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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!

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Interview Library

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Denisha Allen: Firsthand experience with the life-changing power of a great school

September 23, 2024

Denisha Allen: Firsthand experience with the life-changing power of a great school Host Grant Callen welcomes Denisha Allen in this episode, unraveling her remarkable journey from childhood struggles in Jacksonville, Florida to her current role as a national advocate for school choice. The conversation highlights the transformative impact of school choice on Denisha’s life and emphasizes…

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Elyse Marcellino: Microschools on the Move in the Magnolia State

September 23, 2024

Elyse Marcellino: Microschools on the Move in the Magnolia State Join us as we explore the transformative world of education with Elyse Marcellino, the director of Embark: New Schools for Mississippi.. Listen in as Elyse shares her work guiding ambitious individuals through the process of opening charter schools and microschools in Mississippi. She reveals how…

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Secretary of State Michael Watson: Removing Barriers to Education and Work

September 23, 2024

Secretary of State Michael Watson: Removing Barriers to Education and Work This week host Grant Callen sat down with Mississippi’s 36th Secretary of State Michael Watson to talk about removing barriers to opportunity, especially those related to education and work. Sec. Watson has been a longtime advocate for school choice, so they discussed why he…

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Arkansas State Sen. Breanne Davis: Empowering Families through Education Reform

September 23, 2024

Arkansas State Sen. Breanne Davis: Empowering Families through Education Reform This week, we’re thrilled to have Arkansas State Senator Breanne Davis, the lead sponsor of the LEARNS Act, a transformative piece of legislation that has had a profound impact on the state’s education system. Listen in as Senator Davis passionately discusses how the LEARNS Act…

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Christina Dent: A Curious Approach to the War on Drugs

September 23, 2024

Christina Dent Interview: A Curious Approach to the War on Drugs Christina Dent, founder of End it For Good, shares her transformative journey as a conservative, evangelical Christian to a powerful advocate for ending drug prohibition. Christina’s unique perspective emerged from her experiences as a foster parent, particularly her encounter with Joanne, a mother struggling…

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Ian Rowe Interview: An Approach to Empower all Americans to Pursue Their Dreams

September 23, 2024

Ian Rowe Interview: An Approach to Empower all Americans to Pursue Their Dreams We are back with another powerful episode of the Empower Podcast, featuring a riveting conversation with Ian Rowe, the dynamic author, scholar, and founder of a thriving charter school network. Rowe’s inspiring book, ‘Agency,’ serves as the foundation of our conversation, as…

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Capitol Chat Library

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Capitol Chat: Week 13

April 4, 2025

 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…

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Capitol Chat: Week 12

March 28, 2025

 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.

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Capitol Chat: Week 11

March 21, 2025

 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.

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Capitol Chat: Week 10

March 14, 2025

 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. 

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Capitol Chat: Week 9

March 7, 2025

Capitol 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.

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Capitol Chat: Week 8

February 28, 2025

 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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