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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 Kevin Parkinson: Choosing Jackson Why would a family put down roots in Jackson when so many others have left? In this episode of The Empower Podcast, Grant sits down with Ward 7 City Councilman Kevin Parkinson, an educator who came to Mississippi for a two-year teaching assignment and stayed. Kevin shares why…
Written by Empower Mississippi Jack & Elizabeth Coleman: Betting on the Delta For decades, communities across the Mississippi Delta have watched people, jobs, and opportunity leave. Jack and Elizabeth Coleman decided to go the other direction. After successful careers in Washington, D.C., and Texas, they returned to Jack’s hometown of Rosedale, Mississippi, and made an extraordinary…
Written by Empower Mississippi Rep. Celeste Hurst: When Helping Hurts Good intentions are not always enough. Sometimes the help we offer can create dependency, reinforce brokenness, or make it harder for people to move forward. In this episode of The Empower Podcast, Grant sits down with State Representative Celeste Hurst to discuss what years of ministry…
Written by Empower Mississippi Dayton Duncan: The Story Behind America’s National Parks In this episode, Grant sits down with award-winning writer and filmmaker Dayton Duncan, longtime collaborator of acclaimed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and co-creator of The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. Drawing on decades of research and storytelling, Dayton explains how America became the first…
Written by Empower Mississippi Sen. Jeremy England: Neighbors Before Opponents Politics works best when we remember we’re neighbors before we’re opponents. But in an age of polarization, is that still possible? In this episode, Grant sits down with State Senator Jeremy England to discuss the experiences and convictions that have shaped his approach to public service.…
Written by Empower Mississippi Andy Taggart: The Ideas That Made America As America approaches its 250th anniversary, what exactly are we celebrating? In this episode, Grant sits down with attorney, writer, and student of history Andy Taggart to explore the ideas behind the Declaration of Independence and why they remain relevant nearly two and a half…
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…