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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.
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Interview Library
Written by Empower Mississippi 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…
Written by Empower Mississippi 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.…
Written by Empower Mississippi 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…
Written by Empower Mississippi 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…
Written by Empower Mississippi 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,…
Written by Empower Mississippi 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…
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Capitol Chat Library
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…
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 2 A sweeping education bill, hours of debate, and a narrow House vote put school choice at the center of Week 2 action. In this edition of Capitol Chat, we unpack what happened with House Bill 2, take a quick look at early budget hearings, and highlight a few…
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 1 Capitol Chat is back for the 2026 legislative session, which is off to a quick start after only one week! Host Wil Ervin highlights early Senate action on teacher pay and public school choice, a sweeping House education bill, and a major Senate proposal to shore up PERS, setting the…
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Special Session Lawmakers were called into Special Session to adopt a $7.135 billion budget for State Fiscal Year 2026 after failing to adopt a budget during the 2025 regular session. Although it lasted only two days, the Special Session was not without drama and excitement. We break down all the…
Written by Empower Mississippi 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,…