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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

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 criminal justice system,…
Listen Now Russ Latino: A Political Potpourri: From Trump’s First 100 Days to Mississippi’s Momentum In this jam-packed episode, host Grant Callen serves up a buffet of political topics with Russ Latino, Founder & CEO of Magnolia Tribune. From the highs and lows of President Trump’s first 100 days—covering tariffs, taxes, and the “Big Beautiful Bill”—to…
Listen NowBill Cork: Mississippi’s Economic Momentum Mississippi’s economy is on fire! In this episode, host Grant Callen sits down with Bill Cork, Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, to discuss Mississippi’s economic surge. With the state ranking No. 2 in the nation for GDP growth in 2024, record-breaking employment numbers, and over $32 billion in…
Listen NowDeArchie 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 NowCapitol Chat Library

Capitol Chat: Week 7 Halfway through the legislative session, we’re covering tax cuts, direct wine shipment, critical deadlines, and a scary situation in the Senate. Tune in to learn more on this week’s episode of Capitol Chat.
Listen NowCapitol Chat: Week 6 Roses are red, violets are blue, lawmakers are busy, and we break it down for you on this week’s episode of Capitol Chat! Tune in to hear about the latest happenings from week 6 of the 2025 legislative session.
Listen NowCapitol Chat: Week 5 With a big deadline on Tuesday, floor action on DEI and school choice, and the death of a high-profile bill to limit the power of the State Auditor, Week 5 of the 2025 session was action-packed! Tune in to this week’s episode of Capitol Chat to hear about all this and…
Listen NowCapitol Chat: Week 4 What do a critical deadline, State of the State address, and Presidential Executive Order all have in common? They’re all a part of this week’s episode of Capitol Chat! Be sure to tune in for the latest on all this and more from Week 4 of the legislative session.
Listen NowCapitol Chat: Week 3 Things got crazy in a subcommittee hearing, some new and interesting bills were introduced, and the House passed PBM reform. Hear about all this and more as host Wil Ervin breaks down what happened in Week 3 of the legislative session.
Listen NowCapitol Chat: Week 2 Empower Senior Vice President Wil Ervin highlights what happened at the Capitol during week 2 of the legislative session, including the latest on tax reform, key legislative deadlines, and Empower’s new labor force participation report. Don’t miss it!
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