadership In this episode, host Grant Callen sits down with former Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn to trace his journey from Clinton’s small-town roots to state leadership. Gunn shares how a personal tragedy at Ole Miss Law upended his life, yet God’s faithfulness sustained him,…
Written by Empower Mississippi Dr. Keri Ingraham: Industry-Specific High Schools Join us on the Empower Podcast as we dive into the transformative world of industry-specific high schools with Dr. Keri Ingraham, whose recent policy brief at the American Enterprise Institute, “The Case for Industry-Specific High Schools,” is sparking conversation. In this episode, Dr. Ingraham explains why…
Written by Empower Mississippi Rep. Lee Yancey: Kratom, Underground Markets, and the Demon Chipmunk In this episode, host, Grant Callen sits down with State Representative Lee Yancey, a seasoned lawmaker with 11 years of service in the Mississippi Legislature. A one-time Senator, Rep. Yancey now chairs the House Business and Commerce Committee and serves on…
Written by Empower Mississippi Rep. Jansen Owen: Special Session Report and 2026 Preview Representative Jansen Owen is a key leader in the Mississippi House of Representatives. In his six-year legislative career, he has already seen several of his bills signed into law. In this episode of the Empower Podcast, host Grant Callen speaks with Rep.…
Written by Empower Mississippi Senator Brice Wiggins: Justice, Education, and Mississippi’s Future State Senator Brice Wiggins (R-Pascagoula), Chairman of the Judiciary-A Committee, joins Grant Callen to discuss his journey from prosecutor to legislative leader. Representing Jackson County since 2011, Senator Wiggins shares insights into his proudest legislative achievements, including 2014’s House Bill 585 that reshaped Mississippi’s…
Capitol Chat Library
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 8 As another committee deadline approaches, some bills are gaining steam while others quietly stall. In this week’s episode, we unpack a significant school choice–adjacent tax credit bill, a proposed workforce initiative, and a handful of other bills that could either advance or die in the coming days.
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 7 It was a budget-heavy week under the Dome, with more than 100 appropriations bills clearing a critical hurdle. We unpack the latest on education funding, the lingering school choice conversation, and what to watch as the session heads toward its next deadline.
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 6 From floor votes to a few “spirited” House measures, Week 6 had a little bit of everything. We break down the education bills still moving, the buzz around a recent voice vote, and what’s brewing as lawmakers eye the next big deadline.
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 5 Week 5 at the Capitol featured some of the most consequential policy and political moves yet. In this episode, we walk through some of the biggest developments, including shifts in the education debate, major House action, an update on the ballot initiative, and another big deadline on the…
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 4 A shortened week at the Capitol didn’t significantly stall progress ahead of a critical deadline next week. In this episode, we dive into the latest on House Bill 2 and highlight some intriguing bills that are already making their way through the legislative process.
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 3 With an ice storm looming and the bill introduction deadline behind them, lawmakers shifted gears during week three of the legislative session. We highlight a few bills drawing early attention and break down this week’s action, including a couple of celebrity appearances and the latest on House Bill…